SICILY ITALY 16 DAY TOURS

Arrive at your hotel in Catania, Sicily. Meet the other members of the party over welcoming cocktails followed by a relaxed dinner at a local restaurant nearby.

On our second day in Catania we will wake a little early for a 1st-hand experience of Catania’s vibrant fish market.

After, we leave Catania and head to Giardini Naxos, our base for the next 3 days. Until the 1970s, it was a quiet fishing village. Now it’s a popular tourist destination, famous for its dreamy beaches that we will enjoy.

We ‘Climb’ Mount Etna via a spectacular scenic chairlift ride. Mount Etna dominates Sicily’s landscape, is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is also believed to be the world’s oldest active volcano. Tonight we return to Giardini to enjoy the vibrant nightlife.

Explore the narrow streets and alleys of two picturesque towns, Taormina and Castelmola. Both are steeply perched high above the sea with spectacular views. Taormina features fragments of ancient buildings, the most remarkable of which is the Greek Theatre. In Castelmola you can taste its famous Vino di Mandorla (Almond Wine). We return to Giardini for our last night at this popular coastal resort.

We depart Giardini for the Aeolian Islands, all of which are volcanic in origin and separated from Sicily by waters up to 200m deep. We have 2 days to explore this area and depending on the weather, will either sleep onboard our charter boat or stay in an exquisite boutique hotel in Lipari, the largest of the islands.

There are seven islands (Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi and Panarea) and five smaller islands. Houses are typically painted white to protect against the sun’s heat and make a postcard perfect scene.

We will move to the seaside village of Cefalù, famous for its beautiful beaches. This will be our base for the next few nights. We will enjoy a picturesque coastline and explore quaint streets and artisan stalls. We’ll visit Palermo, stopping at Monreale along the way. Monreale is famous for its splendid gold mosaic ceilings, wall frescos and cloisters.

All three nights will be spent in Cefalù.

Today’s main attraction is the Agrigento area. It was founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century BC and since 1998 has been designated as a Unesco world heritage site. The Valley of The Temples contains the remains of the best kept Doric temples outside of Greece.

We travel to Enna, located in the central part of Sicily. We will spend 2 days here during which time we’ll visit the ruined Norman Castle that towers above the village of Sperlinga. Founded on enormous rocks, it is also known for its cave dwellings – inhabited until relatively recently. We will be having lunch in a historic cave home. We will stay the night in Enna.

Today’s highlight is Piazza Armerina and its world heritage site, La Villa Romana Del Casale, famed for its magnificently preserved Roman mosaics. We’ll stay the night in Enna.

We will move to Noto for 2 nights. Noto is very special indeed, featuring exquisite Baroque buildings well loved by tourists and locals alike. Noto is absolutely magical at night.

We will head to Siracusa to explore the Greek and Roman ruins and the ancient Island of Ortigia. Tonight we will enjoy a magical farewell to Sicily dinner.

After breakfast, our private driver will escort us to our respective train station if we are bound for a tour of the beautiful and rustic region of Abruzzo.

If you are leaving us this day, you will be escorted to your respective bus terminal, train station or airport. As a guide, it is suggested that you book your connecting flights to the major airport of your choice for an afternoon departure. Our tour officially concludes at around midday.

Bon Viaggio!

Note:
This is an example itinerary, the composition of your tour is unique and may vary.

16 Day Tour Pricing
from $8,800 AUD per person twin share
from $6,330 USD per person twin share
from €5,705 EUR per person twin share

Single supplement
from $1,500 AUD
from $1,080 USD
from €975 EUR

Commences and departs at Catania Sicily.

Inclusions:
Airport or train station transfers, transport, accommodation, meals and drinks with meals including table wine as per itinerary, entry fees and activities as per itinerary are all included.

Prices exclude airfares.