sicily historical tour

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Classical History and Archaeological Tours

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Tour introduction.

Nowhere is the classical past more alive than on the beautiful island of Sicily. This wide-ranging archaeological tour, in the company of historian and author Harry Sidebottom, will take us through a millennium of history from the early Greek colony of Naxos (734BC) to the late Roman villa of Piazza Armerina (c.AD320), with its world-famous mosaics. On the way we will explore the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento, the archaeological park and museum at Syracuse and the theatre at Taormina, with its breath-taking views of Mount Etna.

As Plato said, “Sicilians build things like they will live forever and eat like they will die tomorrow” which means that much of our tour requires a certain agility as we explore extensive remains often on our feet for a few hours at a time and an appetite to do justice to the local cuisine. But there will be plenty of time for recuperation as we listen to a series of in-situ talks which put each site in to its historical context.

Sicilians call their island the House of the Sun. Throughout history its climate and fertile agriculture, combined with its strategic location, have drawn every major power in the Mediterranean to the island. The Greeks began their colonisation in the 8th Century BC. The wealthy and cultured cities they founded fought endlessly against each other, and against the Carthaginians who had settled in the west. The Romans arrived in the 3rd Century BC. Having vanquished the Carthaginians in the Punic Wars, Sicily became the first overseas province of the Roman empire. In the 2nd Century BC, the use of slave labour on great landed estates led to two revolts, each as cataclysmic as the more famous uprising of Spartacus. The riches of the island were a temptation to its Roman governors. Cicero, in his Verrine Orations, castigates the corruption and crimes of the most notorious. Under the rule of the emperors, Sicily settled down to become one of the wealthiest and most peaceful provinces of the Roman empire. Every step of the history of the island has left evocative archaeology for us to explore.

• Spend a full day at Agrigento, exploring the magnificent Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World heritage site
• Visit the Temple of Victory at Himera
• Explore the Island of Ortigia
• Explore Selinunte Archaeological Park
• Visit the site of Segesta
• Explore Piazza Armerina, which contains the largest series of Roman mosaics still in situ
• Visit the Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi
• Explore the mysterious catacombs of Latomia del Paradiso
• Explore the Archaeological site of Naxos

What's Included

• Return flights from London (optional)
• 4 Star Hotels
• Buffet breakfast each morning
• A three-course dinner party on 6 evenings hosted by your expert historian and tour manager
• Two drinks i,e wine or beer at each dinner and a welcome drink on first evening
• Dedicated Tour Manager
• Entrance fees for sites included in itinerary
• Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned coach
• Tour information booklet
• Access to the Cultural Experience app
• Helpful and friendly travel advice
• The company of like-minded travelers

Day 1: Depart Fly London to Palermo. Drive to Marsala and check-in to our hotel for three nights.

Day 2: Selinunte We visit Selinus (Selinunte), the most westerly of the Greek colonies where we spend the entire day exploring its Archaeological Park, one of the most expansive and incredible archaeological sites in the Mediterranean.

Day 3: Segesta and Marsala An early morning departure to the site of Segesta, one of the most important cities of the Elymians, an indigenous group of Sicily. Next, to Erice, where we make a generous stop for lunch to explore Erice (ancient Eryx) and enjoy magnificent views over Trapani. We finish the day at Marsala, where we visit the Regional Archaeological Museum Baglio Anselmi with its Punic Warship and archaeological remains which relate the tale of the Carthaginian stronghold of Lilybaeum.

Day 4: Agrigento We spend a full day at Agrigento, exploring the magnificent Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World heritage site which is known for its unspoiled Doric temples dedicated to Greek divinities. This site has served as inspiration for many artists, poets and philosophers throughout history. We visit the Temple of Hercules or Heracles, the oldest Doric temple in Agrigento, from which Cicero claims the governor Verres attempted to steal the cult statue of the god.

Day 5: Piazza Armerina (Villa Romana del Casale) and Morgantina An early start to the Piazza Armerina, a 4th Century AD villa, perhaps a hunting lodge of one of the emperors, which contains the largest series of Roman mosaics still in situ. We explore Morgantina, an ancient Greek city which was occupied from the Bronze Age onwards. Thence to Syracuse, where we check-in to our hotel for two nights.

Day 6: Ortigia Explore the Island of Ortigia, the historical centre of Syracuse where we find the Greek temples of Apollo and Athena. We visit the Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi, one of the principal archaeological museums of Europe and the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis with its Greek theatre, the mysterious catacombs of Latomia del Paradiso and the imposing Orecchio di Dionisios. Dinner is not included this evening and you are free to find your own restaurant. There is also the option to dine with your tour manager and historian at your own expense.

Day 7: Taormina We spend the morning at the Archaeological site of Naxos, the earliest Greek colony on the island, and its museum which houses finds from the ongoing excavations. Thence to Taormina to visit the Teatro Antico which dates from the 3rd Century BC, the “small theatre” or Roman Odeon and the Naumachia di Taormina, a Roman wall with 18 niches dating from the 1st Century BC.

Day 8: Giardini Naxos and Return Drive to Catania Airport for our return flight to London.

Recommended Reading List

• Sicily: A Short History from the Ancient Greeks to the Cosa Nostra
• The Archaeology of Ancient Sicily

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Escorted tour

Discover the rich culture, beautiful landscapes and intriguing archaeology of sicily.

Sicily is home to a mix of ancient Greek and Roman ruins and intricately carved Baroque palazzos and restaurants that showcase Italian food at its finest, serving up fresh Seafood from the Mediterranean Sea.

This Sicilian adventure begins with a tour of the Greek ruins of the Valley of the Temples, one of the world's greatest archaeological sites, which includes the near-perfectly preserved Temple of Concordia.

You'll journey through the wild landscapes of Sicily's north coast, as you head to Palermo, where you'll see the Palatine Chapel, the royal chapel of the Norman kings and the gold leaf mosaics of Monreale.

Also on the itinerary are Siracusa, with its elegant limestone buildings, and Taormina, which towers 250 metres above the coastline.

Last but not least is a visit to Europe's highest volcano, the spectacular Mount Etna, which dominates the eastern side of the island, offering unforgettable views across the surrounding landscapes.

Reasons to book

Valley of the Temples

Carefully selected hotels

Ancient Palermo

Monreale Cathedral

Price includes

• Seven nights' accommodation
• Daily breakfast, dinner and one light lunch at a rural restaurant
• Guided tour of Agrigento's ancient Greek ruins in the Valley of the Temples
• Visit Palermo, Taormina and Siracusa
• Guided tour of Piazza Armerina's Roman villa
• Enjoy authentic Sicilian food at a farmhouse
• Visit Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe
• Guided tour of Monreale Cathedral
• Entrances to Valley of the Temples Villa, Piazza Armerina and Monreale
• All local taxes and transfers
• Tour Manager
• Return flights and transfers

Availability

* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability and based on 3 April 2024 departure date and flights from Manchester airport. Various departure dates are available, please call for details . Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement on request. Deposit required. Not suitable for those with mobility issues. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd and Rivera Tours Limited.

Today, you'll arrive at the airport to take your flight to Catania. On arrival, a coach will meet you to take you to your hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel this morning, you'll visit one of the wonders of the ancient world, the incredible Greek ruins in the Valley of the Temples.

The most famous of these impressive temples is Concordia, similar in design to the Parthenon in Athens, which is almost perfectly preserved, with just the roof missing. Marvel at the wonderful tapering columns with their beautiful light golden colour.

You'll enjoy a guided tour of the site, and may also have time to visit the excellent museum, where you'll see finds from within the temples and surrounding area, including a unique collection of vases.

You'll also visit Agrigento itself and see its medieval architecture, with narrow, stepped streets and quiet shady piazzas overlooking the blue Mediterranean, before returning to your hotel.

You'll head to the north coast of Sicily today, soaking in some wonderful scenery along the way.

Your first stop is the magnificent Benedictine Abbey at Monreale, founded in the 12th century. Still used today, it boasts outstanding medieval mosaics covering almost the entire interior, depicting stories from the Old Testament. If you can manage the steps to the roof, you'll enjoy a superb panoramic view of Palermo below, the surrounding countryside and the sea beyond.

Later in the afternoon, you'll visit Sicily's capital, Palermo, which was once one of the most important cities in Europe, famous for the wealth of its court and as a great centre of learning. Today it has more of a 17th century appearance and during your visit, you'll pass the Norman Palace, an elegant former royal residence, now the seat of the regional government and see the Cathedral dating from the 10th century.

This morning you'll leave Agrigento and take a drive to the small town of Piazza Armerina, where one of the most amazing archaeological discoveries of the last century was made. You'll enjoy a guided tour of the 4th-century Roman villa, possibly owned by one of the joint Emperors, which explains its size and richness of decoration.

Buried for centuries, you can still see the remains of pastel-coloured frescoes on the walls, but the mosaics, showing animals and hunting scenes, are simply the finest we have from Roman antiquity. This palatial building, complete with its baths, illustrates with great clarity the evident high standard of living of the Roman elite.

Today your lunch will be at a traditional 'Agritourism', a rural house serving farm-to-table produce.

After your visit, you'll continue your journey to Taormina. This is one of the most beautiful towns on the island towering 250 metres above the sweeping coastline below, where you'll stay in your choice of hotel for four nights with breakfast and dinner.

Today you'll have a free day to spend as you wish in Taormina. Perhaps take the chance to relax at your hotel, making the most of the facilities, or walk into the town and wander through pretty alleyways lined with boutiques until you reach Palazzo Corvaja, a historic building that houses the Museum of Taormina Arts and Traditions.

