Much love to Gabriele, our driver! We booked the Golden Tour during our stay in Palermo and it ended up being the highlight of our trip. Traveling with a private driver made everything smooth and stress free, especially with the narrow streets and busy traffic in the city.
Palermo was fascinating. Our driver gave us just the right amount of context about the Cathedral and the different architectural influences without it feeling like a lecture. We had time to walk through the markets on our own, grab some street food and really take it in.
Mondello was a beautiful surprise. The water was clear and the setting between the mountains felt almost unreal. It was a perfect contrast to the energy of Palermo. The drive up Monte Pellegrino was stunning, and the views from the top were easily some of the best we saw in Sicily.
Monreale was the perfect way to end the day. The mosaics inside the Cathedral are even more impressive in person than in photos. Overall, the tour felt well paced, comfortable and thoughtfully organized. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to see the best of Palermo and its surroundings in one day without feeling rushed.