Fly and Drive in Calabria and Sicily: a Dream Journey between Sun, History and Flavors

Welcome to Sicily
Leaving is an exciting time for many travellers. It marks the beginning of an adventure. Today you will start to be part of a community, which will give you a rewarding travel experience. You will have the opportunity to transform a simple trip into an opportunity for personal growth, cultural enrichment, Globest welcomes you to PALERMO. After collecting the rental car, you will reach your hotel in the Palermo region for an overnight stay.

Palermo and the magnificence of Monreale
Breakfast at the hotel. The second day is entirely dedicated to the discovery of the artistic and architectural treasures of Palermo and Monreale. Start the morning by leaving for Monreale, a wonderful Arab-Norman town located a few kilometers from Palermo, to visit its Cathedral, a masterpiece of Norman architecture, famous for its gold mosaics, which entirely cover the interior of the church, depicting biblical scenes and the life of Christ. At the end of the visit, return to Palermo to dedicate the rest of the day to visiting the capital of Sicily, a city at the crossroads of cultures, where the East and the West merge in a unique harmony. Walking through its streets, you are captivated by an explosion of styles: from the Arab domes of the Cathedral to the Byzantine mosaics of the Palatine Chapel in the Norman Palace. Historic markets such as Ballarò, Vucciria and Capo are a riot of colours, scents and voices, offering an authentic immersion in the daily life of Palermo, among street food stalls and typical products. At lunch, savor its culinary delights: arancine, panelle, sfincione and cannoli are just some of the specialties that will delight the palate. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

From the ruins of Agrigento to the beauty of Taormina
Breakfast at the hotel. The third day will see you travel through southern Sicily to reach Agrigento, a city famous for its majestic Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, among centuries-old olive trees and almond trees in bloom (if the season allows it), you can admire the magnificently preserved remains of some of the most important Doric temples of the ancient Greek world: the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Juno and the Temple of Hercules. Free lunch. After visiting the valley of the temples, you will begin our journey eastwards, crossing the interior of the island with its rural landscapes and small towns, until reaching the Taormina region. The journey will be long but evocative, offering unique views of the most authentic Sicily. Overnight stay in a hotel in the Catania region, ready for the wonders of the next day.

An Unforgettable Journey to the Heart of Sicily
Breakfast at the hotel. The fourth day is an unforgettable trip to the heart of Sicily, where the majesty of Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, meets the refined beauty of Taormina. Start with the climb up Etna. Once you arrive at the Sapienza refuge, it will be possible if you wish to carry out the excursion (for a fee) to the summit craters of Etna, first taking advantage of the Etna cable car, which from an altitude of 1900 meters will take you to an altitude of 2500 metres, reaching 2500 metres, the tour will continue on board special “4×4 jeep” vehicles until reaching an altitude of 2900 metres. The experience of walking on extinct craters and observing the lunar landscapes created by lava flows is simply unique. The panorama that opens from the summit, with views of the Ionian coast and the interior of the island is breathtaking. Once the excursion to Etna is over, head down to the vineyards of Zafferana Etnea for an optional visit to the cellars of a renowned farm and a tasting of local wines and products. Free lunch. In the afternoon, move to Taormina, one of the most fascinating places in Sicily. Here, the Ancient Theatre, with its natural setting that includes Etna and the sea, is a place of extraordinary beauty. Stroll along Corso Umberto, the main street full of shops, cafes and restaurants, admiring the panoramic squares and breathtaking views of Isola Bella. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Between Sicily and Calabria, Between History and Myth
Breakfast at the hotel. Today is the day of the transition from Sicily to Calabria. Set off towards Messina to take the ferry that will take you through the Strait of Messina. Once you disembark at Villa San Giovanni, head to Reggio Calabria, one of the most beautiful cities in Calabria, nestled on the Strait of Messina and the tip of Italy’s boot. Visit the Falcomatà seafront, one of the most beautiful seaside walks in Italy, the Aragonese Castle and the National Archaeological Museum that houses the Bronzes, found in the seabed of Riace (hence the Riace Bronzes). Free lunch. In the afternoon continue towards Scylla, a legendary seaside village, linked to the myth of Scylla and Charybdis. Admire the Chianalea neighborhood, known as the “Venice of the South”, with its fishermen’s houses built directly on the water. Visit the Ruffo Castle, which dominates the town and offers spectacular views of the Strait of Messina. The day ends in the Palmi region, a town that boasts a suggestive seafront and a characteristic historic centre. Hotel accommodation and overnight stay.

The Heart of the Coast of the Gods
Breakfast at the hotel. Dedicate the morning to discovering the historic center of Tropea, the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, Tropea enchants with its narrow streets, noble palaces and panoramic squares. A visit to the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola, symbol of the city, which stands on a rock in front of the town centre, is unmissable. Free lunch. In the afternoon, drive for a short detour to Pizzo Calabro, a delightful coastal town known for its charming Murat Castle, where Gioacchino Murat was shot. But Pizzo is most famous for Pizzo’s «Truffle», an artisanal hazelnut ice cream with a heart of melted bitter chocolate, all covered in chocolate powder, a real treat for the palate! Stroll through its picturesque historic center and enjoy the view of the Gulf of Sant’Eufemia. Arrival in the evening at the hotel in the Vibo Valentia area and overnight stay.

Between history and nature
Breakfast at the hotel. Today the journey takes you to the Calabrian hinterland, between history, art and uncontaminated nature. The first stop is Stilo, a charming village famous for the Cattolica di Stilo, a small Byzantine church from the 9th century, an exceptional example of Byzantine architecture in Italy, a UNESCO heritage site. Admire its simplicity and timeless beauty. Free lunch on the farm. In the afternoon, the route winds towards Serra San Bruno, a small mountain town in the heart of the Serre Park, surrounded by dense forests of beech, fir and centuries-old oak trees famous for the Certosa, the first monastery of the Carthusian order. The Certosa is a place of silence and prayer, where the monks live in seclusion and follow an austere and rigorous rule. It is not possible to visit the interior of the monastery, but you can access the charterhouse museum (entrance not included), which tells the story and life of the monks through photos and objects. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Sanctuaries and Art Villages
Breakfast at the hotel. The last day of this unforgettable journey will take you north, with two significant stops before arriving in the Naples region. The first stop is in Paola, a town overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and surrounded by wonderful mountainous landscapes, where you will visit the birthplace of San Francesco di Paola, the Patron Saint of Calabria, transformed into a chapel and the sanctuary (free entry). Then continue towards Altomonte, a medieval village with a splendid view of the Pollino, Sila, Sibari plain and Ionian Sea mountains, famous for its Gothic architecture and its artisan workshops. In its historic center, which recalls that of an Arab city, with narrow alleys and steep stairways (provide a 15-minute walk to reach the centre) you can buy the latest souvenirs and savor the unique atmosphere of Calabria one last time. Free lunch. From Altomonte, the journey continues towards the Naples region, which marks the end of this extraordinary adventure between Sicily and Calabria. You will have your eyes and heart full of unforgettable images, flavors and memories, testimony to a journey that allowed you to discover the true essence of Southern Italy. Hotel accommodation and overnight stay.

Goodbye Southern Italy!
After breakfast, route to the airport for delivery of the car and boarding formalities. On this day of return, nostalgia for the places visited and enthusiasm for returning home mix. Today a chapter closes and a new one opens, you are part of our Community, you will bring with you the promise of new, even more extraordinary future adventures. Happy homecoming.