Itinerary
- Day 1
Palermo
You'll arrive in Palermo by 1pm where your tour leader meets you and the group. At 2pm, join a walking tour through the city streets that focuses on anti-mafia history and the people who fought against organized crime. Later this evening, everyone gathers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant to get to know each other.
- Meals
- Dinner (Group welcome dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Anti-mafia walking tour of Palermo
Landmarks/POIs Palermo - Day 2
Palermo to Milazzo
After breakfast, head east to Cefalu, a village set between a sandy bay and the granite rock formation of La Rocca. You'll walk through medieval streets and see the Norman-style cathedral before grabbing lunch at a local spot. From there, travel along the Mediterranean coast by coach to Milazzo, a port town with beaches and historical sites. Check in at your hotel and the rest of the day is free to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Exploration of Cefalu medieval town center
- View of Cefalu Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurant in Cefalu
Landmarks/POIs Cefalu Cathedral La Rocca - Day 3
Lipari and Taormina Riviera
Board a hydrofoil to Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian Islands. Wander through narrow streets with colorful buildings, then take a small vessel past the volcanic islands to see the dramatic landscape. You'll have free time to find lunch in local cafes and markets. Ferry back to mainland Sicily and travel to Taormina Riviera, where you can see Mount Etna on the horizon. Your evening is free after you settle in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hydrofoil to Lipari
- Tour of Lipari town center
- Small vessel cruise around volcano islands
- Ferry return to mainland
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Lipari
Landmarks/POIs Lipari Aeolian Islands Mount Etna - Day 4
Mount Etna and Taormina Riviera
Head to Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano at about 3,350 meters, and explore the lava stone fields while taking photos. Later, lunch includes wine tasting at a Sicilian winery where volcanic soil and Mediterranean climate help grow the grapes. You'll return to your hotel in the late afternoon. The rest of the evening is yours to either check out the 13th-century Duomo or walk through Villa Comunale gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch paired with wine tasting experience at a local Sicilian winery)
Included Activities
- Exploration of Mount Etna lava fields
- Lunch and wine tasting at local Sicilian winery
Optional Activities
- Visit to Duomo dating back to 13th century
- Leisurely stroll through Villa Comunale gardens
Landmarks/POIs Mount Etna Villa Comunale - Day 5
Catania and Ortigia to Ragusa
Travel along the coast to Catania, Sicily's second-largest city at Mount Etna's base, known for its Baroque architecture. Take a walking tour learning about local food culture and culinary heritage. Then head to Ortigia, a small island connected to Syracuse with ancient history and charming streets, where you'll have free time for lunch and exploring. Later travel to Ragusa, arriving in the late afternoon with your evening free to wander the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Catania with focus on food culture
- Orientation tour of Ortigia
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Ortigia
- Independent exploration of Ortigia
Landmarks/POIs Catania Ortigia - Day 6
Ragusa
This morning explore Ragusa at a relaxed pace, walking steep narrow streets and visiting museums. You'll see main avenue architecture and elegant Baroque churches in what locals call 'the city of two halves.' After lunch, join a walking tour of the old town seeing centuries-old buildings and the impressive Duomo di San Giorgio with its neoclassical dome. Stop at a local cheese maker to watch Ragusano cheese production and taste it. Your evening is free.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Ragusa old town
- Visit to Duomo di San Giorgio
- Visit to local cheese manufacturer with Ragusano cheese tasting
Optional Activities
- Visit to museums
- Exploration of Baroque churches
Landmarks/POIs Duomo di San Giorgio Ragusa - Day 7
Valley of the Temples and Marsala
Travel early to Agrigento to see the Valley of the Temples, one of Sicily's most famous historical sites with seven ancient Greek temple ruins. Learn about their history and connection to Greek mythology. Stop at the Stair of the Turks, a white cliff formation carved by waves, for photos. You'll have free time in Sciacca for lunch, then continue to Marsala, a coastal town known for its sweet fortified wine and historical significance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Exploration of Valley of the Temples archaeological site
- Photo stop at Stair of the Turks
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Sciacca
- Exploration of Sciacca
Landmarks/POIs Valley of the Temples Temple of Juno Temple of Concord Stair of the Turks - Day 8
Marsala
Spend your morning touring Marsala and learning about its past as a Roman colony and under Arab and English rule. You'll visit the salt flats nearby with their pastel blue, pink, and apricot lagoons, learning how salt production dates back to Phoenician times. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy peaceful surroundings. Optional activities include visiting the Cathedral of San Tommaso of Canterbury or experiencing Marsala's nightlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Captivating tour of Marsala city
- Visit to Marsala salt flats
Optional Activities
- Visit to Cathedral of San Tommaso of Canterbury
- Evening at local bars
Landmarks/POIs Marsala Salt Flats Cathedral of San Tommaso of Canterbury - Day 9
Erice and Palermo
After breakfast, travel to Erice, a medieval hilltop town 750 meters up in northwest Sicily with views across the valley and sea. Bring comfortable walking shoes because the cobblestone streets are steep. You'll see the Castle of Balio before reaching town for morning tea and local pastries like Genovesi Ericine, a flaky pastry with lemon cream filling. Spend free time exploring the stone ruins, then head back to Palermo later for a free afternoon. Tonight, celebrate with a farewell group dinner raising a toast to Sicily and new friendships.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Group farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Photo stop at Castle of Balio
- Morning tea in Erice
- Tasting of local pastries including Genovesi Ericine
Optional Activities
- Exploration of Erice stone ruins
- Afternoon exploration of Palermo
Landmarks/POIs Erice Castle of Balio - Day 10
Palermo
After breakfast this morning, the tour ends. You'll depart with memories of sun-drenched Sicily and say goodbye to friends you've made along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
