Your Itinerary
Welcome to the sunny region of Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea! We begin in the region’s vibrant capital city, Palermo, boasting a blend of historical landmarks, diverse architecture, and a lively street life. The coastal city has been invaded many times over the years, resulting in a mixed architectural appearance with Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Modernist influences.
We don’t want you to miss out on a single moment of your island adventure, so we recommend that you arrive at your starting destination by 1.00pm.
At 2.00pm, meet your fellow travellers and Tour Leader before joining a local guide for a fascinating anti-mafia walking tour through the streets of Palermo. As we make our way through the colourful town centre, we’ll gain insight into the captivating history, significant events and courageous figures who stood up against the criminal influence. This is a unique opportunity to learn about the influence of the notorious Sicilian mob beyond the myths.
This evening, we’ll enjoy an authentic introduction to the region’s hearty cuisine at a group welcome dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 2 - Palermo – Cefalù – Messina
Following breakfast this morning, we will make our way eastward to the town of Cefalù, one of the most beautiful villages in all of Sicily. Sitting snug between a sandy bay and the towering granite rock of La Rocca, Cefalù offers something for every traveller. Here, we’ll have the opportunity to leisurely explore the cafe-lined medieval streets, tuck into a local delicacy for lunch and can even take a dip in the clear, shallow waters. Take advantage of some free time to wander through the historic centre and admire the Norman-style facade of the Cefalù Cathedral.
Next, settle back into the coach, looking out over the gorgeous blue waters of the Mediterranean as we snake along the Sicilian coast.
In the evening, we’ll arrive in the vibrant port city of Messina, perched on the northeastern tip of Sicily overlooking the Strait of Messina. Often referred to as the island’s gateway, Messina is known for its grand piazzas, impressive cathedral and sweeping harbour views. With a history shaped by earthquakes, invasions and centuries of maritime trade, the city has long played a strategic role in Mediterranean life. After checking into our hotel, the evening is yours to explore — perhaps enjoy a leisurely stroll along the waterfront before settling into one of the many nearby trattorias for dinner.
Day 3 - Messina – Taormina Riviera
Today we spend the morning driving through varied Sicilian landscapes on our way to beautiful Taormina. This tranquil area earnt the nickname of the ‘Pearl of the Ionian Sea’, and it’s not hard to understand why. Neighbouring mighty Mount Etna looming on the horizon, the town’s unique cliffside position overlooking the sea and the region’s striking natural beauty make Taormina one marvellous destination to visit.
On arrival we start with a walking tour and marvel at the picturesque Duomo cathedral that dates back to the 13th century. Over the years it has been reconstructed and restored and displays a great blend of Renaissance and Baroque design aesthetics. We’ll also visit the ancient Greek amphitheatre and take a leisurely stroll through the charming narrow streets of the old town.
The rest of the day is at leisure to immerse in Taormina at your own pace. Perhaps you might like to wander through the Villa Comunale gardens? Located on the edge of the town and featuring brick structures encased by palm trees, cacti and flowers, find a quaint pocket for a peaceful moment overlooking the landscape.
Later in the day we check into our hotel in the Taormina Riviera, where you'll have the rest of the night to enjoy at your leisure.
Today we visit Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano, with its summit stretching approximately 3,350 metres high. To the ancient Greeks, Mount Etna was the realm of Vulcan, the God of Fire, and the home of the one-eyed monster known as the Cyclops. Over 1,200 square metres of Etna's surface is covered with solidified lava. We’ll have the opportunity of exploring some of these lava stones and to take some spectacular photographs.
Special Experience
Indulge in a delightful lunch paired with a memorable wine tasting experience at a picturesque Sicilian winery.
The vineyards neighbouring Mount Etna and the surrounding Catania region are famous for their viticulture, enjoying a mediterranean climate favoured for grape cultivation. We’ll enjoy a tasting accompanied by lunch at a local winery, set against a stunning backdrop of the Sicilian countryside.
We’ll return to our hotel in the late afternoon where the rest of the evening is at leisure.
Day 5 - Taormina Riviera – Ragusa
We continue along the Mediterranean coast today, making our way to Catania, the second-largest city in Sicily. Lying at the foot of Mount Etna, the city centre is known for its masterful examples of Baroque architecture which earned it a coveted spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Here, we'll immerse ourselves in Sicilian culture and its culinary delights as we take a walking tour, discovering the significance of Catania's food in the local heritage.
