An island as rich in culture and history as Sicily deserves a proper itinerary that showcases the island's many highlights from unique archeological sites to hand-crafted local products. Starting and ending in Palermo, this escorted group tour covers both the eastern and western parts of Sicily with stops in Catania, Taormina, Siracusa, Ragusa, Agritento and more. A perfect option for history-buffs as well as foodies, the tour includes visits of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento and the archeological parks in Siracusa and Selinunte as well as multiple tastings of local products in typical farmhouses and a tasting of the famed Castelvetrano olives. Sicily is a captivating melting pot of cultures with remarkable historical monuments and inimitable cuisine, guaranteeing that any trip to this enchanting island will be extra special and unforgettable.
From PALERMO to PALERMO
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Palermo, Monreale, Cefalu’, Castelbuono with Sicilian sweets tasting and lunch in farmhouse, Catania, Mount Etna, Taormina, Siracusa, Modica, Ragusa with Sicilian typical products tasting, Caltagirone, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Selinunte with lunch in a typical farmhouse, Erice
TRAVEL ITINERARY:
Day 01 (Saturday): PALERMO
You'll arrive on your own in Palermo and make your way to the hotel. In the afternoon, meet and greet with your tour escort and your group. You'll enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner together before retiring for the night.
Day 02 (Sunday): PALERMO, CEFALU’, CASTELBUONO with Sicilian products tasting and lunch in farmhouse, CATANIA
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll make our way to the charming seaside town of Cefalu’. You'll discover the quaint center of this old fishermen village and visit the Norman Cathedral, with its beautiful mosaics, and the medieval wash-house built in the rock. The tour will continue to the medieval town of Castelbuono on the slopes of the Madonie Mountains. After a short visit of the village, enjoy a tasting of some characteristic Sicilian sweets in a renowned local pastry shop. After lunch in a local famhouse, we will transfer to Catania, a baroque style town, with its unique streets built with black lava stones from Mount Etna. Enjoy a nice dinner and a good night's rest at your hotel in Catania.
Day 03 (Monday): CATANIA, MOUNT ETNA, TAORMINA, CATANIA
You'll enjoy a buffet breakfast at the hotel before moving on to Mount Etna. Weather conditions permitting, we'll reach the 2,000 meter level of the highest active volcano in Europe and admire an amazing panoramic view of the Ionian Sea. Lunch will be enjoyed at a local restaurant on the slopes of Mount Etna, before we move to famous Taormina. We will have some free time to enjoy this beautiful city, overlooking Mount Etna and the sparkling sea. Shop for handmade lace, ceramics, coral jewels and local food and sweets in the many small shops on Corso Umberto, or simply enjoy the view sitting in one of the cafés with a delicious granita. If you would like, you may be able to visit the famous Greek Theater (optional, not included). At the end of the day, return to Catania for dinner and overnight at the hotel accommodation.
Day 04 (Tuesday): CATANIA, SIRACUSA, MODICA, RAGUSA with Sicilians specialties tasting
Breakfast will be had at the hotel, before departing for Siracusa, a beautiful city on the coast rich in Greek and Roman history. You'll visit its archeological park where you'll see the Greek Amphitheater, The Ear of Dionysus, Minerva's Temple and the Roman Theater. The tour will continue to the Island of Ortigia, the old baroque city center of Siracusa built by the Aragonians. You will admire the Cathedral and the Fountain of Aretusa. At the end of the tour free time for lunch on your own on Ortigia Island. In the afternoon we will proceed to Modica, a town famous for its unique chocolate inspired by an Aztec recipe, for a panoramic tour. The day will end in Ragusa, a beautiful town built in two sections: the “new part", constructed after the 1693 earthquake that completely devastated the surrounding area, and the "old part", called Ragusa Ibla, which is a wonderful and well known example of Baroque architecture and art. Before retiring to the hotel for dinner, you will enjoy a typical aperitif and a tasting of local products while overlooking the main square and the majestic Cathedral of Ragusa Ibla. Dinner and overnight at your Hotel in Ragusa.
Day 05 (Wednesday): RAGUSA, CALTAGIRONE, PIAZZA ARMERINA, AGRIGENTO
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Caltagirone, the center of Sicily's ceramic industry, to visit a ceramics laboratory and showroom. Next, travel to Piazza Armerina to visit the famous Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses the world's largest collection of late period Roman Mosaics. Typical lunch in a local restaurant to taste the delicious specialties of the area. The tour then moves on to Agrigento, where you will visit the Valley of the Temples. This collection of temples represents some of the best examples of Ancient Greek architecture outside of Greece, with the temples of Juno, Hercules, Zeus, Concordia and Castor and Pollux. Dinner and overnight at your Agrigento Hotel.
