Name: Easter & Good Friday in Western Sicily 4-day tour by air: 17 to 20 April 2025
Start: 2025-04-17T04:00:00+02:00
End: 2025-04-21T00:35:00+02:00
Location: Go Sicily Travel by Mario Spiteri

Easter & Good Friday in Western Sicily 4-day tour by air: 17 to 20 April 2025

Easter in Western Sicily 4-day tour by air
Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 April 2025
Spend your Easter holidays with us in Sicily.
OUR EASTER TOUR IS ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR TOURS. EARLY BOOKING IS THEREFORE RECOMMENDED SINCE WE HAVE LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE ON THIS TOUR
The timing of this 4-day tour is aimed at those who wish to go on a short break in beautiful Sicily during the Easter holidays. Although this is not a religiously themed tour, we will have the opportunity to attend a traditional Good Friday procession in a lovely and picturesque Sicilian town, as also experience Easter Sunday in another beautiful medieval Sicilian village. All this in addition to a varied sightseeing itinerary which will enable us to experience the real and authentic Sicily away from the beaten track.
This short and relaxing Easter break will surely provide you with a pleasant opportunity to unwind and relax either alone or in the company of your friends or family or, as usually happens on our Go Sicily Travel groups, to make new friends.
This year we have chosen the provinces of Trapani and Agrigento for our Easter tour and we are very enthusiastic to be able to visit one of Sicily’s most important Good Friday processions - the 24-hour long traditional procession in the town of Trapani. On Easter Sunday, we will be able to experience the unique “Archi di Pane” festivities in the little village of San Biagio Platani, in the neighboring province of Agrigento. Please refer to https://www.archidipasqua.eu for more details on this unique event.
Rich in culture, history and archaelogy, the provinces of Trapani and Agrigento occupy the westernmost part of Sicily and the area is a jewel waiting to be discovered. The landscape is varied and typically Mediterranean, with splendid beaches, seaside nature reserves and breathtaking panoramas. The provinces are known for their delicious food especially seafood, their wines which include the sweet port wines of the Marsala area as also the full bodied wines of the Alcamo and Menfi area and, last but not least, the friendliness and joie-de-vivre of the locals.
Our 4-day Easter break to the Trapani and Agrigento provinces will enable our guests to explore and savour various nooks and crannies of this wonderful part of Sicily and to discover what makes the area one of the most beautiful within our neighboring island.
Visiting:
Erice, Trapani, Palermo, Marsala, Mozia (including boat trip on the Riserva Naturale Orientata Laguna dello Stagnone), San Biagio Platani, Sant’ Angelo Muxaro, Scopello, Castellammare del Golfo, Castelvetrano, Centro Sicilia Shopping Centre / Primark
Tour programme
Thursday 17 April 2025
Meet at 4:00am at Malta International Airport for check in and embarkation on KM Malta Airlines flight KM640 to Catania departing at 6:00am. Arrival in Catania airport at 6:45am. We board our private coach and depart towards Palermo, arriving there at around 9:30am, stopping for a short break for coffee and to use the toilet facilities at a roadside cafeteria along the way. The Catania-Palermo motorway passes through the mountain ranges of central Sicily and is a veritable spectacle to enjoy. On arrival in Palermo, we will explore the historical centre, where we will be able to see various landmarks, including the Teatro Politeama Garibaldi, the Via Macheda, the Teatro Massimo, the Quattro Canti, the Piazza Pretoria, the Fontana della Vergogna and much more. Free time in Palermo, including free time for lunch (not included in tour price). Departure at around 4:00pm towards Castelvetrano, arriving there at around 6:00pm. Arrival at our Hotel, the four star superior Hotel Althea Palace (http://www.altheapalacehotel.it) in time for check in and allocation of rooms. Free time, followed by dinner at the Hotel.
