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 a delicious introduction to the region’s hearty cuisine at a group welcome dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 2 - Palermo - Milazzo
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 and tuck into a local delicacy for lunch. 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 afternoon, we’ll arrive in the picturesque coastal town of Milazzo, located in the Messina province of Sicily. The town is best known for its charming beaches, historical landmarks, and as a gateway to the beautiful Aeolian Islands. With a rich history dating back to the 8th century, the port city bears the scars of several historical battles including the famous Battle of Milazzo between Garibaldo’s forces and the troops of King Francis II of Bourbon. Once we check into our hotel, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore some of its fascinating heritage.
Day 3 - Milazzo - Taormina
Today, we’ll embark on a day trip by hydrofoil to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed island of Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian Islands. We’ll take a tour of the town centre, exploring its unique blend of volcanic landscapes and Mediterranean allure. The island’s main town is characterised by narrow winding streets lined with colourful buildings and traditional Sicilian charm.
Following our stroll around Lipari’s lively hub, we’ll board a small vessel to explore the surrounding volcano islands by water. Savour a moment to admire the raw power of nature as we cruise past the volcanic-forged scenery, before shaking out our sea legs and returning to land. Enjoy some free time for lunch to further explore the town’s quaint shops, local markets and inviting cafes before cruising by ferry back to the mainland.
In the evening, we’ll arrive in the spectacular 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. Upon arriving, 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 day is at leisure. Why not visit the picturesque Duomo dating back to the 13th century or take a leisurely stroll 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 of the park for a peaceful moment overlooking the Ionian Sea.
Day 5 - Taormina - 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.
Take advantage of a morning 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.
In the afternoon, we’ll take a walking tour through the old town. 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.
Just outside of Ragusa, 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.
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.
Located just nearby, we’ll also wander over to the mesmerising Marsala salt flats. Marvel over the pastel blue, pink and apricot hues of the shallow lagoons, stretching across a landscape that’s reminiscent of a giant patchwork quilt of seawater. We’ll learn about the salt production process that has roots dating back to Phoenician times, gaining insight into this ancient industry.
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. We’ll enjoy a quick photo stop at the Castle of Balio, an ancient fortress clinging to the hillside, before arriving in town for a delightful morning tea.
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!
