italy Tours Sicily

Itinerary:

Day 1  Fly to Catania    
Arrive in Catania, meet your tour director and transfer to your hotel in the Agrigento area, your home for three nights.    

Day 2  Agrigento    
One of the ancient world’s best preserved sites, the Valley of the Temples is sure to impress. Take a guided tour and learn about the six temples that make up the huge complex. Later, visit the town of Agrigento, a historic town with narrow streets and shady piazzas with views of the Mediterranean in the distance.    

Day 3  Monreale & Palermo
Head to the north coast of Sicily through wild and rugged landscape. Visit the remarkable Benedictine Abbey, founded in the 12th Century at Monreale. Continue to Palermo for an afternoon tour of a city shaped by its Saracen and Norman rulers of long ago. You’ll see the beautiful Norman Palace and stop at the 10th Century cathedral.    

Day 4  Agrigento to Taormina    
Leave Agrigento and make your way inland to the small town of Piazza Armerina to visit a 4th Century Roman villa. Buried and unknown for centuries, you can still see the pastel-coloured frescoes on the walls while the intricate mosaics are an incredible sight. Continue to Taormina where you’ll stay for four nights. The town’s setting is superb and sits high above the sweeping coastline below.    

Day 5  Taormina    
Today is free for you to explore Taormina in your own time. With wonderful views of the Gulf of Naxos and Mount Etna, this is a beautifully situated town. Perhaps wander through the local market, home to a delightful spread of fresh, local produce.    

Day 6  Syracuse & Ortygia    
Syracuse was once bigger than Athens and Corinth and was a true giant of the ancient world. Although much of the original architecture has since been lost, the city is still very attractive and you’ll have time to explore the atmospheric port area. You’ll also have time to visit Ortygia, a small island brimming with local life connected to the mainland by three bridges. There’s also the option to take a boat trip around the bay (payable locally) before returning to Taormina.    

Day 7  Mount Etna    
Europe’s highest volcano, Mount Etna is an icon of Italy, standing over 3,300m tall. Take the winding road as close to the summit as possible and watch as the landscape becomes more and more formidable with razor sharp black rocks dotting the area. On a clear day, enjoy the views and perhaps take the cable car to go further up the volcano (payable locally).

Day 8  Catania    
Your tour ends this morning with a transfer to Catania for your flight home with your fellow travellers.

Departs: