Best of Sicily 9 day tour

Experience the history, art and culture of Sicily. This 9 night program offers the very best highlights of this fascinating Island. You will visit the largest and most important city, Palermo, the fascinating Monreale and Catania. See the vestiges of ancient Greco Roman civilizations that ruled Sicily in the many archeological sites: Segesta, Agrigento, Siracusa and Taormina. Enjoy the beautiful local baroque architecture of Modica and Noto. Climb the powerful Mt. Etna and end your visit with a stay in scenic and relaxing Taormina.Our first class private Italy tours are a nice blend of private guided visits and free time offering English speaking drivers and guides and centrally located first class hotels.

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DAY 1 — Arrival to Sicily

You will be greeted upon arrival at the Palermo airport by our local assistant who will transfer you to your hotel in the city centre. The rest of the day is at leisure.

DAY 2 — Palermo & Monreale

After breakfast, you will enjoy a half day discovering the baroque city of Palermo. Together with your local guide you will visit the main sights of the city as you travel through the elegant avenues around Piazza dei Quattro Canti and the Kalsa Quarter.You will continue to the hilltop town of Monreale dominated by its magnificent cathedral built in the Norman period. Covering a large area which includes an incredible cloister, its walls are almost completely covered by Byzantine mosaics. You will have free time to wander around the picturesque historical centre. Overnight in Palermo.

DAY 3 — Palermo - Segesta - Erice - Mazara del Vallo

Morning departure with your local guide/driver for a full day of great sightseeing on the way to your next hotel. Your first stop will be Segesta with its magical archeological complex with a magnificent Doric temple and Greek Roman Amphitheatre. Segesta also boasts the archaeological remains of many other times and cultures. There are the ruins of a Norman castle, a small church and a mosque.You will continue to Erice, 751 meters above sea level. From this vantage point you will have a spectacular view of the whole western region, the Mediterranean Sea and the Egadi Islands. You will visit the town walking through its ancient narrow streets. End the day by sampling typical Sicilian almond dough desserts at one of the most famous Sicilian bakeries, an ancient convent pastry shop. Continue to Mazzara del Vallo and your accommodations.

DAY 4 — Mazara del Vallo - Agrigento - Modica

Depart with your local driver guide for a journey back in time to Agrigento a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most representative sites of Greek civilization in the Mediterranean area. Just outside the town, in the Valley of the Temples, you will find a collection of well-preserved Doric Temples dating back to the fifth century B.C. and the remains of the Greek city of Akragas. In the afternoon continue to Modica and your next accommodation.

DAY 5 — Modica & Noto

In the morning visit of Modica. Here you will visit a city of architectural, artistic and scenic attractions. The tour will include a stop at the Antique Pastry shop, famous for its chocolate delicacy prepared in the same style of the Aztec people.The traditional flavors of Modica chocolate are vanilla, cinnamon, and hot chili pepper (peperoncino). We suggest to try some chocolate melted in a hot creamy chocolate with milk. It is simply delicious!In the afternoon with your driver/guide you will head toward Noto and stop in its old historic center, a place of extremely ancient origin and home to an incomparable array of typical Sicilian baroque architectures and ambiances. Drop off at your next accommodation in SIracusa.

DAY 6 — Siracusa

In the morning after breakfast you will meet your driver guide to start your HD tour of Siracusa Ortigia.Siracusa one of the great cities of Magna Graecia continues to display its historical and mythological roots of Ancient Greece. On the arrival you will be met by your local guide for a tour of the Archaeological wonders of this once powerful Hellenic town. You will see the ruins that testify to its former glory; the impressive Greek Theatre, the altar of Jerone and the temples of Appolo, Jupiter and Athena. Overnight in Siracusa.

DAY 7 — Catania - Mt. Etna - Taormina

Morning departure with your local guide/driver to Taormina, a full day of great sightseeing on the way to your next hotel. You will proceed to Catania, the second biggest town in Sicily, a true lively town with a Baroque-style charm. It is known as the “Black City” from the dark colour of the facades of the building made by the black lava stone. In Catania you will see its most important monuments and visit its colorful fish market. Continue to Mt. Etna where you will discover old craters, caves, and spectacular sceneries. Time at leisure for lunch in a typical farmhouse on the slopes of the volcano (lunch not included). Continue to Taormina and your next accommodations.

DAY 8 — Taormina

After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel you will enjoy a walk through the historical centre, visiting the Greek-Roman amphitheatre and enjoying the spectacular view of the Ionic Sea and Mt. Etna. Afternoon free at your leisure for shopping in the town.

DAY 9 — Departure

After breakfast and check out you will be transferred to the Catania Airport.

Accommodations

  • Palermo Hotel Garibaldi (or similar)
  • Mazara Hotel Mahara (or similar)
  • Modica Palazzo Failla (or similar)
  • Siracusa Hotel Des Etrangers (or similar)
  • Taormina Grand Hotel Miramare (or similar)

Sightseeing

  • Half day excursions with a local English speaking driver/guide
  • Palermo & Monreale
  • Erice
  • Segesta
  • Agrigento
  • Modica
  • Noto
  • Siracusa
  • Catania
  • Taormina

Transfers

  • All transfers are private from and to airports and rail stations with assistance
  • Private transfer from city to city as per itinerary with English speaking drivers

Meals

  • Breakfast at hotels daily

Services

  • Assistance from our Road to Italy office in Rome and local representative offices throughout Italy
  • Local emergency contact number daily

Does not include

  • Airfare
  • Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
  • Drinks during meals
  • Meals not mentioned
  • Excursions not mentioned
  • Entrance fees to archaeological sites and museums
  • Tips and extras of any personal nature

Highlights

Cities Visited:

  • Palermo
  • Erice
  • Mazara del Vallo
  • Agrigento
  • Modica
  • Noto
  • Siracusa
  • Catania
  • Mt. Etna
  • Taormina

Italy Vacation Packages

Private Tours

For a quote on this tour please contact us 1 800 848 8163

The price is customized based on final hotel choices, travel dates, and other custom preferences.