ItalyHighlights of Sicily
Arrive at any time. Tonight, meet your CEO and fellow travellers at the welcome meeting, then opt to head out for dinner and enjoy your first Sicilian meal.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Hotel Vecchio Borgo
Head out for an orientation walk of Palermo's historic city centre.Continue to Cefalú, often cited as one of Italy's most beautiful townships, and stroll through cobbled streets to a picturesque cove by the beach. With free time, observe local fisherman working on their boats, visit the 12th century Duomo di Cefalú, opt to enjoy an aperitivo with incredible views, or simply wander around this postcard-pretty town which director Giuseppe Tornatore chose to set parts of his much-loved film Cinema Paradiso.
Palermo Orientation Walk
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO along the squares and the streets of Palermo, this city has been the crossroad of so many civilizations from Phoenicians to Byzantines, from Arabs to Normans and Spaniards. Walk around to see baroque and gothic façades, neoclassical theatres as Teatro Massimo, the biggest in Italy and one of the largest of Europe, very unusual squares as Quattro Canti, and the majestic Palermo Cathedral.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
There's lots to see and do in this beautiful Sicilian town.
Optional Activities - Day 2Show
Accommodation
Hotel La Giara
Travel to the Aeolian Islands, a small archipelago of volcanic lands known as "the pearls of Italy" for their intriguing natural formations. Named after Aeolus, the god of the winds, spend the next few days exploring pockets of this coastal paradise. Take a car and ferry to reach Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian Islands, and enjoy a free afternoon to explore. Opt to visit a local beach, or take another short ferry to see Vulcano's active crater.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Explore the beautiful island of Lipari with a free afternoon.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Optional Activities - Day 3Show
Accommodation
Hotel Oriente Lipari
Enjoy a free morning in Lipari. Later, head out for an excursion to explore the beautiful islands of Panarea and Stromboli by boat. Swim in the turquoise waters of Cala Junco, stroll through Panarea's scenic whitewashed village, and explore the town of Stromboli before taking an unforgettable sunset cruise. In the night breeze of the open sea, witness active Mount Stromboli's spectacular eruptions.
Free Time
Take the morning to relax or leisurely wander through town.
Panarea & Stromboli Islands Boat Excursion
Set sail for a journey through the stunning Aeolian Islands, stopping at Panarea and Stromboli. On Panarea, visit Cala Junco beach and wander through the village, then see Basiluzzo - the smallest of the Aeolian Islands. Continue to Stromboli and enjoy free time to explore local shops in town. As sunset approaches, cruise back to the islet of Stombolicchio to arrive, just as it starts to get dark, under the Scara del Fuoco - considered the best spot for viewing Mount Stromboli's eruptions. This is the last stop and for many, the most awaited. (Please note: this activity begins at 2pm and ends at 10pm. We recommend bringing a sweater as the evening breeze gets chilly aboard the boat!)
Accommodation
Hotel Oriente Lipari
Say goodbye to the Aeolian Islands and ferry back to the mainland, then continue to Taormina, one of Sicily's most visited destinations. After a short orientation walk, enjoy free time to visit the stunning Teatro Greco, an ancient Roman amphitheatre with commanding views of Mount Etna. Travel onwards to Catania for the evening.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Taormina Orientation Walk
Join your CEO for a brief introduction to this beautifully situated hilltop town, once part of the "Grand Tour" many affluent Europeans took in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 5Show
Accommodation
Best Western Hotel Mediterraneo
Enjoy a CEO led orientation walk to get your bearings in Catania. Afterwards, you'll have free time to continue exploring this town and all of its museums and historic attractions. Maybe visit La Pescheria market or walk the Via Etnea.
CEO Led Orientation Walk
Your CEO will take you around Catania so you can get your bearings and see some of the city's main sites. Full of heritage and culture there's no shortage of interesting structures and museums to see. Best part? If something catches your eye, there will plenty of opportunity for you to go and see it on your own during your free time after this walk.
Free Time
Enjoy a full free day to explore.
Optional Activities - Day 6Show
Accommodation
Best Western Hotel Mediterraneo
Spend another whole free day in Catania. Choose to visit Mt. Etna, Catania's cathedral located in the centre of the old town, or the Piazza Del Duomo just near the port area in the heart of the city. Later in day perhaps head out with the group for a delicious Sicilian meal.
