Sicily and Its Isles

What's Included

• Transportation

  Travel through Sicily with ease, utilizing a combination of motorcoach transfers, local boats, and ferries.

• Accommodation

  Experience a variety of accommodations throughout your journey, including Hotel Porta Felice in Palermo, Hotel Stella D'Italia, Baia di Ulisse Hotel in Marsala, Mangia's Pollina Resort in Agrigento, and Hotel La Salina Borgo Di Mare in Cefalù.

• Meals

  Enjoy meals such as a welcome dinner in Palermo and a rustic picnic-style lunch in Agrigento.

• Guided Tours

  Participate in guided tours, including a walking food tour in Palermo and a visit to the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento.

• Culinary Experiences

  Engage in a hands-on cooking class with a winemaker and savor local specialties like capers and Malvasia wine on Salina Island.

• Impact Moment

  Visit an olive grove for a taste of sustainably produced oil and learn about ethical production methods.

What's Not Included

• Optional Excursions

  Optional excursions such as a day trip to Favignana Island are not included and may require additional payment.
  
  

• Personal Expenses

  Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
  
  

• Travel Insurance

  Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
  
  

• Gratuities

  Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
  
  

Experiences

Delve into the belly of Palermo on a walking food tour of the historical city center.Soak up the relaxed ambiance of the Aeolian Islands (UNESCO) with a 2-night stay on the Isle of Salina.Ascend the sides of Mount Etna (UNESCO) in off-road vehicles.

Options

Marsala, Sicily: A Day on Favignana Island Embark on a day trip to the island of Favignana. A half-hour high-speed ferry ride takes you to the largest island in the Egadi archipelago, the butterfly-shaped Favignana. Surrounded by crystal blue waters, this isle is known for its history in tuna fishing, beautiful beaches, delectable fresh food offerings, and enchanting gardens. Take time this morning to meander through Il Giardino dell’Impossibile — a botanical garden ‘against all odds’ — boasting nearly 500 species of plants across four acres. Then, enjoy free time in the village of Favignana. Sit down to lunch on your own and savor the fresh local seafood, or a local favorite street food: pane cunzato. Stroll through the town at leisure or go for a walk along the shore and take in the island paradise beloved by Italians who visit on their own vacations. This afternoon, ferry back to Marsala for free time in the evening. Duration approximately 8 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 6 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.

The option is dependent on weather and sea conditions and may be cancelled due to strong winds or swell.
Travelers prone to seasickness should take adequate precautions.

Culinaries

Meet a winemaker and engage in a hands-on cooking class in the countryside.Savor salty capers and sweet Malvasia wine at a local producer on Salina Island.During an Impact Moment, visit an olive grove for a taste of their sustainably produced oil and learn how their ethical production methods help combat the Mafia.

Must See

Explore the medieval charm of seaside Cefalù.Immerse yourself in ancient history during a visit to the Valley of the Temples.Spend two nights in Taormina and tour its iconic Greek theater.

Choice Highlights

Palermo Palermo is the regional capital of Sicily with nearly a million inhabitants. The history of the city’s many rulers is on full display through the architecture of the monumental palaces, theaters and churches. Arabs, Normans and Spanish have all called the city home and left their mark on the people, their culture and food. The city is full of vibrant markets, lively eateries and bustling piazzas just waiting to be explored.

Monreale Monreale is famous for its Norman Cathedral that is covered with nearly 70,000 square feet of gold-leaf mosaics. The church was built in the 12th century by the Norman King William II. The mosaics depict stories of the Old Testament and the life stories of Saints Peter and Paul. The church is a national monument and highlight of any trip to Sicily.

Monreale Cathedral - Cloisters or Terrace Visit During your visit in Monreale you have the choice between two activities. Your first choice is to explore more of the Cathedral’s monastic complex during a guided tour of the cloisters with its elegant combination of Romanesque arches and Oriental decorations. Your second choice is to ascend to the Cathedral’s terraces* via the steep stairs of the southern tower for a bird-eye’s view of the monastery and Palermo's Golden Valley.



