Ancient Sicily

Taormina and Mount Etna

Meet your Tour Manager at the airport today, ready to begin your fantastic adventure in Sicily. After arriving in Palermo, we transfer to Cefalu for some free time, then journey on to our hotel, the 4-Star Hotel Excelsior Palace in Taormina, where we enjoy our first dinner together of the holiday.

Mount Etna is one of the most iconic Sicilian sights, and we visit it on Day 2 on a wonderful full day excursion. You have plenty of time at leisure here, and you can choose to go all the way to the top by either cable car or 4x4 (payable locally), or you could spend your time enjoying lunch and looking up at the beautiful scenery of the volcano. We journey on the Circumetnea Railway after our visit, viewing this iconic volcano from a wonderful and different way. The unique soils of Mount Etna also mean the slopes are an excellent place to grow grapes for wine, and we visit the Frank Cornelissen Winery this afternoon. We take a tour of the winery, and taste 5 different wines, then transfer back to our hotel, where your evening is at leisure.

Exploring Taormina

On Day 3, we explore Taormina with a half day guided tour. Taormina has many sites of historical significance, including the amazing Greek Theatre, whose origins are disputed. Thought to have been built in the 3rd century BC, the theatre also shows signs of Roman architecture. This afternoon, you are at leisure to enjoy the rest of your day.

Biviere di Lentini Gardens and Syracuse

We begin today with a transfer to the Biviere di Lentini Gardens, for an undoubted highlight of our tour. These gardens have been meticulously cared for and maintained by the owner, the Princess Maria Carla Borghese. It is the Princess that shows us around today, and we enjoy an aperitif with her before we travel to Syracuse for a walking tour. This stunning UNESCO listed place has numerous fascinating features, including the natural Fountain of Arethusa, named after the nymph in Greek mythology. The tour also includes entrance to the ancient Cathedral of Syracuse, which was once a temple of Athena, as well as the archaeological park. This evening, after checking in to our hotel, the 4-Star Hotel Albergo Alfeo, we enjoy dinner in a local fish restaurant.

Ragusa Ibla, Modica, and Noto

After breakfast this morning, we transfer by coach to Ragusa Ibla, where we enjoy a guided visit of this stunning hilltop town, home to an abundance of incredible Baroque architecture, including the Cathedral of San Giorgio. We then head over to Modica for a guided tour, and there is also some free time for lunch here, as well as a free tasting of famous Modica chocolate, which has been prepared for many years using the original and ancient Aztec recipe. Our final excursion of the day is to Noto, where our visit includes entrance to the magnificent Sala Degli Specchi. We dine in our hotel this evening.

Villa Romana del Casale and Palazzo Conte Federico

Our first excursion today is to the ancient Piazza Armerina, including the ancient Villa Romana del Casale. This Villa is famed for having the largest collection of Roman mosaics in the world, with some being discovered as recently as the 1960s. The mosaics have been remarkably well preserved, and are fascinating to behold. We enjoy lunch today in an agriturismo on our way to our next destination, the Palazzo Conte Federico in Palermo. One of the oldest buildings in Palermo, its roots date back to the 12th century, and the halls are filled with a variety of incredible architectural examples and artwork of past centuries. We are shown around by a family member, and after, we enjoy a glass of wine together. After our visit, we check into our hotel, the 4-Star Hotel Palazzo Sitano. You are at leisure this evening.

Monreale, Palermo and home

We visit Monreale today, originally a small village that rose to prominence after the Norman kings of Sicily chose Palermo as a hunting resort. The magnificent Monreale Cathedral is one of the stops on our tour, an amazing example of Norman architecture that was built in the 12th century. Inside, it is filled with intricate mosaics and an incredible cloister that has been marvellously well preserved since its building around 800 years ago.

We return to Palermo, where we enjoy a wonderful guided tour. This is the perfect time to explore some of Palermo's most famous sites, including the cathedral and the Palatine Chapel. This evening, we enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. After breakfast on Day 8, we transfer to the airport for our flight back to London

Departure Times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.