Sicily in full color! Palermo’s power, Marsala wine country, Greek temples in Agrigento, Baroque gems from Ragusa to Noto, Syracuse’s seaside Ortigia, Taormina’s glamour, and a cinematic “Godfather” finale.
Sicilian Escapade Escorted Group Tour
8 Days/7 Nights
Starting from
$
per person*
Unforgettable Italian Journeys, Designed for You
Curated by passionate Italy experts, this sample itinerary is just the beginning of your Italian adventure. Every journey we design is unique, crafted around your interests, pace, and dreams so you can experience Italy’s beauty and culture like a true insider. Let us transform your vision into a one-of-a-kind travel experience, filled with authentic moments and lasting memories
Day 1
PALERMO
First Sicilian Bites
- Morning arrival at Palermo Airport
- Transfer to your first-class hotel in Palermo
- Rest of the day at leisure to rest or explore independently
- Dinner at a typical Palermo restaurant with your first taste of Sicilian cuisine (D)
- Overnight in Palermo
Day 2
PALERMO, MONREALE
Baroque Corners and Monreale Gold
- Breakfast at the hotel (B)
- Guided city tour of Palermo
- See Teatro Massimo
- Visit Quattro Canti (Spanish Baroque masterpiece)
- Visit the Palace of the Normans
- Visit Palermo Cathedral and the shrine of Saint Rosalia
- Travel to Monreale
- Visit the Benedictine Abbey and admire Byzantine mosaics
- Enjoy panoramic views over the Bay of Palermo
- Remainder of the day at leisure
- Optional tour to Cefalù, a charming fishing village near Palermo (optional)
- Overnight in Palermo
Day 3
PALERMO, ERICE, MARSALA, SCIACCA, AGRIGENTO
Salt, Stone and Temples Ahead!
- Breakfast at the hotel (B)
- Depart Palermo toward Marsala
- Scenic drive through Sicilian countryside
- Stop in medieval Erice (Phoenician origins)
- See Erice coastline views and the salt pyramids tied to local salt production
- Arrive in Marsala, famous for its wines (rediscovered in the 1700s by English merchant John Woodhouse)
- Lunch at a typical farmhouse with olive oil tasting and Marsala wine tasting (L)
- Continue through the hills toward Agrigento (Valley of the Temples area)
- Quick stop in Sciacca
- Transfer to your first-class hotel in Agrigento for overnight
Day 4
AGRIGENTO, RAGUSA ILBA
Gods and Almond Groves, Ragusa by Night
- Breakfast at the hotel (B)
- Guided walking tour of the Valley of the Temples (one of the Mediterranean’s most important archaeological sites)
- Walk through a rural landscape of centuries-old almond and olive trees
- Mostly downhill route, approx. 1 mile
- Follow the Via Sacra (Holy Pathway)
- See: Temple of Concordia (exceptionally preserved), Temple of Heracles, ruins of the Temple of Zeus
- Depart for Ragusa in southern Sicily
- Dinner in Ragusa (D)
- Overnight at your first-class hotel in Ragusa
Day 5
RAGUSA, MODICA, NOTO, ORTIGIA, TAORMINA
Chocolate, Baroque and a Sea Breeze
- Breakfast at the hotel (B)
- Excursion to Modica, known for Baroque architecture, panoramic views, and historic sites
- Chocolate tasting in Modica featuring the unique “ancient” recipe (Aztec-inspired; brought by the Spanish)
- Continue to Noto, rebuilt in late Baroque style after the 1693 earthquake
- Travel to Ortigia, the historic center of Syracuse
- See Ortigia Cathedral built over an ancient Greek temple dedicated to Minerva
- Stop at Syracuse’s seaside promenade for panoramic sea and bay views
- Continue to Taormina
- Dinner in Taormina (D)
- Overnight at your first-class hotel in Taormina
Day 6
TAORMINA
Theater Views
- Breakfast at the hotel (B)
- Free time in the morning to relax or join an optional excursion to Mt. Etna (Europe’s largest active volcano)
- Afternoon walking tour of Taormina city center
- Visit the Greek/Roman amphitheater with panoramic views over the Bay of Naxos
- Rest of the day at leisure
- Overnight in Taormina
Day 7
TAORMINA, SAVOCA & D’AGRO VALLEY, TAORMINA
Godfather Country
- Breakfast at the hotel (B)
- “The Godfather” tour through the Savoca and D’Agro’ Valley towns
- Visit filming locations from the award-winning “The Godfather” trilogy
- Return to Taormina
- Afternoon at leisure
- Farewell dinner in a stylish restaurant with Sicilian cuisine and wine (D)
- Overnight in Taormina
Day 8
TAORMINA, CATANIA
Catania Departure
- Morning transfer to Catania Airport
- Board your return flight home to the United States (or extend your stay)
- Arrivederci
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Day 1
PALERMO
First Sicilian Bites
Arrive in Palermo in the morning and transfer to your first-class hotel in the city. The rest of the day is free for you to relax after travel or begin exploring Palermo on your own. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a typical restaurant and dive into your first taste of Sicily’s celebrated cuisine. Overnight in Palermo.