Today you'll take a drive to Siracusa, once one of the richest cities in the ancient world, even rivalling Athens. Its most famous resident was Archimedes, who discovered the principle of displacement whilst in the bath, before running through the streets naked, exclaiming "Eureka" (I've found it!)

Today the city is one of Sicily's most attractive, with a wonderful collection of limestone buildings, dating mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries. There's an extraordinary Baroque Cathedral which houses an ancient temple, with a lovely interior, as well as the Bosco Palace, a grand urban palace in the heart of Syracuse's Ortigia island.

You'll be free to explore the old town of Ortigia; actually, which is connected to the mainland by three bridges. There's a chance to take a boat trip around the bay before returning to the hotel.

Today you'll see Europe's highest volcano, Etna, with a morning drive as near to the snow-capped summit as possible.

Ascending the winding road, the landscape becomes increasingly barren, with razor sharp black rocks in contorted formations, and some areas devoid of almost all vegetation.

As you approach the cable car station you can enjoy extensive views over the whole area. Subject to certain regulations you will have the opportunity to take the cable car, jeep and guide to explore even higher levels.

Today a coach will take you back to the airport to catch your return flight home as your Sicilian adventure draws to an end.

Brought to you by

Established 35 years ago, Riviera Travel offers exceptional experiences at outstanding value for money. They were the highest-rated cruise operator in a 2017 survey by Which? magazine. Riviera is ABTA and ATOL-bonded. TS Tours Ltd specialises in creating bespoke tours, cruises and rail journeys in the company of experts. Its exclusive trips combine unique experiences as well as access to inspirational people. All trips are ATOL-protected and financially bonded.

For information about TS Tours, click here. For Riviera Travel's terms and conditions, see here .

To view TS Tours as agent for Riviera Travel’s supplier’s terms and conditions click here .

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Sicily Tour: Art & Archaeology

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• October 4 - 18, 2024
• $10,995.00 + air
• Single Supplement: $2095.00

Our Archaeology Tour of Sicily: Experience UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Including Agrigento, The Villa Romana Del Casale, The Late Baroque Towns of the Val Di Noto, Syracuse, and Majestic Mt. Etna

Looking for the ultimate art vacation in Italy? Embark on a captivating and educational tour with Far Horizons as we present our uniquely curated trip focused on Sicily’s art and archaeology. This immersive 15-day tour around Sicily, one of the crown jewels of Italy, promises to be a magnificent voyage through ancient history. Sicily’s diverse landscape is dotted with grand monuments – a testament to the waves of conquering armies that once claimed this strategic island as their launching pad for imperial aspirations.

From Phoenicians to Greeks, Romans to Spaniards, Arabs to Crusaders, and the U.S. forces in World War II, each left their indelible marks. This Sicily tour includes exploration of the island’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, the Villa Romana del Casale, and five enchanting Late Baroque towns of the Val di Noto: Catania, Caltagirone, Modica, Ragusa, and Noto. We will also visit historical Syracuse and the majestic Mt. Etna.

Don’t Miss Our Archaeology Tours in Sicily…

Traveling in a small, intimate group, you will wander down cobblestone streets, each turn revealing a new slice of Sicilian life. Delight in traditional Sicilian cuisine in charming, authentic restaurants and trattorias that serve dishes steeped in centuries of tradition. This is a Sicily educational tour packed with local delights and cultural gems.

Our educational tour of Sicily also showcases the artistic side of Italy, making it perfect for those interested in art vacations in Italy. Experience the stunning Greek temples at Segesta and Selinunte and the impressive Greek and Roman Amphitheaters in Syracuse and Taormina. Marvel at the magnificent Norman Cathedrals in Cefalù, Palermo, and Monreale, offering a peek into the island’s religious history. 

Embrace the rich, layered history of Sicily and experience the blend of cultures that shaped its unique identity.

(If you want to continue your adventures in Italian history with another tour, you may also be interested in our tours of Tuscany & Umbria or our exploration of Etruscan Italy .)

Sicily Tour Led by:

Dr Thomas F. X. Noble

University of Notre Dame Medieval and Roman History

Why Take this Art Tour of Sicily?

• Led by Professor Thomas F. X. Noble, lecturer for The Great Courses
• Private tour of Selinunte by the director of the archaeological project
• Private visit to puppeteer workshop
• See seven of Sicily’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites Agrigento, Opera di Pupi (Sicilian Puppet theatre), Norman Palermo, Villa Romana del Casale, Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto, Syracuse, Mount Etna
• Maximum 14 participants

Itinerary for Your History Tour in Sicily

Day 1 travel to italy.

Departure on a flight bound for Italy.

Day 2 Arrive Catania, Sicily, with City Tour

Arrive in Catania, Sicily’s second largest city and one of the UNESCO World Heritage late Baroque towns. Taste some of the city’s amazing street food as we enjoy an afternoon tour of the city. Overnight in Catania for one night. (L/D)

Day 3 Cefalù, Palermo

Begin today with a drive to Cefalù, captured in the Oscar-winning film Cinema Paradiso and a part of the UNESCO Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches. The Town’s Duomo, or Cathedral, is an incredible structure that was begun in 1131 and built in the Arab-Norman style. It is dedicated to the Redeemer which is reflected in the giant mosaic of Christ Pantocrator in the great cupola. Explore the cathedral’s cloister and admire the Byzantine motifs of the capitals that adorn the paired columns.

In the afternoon, travel to Palermo and visit the recently excavated Punic Necropolis which dates back to the 7th century. Overnight for two nights in the luxurious Grand Hotel et Des Palmes, located in the heart of the city. (B/L/D)

Day 4 Palermo, Opera di Pupi

Once the Norman capital of Sicily, Palermo is an amazing architectural testament to the island’s multicultural heritage and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start at the fascinating Palazzo dei Normanni, the royal palace built in the 12th century for the Norman King Roger II. Within the complex see Phoenician ruins and the Cappella Palatina, the royal chapel. Adorned with impressive glittering Norman-Byzantine mosaics and capped with a 10th-century Arab honeycomb stalactite ceiling, the chapel is one of the finest examples of Arab-Norman art in Palermo.

Continue on to the church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio, ‘Saint Mary of the Admiral’, named after its founder George of Antioch, the admiral of King Roger. More commonly known as La Martorana, this Romanesque structure dates back to 1143. The extraordinary Norman-Byzantine mosaics that cover the interior include a depiction of King Roger II being crowned by Christ.

Nearby, we view the small Chiesa di San Cataldo, the exterior of which features Saracen-style red domes. Stop in a workshop to learn about puppeteers and how puppets are created. In the evening, enjoy an optional traditional Sicilian puppet show, listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. (B/L) 

Day 5 Monreale, Segesta

A short drive this morning takes us to Monreale, another part of the UNESCO Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches. The Cattedrale di Santa Maria Nuova was begun in 1174 by order of King William II and was intended to outshine the Cappella Palatina which was built by his grandfather. The interior of this building is spectacularly decorated floor to ceiling with shimmering Byzantine gold mosaics. Towering over the apse is an imposing depiction of Christ Pantocrator in blue robes with his hand blessing the people below.

In the afternoon, move on to Segesta, one of the three major cities of the indigenous Elymi people. The city contains two of the best-preserved Classical monuments on Sicily and they bear testimony of Segesta’s one-time prosperity – a 5th century BC Doric temple and a theater from the 3rd-2nd century BC with a magnificent view over the landscape towards the nearby Gulf of Castellamare.

Continue on to Marsala where we spend two nights. (B/L/D)

Day 6 Erice, Mozia

The origins of the lovely town of Erice are steeped in myth as its foundation is associated with the Greek hero Eryx. Perched on an enormous rock that rises steeply from the sea, it is one of the last vestiges of medieval Sicily. Surrounded by a pine forest, protected from the world by imposing ramparts and city walls, and shadowed by an impressive castle, it is without a double the island’s most picturesque town.

We will walk the narrow, cobbled streets to view the Norman Castello del Venere, built on the remains of a temple to Venus. Also see the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista with its 12th century portal and valuable works of sacred art. Conclude the city visit at the Gothic Chiesa Matrice with its outstanding rose window.

In the afternoon, we travel by ferry through the area’s salt pans to the small island of Mozia and the Whitaker Museum which houses an impressive collection of Phoenician artifacts. In the evening return to Erice with dinner on our own. (B/L)

Day 7 Mazara, Private tour of Selinunte

Drive to the charming fishing village of Mazara del Vallo and the former church of Saint Egidio. Here we will view the Hellenistic bronze statue of the Satiro Danzante, the Dancing Satyr, found in the sea in 1997 by local fishermen. Greater than life-size, the stunning 2,500 year old sculpture represents Silenus, a companion and tutor to the wine god Dionysus.

Continue to ancient Selinunte, named for the wild celery that still grows on the surrounding fertile plain. This was the wealthiest of Sicily’s Greek colonies and it is not only impressive for the acropolis and numerous temples but also for its long history of conflict between the Greek cities of the era. Here, we will meet with the archaeological staff for a private viewing of the ongoing excavations.

Drive to Favara, a town near Agrigento that has been transformed the historic center into a contemporary art complex. Overnight for one night in the charming 4-star Alba Palace. (B/L/D)

Day 8 Agrigento, Piazza Armenia

Begin this morning in Agrigento, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The magnificent Valley of the Temples was founded by Greek colonists from Gela and went on to become one of the major cities of Magna Graecia. This archaeological complex contains some of the largest and most well-preserved ancient Greek constructions found outside of Greece.

