Italy is a grand adventure that immerses its visitors in the spirit of La Dolce Vita, especially during this 10-day best of Sicily tour. Experience the highlights of history and heritage as you travel from Palermo to Taormina to witness the famous monuments and hidden charms along the way. Sample delicious wines, uncover the ancient history of Sicily, and discover its authentic wonders that sweep from the golden shores to the foothills of Mt. Etna.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Palermo – Arrive in Sicily with the Remaining Day at Leisure
Palermo is an amalgamation of the Mediterranean, hosting a combination of Byzantine mosaics, Arabesque domes, and European cuisine that is shaped by North African spices. The island once acted as the center of the known world, where souks lined the alleyways next to Baroque churches. Your flight will land at Falcone Borsellino Airport, and your private transfer will greet you at baggage claim before transferring you to your luxurious accommodation in the heart of the city. You will settle in to the comforts of your opulent hotel before having the rest of the day at your leisure.
With the day yours to explore Palermo at your own pace, you can visit Palazzo Abatellis, which possesses a Catalan Gothic façade that dates back to the 15th century. The decorated doorway leads to the inner courtyard, where you can view the masterpieces, such as the Triumph of Death, which is a 15th-century artwork that was crafted by an unknown artist. In the painting, you can see Death as it rides a skeletal horse.
What's Included:
Day 2
Palermo – Explore the History of Palermo and Monreale
Day 3
Trapani – Discover the Beauty and of Segesta and Erice
Day 4
Trapani – Traverse the Salt Pans of Trapani and Island of Mozia
Day 5
Agrigento – Visit the Scala dei Turchi and Ancient Agrigento
Day 6
Syracuse – Witness Roma Mosaics and the Heritage of Ortygia
Day 7
Syracuse – View the Past Marvels of Syracuse
Day 8
Taormina – Enjoy Wine Tasting at Mt. Etna en route to Taormina
Day 9
Taormina – Delight in the Enchanting Ambiance of Taormina
Day 10
Taormina – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Witness the magnificent mosaics that adorn the walls of the Cappella Palatina in Palermo, which depict elaborate scenes from the Bible
- Sample delicious wines while learning about the unique minerals and ecosystem of Mt. Etna during a private wine tour
- Discover the marvels of ancient history in Sicily when viewing the preserved mosaics of the Roman villa at Villa Romana del Casale
- Step into the depths of ancient life in Sicily when touring the ruins at the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento to find preserved Greek temples
- Uncover an ancient technique for harvesting salt that dates back to the Phoenicians when visiting the salt pans of Trapani
- Explore the charming and distinctive medieval streets of Erice, which crown a steep hill and were built over an ancient Greek settlement
- Delight in the unique scenery of the natural milky-white walls of the Scala dei Turchi that plunge into the indigo water of the Mediterranean Sea
Detailed Description
The mystery, history, and beauty of Italy will come to light as you discover the splendor of Sicily on this 10-day customizable tour. From Phoenician settlements to Baroque churches and from Norman mosaics to pristine beaches, Sicily embraces the marvels of its heritage and the charm of its island location that once acted as the center of Mediterranean trade. You will visit ancient Greek temples, enjoy the pleasures of contemporary Sicilian wines, witness radiant mosaics, and experience enchanting medieval lanes. Your Sicily tour will lead you to the best of the island while allowing you to explore, discover, and relax at your own pace.
Your exploration of Sicily’s highlights will begin with your arrival in Palermo, where you will have two nights. You can discover the city with time at your own pace before venturing through the historical center and lively market with a guide. You will also visit the opulent artistry and architecture of Monreale Monastery for an encompassing perspective on the treasures around Palermo before traveling to Trapani for two nights. In Trapani, you will visit the ancient Greek ruins of Segesta and wander the mountaintop town of Erice, where you can discover marvelous temples, dramatic ramparts, and delicious chocolate. When spending time in Trapani, you will also have a guided tour of the famous salt pans that have Phoenician origins before visiting the island of Mozia, where you can witness the ruins of ancient Phoenician settlements.
