Colours of Sicily

Visit Italy

Day 1

Welcome to Palermo

Start your Sicilian journey in Palermo, whose rich trading history has left its unforgettable mark on the city’s Italian, Arab and Norman-styled piazzas, street markets and churches.

Enjoy some free time to relax before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner to kick-start your Sicilian adventure.

Day 2

Explore the Capital of Sicily

Head to Monreale on the slopes of Monte Caputo where a Local Specialist will guide you through one of the greatest examples of Norman architecture, the 12th-century Cattedrale di Monreale.

This evening, why not join an Optional Experience to the beautiful fishing village of Sferracavallo, at the foot of Mount Capo Gallo? Here, you’ll feast on Palermitano specialties, perfectly paired with delicious Sicilian wine.

Day 3

Journey to Ancient Marsala Dive Into Culture Make Travel Matter

Discover hidden Palermo as you join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, and learn about the civil anti-mafia movement.

Leaving Palermo behind, we head to Erice to explore the hilltop 'Town of a Hundred Churches' and enjoy free time for lunch. Next, stop at the Infersa Mill salt pans and learn about the ancient 'culture of salt', an industry which has shaped this region for centuries. Later, we arrive in Marsala, home to the wine which shares its name. During your evening at leisure explore picture-perfect Marsala or opt to join the Optional Experience at a Marsala winery followed by a dinner of regional dishes.

Day 4

Onwards to Agrigento and Ragusa

Today’s first stop is Agrigento where you’ll join a Local Specialist for a visit to the UNESCO-listed Valley of the Temples.

You’ll explore one of the world’s most treasured centres of Greek art and architecture, including the seven sandstone Doric temples overlooking the city. There’s time for lunch before you head to Ragusa, a city with two very different souls – the lower and older Ragusa Ibla and higher Ragusa Superiore are separated dramatically by a deep ravine, the Valle dei Ponti.

Day 5

Explore Beautiful Baroque Modica Dive Into Culture

This morning, visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Modica.

Your Travel Director will show you the sights on an orientation of this Baroque beauty before learning about the secrets of Modican chocolate. Later, return to Ragusa to discover the rebuilding of the city following a 17th-century earthquake which destroyed most of it. Your Local Specialist will reveal how this devastating seismic event led to the development of an entirely new city on a nearby ridge, while some of its brave residents remained to rebuild what was lost. You’ll hear how it was only in the early 20th century that the two were eventually fused together. This evening is yours to enjoy at leisure, or perhaps consider joining an optional experience to a unique local farm restaurant.

Day 6

Off to Historic Syracuse

Once a major Mediterranean power and the birthplace of Archimedes, the historic city of Syracuse takes centre stage this morning as you join your Local Specialist for in-depth insights into its colourful past.

You'll see some of its treasures at the Archaeological Museum, then visit the island of Ortigia, the ancient heart of the city connected to the mainland by a stone bridge. Your afternoon is open to spend as you wish. This evening you’ll join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 7

Venture Past Mount Etna to Taormina

Continue up the coast to Catania, the city that lies in Mount Etna’s shadow.

You’ll have some free time to explore on your own and perhaps sample arancini, a favourite Catania snack. Later join a Local Specialist to delve into the history and culture of the ancient town of Taormina. A particular highlight of this afternoon will be a visit to the beautifully preserved ruins of the Teatro di Taormina. Imagine masked actors performing against the backdrop of glorious sea views more than 2,500 years ago. You’ll have an evening on your own to spend as you wish or consider joining an optional experience evening enjoying Sicilian specialties.

Day 8

Taormina Free Day Connect with Locals

Taormina is yours for the taking today.

During your free time, you could choose to explore the elegant boutiques along Corso Umberto. Work up an appetite and stop for some of the city's signature cannoli or cool down with a famous Sicilian granita, a half-frozen dessert served with a piping-hot brioche. Movie buffs will delight in an Optional Experience to Mount Etna and Savoca, the hilltop village of 'The Godfather'. Later this evening, learn the art of Sicilian cuisine on a charming Be My Guest experience.

Day 9

Farewell Sicily

Your journey through Sicily has come to an end.

All that's left is to say a fond farewell to new friends and take your airport transfer for your return journey home.

Dining Summary

4 Dinner (D)

8 Breakfast (B)

Be My Guest

Acireale: Daniela and her family will welcome you with the words 'Be My Guest' and treat you as a cherished family member. She will tell you about her life on the farm and interesting information about the house and the lemon and orange groves. Later, after a welcome drink, she will serve her home-cooked cuisine surrounded by the warmth of Sicilian hospitality.

Dive Into Culture

Marsala: Explore Sicily's 'Culture of Salt' at the Salina della Laguna.

Modica: Learn how the local Modica chocolate is made and enjoy a chocolate tasting.

Iconic Experience

Monreale: The sombre exterior of the cathedral at Monreale gives away few clues to the riches inside. Step into a world where the walls glitter with 12th-century mosaics, the best of their kind in the world.

Erice: Led by your Travel Director, explore the quiet alleys of this ancient walled town, as if you've stepped into the Middle Ages. See the medieval churches and marvel at the sea views from the gardens of the Castle of Venus.

Agrigento: A Local Specialist will lead you through the magnificent remains of the Greek colony in the Valley in the Temples. See the massive Temple of Concord and clifftop Temple of Juno.

Ragusa: Join a Local Specialist on an insightful look into the historic devastation at the root of Ragusa's two distinctive districts. 

Syracuse: Walk with a Local Specialist through the historic island of Ortigia and visit the Archaeological Museum of Syracuse. 

Catania: Explore Catania's Old Town and see the Cathedral on the Piazza del Duomo, the Fontana dell'Elefante statue and the noble buildings of Palazzo Senatorio.

Taormina: Visit the ancient Greek Ampitheatre with your Local Specialist. Set on a cliff, open to the sky, take your seats and enjoy the view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Palermo: Meet your host to learn about the civil anti-mafia movement while uncovering the lesser-known history of the ancient city of Palermo. This one-of-a-kind experience directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Must-see Highlights

Explore Palermo, Monreale, Valley of the Temples, Ragusa, Syracuse and Taormina

Discover Modica

Visit Monreale Norman Cathedral, Erice, Infersa Mill in Marsala, Valley of the Temples, the Syracuse Archaeological Museum, Ortygia and the Greek Theatre in Taormina

View Mount Etna

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