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Summary
Sicily is home to a unique mix of culture borne of years of foreign domination. From the Phoenicians to the Bourbons, each has left an architectural stamp on the island – culminating in a jumble of historic sites in Palermo, Monreale and utterly charming Syracuse. As we circle the island, we’ll also seek out some of Sicily’s other treasures, including the Valley of the Temples, and postcard-pretty Taormina. It’s not all about sights on our Sicily tours, though – we’ll also sip wine produced on the slopes of Mount Etna and taste rich Modica chocolate and almond-infused pasticcini biscuits.
Your holiday includes:
18 excursions and visits
- – Guided tours of Ortigia (including boat trip), Syracuse Archaeological Park, Palermo (including Palatine Chapel and cathedral), Selinunte, Valley of the Temples, the Roman villa at Piazza Armerina, and Taormina
- – Visits of Noto, Ragusa, Enna, Cefalù, Monreale (including cathedral entrance), and Mount Etna
- – Chocolate tasting in Modica; tasting at Maria Grammatico’s bakery in Erice; lunch at the private Geracello estate; wine tasting and lunch at Cantina Murgo on Mount Etna
Plus:
- – 9 nights in hotels (accommodation as specified or similar)
- – International flights. Prices are based on return flights with British Airways from London Heathrow or Gatwick. Supplements may apply from other airports
- – 18 meals: 9 breakfasts (days 2-10) 2 lunches (days 7 and 9) 7 dinners (days 1, 3-4 and 6-9)
- – Portable audio headset system on excursions
- – Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service
- – Titan tour manager
- – Travel in destination by coach
- – Porterage
Itinerary
Day 1 UK – Catania – Syracuse
Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Catania. On arrival we drive to Syracuse, where we’ll stay for three nights. Rich in Ancient Greek history, Syracuse has a timeless beauty surrounded by sparkling blue waters.
Day 2 Syracuse and Ortigia
Today we’ll visit Syracuse and Ortigia, with guided walking tours of Ortigia town and Syracuse Archaeological Park. The small island of Ortigia has been joined to Syracuse by a bridge since the 16th century and is home to narrow medieval lanes and baroque piazzas that are a joy to explore. We’ll also hop on a harbour cruise and view Ortigia from the sea. At Syracuse Archaeological Park, we’ll explore the Greek theatre and Roman amphitheatre with our guide.
The afternoon is free to explore.
- Guided tours of Ortigia with boat cruise and Syracuse Archaeological Park (morning)
Day 3 Noto – Ragusa – Modica
We make our way to the lovely baroque towns of Noto, Ragusa, and Modica – rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1693. Wander along Noto’s elegant Corso Vittorio Emanuele, with honey-stoned palazzi and churches. Walk straight onto the real-life set of the TV series ‘Inspector Montalbano’, filmed in and around enchanting Ragusa. We’ll conclude with a tasting of divine Modica artisan chocolate, made using an ancient Aztec method.
- Visits to Noto and Ragusa, and chocolate tasting in Modica (morning/afternoon)
Day 4 Enna – Cefalù – Palermo
Hilltop medieval Enna provides stunning views across the hills and valleys and we’ll have some free time to explore. We also spend some time in the pretty beach town of Cefalù on our way to Palermo. Wander its narrow lanes, or perhaps treat yourself to a gelato to enjoy by the sandy beach. We arrive later in Palermo for two nights.
- Visits to Enna and Cefalù (afternoon)
Day 5 Palermo – Monreale
This morning, we’ll take a guided tour of bustling Palermo, including a stop at the Palatine Chapel and the cathedral. We’ll then travel to Monreale to visit the magnificent cathedral, famed for its multi-coloured marble paintings and mosaics.
- Guided city tour of Palermo, including Palatine Chapel and cathedral and visit to Monreale, including cathedral entrance (all day)
Day 6 Erice – Selinunte – Agrigento
Our first stop today is Erice and Maria Grammatico’s bakery, to try her famous pasticcini (soft almond biscuits) – we’ll wash them down with a glass of liqueur. We then continue, passing Trapani’s ancient salt pans, before Selinunte for a guided tour of this fascinating Greek archaeological site. In the evening we check into our hotel in Agrigento.
- Guided tour of Selinunte and visit to biscuit bakery (all day)
Day 7 Valley of the Temples – Piazza Armerina – Giardini Naxos
We start our day with one of the highlights – a guided visit of the nearby Valle dei Templi, a collection of classic Greek temples scattered across a valley of almond trees.
We stop at the private estate of Geracello, where local produce is used for a delicious lunch. Then we’ll head east to Piazza Armerina, for a guided tour of the Roman villa reveals an incredible floor mosaic. We then continue to Giardini Naxos, a lovely coastal resort.
- Guided tours of the Valley of the Temples and the Roman villa at Piazza Armerina (all day)
Day 8 Taormina
Our walking tour shows us the sights of the cliffside town of Taormina. You have the rest of the afternoon free.
- Guided tour of Taormina (morning)
Day 9 Mount Etna
This morning we take a drive to the slopes of Etna. After a short walk, there’ll be free time to explore this fascinating area at your own pace. Be sure to bring a camera – on a clear day, the views from here are spectacular. Later, we visit Cantina Murgo winery for a tasting of delicious Sicilian wine and a hearty lunch of regional products.
- Visit to Mount Etna and wine tasting at Cantina Murgo (all day)
Day 10 Giardini Naxos – Catania – UK
We transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.