Friday 18 April 2025
Buffet breakfast at the Hotel. Departure to Marsala, which has been known for its dessert wine and liquer which bears its name since the time of the American Civil War of 1776, when John Whittaker set off from Liverpool to establish what was to become a centuries-old tradition of Marsala wine. Marsala is also known as the place from where the much-revered Italian patriot Giuseppe Garibaldi started his crusade to unite Italy into one nation more than 160 years ago. Here we will visit the pretty historical centre, starting with a wine tasting session at a local wine shop (included in the tour price). We will then proceed on a walking tour of the historical centre, visiting various places of interest including the main gate at Porta Garibaldi, the Corso, the Cathedral and other attractions. Free time in Marsala. At around 12:30pm, we will head to the famous Salt pans of Mozia where we will enjoy a very tranquil atmosphere in the area of the Riserva Naturale Orientata Laguna dello Stagnone di Marsala, with fantastic views over the three Egadi islands of Favignana, Marittimo and Levanzo. Here we will embark on a 45-minute boat trip (included in the tour price) on the Laguna, with commentary in English. During our boat trip, we will sail close to the four islands on the Laguna, namely Mozia, Scola, Isola Lunga (or Isola Grande) and Isola Santa Maria and also be able to see the Punic Road which was built more than 2000 years ago to link the island of Mozia to the mainland. Free time for lunch (not included in tour price) in Mozia. Departure to Trapani at around 4:00pm, arriving there at around 4:30pm. On arrival in Trapani, we will proceed to experience the famous Good Friday procession, which starts in the afternoon and continues for twenty four hours and which is considered as one of the major Good Friday processions in Italy and which is Italy’s longest procession. Free time in Trapani to experience this unique event. Departure at around 6:30pm towards our hotel, arriving there at around 7:30pm. Free time, followed by Dinner at the Hotel.
Saturday 19 April 2025
Buffet breakfast at the Hotel. Departure at around 9:00am towards Erice, arriving there at around 10:15am. Erice is located on top of Monte San Giuliano at around 750 metres above sea level and enjoys breathtaking views over the city of Trapani, the low western coast towards Marsala, the dramatic Punta del Saraceno and San Vito Lo Capo as also the three Egadi Islands of Levanzo, Favignana and Marittimo. We will have time to explore the historical centre of this medieval walled town and admire the fantastic views from various vantage points in Erice, including the imposing Castello di Venere. A visit to our friend, Maria Grammatico, in her dolceria in Erice is a must: here one can taste the delicious "lingua della suocera" (mother-in-law's tongue), a Cassata Siciliana, a Genovese Ericina, a cassatella or one of the various pastries which Maria gifts to all her patrons. Free time to stroll along the cute alleyways in Erice and also to pick up some souvenirs from the many souvenir shops. Free time for lunch (not included in tour price) in Erice. After lunch, we will depart towards Scopello, arriving there at around 3:30pm. Here we will see the famous tonnara and have the opportunity to savour the magnificent and spectacular landscape which includes the Scopello fariglioni as also two medieval watch towers which make Scopello probably the nicest place by the sea in the whole of Sicily (closely followed in our opinion by the fishing village of Marzamemi near Siracusa and the awesome landscape of the Isola Bella near Taormina). Our coach will then take us to the cute hamlet of Scopello, which was King Ferdinand's hunting base, just two kilometres uphill from the Tonnara, where we will be able to spend time exploring the picturesque alleyways, main square and historical centre of this pretty and tranquil hamlet. A short 20 minutes coach drive will then take us to Castellammare del Golfo. Here we will be able to visit the historical centre of this fishermen's village known for its Madarig (literally "stairs" in Arabic, very similar to our own "tarag"), which lead from the pretty town centre to the beautiful promenade of Cala Marina, full of fish restaurants and boats. Free time in Castellammare del Golfo where one can also take a close look at the medieval fortress from which the village takes its name, which literally means "Sea Fortress on the Gulf". We will have time to enjoy an icecream, aperitif or coffee (not included in tour price) at one of the various outdoor cafeterias in the area. Late afternoon return to Castelvetrano, arriving there at around 7:00pm. Free time, followed by dinner at the Hotel.