In the afternoon, visit the nearby Regional Archaeological Museum before continuing on to Piazza Armerina to visit the Villa Romana del Casale, another UNESCO World Heritage site. After nearly 1,000 years of use, this Roman luxury villa was destroyed by flood in the 12th century. The mud preserved the superb mosaic floors throughout the villa which have been carefully restored, see mythical figures, hunting scenes, and the famous ’Bikini Girls’.

Overnight for one night in the Agriturismo Gigliotto a traditional farm house inside a 15th century monastery in Piazza Armerina. (B/L/D)

Day 9 Villa Romana del Casale, Morgantina and Aidone Museum Caltagirone

Our first stop today is Morgantina, a site that has been inhabited during several periods from the late Bronze Age to the Roman Republic, and the Aidone Museum that houses the finds from the various excavations, including the renowned Venus statue and Morgantina silver.

Continue on to Caltagirone, renowned for over 1,000 years for its production of vibrantly colored ceramics. Prehistoric earthenware has been found in the surrounding hills, the local potters were world famous during the Middle Ages, and today the tradition is still maintained. Here, walk up the dazzling Santa Maria del Monte Stairway, built in 1608, where each of the 142 steps is decorated with Maiolica tiles.

Our final stop is Ragusa, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto, where we will spend two nights. (B/L/D)

Day 10 Modica, Ragusa

We depart this morning for Modica, another UNESCO World Heritage Late Baroque Town, and enjoy a visit to the small Franco Libero Belgiorno Museum which has a unique collection of local Greek artifacts. Move on to the Duomo di San Giorgio which impresses with its glistening splendor. The nearby Duomo di San Pietro was constructed in the early 12th century. Later restored, the structure boasts a façade crowned by a typical Sicilian Baroque bell tower.

In the afternoon we return to explore Ragusa which has two distinct sections, the lower and older town of Ragusa Ibla, and the higher and newer Ragusa Superiore. Dinner is on our own to savor one of Ragusa’s fine restaurants. (B/L)

Day 11 Noto, Transfer to Syracuse

Today takes us into Noto, the heart of Sicily’s Baroque. Devastated by the 1693 earthquake, the towns of Val di Noto rose from the ashes and were rebuilt in the 18thcentury with splendid monuments, churches and distinguished palaces in the Baroque style. This southeastern region of Sicily is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The central Cattedrale di San Nicolò which was completed in 1776 has unique Neo-Classical elements woven into its design.

In the afternoon, we continue on to Palazzolo Acrèide and visit the hilltop Greek Theater that is part of the settlement of Akrai.

Next, we stop at the Castello Eurialo, the Castle of Euryalus, constructed in 402 BC by Dionysius I as protection against the Carthaginians. Today, it is the finest surviving example of Greek military architecture.

Depart for Syracuse and overnight for two nights on Ortygia, a small island which is the historical center of the city of Syracuse. (B/L/D)

Day 12 Syracuse, Gozzo boat tour of Syracuse Bay

The most important Greek city outside of Athens and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Syracuse was first colonized by the Corinthians in the 8th century BC. Our explorations begin in the Neapolis Archaeological Park where we see the great Altar of Hieron built for the public celebration of animal sacrifices; the Greek Theater, one of the largest in the Greek world and still in use today; and a stunning 2nd century Roman amphitheater. Walk through the latomie, great stone quarries that provided the building materials for the Greek city and later served as a prison for the defeated and enslaved Athenians. At one end lies the Orecchio di Dionisio, the Ear of Dionysius, a cave with an ear-shaped entrance and unusual acoustics. Legend says that Dionysius listened at the top of the quarry to hear what the slaves were plotting below.

Continue to the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum where Sicily’s long history can be seen in the artifacts excavated from beneath the city.

After a private boat ride on Siracusa Bay, this evening dinner is on our own. (B/L)

Day 13 Ortigia, Transfer to Taormina

The oldest sector of Syracuse is on the island of Ortygia. The island’s long history is still visible in many buildings, particularly the Temple of Apollo which dates to the 6thcentury BC.

Leave Ortygia for the nearby 4th-century Catacombs of San Giovanni Evangelista and marvel at the frescoes decorating the cavern walls above the ancient crypts.

Drive on to Taormina to enjoy the evening at our own pace. Overnight for two nights in a hotel overlooking the sea in Taormina. (B/L)

Day 14 Taormina, Mount Etna

Start with a walking tour of Taormina, where we will wander the streets from the Piazza del Duomo, the heart of the town. We will climb to the Roman amphitheater, the second largest ancient theater in Sicily with its magnificent view of the sea and Mt. Etna. A short drive takes us to Mt. Etna, the still smoking volcano towering over the surrounding landscape, its snow capped peak visible for many miles.

After lunch at a local winery we wind through the fantastic landscapes of rugged lava rivers marking the flanks of the volcano. Enjoy some free time to explore the meandering streets of this charming town to search for last-minute gifts to take home before joining the rest of the group for a farewell dinner at one of the city’s fine restaurants. (B/L/D)

Day 15 Depart Italy

Transfer to the airport for our return flights home. (B)

Tour Information

Tour cost & inclusions.

Price is based on double occupancy and includes:

• Internal flights during the trip (if applicable)
• The accompaniment of your scholar throughout the entire trip
• Local English-speaking guide
• Hotel accommodations (3 or 4 stars; or best available based in the area)
• Ground transportation
• Airport transfers for arrivals and departures
• Most meals as noted in the itinerary
• Entry fees to all included sites and museums
• Gratuities to guides, drivers, and restaurant and hotel staff
• Coordination for any private presentations or tours

Trip prices are based on a minimum number of participants. If this minimum number is not met, trip prices are subject to change. Should the prices need to change, Far Horizons will reach out to registered guests to discuss directly.

Single Supplement

Should a roommate be requested and one not be available, the single supplement must be charged.

• International round trip airfare
• A separate donation check of $150.00 per person to a designated donation project
• Passport or visa fees
• Required vaccines or tests
• Airport or departure taxes
• Alcoholic drinks, beverages or food not included on set menus
• Excess baggage charges
• Personal tips and hotel incidental expenses
• Laundry or other items of a personal nature

Donation Checks

As a tour company that benefits from the cultural and natural riches of our destinations, we have a policy of donating to the scientific and cultural sites and projects which we visit. This has created a bond between Far Horizons and the academic and local communities that has helped us establish an extensive list of lecturers and contacts in each of our destinations. We ask that each participant donate to the noteworthy project we designate. The donation amount is $150.00 per person. Note that the donation is required as part of your registration for the trip and that it is non-refundable.

Exchange Rate Fluctuations

Prices are based on currency exchange rates keeping below a projected level. While it is unlikely, if the exchange rates should change substantially, Far Horizons reserves the right to charge an additional amount to the trip cost.

Registration

A deposit of $1000 per person is required along with your registration & health forms, which will be linked in the email confirmation you receive once you pay your deposit on our booking platform. Final payment is due 120 days before departure. Prior to departure, you will be sent a reading list and a tour bulletin containing travel information.

Cancellation

Cancellations received in writing at least 120 days before departure will receive a refund less a $500 per person administrative fee. Cancellations received less than 120 days before the departure date will not receive a refund. If for any reason you are unable to complete the trip, Far Horizons will not reimburse any fees. Upon registering for the tour, the purchase of travel protection with both trip cancellation and emergency evacuation is strongly advised. Links to recommended insurance policies will be included in the email you receive confirming receipt of your deposit.

Air Ticketing

International round trip flights are not included in the cost of the trip. If Far Horizons must change the trip dates or cancel the trip for any reason, Far Horizons is not responsible for any air ticket you may have purchased. Please send your complete air schedule as soon as you have it. NOTE: Please contact Far Horizons if you would like for us to handle your air ticketing.

Private Tours and Talks

The private tours of archaeological sites and talks by specialists are scheduled in advance and include a donation to each. Specialists working at these sites are excited about showing their work to interested enthusiasts. However, please be aware that there may be times when the director or a member of the staff may not be on site when our groups arrive due to other commitments.

Walking and Standing

Far Horizons expects all participants to be physically active and able to walk and climb independently throughout the full touring days. This includes walking over uneven terrain (uphill and downhill) for 2 miles or more at each site. You should expect to be on your feet for much of each day, averaging as much as 5 miles of walking per day. As such, each participant should be able to walk unaided at a pace of 3 miles per hour for at least an hour at a time, and to stand unsupported for at least 60 minutes. Bearing this in mind, we suggest that, if you have not already done so, you begin walking several miles every day, ideally including stairs and hills. If you have questions about your ability to keep up with the group or the strenuous nature of this trip, please contact the Far Horizons staff.

Travel in This Part of the World

This tour is designed for flexible, energetic people who like to be active, have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. We have designed this trip to be as comfortable as possible, while also aiming to visit some remote or unique sites that other companies do not attempt to include in their itineraries. There may be days where we have very long drives and the conditions of the roads may vary. Hotels and transportation in some remote areas may not be up to western standards. There may be times when no bellhops are available; please pack with the understanding that you need to be able to handle your own luggage at times. At times we may be walking over uneven trails for a mile or more; hiking boots are strongly recommended. Not every meal will not be haute cuisine and several lunches may be picnics or box lunches. By maintaining a flexible attitude we will soon be captivated by the beauty of the natural scenery, the hospitality of the local people, and the fascinating sites we will see. Your flexibility and patience will be appreciated.

