10-Day Italy Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Italy tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaItaly travel expert at TourRadar

• 10 Days in Sicily, incl. Palermo and Catania

  Sicily's treasures await across 15 destinations in 10 days. From Palermo's Arab-Norman UNESCO sites to Syracuse's archaeological park, immerse in history while staying at centrally-located 4-star hotels including Mercure Palermo Centro and Hotel Principe Catania.

  

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  • Day 1

    Palermo Arrival

    Land in Palermo and check into your hotel in the city center. Plan to arrive around 1 PM to rest before exploring. Your central location makes it easy to walk around the historic quarter that evening.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Palermo & Monreale

    Visit Monreale's Norman Cathedral, known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Get there before 10 AM to beat the crowds and enjoy the mosaics in quiet. Spend the rest of your time in Palermo seeing the Cathedral, Martorana Church, and Cappella Palatina. Sample local street food between visits.

    
  • Day 4

    Cefalù to Catania

    Drive to medieval Cefalù (1.5 hours). See the Norman Dome and walk through the historic center before driving to Catania (2.5 hours). "The black lava stone architecture in Catania's center creates an incredibly elegant effect," noted one reviewer. End your day with local granita.

    
  • Day 5

    Mount Etna & Taormina

    Start early for Mount Etna (1 hour drive). Pack warm clothes since it's often 10-15°C cooler at Rifugio Sapienza. After lunch, visit Taormina's ancient Greek theater. Visit the theater viewpoint an hour before sunset for great photos of Etna and the coast.

    
  • Day 6

    Free Day in Catania

    Visit the fish market before 11 AM when it's busiest or take a trip to the Riviera dei Ciclopi. "The seaside towns of Aci Castello and Aci Trezza make for a perfect half-day trip from Catania," one traveler suggested.

    
  • Day 7

    Syracuse & Noto

    Drive to Syracuse (1 hour) to see the Archaeological Park. "Get to the Greek Theater first thing - it gets hot and crowded by midday," a visitor advised. Visit baroque Noto in the afternoon when the limestone buildings glow in the late afternoon sun.

    
  • Day 8

    Ragusa & Modica

    Explore Ragusa Ibla's baroque architecture and UNESCO sites. Stop in Modica for chocolate tasting at Sabadì. "The multi-sensory chocolate experience was a highlight - try the traditional Aztec spiced variety." Continue to Agrigento to sleep.

    
  • Day 9

    Valley of Temples & Marsala

    Visit the Valley of Temples early morning. Drive to Marsala for wine tasting at Florio Cellars and see the salt pans. "The salt road at sunset, with flamingos in the distance, was magical," one reviewer shared.

    
  • Day 10

    Departure from Palermo

    Have breakfast before leaving. If you have time before your flight, visit any spots in central Palermo you missed.

    

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• 10 Day Sicily Itinerary, incl. Palermo and Catania

  A 10-day loop from Palermo encompasses 15 destinations, featuring UNESCO treasures like Monreale Cathedral, Syracuse's ruins, and Agrigento's Valley of Temples. Guests enjoy 4-star accommodations at Mercure Palermo Centro and savor local specialties from Modica chocolate to Marsala wine.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Palermo & Monreale

    Start in Palermo. Visit the Pescheria morning market before 9 AM to watch locals negotiate for fresh fish. Take your second day to see Monreale Cathedral with its beautiful mosaics. Remember to wear non-slip shoes at the cathedral.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Cefalù & Catania

    Drive an hour to Cefalù. Visit the Norman Dome and walk through the old town. Head to Catania next to see its unique black lava stone buildings. Take an evening walk on Via Etnea after 6 PM when the street fills with locals and shoppers.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Mount Etna & Taormina

    Spend a full day at Mount Etna. "Layer up - even in summer it's significantly cooler at Rifugio Sapienza. The local honey tasting at 1,800m elevation was unexpectedly delightful," one visitor noted. Next day, visit Taormina and its Greek Theatre in late afternoon when there are fewer tourists and better lighting.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Syracuse & Baroque Towns

    Visit Syracuse's archaeological park and Ortigia island. See Noto when the sun is setting to catch the Baroque buildings in perfect light. "The chocolate tasting at Sabadì in Modica was a highlight - try the unique cold-processed chocolate made using ancient Aztec techniques," shared a recent visitor.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Agrigento & Return to Palermo

    Get to the Valley of the Temples when it opens at 8:30 AM. Stop at Marsala's wine cellars on your way back to Palermo. A recent guest said, "The Florio cellar tour offered fascinating insights into Sicily's wine history, plus generous tastings."

    

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• 10 Days in Italy, incl. Rome and Venice

  A luxurious nine-day Italian tour takes you through 11 cities from Rome to Venice. Marvel at the Vatican Museums, walk through Pompeii ruins, and admire Florence's Duomo. Relax at premium hotels like Hotel St. Martin and Hotel Michelangelo, with expert guides and skip-the-line access to major sites.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Rome

    Begin your Italian adventure in the Eternal City. "The Vatican Museums were incredible - get there by 8:30 AM before the tour groups arrive," one traveler noted. Visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with skip-the-line access in the morning. Spend your afternoon at the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Book the optional afternoon Colosseum tour for $95 to learn about ancient Roman life from expert guides.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Sorrento & Capri

    Take a 3-hour morning train to Sorrento. One reviewer shared, "Watching the sunset over the Bay of Naples while dining in Sorrento was unforgettable." Use Sorrento as your starting point to visit the Isle of Capri. Get to the Blue Grotto early since boats stop running in rough seas. Be aware that Capri excursions might not run between November and March due to weather.

    
  • Day 5

    Pompeii & Return to Rome

    Leave Sorrento around 1:15 PM for Pompeii. A traveler recommended: "Bring water and sun protection - there's little shade among the ruins." See ancient Roman life come alive during the guided tour. Take the 3-hour drive back to Rome to arrive by early evening.

    
  • Day 6

    Rome to Florence via Assisi & Siena

    Start early for medieval Assisi. One visitor remarked, "The frescoes in St. Francis Basilica were breathtaking." Next, visit Siena to see the beautiful Piazza del Campo before reaching Florence in the evening. Book the optional Uffizi/Accademia tour ($175) ahead of time since spots fill up fast.

    
  • Day 7

    Florence

    Spend a full day in the Renaissance city. "Getting to the Duomo before 9 AM helped avoid the crowds," a reviewer noted. Join the morning walking tour of main attractions. You can visit Pisa in the afternoon (optional, $125) or explore Florence's artisan workshops in the Oltrarno area.

    
  • Day 8

    Bologna to Venice

    Stop in Bologna on your way to Venice. "The food markets around Piazza Maggiore were a highlight," according to one traveler. Get to Venice by afternoon. Consider staying in Mestre for better prices with easy train access to Venice.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Venice

    Start at St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace before the crowds. One visitor advised: "Take the vaporetto to Murano in the afternoon when day-trippers leave." Complete your trip with a sunset gondola ride. You might want to stay longer or plan your return to Rome (9-hour trip).

    

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