Next on our journey, we'll explore the small island of Ortigia, connected to the city of Syracuse. With a history dating back to ancient times, Ortigia is home to a myriad of historical landmarks, charming streets and beautiful architecture. After a short orientation tour delving into some of the town’s ancient roots, there will be free time for you to grab some lunch and explore this fascinating island on your own.
We arrive in the beautiful province of Ragusa late this afternoon, a region famous for its rich red wines that are usually made from a blend of Nero d’Avola, Frappato and Pignatello grapes. Tonight, you'll have the evening free to acquaint yourself with the city. Enjoy the opportunity to explore and immerse yourself in the beauty of Ragusa at your own pace.
In the late morning, we’ll take a walking tour through the old town of Ragusa. Stroll through the winding streets, lined with centuries-old buildings, and discover the rich heritage of this beautiful Sicilian city. We’ll also see the impressive Duomo di San Giorgio. This 18th century cathedral is topped with a neoclassical dome and rises from the streets with a distinctive three-tiered cake-like exterior.
Special Experience
Visit a local cheese manufacturer, where you'll have the opportunity to sample a delectable tasting of the renowned Ragusano cheese.
We’ll venture to a local cheese manufacturer to observe the production process and taste some of the region’s famous Ragusano cheese – a hard, stretched-curd cheese known for its bold flavour.
The remainder of the day is free for you to enjoy as you wish. Take advantage of an afternoon at leisure to further explore the wonderful city of Ragusa. A short stroll through its maze of steep narrow streets will show you why Ragusa earned the nickname of ‘the city of two halves’. Here, the older Baroque-style town is preserved alongside the more modern side of the city. Visit some of its museums, admire the intricate details of the main avenues or explore some of its elegant Baroque churches.
Early this morning, we farewell the beauty of Ragusa and travel to the outskirts of Agrigento where we will visit the Valley of the Temples, one of Sicily's most famous historical attractions. Here we’ll explore the spectacular archaeological site that preserves the ruins of seven ancient Greek temples and other monuments. We’ll marvel at the Temples of Juno, Concord, Heracles, Zeus, Castor and Pollux, and learn about their historical significance, steeped in tales of Greek mythology.
As we continue our journey, we will stop for a scenic photo at the Stair of the Turks, a stunning natural cliff formation. This wavy stretch of coastline has been carved out by the lapping waves of the Mediterranean, moulding it into the rounded, white rock formation it is today. We'll then enjoy some free time in Sciacca for lunch before proceeding to our final destination for the day.
As the afternoon sun begins to set in, we’ll arrive in Marsala, a pretty coastal town in western Sicily. Home to a diverse cultural history, the town was famously the landing point of The Expedition of the Thousand, the unification movement of Italy led by Garibaldi. Marsala is also renowned for its production of the sweet, fortified wine of the same name.
This morning, we’ll set out on a captivating tour of Marsala, exploring the charming city and its unique attractions. The town once served as a Roman colony but has also seen Arab rule and was later occupied by the English, which makes delving into its history even more alluring. As we meander through its streets, we’ll be taken back to past eras, discovering the archaeological and architectural treasures that make up its fascinating heritage.
Marsala is renowned for its fortified wine, so we could visit without a sample. This afternoon we’ll visit a local wine cellar and enjoy tastings of the local drop.
The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy some downtime in the peaceful surrounds or explore more of the town. Why not visit the Cathedral of San Tommaso of Canterbury, dedicated to Saint Thomas Becket, before later ducking into a local bar to experience Marsala’s vibrant nightlife.
Day 9 - Marsala – Palermo
After breakfast, we'll head to the medieval town of Erice. Located in the northwest of Sicily and perched atop Monte San Giuliano, this walled hilltop town sits 750m above sea level offering spectacular valley and sea vistas. Make sure you are wearing comfortable walking shoes today, as the narrow cobblestone streets and entrance to the town are quite steep.
Special Experience
In Erice, savour the local pastries, including the renowned Genovesi Ericine — a flaky shortcrust pastry filled with lemon cream.
Indulge in the town’s flavoursome Genovesi Ericine, a flaky sweet made of shortcrust pastry and filled with a creamy lemon-flavoured centre. One bite of this ‘crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside’ cookie and you won’t be able to stop at just one!
Take advantage of some free time to explore more of the well-preserved stone ruins before we continue on to Palermo.
Later in the day, we’ll arrive back to where we started in beautiful Palermo and enjoy a free afternoon for some final exploring. Tonight, we’ll toast ‘saluti’ (cheers!) to our favourite memories of the tour at a group farewell dinner.
Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning. We hope you leave with fabulous memories as we bid ‘addiu’ to our new friends and to the sun-drenched wonders of Sicily!