Highlights of Sicily
Experience Overview
Did you wish upon a star? Because this two-week adventure through Sicily’s north and south coasts is absolutely a dream come true. You’ll stroll through the seaside city of Cefalù, get immersed in the postcard-worthy scenery of the Aeolian Islands, and spot breathtaking volcanoes along the way. But oh no, the fun doesn’t stop here. You’ll then continue further south for a Sicilian cooking class, storied medieval villages, sunny seaside towns, and non-stop Italian history and culture. If this sounds like the Sicilian adventure you’ve always dreamed of, well, you’re 100% right.
Highlights
- Soak up Sicilian culture in Cefalù
- Cruise the Aeolian Islands
- Watch the Stromboli volcano erupt aboard a sunset boat tour
- Take a cooking class and learn how to make iconic Sicilian dishes
- Wander the narrow streets of Ortigia
- Admire one of the most well-preserved multicoloured floor mosaics from Roman times
- Visit the cathedral in Monreale and witness the finest example of Norman architecture in Sicily
Trip Details
Product Code: 2263
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Private vehicle, ferry, walking.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Classic
Tour Operator:
G Adventures
Supplier Code: EIHS
Starts: Palermo, Italy
Finishes: Palermo, Italy
Duration: 14 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Activities
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Hands-On Moment: Arancini Cooking Class, Syracuse
- Orientation walks in Palermo, Taormina, Catania and Syracuse
- Panarea & Stromboli Islands Boat Excursion
- Visit to Ragusa
- Villa Romana del Casale Visit
- Valley of the Temples Guided Tour
- Monreale Cathedral Visit
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (13 nts).
- 13 breakfasts, 1 lunch
Transport
- Private vehicle, ferry, walking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout. Local guide at the Valley of Temples.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $4049 ($289 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Palermo
Arrive at any time. Tonight, meet your CEO and fellow travellers at the welcome meeting, then opt to head out for dinner and enjoy your first Sicilian meal.
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Accommodation - Hotel Vecchio Borgo
Day 2: Palermo/Cefalù
Head out for an orientation walk of Palermo's historic city centre.Continue to Cefalú, often cited as one of Italy's most beautiful townships, and stroll through cobbled streets to a picturesque cove by the beach. With free time, observe local fisherman working on their boats, visit the 12th century Duomo di Cefalú, opt to enjoy an aperitivo with incredible views, or simply wander around this postcard-pretty town which director Giuseppe Tornatore chose to set parts of his much-loved film Cinema Paradiso.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO along the squares and the streets of Palermo, this city has been the crossroad of so many civilizations from Phoenicians to Byzantines, from Arabs to Normans and Spaniards. Walk around to see baroque and gothic façades, neoclassical theatres as Teatro Massimo, the biggest in Italy and one of the largest of Europe, very unusual squares as Quattro Canti, and the majestic Palermo Cathedral.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Free_time - There's lots to see and do in this beautiful Sicilian town.Accommodation - Hotel La Giara
Day 3: Cefalù/Lipari
Travel to the Aeolian Islands, a small archipelago of volcanic lands known as "the pearls of Italy" for their intriguing natural formations. Named after Aeolus, the god of the winds, spend the next few days exploring pockets of this coastal paradise. Take a car and ferry to reach Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian Islands, and enjoy a free afternoon to explore. Opt to visit a local beach, or take another short ferry to see Vulcano's active crater.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Free_time - Explore the beautiful island of Lipari with a free afternoon.Transport - Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.Accommodation - Hotel Oriente Lipari
Day 4: Lipari
Enjoy a free morning in Lipari. Later, head out for an excursion to explore the beautiful islands of Panarea and Stromboli by boat. Swim in the turquoise waters of Cala Junco, stroll through Panarea's scenic whitewashed village, and explore the town of Stromboli before taking an unforgettable sunset cruise. In the night breeze of the open sea, witness active Mount Stromboli's spectacular eruptions.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Take the morning to relax or leisurely wander through town.Activity - Set sail for a journey through the stunning Aeolian Islands, stopping at Panarea and Stromboli. On Panarea, visit Cala Junco beach and wander through the village, then see Basiluzzo - the smallest of the Aeolian Islands. Continue to Stromboli and enjoy free time to explore local shops in town. As sunset approaches, cruise back to the islet of Stombolicchio to arrive, just as it starts to get dark, under the Scara del Fuoco - considered the best spot for viewing Mount Stromboli's eruptions. This is the last stop and for many, the most awaited. (Please note: this activity begins at 2pm and ends at 10pm. We recommend bringing a sweater as the evening breeze gets chilly aboard the boat!)Accommodation - Hotel Oriente Lipari
