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Vibrant palette of colours come alive on your tour of Sicily. Sip local wine on the slopes of Mount Etna, wander the chic streets of Taormina and meet the locals in colourful towns and villages. Top it all off with a sweet treat – all the Modican chocolate you can lay your hands on.
Locations Visited
Palermo, Monreale, Erice, Marsala, Agrigento, Ragusa, Modica, Syracuse, Catania, Taormina
Countries Visited
Italy
Travel Style
Country Explorer
Accommodations
8
nights included
Age Requirements
Minimum age 5
Itinerary
COLLAPSE ALLEXPAND ALL
Day 1
Welcome to Palermo
Start your Sicilian journey in Palermo, whose rich trading history has left its unforgettable mark on the city’s Italian, Arab and Norman-styled piazzas, street markets and churches. Enjoy some free time to relax before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner to kick-start your Sicilian adventure.
Accommodation
Hotel Garibaldi Palermo
Meals
Dinner
Day 2
Explore the Capital of Sicily
Head to Monreale on the slopes of Monte Caputo where a Local Specialist will guide you through one of the greatest examples of Norman architecture, the 12th-century Cattedrale di Monreale. This evening, why not join an Optional Experience to the beautiful fishing village of Sferracavallo, at the foot of Mount Capo Gallo? Here, you’ll feast on Palermitano specialties, perfectly paired with delicious Sicilian wine.
Accommodation
Hotel Garibaldi Palermo
Meals
Breakfast
Highlights
Visit Monreale Cathedral
The sombre exterior of the cathedral at Monreale gives away few clues to the riches inside. Step into a world where the walls glitter with 12th-century mosaics, the best of their kind in the world.
Day 3
Journey to Ancient Marsala
Discover hidden Palermo as you join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, and learn about the civil anti-mafia movement. Leaving Palermo behind, we head to Erice to explore the hilltop 'Town of a Hundred Churches' and enjoy free time for lunch. Next, stop at the Infersa Mill salt pans and learn about the ancient 'culture of salt', an industry which has shaped this region for centuries. Later, we arrive in Marsala, home to the wine which shares its name. During your evening at leisure explore picture-perfect Marsala or opt to join the Optional Experience at a Marsala winery followed by a dinner of regional dishes.
Accommodation
Seawater Hotel Marsala
Meals
Breakfast
Highlights
Discover the 'Culture of Salt' at the Salina della Laguna
Explore Sicily's 'Culture of Salt' at the Salina della Laguna.
Explore the Ancient Town of Erice
Led by your Travel Director, explore the quiet alleys of this ancient walled town, as if you've stepped into the Middle Ages. See the medieval churches and marvel at the sea views from the gardens of the Castle of Venus.
Uncover Palermo's Rich History
Meet your host to learn about the civil anti-mafia movement while uncovering the lesser-known history of the ancient city of Palermo. This one-of-a-kind experience directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
Day 4
Onwards to Agrigento and Ragusa
Today’s first stop is Agrigento where you’ll join a Local Specialist for a visit to the UNESCO-listed Valley of the Temples. You’ll explore one of the world’s most treasured centres of Greek art and architecture, including the seven sandstone Doric temples overlooking the city. There’s time for lunch before you head to Ragusa, a city with two very different souls – the lower and older Ragusa Ibla and higher Ragusa Superiore are separated dramatically by a deep ravine, the Valle dei Ponti.
Accommodation
Poggio del Sole Hotel Ragusa
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Highlights
Agrigento Valley of the Temples
A Local Specialist will lead you through the magnificent remains of the Greek colony in the Valley in the Temples. See the massive Temple of Concord and clifftop Temple of Juno.
Day 5
Explore Beautiful Baroque Modica
This morning, discover the rebuilding of Ragusa following a 17th-century earthquake which destroyed most of it. Your Local Specialist will reveal how this devastating seismic event led to the development of an entirely new city on a nearby ridge, while some of its brave residents remained to rebuild what was lost. You’ll hear how it was only in the early 20th century that the two were eventually fused together. Later, visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Modica. Your Travel Director will show you the sights on an orientation of this Baroque beauty before learning about the secrets of Modican chocolate. This evening is yours to enjoy at leisure or perhaps consider joining an optional experience to a unique local farm restaurant.
