Compare The Sicilian by Globus vs Spectacular Sicily by Culture Trip
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
|
5 | Excellent
|
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 2,699 | $ 2,779 |
| Price Per Day | $ 270 | $ 278 |
| Highlights |
|
|
| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
|
|
| Travel Themes |
|
|
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
|
|
| Flights & Transport | No | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
|
|
| Meals Included | N/A |
9 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches & 3 Dinners |
| Description | Trekked by more than half of humankind’s ancient world, modern day Sicily still offers off-the-beaten-path discoveries that reveal an undiscovered side of Italy. The Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, French, Germans, Spanish, Italians, and even the British have left an impression on this gorgeous island, and it shows in its diverse architecture, unique culture, and multinational cuisine. As you trace the sparkling coast from the flamboyant capital city of Palermo to the ultra-chic Taormina Riviera, you can expect stunning archaeological treasures, ancient works of art, and a warm welcome at every turn, and a cool gelato on every corner. Traditional granita, cannoli, Marsala wine, and a tasting at Dolceria Bonajuto, Sicily’s oldest chocolate factory, only sweeten the experience on this Undiscovered Tour of Sicily. |
See the best of Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, at a slow pace – in keeping with the local rhythm of life. Over 10 days, you’ll savour the sights and sounds of southern Italy, with plenty of pit stops for gelato and limoncello. You’ll go on a fascinating trip to the Aeolian islands for close encounters with smoking volcanoes and hot springs, and take a 4x4 ride across the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna. A Sicilian cooking workshop and street food tour will help you immerse yourself in the local cuisine, while culture and ancient history abound in Taormina and the baroque towns of Noto, Ragusa and Modica. |
Day 1: ARRIVE IN PALERMO, ITALY
Welcome to Palermo! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (Dinner)
PALERMO-PIAZZA.jpg
Day 2: PALERMO
Sicilian Specialties PALERMO Guided sightseeing includes the Church of Immacolata and a visit to the cathedral. Scenic drive to Monreale for a panoramic view of the Conca d’Oro and a visit to the Norman Cathedral. Enjoy [LF] lunch with Sicilian specialties panelle (chickpea fritters), arancini (stuffed rice balls), and cannoli (fried pastry rolls with sweet ricotta cheese). (Breakfast,Lunch)
LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Sicily’s love affair with food goes back a long way. Cooking traditions originating from the Greeks, Arabs, and Normans blend with those from Spain and North Africa resulting in a fabulous melting pot of flavours and unique dishes. Celebrate this feast of cultures with traditional specialties and sweet confections savouring some of the world-renowned delicacies.
MONREAL-CATHEDRAL.jpg
Day 3: PALERMO–ERICE–MARSALA–MAZARA DEL VALLO
Sweet & Salty Sicily ERICE Visit the hilltop town and sample almond biscuits and Marsala wine at the well-known Pasticceria Maria Grammatico.MARSALA Visit a salt mill en route to Mazara del Vallo. (Breakfast,Dinner) 99 mi / 160 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION Lagoons, salt pans and windmills can be found along the coastline near Marsala. Learn all about the production of salt when visiting one of the original salt mills.
MARSALA-SALT-PANS.jpg
Day 4: MAZARA DEL VALLO–SCIACCA–AGRIGENTO
Timeless Temples MAZARA DEL VALLO Guided sightseeing includes the cathedral and a walk in the Old Town.SCIACCA Photo stop at the panoramic viewpoint.AGRIGENTO Take a guided walking tour at the Valley of Temples. (Breakfast,Dinner) 93 mi / 150 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHTANCIENT ARCHAEOLOGY The ruins of Akragas remain Sicily's most amazing archaeological site. The impressively well-preserved Tempio della Concordia sits in spectacular setting upon a ridge where it served as a beacon for homecoming sailors and today draws enthralled visitors to revel in the remarkable Valley of the Temples.
AGRIGENTO.jpg
Day 5: AGRIGENTO–PIAZZA ARMERINA–CALTAGIRONE–RAGUSA
Ancient Artistry in Sicily PIAZZA ARMERINA Take a guided visit to the Villa Romana del Casale with the largest and most complex collection of Roman mosaics in the world.CALTAGIRONE Orientation and free time to see the Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte en route to Ragusa. (Breakfast,Dinner) 130 mi / 210 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHTART & ARCHITECTURE Explore the extraordinary example of Roman power in one of the most luxurious villas of its kind in the Italian countryside. Marvel at the magnificently preserved mosaics that embellish the Villa Romana del Casale, designed and installed by African mosaic workers and the strength of the Roman influence and power throughout the Mediterranean region.
