Classical Sicily

8 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
98%
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premier

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Cancellation Policy
Small Group Tour
Postcard-perfect scenery, fascinating history, and divine local dishes, explore Sicily on our all-encompassing tour. Delve into the island's rich past, ticking off ancient Greek and Byzantine greats, take on Etna, Europe's largest active volcano, and get lost amongst the streets of Taormina, the Pearl of the Ionian Sea. With gelato and arancini joints at ever...
19%
$2,743
From$2,230
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Visit the best preserved Greco-Roman sites in the Mediterranean
    • Discover spectacular scenery, from its picturesque coastline to Mount Etna
    • Absorb Sicily's distinct culture and sample delicious food and wine

What's this trip about?

    Postcard-perfect scenery, fascinating history, and divine local dishes, explore Sicily on our all-encompassing tour. Delve into the island's rich past, ticking off ancient Greek and Byzantine greats, take on Etna, Europe's largest active volcano, and get lost amongst the streets of Taormina, the Pearl of the Ionian Sea. With gelato and arancini joints at every turn, and surrounded by the azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily comes close to paradise. Agrigento - Visit Sicily's most famous Classical remains in the Valley of the Temples, with its remarkable Doric architecture. Erice - Discover the walled medieval hilltop town with its maze of narrow winding cobbled streets and quaint shops. Villa Romana del Casale - See some of the best-preserved and most extensive mosaics left in Europe at this Roman villa. Why not extend your trip? - This trip can be combined with our Malta and Gozo Discovery trip (code: MLAS) to make a two-week island adventure.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transportRound trip airfare and all internal transport included
Start CitySyracusa
End CityGiardini Naxos

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Italy

Attractions

  • Agrigento
  • Bar
  • Catania
  • Cefalu
  • Mount Etna
  • Sicily
  • Taormina

Activities

  • Hiking

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join trip in Syracusa

Our tour of Sicily starts today in Syracusa. During the Greek Classical period, this east coast city was the largest in the ancient world - even bigger than Athens. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's also notable as being the birthplace of antiquity's greatest mat...

Day 2 Discover Syracusa's historic Neapolis and Ortygia Island

We'll start today by driving the short distance to the city's Neapolis Archaeological Park, where a local guide will show us its famous Greek theatre, hewn out of the hillside, and the fine Roman amphitheatre where gladiators once fought. We'll then drive over to ...

Day 3 See the mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale and the Valley of the Temples

Today we'll visit two of Sicily's most important historic sites. We'll start at the Villa Romana del Casale, which is just a short hop from our hotel. We'll aim to arrive before the crowds. A local guide will show us the ruins of this magnificent country mansion that ...

Day 4 Explore Erice and the Greek ruins of Segesta en route to Palermo

This morning, we'll drive up the twisty mountain roads to one of Sicily's best-kept secrets, the delightful medieval hilltop walled town of Erice. Here, we'll have the morning free to soak up the atmosphere and get lost among the maze of cobbled narrow streets. At 750...

Day 5 Visit the Palatine Chapel and Monreale Cathedral, free time in Palermo

This morning, we'll get to experience some of Sicily's Norman history. In Palermo, we'll visit the Palatine Chapel with a local guide. This is the royal chapel of the Norman kings of Sicily and is packed with spectacular Byzantine mosaics. Driving into the hills j...

Day 6 Drive along the coast with a stop in Cefalu en route to Giardini Naxos

Leaving Palermo this morning, we'll drive along the spectacular northern coastline to the picturesque fishing village of Cefalu. Here, we'll stop to explore the town and have the opportunity to go for a swim. You might like to visit the Norman Cathedral, with its stup...

Day 7 Travel to Mount Etna, afternoon in Taormina

This morning, we'll travel to the base camp of Mount Etna to explore the lunar landscape, craters and lava fields of one of the most active volcanoes in Europe. We'll head directly to the cable car base at Rifugio Sapienza, which is on the south side of Etna and 1,900...

Day 8 Trip ends in Giardini Naxos

Our trip ends after breakfast this morning at our hotel in Giardini Naxos. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Giardini Naxos at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at ou...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,230
Price per day$279
Last Updated: 4/26/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
11 May 2024
18 May 2024
$2,690
$320
Sold Out
18 May 2024
25 May 2024
$2,480
$320
Sold Out
01 Jun 2024
08 Jun 2024
$2,650
$310
Sold Out
08 Jun 2024
15 Jun 2024
$2,680
$350
1 spots left
31 Aug 2024
07 Sep 2024
$2,230
$350
7 spots left
07 Sep 2024
14 Sep 2024
$2,230
$350
8 spots left
14 Sep 2024
21 Sep 2024
$2,610
$350
Sold Out
21 Sep 2024
28 Sep 2024
$2,650
$350
1 spots left
28 Sep 2024
05 Oct 2024
$2,580
$350
Sold Out
05 Oct 2024
12 Oct 2024
$2,580
$350
2 spots left

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Explore!.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
6,513
Great
2,167
Average
377
Disappointing
116
Terrible
53
K

Karen P

Apr 2024

Written on

Classical Sicily

This is a fabulous tour that packs in a huge amount very well. We really enjoyed visiting all the classical sites and all the local guides were excellent. Hotels wer...

J

Jane

Apr 2024

Written on

Classical Sicily

The trip was, as described, full on. Each day was a new experience, temples, cobbled streets, volcanoes and more. The tour leader, Sue, made sure we all had every...

G

Glenda

Apr 2024

Written on

Classical Sicily

Good accomodation throughout. Tour leader went the extra mile for all of us. She made sure we arrived at all the sites early enough to visit without crowds, this wa...

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Tour Operator

Explore!

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About Explore

We've been taking small groups on adventure vacations for over 41 years. Our authentic adventure travel experiences explore the sights and culture of a country, with hand-picked accommodation that balances comfort and location. Our average group tour size is just 11; perfect for meeting new people and getting to the heart of our destinations. Explore is one of the world's most trusted adventure travel companies with over 350 trips to more than 100 countries. We are passionate about travel and have developed a wide range of unique activities and adventures which give our customers an unforgettable experience with a team of award-winning Explore leaders. With Explore, you'll get to see your destination from a whole new perspective that takes you away from the typical well-trodden tourist track. You'll have the chance to meet, dine and stay with local people, rest in authentic accommodation with other like-minded explorers and travel to must-see destinations with a unique Explore twist. From family holidays to trips for solo travelers; cycling tours to wildlife safaris; trekking on mountains or exploring miles of scenic coastline, there is something for every kind of traveler with Explore. We will provide our expert knowledge, exciting itineraries and outstanding service as part of our sustainable travel experiences which take you under the skin of the country you're visiting for the adventure of a lifetime.


Why we love this operator
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
What they’re known for
Famous for our expert local guides that help ease the unknowns of adventure travel while bringing a unique richness and spontaneity to each and every

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Logistics

Transportation & Flights

Bus,

Transportation & flights

Bus
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Driver(s), Local Guide(s)
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Italy: Visas are not required by UK, E.U Nationals, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office. All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related questions with the relevant embassy prior to departure.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 7
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
Trip ID
explore-CS

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