Itinerary
- Day 1
Catania
You'll touch down in Catania and make your way to your accommodation using public transport. Depending on your arrival time, you might start walking around the city right away or just settle in for the evening. Either way, this is your chance to get oriented before the tour officially kicks off.
- Day 2
Mount Etna - Taormina
Your guide meets you and you head straight to Mount Etna. The drive takes you through vineyards and past old lava flows up to about 1,900m where you'll see the Silvestri craters. There's an option to go higher by cable car and jeep to 2,800m if you want to hike (roughly €80, book on site). After that, you'll stop at local market stalls for honey, jam and liqueur tastings. Later you travel to Taormina for a walk down Corso Umberto and time to check out the ancient theater. The day finishes with an orientation walk back in Catania.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Mount Etna's Silvestri craters
- Tasting of locally produced liqueur and regional specialties at market stalls
Optional Activities
- Cable car and jeep to 2,800m on Mount Etna (approximately €80, bookable on site)
- Guided hike in volcanic landscape (included with cable car/jeep option)
- Self-guided exploration of ancient theater in Taormina
Landmarks Mount Etna Silvestri Craters Taormina Ancient Theater Corso Umberto - Day 3
Syracuse (Siracusa)
You head to Syracuse on the island of Ortigia and wander through the old streets looking at the architecture and visiting the cathedral. Your guide shows you around the market and introduces regional foods, then you grab an espresso at a local café. You get free time to explore Ortigia on your own before heading to the archaeological park in the afternoon. There you'll see the ancient theater, a small Roman amphitheater, and the Paradiso quarry. You return to Catania in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walk through Ortigia's historic old town
- Visit to cathedral in Ortigia
- Market visit with regional specialties sampling
- Guided tour of archaeological park including ancient theater, Roman amphitheater, and Paradiso quarry
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Ortigia's atmosphere
- Espresso at a local café
Landmarks Ortigia Syracuse Cathedral Syracuse Ancient Theater Paradiso Quarry - Day 4
Piazza Armerina - Agrigento
You travel to Piazza Armerina and explore the Roman Villa Romana del Casale on your own, checking out the floor mosaics. From there you move through different landscapes to Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A 2-hour guided tour takes you through the temples made of yellow shell sandstone, including Concordia, Hercules, and Zeus, sitting among olive groves with sea views. You check in at your Agrigento hotel and have dinner there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Roman Villa Romana del Casale ruins and floor mosaics
- 2-hour guided tour of Valley of the Temples including temples of Concordia, Hercules, and Zeus
Landmarks Roman Villa Romana del Casale Valley of the Temples (Agrigento) Temple of Concordia Temple of Hercules Temple of Zeus - Day 5
Marsala - Erice - Palermo
You drive along Sicily's southern coast to Marsala, known for Garibaldi's landing and its wine. Stop at a bakery for pane cunzato, a typical Sicilian sandwich, and see the salt pans in the nature reserve with views of the Egadi Islands. Continue to the medieval town of Erice up on Monte Erice where you walk through winding streets and visit an almond bakery. Your guide picks out pastries for the group and you have a sweet tasting at a viewpoint. You pass through Castellammare del Golfo for photos before reaching Palermo for a 2-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Snack (Pane cunzato (typical Sicilian sandwich)), Snack (Sweet tasting of Sicilian almond pastries at panoramic viewpoint)
Included Activities
- Stop at Marsala bakery and tasting of 'pane cunzato'
- Discovery of salt pans in nature reserve with Egadi Islands views
- Visit to medieval town of Erice with walking tour through historic alleyways
- Almond bakery visit with pastry selection
- Sweet tasting at panoramic viewpoint
Landmarks Marsala Isole dello Stagnone di Marsala Nature Reserve Erice Castellammare del Golfo - Day 6
Palermo
This morning you explore Palermo's lively markets with typical Sicilian specialties, then grab regional finger food at an old town restaurant. You visit the famous Norman cathedral in Monreale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and take a guided tour of Palermo's history and main sights. If interested, your guide can show you the new port and you'll have an aperitivo there. The afternoon is free for you to relax. Your guide can recommend restaurants and bars for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Regional finger food in a restaurant in the old town)
Included Activities
- Exploration of Palermo's lively markets with typical Sicilian specialties
- Visit to Norman cathedral in Monreale
- Guided city tour of Palermo's history and sights
Optional Activities
- Regional finger food at a restaurant in the old town
- Exploration of the new port with tour guide
- Aperitivo (tour guide recommendations)
Landmarks Palermo Markets Monreale Cathedral Palermo Old Town - Day 7
Madonie Mountains - Castelbuono - Cefalù - Catania
You leave Palermo and head into the green Madonie mountains. In Castelbuono, a charming small town with a historic castle, you have a sweet break with Sicilian brioche and gelato from a local gelateria. Then you continue to the coastal town of Cefalu to see the impressive Arab-Norman cathedral from the 12th century. You have a picnic on the beach with regional specialties and toast the trip with your group. After that, you travel back to Catania for your final night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Snack (Sicilian brioche with creamy gelato), Picnic (Picnic on beach with regional specialties)
Included Activities
- Visit to charming town of Castelbuono with historic castle
- Sicilian brioche with creamy gelato at local gelateria
- Visit to Arab-Norman cathedral in Cefalù
- Picnic on beach with regional specialties
Landmarks Castelbuono Cefalù Cathedral Cefalù - Day 8
Catania
Your time in Sicily comes to an end. You make your own way to the airport by public transport and head home, taking time to think back on your Sicilian adventure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