PIAZZA-ARMERINA-VILLA-ROMANA-DEL-CASALE.jpg
Day 6: RAGUSA. EXCURSION TO MODICA
Historic Streets & Sweets RAGUSA Guided walking tour includes the city’s oldest district, the Ibla, the 19th-century gardens of Giardini Iblei, and St. George Cathedral. Visit an authentic Carrettieri (Sicilian carts) workshop. Free time.MODICA Enjoy an orientation walk with a [LF] chocolate tasting at the famous Dolceria Bonajuto, Sicily’s oldest chocolate factory. Dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast,Dinner) 20 mi / 32 km
LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES For 150 years, the family tradition of chocolate making has been passed down through the generations of the Banajuto family in Modica. L’Antica Dolceria Bonajuto delights chocolate lovers with its traditional recipes and confections as it has done for more than a century.
RAGUSA.jpg
Day 7: RAGUSA–NOTO–SYRACUSE
World Stages NOTO Walk along Corso Vittorio Emanuele to admire San Nicolò Cathedral.SYRACUSE Guided visit to the Archaeological Park features the Greek Theatre and the Roman Amphitheatre. (Breakfast) 56 mi / 90 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT ARCHITECTURE & ARCHAEOLOGY Discover the extraordinary evidence of history found at Neapolis Archaeological Park of Siracusa. The stars of this show are the magnificent ancient ruins of the Greek Theatre and remarkable Roman Amphitheatre which are revered as one of the greatest archaeological sites in all of Italy.
NOTO.jpg
Day 8: SYRACUSE–CATANIA–TAORMINA RIVIERA
Coastal Treasures CATANIA Take an orientation walk with free time to browse in Piazza del Duomo and Via Etnea. Take a scenic drive en route to Taormina Riviera with free time this afternoon and evening. (Breakfast)75 mi / 120 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION Catania is an ancient port city on Sicily's east coast. It sits at the foot of Mt. Etna, Europe’s tallest volcano. The city's wide central square, Piazza del Duomo, features the whimsical Fontana dell 'Elefante statue and richly decorated St. Agata Cathedral. Nearby, La Pescheria weekday fish market is a rowdy spectacle surrounded by seafood restaurants.
CATANIA.jpg
Day 9: TAORMINA RIVIERA EXCURSION TO SAVOCA
Frozen in Time SAVOCA Orientation walk followed by a [LF] Granita (semi-frozen drink), and brioche tasting at Bar Vitelli.TAORMINA RIVIERA Orientation walk and free time for lunch. Visit the Greek Theatre, followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast,Dinner) 43 mi / 70 km
LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Not quite the same as sorbet, the Sicilian invention of granita is Sicily’s take on frozen concoctions that varies with the delightful tastes of lemon, mandarin orange, jasmine, almond, mint, coffee, or berries. A frozen blend of Sicilian pistachios is also a tempting way to enjoy this traditional treat.
SAVOCA.jpg
Day 10: TAORMINA RIVIERA
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. The nearest airport is Catania. (Breakfast)
TAORMINA-TOWN.jpg
Day 1: Sip cocktails on your first day in Palermo
Accommodation: Hotel Porta Felice
Activities Included: Welcome dinner
After your flight lands at Falcone-Borsellino Airport, make your way to the hotel where our Local Insider – who will accompany you for the rest of the trip – will greet you and the rest of the group at 6pm. Enjoy welcome drinks; if you haven't already, you might want to try an Aperol spritz. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions about the trip over dinner at a local restaurant, and perhaps enjoy a couple more spritzes before heading to bed.
Day 2: Delve into Palermo's fascinating past
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Porta Felice
Activities Included: Palermo walking tour, Sicilian cooking class
Begin your tour of Sicily by delving into Palermo’s past. Its history stretches back more than 2,700 years to the Phoenicians; since then, the Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Normans have all put their stamp on the city. You can get around on foot, strolling through squares and sampling street food as you discover more about the history, art and traditions of the city. After lunch, explore the gold-sand beaches around Palermo, before meeting your group for a cookery class. Under the watchful eye of a knowledgeable chef, you’ll prepare authentic Sicilian dishes that you can recreate when you get home.