With one night in Agrigento, you can enjoy the coastline at the Scala dei Turchi, which will allow you to view the unique landscape that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea in addition to wandering along the preserved Greek temples that rise above the Valley of the Temples. You will then transfer to the remarkable city of Syracuse for two nights and stop at the Villa Romana del Casale to observe the magnificent mosaics that were preserved over nearly two millennia ago. In Syracuse, a guided tour of the ancient island of Ortygia will reveal the epic layers of history for which the city is famous. Afterward, a full-day tour of Syracuse will further unveil how the ancient ruins and preserved architecture are still used and decorate contemporary life.
You will then have two nights in Taormina to conclude your highlights tour of Sicily, which will lead you to the foothills of Mt. Etna, where you will sample the seductive flavors of the wines that are produced on the island. When exploring Taormina, you will experience the elegance of the boulevards and the dramas that were once performed on the stage of ancient Greek theater. On your final day in Taormina, your private transfer will escort you from your hotel to the airport in Catania for your flight home.
Starting Price
$4,500 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.9 stars based on 5952 reviews.
Zicasso’s travel company was wonderful in planning our trip on short notice and in line with our requests and preferences. Their suggestions of what to do and where to stay were perfect. And when we accidentally got off on the wrong island, the travel company quickly got us new ferry tickets to get to the right place. It was all seamless.
Reviewed By Sherry G.
This trip was the greatest week of our lives! Everything planned was better than I could have imagined. The private drivers being coordinated behind the scenes made the trip so easy and removed all the stress of trying to navigate a new country. Every driver and our tour guide was so nice and I feel like we made friends with all of them.
My favorite part of the trip was definitely the cooking classes and that every tour was private and intimate for my wife and I. The connections Zicasso’s travel agent hooked us up with made the trip the most memorable experience. Our travel agent and the travel company took special care of all the tiny details of the trip; our hotel knew it was my birthday and had a special surprise for me! I’m beyond thankful for the perfect honeymoon they provided my wife and I.
Reviewed By Branson S.
The accommodations and private tours were worth the extra money. Our drivers were professional and helpful.
Reviewed By Claudia R.
The overall trip was great. The weather was terrific and the countries we visited had so much to see. Zicasso's tour company did a good job of balancing relaxation with fun. Each of the guides we had was so pleasant and shared so much information with us. They were very attentive to our needs.
Reviewed By Nisha V.
Wow, where to begin. This trip was an absolute dream.
When I first spoke to Zicasso’s travel consultant, I told her my main travel concern: traveling with nine- and 15-year-old boys as a single mom in Italy. I was excited to take the trip with them, but I really needed something that was meticulously planned to take away the nerves of having to navigate alone with two kids. She listened and executed the most beautiful trip.
She planned activities that captured the attention and imagination of a fourth grader and a teenager. And the experiences were unique. Probably the highlight of the trip was a truffle hunt with the hunter and his dog in the countryside outside of Florence. My oldest wants to move to Florence and start hunting! We had a personalized cooking class, a private Vespa tour of Rome, and a delicious and informative art and food tour, among other amazing experiences. As we were sending photos back home, I got so many requests for our itinerary because it was so special and unique. Both boys were hard-pressed to choose which part they liked best.
The hotels she selected were beautiful, comfortable, and right in the heart of the cities and attractions we wanted to see. When we encountered a small hiccup (by our hotel, not our travel agent), I contacted her and she responded right away, getting us a free room upgrade and free dinner! We felt very taken care of.
Aside from the amazing activities and locations we saw, the trip was fantastic because everything was so seamless. We always had a private driver arranged, pre-booked train tickets, and even someone to make sure we made it on time for our flight home. I never had to worry about a thing. It was also telling that every tour guide we interacted with had only glowing things to say about our travel agent and her keen attention to detail and organization.
If you're planning on visiting Italy, this travel company is the travel agency you need to select. It takes any of the stress and guesswork out of the travel process, and all you have to do is show up and enjoy.
Thank you so much! You helped us make some amazing memories!
Stephanie
Reviewed By Stephanie S.
This was possibly the best vacation we have ever taken. A fitting trip to mark our 25th anniversary, we will remember our days in Positano and Sorrento forever. Everything was perfect and the service and support were extraordinary.
Zicasso's travel specialist and the other people were always super-helpful and friendly. The hotels they chose for us in particular were exactly what we wanted. I can’t think of a single issue. Transport, transfers, etc., were perfect. The only bad part was that we had to return to normal life afterwards! We highly recommend our travel company to anyone! Grazie mille!
Reviewed By Mauro A.