Day 5: Lipari/Catania
Say goodbye to the Aeolian Islands and ferry back to the mainland, then continue to Taormina, one of Sicily's most visited destinations. After a short orientation walk, enjoy free time to visit the stunning Teatro Greco, an ancient Roman amphitheatre with commanding views of Mount Etna. Travel onwards to Catania for the evening.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Join your CEO for a brief introduction to this beautifully situated hilltop town, once part of the "Grand Tour" many affluent Europeans took in the 18th and 19th centuries.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Best Western Hotel Mediterraneo
Day 6: Catania
Enjoy a CEO led orientation walk to get your bearings in Catania. Afterwards, you'll have free time to continue exploring this town and all of its museums and historic attractions. Maybe visit La Pescheria market or walk the Via Etnea.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Your CEO will take you around Catania so you can get your bearings and see some of the city's main sites. Full of heritage and culture there's no shortage of interesting structures and museums to see. Best part? If something catches your eye, there will plenty of opportunity for you to go and see it on your own during your free time after this walk.Free_time - Enjoy a full free day to explore.Accommodation - Best Western Hotel Mediterraneo
Day 7: Catania
Spend another whole free day in Catania. Choose to visit Mt. Etna, Catania's cathedral located in the centre of the old town, or the Piazza Del Duomo just near the port area in the heart of the city. Later in day perhaps head out with the group for a delicious Sicilian meal.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Spend a free day in the second largest city on the Italian island of Sicily. Catania also happens to be an important economic hub for the country. Located on the eastern coast, directly between Pachino in the south and Messina in the north. This city maintains a huge amount of its heritage and culture within its museums like the Basilica Sant’Agata and the Museo Civici. Catania is also in close proximity to the legendary Mount Eta there are plenty of opportunities for day trips an outdoor excursions.Accommodation - Best Western Hotel Mediterraneo
Day 8: Catania/Syracuse
Travel to Syracuse, an enchanting city by the Ionian Sea that was once at the centre of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. Take a cooking class on arrival and learn how to make Arancini — an iconic Sicilian specialty — to enjoy as a light lunch! Later, explore the old town's baroque piazzas and medieval side streets with a CEO-led orientation walk.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.Activity - Learn how to prepare a delicious snack enjoyed beyond the borders of Sicily: deep-fried arancini, a ball of creamy risotto rice typically filled with a savoury cheese or meat filling.Accommodation - Hotel Gran Bretagna Siracusa
Day 9: Syracuse
Enjoy a full free day in Syracuse. Opt to visit the impressive Parco Archeologico della Neapolis, or travel to nearby Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage listed city renowned for its baroque architecture built with a unique golden limestone.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - There's lots to see and do. Get out and explore!Accommodation - Hotel Gran Bretagna Siracusa
Day 10: Syracuse/Agrigento
Travel to the baroque city of Ragusa before heading to the medieval hilltop town of Piazza Armerina. Visit the world's most varied collection of Roman mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale. Known for their incredibly well-preserved state "in situ", or in their original location, observe ancient scenes of hunting, fishing and athletics depicted beautifully in mosaic tile. Continue to Agrigento.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Enjoy some free time to explore the alleyways and the squares of this hilltop city, rich with baroque architecture.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Admire the finest Roman floor mosaics in existence at Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 4th century, the villa's exquisitely preserved mosaics and frescoes are outstanding examples of early Roman art. To get even more out of your visit to the luxury countryside villa, opt to upgrade to a guided tour.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Colleverde Park Hotel
