Sicily: history, food & sea

Palermo – San Vito Lo Capo – Mazara Del Vallo – Menfi – Cefalù

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Palermo – San Vito Lo Capo – Mazara Del Vallo – Menfi – Cefalù 8 days / 7 nights   
“And anyone who has once known this land can never be quite free from the nostalgia for it.” 
(D. H. Lawrence)   

Day 1 (Thursday): PALERMO
Independent arrival to Palermo (optional transfer from airport). Accommodation at selected hotel. In the late afternoon, meeting with your  gay tour guide. In the evening, Welcome Aperitif with presentation of the programme and dinner in a restaurant. Overnight. 

Day 2 (Friday): PALERMO
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day excursion to discover Palermo and its Norman-Arab-Byzantine culture: through the historical centre and the enchanting squares, visits to the Norman Palace and the wonderful Palatine Chapel, the Cathedral, the Baroque Square Quattro Canti and the Church of Martorana. Lunch on the road to try some famous typical Sicilian street food. In the late afternoon, aperitif followed by dinner in a local restaurant. In the evening, you can enjoy the gay nightlife of Palermo. Overnight. 

Day 3 (Saturday): PALERMO – CASTELLAMMARE DEL GOLFO - ZINGARO NATURE RESERVE – SAN VITO LO CAPO - PALERMO
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day excursion by boat, from Castellammare del Golfo to San Vito Lo Capo, through the Zingaro Nature Reserve, with stops in some small coves and swim in the pristine sea of the area (according to the weather conditions the boat excursion could be replaced by a walk through the Natural Reserve). Lunch in a restaurant. In the late afternoon, return to Palermo. Aperitif followed by dinner in a local restaurant and opportunity to continue the night in a gay club. Overnight.



Day 4 (Sunday): PALERMO – MAZARA DEL VALLO
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Mazara del Vallo by private minibus. On the road, stop in a typical winery to discover the secrets of Sicilian grapes, with final tasting of 4 wines, accompanied by local foods: bread with extra virgin olive oil, olives, crostini with anchovies, cherry tomatoes, cheese. In the afternoon, arrival to Mazara del Vallo and accommodation at the hotel. Free time to relax in the SPA of the hotel or for a walk. Dinner at the hotel and overnight.

Day 5 (Monday): MAZARA DEL VALLO – PLATANI RIVER NATURAL RESERVE - MENFI
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to the Platani River Natural Reserve, one of the beautiest natural area of Europe, with break for a swim in its crystal water. Lunch on the beach. In the afternoon, transfer to Menfi and arrival to a typical holiday farm. Cooking class “Le mani in pasta” (the hands in the dough), followed by a dinner to taste what has been prepared. In the evening, Special Party with music, drinks and night swim in a reserved pool. Overnight.

Day 6 (Tuesday): MENFI – SELINUNTE - CEFALÙ
Breakfast at the holiday farm. Departure to Selinunte and visit to the famous archaeological site by electric cars. Stop in one of the best beaches of the area for a swim and lunch and, in the afternoon, transfer to Cefalù. Dinner in a restaurant and Walking Tour of the town by night, with its historical monuments, the ancient palaces, the typical shops and the important Cathedral. Overnight. 



Day 7 (Wednesday): CEFALÙ - PALERMO
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Palermo, with break in the biggest Outlet Fashion Village of Sicily (shops of the most famous brands like Prada, Armani, Cavalli, …). After lunch, arrival to Palermo and free time in the afternoon. Good Bye dinner in a restaurant followed by a funny party. Overnight. 

Day 8 (Thursday): PALERMO
Breakfast at the hotel. End of services (optional transfer to the airport).             

HOTELS: 
Comfort Class: 
Palermo: PORTA FELICE**** standard room – 3+1 nights 
Mazara del Vallo: VISIR RESORT & SPA****S standard room – 1 night 
Menfi: AGRITURISMO TENUTA STOCCATELLO standard room – 1 night 
Cefalù: KALURA*** standard room – 1 night   

All the selected hotels are “gay friendly certified” and are part of “ LGBT Tourism Network”, a project developed throughout Italy to guarantee proper hospitality standards for a tourism respectful of gender identities and sexual orientations. Our hotels are centrally located, convenient to reach the main attractions. In some cases, the accommodation could be in different hotels (same category, similar location).   

The  gay tour guide, always with the group for the whole tour, can support you to organize the free time in the most exiting way. He is able to suggest the most important attractions and the best restaurants and can escort you to discover the most hidden areas of the cities. The programme may change for various reasons, beyond our responsibility. In this case, we will reschedule the lost experience, or offer a valid alternative to compensate for the inconvenience. Upon request, according to the taste of participants,  can design customized programmes, for organized groups or individual tourists, in all periods of the year.   

PRICES INCLUDE: 
- expert gay tour guide for the whole duration of the trip; 
- Private GT minibus for all the mentioned transfers and tours; 
- 6 nights accommodation in 3*/4* hotels (buffet breakfast included); 
- 1 night accommodation in holiday farm (buffet breakfast included); 
- 1 Welcome Aperitif and Dinner (including drinks); 
- 1 cooking class + dinner (including drinks); 
- 4 dinners at hotel or local restaurants (including drinks); 
- 1 Good Bye Eve with aperitif and dinner (including drinks); 
- 7 lunches (including drinks); - Walking Tours and Excursions as per programme (including entrance tickets and tastings as mentioned); 
- Free access to the SPA Center (1 day); 
- Hotel Taxes; 
- Medical and luggage insurance.   

PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE: 
- Airfare; 
- Airport transfers at the beginning and end of the tour; 
- Meals and drinks not mentioned in the programme; 
- Entrance fees to monuments not mentioned in the programme (most of walking tours include outside visits); 
- Gratuities for drivers, porters and restaurant staff; 
- Passports and other expenses of a personal nature such as minibar charges, laundry, telephone calls, etc.