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Sicily in Depth - Classic Group

9 daysItaly

See every slice of Sicily during this 9-day Sicily guided tour. Take off to Paradise Quarry in Syracuse with a Local Expert, who will show you its Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped limestone grotto: call out to your fellow travelers here, and your voice may echo as many as 16 times. Visit the Palatine Chapel to marvel at the glittering gold mosaics for a stunning sight. Travel to the salt pans and windmills on the western coast and taste Marsala wine in its home town. In Taormina, perched above the Ionian Sea, join a Local Expert at the city’s cliffside Greek theater, from which you can see Mount Etna, the island’s active Strato volcano.

Length
9 days
Route
Palermo to Catania
Meals
8 breakfasts, 5 dinners
Style
Regional
Group size
40

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Highlights

  • Air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door
  • From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with a local specialty representing the destination.
  • Complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi where available
  • Elena T."A type of food I really love introducing my guests to is the street food because it tells a lot about the habits of the locals, it can be a slice of pizza folded up or a sfogliatella in Naples, an arancini, a gelato in Sicily, or a cannolo. "
  • Shona F."One fun fact people don't usually know before they come to Italy is that the Italian alphabet only has 22 letters."
  • Margherita C."One thing I really love about showing guests about Italy is how art and beauty can be found around every corner of some of Italy's cities, which are real open air museums."
  • Business class coach with extended leg room
  • Top-rated dining, from farm-to-table to local restaurants
  • 4 & 5-star stays

Itinerary

  1. PalermoDays 1–2
  2. MarsalaDay 3
  3. AgrigentoDay 4
  4. RagusaDay 5
  5. ModicaDay 6
  6. CataniaDays 7–9
Day 1Welcome to PalermoPalermo

Relax and settle in before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travelers for dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals: Dinner

Stay: Mercure Palermo Centro, Palermo

Day 2Palermo & the Golden Age of the NormansPalermo

Discover Palermo on a walking tour featuring a visit to the stunning 12th-century Palatine Chapel with a Local Expert. This afternoon, enjoy leisure time exploring Palermo Cathedral, a fascinating site with its unique blend of architectural styles reflecting centuries of history. For your dining pleasure, you can try the foods the locals like to eat and experience how they like to eat it on your Dine-Around Evening.

  • Palermo Dine-Around Evening
  • Palatine Chapel Visit

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Stay: Mercure Palermo Centro, Palermo

Day 3Trapani and MarsalaPalermo · Trapani · Marsala

Nestled along its crescent-shaped coastline, Trapani is embraced by the Mediterranean Sea. Discover the age-old tradition of salt production when you visit the colorful salt pans and an ancient stone windmill during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to see where sea water is transformed into salt crystals. Then, savor the flavors of Marsala with a tasting at a local winery, where you can enjoy the town's renowned wine in beautiful surroundings.

  • Salt Pans and Windmills
  • Wine Tasting in Marsala

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Seawater Hotel Bio & Beauty Spa, Marsala

Day 4Explore the Valley of the TemplesMarsala · Agrigento

Travel along the southern coast of Sicily en route to Agrigento. In Agrigento, explore the Valley of the Temples with a Local Expert. Recognized by UNESCO, these temples are exceptional examples of ancient Greek architecture. Marvel at the imposing Temple of Concordia and the cliff-top Temple of Juno, both overlooking the sea. Reflect on this unforgettable day with your fellow travelers over dinner at the hotel, sharing insights and experiences.

  • Agrigento Valley of the Temples

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Stay: Hotel Della Valle, Agrigento

Day 5Discover Villa Romana del Casale and RagusaAgrigento · Ragusa

Travel inland to the Villa Romana del Casale, a luxurious Roman villa renowned for its rich and intricate mosaics. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1997, showcases the opulence of ancient Rome. Continue to Ragusa and explore the labyrinthine alleyways of Ragusa Ibla with your Local Expert. The town, with origins dating back to the Bronze Age, was once inhabited by the Sicels tribe, who gave their name to Sicily. Admire the remarkable Sicilian Baroque architecture that has earned Ragusa UNESCO recognition. In the evening, savor the rich flavors of locally sourced ingredients with a delicious Farm-to-Table dinner at a charming local restaurant.

  • Villa Romana del Casale Visit
  • Ragusa City Tour
  • Ragusa Farm-to-Table Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Stay: Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa

Day 6ModicaRagusa · Modica

Enjoy a Relaxed Start this morning or join an Optional Experience to the town of Noto. Later, explore the town of Modica, rebuilt after the 17th-century earthquake, and discover its artisanal techniques used to create the town's celebrated handmade chocolate.

