Highlights of Sicily | Guided Group Tour | 8 Days

DAY 1:                                   CATANIA 

Upon arrival at Catania airport, transfer to your hotel in charming Catania and enjoy a day at leisure. Overnight in Catania. 

DAY 2:                                   CATANIA – SYRACUSE – NOTO – RAGUSA 

After breakfast, depart for Syracuse to explore the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, once the largest Greek colony in Sicily. Visit Ortigia’s charming old town, including Piazza Duomo and its Cathedral. Continue to Noto, the “stone garden” and capital of Sicilian Baroque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can stroll through streets adorned with elegant palaces, churches, and intricate façades. End the day in Ragusa for overnight. (B, D) 

DAY 3:                                   RAGUSA – MODICA – PIAZZA ARMERINA – AGRIGENTO 

After breakfast, explore Ragusa Ibla with its charming churches and the Ibleo Garden. Continue to Modica to admire its Baroque treasures, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and enjoy a tasting of local specialties. Proceed to Piazza Armerina to visit the Villa Romana del Casale, a late imperial UNESCO site, before transferring to Agrigento for overnight. (B, L, D)  

DAY 4:                                   AGRIGENTO – MARSALA – SALINE – PALERMO 

After breakfast, visit the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring the temples of Juno, Concordia, and Hercules. Continue to Marsala, rich in Phoenician, Arab, and Norman heritage, and enjoy a tasting of its local wine. Travel along the Via del Sale to the Stagnone Lagoon and salt pans, an important nature reserve and one of the world’s oldest salt mining sites. Arrive in Palermo in the evening for your overnight. (B, L) 

DAY 5:                                   PALERMO – MONREALE – PALERMO  

Breakfast in the hotel and departure to visit Monreale, with its impressive Arab-Norman Cathedral and stunning Cloister. Return to Palermo. This city preserves monuments of the Arab-Norman period, including the beautiful Cathedral, the fascinating Byzantine Church of the Martorana and the Palatine Chapel, a higher example from the historical-artistic point of view of the coexistence between cultures and religions. Along the visit stop for a food surprise in a local bakery. Overnight in Palermo. (B, L) 

DAY 6:                                   PALERMO – CEFALU – CATANIA 

Breakfast in the hotel and departure to Cefalù, a beautiful medieval maritime village with its Norman Cathedral. Time at leisure to visit the famous Mandralisca Museum. Proceed to Catania. Visit the old town centre and its baroque architecture, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a walk in the centre, passing through the old ‘pescheria’ (old fish market) to reach the scenic Piazza del Duomo with its stunning Cathedral and the lava stone Elephant (symbol of the city). Stop in a delicious bar to taste the local granita with brioche. Overnight in Catania. (B, L) 

DAY 7:                                   CATANIA – ETNA – TAORMINA – CATANIA 

After breakfast, visit Catania’s historic fish market before heading to Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore Etna Park, including Rifugio Sapienza and the Crateri Silvestri, enjoying panoramic views of volcanic cones, the Aeolian Islands, and Calabria. Stop at a beekeeping farm to see honey production and taste local specialties. Continue to Taormina to visit the Greco-Roman theatre and admire breathtaking views of Naxos Bay and the Riviera dei Ciclopi. Return to Catania for overnight. (B, L) 

DAY 8:                                   CATANIA 

Breakfast in the hotel and check-out. End of services. (B) 

ACCOMMODATION (OR SIMILAR):  

CATANIA: Il Principe Hotel, or Romano House Hotel 

RAGUSA: Mediterraneo Palace Hotel 

AGRIGENTO: Baia di Ulisse Wellness & Spa 

PALERMO: Hotel Mercure Palermo Centro, or Ibis Styles Palermo Cristal 

INCLUDES: 

• 7 nights accommodation in 4* hotels
• Meals as per itinerary
• Multilingual tour leader
• Local guides or audio-guides when necessary
• Private arrival transfer from Catania Airport to hotel
• Transportation by air-conditioned bus from day 2 to day 7
• Sightseeing tours* in Syracuse, Noto, Ragusa, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Monreale, Palermo, Cefalu, Catania, Etna, and Taormina
• Typical product tastings:
  • Modica (3rd day): visit to the famous Sabadì chocolate shop with tasting
  • Marsala (4th day): visit to the Florio wine cellar with tasting
  • Palermo (5th day): gastronomic surprise with street food tasting
  • Catania (6th day): “granita and brioche” tasting
  • Etna (7th day): visit to a honey factory tasting typical Etna products

EXCLUDES: 

• Departure transfer*
• Meals not specified above
• Beverages
• Entrance fees to monuments/museums*
• City taxes*
• Tips and extras in general
• Hotel taxes, service charges and tips for baggage handling
• Anything not specified under “Includes”

*Not included unless you have pre-purchased the privilege package at the time of booking. 

OPTIONAL ADD-ON: PRIVILEGE PACKAGE 

Silver 

• City taxes
• All entrance fees as per program

Gold 

• Private departure transfer (Pick-up between 07:00-20:59 only. Transfers outside of these times will incur a surcharge. This will be advised upon confirmation.)
• City taxes
• All entrance fees as per program

Platinum 

• Upgrade to Superior/Deluxe rooms
• Private departure transfer (Pick-up between 07:00-20:59 only. Transfers outside of these times will incur a surcharge. This will be advised upon confirmation.)
• City taxes
• All entrance fees as per program

Privilege packages are available on request for an additional cost and will be indicated in the booking if selected. 

THINGS TO NOTE: 

• Hotel rooms may not be available for check-in before 2:00 p.m.
• Tour can be a combination of regular tours; therefore, coach changes may be required. The same people may not be travelling throughout the tour.
• Entrance fees to sights are not included and are to be paid locally, unless you have pre-booked the Privilege Package before departure.
• A government tourist tax may need to be paid locally upon arrival at your hotels.
• Itinerary may be modified at any time.
• Only 1 suitcase (any size) and 1 handbag per person is allowed.