Colours of Sicily
9 Days Starting in Palermo and ending in Catania
Visiting: Palermo, Marsala, Agrigento, Modica, Syracuse, Taormina, Catania
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ISICZM19
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 54
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$2775
$2575 (USD)
Operator discount: -$200
Tour Overview
Embark on a vibrant journey through the heart of Sicily with our "Colours of Sicily" tour. This meticulously crafted adventure invites you to explore the rich tapestry of Sicilian culture, history, and landscapes. From the bustling streets of Palermo to the ancient ruins of the Valley of the Temples and the baroque beauty of Ragusa, each day unfolds with new discoveries. With a Local Specialist by your side, you'll delve into the unique stories of Syracuse, Taormina, and more, uncovering the secrets of Modica's famous chocolate and marveling at the architectural splendor of Monreale Norman Cathedral. Optional experiences offer a closer look at Mount Etna's majestic presence. Travel in comfort aboard a luxury air-conditioned coach, enjoying cherry-picked hotels and a selection of meals included, making your Sicilian escape as relaxing as it is enlightening.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Palermo
Location: Palermo
Accommodation Name: Hotel Garibaldi Palermo
Meals Included: Dinner
Start your Sicilian journey in Palermo, whose rich trading history has left its unforgettable mark on the city’s Italian, Arab and Norman-styled piazzas, street markets and churches. Enjoy some free time to relax before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception to kick-start your Sicilian adventure.
Day 2 : Explore The Capital Of Sicily
Location: Palermo
Accommodation: Garibaldi
Accommodation Name: Hotel Garibaldi Palermo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Head to Monreale on the slopes of Monte Caputo where a Local Specialist will guide you through one of the greatest examples of Norman architecture, the 12th-century Cattedrale di Monreale. This evening, why not join an Optional Experience to the beautiful fishing village of Sferracavallo, at the foot of Mount Capo Gallo? Here you’ll feast on Palermitano specialties, perfectly paired with delicious Sicilian wine.
Day 3 : Journey To Ancient Marsala
Location: Marsala
Accommodation: Seawater
Accommodation Name: Seawater Hotel Marsala
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leaving Palermo behind, we head to Erice, the hilltop 'Town of a Hundred Churches'. You’ll have some free time for lunch before continuing to Marsala, home to the nutty-flavoured wine which shares its name. Dive Into Culture along the way, stopping at the salt pans to visit the Infersa Mill to learn about the ancient 'culture of salt' and industry which has shaped this region. You’ll be thrilled with an evening at leisure in picture-perfect Marsala with its marble streets and expansive piazze filled with colourful restaurants.
Day 4: Onwards To Agrigento And Ragusa
Location: Agrigento
Accommodation: Poggio del Sole
Accommodation Name: Poggio del Sole Hotel Ragusa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today’s first stop is Agrigento where you’ll join a Local Specialist for a visit to the UNESCO-listed Valley of the Temples. You’ll explore one of the world’s most treasured centres of Greek art and architecture, including the seven sandstone Doric temples overlooking the city. There’s time for lunch before we head to Ragusa, a city with two very different souls – the lower and older Ragusa Ibla and higher Ragusa Superiore are separated dramatically by a deep ravine, the Valle dei Ponti.
Day 5 : Explore Beautiful Baroque Modica
Location: Modica
Accommodation: Poggio del Sole
Accommodation Name: Poggio del Sole Hotel Ragusa
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we pay a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Modica. Your Travel Director will show you the sights on an orientation of this Baroque beauty before we Dive Into Culture and learn the secrets of Modican chocolate. Later we return to Ragusa to learn about the rebuilding of the city following a 17th-century earthquake which destroyed most of it. Your Local Specialist will reveal how this devastating seismic event led to the development of an entirely new city on a nearby ridge, while some of its brave residents remained to rebuild what was lost. You’ll hear how it was only in the early 20th century that the two were eventually fused together. This evening is yours to enjoy at leisure, or perhaps consider joining an Optional Experience to a unique local farm restaurant.
