Private tour of Villa Romana del Casale and Piazza Armerina and Caltagirone - from Palermo

Starting

165,00
 Description

Private tour of Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina and the Baroque city of Caltagirone, both included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Caltagirone is rich in clay from which, thanks to the expert work of local artisans, the ceramics for which the town is famous are produced. Your driver will pick you up near your hotel in Palermo. You will comfortably travel on your vehicle, while enjoying the lovely views of the varied Sicilian landscape. First, you will visit Villa Romana del Casale, located in the southwestern area of Piazza Armerina. This villa attracts many visitors every year from around the world eager to see its 3,500 square metres of well-preserved mosaics. Dating back to the fourth century AD, the interios of this Venetian villa feature floors and walls adorned with geometric mosaics or mosaics depicting hunting and daily life scenes. Among the most famous images, a group of young girls practicing gymnastics. Then, you will reach Caltagirone, famous for its production of ceramics. The town flourished under the Norman rule, was tragically destroyed by the famous earthquake of 1693 and then was rebuilt while trying to preserve its original Norman style. Before taking a stroll through the historic centre, you will admire the staircase of Santa Maria del Monte, built by Giuseppe Giacalone in 1600. Its hundred and forty steps, whose rises were covered with majolica in the fifties of the twentieth century, designed to connect the upper and the lower town. Famous throughout the world, the staircase is decorated with oil candles, arranged like floral ornaments, every year, on 24 and 25 July in honour of St. James, the patron saint of the town, celebrated with the feast called “La Luminaria”. Then, you will visit the Ceramic Museum, whose finds represent the historical memory of this noble art, already practiced in the fourth millennium BC. You will have some free time to visit the many souvenir shops in the town and buy handmade ceramics. You will then get back to your hotel in Palermo.

 More informations
HIGHLIGHTS
- Collection of Roman mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina
- Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte in Caltagirone
- Ceramics and Baroque buildings of Caltagirone old town

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
- Car/minivan
- Driver/Guide
- Diesel fuel and road tolls

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
- Lunch, beverages
- Fees required to access archaeological sites and churches
- Local guides
- Any taxes and parking fees, where required

USEFUL INFORMATION
- We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing for church.
- If you want, your guide will show you a good restaurant where to have lunch.
- Your driver is not a local guide. Any local guides must be purchased separately.
- The driver/guide will show you the main features of the town providing basic information.

Start time

07:30 am

End Time

05:30 pm

Duration

10 hours

Languages

English, Italian, Spanish

Meeting point

at your hotel in Palermo

Duration

10 hours