Tour Sicily In Depth (Small Groups, End Catania, Base, 8 Days)

Transport

Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available). If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport. Enjoy the comfort of Insight’s luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.

Guide

From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination. Ragusa: During your orientation with your Travel Director see the famous Baroque buildings and churches. Erice: Led by your Travel Director, explore the quiet alleys of this ancient walled town, as if you’ve stepped into the Middle Ages. See the medieval churches and marvel at the sea views from the gardens of the Castle of Venus. Cefalu: Your Travel Director will show you the cathedral, built to fulfil a vow. Walk to the medieval stone fountain in the old fishermen’s quarter, find the Gothic arch of the Porta Marina and see the harbour. Taormina: During your orientation with your Travel Director, visit the courtyard of Palazzo Corvaja, seat of the first Sicilian parliament, and stroll along Corso Umberto to Piazza IX Aprile.

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Insight Vacations through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. While highly recommended, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are no longer required for guests traveling with us from January 1, 2023 onward. It is your client’s responsibly to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destinations visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than the above. No refunds will be given if they are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to failure to comply with these requirements.

Meals

4 Dinner with Wine (DW) 7 Breakfast (B) 1 Lunch with Wine (LW) Catania: Join your Travel Director and fellow guests for your Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. Palermo: Choose between a variety of restaurants and cuisines on your Dine-Around Evening. Taormina: Your Farm-to-Table Celebration Dinner reflects some of Sicily’s top culinary heritage.

Accommodation

1 night stay at Mercure Catania Excelsior 1 night stay at Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa 3 nights stay at Hotel Palazzo Sitano, Palermo 2 nights stay at RG Naxos Hotel, Taormina

Others

Choose between two carefully selected activities Palermo: Join your Local Expert for a walk through the lively Vucciria market. Palermo: Visit the spectacular 12th Century Palatine Chapel. Its sombre exterior gives away few clues to the riches inside. Step into a world where the walls glitter with 12th century mosaics, the best of their kind in the world. Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert’s fascinating commentary. Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you’ll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels. We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door. Palermo: Learn about the civil anti-mafia movement and discover the lesser known history of Palermo. Marsala: Enjoy a tasting of some of the island’s richest Sicilian wines at Baglio Donna France. The estate uses sustainable farming practices, cultivates rare ancient grains and uses water management systems to reduce waste. Syracuse: Walk through the gardens of Paradise Quarry, listen to the acoustics in the mysterious Ear of Dionysius and visit the Greek theatre. Agrigento: A Local Expert will lead you through the magnificent remains of the Greek colony in the Valley in the Temples. See the massive Temple of Concord and clifftop Temple of Juno. Taormina: Should you awake early, you may see why this is known as ’The Dawn Coast of Europe.’ Taormina: Visit the ancient Greek Ampitheatre with your Local Expert. Set on a cliff, open to the sky, take your seats and enjoy the view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna. "A type of food I really love introducing my guests to is the street food because it tells a lot about the habits of the locals, it can be a slice of pizza folded up or a sfogliatella in Naples, an arancini, a gelato in Sicily, or a cannolo. " "One fun fact people don’t usually know before they come to Italy is that the Italian alphabet only has 22 letters." "One thing I really love about showing guests about Italy is how art and beauty can be found around every corner of some of Italy’s cities, which are real open air museums." Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

Not included:

Optional

GUIDED TOUR OF RAGUSA IBLA Join a local expert to explore the jumble of churches, houses, old squares and civic palazzi that make up Ragusa Ibla. Devastated by the earthquake of 1693, this part of town was rebuilt along the lines of the old medieval layout. With most of the nobility and wealthier citizens choosing to live in the new upper town, the fortunes of Ibla waned. Now you can step back three hundred years into the past, where every turn of the winding streets and stairways comes with the promise of another fantastic discovery. ADULT PRICE: EUR 25.00 DINNER IN RAGUSA Indulge in the varied and complex flavours of Sicily, at this evening’s dinner. Sicillian shores are washed by three different seas, so fish is a must (meat alternative available). The large greenhouses around Ragusa also produce a wide range of fruit and vegetables to enjoy. Arabian settlers brought sugar with them and now the island’s dolci are considered among the best in Italy. Of course any Italian meal wouldn’t be complete without the wonderful local wine. Buon Appetito! ADULT PRICE: EUR 54.00 HIDDEN PALERMO Walk the ancient streets of the historical centre and learn, through the eyes of a local, how the Palermitani live. You’ll discover hidden treasures of this fascinating city that most visitors don’t get to see, like a private visit to the palace of the family of the Counts of Palermo, whom we’ll meet and who will share their amazing experiences with us. This unique tour also includes a drink and light snacks. ADULT PRICE: EUR 46.00 DINNER IN PALERMO Sicilian dining is one of life’s true pleasures! We’ll indulge in great food made from the freshest ingredients, accompanied by the island’s delicious wines. ADULT PRICE: EUR 60.00 MT ETNA Where myth and legend merge to reality! With a local expert we’ll drive up Mt. Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. Ascend through the fertile foothills, bypassing small villages, lush forests, ancient craters and lava flows to see amazing lunar landscapes and houses surrounded by lava. Admire astonishing panoramic views over the eastern Sicilian coast and Ionian Sea whilst discovering the history of Sicily’s most popular attraction and its eruptions. ADULT PRICE: EUR 56.00 DINNER IN THE CLOUDS With one of the most incredible rides of your lives, you will arrive high above the sea, a world apart from the areas that tourists tread. You’ll arrive in your terraced authentic local restaurant for a truly educational meal of delicious regional specialties, with accompanying local wines. ADULT PRICE: EUR 68.00

