Premium Sicily - 10 Days

Buongiorno! Welcome to Sicily. When you arrive in Palermo, you’ll be met by a local representative for your airport transfer into the city. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your fellow travellers and local leader. If you arrive early, you might like to get acquainted with the sights and sounds of the old heart of Palermo. Explore the main monuments like the uniquely styled cathedral, or cafe-hop to try the best of Sicily’s sweets. After your meeting tonight, you'll head out for a traditional Sicilian dinner as a group and get to know the city’s beloved cuisine at a great local restaurant.

Enjoy a free morning to see more of Palermo’s small alleyways and buzzing market squares. In the afternoon, join a walking tour with your local leader to see some of the symbolic places of rebellion and the anti-Mafia movement like the Teatro Massimo, Cape Market, Piazza della Memoria and Beati Paoli Square. You’ll meet local shop owners who have had the courage to denounce their extortionists and follow the ethical consumer campaign ‘Pago chi non paga’ – a campaign promoted to support those that rebel against the Mafia. Then, delve deeper into the local cuisine and learn how to create Sicilian dishes with the help of a local chef. As locally sourced products are used, the menu may differ depending on seasonality and market availability, but whatever you make, you’ll tuck into for dinner with a glass of local wine.

Today, it’s time to say goodbye to Palermo and head towards the small town of Erice. Located more than 750 m above sea level, this beautifully preserved medieval town showcases architectural styles from its varied history. When you arrive, you’ll do a genovesi tasting (traditional Sicilian pastries filled with custard or ricotta cream). After, take a cable car back down to the town of Trapani, then continue south towards Marsala – a coastal town where you’ll be staying tonight. Famous for its sweet dessert wines, you might like to use your free evening to go out and enjoy a sip (or two) or, you can simply stroll the marble-paved streets as the sun sets.

This morning, head east as you stop in the old port of Mazara del Vallo. It’s here that some of the Arab influences in Sicily are most clearly visible. As you stroll through the kasbah (Arab Quarter), you’ll witness the artistic and cultural enrichment brought on by the arrival of Tunisian families in the 70s. Wander the winding lanes and alleyways lined with colourful murals, then continue to Agrigento, stopping at Scala dei Turchi (Stair of the Turks) on the way – this coastline with its white marble cliffs offered protection from the severe winds for the pirates that roamed these waters. Finally, make your way to Agrigento, where you’ll stay in a boutique hotel built in the 13th century and share a meal with your fellow travellers.

This morning after breakfast, travel to the nearby Valley of the Temples. One of the largest archaeological sites in the world, this is where the ancient city of Akragas once stood. Your local guide will bring this classical Greek site to life as you visit the temples of Hera, Herakles, Zeus and Castor and Pollux. Along the way, enjoy views of the landscape and Mediterranean Sea. Return to Agrigento and enjoy a free afternoon. Maybe head to Agrigento's Old Town and wander the narrow alleyways and courtyards or find a local cafe, grab a panino and sit back and watch the world go by.

Today, say goodbye to Agrigento and hit the road to Siracusa. Along the way, you’ll stop in Ragusa – one of the most scenic towns in all of Sicily. Explore the town and then continue to Modica, which is particularly famous for its chocolate. After tasting some of the local produce, continue to Noto and get acquainted with the city on a guided walking tour. Lesser-known Noto has recently gained a reputation as an architectural jewel – its limestone structures sparkle beautifully on a sunlit afternoon. Finally, arrive in Siracusa, where you’ll stay for the next two nights.

This morning, head out on an orientation walk through Ortigia – a small island adjacent to the main town of Siracusa. Wandering the narrow streets and laneways, you’ll encounter ancient ruins, fountains and trattorias. Return to Siracusa in the afternoon and enjoy some free time to explore. You might like to head to the Greek theatre, Roman amphitheatre and ancient stone quarries of the Neapolis Archaeological Site, see more of the Siracusa town or simply relax at your accommodation.

Today, come face-to-face with Europe’s largest active volcano on a daytrip up Mt Etna. At an altitude of approximately 2000 m, you’ll walk into the centre of an extinct crater and visit a lava cave that can be explored with helmets and torches. Walk among the cold lava streams of Piano Provenzana – a former ski resort that was destroyed during the last big eruption of 2002. After exploring this fiery natural wonder, continue to the seaside village of Aci Trezza, your base for the next two nights. This village is best known for the Faraglioni dei Ciclopi – according to Homer’s Odyssey, these sea stacks were the rocks that the cyclops Polyphemus hurled at Odysseus as he escaped. Tonight, join your group for a classic granita (an icy Sicilian treat) at Cafe de Mar. Look out over the sea from the cafe’s terrace and perhaps end the evening with a stroll along the seaside.

After breakfast today, take a daytrip to the city of Taormina. Start things off with a guided walk, where you’ll notice Greek influence in the architecture. Walk through the back streets, gardens and the world-famous Greek theatre and cathedral. The afternoon is free, so there's plenty of time to explore at your own pace. Have a drink in the Mediterranean sun or dig into some traditional Sicilian pasta, then return to Aci Trezza, where you’ll have some free time to relax. In the late afternoon, head to Catania for your final evening in Italy. Sit down to a farewell dinner at a local restaurant with your newfound travel friends and group leader – here’s to a trip well-travelled!

With no further activities planned, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your stay in Catania, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to arrange additional accommodation.