Sicily Sample Itinerary
“To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is not to have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything". Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Day 1: Depart US
Day
2: Arrive Palermo
Arrive Palermo. Pick up your rental car at the Palermo Airport. Drive to your wonderful B&B in the countryside- approximately 1 hour and 30 minute drive. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner with your hostess prepared from the produce, wines and olive oils of the estate.
Day 3: Regaleali
Relaxing at the property. Take the guided tour of the winery.Day 4: Agrigento
Day trip to Agrigento. Agrigento's amazing Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi) is one of the most memorable sights of the ancient world. Spend the cooler morning hours wandering the temples. Ticket booths are found at the west and east entrances (tel. 0922-497341); they're 4.50€ ($5.40) for adults. Hours are daily from 8:30am to 7pm.Day 5: Vallelunga/Segesta
Farmers market in Vallelunga this morning. We suggest a visit to Segesta and the Planeta winery.
Day 6: Palermo
Day trip to Palermo. Leave your car at the nearby train station
and take the 08.30 train to Palermo, and the 5pm or 7pm coming back,
1h.20 minute train ride. We suggest that you visit many of Palermo’s
most beautiful attractions such as: 
The
Cathedral, La Cappella Palatina, the centro storico. Have lunch at
the world famous Antica Focacceria di San Francesco where you will
have the opportunity to try some of Palermo’s most traditional
and ancient foods—from “sfincionello” to “pane
ca’ meusa”. From there, a leisurely walk will take you
to Ilardo, the city’s most popular and oldest gelateria.
Day 7: Taormina
Make your way to Taormina to meet your homestay family and begin your
language course. On the way stop at Piazza Armerina: Art lovers journey
from all over Europe and America to see the ruins of an extraordinary
Roman villa at Casale, basing themselves in the little town of Piazza
Armerina. Once known only as "Piazza," the town gets its
name from Colle 
Armerino,
one of a trio of hills on which it was constructed. The town is actually
two-in-one: the original "Piazza," a village that dates from
the heyday of the Saracens in the 10th century; and a 15th-century "overflow" town
that extended to the southeast as early as the 15th century. Located
6km (3 1/2 miles) from Piazza Armerina, this magnificent villa is one
of the largest dwellings of its kind to have survived from the days
of the Romans. Its 40 rooms are "carpeted" with 11,340 sq.
m (122,063 sq. ft.) of some of the greatest, most magnificent mosaics
in western Europe. A lovely drive 30km (18 miles) southeast of Piazza
Amerina takes you to Caltagirone, an enchanting little town that earthenware
potteries
built. Glazed pottery is offered at shops throughout the town, whose
most celebrated attraction is Scala di Santa Maria del Monte, a stunning
set of ceramic steps leading from old town to new town. There are 142
lava stair treads graced with majolica tiles -- no two alike -- that
evoke everything from Moorish designs to baroque patterns. As you go
along, you'll encounter Branciforti, Scala di Santa Maria del Monte
3 (tel. 0933/24427), which sells stunning ceramics in deep
shades of blue with swirling arabesques.
Days 8, 9, 10: Language Course in Taormina
Not to miss during your time in Taormina is Le Case del Biviere (open April to October; for reservations, call Lanza & Baucina, 44-0207/738-2222) one of Sicily's most delightful gardens, in which old roses creep across ancient walls and palms and jacaranda cast pools of shade on the lawn. Visits to the garden can also include lunch or afternoon tea.
Day 11: Catania
Afternoon drive to Catania and check into your hotel. Evening at leisure to explore the town.Day 12: Fly Home
Transfer to the airport and fly home