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Palermo: sophisticated charm in a relaxed atmosphere.
Benvenuto! With around 660,000 inhabitants, Sicily's capital of Palermo is the economic and cultural centre of the island. From the airport, you head straight for your hotel. The luxurious "Rocco Forte Villa Igiea" captivates with its sophisticated charm and a magnificent view of the bay of Palermo. If you arrive early enough, you can take part in a short city tour. Here, you will stroll through picturesque alleys, discover a variety of historical sights from every era and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere in the harbour.
Anticipation for the days ahead will reach its peak during the drivers' briefing and Welcome Drink. A dinner in the outstanding hotel restaurant will round off your day perfectly. And that is just the beginning of an entire series of Sicilian moments to enjoy.
Palermo, Castelbuono, Palermo: legendary rally track.
The north of Sicily is ideal for discovering sporty routes and enjoying driving pleasure in a variety of ways. After a hearty breakfast, the route will take you towards Castelbuono. Here, you can put your driving talent to the test along spectacular sections of the "Targa Florio" rally route, one of the oldest and most thrilling road races in the world. You will stop at the legendary "Museo Targa Florio" in Collesano and then have plenty of opportunities to soak up the lifestyle of Castelbuono over lunch. Of course, a visit to the famous "Pasticceria Fiasconaro" is a must.
After this intense (driving) day, you will have time to relax. Back in Palermo, you can enjoy a dinner in the exquisite "MEC Restaurant" with "cuisine full of finesse", as the Michelin Guide praised, and quickly become enamoured. Of the delicious cookery. The unique landscape. And certainly also of the performance of your Porsche.
Palermo, Contessa Entellina, Palma di Montechiaro: in the Valley of the Temples.
Your driving day will take you to the centre of the island. After breakfast, you will explore the interior of the island behind the wheel of your sports car – varied moments with incomparable panoramic views. After lunch in a picturesque monastery, the driving pleasure continues: you will steer your Porsche to Agrigento for a stopover in the world-famous Valley of the Temples, which covers an area of roughly 1,300 hectares, offering thrilling monumental and scenic beauty. The Doric temples are among the most important testimonies of Greek culture and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
Drive south along the coast to the olive oil farm "Azienda Agricola Mandranova", your accommodation for the night. After the winding mountain tour, you can look forward to dinner together with Sicilian specialities.
Palma di Montechiaro, Geracello, Noto: immerse yourself in baroque flair.
Today's driving day will take you to the southeast of Sicily, which is captivating with its late baroque towns. After breakfast at the hotel, start your engine and hum along in a duet inland towards Geracello – garnished with fantastic views of the interior. Along the way, you will be served traditional delicacies in classic agritourism. You will then continue driving, and with every kilometre you will delve deeper into a region where Sicily increasingly shows its baroque side.
Your destination for the day is Noto, where the stage ends outside of the town at the "Masseria della Volpe". The country hotel in historic walls is in a wonderfully quiet location on a slight hill, picturesquely surrounded by olive and citrus trees. Dinner tastes particularly good in this Mediterranean ambience.
Around Val di Noto and Syracuse: a carefree and light way of life.
You can design your day in Bella Sicilia exactly as you wish. Either slow it down and relax in the dignified ambience of the "Masseria della Volpe". Or you can enjoy the magnificent sights of the Sicilian cities in the southeast and the landscapes in the mountainous hinterland. If you decide to visit a town, the beautiful gems of Syracuse and Ortigia are just waiting to be admired.
The small island of Ortigia is made of limestone. It is only about one square kilometre, forming the historic centre of Syracuse and connected by bridges to the main Sicilian island as well as the rest of the city. There is a lot to discover here – baroque grandeur, the carefree and light way of life and the infectious Sicilian Dolce Vita. The programme also includes a short tour of Syracuse on typical Italian scooters, so-called APEs. Afterwards, there will be enough time to explore the city on foot. Thoroughly inspired, you will then return to the hotel in the afternoon.
Noto, Capo d'Orlando, Taormina: overwhelming nature in the national park.
After breakfast at the beloved "Masseria della Volpe", you will leave the charming resort and embark on a varied journey from the south to the north of Sicily. A highlight: the tour through the Nebrodi Mountains National Park. Known as the "Dolomites of the South", the National Park offers dense forests, impressive rock formations, flowing streams and diverse vegetation. A number of attractions invite you to linger in nature.
On your hunt for the most beautiful impressions of Sicily, you will also come across the coastal village of Capo d’Orlando. Afterwards, you will set off towards Taormina with fresh vigour. There you will be welcomed at the "Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo" opposite the Greek Theatre. The first hotel built in the city offers a heavenly view of the coast of the famous Mount Etna volcano. After a short walk in the Old Town, you can enjoy dinner featuring a variety of Sicilian specialities. Afterwards, you will return to your hotel room with a full stomach and a happy heart – looking forward to the next day.
Taormina, Etna, Taormina: under the spell of the volcano.
Today you will experience a highlight of your journey. Over the past few days you have experienced a lot, seen a lot and collected some very exciting memories. Now a spectacular drive around Mount Etna is on the cards. Europe's largest active volcano rises about 3,323 metres into the sky and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013. The closer you get to the smoking giant, the greater the awe-inspiring anticipation becomes. And if it hasn't managed to do so before, Mount Etna will completely mesmerise you during your panoramic helicopter flight. Afterwards, a walk awaits you that will give you a whole new perspective on the volcano.
After a refreshment stop at one of the region's most famous wineries, you return to Taormina via winding roads – ideal for enjoying the performance of your Porsche. The last evening of your Sicily tour will begin with a dinner in the pleasant, comfortable ambience of "Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo". And you may even dream of repeating your adventure soon.
Taormina, Airport: arrivederci Sicilia.
The French writer Guy de Maupassant was so enthusiastic about Taormina that he wrote the following lines: "Were a man to spend only one day in Sicily and ask, 'What must one see?', I would answer him without hesitation, Taormina."
Be sure then to enjoy breakfast and a breathtaking view at the "Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo" one last time. If your departure is later, you have the opportunity to take part in a guided tour of the city. And once you are back in the airplane, you may even be lucky enough to catch one last glimpse of Mount Etna, bidding you farewell in a small puff of smoke.