Easter Sunday 20 April 2025
Buffet breakfast at the Hotel, followed by check out from the hotel. Departure at around 9:00am to San Biagio Platani, in the province of Agrigento, where we will arrive at around 11.00am. Here we will be able to view the spectacular Archi di Pane (Arches of Bread) - an Easter tradition which is very unique to this town and which dates back to around 1650. Here we will be able to see sculptures, towers and cupolas, some even 5 storeys high, made out of bread, seeds, fruit, vegetables and cane. The two rival confratenrities of the ‘Madunnara” (Our Lady) and the “Signurara” (Our Lord) are each responsible for one half of the Corso Umberto, which is the main street in front of the Church, and each confraternity seeks to outdo the other insofar as originality, style and beauty of the street decorations is concerned. For more details on this unique event, please refer to https://www.archidipasqua.eu. Free time for lunch (not included in tour price) in San Biagio Platani. After lunch, we will visit the picturesque village of Sant’ Angelo Muxaro which, according to Greek mythology, is the place where Daedalus landed after his escape, together with his son Icarus, from Crete. After having placed the wings on their shoulders, Daedalus advised Icarus not to fly too high, because the wax would melt in the sun. He also urged him not to fly very low, so that his wings would not get destroyed by the humidity of the sea. Unfortunately, Icarus did not heed his father’s wise words and flew as high as he could, with the result that the wax on his wings melted and he eventually perished into the sea below. We will be able to visit the archaeological area on the outskirts of the village, as also the picturesque historical centre. Departure at around 5:00pm towards Catania, arriving there at around 7:00pm. On arrival in Catania, we will proceed to the Centro Sicilia shopping mall (https://centrosiciliashopping.it), a shopping paradise with around 120 shops, including also the only Primark store in Sicily as also many brands such as Adidas, Calzedonia, Desigual, Euronics, Footlocker, Geox, Guess, Tommy Hilfiger, United Colors of Benetton and much more. Here we will spend two hours of pure shopping therapy. Departure by coach at around 9:15pm to Catania Airport, arriving there in time for check in and embarkation on KM Malta Airlines flight KM643 to Malta, which departs at 11:50pm and arrives in Malta at 00:35am on Monday morning.
Terms and conditions:
Price :
Adults: €649
Children aged 2 to under 12 years : €499
Children aged up to under 2 years : €150
Price includes:
Direct KM Malta Airlines flight Malta-Catania-Malta including one 20 kg checked luggage, one 10kg hand luggage and one small bag
Taxes and airport charges
All transfers and excursions in Sicily by private coach which stays with us throughout our stay
Accomodation on Half Board basis in twin or double room sharing including buffet breakfast and three course dinner inclusive of local wine and mineral water at the four star superior Hotel Althea Palace (http://www.altheapalacehotel.it) in Castelvetrano
Boat trip on the Riserva dello Stagnone di Marsala in Mozia.
Wine tasting in Marsala
City tax on hotel stays
Service of Go Sicily Travel tour leader
Insolvency Fund certificate
Other:
Single Room Supplement: €30 per person per night total €90
Insurance:
Tour guests are encouraged to effect their own travel insurance. www.gosicilytravel.com recommends Citadel Insurance and Atlas Insurance.
Payment terms:
Deposit of €150 per person on confirmation
Balance by 31 March 2025 or immediately on booking for bookings (subject to availability) made after 31 March 2025
COVID-19 measures:
At www.gosicilytravel.com, we pride ourselves in offering quality experiences which are fully compliant with COVID-19 requirements whilst at the same time ensuring that our guests have an enjoyable experience
COVID vaccination certificates or swab tests are not required to travel to Sicily and back to Malta with effect from 25 July 2022. The compilation of Passenger Locator Forms is also not required.
Terms and conditions:
Link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2316066091759498&type=3
Refund policy:
A 100% cash refund applies if the flight is cancelled due to new COVID-19 measures.
For enquiries and bookings please contact us on:
Mobile: 79742459
or
email: [email protected]
or
via Facebook message
or
visit us (by prior appointment on 79742459) at our offices at
Go Sicily Travel, Cube Office Suites, 154, Eucharistic Congress Road, Mosta (road in front of Mosta Dome, around ten doors up from Partit Laburista club on the left hand side in the direction of Valletta)