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Flights

Flights are not included.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Welcome To Sicily
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Welcome To Sicily

On arrival at Catania airport, transfers leave for your hotel at 10:00, 12:30 and 15:30. Relax and settle in before meeting your Travel Director at 17:30, for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2 Day 2: Ancient Syracuse
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Ancient Syracuse

Sightseeing with your Local Expert takes you to Syracuse’s Paradise Quarry with its unusual Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped grotto with an unusual echo. Continue to the superb Greek theatre, carved out of solid rock, one of the largest of the ancient world. There is time to explore the atmospheric Old City, a maze of narrow streets lined with palaces, sprawling over the island of Ortygia. It was here that the famous geometrician Archimedes ran naked through the streets, crying ‘Eureka!’ Continue around the southeastern corner of Sicily to Ragusa.
Day 3 Day 3: Explore The Valley Of The Temples And On To Palermo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Explore The Valley Of The Temples And On To Palermo

Journey along the southern coast of the island, past the oil producing town of Gela to Agrigento. Explore the Valley of the Temples with a Local Expert. See the massive Temple of Concordia and the clifftop Temple of Juno overlooking the sea. Your travels continue to the Sicilian capital of Palermo.
Day 4 Day 4: Palermo & The Golden Age Of The Normans
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Palermo & The Golden Age Of The Normans

Explore Palermo with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the spectacular 12th century Palatine Chapel with a Local Expert. Alternatively, join your Local Expert for a walk through the lively market. Later this morning, visit Palermo Cathedral which has been altered many times over the years and observe its unique blend of architectural styles. For your dining pleasure, you are offered a selection of local restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening, each with their own ambience and cuisine.
Day 5 Day 5: Exploring Erice
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Exploring Erice

Venture to the charming hilltop walled town of Erice and explore the labyrinth of quiet alleyways. Pause to enjoy the sea views from the gardens alongside the Castle of Venus. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in the heart of Marsala countryside, during a tasting of rich Sicilian wines. The estate uses sustainable farming practices, cultivates rare ancient grains and uses water management systems to reduce waste. Back in Palermo the evening is at your leisure.
Day 6 Day 6: Cefalu And The Taormina Riviera
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Cefalu And The Taormina Riviera

Travel to the quaint fishing town of Cefalu. The town’s imposing cathedral was erected to fulfill a vow made by the Norman King Roger II. Stroll down to the medieval stone fountain and seek out the Gothic arch of the Porta Marina for a picture-perfect view of the little harbour. Later, travel onwards towards the Taormina Riviera.
Day 7 Day 7: Taormina And The Dawn Coast Of Europe Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Taormina And The Dawn Coast Of Europe Relaxed Start

Your hotel faces east, so early risers may experience why D.H. Lawrence christened this ’The Dawn Coast of Europe.’ After breakfast, perhaps take an Optional Experience through the vineyards to Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. Travel to the old town of Taormina, which clings to the side of Mount Tauro overlooking the Ionian Sea and the peak of Mount Etna. With your Local Expert, visit the Greek theatre set on a cliff and open to the sky. Take a moment to sit in this ancient theatre and absorb the view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna. Stroll on to the tiny courtyard of the Palazzo Corvaja, Taormina’s grandest building and further along the elegant Corso Umberto, the Piazza IX Aprile offers panoramic views. At a local restaurant, rejoice with your new-found friends over your Celebration Dinner of delicious, freshly prepared Farm-to-Table cuisine, accompanied with exquisite Italian wines.
Day 8 Day 8: Depart Catania
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Depart Catania

Appreciate views of Mount Etna on your way. Departure transfers arrive at Catania Airport at 06:30 and 08:30.

8 days tour

Sicily In Depth (Small Groups, End Catania, Base, 8 Days)

This tour includes:

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Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Sicily In Depth (Small Groups, End Catania, Base, 8 Days)

Day 1: Welcome To Sicily

Day 2: Ancient Syracuse

Day 3: Explore The Valley Of The Temples And On To Palermo

Day 4: Palermo & The Golden Age Of The Normans

Day 5: Exploring Erice

Day 6: Cefalu And The Taormina Riviera

Day 7: Taormina And The Dawn Coast Of Europe Relaxed Start

Day 8: Depart Catania

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