Itinerary Changes

Changes in our itinerary, accommodations, and transportation schedules may occur. While we are committed to keeping as close to the published details as possible, sometimes it is simply not possible. Weather events, government affairs, or other factors out of our control sometimes come into play. A good book to read as well as patience, flexible attitude, and a sense of humor are essential.

Travel Insurance

Note about hiking.

The group will be walking into and around sites extensively. Please remember that many of the sites are on mountain tops and to reach them means climbing. Be prepared!.

Tour of Sicily Map

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• 6 Must See Historical Sites...

Must-See Historical Sights in Sicily, Italy

Sicily is so full of historic sites that you could spend a lifetime on the island and probably still not see them all. From Unesco Heritage sites like Greek temples and Roman mosaics to Arab-Norman churches, we have narrowed down the must-see historic sites for you.

Want to enjoy Sicily’s historical sights? Book TRIPS by Culture Trip’s 10-day adventure to enjoy a walking tour of Palermo, learn about the town of Taormina and stay in a boutique hotel just five minutes from the ancient temple of Apollo.

1. Palermo Cathedral

Cathedral, Church

2. Villa Romana del Casale

4. Tempio di Segesta

Historical Landmark

5. Greek Theatre in Taormina

Cathedral, Theater

6. Falcone–Borsellino Airport

Architectural Landmark

If you want to understand modern Sicilian and Italian history, you need to know the names Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino. Both men were anti-mafia judges, who worked their entire careers fighting the stronghold of organised crime. They were killed within weeks of each other in separate bombings, during the summer of 1992. The Palermo airport is named for them, and you should seek out the memorial plaque by sculptor Tommaso Geraci outside the departure hall. You will find schools, public buildings and piazzas bearing the name of these brave men all over Sicily.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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Sicily Archaeology Tours & Cruises

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Italy, Montenegro & Croatia

• Ride in a gondola in Venice
• Visit the town of Rovinj
• Call in at Kotor, Montenegro
• Join an optional tour to Pompeii
• Explore the Sistine Chapel
• Snorkel at Palmarola
• Visit the medieval city of Kotor
• Cruise through Venice's canals

Mediterranean Gems: From Dubrovnik to Naples

• Explore Gerace
• Tour the Amalfi Coast
• Visit Pompeii
• Explore Dubrovnik

Amalfi & Sicily

• Gaze upon the Sistine Chapel
• Visit a snorkeling heaven Palmarola
• Join Pompeii's historical excursion
• Wander through the grand Duomo

Treasures of Sicily

• Visit the Island of Sicily
• Discover the Valley of the Temples
• Visit Taormina's ancient ruins
• See the Mount Etna in Sicily
• Explore the coastal town of Cefalu
• Visit Syracuse's Archeological Park
• Discover the Zingaro Nature Reserve

A Circumnavigation of Sicily with Smithsonian Journeys

• Take a loop around Sicily
• Discover Sicily's beautiful cities
• Visit Syracuse
• Explore Palermo

Aeolian Archipelago

• Discover Lipari and Salina
• Visit a local winery
• Enjoy a scenic hike in Vulcano
• Swim in Cala Junco nature reserve
• Take a walking tour in Stromboli
• Relax on the beaches of Salina
• Visit historical Pompeii

Sicily & Greece

• Ride a donkey on Hydra
• Visit Sicily's archaeological sites
• Explore historic Pilos
• Discover Gozo, a diving destination

Mediterranean Island Voyage: Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba – with Smithsonian Journeys

• Discover Mediterranean islands
• Experience ancient ruins
• Admire Byzantine-Arab mosaics
• Explore medieval towns
• Discover local cuisine

Back to Summer On The Azure Adriatic

• Explore the charm of Rovinj
• Journey through streets in Korcula
• Witness Lecce's Baroque charm
• Experience Roman-Venetian fusion

Ancient Jewels of the Mediterranean

• Meet a famous puppeteer in Syracuse
• Immerse in Southern Italy
• Wander through the ancient streets

Fiery Sicily and Charming Adriatic Sea

• Marvel at volcanic soil in Catania
• Explore Sicily's poetic masterpiece
• Learn about Europe's Mount Etna
• Step into Bari's historic old town

From the City of Gods to the Eternal City

• Explore the Mediterranean
• Explore notable stops
• Explore southern Aegean Sea
• Explore Civitavecchia

Islands and cities of the Mediterranean

• Sail from Greece to Malta
• Explore the city of Valletta
• Discover Hydra
• Visit the island of Kythira

The artistic Adriatic and the Pinault Collection - Palazzo Grassi

• Explore Valletta
• Experience Syracuse
• Discover Otrante
• Admire Dubrovnik

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• Explore Lecce
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Sicily Tours & Trips

From delicious ricotta-filled cannoli's in Palermo to adrenaline rush adventures up to Mount Etna in Catania, Sicily has something to suit all types of travelers. Whether you are a foodie, an adventurer or a history-lover, a tour through Sicily can help you discover the island's hidden treasures.

227 Sicily tour packages with 1,359 reviews

• In-depth Cultural
• Food & Culinary
• Hiking & Trekking

Small Group Tour of Sicily: Highlights (Maximum 8 Guests)

Great communication from beginning to end! We were provided the tour exactly how it was offered with knowledgeable guides and drivers. The hotels and meals were outstanding!

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Small Group Sicily Food & Wine Tour (Maximum 8 Guests)

Well organized tour with plenty of down time to stroll and explore the towns. Graziana was wonderful in letting us know the scheduled events/times. The guides were very knowledgeable and enjoyable. Highly recommend this company. Loved Sicily!

New Tour of Sicily from Palermo 10 Days

Went everywhere and most of the included meals were great.

• Coach / Bus

Splendor of Sicily 8 Days Tour - from Catania

This was our 6th bus tour but first for Tourradar. It was excellent because good standard of hotel, which were also centrally located. Was given adequate free time so we were not always rushing. Day start time were good. Included breakfast dinner and some lunch all good Sicily plenty to see wonderful place BUT difficult for group with 3 languages so info was rushed and difficult to follow Plus Tour leader treated up as sheep do not ask why but just follow me and accept. Prefer to be given option eg follow me how long how far and why . Also tourradar excellent response time to questions. Roberto & Debbie

Sicilian Secrets - Tour of Sicily 10 days from Palermo 2024

Placido (guide) and Angelo (driver) did a wonderful job for the duration of my tour! Placido is very knowledgeable and has a wonderful sense of humour. Angelo our driver was a patient and very experienced. A wonderful way to see the best Sicily has to offer I highly recommend!!

Explore Southern Sicily

I have been traveling for the past 50 years and have visited many countries, I had never taken a tour before my travel mates and I took the the Southern Sicily tour. We chose GAdventures for this trip because the tour group was small, and because the tour visited so many of the major sites in Sicily. We were extremely lucky to have Luca as our tour leader. He was a wealth of information, and his love for Sicily was contagious. Luca took the time to get to know everyone in our small group and that added a personal touch to the tour. I recommend GAdventures tours without hesitation. It was just the best experience!

Sicilian Secrets - Tour of Sicily 8 days 2024

The Tour was amazing! in just 8 days it gives you a general overview of this beautiful island. we hope to come back soon!

Sicilian Landscapes: Catania-Catania (8 days/7 nights)

The tour was good. I found it really hectic though with not enough free time. The tour guides were excellent with so much knowledge. Didn't really enjoy the evening we had to cook our own dinner because it had been a long day, very hot and all myself and my husband wanted to do was have dinner and an early night. Personally I would exclude this activity from the schedule. The accommodation was good and comfortable although we did have single beds at all our accommodation. Why we are not sure. We enjoyed Sicily mostly but found the rubbish in the North West area troubling and distracted from the areas this was very evident. The transportation generally was good and the driver has excellent skills to negotiate such narrow roads etc. We did have one day where we sat in the sun for 2 hours. because the air conditioning in the bus wasn't functioning. The company could have offered free water at least.

• €50 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Best of Sicily - 8 Days (Small Group Tour)

The tour was truly a taste to Sicily. The tour guides were knowledgeable and thorough from Taormina to Palermo. The hotels and the choice of meals were very good especially the wine tasting at Etna having the most inventive cuisine.

Splendours of Sicily

Long days and lots of walking. This tour should be rated as difficult. Too much free time. Would have preferred to arrive earlier at our accommodation and have dinner at an earlier time, rather than 8pm at night. The guide could have been more engaging.

Sicilian Secrets

The trip was well organized. The guide - Placido certainly knew his subjects and was very happy to answer questions. The accomodation was all very good as were the breakfasts. .The group was large and I didn't realise that when I booked. Also you did need to be fit ( I am) but some people found the wakking/steps very difficult

Absolute Sicily: Palermo - Palermo (10 days/9 nights)

Very nice tour overall. The tour leaders did not speak English very well or spoke too fast on the PA system of the bus. Destination Italia did not organize our tour very well. We were switched from one bus to another twice with very poor instructions. The local tour guys at each venue were very good, though. The destinations that we went to each day were excellent and so were the meals. For the most part, the hotels were good too. All things considered it was a good value for the money and we enjoyed the trip.

• Christmas & New Year

Sicily and Malta

My Art Collection provided an exceptional tour experience. The guides were knowledgeable and engaging, making the tour both informative and enjoyable. Highly recommended for art enthusiasts and travelers alike.