Day 3: Hike in the Madonie mountains and marvel at the beauty of Cefalù
Accommodation: Artemis Hotel
Activities Included: Guided Madonie mountains hike
Trade the city streets of Palermo for the rugged scenery of the Madonie mountains on a winding road inland. You’ll stop off en route to walk along a Roman trail lined with centuries-old oak and maple trees that was originally used by traders to transport goods to the coast. If you’re lucky, you might spot a golden eagle. After a traditional lunch, continue to the coastal city of Cefalù, where you’ll check into your hotel. Don’t miss the Norman cathedral and the palace of Osterio Magno in Cefalù, before cooling off in the Mediterranean sea.
Day 4: Pack your bags for the Aeolian islands
Accommodation: Hotel Bougainville
Today, hop on the hydrofoil ferry to the Aeolian islands, a group of 12 tiny land masses off the north coast of Sicily. You’ll stay on the largest, Lipari, where a row of pastel-coloured buildings frame the harbour. Eye up a nice spot for lunch before dropping your bags at the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace – wander around the ruined castle and cathedral, take a taxi to the thermal springs of San Calogero or unwind at the hotel where the outdoor pool beckons.
Day 5: Visit the islands of Panarea and Stromboli
Accommodation: Hotel Bougainville
Activities Included: Stromboli and Panarea boat tour
This morning, you’ll board the hydrofoil again to Panarea. Keep your eyes peeled for celebrities – Michael Douglas, Oprah Winfrey and Beyoncé have all holidayed on this exclusive island, keen for a taste of dolce far niente – delicious idleness. Stroll through labyrinthine streets, where pink bougainvillea blooms spill over whitewashed walls. Later, you'll sail to neighbouring Stromboli; the biggest draw on this island is the volcano, which has been active for 2,000 years. It's one of the most reliable places to see lava spewing from the core of the earth. Catch a last glimpse from the hydrofoil before you return to Lipari.
Day 6: Explore the sulphurous island Vulcano and soak in hot springs
Accommodation: Hotel Bougainville
Optional Activities: Vulcano tour
Today is yours to explore Lipari at leisure – from the beaches overlooking azure water to centuries-old duomos and cute tavernas. Come lunchtime, why not wash down a bowl of pasta 'ncasciata with a glass of limoncello, and cool off afterwards with a dip in the Med? If you still have energy, there’s an optional choice to visit the island of Vulcano, where you can hike to the rim of a volcanic crater before visiting the geothermal baths. Slather yourself in hot, mineral-rich mud, then wash it off in the hot spring, where jets of steam from underground fumaroles provide a gentle massage.
Day 7: Go off-road on Mount Etna
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Villa Politi
Activities Included: Mount Etna 4x4 tour
The hydrofoil will bring you back to the Sicilian mainland today, arriving in Milazzo. From here, you’ll continue to the main event of the day: a thrilling 4x4 tour across Mount Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe. Bounce over crusted lava fields, exploring Monti Silvestri, the Northeast Crater, the Voragine and more. After a light lunch at a local agriturismo, continue to your hotel in Syracuse. Spend the evening as you wish – kick back at the hotel or watch the sunset from nearby Castello Maniace.
Day 8: Discover the baroque hill towns of Noto, Ragusa and Modica
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Villa Politi
Activities Included: Ragusa, Noto and Modica tour
Say goodbye to the coast and venture inland to the hillside villages of Noto, Ragusa and Modica. Few visitors make it here, so it’s a great opportunity to get off the beaten path. Rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1693, the villages form part of the Val di Noto Unesco World Heritage site, designated for its beautiful architecture. Countless churches and palaces were built from the local stone; their ornate detailing draws admiring looks to this day. Fans of Inspector Montalbano may recognise Ragusa and Modica as the filming locations. Make sure you grab a gelato in Noto – one of the best places for ice cream in the world.
Day 9: Explore the flavours of Syracuse
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Villa Politi
Today’s tour of Syracuse promises to be a multisensory experience. Heaps of pistachios, almonds, sun-dried tomatoes, capers and blood-red oranges create a riot of colour in the lively Mercato di Ortigia. Throw in lots of shouting and gesticulating, not to mention the aromas of fresh bakes and herbs, and you can see why the market is as much a visitor attraction as it is a local shopping experience. All the produce on sale will offer a fascinating – and no doubt stomach-rumbling – insight into the rich food culture and history of Syracuse. Afterwards, you can while away a few hours in the old town before regrouping for a farewell dinner.
Day 10: Departure day
Sadly, all good things must come to an end. You'll say a fond farewell to your new friends at around 11am, before returning home or continuing with your travels.
