Sicily and Its Isles

You’re on your way to Sicily – an island paradise nestled amongst the deep blue waves of the Mediterranean. Look past the Italy you think you know and see how this coastal farmland balances ancient traditions and modern comforts.
Hotel Name: Best Western Ai Cavalieri Hotel

Arrive in Palermo (UNESCO), Sicily’s welcoming capital city. Uncover the island’s deeply rooted heritage, teeming with Arab-Norman architectural masterpieces and delicate Classical designs. Come to know your fellow travelers over a welcome dinner.
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Palermo
Palermo is the regional capital of Sicily with nearly a million inhabitants. The history of the city’s many rulers is on full display through the architecture of the monumental palaces, theaters and churches. Arabs, Normans and Spanish have all called the city home and left their mark on the people, their culture and food. The city is full of vibrant markets, lively eateries and bustling piazzas just waiting to be explored.

Begin your adventure tasting your way through Palermo’s lively markets on a walking tour unveiling the city’s historical center and introducing you to traditional Sicilian street food, which layers Oriental and Norman influences with local produce such as wild fennel, olives and spices. This afternoon, head to Monreale Cathedral, ascending on foot to see its majestic Byzantine mosaics. Then, it’s your choice! Explore the cathedral’s cloisters, taking in their serene atmosphere of the monastic complex -OR- ascend the southern tower to the panoramic terraces for a bird’s-eye view over Palermo.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Hotel Name: I Mulini Resort

Visit Area: Monreale
Monreale is famous for its Norman Cathedral that is covered with nearly 70,000 square feet of gold-leaf mosaics. The church was built in the 12th century by the Norman King William II. The mosaics depict stories of the Old Testament and the life stories of Saints Peter and Paul. The church is a national monument and highlight of any trip to Sicily.

Experience an impact moment with Addiopizzo, an anti-Mafia nonprofit that supports locals who refuse to pay the Mafia’s protection fees. Visit Capaci, the site of a terrorist act led by the Mafia, and pay tribute to fallen activists. Chat with locals for a personal perspective and learn how they overcame the Mafia’s reign. Later this afternoon, settle into your hotel in coastal Trapani for a two-night stay. This evening, watch the sunset fade against the crashing waves and whirling windmills.

Breakfast Included

Admittance: Monreale Cathedral - Cloisters or Terrace Visit
During your visit in Monreale you have the choice between two activities. Your first choice is to explore more of the Cathedral’s monastic complex during a guided tour of the cloisters with its elegant combination of Romanesque arches and Oriental decorations. Your second choice is to ascend to the Cathedral’s terraces* via the steep stairs of the southern tower for a bird-eye’s view of the monastery and Palermo's Golden Valley. Monreale Cathedral - Cloisters Visit Activity Level: 2 The visit's duration is approx 30 minutes walking and standing on flat, paved terrain. Monreale Cathedral - Terrace Visit Activity Level: 4 *Visiting the terraces requires walking thru narrow passages (less than 3 feet wide/1 meter) and climbing the equivalent of 4 sets of stairs (approximately 20 steps each) to reach the lower terrace. The upper terrace can be reached by climbing a further set of stairs (approx 15). This choice is NOT suitable for travelers suffering from claustrophobia, vertigo or those with mobility issues.

Discover the ancient craft of sea-salt harvesting during a guided visit to the salt pans of Trapani. Then continue to Marsala, heading down into a cellar for a taste of its renowned wine paired with traditional bites. This afternoon, journey to the enchanted hilltop village of Erice before returning to your hotel for dinner.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Baia di Ulisse Hotel

Admittance: Impact Moment
Experience an impact moment with Addiopizzo, an anti-Mafia nonprofit that supports locals who refuse to pay the Mafia’s protection fees. Visit Capaci, the site of a terrorist act led by the Mafia, and pay tribute to fallen activists. Chat with locals for a personal perspective and learn how they overcame the Mafia’s reign.

This morning, head to an award-winning olive grove and learn about the Slow Food movement, which supports local cultures and preserves traditions. Try their unique olive oil at lunch before departing for Agrigento, where ancient roots and medieval buildings blend into modernity. Later this afternoon, wander through the imposing Greek ruins of the Valley of the Temples (UNESCO) in company of an expert guide.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Poggio del Sole Hotel

Visit Area: Trapani
Experience the remarkable natural beauty of Trapani, a Mediterranean gem. Witness this city’s stunning views of sparkling waters and rocky cliffs.