Northern Sicily: Islands & Volcanoes

Discovery of Sicily - 8 Days

I had the entirely wrong perception of what the tour would be like, having been on SIX “small group” tours in Italy before. All those tours were with the leader who was with the group in the same hotel all the time. We were driven around in a mini bus with local guides here and there. So you shared the experience with the same people over the week or so, and the leader told you what would be happening each day. So I found being on my own quite lonely. I didn’t want private tours and private drivers and being in hotels by myself.Whether I made assumptions based on past experience, or whether that wasn’t clearly described in your tour notes, a bit of both,probably. I also found it very stressful not knowing about the pick-up until the day before and having to find my way to the meeting point in Palermo when I had been expecting to be picked up with other members of the group. That was all very disappointing for me. There was no-one to share the “Wow!” factor with. I give the 4 stars for the hotels and the guides, not for the organisation matters.

What people love about Sicily Tours

We had a fantastic time! The scenery was spectacular, the history fascinating, the food and wine, we really didn’t want to leave.

I can’t say enough good things about our experience in Sicily thanks to Mossimo and his team. Excellent, informative tour guides…Denise, Carlos, Antonio and Sem. The cooking class may have been the highlight, but all of the activities were fun and the pace of the tour, planned activities/free time mix was perfect. Will definitely recommend!

We had the best tour guide ever. Placido is an asset for your company. He make sure that everything went smooth and his knowledge is academic.

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Sicily Art and History Tour

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Sicily Island  is a region in  South Italy  known as the end of the ‘boot’ referring to the map of Italy. Despite it being a major touristic destination, it is also a focal point where arts and architecture meet in quite unusual ways from their Northern appearance.

Our Sicily Art and History  11 Nights/12 days Tour  is a perfect way to digest them in person. From buffet breakfasts to wine tasting events and a visit to the best fine dining restaurants, you will see both the modern side of Sicily and taste the culture through its culinary specialties. On top of that, this tour lets you visit a lot of cathedrals dating back to the 5th century BC as the blossoming era of this region. From  Segesta  to  Erice, Monreale, and Palermo  as the biggest city in Sicilia, you will visit a lot of  Greek temples, ancient town walls , churches, and various other remains.

Ragusa, Siracusa, and Modica  are the following stops, each known for its unique culture and amazing architecture, influenced by the  Greek and Byzantine  times. The end is reserved for the magical  Mount Etna and Taormina , places that offer glorious views on the landscape and probably the best sunsets in this region.

Sicily Art and History Tour | 11 Nights/12 Days

Day 01: Palermo  | Upon arrival at Palermo airport please proceed through the Passport Control and collect your luggage inside the customs area. Just outside this area meet your assistant and driver who will transfer you to your Hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Palermo.

Day 02: Palermo and Monreale Private Guided Tour  | Enjoy a full buffet breakfast at your hotel. Meeting with the driver and guide at your hotel for a 3-hour guided tour of  Palermo . Your guide will show you the highlights of  historic Palermo , the capital of ancient Sicily. You will also visit  “The Ballarò”,  a  Palermo Food street market  which is a cacophony of sights and sounds. The ambiance is punctuated by colored tarpaulins suspended as “tents” to protect the wares from the elements. After  lunch in a characteristic local restaurant,  meet back up with your guide to traveling to  Monreale , a nearby hilltop town that boasts sweeping views over Palermo. Soak up the views, and then pay a visit to the  Cathedral of Monreale . Stand in awe as you gaze at the cathedral’s  golden mosaics  and work out the biblical scenes that they represent. In the late afternoon travel, back to your Palermo hotel. Overnight in Palermo.

Day 03: Erice and  Segesta Private Guided Tour  | Enjoy a full buffet breakfast at your hotel. Meet your driver and Guide at the Hotel lobby. Today enjoy one of the finest private guided tours or shore excursions of Sicily for Greek temples and architecture. Your first stop on this private escorted tour of Western Sicily will be the magnificent  Temple of Segesta , the first  Doric-style Greek Temple , set among gently sloping hills of yellow-ochre and brown. After  Lunch at Leisure not included , your driver and tour guide will then take you to the medieval town of  Erice , situated nearly 3,000 feet above sea level and surrounded by ancient  Elimi and Phoenician walls.  In antiquity, Erice was famous for its temple where the Phoenicians worshipped  Astarte , the Greeks venerated  Aphrodite  and the Romans celebrated  Venus , respectively. Late afternoon you will return to Palermo. Overnight in Palermo.

Day 04:  Palermo → Selinunte Private Guided Tour → Agrigento  | Breakfast at the Hotel. Private transfer by car and English-speaking driver to Selinunte to meet your Guide for a personalized Tour of  Selinunte Archaeological Park , one of Sicily’s great Greek archaeological sites. Situated by the sea in the south-western corner of Sicily, the ruins have stood abandoned for most of their history. The lack of later development allows modern visitors to imagine the ancient town of  Selinus  as it would have been 2500 years ago. The archaeological park at Selinunte is huge, incorporating  Greek temples , ancient town walls, and the ruins of residential and commercial buildings, countryside paths and zones not yet excavated.   Lunch at Leisure not included.  In the afternoon continue to your hotel in Agrigento. Overnight in Agrigento.

Day 05: Valley of Temples Private Guided Tour  | Breakfast at the Hotel. Meet your Driver and Guide at the Hotel lobby to enjoy a Private Guided Tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed  Valley of the Temples , an incredible archaeological spot on a hill, dating back to 430 BC. You will visit the  Temple of Demeter , the  Rock Sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone , the  Temple of Juno , and the  Temple of Concordia , one of the best-preserved in the world. Then continue the  temple of Hercules  (Heracles) and the  Temple of Olympian Zeus  or Jupiter. Continuing towards Villaseta, a path to the right leads to the  Temple of Vulcan.  After the tour, return to your Hotel. Lunch and afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Agrigento.

Day 06: Agrigento → Ragusa  | Breakfast at the Hotel. Pick up from the hotel and travel by car and English-speaking driver to your Hotel in Ragusa. In the afternoon meet your guide at the hotel lobby.  Ragusa  is a small Baroque town and a  Unesco World Heritage Site . Ragusa is one of the most picturesque towns in Sicily. The city is divided into two important areas:  Ragusa Superiore , founded after the earthquake in 1693, and  Ragusa Inferiore , the original site. Your Guide will escort you back to your Hotel. Overnight in Ragusa.

Day 07: Ragusa → Modica & Noto Private Guided Tour → Syracuse  | Breakfast at the Hotel. Meet your Driver at the Hotel lobby to be transferred to your Hotel in Syracuse. On route visit  Modica and Noto . Nestled in a dramatic gorge of the  Val di Noto ,  Modica , is a  World Heritage Site . Its flamboyant baroque architecture delights its visitors as soon as they approach the town from the road. Yet Modica is a sharply divided town, and locals usually identify with the lower or the upper part of the town.  Lunch/Food and Wine Tour in a Wine Estate.  Continuing to  Noto , famous for its masterpieces of Sicilian baroque style. It has many fine churches that are outstanding because of their  architecture, decorations,  but also because of their strategic locations. Numerous  aristocratic palazzi  with their delightful  baroque facades  and twisted iron railings flank the main  Corso Vittorio Emanuele  and the many adjoining streets.   Late afternoon, continue to your Hotel in Syracuse. Overnight in Syracuse.

Day 08: Syracuse Private Guided Tour  | Breakfast at the Hotel. Meet your Driver and Guide at the Hotel lobby. Today enjoy a  Syracuse  Private Guided Tour .  More than any other city, Syracuse encapsulates Sicily’s timeless beauty.  Ancient Greek ruins  rise out of  lush citrus orchards , cafe tables spill onto  dazzling baroque piazzas , and medieval lanes lead down to the sparkling blue sea. It’s difficult to imagine now but in its heyday, this was the largest city in the ancient world, bigger even than  Athens and Corinth . Almost three millennia later, the ruins of that then-new city constitute the  Parco Archeologico Della Neapolis , one of Sicily’s greatest archaeological sites. Across the water from the mainland, Ortygia remains the city’s most beautiful corner, a casually chic, eclectic marvel with an ever-growing legion of fans. Late afternoon you will return to your Hotel. Overnight in Syracuse.

Day 09: Syracuse → Mount Etna & Taormina   Private Guided Tour → Taormina  | Breakfast at the Hotel. Meet your driver at the hotel lobby. This morning en route to your hotel in Taormina stop at the bottom of  Mount Etna  to meet your Private Guide for a visit of Mt Etna Volcano, one of the world’s most active volcanoes in Europe. You will reach the  “Silvestri” craters,  the  Northeast Crater , the  Voragine , the  Bocca Nuova , and the  Southeast Crater .  Lunch at Leisure not included.  In the afternoon continue to  Taormina  for a Private Guided Tour. Spectacularly perched on the side of a mountain, Taormina is one of Sicily’s most popular destinations. It’s rich in history, art, culture and tradition, besides being in one of the most breathtaking spots of the whole country.  You will visit the most impressive monument of the city: the  Greco-Roman Theatre . In the late afternoon, you will continue to your hotel by the Sea. Overnight in Taormina.

Day 10: Taormina/Giardini Naxox Coast Private Boat Tour |  Breakfast at the Hotel. Meet your driver at the hotel lobby. Today you will enjoy a  Private Boat Tour  of the  Taormina/Giardini Naxos   Bay . To begin this adventure will sail with our boat in the direction of the  Timpa di Acireale.   You will explore the famous  Riviera of the Cyclops :  Capo Mulini, Aci Trezza, and Aci Castello , which are part of the beautiful natural reserve of Isole. You can attend one of the most impressive shows that nature can offer, I Faraglioni.  Then you come back to  The Bay of Naxos  and  Capo Taormina , a rock structure that is erected by the sea on which stands the enchanting Taormina. Lunch in a characteristic local restaurant. The most advanced end of the Capo Taormina is characterized by a huge rock:  Scoglio Della Croce . Under the head creates a wonderful “natural pool” where we will stop to give you the opportunity to swim in the crystal-clear sea. Continue to the lovely  Bay of Isola Bella and The   Bay of Mazzarò.  Then sail towards the Bay of Siren’s natural creek which offers a unique atmosphere. Late afternoon, return to your Hotel. Overnight in Taormina.