Free Time
Spend a free day in the second largest city on the Italian island of Sicily. Catania also happens to be an important economic hub for the country. Located on the eastern coast, directly between Pachino in the south and Messina in the north. This city maintains a huge amount of its heritage and culture within its museums like the Basilica Sant’Agata and the Museo Civici. Catania is also in close proximity to the legendary Mount Eta there are plenty of opportunities for day trips an outdoor excursions.
Optional Activities - Day 7Show
Accommodation
Best Western Hotel Mediterraneo
Travel to Syracuse, an enchanting city by the Ionian Sea that was once at the centre of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. Take a cooking class on arrival and learn how to make Arancini — an iconic Sicilian specialty — to enjoy as a light lunch! Later, explore the old town's baroque piazzas and medieval side streets with a CEO-led orientation walk.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Your Hands-On Moment: Arancini Cooking Class
Learn how to prepare a delicious snack enjoyed beyond the borders of Sicily: deep-fried arancini, a ball of creamy risotto rice typically filled with a savoury cheese or meat filling.
Accommodation
Hotel Gran Bretagna Siracusa
Enjoy a full free day in Syracuse. Opt to visit the impressive Parco Archeologico della Neapolis, or travel to nearby Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage listed city renowned for its baroque architecture built with a unique golden limestone.
Free Time
There's lots to see and do. Get out and explore!
Optional Activities - Day 9Show
Accommodation
Hotel Gran Bretagna Siracusa
Travel to the baroque city of Ragusa before heading to the medieval hilltop town of Piazza Armerina. Visit the world's most varied collection of Roman mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale. Known for their incredibly well-preserved state "in situ", or in their original location, observe ancient scenes of hunting, fishing and athletics depicted beautifully in mosaic tile. Continue to Agrigento.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Ragusa Visit
Enjoy some free time to explore the alleyways and the squares of this hilltop city, rich with baroque architecture.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Villa Romana del Casale Visit
Admire the finest Roman floor mosaics in existence at Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 4th century, the villa's exquisitely preserved mosaics and frescoes are outstanding examples of early Roman art. To get even more out of your visit to the luxury countryside villa, opt to upgrade to a guided tour.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Colleverde Park Hotel
Take a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples, one of Sicily's best-known attractions. Learn the history of this magnificent site as you explore the ruins of its seven temples, nestled on a ridge below Agrigento. Continue to Trapani, stopping en route in Marsala to see some of Europe's oldest salt marshes.
Valley of the Temples Guided Tour
Regarded as the best example of ancient Hellenic architecture in Sicily, the Valley of the Temples' oldest structures date back to the 5th century. Explore the ruins of the Temple of Concordia, with its majestic columns, and learn about the site's history from a local guide.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Marsala Salt Marshes
Visit some of Europe's oldest traditional salt marshes, where sea salt is still harvested in the same way it's been for hundreds of years.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
B&B Hotel Trapani Crystal
Enjoy a free day to explore the charms of Trapani and its nearby towns. Opt to cruise the idyllic Egadi Islands, spend the day hiking at a nature reserve filled with local flora and fauna, or hop on a funicular to explore the walled town of Erice.
Free Time
Take the day to explore Trapani at your leisure.
Optional Activities - Day 12Show
Accommodation
B&B Hotel Trapani Crystal
Travel to Monreale to visit the 11th century Monreale Cathedral, intricately decorated with thousands of gold mosaic tiles. Admire panoramic views of the Conca d'Oro (Golden Valley) and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Continue to Palermo and enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk upon arrival.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Monreale Cathedral Visit
Visit the World Heritage–listed Cattedrale di Monreale, or Monreale Cathedral, considered one of Europe's greatest examples of Norman architecture with a heavy Moorish and Byzantine influence.
Palermo Orientation Walk
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO along the squares and the streets of Palermo, this city has been the crossroad of so many civilizations from Phoenicians to Byzantines, from Arabs to Normans and Spaniards. Walk around to see baroque and gothic façades, neoclassical theatres as Teatro Massimo, the biggest in Italy and one of the largest of Europe, very unusual squares as Quattro Canti, and the majestic Palermo Cathedral.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Hotel Vecchio Borgo
Depart at any time.
Optional Activities - Day 14Show
