Highlights of Sicily

Experience the wonders of SICILY with our customized, small group tour.

Itinerary starts with van transportation from Catania airport and ends with transportation to Palermo airport. Highlights include a boat tour in the Aeolian Islands, guided walking/food tours, wine and olive oil tastings, cooking class, UNESCO park visits in Syracuse and Agrigento, a visit to the Turkish Steps, and so much more!! Check out the itinerary below and/or reach out with any questions!

Dates: September 1-11, 2024 – max participants 8 (only 3 spots left)

Itinerary:
Day 1 (Sun, Sept 1) – Arrival in Sicily. Welcome to Sicily!! Transportation from Catania airport to hotel in Milazzo (2 nights). Welcome dinner.

Day 2 (Mon, Sept 2) – Aeolian Islands. Full day boat tour (weather permitting) – Lipari, Panarea, Stromboli (including highly-anticipated evening view of lava flow on Stromboli).

Day 3 (Tues, Sept 3) – Wine/Olive Oil Tasting. Winery visits at the Foothills of Mt Etna. Lunch at one of the wineries. Afternoon arrival at our hotel in Taormina where we stay for 2 nights.

Day 4 (Weds, Sept 4) – Catania/Taormina. Private guided walking food tour/lunch in Catania – we’ll visit the most important sites and taste the traditional foods of the region. Afternoon/evening free time to explore beautiful Taormina.

Day 5 (Thurs, Sept 5) – Siracusa/Ortigia. Morning visit to the archaeological park in Siracusa. Afternoon check in at our hotel in Ortigia (where we stay for 3 nights). Late afternoon cooking class where we learn to make traditional arancini and cannoli.

Day 6 (Fri, Sept 6) – Inland exploration from Ortigia. Full day of visiting some of the towns in more central southern Sicily – Ragusa, Modica (including a tour of the oldest chocolate factory in Sicily), and Noto.

Day 7 (Sat, Sept 7) – Coastal exploration from Ortigia. Another opportunity to explore the area around Ortigia. This time we visit the coastal towns: Portopalo, Marzememi, Isola Vendicari. Lots of free time to explore on your own or with the group.

Day 8 (Sun, Sept 8) – Western Sicily. Change of scenery today as we head to Agrigento for a visit to the Valle dei Templi, UNESCO world heritage site featuring an important example of ancient classical Sicilian culture. Here we participate in a private guided tour on electric scooters for some additional excitement and fun. Short visit to the Turkish Steps and then we check in at our hotel in Trapani, where we ‘ll stay for 1 night. Option to join the group for dinner and evening free time in the lovely town of Erice.

Day 9 (Mon, Sept 9) – Palermo. Private guided walking food tour of Palermo, featuring the most important sites along with typical food specialties of the region. Guided tour of Monreale and cathedral. Afternoon check in at our hotel in Cefalu, where we stay for our last 2 nights.

Day 10 (Tues, Sept 10) – Free day in Cefalu. Free time to go to the beach, shop, and/or explore Cefalu. Group farewell dinner.
Day 11 (Weds, Sept 11) – Departure. Transportation provided to the group for departure from Palermo airport.

Includes: 10 nights’ accommodation (2 in Milazzo, 2 in Taormina, 3 in Ortigia, 1 in Trapani, and 2 in Cefalu); meals included: 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners (welcome and farewell), all transportation other than the transatlantic flights (includes gas, tolls, and parking); cooking class; private guided walking food tours of Catania and Palermo; entrance to UNESCO sites in Syracuse and Agrigento; tour of chocolate factory in Modica; tourist trains in Ragusa, Modica, and/or Noto; wine tasting at 2 wineries near Mt Etna.
Personalized additions either before or after the noted itinerary are possible and gladly accommodated for additional costs.

Price: $5700 pp single occupancy; $5200 pp double occupancy. (Trip subject to modification as necessary (due to weather, etc).)

Not included: airfare, tips, meals and activity costs other than those noted, “optional” activities, travel insurance.