Colours of Sicily: Italy Small Group Tour

Detailed itinerary

Meals Included: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Day 1 Catania (D)

Independent arrival at the hotel in the charming baroque city of Catania. Your tour leaders will meet you at 4:00 PM in the hotel foyer for an introductory talk, followed by a small walk of the city centre of Catania. Aperitivo before dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2 Catania/Aci Trezza (BL)

This morning our tour of Sicily concentrates on the historical centre of Catania: UNESCO World Heritage Site. Catania has a unique appeal with its baroque buildings and its streets lined with black lava stone. Our tour starts in the historic Piazza Duomo with its magnificent Cathedral and the famous statue of the lava-stone elephant, the symbol of the City. We will walk along the magnificent Via dei Crociferi and admire St Benedict’s Monastery. There will be time to stop and taste local delicacies. For lunch we journey to the nearby town of Aci Trezza, one of the many fishing villages along the coast just a short drive from Catania. Here you will experience the crystal-clear waters and admire the famous Faraglioni dei Ciclopi, the tiny islands formed from Mt Etna hundreds of thousands of years ago. Back to Catania for a free evening at your leisure.

Day 3 Catania/Siracusa/Ortigia (BD)

After breakfast we drive south to Siracusa where a local expert will lead the group on a walking tour gaining an insight into the world of Magna Grecia in this once powerful Greek city. We visit the Neapolis Archaeological Park, an open-air museum that contains famous ruins of the ancient Greek and Roman city of Siracusa. Following the tour, we will arrive at the hotel for check-in before some free time. In the afternoon, we will make our way to the island of Ortigia, the historical centre of Siracusa. This will be a gastronomic tour to taste local delicacies of Sicily accompanied with regional wines. There will of course, be a commentary on the history, culture and the way of life. Dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 4 Siracusa/Noto/Ragusa (BL)

This morning we visit another UNESCO World Heritage site, the city of Noto, famous for its baroque buildings and churches. The highlight will be a visit to the Palazzo Nicolaci Villadorati a beautiful noble residence in the baroque style. Lunch in Noto. In the afternoon, the group will visit Ragusa with its splendid Piazza Duomo in the heart of the city and the Giardino Ibleo stunning public gardens with sweeping views. Then it is back to Siracusa to enjoy another night on Ortigia island.

Day 5 Siracusa/Caltagirone/Piazza Armerina/Agrigento (BD)

Today we drive to Caltagirone, a town famous for its brightly coloured majolica pottery. There is a great opportunity to admire or purchase a small artisanal momento of Sicily. We then continue to Piazza Armerina and visit Villa Romana del Casale, UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its magnificent mosaics. Check-in at the hotel in Agrigento before dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 6 Agrigento (BL)

After a leisurely breakfast, a local guide will take the group through the Valley of the Temples which preserves some of the best exponents of the Greek influence on the island of Sicily. Lunch will be in a local trattoria before a free afternoon and evening at your leisure.

Day 7 Agrigento/Palermo (BD)

Today the capital of Sicily awaits us. Before exploring this vibrant capital city, the group will check-in at the hotel before some time for lunch. In the afternoon, a local guide will lead the group to explore the important sites of this beautiful city shaped by the different cultures, religions and rulers. Palermo has one of the largest historical centres in Europe, we will visit the wonderful Arab-Norman Cathedral, the Place of the Normans and the Palatine Chapel. Dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 8 Palermo/Monreale (BL)

In the morning we will visit Monreale, located only a short drive from Palermo. There the group will admire the famous Norman Cathedral and its magnificent cloister considered the greatest example of Norman architecture in the world. We will be able clearly see the influence of some of the most beautiful examples of Byzantine and Islamic art. Lunch in a traditional local trattoria. Then it is back to Palermo for you to explore more of this very vibrant city.

Day 9 Palermo/Cefalu`/Taormina (BD)

We say goodbye to Palermo as we make our way to Taormina. Along the way we will make a stop at the medieval fishing village of Cefalu’, one of the most beautiful in all of Italy. We will explore the small streets of the historical centre of the city and admire the stunning views of the coastline. In the afternoon, we drive to our last stop on the tour, breathtaking Taormina. Dinner in local restaurant.

Day 10 Taormina (BD)

After breakfast, a local guide will take the group through this most picturesque and stunning city of Taormina. The highlight of the morning will be a visit to the Greek-Roman Theatre, situated on the edge of town and perched on a cliff face with the most spectacular views of Mt Etna and the Mediterranean Sea. In the afternoon, you will get the opportunity to learn how to cook like a Sicilian with a cooking class of traditional local dishes. Dinner will be the fruits of your labour enjoyed with local wines.

Day 11 Taormina/Milazzo/Aeolian Islands (B)

The port of Milazzo will be our first stop today to catch a ferry to the island of Lipari, the largest island and gateway to the Aeolian Archipelago. We will explore the narrow streets and shops of Lipari town and also visit the Acropolis. A short ferry will then allow us to reach the island of Vulcano, the second most active volcano of the Archipelago. There will be an optional walk to the crater to admire the breathtaking 360 degrees view of the landscape. Late afternoon the group will return to Taormina. Free evening.

Day 12 Taormina/Mt Etna (BD)

Mount Etna towers above the landscape of Sicily and the Mediterranean. At 3,300 meters it is the tallest volcano in Europe and one of the most active in the world. The name Etna is derived from the Greek word Aitne which can be translated as ‘I burn’. The group will reach the inactive “Crateri Silvestri” where you will see the volcanic cones and walk safely around to marvel at the uniqueness of this area. On the way back to Taormina we will visit a winery in one of the small towns in the Etna Natural Park to taste wines growing on the fertile lower slopes of Mt Etna. Farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant in Taormina.

Day 13 Taormina (B)

Tour ends after breakfast in Taormina.