Tour Inclusions

9 Nights
14 Meals 9 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Hotel
Driver
Tour Leader

Splendours of Sicily

10 days
Italy
Max 18 Passengers

Overview

Prepare to be unwrapped by Sicily’s superb landscapes, intoxicating diversity and ancient wonders. Centuries-old monasteries and Norman churches. Ancient Greek temples and bustling local markets. Sheer gorges and golden beaches. This dazzling Mediterranean island will tantalise your every desire and capture your heart with its fascinating culture.

Tour Starts/Ends
1 Overnight Stop
Day Stop

Tour Highlights

Embark on a locally guided walking tour of Palermo and gain a unique insight into the city’s anti-Mafia movement
Discover the fascinating history behind the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Valley of Temples
Unlock the exotic and eclectic flavours of Sicilian cuisine with several unique tasting experiences

Gallery

Tour Itinerary

Expand Full Itinerary

Day 1 - Palermo (Sicily)
An intoxicatingly vibrant capital, Palermo is where we’ll meet for the start of our incredible Sicilian journey. Our included dinner tonight is an opportunity to get to know one another better and sample some of Sicily’s sumptuous cuisine. Here’s to the fantastic trip ahead! Accommodation: Hotel Plaza Opera (or similar)
- Meals
  - Dinner
Day 2 - Palermo – Monreale – Selinunte
This morning we’ll take to the streets to dive into Palermo’s fascinating anti-Mafia movement with a local guide – visiting the house of anti-Mafia magistrate Paolo Borsellino, as we go. Then: it’s onwards to Monreale. Perched atop the Monte Caputo, overlooking the fertile valley of La Conca d’Oro – Monreale is renowned for its awe-inspiring Cathedral. Here, we’ll spend some time admiring the Norman-Byzantine architecture and stunning mosaics, before moving on to our idyllic accommodation in Selinunte. Accommodation: Agriturismo Case di Latomie (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
Day 3 - Selinunte – Agrigento – Favara
This morning, we're in for a culinary treat: prepare to sample a local farm’s tasty olives, award-winning oil and fresh breads. Then: en route to Favara, we’ll stop by Agrigento to visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Valley of Temples. One of the most impressive collections of ancient Greek monuments in the world – a local guide will reveal the history of this enchanting archaeological site. Afterwards, we’ll move on to our hotel in Favara where we’ll enjoy a delicious local dinner together as a group. Accommodation: The Alba Palace Hotel (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
  - Dinner
Day 4 - Favara – Piazza Armerina – Ragusa
After breakfast, we’ll enjoy another ancient history lesson with a visit to Piazza Armerina’s Villa Romana del Casale, which contains one of the largest collections of Roman mosaics in the world. Then, we’ll spend the afternoon at leisure in the magnificent hilltop town of Ragusa where our idyllic accommodation awaits. Wander around the old town’s picturesque, cobbled streets and browse various artisan shops. Accommodation: Hotel Antico Convento dei Cappuccini (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
Day 5 - Ragusa – Modica – Ragusa
We’ll start our day in indulgent style: with a chocolate tasting session in Modica. And then? The gastronomic theme continues as we venture into the countryside for a fascinating lesson in cheese-making. We’ll gain a unique insight into the rustic lifestyle of Sicilian shepherds from a local breeder – and learn the secrets behind creating the area’s famed provola ragusana cheese. After a delicious tasting session, we’ll return to Ragusa – where the rest of the day is free to wander the sloping alleyways and historic Ragusa Ibla at our leisure. Accommodation: Hotel Antico Convento dei Cappuccini (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
Day 6 - Ragusa – Noto – Syracuse
On today’s agenda: a visit to the city of Noto, where we’ll learn more about almond cultivation with a local expert. After indulging in an almond-themed lunch, we’ll press on to lovely Syracuse. Here, a local guide will take us around the ancient archaeological park – home to the impressive Teatro Greco. This evening, we’ll enjoy some free time relaxing at our hotel or exploring the nearby Ortigia area – Syracuse’s ancient town centre. Accommodation: Gran Bretagna Boutique Hotel Ortigia (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
  - Lunch
Day 7 - Syracuse
Coastal Syracuse – which rivalled Athens as the most important city of ancient Greece – is yours for the taking today. We recommend arranging a boat trip to visit the enchanting hidden caves here. Or spending your free time wandering the array of ancient temples before losing yourself in the city’s winding streets, which open onto magnificent baroque piazzas, enticing boutique storefronts and beautiful sea views. How you spend your day is up to you – but a visit to the stunning Piazza Duomo is a must! Accommodation: Gran Bretagna Boutique Hotel Ortigia (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
Day 8 - Syracuse – Mt Etna – Etna Region
Today we head towards Mt Etna, a slumbering giant that towers over the rugged surrounding landscape. We’ll take in the views from Rifugio Sapienza and have an opportunity to ride the cable car for a closer look at its smouldering craters. Then: we’ll move on to a local winery for an indulgent lunch and wine pairing experience. Later, we'll make tracks for our accommodation in the foothills of Etna – where we’ll spend the next two nights. Accommodation: Il Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
  - Lunch
Day 9 - Etna Region – Taormina – Etna Region
Today will be spent exploring the spectacular mountainside town of Taormina. Here, we will have plenty of time to indulge in some Sicilian dolce vita – but first: a guided visit to the dramatically situated ancient Greek theatre is in order. After a day spent exploring, tonight’s farewell dinner will be well deserved. Accommodation: Il Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa (or similar)
- Meals
  - Breakfast
  - Dinner
Day 10 - Etna Region – Catania
Today our adventure will end in Catania, but not before a walking tour of the ancient port city. Here we'll pay a visit to the city’s famous fish market, where you’ll have the opportunity to soak up the lively atmosphere. We’ll even stop by a historic pâtisserie to fill our own cannoli with ricotta cheese, and sample some traditional local sweets. What a way to round off the trip!
- Meals
  - Breakfast