Day 6: Off To Historic Syracuse
Location: Syracuse
Accommodation: Mercure
Accommodation Name: Mercure Siracusa Prometeo Syracuse
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Once a major Mediterranean power and the birthplace of Archimedes, the historic city of Syracuse takes centre stage this morning as you join your Local Specialist for in-depth insights into its colourful past. You'll see some of its treasures at the Archaeological Museum, then visit the island of Ortygia, the ancient heart of the city connected to the mainland by a stone bridge. Your afternoon is open to spend as you wish. This evening you’ll join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 7: Venture Past Mount Etna To Taormina
Location: Taormina
Accommodation: Caesar Palace Giardini Naxos
Accommodation Name: Caesar Palace Giardini Naxos
Meals Included: Breakfast
Continue up the coast to Catania, the city that lies in Mount Etna’s shadow. You’ll have some free time to explore on your own and perhaps sample arancini, a favourite Catania snack. Later join a Local Specialist to delve into the history and culture of the ancient town of Taormina. A particular highlight of this afternoon will be a visit to the beautifully preserved ruins of the Teatro di Taormina. Imagine masked actors performing against the backdrop of glorious sea views more than 2,500 years ago. You’ll have an evening on your own to spend as you wish or consider joining our Optional Experience evening enjoying Sicilian specialties.
Day 8: Taormina Free Day Connect With Locals
Location: Taormina
Accommodation: Caesar Palace Giardini Naxos
Accommodation Name: Caesar Palace Giardini Naxos
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Taormina is yours for the taking today. You could choose to visit the 10th century Palazzo Corvaja with its Islamic-style tower or explore the elegant boutiques along Corso Umberto. Work up an appetite and stop for some of the city's signature cannoli or cool down with a famous Sicilian granita, a half-frozen dessert served with a piping-hot brioche. Movie buffs will delight in an Optional Experience to Mount Etna and Savoca, the hilltop village of 'The Godfather'. Later this evening, learn the art of Sicilian cuisine on a charming Be My Guest experience.
Day 9: Farewell Sicily
Location: Catania
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your journey through Sicily has come to an end. All that's left is to say a fond farewell to new friends and take your airport transfer for your return journey home.
What's Included
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Expert Travel Director and Professional Driver
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver to guide you through your journey.
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Cherry-Picked Hotels
Stay in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted for a comfortable stay.
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Porterage and Restaurant Gratuities
All porterage and restaurant gratuities are taken care of.
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Meals
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals included.
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Hotel Tips, Charges, and Local Taxes
All hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are included.
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Must-See Sightseeing and Surprise Extras
Enjoy must-see sightseeing and surprise extras throughout your journey.
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Audio Headsets
Audio headsets provided for flexible sightseeing.
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Luxury Air-Conditioned Coach
Travel in comfort with a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys).
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Optional Experiences and Free Time
Enjoy optional experiences and free time to explore at your own pace.
What's Not Included
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International airfare
International airfare is not included.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included but recommended.
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Optional experiences
Optional experiences and excursions are available at an additional cost.
Mode of Transport
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Accommodation
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Check out our Q&As
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What are the inclusions of the Colours of Sicily tour?
The inclusions of the Colours of Sicily tour are an expert Travel Director and professional Driver, cherry-picked hotels, all porterage and restaurant gratuities, meals as specified, all hotel tips, charges, and local taxes, must-see sightseeing and surprise extras, audio headsets for flexible sightseeing, luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi, and optional experiences and free time.
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What type of transportation is provided on the Colours of Sicily tour?
The Colours of Sicily tour provides luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys).
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What type of accommodation is included in the Colours of Sicily tour?
The Colours of Sicily tour includes cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted for a comfortable stay.
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Are meals included in the Colours of Sicily tour?
Yes, breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals are included in the Colours of Sicily tour.
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What countries are visited in the Colours of Sicily tour?
The Colours of Sicily tour visits Italy.
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What are the highlights of the Colours of Sicily tour?
The highlights of the Colours of Sicily tour include exploring Palermo, Monreale, Valley of the Temples, Ragusa, Syracuse, and Taormina with a Local Specialist, discovering Modica and Catania, visiting Monreale Norman Cathedral, Erice, Infersa Mill in Marsala, Valley of the Temples, the Syracuse Archaeological Museum, Ortygia, and the Greek Theatre in Taormina, and the option to view Mount Etna.
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What is not included in the Colours of Sicily tour?
International airfare, travel insurance, and optional experiences and excursions are not included in the Colours of Sicily tour but are recommended.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
Saturday - Sunday
Jun 08, 2024 - Jun 16, 2024Saturday - Sunday
Jun 22, 2024 - Jun 30, 2024Saturday - Sunday
Jul 06, 2024 - Jul 14, 2024Saturday - Sunday
Aug 03, 2024 - Aug 11, 2024Saturday - Sunday
Aug 17, 2024 - Aug 25, 2024Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions