Regional Tours
Best of Sicily
Experience the history, art and culture of Sicily. This 9 night program offers the very best highlights of this fascinating Island.
You will visit the largest and most important city, Palermo, and the fascinating Monreale. See the vestiges of ancient Greco Roman civilizations that ruled Sicily in the many archeological sites: Segesta, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina, Siracusa and Taormina. Enjoy the local specialities, sampling olive oil, wine, local dishes and pastries.
Climb the powerful Mt. Etna and end your visit with a stay in scenic and relaxing Taormina.
Highlights
Cities Visited:(Palermo, Erice, Mazara del Vallo, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina, Modica, Ragusa, Siracusa, Catania, Taormina, Mt. Etna)
Day 1 - Arrival in Sicily
You will be greeted upon arrival at the Palermo airport by our local assistant who will transfer you to your hotel in the city centre.
The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 2 - Palermo
After breakfast, you will enjoy a full day discovering the baroque city of Palermo. Together with your local guide you will visit the main sights of the city as you travel through the elegant avenues around Piazza dei Quattro Canti and the Kalsa Quarter.
In the afternoon you will continue to the hilltop town of Monreale dominated by its magnificent cathedral built in the Norman period. Covering a large area which includes an incredible cloister, its walls are almost completely covered by Byzantine mosaics. You will have free time to wander around the picturesque historical centre.
Overnight in Palermo.
Day 3 - Palermo - Segesta - Erice - Mazara del Vallo
Morning departure with your local guide/driver for a full day of great sightseeing on the way to your next hotel.
Your first stop will be Segesta with its magical archeological complex with a magnificent Doric temple and Greek Roman Amphitheatre. Segesta also boasts the archaeological remains of many other times and cultures. There are the ruins of a Norman castle, a small church and a mosque.
You will continue to Erice, 751 meters above sea level. From this vantage point you will have a spectacular view of the whole western region, the Mediterranean Sea and the Egadi Islands. You will visit the town walking through its ancient narrow streets. End the day by sampling typical Sicilian almond dough desserts at one of the most famous Sicilian bakeries, an ancient convent pastry shop.
Continue to Mazzara del Vallo and your accommodations.
Day 4 - Agrigento - Piazza Armerina - Modica
Depart with your local driver guide for a journey back in time to Agrigento a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most representative sites of Greek civilization in the Mediterranean area. Just outside the town, in the Valley of the Temples, you will find a collection of well-preserved Doric Temples dating back to the fifth century B.C. and the remains of the Greek city of Akragas.
In the afternoon continue to Modica. Here you will visit a city of architectural, artistic and scenic attractions. The tour will include a stop at the Antique Pastry shop, famous for its chocolate delicacy prepared in the same style of the Aztec people.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 - Ragusa - Siracusa
This morning after breakfast together with your driver/guide you will head toward Ragusa and stop in its old historic center, Ibla, a place of extremely ancient origin and home to an incomparable array of typical Sicilian architectures and ambiences.
In the afternoon you will continue to Siracusa situated on the eastern coast of Sicily.
Siracusa one of the great cities of Magna Graecia continues to display its historical and mythological roots of Ancient Greece. On the arrival you will be met by your local guide for a tour of the Archaeological wonders of this once powerful Hellenic town. You will see the ruins that testify to its former glory; the impressive Greek Theatre, the altar of Jerone and the temples of Appolo, Jupiter and Athena.
Return to your accomodations in Modica
Day 6 - Catania - Taormina
Morning departure with your local guide/driver for a full day of great sightseeing on the way to your next hotel.
You will proceed to Catania, the second biggest town in Sicily, a true lively town with a Baroque-style charm. It is known as the "Black City" from the dark colour of the facades of the building made by the black lava stone. In Catania you will see its most important monuments and visit its colorful fish market.
Continue to Taorminao and your accommodations.
Day 7 - Taormina
Day at leisure in this beautiful town which inspired D.H. Lawrence to write Lady Chatterly's Lover.
Enjoy the wonderfully charming town with its endlessly winding medieval streets and tiny passages, hidden gardens and spectacular view of the Mount Etna. Taormina's ancient past is highlighted by its Greco Roman amphitheatre.