Tour Inclusions

Accommodation

- 9 nights in hand-picked accommodation

The Crew

- Experienced Tour Leader and Driver

Transport

- Premium mini-coach transportation

Reviews

25 reviews

Reviews Rating

9th November 2023
Review rating

Our guide Chiara was amazing! She was so generous in giving of herself and her time, and she was genuinely interested in the people on the tour. Chiara ensured everything went according to plan and addressed any issues promptly. Many of the local guides were informative and very interesting,. My only disappointment was that 2 of the hotels did not meet expectations and on two occasions we had no options but to eat at the hotel due to the location - this is fine if it is part of the cost of the tour, but not acceptable if you are expected to pay for the meals. We had a total of three bus drivers, with the final driver being truly excellent coping with road conditions - we admired his skill and felt very safe with him at the wheel. The first bus was a little cramped and having toured with Back Roads before I found the previous bus far more comfortable in terms of space.
30th October 2023
Review rating

Booking process easy/straight forward Tour leader was excellent Overall a fun and enjoyable organized tour with lovely friendly group of people We had 3 drivers, driver 3 was excellent Driver 2 appeared to be having difficulty with the bus and with navigation Bus was uncomfortable and felt cramped and this was with 16 on tour, hate to think what it would have been like if there were 18 Pace of tour - I knew going into tour this was probably going to be an issue for me and it was. I did not enjoy the 1 night stays. I really liked the feel of Favara and the hotel but could not see the point since we arrived too late to get out and explore town, and we drove 1/2hour past Agrigento only to drive back there next morning. Visiting Agrigento and Piazza Amerina in 1 day was to much, Visiting the archeological park in Syracuse in the hot afternoon was to much. I think we should have had a included dinner when staying at the Agriturismo, as there was no alternative dinner options available to us given its isolation My friend was given a windowless bedroom at one hotel (Ragusa) and I was given a very dark room right next to lift with associated noise (Syracuse) where everyone else had a view and/or balcony. There should be no bad rooms, we all paid a significant sum including significant single supplement and should all be given equivalent standard of rooms
28th October 2023
Review rating

Tour leader was great, the driver was great, and the itinerary had something for everyone. The towns/cities visited were accessed (mostly) via back roads and the accommodation was a wonderful mix, but all excellent (except for the golf resort, a bit too large).