Accommodation
Poggio del Sole Hotel Ragusa
Meals
Breakfast
Highlights
Discover the tastes of Modica chocolate
Learn how the local Modica chocolate is made and enjoy a chocolate tasting.
Ragusa City Tour
Join a Local Specialist on an insightful look into the historic devastation at the root of Ragusa's two distinctive districts.
Day 6
Off to Historic Syracuse
Once a major Mediterranean power and the birthplace of Archimedes, the historic city of Syracuse takes centre stage this morning as you join your Local Specialist for in-depth insights into its colourful past. You'll see some of its treasures at the Archaeological Museum, then visit the island of Ortigia, the ancient heart of the city connected to the mainland by a stone bridge. Your afternoon is open to spend as you wish. This evening you’ll join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation
Aretusa Palace Hotel
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Highlights
Syracuse City Tour
Walk with a Local Specialist through the historic island of Ortigia and visit the Archaeological Museum of Syracuse.
Day 7
Venture Past Mount Etna to Taormina
Continue up the coast to Catania, the city that lies in Mount Etna’s shadow. You’ll have some free time to explore on your own and perhaps sample arancini, a favourite Catania snack. Later join a Local Specialist to delve into the history and culture of the ancient town of Taormina. A particular highlight of this afternoon will be a visit to the beautifully preserved ruins of the Teatro di Taormina. Imagine masked actors performing against the backdrop of glorious sea views more than 2,500 years ago. You’ll have an evening on your own to spend as you wish or consider joining an optional experience evening enjoying Sicilian specialties.
Accommodation
Caesar Palace Giardini Naxos
Meals
Breakfast
Highlights
Catania Orientation
Explore Catania's Old Town and see the Cathedral on the Piazza del Duomo, the Fontana dell'Elefante statue and the noble buildings of Palazzo Senatorio.
Taormina Greek Amphitheatre Visit
Visit the ancient Greek Amphitheatre with your Local Specialist. Set on a cliff, open to the sky, take your seats and enjoy the view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna.
Day 8
Taormina Free Day
Taormina is yours for the taking today. During your free time, you could choose to explore the elegant boutiques along Corso Umberto. Work up an appetite and stop for some of the city's signature cannoli or cool down with a famous Sicilian granita, a half-frozen dessert served with a piping-hot brioche. Movie buffs will delight in an Optional Experience to Mount Etna and Savoca, the hilltop village of 'The Godfather'. Later this evening, learn the art of Sicilian cuisine on a charming Be My Guest experience.
Accommodation
Caesar Palace Giardini Naxos
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Highlights
Dine on a Family Owned Lemon Farm Overlooking Mount Etna
Daniela and her family will welcome you with the words 'Be My Guest' and treat you as a cherished family member. She will tell you about her life on the farm and interesting information about the house and the lemon and orange groves. Later, after a welcome drink, she will serve her home-cooked cuisine surrounded by the warmth of Sicilian hospitality.
Day 9
Farewell Sicily
Your journey through Sicily has come to an end. All that's left is to say a fond farewell to new friends and take your airport transfer for your return journey home.
Explore Palermo, Monreale, Valley of the Temples, Ragusa, Syracuse and Taormina
Discover Modica
Visit Monreale Norman Cathedral, Erice, Infersa Mill in Marsala, Valley of the Temples, the Syracuse Archaeological Museum, Ortygia and the Greek Theatre in Taormina
View Mount Etna
What's Included
Travel Director
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
Hotels
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised
Meals
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Sightseeing
Must-see sightseeing
Audio
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Transport
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Optionals
Optional Experiences and free time
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Trip Notes
A deposit must be paid at the time of booking.
Flights are not included but can be quoted by our Reservations team, who can also explain inclusions within the trip.
Full holiday amount to be paid no later than 60 days prior to departure for land only guided holidays or 90 days for guided holidays including train or cruise.
Subject to availability at time of booking and may be withdrawn at any time.
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Prices listed are land only & do not include airfare to and from the start/end of the tour.
Prices listed are per person, based on twin or multi-share. If you’re travelling solo, we can pair you with a same-sex roommate at no extra cost or you can upgrade to a single for an additional cost, based on availability. For departure points and stay longer accommodation options contact our travel experts for more details.
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