Itinerary
- Day 1
Catania
Start in Catania and walk through the baroque piazzas with their colorful architecture and intricate details. The old historic core, which sits on the UNESCO list, has plenty of ancient ruins to check out as you make your way around town. Later in the evening, head to a local restaurant for an included dinner where you'll try traditional Sicilian dishes prepared the way locals make them.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner in a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Catania Excelsior (or similar))
Included Activities
- Explore Catania's UNESCO listed historic core
- Dinner in a local restaurant
Landmarks Piazza Stesicoro Via dei Crociferi - Day 2
Catania to Taormina
Travel north from Catania to Taormina, a town that sits high on a mountainside with views down toward the coast. Take the cable car from the center of town down to the beaches below, where you can spend time in the sun and swim if you'd like. If cooking interests you, there's an optional class where you'll learn to make arancini and cannoli, two Sicilian specialties you'll want to master.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Villa Esperia (or similar))
Included Activities
- Cable car ride from historic centre to beaches
Optional Activities
- Arancini & Cannoli Making Class
Landmarks Taormina 
- Day 3
Taormina
You have a choice today. The first option is a tour of Mt Etna, Europe's highest active volcano, where you'll drive across the fertile slopes past vineyards and fruit orchards. If that's not for you, spend the afternoon in Taormina on your own terms. Relax at the beach, visit the Roman theatre, or find a spot to have a spritz and watch the world go by.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Main Palace Hotel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Mt. Etna Tour - adrenaline-filled ride passing vineyards and orchards
Landmarks Mt Etna Roman Theatre of Taormina - Day 4
Taormina to Syracuse via Noto
Head south to Syracuse, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with layers of ancient Roman and Greek history visible in its amphitheatres and old architecture throughout the city. From there, continue to Noto, famous for its baroque buildings and the impressive Corso Vittoria Emanuele running through the center. In the evening, visit an organic farm for a tasting of Sicilian products before settling into your accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Panorama Palace Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Explore Syracuse's UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient Roman and Greek sites
- Visit Noto and explore Corso Vittoria Emanuele
- Tastes of Sicily experience at an organic farm
Landmarks Syracuse Noto Corso Vittoria Emanuele 
- Day 5
Syracuse to Cefalu via Valley of the Temples
Travel west to the Valley of the Temples, an archaeological site packed with ancient structures like temples and sanctuaries, plus a necropolis to walk through. Next, head to Cefalu on the coast where dinner is included. You'll eat Sicilian specialties at a restaurant in this charming seaside town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Sicilian delicacies)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel La Giara (or similar))
Included Activities
- Explore Valley of the Temples - discover ancient temples, sanctuaries and necropolis
- Dinner in Cefalu
Landmarks Valley of the Temples Cefalù 
- Day 6
Cefalù
Spend the day in Cefalu with some of Sicily's nicest beaches right there, plus water sports if you want to be active. There's also an optional coastal cruise if you'd rather see the shoreline from the water. Later, take time to wander the narrow cobbled streets, watch local fishermen at work, and explore the food spots and bars that line the town after dark.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel La Giara (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Coastal Cruise
Landmarks Cefalù beaches - Day 7
Cefalù to Palermo
Head to Palermo, Sicily's capital, and you'll immediately notice the food scene is serious here. Join a walking tour through the historic center where you'll learn about Palermo's complicated history, including the Mafia and the anti-Mafia movement that fought back. End your time here with an al fresco farewell dinner at a bistro known for giving people second chances.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner Al Fresco at the 'bistro of second chances')
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Styles President (or similar))
Included Activities
- Walking tour through historic centre covering Palermo's anti-Mafia movement history
- Farewell dinner Al Fresco at the 'bistro of second chances'
Landmarks Palermo historic centre 
- Day 8
Palermo
Share one last breakfast with your travel group before it's time to head home. Exchange contact information with the people you've gotten to know over the past week and say your goodbyes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