Overnight in Taormina.
Day 8 - Mt. Etna
After breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel in a Jeep 4X4 for an unforgettable excursion on the Mount Etna territory. On this "off the beaten track" itinerary, you will discover old craters, caves, and spectacular sceneries.
Lunch willl be in a typical farmhouse on the slopes of the volcano. The afternoon will end with a short visit to the Alcantara Gorges, a river that during the centuries has created spectacular canyons and water falls.
Return to your accommodations in Taormina.
Day 9 - Departure
After breakfast and check out you will be transferred to the Catania Airport.
Accommodations
Palermo Hotel Garibaldi (or similar)
Mazara Hotel Mahara (or similar)
Modica Palazzo Failla (or similar)
Taormina Grand Hotel Miramare (or similar)
Sightseeing
Full day excursion local English speaking guide
Palermo & Monreale
Ragusa & Siracusa
Erice & Segesta
Half day excursion with a local English speaking driver/guide
Agrigento,
Modica
Catania
Mt. Etna by 4x4 Jeep
Transfers
All transfers are private from and to airports and rail stations with assistance
Private transfer from city to city as per itinerary with English speaking drivers
Meals
Breakfast at hotels daily
Pastries tasting in Erice
Wine tasting and lunch in Tenuta S. Michele
Services
Assistance from our Road to Italy office in Rome and local representative offices throughout Italy
Local emergency contact number daily
Personalized souvenir itinerary booklet
Does not include
Airfare
Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
Drinks during meals
Meals not mentioned
Excursions not mentioned
Entrance fees to archaeological sites and museums
Tips and extras of any personal nature
Palermo - Grand Hotel Garibaldi
The Grand Hotel Garibaldi is a 4 star luxury hotel in the centre of Palermo. The hotel is very centrally located next to the Poli .... MORE
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| Residenza D'Aragona(4) |
Mazara del Vallo - Mahara Hotel
This elegant, new hotel faces the sea and is set in a building from the 18th century, located in the center of one of Europe's mos .... MORE
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| Verdura Golf & Spa Resort(5L) |
Modica - Palazzo Failla
The Failla Mansion is presented well to offer guests an unforgettable time in a place where the old traditions fit in well with th .... MORE
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Taormina - Grand Hotel Miramare
Built in 1922, the Patrician villa of the Lo Turco family was transformed into a hotel in 1926. There have been various conservati .... MORE
Alternative Hotels
| Imperiale Taormina(5) | Villa Diodoro(4) | Monte Tauro(0) |
Average land cost for this program
Per person based on number of people travelling together.
Based on 2 people
Euro 2250 per person
Based on 4 people
Euro 1580 per person
Based on 6 people
Euro 1360 per person
This program can be priced for any number of people. Cost may vary depending on dates chosen & ANY weekend, holiday and trade fair date surcharges.
For a quote on your dates & number in your party please contact us.
1) Consult with our tour designers
Contact our office by phone or e-mail and speak to one of our tour designers who will answer any question you have about our suggested tour. They will listen attentively to your ideas and plans and suggest changes to personalize the tour based on your interests and budget.
Tel: 416 964 7600
Toll: 1-800-848-8163
reservations@roadtoitaly.com
2) We send you a Proposal
Shortly after your initial contact with our tour designers, you will receive a draft proposal based on your earlier discussions, normally within 2 business days. This proposal is a no obligation draft for your review and comments. Any additions or modifications will be implemented and a new proposal will be forwarded to you for approval.
3) You like what you see!
Upon meeting your requirements and expectations, you will be requested to send a deposit in the amount of 25% of total. Final Payment is due 45 days prior to scheduled departure date.
4) Buon viaggio!
Approximately, 2 weeks prior to departure you will receive a personalized and detailed day by day itinerary booklet and the necessary vouchers for the services to be provided, along with a general information section on the various regions of Italy.
The booklet and vouchers will include all the important information; addresses, phone & mobile numbers for all your service providers, hotels as well as the phone number of our office in Rome.