Monreale Cathedral - Cloisters Visit

Activity Level: 2

The visit's duration is approx 30 minutes walking and standing on flat, paved terrain.



Monreale Cathedral - Terrace Visit

Activity Level: 4

*Visiting the terraces requires walking thru narrow passages (less than 3 feet wide/1 meter) and climbing the equivalent of 4 sets of stairs (approximately 20 steps each) to reach the lower terrace. The upper terrace can be reached by climbing a further set of stairs (approx 15). This choice is NOT suitable for travelers suffering from claustrophobia, vertigo or those with mobility issues.

Cooking Class and Wine-Pairing Lunch

Marsala

Stagnone Salt Pans & Lagoon Sailing

Impact Moment

Olive Oil Farm Take a trip to the countryside and explore an olive grove. Try samples of olive oil while gazing out at the sprawling rows of olive trees.

Agrigento Agrigento is a provincial capital on the southern coast of Sicily. The city is famous as a tourist destination because of the Greek archeological park called the Valley of the Temples. The Valley of the Temples is home to seven Greek temples that date back to the Golden Age of Magna Grecia, when Greek city-states dominated Sicily and Southern Italy. The site, known as Akragas in ancient Greek, was added to the UNESCO Heritage list in 1997 because of the ancient Greek temples’ high state of preservation.

Valley of the Temples The Valley of the Temples is a Greek archeological site located on the outskirts of the Sicilian city of Agrigento. The site, known as Akragas in ancient Greek, was added to the UNESCO Heritage list in 1997 because of the Ancient Greek Temples’ high quality state of preservation. The most famous of the temples is the so-called Temple of Concordia which was utilized as a church during the medieval ages. In total the site has seven temples and covers an area of over 3000 acres.

Cefalù Cefalù is a small seaside resort built along the north shore of Sicily. As one approaches Cefalù they will be struck by the large rock (known as the “Rocco”) that looms over the city. The town started as a small fishing village around an excellent harbor at the base of the Rocco. Later it took on greater importance when the Norman King Roger II, built the first Norman church of Sicily in the 11th century. Today the village has maintained its historic charms and serves as a hub of activity for visiting tourists.

Isle of Salina Discover the Isle of Salina, one of Sicily’s Aeolian Islands and a popular vacation destination for Italians. Bask in the warm glow of this region’s relaxed atmosphere and enjoy the sights and sounds of this Mediterranean paradise.

Caper Farm Go on a tour of a caper farm and learn about the techniques of cultivating this edible flower, accompanied by a glass of Malvasia, a locally produced dessert wine. Witness the process of preparing capers the traditional, Sicilian way and then enjoy a tasting.





Taormina Set on the top of Monte Tauro is the beautiful garden city of Taormina. The city’s mix of historic monuments trace its history from the time of the Greeks to Romans, to Arabs and beyond. The most impressive monument is the Greco-Roman theatre that overlooks the crescent-shaped port of Giardini Naxos and Mt. Etna in the distance. The town also has many lovely designer shops and a plethora of restaurants offering authentic Sicilian cuisine.

Mount Etna Off-Road Excursion See Sicily’s wilder side on an off-road adventure to Mount Etna. Stare up at the iconic peak as your vehicle climbs along the sides of Europe’s largest active volcano.

Mode of Transport

Travel through Sicily with ease, utilizing a combination of motorcoach transfers, local boats, and ferries. Enjoy scenic rides and convenient transportation as you explore the island's diverse landscapes and cultural sites.

Accommodation

Experience a variety of accommodations throughout your journey, including Hotel Porta Felice in Palermo, Hotel Stella D'Italia, Baia di Ulisse Hotel in Marsala, Mangia's Pollina Resort in Agrigento, and Hotel La Salina Borgo Di Mare in Cefalù. Enjoy a comfortable stay at Excelsior Palace Hotel on Salina Island.