Day 11: Taormina at Leisure:  Breakfast at the Hotel. Today spend the day at leisure. Overnight in Taormina.

Day 12: Catania Departure  | Breakfast at the Hotel. This morning at the appropriate time enjoy a Private Transfer to Catania Airport. Arrivederci! Ciao! Buon Viaggio!

• 3 Nights in Palermo:
• 2 Night in Agrigento:
• 1 Night in Ragusa:
• 2 Nights in Siracusa:
• 3 Night in Taormina:
• Assistance and Porterage at Airports, Train Stations and Hotels
• Private Transportation by Mercedes E or V Class with English Speaking Driver
• Private Guided Tours with Professional Local Guides | Door to Door Service
• Entrances to Museums, Galleries, Archeological Parks and other Venues
• Breakfast at Hotels, All Food & Wine Tours/Enogastronomic and Most Lunches.
• 24/7 Assistance and Support from our Ground Operational Office in Italy

Private Package Tours Rates

• Gold: in 4* Boutique Hotels : Starting at  1,000 Euro per person/per day
• Diamond:  in 5* Luxury Hotels: Starting at 1,500 Euro per person/per day.

For Private Small Groups of 4, 6 and 8 + price per person will be lower.

For Custom Made Tours we work with any reasonable Budget

10 best places to visit in Sicily

Mar 11, 2024 • 8 min read

From the timeless beauty of its coastlines to its fascinating relics of the past, here are the best places to go in Sicily © FilippoBacci / Getty Images

The secret was out long before HBO chose to shoot the second season of The White Lotus here: an undisputed Mediterranean beauty since the time of the ancients, the Italian island of Sicily shamelessly seduces anyone who so much as dips one little toe in its turquoise, gin-clear waters.

From speakeasy coves to exhilarating sweeps of white, black or golden sand, Sicily’s emblematic paradise beaches require little introduction. Ditto for fiery Mt Etna, granita , crunchy cannoli oozing ricotta cream and its top-drawer food scene .

Yet that's tip-of-the-iceberg stuff! Look beyond the Sicilian coast and kitchen, and you find a kaleidoscope of places to visit – bursting with artistic masterpieces, cultural jewels or natural beauty in spades depending on which hilltop village, baroque town or rural retreat (be it a winery or lemon farm) you pinpoint on the treasure map. Scenic trains, buses and boats make getting around Sicily part of the experience for adventurers – or smooth the way with a rental car, the secret to accessing the most remote creases of the island’s mountainous interior.

With just a few days in Sicily, stay in one place. Count two weeks for a grand tour of the island’s Arabesque cupolas, Byzantine mosaics, ancient Greek temples and volcanic vineyards. Wherever and whenever you go , expect silver-screen stuff. 

Best for urban culture

Sicily’s capital assures urban adventure. Provocative street art, rough-cut food markets pulsating with local life, and pertinent multimedia Mafia-focused exhibitions provide up-to-minute commentary on this endlessly fascinating city. Art and architectural buffs meanwhile can swoon over a smorgasbord of treasures harking back centuries: Cappella Palatina in Palazzo dei Normanni ; Chiesa e Monastero di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria with its speakeasy pasticceria (bakery and cake shop) in a cloister; and courtyard-garden-clad Museo Archeologico Regionale Antonio Salinas are veteran favorites. 

Planning tip: Factor in a half-day bus trip to Cattedrale di Monreale . The glittering gold mosaics inside Sicily's finest example of Norman architecture leave you dumbstruck.

2. Aeolian Islands

Best for beach- and island-hopping

Boats, beaches and buckets of granita  (crushed ice) soaked in fruits of the land: island-hop around the Aeolians to gorge on Sicilian dolce vita. Milazzo , on Sicily’s northeastern Tyrrhenian Coast, is the springboard for Liberty Lines ferries and hydrofoils to this seven-island slice of paradise. Scoot around the largest island Lipari ; scale a volcano and unearth black beaches on primordial Stromboli ; and pair sweet dessert-wine tastings with fresh capers on lush green Salina . If you have time (and the leg-power), don’t miss the spectacular hike up what feels like a “stairway to heaven” on the old-world, donkey-powered islet of Alicudi. 

Planning tip: On Salina, combine family beach time in the shallow pools formed by concrete breakwaters on Lingua’s Spiaggia Biscotto with Sicily’s best granita on the seafront at Da Alfredo . On Salina's southern coast, the ricotta granita peppered with island-grown candied capers and toasted capers at Pa.Pe.Rò al Glicine is reason enough to visit bijou fishing hamlet Rinella.

3. Mount Etna

Best for a volcanic family expedition

There’s no age limit to getting up high on Sicily’s emblematic active volcano – Europe’s largest. Three-and-a-half centuries after burying neighboring Catania in volcanic ash, Mt Etna still broods over the city. A combo of cable car (up to 2500m/8200ft from Rifugio Sapienza ), 4WD vehicle and volcanological mountain guides makes light work of scaling this fiery beauty that still erupts, spangling the night sky with lava fountains and magma bubbles. If you’re with active teens, skip the cable car for a more challenging hike on Etna’s quieter northern slopes or bike up with a mountain bike guide. 

Planning tip: The height to which you’re allowed without a guide changes depending on volcanic activity. Check in with licensed guides Guide Vulcanologiche Etna Nord for updates and guided hikes (from age six; best March to June and September), snow-shoeing and ski mountaineering expeditions (December to February).

4. Ragusa Ibla

Best for baroque beauty

It needed an earthquake in 1693 to usher in Sicily’s glorious golden age. In the island’s southeast, lose yourself in the baroque labyrinth of nooks and lanes in Ragusa Ibla , awash with the decorative masks and chubby-cheeked putti (cherubs) sculpted in stone, that rose from the ashes. Don’t miss the Duomo , designed by superstar architect Rosario Gagliardi, and an intimate tour by a family member around aristocratic Palazzo Arezzo di Trifiletti from the same era. Refuel over fig, pistachio or sweet Passito di Noto wine gelato at Gelati DiVini . 

Planning tip: Combine Ragusa with Modica , Scicli and Noto to create a memorable baroque-town itinerary in Sicily’s southeastern corner.

5. Reserva Naturale della Zingaro

Best for scenic coastal walks

Straddling the grand sweep of western Sicily’s Golfo di Castellammare, the island’s oldest nature reserve is a thing of beauty. Don comfy shoes and a daypack with water, a swim kit and a lunchtime picnic, and stride out along its sublime walking trails beaded with pristine coves and exhibitions in trailside huts celebrating local flora, fauna and traditional tuna fishing. If snorkeling rocks your boat, bring a mask, flippers and tuba – the crystalline waters here have some of the island’s finest snorkeling and diving.

Planning tip: Post-hike, drive 30 minutes to Segesta to admire its majestic Greek temples glowing in the late afternoon’s soft golden light.

6. Caltagirone

Best for arts and crafts

From decorative grave vases spun in clay to accompany the dead, to lifelike marionettes, coral jewelry and elaborate 18th-century maiolica statuettes, Sicily’s arts and crafts heritage is immense. In central Sicily , roll up your sleeves in Caltagirone where ceramic production has been the town’s lifeblood since the Middle Ages. An abundance of wood from surrounding forests has always kept the kiln fires burning, and  Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte , the town’s monumental staircase, zig-zagging from old town to new since the 17th century razzle-dazzles with 142 steps paved in hand-painted majolica. Learn the backstory in the Museo della Ceramica , shop for ceramics and try your hand at throwing a pot of your own.

Planning tip: Visit on July 24 or 25 during Caltagirone’s Festa di San Giacomo when 4000 oil lamps light up the scalinata (staircase) after dark.

7. Parco Naturale Regionale delle Madonie

Best for getting right off the beaten track

Sicily doesn’t get wilder or more remote. Motor south from the beach-busy Tyrrhenian Coast into the folds of the rugged Monti Madonie. Ramble around medieval hilltop villages, where the lifestyle is overwhelmingly traditional, the sense of history palpable, and the mountain cuisine exceptional. Overnight in an agriturismo (farm stay) such as Casale Drinzi , where kitchens burst with wild forest mushrooms, suino nero (pork from local black pigs) and ricotta cheese fresh from the sheep. Take your foot off the gas, slow right down and detox.  

Planning tip: To really get under the skin of this mountainous region, hook up with a nature guide at Madonie Explorers . Forest-bathe between ash trees and harvest manna with one of the world’s last-remaining manna farmers.

Best for an A to Z of Sicilian ocean fish

Its prized location between the big blue sea of the Ionian Coast and the smoking hulk of Mt Etna makes Sicily’s second-largest city a great base for exploring the eastern part of the island. Catania ’s striking architecture reads like a potted history of Sicily: many of its distinctive, black-and-white palazzi  (mansions) and churches are built from the very volcanic rock that Etna rained down on Catania in 1669. 

Wraparound views from its church rooftops (Chiesa della Badia di Sant’Agata and Chiesa di San Nicolò l’Arena in Piazza Dante’s Benedictine monastery complex are the best) are spectacular. For foodies, one address stands out: the raucous fresh-fish market La Pescheria , swimming with swordfish, sardines, tuna, octopus, all sorts. Arrive when it opens at 7am for the pick of the ocean. 

