Itinerary Details
Sicily
Day 1: ARRIVE IN PALERMO, ITALY Check into your hotel. Spend the rest of your day exploring this great city. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions. (D)
Day 2: PALERMO Enjoy a full day in this busy and brilliant city with many interesting squares and marketplaces, churches, and palaces in every style—from Moorish to Baroque. Join the included sightseeing tour to learn more about the history and culture and visit the magnificent Baroque St. Catherine Church. (B)
Day 3: PALERMO–TRAPANI–ERICE–MARSALA Two Sicilian treats are on the agenda today. First, visit enchanting Trapani with a Local Guide. Set on a harbor that was once at the heart of a powerful trading network stretching from Carthage to Venice, the city center skirts the port and was built primarily in Baroque style. Next, take a cable car to visit the medieval hilltop town of Erice. Situated about 2,500 feet above sea level, it immediately impresses with its defensive walls and castle, affording breathtaking views over the Gulf of Trapani and Egadi Islands. On clear days, you can see all the way to the African coast. Overnight in nearby Marsala. (B,D)
Day 4: MARSALA–SELINUNTE–AGRIGENTO This morning, spend some time on your own in Marsala, or awaken your palate with an optional excursion to learn about Sicilian wine and to experience the ancient salt pans and mills, created by the Phoenicians, and still active today. The salt pans, according to temperature, weather, and water evaporation, display different colors reflecting the Sicilian sky. Then head towards Selinunte, one of the most striking and interesting archaeological sites in Sicily. Here, you will see the remains of the Acropolis, with its temples and fortifications. Continue to Agrigento. (B,D)
Day 5: AGRIGENTO–PIAZZA ARMERINA–TAORMINA AREA Enjoy a guided visit of the spectacular Doric temple of Concord and the temple of Juno Lacinia, archaeological jewels of the Valley of the Temples near Agrigento. On to Piazza Armerina, a maze of steep streets positively overflowing with the vibrant atmosphere of Sicilian life. At nearby Casale, visit the well-preserved Roman villa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its mosaics, including the whimsical “Bikini Girls.” Tonight, we’ll save you a seat at the table for an optional Sicilian dinner. The tastes and aromas of colorful Sicilian food never fail to please, especially when paired with traditional music and entertainment. (B)
Day 6: TAORMINA AREA. EXCURSION TO MOUNT ETNA Drive up the heights of Mount Etna with the option of a jeep or cable-car ride for a better view of Europe’s largest active volcano (subject to weather conditions). Descend to sun-kissed Taormina, magnificently situated on a 700-foot plateau overlooking the Ionian Sea. The heart of Taormina is Piazza Nove Aprile, a paved square with unmatched views of the sea and Mount Etna. Take a stroll along the Corso Umberto and maybe taste a refreshing granita or a sumptuous cannolo. (B,D)
Day 7: TAORMINA AREA–CEFALÙ–PALERMO Arrive in the coastal town of Cefalù, featuring medieval squares, narrow streets, and ancient churches. During your visit, marvel at the sight of the Norman cathedral, a 12th-century fortress-like structure with elaborate Byzantine mosaics and soaring twin towers. Later, return to Palermo. During your final day in this glorious city, catch up on some last-minute shopping or explore more of the city on your own. (B)
Day 8: PALERMO Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
