Itinerary
- Day 1
Palermo
You'll land in Palermo and get settled at your hotel in the city center, where you're staying for five nights. After checking in, the day is completely open for you to wander around on your own terms. Walk through the streets and take in the mix of Norman, Arabic, and Baroque architecture, or find a traditional trattoria for dinner if you're hungry after traveling.
Optional Activities
- Explore Palermo's streets and architecture independently
- Visit museums, theaters, or cultural festivals
- Dine at traditional trattorias
- Day 2
Palermo
After breakfast, you'll meet your German-speaking guide and head to the Capo market, which Arab traders established back in the 9th century. You'll sample local specialties and see how daily life actually works here. From there, you'll walk Via Maqueda toward the Palermo Cathedral (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), then move through the Norman Palace to see the intricate mosaics. In the afternoon, the group heads to Danisinni to visit the local emporium and grab a lunch snack of regional foods. By the time the tour wraps up at Porta Nuova, you'll have the rest of the day free to explore more neighborhoods or try some Sicilian wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Snack (Lunch snack of typical specialties in Danisinni district)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Capo market with regional delicacies sampling
- Walk along Via Maqueda
- Visit Palermo Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Visit Norman Palace with mosaics
- Visit Danisinni district with community project support
- Shop at Danisinni Emporium
- Lunch snack of typical specialties
Optional Activities
- Taste Sicilian wine
- Explore additional areas of the city in the afternoon
Landmarks Capo Market Via Maqueda Palermo Cathedral Norman Palace Danisinni District Porta Nuova - Day 3
Palermo
Start at Quattro Canti where the main streets cross, and your guide will point out the Baroque architecture and sculptures. Next comes the Fontana Pretoria and the exterior of Palazzo Pretorio, where you'll learn about the Carta di Palermo. Take a coffee break at a local spot, then walk to the Church of Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and through the Ballaro Arab market to soak up the atmosphere. Lunch happens at a restaurant run by migrants and local families. In the afternoon, you'll visit the Church of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria with its attached former monastery and try traditional desserts. Your guide will give recommendations for where to eat dinner, leaving that choice to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at restaurant run by migrants and locals), Snack (Traditional delicacies with small dessert at Church of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria)
Included Activities
- Visit Quattro Canti with Baroque architecture tour
- Visit Fontana Pretoria and Palazzo Pretorio (exterior tour)
- Visit Church of Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Explore Ballaro Arab market
- Lunch at restaurant run by migrants and locals
- Visit Church of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria
- Sample traditional delicacies and small dessert
Optional Activities
- Coffee break in a local coffee house
- Evening dining recommendations from tour guide
Landmarks Quattro Canti Via Vittorio Emanuele Via Maqueda Fontana Pretoria Palazzo Pretorio Church of Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio Ballaro Arab Market Church of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria - Day 4
Palermo
The Kalsa district is your focus today, starting at the San Domenico church where Judge Falcone is buried. Your guide will explain the 'pizzo-free' movement and how local shop owners refuse protection money. Then you'll check out Casa di Paolo to see their community programs for kids from difficult situations and grab a snack from their cookshop. From there, head to Palazzo Butera to see the Valsecchi couple's art collection. Late in the afternoon, your guide takes you to the new port to see how modern Palermo is developing. Wrap up the day with an aperitivo at a nice bar or gelato by the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Snack (Snack from Casa di Paolo traditional cookshop)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Kalsa district
- Visit San Domenico church
- Visit pizzo-free stores with explanation from tour guide
- Visit Casa di Paolo and learn about community projects
- Snack from Casa di Paolo traditional cookshop
- Visit Palazzo Butera with Valsecchi art collection
- Guided exploration of new port
Optional Activities
- Aperitivo at an attractive bar
- Gelato by the harbor
Landmarks Kalsa District San Domenico Church Casa di Paolo Palazzo Butera Palermo Port - Day 5
Monreale
You'll travel to Monreale to visit the cathedral with its famous mosaics showing Old and New Testament stories. This 12th-century Norman structure blends Romanesque, Arabic, and Byzantine styles together. The cloister has over 200 columns with ornamental details worth seeing. After walking around Monreale, you'll visit a traditional bread bakery where you can buy items from the wood-fired oven and taste some products while looking out over Palermo. Back in Palermo in the afternoon, take time to relax with an espresso and enjoy some 'il dolce far niente' (the sweet idleness). Your guide can suggest where to spend this free time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Snack (Tasting of local delicacies from traditional bread bakery with view of Palermo)
Included Activities
- Travel to Monreale
- Visit Monreale Cathedral
- Explore cathedral mosaics and Norman architecture
- Tour cathedral cloister
- Walk through Monreale
- Visit traditional bread bakery
- Tasting of local delicacies with view of Palermo
- Return to Palermo
Optional Activities
- Espresso in local bars
- Additional exploration of Monreale or Palermo
Landmarks Monreale Cathedral Monreale - Day 6
Palermo
After your final breakfast, you'll head out individually to begin your journey back home. You leave Sicily with memories from the past five days.
- Meals
- Breakfast