9. Valley of the Temples

Best for history nerds and romantics

That UNESCO’s temple logo is a mirror of star-turn Tempio della Concordia at Agrigento 's breathtaking Valley of the Temples says it all: don’t miss Sicily’s most spectacular archaeological site, strung along a rocky promontory by the Med where the ancient Greeks erected Doric temples, tombs and sanctuaries 2500 years ago. Vestiges of subsequent 12km-long city walls and gates built around Akragas – by then the fourth-largest city in the ancient world – are equally evocative.

Planning tip: In summer, visit at sunset or after dark to sip drinks and listen to live jazz in the romantic citrus grove of walled garden Giardino della Kolymbetra , at the Valley of Temples’ western end. 

10. Favignana

Best for snorkeling, cycling and scootering around

Most Sicilian explorers have heard of the Aeolians, but fewer are familiar with the five Egadi Islands – Sicily’s “other” archipelago idyll stitched from whitewashed cottages, creamy tufa-stone walkways and bright blue cala (coves). The largest island, butterfly-shaped Favignana, is a half-hour hydrofoil ride from port town Trapani in western Sicily. Dirt roads, best tackled by bicycle or scooter, duck and dive to picture-postcard cove beaches such as Cala Rossa. Favignana’s 19th-century tuna cannery is a riveting exposé on traditional tuna fishing in Sicily’s big blue. Snorkeling is predictably spectacular.

Planning tip: For scenic hiking, rare monk seal spotting and Giuseppe’s sensational zuppa di aragosta (lobster soup) at Trattoria Il Veliero , get a hydrofoil from Favignana to Marettimo.

This article was first published November 2021 and updated March 2024

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Palermo, quick tour of the historic centre

A quick tour downtown in Palermo in which you can see so much in so little time? Of course it’s possible! Step by step …

1st step: Piazza Politeama

Our tour starts from the heart of Palermo: Piazza Politeama . This is not really its name, but the people of Palermo like to call it that because of the magnificent theatre , a splendid late 19th-century neoclassical building designed by the architect Damiani Almeyda.

The “Teatro del Popolo – People’s Theatre” was built in 1874, it has a huge horseshoe-shaped hall with two rows of boxes, dominated by a large gallery. It can hold up to five thousand spectators and currently hosts symphonic music performances , continuing to give us moments of great intensity.

2nd step: Via Ruggiero Settimo

We now enter the main artery that crosses the city from one end to the other, taking the names Via Crocerossa , Viale della Libertà , Via Ruggiero Settimo , Via Maqueda all the way to the Central Station . From the Politeama, Via Ruggiero Settimo (named after the late 19th-century politician) takes us, amidst the shop windows of hundreds of shops and the crowds of Palermitani engaged in shopping or strolling, to the Teatro Massimo . A little shopping ? Why not!

3rd Step: The Teatro Massimo (distance 300 metres)

Europe’s third-largest theatre, after the Opéra National in Paris and Vienna’s Staatsoper , the Teatro Massimo , was designed in neoclassical-eclectic style by Giovan Battista Filippo Basile.

The large anonymous epigraph engraved on the lintel of the portico warns us: L’arte rinnova i popoli e ne rivela la vita. Vano delle scene il diletto ove non miri a preparar l’avvenire. In simple terms, the epigraph invites us not to watch or listen to rubbish because, in the long run, it will simply make you stupid.

Today the Massimo hosts the official seasons of opera, operas and ballets. You can plan a visit , but be aware that if you stumble on the gradino della monachella – the little nun’s step , it’s because you didn’t believe the story of the ghost of the nun in the convent that stood there before the theatre and now wanders its lonely halls at night.

Opposite the theatre, there are two pedestrian streets with unusual names: Via Bara and Via dell’Orologio they take us to Olivella , Palermo’s historic nightlife district, full of small restaurants and craft shops that will entertain and refresh you also during the day. In the square of the Church of Saint Ignazio all’Olivella we also find the impressive Antonio Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum .

4th Step: Via Maqueda

This street, pronounced macheda , continues the directional heading from the Statue to the Station. Founded in the 17th century to make way for the construction of new aristocratic palazzi, it leads us straight to the junction with the street originally known as Vecchio Cassaro (today Corso Vittorio Emanuele ) opening onto the marvellous Quattro Canti .

5th step: Quattro Canti (distance 1.2 km)

Piazza Vigliena , known as the Quattro Canti , is octagonal with four richly decorated and quite striking facades. The “Quattro Canti” divide the old city into four districts or “mandamenti” (the Loggia , the Capo , the Kalsa and the Albergheria ). At this point, going to the right we can climb up to the Cathedral and the Palazzo Reale , taking the left we can go down to the sea, passing the Mercato della Vucciria and the Piazza Marina district, while proceeding straight on, we reach Piazza Pretoria (also called Piazza della Vergogna ), the Martorana and San Cataldo, the streets of the old craftsmen (boilermakers, candlemakers, etc.) and the Ballarò market.

6th step: La Vucciria (distanza 1.2 km)

To the left of the Quattro Canti, we go down the Cassaro ( Corso Vittorio Emanuele ): this is Palermo’s oldest street it dates back to the Phoenicians (about 2,700 years ago). It connects the Palazzo Reale to the sea and, in the section we have chosen to walk, crosses the Vucciria Market .

The Vucciria Market is accessed from some of the many small streets on either side of the Cassaro, just after the intersection with Via Roma . We enter through the main entrance: the steps that from Roma takes us to Piazza Caracciolo . This is a historic market in its heyday, hosted artists and intellectuals. The stalls display fresh fish, fragrant spices, beef and pork. Its charm lies in its bright colours, in the peaceful shouts that accompany the sale of goods, in the dilapidation of its alleyways.

The Vucciria opens northwards onto Piazza San Domenico and its great church. The square opens us to the sun shine on our way out of the narrow alleyways, and a stop in one of its cafés is an ideal opportunity for a refreshing break sampling an artisanal ice cream.

7th step: Piazza Marina (distance 1.2 km)

Continuing along the Cassaro we reach Piazza Marina (on our right). It is a fascinating district, and it is really pleasant to get lost in its alleyways, browsing among the craft shops. Villa Garibaldi occupies the centre of the square, a garden designed by Giovan Battista Filippo Basile (the same architect who designed the Teatro Massimo ) just as the unification of Italy was taking place. Go through the beautiful gates, and you will find yourself in the presence of one of the oldest ficus trees in Italy ; 30 metres high with a trunk 21 metres wide and a crown 50 metres wide. A true gigantic green monument , beautifully green . All around the square, along the pavement, a picturesque vintage market takes place at weekends.

Looking out over the Cassaro we find the Chiesa della Catena – The Church of the Chain , which takes its name from the story that, a few thousand years ago, the chain that closed off the port of Cala was attached to its wall. Among the period buildings surrounding the square are the interesting museum of Palazzo Mirto , the Steri and the Hotel de France . But the whole area is so rich in history and art that it deserves a closer look .

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The Godfather Tour of Sicily: Palermo & Taormina

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Places visited, suggested duration, customizable itinerary, palermo – introduction to the godfather.

The voices of Fredo, Sonny, and Michael Corleone loom large in the city of Palermo. The images of the Godfather swirl around the island of Sicily. Vito Corleone fled from his family’s life on the island, searching for a better life in New York. The story has been told in various ways but none more poetic or memorable than the story of the Godfather. When your flight lands at Falcone-Borsellino Airport, your private transfer greets you at the baggage claim and helps you with your luggage.

The history of Palermo resembles that of New York City, settled by cultures from around the globe and incorporating the traditions and elements of the collective ensemble into the everyday landscape. Cobblestones pave the streets and plazas. The honey-hued exterior of the Norman Palaces gleams in the sunlight. Palm trees shade the walkways. Jovial calls rise from La Vucciria market; La Vucciria means “voices” in the local dialect, and you can hear the vendors reaching out to passersby strolling alongside the vibrant local produce.

Your private transfer escorts you to your hotel located in the heart of the old city. Imposing churches border Piazza Pretoria. The fountain crowns the edge of the square with tiered basins rippling in concentric circles. Statues of nymphs decorate the staircase, river gods reach out to the water, and tritons symbolize elements of the sea. The fountain was erected in the 16th century, adding to the glamorous history of Palermo and inviting you to witness the elements that affected the Corleone Family. Consider learning about your tour operators for Sicily , and you'll understand how they're able to craft an itinerary you can't refuse.

What's Included:

Palermo – In the Footsteps of Dons

Settlers around the world, from Arab armies to Spanish kings, have left their mark on the island, leaving traces in the culture, architecture, and even dialect of Sicily. At breakfast, you find the enticing aroma of freshly baked ciambelle , fried dough brushed with sugar. Your guide greets you in the lobby of the hotel and leads you out into the embracing streets. Kids play soccer in the streets near Borgo Vecchio. The aroma of grilled calamari sprinkled with a squeeze of lemon overtakes the walkway. Fishers showcase their fresh daily catches along the marketplace, and local restaurants offer to cook your choice right then and there for you to enjoy. The Norman Palace was first erected in the 9th century but was overhauled by the Normans in the 11th century.