  • Modica Chocolate Making

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa

Old Town in Modica in Sicily, Italy
Day 7Ancient SyracuseRagusa · Syracuse · Catania

Discover Syracuse through Insight Choice. Opt for sightseeing with your Local Expert at Syracuse’s Paradise Quarry, home to the unique Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped grotto with remarkable acoustics. Next, visit the impressive Greek theater, carved from solid rock, and one of the largest of the ancient world. Alternatively, take time to explore the atmospheric Old City on the island of Ortigia, a labyrinth of narrow streets lined with palaces. This historic area is where the famed mathematician Archimedes famously ran through the streets, exclaiming 'Eureka!'. This evening, you may choose an Optional Experience at Tenuta del Gelso, pairing rural Sicilian flavors with Etna wines.

  • Syracuse Archaeological Park
  • Syracuse Ortigia Tour

Meals: Breakfast

Orecchio di Dioniso cave, Syracuse, Sicily, Italy
Day 8Taormina and the Dawn Coast of EuropeCatania

After breakfast, consider an Optional Experience through the vineyards to Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. Journey to the charming old town of Taormina, perched on Mount Tauro with views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. With your Local Expert, visit the ancient Greek theater, set on a cliff and open to the sky. Sit and absorb the breath-taking view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna. Stroll along the elegant Corso Umberto and enjoy panoramic views from Piazza IX Aprile. Celebrate your time in Sicily with a delightful dinner at a local restaurant, savoring Sicilian cuisine with exquisite Italian wines.

  • Taormina Greek Amphitheatre Visit
  • Taormina Visit
  • Catania Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Sightseeing in Taormina, Sicily, Italy
Day 9Depart CataniaCatania

Your Sicily tour has now come to an end. Appreciate views of Mount Etna on your way to the airport.

Meals: Breakfast

A view over Catania in Sicily, Italy

Hotels

Palermo, Italy

2 nights

Mercure Palermo Centro

TripAdvisor 4.0Traditional

The Mercure Palermo Centro hotel is perfectly situated in the heart of Palermo, making it the ideal location to explore city, being within walking distance of key sights and the waterfront.

Hotel and room features

Hotel Bar, Concierge, Laundry, Room Service, Foreign Currency Exchange, 24-hour Front Desk

Room Air Conditioning, Safe, TV, Tea & coffee facilities, Wi-Fi

Marsala, Italy

1 night

Seawater Hotel Bio & Beauty Spa

Hotel

Situated in Marsala, 50 km from Segesta, Seawater Hotel Bio & Beauty Spa features accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a shared lounge. This 4-star hotel offers a bar. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service and free WiFi throughout the property.

Hotel and room features

Hotel Room Service, Pool, Concierge, Business Centre, Bar, Restaurant, Laundry, Spa with pool

Room Wi-Fi

Agrigento, Italy

1 night

Hotel Della Valle

4-starTripAdvisor 4.0Traditional

Set in landscaped grounds near Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, this four-star hotel offers spacious rooms, a large outdoor pool and gardens shaded by mature trees. Its restaurant draws on Sicilian flavours, while the relaxed setting provides a welcome contrast to a day spent exploring the island’s ancient Greek heritage.

Hotel and room features

Hotel Restaurant, Spa, Pool, Laundry, 24-hour Front Desk

Room Air Conditioning, Safe, TV, Wi-Fi

Ragusa, Italy

2 nights

Mediterraneo Palace

TripAdvisor 4.0Contemporary

A hotel next to the Santa Domenica Valley and crossed by three historic bridges. Located in a strategic position of the city, just a few minutes away on foot to the Municipal Gardens of Villa Margherita.

Hotel and room features

Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Concierge, Business Centre, Room Service, Laundry, 24-hour Front Desk

Room Air Conditioning, Safe, TV, Wi-Fi

What’s included

Optional experiences
  • Hidden Palermo

    Paid on tour

  • Marsala Dinner

    Paid on tour

  • Discover Medieval Erice

    Paid on tour

  • Discover Noto, the Capital of Sicilian Baroque

    Paid on tour

  • Dinner In Ragusa

    Paid on tour

  • Taste of Sicily: Wine, Citrus and Tradition

    Paid on tour

  • Mt. Etna

    Paid on tour

Dates and prices

Per person, twin share

From, per person$2,655

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