The Howell Graduation Celebration – Sicily (2022)

Take an overnight flight from Orlando to Catania, Sicily.

When you arrive in Catania our staff would be waiting to take you from the airport to your hotel. Once you check-in and get settled, we head out for an evening at the town and get a Traditional Sicilian dinner.

Visit to Syracuse! Visit the Temple of Apollo, the Archaeological Park, the Duomo, and many other historical areas. In the evening take a sunset cruise and enjoy this ancient land from the water. Later, we head back to Catania.

We begin our day today with a Visit to Castello Ursin. A 13th Century castle built on the orders of Frederick II, the Holy Roman Emperor. After the castle we grab a bite and later head out head to the Flea Market at Piazza Carlo Alberto Di Savoia, spend the evening browsing through this sprawling, crowded flea market. Later on we have dinner at a local café.

Today we head to Taormina! This ancient city will take us back in time as we visit the Piazza Aprile, Teatro Antico di Taormina, meander along the Corso Umberto and dine in local café’s. We spend the night in the quaint town of Taormina. We then return to Palermo.

Once back we have a Special Surprise! We go on a Sicilian History and Culture tour with Dr. Anita Bestler, PhD in Sicilian History, the best personal guide in town. She has lived in Sicily for over 30 years which makes her love for the country a genuine love and it shines through in her excitement and magnificent knowledge of the historic multicultural melting pot of Palermo and Sicily as a whole.

We head out of Taormina today and make our way to Palermo. Once we get there we check-in to our hotel and get settled. We head out first for the Cathedral of Palermo. In the Crypt see the tombs of kings and queens, including the tomb of King Roger II. There is also the treasury of the cathedral, a collection of royal jewelry from the 12th century.

After the cathedral we head to Ballaro Market and enjoy walking around the market stalls to taste local specialties. Then we head to Quattro Canti crossroads, known as the “Four Corners” in English, to admire these 4 perfectly symmetrical facades. All are built on the same model: at the base, a fountain representing the seasons; at the first level, the statues of the kings of Palermo and at the last level, the representations of the 4 patron saints of Palermo.

But wait, in the evening we get to do something truly unique and culturally important as we head out with Giorgio Flaccavento to learn all about the history of Sicilan street food! Street food in Sicily, especially Palermo is of major cultural importance and we will learn first-hand how street food vendors kept the city going throughout some of its darkest periods. Giorgio is a true historian, and this tour will certainly be a highlight of the trip.

Today we head out to Cefalù for the day. We start with visiting the Cefalù Cathedral. It sits in a huge square filled with outdoor seating from cafés and restaurants and is the hub of the city. Once done with the visit to the cathedral we have lunch at one of the local cafes that are right next to the cathedral.

After lunch we head out to Lavatoio Medievale Fiume Cefalino, a medieval laundry/ wash house where locals used to wash their clothes up until around the 1960s. Then we head out for some local shopping in the narrow streets of Cefalu. Also Visit the beach to relax for a bit. Later we have a traditional dinner and head to our hotel.

We head from Cefalù back to Palermo today. Once we arrive we check-in at our hotel and get settled. Later, hit the beach! Visit the famed Spiaggia di Mondello and unwind as we enjoy the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean. With its fine sand and clear water, it’s Palermitans’ favorite beach.

Visit Take a short drive today and visit The Cathedral of Monreale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a masterpiece of architecture, especially on the inside, covered with more than 6,500 square meters of gilded mosaics, depicting scenes from the New and Old Testament. This Norman-Byzantine style church used to have 2 towers. After being struck by lightning, it now only has 1 and a half.

Then, grab some lunch at a local eatery in the town of Monreale. The town also boasts some beautiful viewpoints. After a stroll through the town head back to Palermo

Family Day