Day 2
PALERMO, MONREALE
Baroque Corners and Monreale Gold
After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Palermo featuring Teatro Massimo, the spectacular Quattro Canti (a superb example of Spanish Baroque architecture), the Palace of the Normans, and the Cathedral of Palermo—home to the ornate shrine of Saint Rosalia. Then travel to nearby Monreale to visit the Benedictine Abbey, famous for its dazzling Byzantine mosaics, and take in a breathtaking panoramic view over the Bay of Palermo. The remainder of the day is free to relax, or you may choose an optional visit to the charming fishing village of Cefalù. Overnight in Palermo.
Day 3
PALERMO, ERICE, MARSALA, SCIACCA, AGRIGENTO
Salt, Stone and Temples Ahead!
After breakfast, travel from Palermo toward Marsala, one of Sicily’s most famous wine towns—rediscovered in the 1700s by English merchant John Woodhouse. En route, stop in the medieval town of Erice, originally founded by the Phoenicians, and admire the distinctive coastline marked by salt pyramids that reflect the area’s long tradition of salt production. In Marsala, enjoy lunch at a typical farmhouse with tastings of local olive oil and Marsala wine. Continue through the hills toward Agrigento, with a brief stop in Sciacca before arriving at your first-class hotel in Agrigento for the night.
Day 4
AGRIGENTO, RAGUSA ILBA
Gods and Almond Groves, Ragusa by Night
After breakfast, visit one of the Mediterranean’s most important archaeological sites: Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples. Enjoy a guided walk through a rural landscape dotted with ancient almond and olive trees. The route is mostly downhill and extends about one mile, following the Via Sacra (Holy Pathway). Highlights include the Temple of Concordia—one of the most complete examples of ancient Greek architecture in the world—the Temple of Heracles, and the monumental ruins of the Temple of Zeus. After the tour, depart for Ragusa in southern Sicily, where you’ll enjoy dinner and overnight at your first-class hotel.
Day 5
RAGUSA, MODICA, NOTO, ORTIGIA, TAORMINA
Chocolate, Baroque and a Sea Breeze
Begin with an excursion to Modica, a town celebrated for its Baroque architecture, panoramic views, and a truly distinctive chocolate tradition. Enjoy a tasting of Modica’s powdery, fragrant chocolate—made using a recipe based on the original Aztec method brought to Sicily by the Spanish. Continue to Noto, one of the Val di Noto towns rebuilt in masterful late Baroque style after the devastating 1693 earthquake. Then travel to Ortigia, the historic heart of Syracuse, where you’ll see the cathedral uniquely built over an ancient Greek temple dedicated to Minerva. Pause along Syracuse’s promenade for beautiful photo-worthy views of the sea and bay before continuing to Taormina for dinner and overnight.
Day 6
TAORMINA
Theater Views
Enjoy breakfast, then spend the morning at leisure—or choose an optional excursion to Mt. Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. In the afternoon, join a walking tour of Taormina’s city center. A highlight is the Greek/Roman amphitheater, famous for its stunning panoramic views over the Bay of Naxos. The remainder of the day is yours to explore, shop, or simply relax in one of Sicily’s most beautiful towns. Overnight in Taormina.
Day 7
TAORMINA, SAVOCA & D’AGRO VALLEY, TAORMINA
Godfather Country
On your final full day in Sicily, enjoy a truly unique experience you “can’t refuse”: a “The Godfather” tour through the breathtaking Savoca and D’Agro’ Valley, where scenes from the award-winning trilogy were filmed. After exploring these atmospheric towns and cinematic locations, return to Taormina for a free afternoon. In the evening, gather for a farewell dinner in a stylish restaurant featuring unforgettable Sicilian cuisine and delicious wine as you say goodbye to your travel companions. Overnight in Taormina.
Day 8
TAORMINA, CATANIA
Catania Departure
On your final morning, transfer to Catania Airport to board your return flight home to the United States (or extend your stay if you wish). Arrivederci—take home the flavors, stories, and sunlit beauty of Sicily.