Day 11: Agrigento/Trapani
Take a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples, one of Sicily's best-known attractions. Learn the history of this magnificent site as you explore the ruins of its seven temples, nestled on a ridge below Agrigento. Continue to Trapani, stopping en route in Marsala to see some of Europe's oldest salt marshes.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Regarded as the best example of ancient Hellenic architecture in Sicily, the Valley of the Temples' oldest structures date back to the 5th century. Explore the ruins of the Temple of Concordia, with its majestic columns, and learn about the site's history from a local guide.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Visit some of Europe's oldest traditional salt marshes, where sea salt is still harvested in the same way it's been for hundreds of years.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - B&B Hotel Trapani Crystal
Day 12: Trapani
Enjoy a free day to explore the charms of Trapani and its nearby towns. Opt to cruise the idyllic Egadi Islands, spend the day hiking at a nature reserve filled with local flora and fauna, or hop on a funicular to explore the walled town of Erice.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Take the day to explore Trapani at your leisure.Accommodation - B&B Hotel Trapani Crystal
Day 13: Trapani/Palermo
Travel to Monreale to visit the 11th century Monreale Cathedral, intricately decorated with thousands of gold mosaic tiles. Admire panoramic views of the Conca d'Oro (Golden Valley) and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Continue to Palermo and enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk upon arrival.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Visit the World Heritage–listed Cattedrale di Monreale, or Monreale Cathedral, considered one of Europe's greatest examples of Norman architecture with a heavy Moorish and Byzantine influence.Activity - Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO along the squares and the streets of Palermo, this city has been the crossroad of so many civilizations from Phoenicians to Byzantines, from Arabs to Normans and Spaniards. Walk around to see baroque and gothic façades, neoclassical theatres as Teatro Massimo, the biggest in Italy and one of the largest of Europe, very unusual squares as Quattro Canti, and the majestic Palermo Cathedral.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Hotel Vecchio Borgo
Day 14: Palermo
Depart at any time.
Meals included: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Maria R - Traveled, September 2023
I would recommend G Adventures to them with the caveat that the quality of the accommodations could be questionable at times.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/21/2023
Stephanie H - Traveled, September 2023
Accommodation not worth the money, single traveller pay more to receive less, single supplement the way to expensive
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/21/2023
Jacqueline M - Traveled, September 2023
This was our 4th trip with G Adventures, formerly GAP Adventures (Egypt Archeology Tour 2 weeks and add-on day trip to Alexandria in 2010, Turkey 2 weeks in 2010 and Costa Rica 2 weeks in 2016). Trip was not nearly the quality of our previous trips. The information provided was repetitive and also unclear. Why did our 'updated' itinerary dated Sept 7/23 not tell us exactly which hotels were were going to? For the starting hotel it said 'Hotel Vecchio Borgo (or similar)'. The itinerary on the G Adventures App said 'Hotel Mediterraneo (or similar)'. Surely this has to be booked in advance and is known. The voucher only gave an address, not the name of the hotel. We guessed the second one. Few of our hotels matched the listings. The quality of the accommodation was, in part, not up to 3* quality with the service at 'Moses' hotel in Agrigento very poor (3 staff only and all in the restaurant -- no one manning the front desk or bar -- the air-conditioning turned off at 2 am and the pool closed for the season) and many of us having very different quality of rooms in the same hotel. The buses provided were of different quality and size, so with little leg room in some. The last bus from Trepani to Palermo completely unacceptable. We were told by our CEO that we could have a different bus for each leg provided by a contracted supplier. Why not the same good bus? This was not the case on our previous tours and they were all nice buses. We should have refused to get on the last bus. It was way too small. Luggage had to be put in the aisle, which is illegal. The roof was damaged, which was apparently connected to the air-conditioning, which didn't work and also gave a howling sound in the back of the bus. The CEO said the bus came from Palermo and we couldn't get another one. Why? Why did we get this one? He said it was the suppliers fault, but you can believe that, if we had an accident and people were injured due to being unable to exit the bus, G Adventures would be sued and succeed. You are responsible for the quality and safety of your tours. The CEO also blamed the fact that we were in Sicily. Really? I think the company is just cutting corners. As far as we are concerned, the quality of G Adventures tours
