Tour Description

Sicily - where have you been all our lives? We're taking you across this idyllic island, from the ancient streets of Catania to the mountainside charms of Taormina, where we'll enjoy some cooking classes and take a ride down Mt Etna. What's next? How about some more UNESCO heritage sites, some spectacular beaches, and a valley of ancient archaeological wonders? This one finishes on a high in Palermo, a colourful tumble of a city with some of the best food in Italy.

Priced From:

$ 3011pp ^*

From: 2025-06-01

To: 2025-08-17

Start Location: Catania, Italy

End Location: Palermo, Italy

Trip Type: In Depth Explorer

Tour Advisors

Tiffany McCrea-Lennon

Managing Director

Chris McKinnel

Travel Specialist

Gaylyn Murdoch

Administration Manager

Russell Mein

Travel Specialist

Holly Skene

Travel Co-ordinator

Kim Thomas

Broker

Itinerary

Start Catania

Day 1

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Mercure Catania Excelsior (or similar)

Welcome to Catania! This colourful cacophony of baroque piazzas and ancient ruins is the perfect place to get acquainted with Sicily. We'll have a chance to check out Catania's UNESCO listed historic core before an included dinner in a local restaurant. Is Sicilian cuisine the best in the world? It has to be up there...

Catania to Taormina

Day 2

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Main Palace Hotel (or similar)

We've got more spectacular Sicilian towns to explore today, as we head from Catania to Taormina. Uniquely perched on the side of a mountain, this elegant resort town is the perfect place to live the good life in Italy. We'll waste no time admiring the gorgeous panoramas, as we take the cable car that connects the town's historic centre with its awesome beaches. After sunning ourselves for a bit, why not opt for a cooking class with some local masterchefs, learning how to whip up local delicacies like Arancini & Cannoli? It's the perfect way to impress everyone when you get back home.

Taormina

Day 3

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Main Palace Hotel (or similar)

Today we've got an unmissable optional for you. Sicily’s stupendous stratovolcano Mt Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe. And what better way to experience this majestic monster than on an adrenaline filled ride, as you pass vineyards and orchards spread across the fertile slopes? You won’t find views quite like this anywhere in Europe. Whether or not you opt for the tour, you'll have a free afternoon to explore Taormina - lazing on the beach, checking out the Roman theatre or sitting and drinking a spritz as life lazily moves by. It's a hard life.

Taormina to Syracuse via Noto

Day 4

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Hotel Panorama (or similar)

See ya, Taormina – it's time to visit some historical hotspots. Next stop, Syracuse. We’ll have some free time to check out the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Syracuse. Famed for its rich Roman and Greek history, with ancient amphitheatres and architecture everywhere you look, this place was even mentioned in the Bible (how's that for history creds?). Our next outing is to Noto, home to some of Sicily’s most impressive historic architecture. We’ll check out the Corso Vittoria Emanuele and other legendary landmarks, and then it’s off to an organic farm for a Tastes of Sicily experience – the freshest Sicilian ingredients, brought to us direct from farm to table. Just what the doctor ordered! And after a long day, it’s time to hit the hay. ’Til tomorrow, friends.

Syracuse to Cefalù via Valley of the Temples

Day 5

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Hotel La Giara (or similar)

Heading from Syracuse we'll arrive in the Valley of the Temples, the perfect base to explore another ancient wonder... We won't be leaving Italy without a tour of the Valley of the Temples. This mystical valley is a treasure trove of historical and archaeological heritage. We'll discover ancient temples, sanctuaries and a necropolis. It’s a spectacular testament to Sicily’s ancient history (and natural beauty). Arriving in Cefalù we'll enjoy another included dinner of Sicilian delicacies. What a day - and we're not done yet.

Cefalù

Day 6

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Hotel La Giara (or similar)

Cefalu is a real gem, home to Sicily's best beaches and most impressive Arabic architecture. This truly is the island that keeps on giving. Today's all about coastal vibes, soaking up that sun, sea and sand - with plenty of water sports to get involved with. If you're feeling a little more zen, why not opt for the coastal cruise and soak up some scenery instead? Later on we'll stroll the winding cobbled streets and watch fishermen taking stock of the day's bounties, before exploring the town's foodie and nightlife scene. Ah, Sicily - sigh.

Cefalù to Palermo

Day 7

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Hotel Federico II Central Palace (or similar)

It's time to end on a high, as we make our way towards Sicily's sizzling capital. Palermo is vivacious, colourful and boasts a thriving culinary scene, but it’s also been plagued by organised crime for decades. Today on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® experience, you can join a walking tour through the historic centre, learning about the history of the Mafia in Palermo and how the civil antiMafia movement was formed. We'll round things off with a farewell dinner at Al Fresco, AKA the 'bistro of second chances'.

End Palermo

Day 8

Duration: 1

Time to head home after one final breakfast together. Hug it out, swap social details - and don't be sad, we'll see each other on the road again soon.

Dates & prices

Start Date: 2025-06-01

End Date: 2025-06-08

twin

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3380

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3380

triple

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3211

tripleShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3211

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 4403

Start Date: 2025-08-17

End Date: 2025-08-24

twin

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3169

twinShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3169

triple

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3011

tripleShare

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3011

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 4128

Real Sicily | Classic | 2025

Tour Advisors

Itinerary

Dates & prices