Day 06 (Thursday): AGRIGENTO, SELINUNTE with olive oil tasting and lunch in a local farmhouse, ERICE, PALERMO
You'll enjoy breakfast before leaving for the archaeological park in Selinunte, home of an ancient Acropolis with five Greek Temples. Enjoy lunch at a typical farmhouse in nearby Castelvetrano where you will also taste local products such as olive oil, the black bread of Castelvetrano and olives. The afternoon will be spent in Erice, an enchanting medieval town positioned on Mount Erice and famous for its Phoenician and Norman ruins. Be sure to take plenty of photos of the breathtaking views over the city of Trapani, the salt works on the coast and the Egadi Islands (optional activities in the afternoon not included). You will end your day in Palermo, where you'll eat dinner and spend the night at your hotel.
Day 07 (Friday): PALERMO, MONREALE, MONTE PELLEGRINO-CATACOMBS-CAPO MARKET (Optional), PALERMO
After breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the Capital of Sicily, viewing wonders of art and architecture, such as the Palatine Chapel, the Cathedral, the Opera House and Praetorian Square. Immerse yourself in the colorful and vivid life of Palermo. The tour will continue to Monreale, where you'll tour the Cathedral with its beautiful 12th century golden mosaics and the Benedictine Monastery. You'll return to the hotel for lunch, and will enjoy an afternoon of free time to discover this beautiful city and perhaps visit one of the markets or relax on the beach of Mondello. If you'd like, you can join a tour of Monte Pellegrino, the mount outside Palermo from where you will have a wonderful view of the valley and visit the shrine of Saint Rosa, patron saint of the city, visit the Capucian Catacombs, where 8,000 mummies are entombed and take a walking tour of the Capo Market, one of the most colorful and historical markets in Palermo with fresh products, tasty food, and loud sellers (optional activities in the afternoon not included). The night will end with dinner and a good night's sleep at the hotel in Palermo.
Day 08 (Saturday): PALERMO
After breakfast at the hotel, the tour and our services will end.
"Hi Tommaso, what a trip! I'm now sitting outside my room looking at the valley of the temples writng the notes "amazing" Mary and myself ha
"Hi, we are having a wonderful time. All has worked wonderfully, loved the cooking school!"
"Dear Tommaso, we are all having an amazing time! Sicily was beautiful and exciting to see all the ruins and sights. We are enjoing Rome now
PACKAGE START AT $1,428.00 INCLUDES:
- Transportation by Deluxe motor coach or minibus as per itinerary;
- Accommodation in 4 Star Hotels in double/twin rooms with private facilities;
- Buffet breakfast, Lunch and Dinner daily (Full Board treatment from Dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8);
- Sweets and Rosolio liquor tasting in a renowned pastry shop in Castelbuono;
- Olive Oil tasting at the typical farmhouse in Selinunte;
- Sicilian specialties tasting in Ragusa Ibla;
- Multilingual Tour-Escort (if less than 15 participants your Driver will be also your tour escort);
- Panoramic Visits as per itinerary;
- Local guide assistance where necessary;
- Porterage Service at Hotels;
- Vat Taxes and service Charges.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:
- All Land & Air prices: Additional U.S. & Foreign Departure Taxes and Surcharges Fee(s) assessed by the Airlines.
- Beverages.
- Entrance Fees to Monuments or Museums (about 70 euro per person + 8 Euro per person for whisper), Tips, Extras.
- Hospitality city tax which varies by city and hotel category. Where applicable, it must be paid locally at the hotel.
- All which is not listed under “PACKAGE INCLUDES”.
GENERAL CONDITIONS:
Multi language escorted group tour.
All departures are guaranteed.
In case there are less than 15 travelers, your driver will be also your multilingual tour escort.
For organizational reasons, the itinerary may be reversed or modified without notice. In any case the visits and excursions mentioned in the itinerary are guaranteed.
(*) Rate based on two adult persons sharing a double or twin bedded room with private bathroom. Single rooms are available at an additional supplement. Children’s, triple room rates and alternative accommodation arrangements are available upon request. (Additional and different charges may apply).
