Sicily is the kind of island people postpone for years because it sounds far and complicated, and then they finally go and cannot believe how simple the charter makes it. A direct Air Serbia flight takes you from Belgrade to Palermo in under two hours, a transfer drives you along the coast to Cefalu, and for a week you live between a medieval old town and a long sandy beach. Here is exactly how the program on Sicily works.
The flight schedule
Departures are on Saturdays, with a 7 night stay from Saturday to Saturday. Flight JU458 leaves Belgrade at 13:00 and lands in Palermo at 14:50, so there is no brutal early wake up call. The return JU459 takes off at 15:40 and gets you home by 17:25, meaning you still have the last morning for a swim or a final espresso by the harbor. Be at the airport at least two and a half hours before departure and reconfirm the exact time 24 hours before flying, as charter schedules can shift.
What the price covers
The package includes the round trip flight, airport taxes of about 50 euros, group transfers between Palermo airport and your hotel, the confirmed hotel stay, and a representative who speaks Serbian and visits the hotels during the week. Baggage allowance is 23 kg checked plus 8 kg hand luggage per person. Not included are travel insurance, which we recommend in both health and cancellation form, and the local city tax paid at reception: in Cefalu it ranges from 2 euros in 3 star hotels to 4 euros in 5 star ones per person per night, children under 12 are exempt, and in Campofelice di Roccella it is 2 euros. Babies under 2 fly for 47 euros without a seat.
Where you can stay
The program is centered on Cefalu, a town about an hour east of Palermo that many consider the most photogenic spot on the northern coast, with a Norman cathedral, narrow stone streets and a wide sandy beach. The transfer from the airport takes around 90 minutes, so factor that into arrival day.
The flagship is the 5 star Cefalu Sea Palace, a modern hotel right across the road from the town beach, about 30 m from the sand, and a five minute walk from the old center. Beach chairs and an umbrella are provided for guests, and the rooms on offer are superior with side sea views or the larger club category. A week costs from 2690 euros for two people.
Hotel Artemis is the character pick: a former monastery from the 1950s turned into a small modern hotel right by the center of Cefalu, 200 m from the town beach and 300 m from the railway station, from which a train reaches Palermo in about an hour. Ideal if you want to explore, from 1870 euros for two people.
Santa Lucia E Le Sabbie D'Oro is a large resort of 256 rooms on a rise at the entrance to Cefalu, 2 km from the old town, above a beautiful sandy beach reached by around 100 steps. Its private beach with loungers and umbrellas is 500 to 700 m away and a local bus stops 50 m from the hotel. From 1790 euros for two people.
The best value is Hotel Dolcestate, built in Mediterranean style and surrounded by greenery between the ruins of ancient Himera and the Madonie national park, 14 km from Cefalu and 300 m from a private beach where loungers and an umbrella are included for guests. A quiet base for a real switch off, from 1600 euros for two people.
Practical tips
Reservations are confirmed about two working days after paying the 40 percent deposit, the balance is due 21 days before departure, and interest free installments are available. Hotel check in is from 14:00 and check out by 10:00. From Cefalu, do not miss a day trip to Palermo by train and, if you can, an excursion toward Etna and Taormina. And book spring or early summer dates early, because Cefalu fills up quickly once the season starts.