Inside the palace, you find the stunning Palatine Chapel. Gold mosaics decorate the interior, casting an ethereal glow across the nave when the sunlight pours through the windows. The 12th-century chapel contains a wooden honeycomb ceiling embellished with star-shaped panels. The geometric elements connect the mixture of Arab culture that persisted in the city after the Norman invasion. Depictions of saints are carved in wood and painted along the vaulted ceilings. The significance of devotion remains strong in Sicily, and the church has always been important to the Corleone Family. We first meet Don Vito on the day of his sister’s wedding. In the evening, you make your way to a restaurant that specializes in traditional local cuisine. Indulge in the stunning flavors of Palermo with a selection of wines paired with each dish.

Corleone – A Family History

At breakfast, you sip your freshly brewed frothy cappuccino. You can hear the sounds of the market coming to life across the city. After your meal, you venture to the bustling edges of Corleone, the town from which Vito Corleone took his name after he entered America. The tale of the Don may be fictional, but it was inspired by an amalgamation of lives throughout Sicily affected by family squabbles, business vendettas, and a sense of the town being forgotten after the reunification of Italy. Your guide is a local of the town providing a history of Corleone and the mafia inside Sicily. Corleone is a developed city with a history as a mafia stronghold.

Your guide leads you through the cobbled streets off Piazza Garibaldi, where you come across the CIDMA, a captivating museum dedicated to anti-Mafia sentiment and documenting crime-family evolution. When you enter the complex, a large “No Mafia” sign greets you. In the final room are pictures of famous and infamous faces, those of Dons and soldiers, along with the men and women who have fought organized crime in Italy with justice or sometimes even their lives. The museum has a powerful impact due to the documentation of those who continue to work for justice, along with the city’s historical connection the mafia.

You continue to the Royal Palace of Ficuzza outside of Corleone. The structure was erected in the 19th century and maintains its original neoclassical look. Rocca Busambra, the mountain framing the palace, rises 5,291 feet above sea level. The largest forest in western Sicily surrounds the village of Ficuzza, of which the palace crowns. The sandstone color shines brightly against the emerald trees. It was once a hunting lodge for Ferdinand III of Sicily, son of King Charles III of Spain. The aroma of chestnut and oak trees sweeps across the grounds. Trails lead through the forest and to the mountain summit.

Taormina – Luxuries of the Family

In the morning, fishing boats glide into the harbor with freshly caught seafood. The fishermen are eager to head to the market and display their fresh catches. At breakfast, you sip a refreshing espresso accompanied by a flaky brioche before venturing to Sicily’s northern coast. The scenic drive takes you along the Palermo-Messina motorway. You notice the large church perched on the summit of a tall mountain overlooking the sea. It is the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna of Tindari.

The church stands on an archeological site peppered with Greek and Roman architecture dating back to the 4th century BC. Floor mosaics decorate the baths. Archways lead to the well-preserved theater. The plateau overlooks the shimmering azure waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. You can see the Aeolian Islands scattered across the horizon. The Sanctuary of the Black Madonna is located on the highest point of the hills at 590 feet above sea level. The sanctuary was erected in the 1960s on a particular area of local legend. Outside of the local village, goats and sheep graze on the landscape.

The Byzantine statues of the Madonna originated in the 9th century and were brought by pilgrims. It is easy to imagine the Corleone Family participating in the Feast Ceremony every September, in dedication to the Black Madonna. You continue to Taormina. The seaside city overlooks the quiet turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea. Cobblestones pave the historic lanes winding along the hillside. The Sanctuary of Madonna della Rocca was constructed over the base of a medieval fortress. The architects built the nave into the hillside using the limestone as a ceiling. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy the luxuries of Taormina. Linger in cafés, sipping wine along the elegant streets or enjoy a view of the illustrious sea from the public gardens.

Taormina – The Marriage of Michael Corleone

In the morning, you listen to the gentle warm ocean breeze brush along your villa. On the horizon, you can see the towering summit of Mount Etna rising to a height of nearly 11,000 feet above sea level. Today your guide meets you at your hotel and leads you to the village of Savoca, nestled between the sea and the Peloritani Mountains. Rustic stone cottages line the medieval streets. Quiet churches make you recall Michael Corleone’s wedding. Your intuition is correct, as this is the town in which his marriage to Apollonia was filmed.

Bar Vitelli retains its rustic ambiance and stands at the village entrance. The table where Michael requests Apollonia’s father for her hand in marriage sits underneath the shaded patio area. Curtains sweep across the door. You feel that any minute a man with a mustache will walk through the curtains and pass out drinks. The main street leads to the church. You can follow in the footsteps of Michael Corleone and Apollonia after their wedding by strolling along the main street beneath the fading shadow of the church’s façade.

You continue to the village of Forza d’Agro. The narrow streets lead to the Norman castle overlooking the city from atop the nearby mountain. The town of Forza d’Agro acted as the backdrop for the town of Corleone during the films. The church in the town appears in Godfather Part II when Vito escapes to America after hiding from Don Ciccio’s men. It is also the church when Michael first appears in Corleone alongside his bodyguards. Neither Savoca nor Forza d’Agro feels as though they have changed since Michael Corleone called Sicily his home.

Taormina – History Shaping the Dons

In the morning, the cafes around Taormina set out their tables and chairs alongside the cobbled walkways. The 17th-century clock tower adorns the central square and contains foundations set in the 4th century BC. The fountain in Piazza del Duomo spritzes the warm morning air with refreshing water. The day is yours to enjoy Taormina and its surroundings as you please. Trek to an altitudinal crater along Mount Etna or linger in the warm sand on the shores below Taormina. The history of Syracuse is captivating, filled with ancient allure blending with contemporary lifestyle. The past is quickly visible on the small island of Ortygia. The Fontana Aretusa is an ancient spring set in front of the cathedral.

Freshwater continues to bubble around the wild-growing papyrus. The spring was once the city’s main water supply, attributed to the goddess Artemis. Ducks glide across the water, lingering in the shade of the papyrus. The historic walkways turn into a labyrinth of alleys winding through the old guild quarter and former Jewish Ghetto. A mikveh , a traditional cleansing bath, was discovered more than 65 feet below the city. The celebrated antique puppet theater is located nearby, reenacting treasured tales of magicians and princesses, knights and dragons, stories once promoted by the dons of the region who helped enforce the laws of the land during the ever-changing political landscape of Sicily.

Catania – Farewell to the Godfather

From atop the Greek Theater in Taormina, you have an unadulterated view of the azure waters of the Bay of Naxos brushing the coastline and the sweeping landscape rising to the snowcapped peak of Mount Etna. Marble pillars and red ruins frame the view. At breakfast, you retrace your time in Sicily, recalling the connections to the Godfather films. You ponder the evolution of the Cosa Nostra , an entity created to enforce the law among the townships and which ended up growing to be an influential powerhouse that extended beyond Sicily. Your private transfer meets you at the hotel after your meal and escorts you the airport in Catania for your flight home.

Trip Highlights

• Follow in the footsteps of Michael Corleone in the town of Savoca to witness the bar and church where his Sicilian romantic life began
• Stroll along the quiet streets of Forza d’Argo, a village used to double as the town of Corleone, in both The Godfather Part I and II
• Tour the actual bustling streets of Corleone with a local guide eager to share the remarkable history of the Cosa Nostra , the Sicilian Mafia
• Visit the elaborate and immersive anti-Mafia Museum in Corleone for an alternate perspective of those affected by organized crime over the years
• Discover the elaborate past of Palermo on a private guided tour that lends insight into the creation of the Mafia
• Discover the ancient charms of Syracuse and the remnants of the tumultuous political landscape that originally empowered the mafia in Sicily 

Detailed Description

The history of Sicily is complicated and vast, filled with the ancient ruins of Norman kings, Arab architecture, and infamous mafia dons. Your 7-day Godfather tour in the Sicily takes you along the historic route of the Cosa Nostra (Sicilian Mafia) as made famous by the Corleone family in The Godfather Trilogy. The trail begins with your arrival in Palermo. Your private transfer greets you at the airport and escorts you into the heart of the city. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to enjoy the vibrant and eclectic culture of the old city.

The following morning, your guide greets you at the hotel and leads you on the first of many sensational Sicily tours , carefully observing the layers of history adorning the streets, with each detail added to the formation of the mafia in Sicily. In Monreale, you visit the Benedictine cloister and Norman cathedral. Return to Palermo to delight in a restaurant celebrated for its traditional regional cuisine, similar to what Michael Corleone’s mother Carmela would make. Next, venture to the city of Corleone in Sicily. You meet your local guide who is well versed in the history of the Cosa Nostra on the island, along with its significance around the world.

Once at the Mafia Museum, you explore the exhibits with exhilarating intrigue before continuing to the Ficuzza Royal Palace, a former hunting lodge of the King of Sicily. Next, you travel along the northern coast to visit the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna of Tindari, located alongside ancient Greek ruins. Continue to the coastal town of Taormina and visit the 17th-century Sanctuary of Madonna della Rocca. You make your way to the towns of Savoca and Forza d’Agro, which doubled as the small town of Corleone during the filming of The Godfather series.

The quiet atmosphere, along with the famous bar at which Michael first meets Apollonia remains. The following day is at your leisure for you to enjoy the charming beaches on the Bay of Naxos or visit a winery on the hills of Mount Etna. You could also take a magnificent historical tour along the ancient streets of Syracuse. On your final day, your private transfer meets you at the hotel after breakfast and escorts you to the airport. You have faithfully retraced the history of the Corleone Family and found the meandering trails of the entire Cosa Nostra. 

Note: Zicasso and “The Godfather Tour of Sicily ” are not affiliated with, or sponsored or endorsed by, Paramount Pictures Corporation.

Starting Price

$2,501  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

• Accommodations
• In-country transportation
• Some or all activities and tours
• Expert trip planning
• 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

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