Make your way to Ragusa (UNESCO), an ancient city perched upon a hill. Meander through its Baroque neighborhood with an expert guide, passing by winding lanes, cobblestone streets, and wrought iron balconies. Make the most of a free afternoon to explore on your own. As the sun sets, retreat to your countryside resort just outside the city.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Marsala Winery Tour
Get a taste for one of Italy’s renowned wines during a Winery Tour in Marsala. Sip the region’s world-famous fortified wine paired with a tasting of locally produced foods and witness firsthand the reasons why this aromatic blend is one of Italy’s most popular exports.

The entire day is yours. With free time, you might choose to relax in the countryside and enjoy the resort’s amenities. Or, perhaps you will join an optional tour to the picture-perfect towns of Scicli and Modica, where you’ll enjoy a savory brunch at a ricotta farm before continuing to an Aztec chocolate shop for some sweet samples.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: Hotel Mamma Santina

Visit Area: Erice
This medieval Italian town is believed to be included in Virgil’s Aeneid, as a stop on Aeneas’s epic journey. An awe-inspiring lookout of the town is seen at the adjacent Venus Castle, which is built upon an ancient Roman temple.

Grab your bags* and hop on a ferry in Milazzo. Sail by Vulcano and Lipari on your way to Salina,** a far-flung isle surrounded by vibrant blue waters and dark volcanic rock. Somewhat off the beaten path, Salina is one of the less-traveled Aeolian Islands, preserved as a vacation getaway for Italians. Settle into the hamlet of Lingua for a 2-night stay.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Olive Oil Farm
Take a trip to the countryside and explore an olive grove. Try samples of olive oil while gazing out at the sprawling rows of olive trees.

Dramatic landscapes of rocky cliffs and vibrant vineyards pass by on your way to nearby Pollara, famous for its traditional caper cultivation. Wander through the fields, tasting the salted flower buds accompanied by a glass of Malvasia, a locally produced dessert wine. The afternoon is yours to do as you please. Perhaps you’ll take an optional cruise*** to Stromboli, where you’ll swim off your private boat and dine at sunset; relax and watch for the signature glow of the island’s active volcano.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: NH Collection Hotel

Visit Area: Agrigento
Agrigento is a provincial capital on the southern coast of Sicily. The city is famous as a tourist destination because of the Greek archeological park called the Valley of the Temples. The Valley of the Temples is home to seven Greek temples that date back to the Golden Age of Magna Grecia, when Greek city-states dominated Sicily and Southern Italy. The site, known as Akragas in ancient Greek, was added to the UNESCO Heritage list in 1997 because of the ancient Greek temples’ high state of preservation.

After a relaxing morning, ferry back to mainland Sicilia. Journey along the Ionian Coast to Taormina, a seaside hub of ancient Greek theaters and hilly walkways. Settle into your new home for the next three nights and enjoy a free evening to explore on your own.

Breakfast Included

Admittance: Valley of the Temples
The Valley of the Temples is a Greek archeological site located on the outskirts of the Sicilian city of Agrigento. The site, known as Akragas in ancient Greek, was added to the UNESCO Heritage list in 1997 because of the Ancient Greek Temples’ high quality state of preservation. The most famous of the temples is the so-called Temple of Concordia which was utilized as a church during the medieval ages. In total the site has seven temples and covers an area of over 3000 acres.

Discover Taormina with a local guide, leading you to the city’s Duomo, public gardens, and the well-preserved Greek theater. Walk in the footsteps of ancient attendees and take in an unparalleled viewpoint of the adjacent ocean. Spend the afternoon on your own. Perhaps you’ll grab a bite to eat at a sidewalk café, or peruse the local boutiques for handcrafted souvenirs.

Breakfast Included

Visit Area: Ragusa
Visit Ragusa (UNESCO), an ancient city perched upon a hill. Meander through its Baroque neighborhood, passing by winding lanes, cobblestone streets, and wrought iron balconies.

See Sicily’s wilder side on an off-road adventure to Mount Etna. Stare up at the iconic peak as your vehicle climbs along the sides of Europe’s largest active volcano. Spend the day exploring this legendary giant, passing by lava formations and basalt rocks. This evening, toast to your Sicilian sojourn at dinner, surrounded by local musicians.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Isle of Salina
Discover the Isle of Salina, one of Sicily’s Aeolian Islands and a popular vacation destination for Italians. Bask in the warm glow of this region’s relaxed atmosphere and enjoy the sights and sounds of this Mediterranean paradise.

Your journey through Sicily comes to a close today. Return home with memories of Italy’s favorite island.

Breakfast Included

Admittance: Caper Farm
Go on a tour of a caper farm and learn about the techniques of cultivating this edible flower, accompanied by a glass of Malvasia, a locally produced dessert wine. Witness the process of preparing capers the traditional, Sicilian way and then enjoy a tasting.