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/21/2023
Kenneth R - Traveled, September 2023
We have been on two G Adventures tours to date. This 'Highlights Of Sicily' tour was very good in terms of the places visited, the time spent in each and particularly with the services of our guide, Salvo Puleri.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/21/2023
Brian K - Traveled, September 2023
Tour guide was great, but it seemed chaotic. Very little was as advertised in the way of hotel accommodations.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/21/2023
Christopher V - Traveled, September 2023
Convenience
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/21/2023
Karen S - Traveled, September 2023
There was just one particular day that could perhaps be improved upon. they'day we visited Marsala and the salt salt harvesting. Most things were closed that time of day in Marsala and there was too much time wasted when nobody was interested in the expensive salt museum.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/14/2023
Jennifer N - Traveled, September 2023
A perfect balance for anyone wanting to travel, not just vacation
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/14/2023
Gemma F - Traveled, September 2023
Experience on the trip generally very positive- great tour leader & itinerary worked well, but issues with noise at some accommodation.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/14/2023
Joseph M - Traveled, September 2023
The only other guided tour I've been on, our guide went everywhere with. All the activities we did as a group. If you didn't want to go, you could bow out. I liked the group thing better
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/07/2023
Dolores M - Traveled, September 2023
Actually, maybe 8 1/2. Two main reasons besides being delighted with many/if not most of the tour including the guide. -1. Two or more scheduled days involved many hours on the bus, arriving at hotels at @7PM. (Trip to Agrigento and trip to Trapani.) Boat excursion to island off Marsala had nothing to do with salt, could have been added to optional excursions the next day and thus shortened the ride to hotel. Additionally more important than the island for many people in Marsala is the production of Marsala wine. -2. While Gtours and our Guide Eveline were clear that the trip guide was the CEO, the hiring of individual guides licensed to lead archeological explanations should have been spelled out in advance. On a positive note, when we brought this wish to Eveline?s attention, she was able to find excellent English-speaking guides specifically trained in the ruins/places we were visiting.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/07/2023
Noelle M - Traveled, August 2023
We think the quality of the tours has deteriorated since we first started travelling with G
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/07/2023
Oriel M - Traveled, August 2023
Access to excellent guides, prompt information and assistance with language/communications, clean and convenient hotels, and comfortable transportation
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/07/2023
Penelope M - Traveled, September 2023
I had a wonderful trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/30/2023
Jonathan P - Traveled, September 2023
Team leader knowledgeable and committed to providing excellent service throughout the trip
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/30/2023
Darlene Z - Traveled, September 2023
We',ve done six trip with G Adventures, and have been pleased with each tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/30/2023
Megan B - Traveled, September 2023
Everything is very well organized, no need to worry about getting from a to b, and your leaders who are on hand to answer questions, provide guidance and assistance where needed. Also able to get to places I wouldn't be able to my own.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/30/2023
William S - Traveled, August 2023
Great trips that have a combination of sites, cultural exposure, and free time
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/30/2023
Sandra S. - Traveled, July 2023
Small groups and outstanding CEO that show you more of the true culture of an area than most tours.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/30/2023
Anna D - Traveled, July 2023
Great itinerary, great tour leader, great accommodation
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/23/2023
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