Classical Sicily

BM-17155

5.0Based on

8 days

“

We chose explore for the itinerary having considered many other companies and we were not disappointed. Placido, our tour leader was great fun and looked after us very well. The use of local guides in most places provided in depth knowledge.

Penny | Traveled in October

5 - Excellent

Carbon neutral

8 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants

16 peopleMaximum group size

16 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Ends

Syracuse, Italy

Giardini Naxos, Italy

Select Date

Best price guaranteedNo credit card or booking fees.Carbon neutral tours.

Highlights

Agrigento - Visit Sicily's most famous Classical remains in the Valley of the Temples, with its remarkable Doric architecture. Erice - Discover the walled medieval hilltop town with its maze of narrow winding cobbled streets and quaint shops. Villa Romana del Casale - See some of the best-preserved and most extensive mosaics left in Europe at this Roman villa. Why not extend your trip? - This trip can be combined with our Malta and Gozo Discovery trip (code: MLAS) to make a two-week island adventure.

Itinerary

Sicily’s tapestry of history, cuisine, and natural beauty unfolds on this 8-day cultural tour, ideal for travelers who savor both ancient wonders and modern delights. Explore the remarkable Doric temples of Agrigento, the medieval streets of Erice, and the intricate mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale. Venture to the slopes of Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, and lose yourself in the allure of Taormina, Sicily’s coastal jewel.

With a moderate activity rating, the trip blends guided walks with ample free time for gelato, arancini, and seaside relaxation. Extend your journey by combining with Malta and Gozo for a two-week island adventure.

The unique selling point is Sicily’s rich layering of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine history—few tours offer such a comprehensive immersion into the island’s diverse heritage, paired with its delectable food culture.

day 1Join trip in Syracuse

Our tour of Sicily starts today in Syracuse. During the Greek Classical period, this east coast city was the largest in the ancient world - even bigger than Athens. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's also notable as being the birthplace of antiquity's greatest mathematician, Archimedes. For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for the welcome meeting and the dinner. If you would like to join the included dinner tonight we reccomend booking flights to arrive no later than 6pm. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA), which is about a one-hour drive away. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to walk into the historic centre of Ortygia Island, which is about 20-30 minutes from our hotel. Artemis Fountain and the Baroque cathedral are lit up beautifully at night. Tonight will be your first opportunity to sample Sicilian cuisine and wine. According to Greek legend, the god Dionysus brought wine to Sicily, however, it's more likely that wine has been produced here since ancient times due to the island being blessed with plenty of sunshine and reliably moderate rainfall, along with fertile volcanic soils. Nowadays there's a huge variety of delicious red and white wines to choose from. You might also like to try a typically Sicilian dish such as pasta with sardines and wild fennel, aubergine stew or boiled pork in salsa verde and saffron.

Meals

Dinner

Accommodation

Grand Hotel Villa Politi

day 2Discover Syracuse's historic Neapolis and Ortygia Island

day 3See the mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale and the Valley of the Temples

day 4Explore Erice, drive to Palermo

day 5Visit Monreale Cathedral followed by Palermo city tour the Palatine Chapel

day 6Drive along the coast with a stop in Cefalu en route to Giardini Naxos

day 7Travel to Mount Etna, afternoon in Taormina

day 8Trip ends in Giardini Naxos

What's Included

Accommodation

Grand Hotel Villa Politi (1 night)GH Hotel (1 night)B&B Hotel Trapani Crystal (1 night)Hotel Posta Palermo (2 nights)Hotel Palladio (2 nights)

Meals

7 Breakfasts, 1 Dinner

Transport

Driver(s)Bus

Guide

Explore Tour LeaderLocal Guide(s)

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

4.6

based on 18 reviews

Availability

Loading availability...

Monthly Price Comparison

Good to Know

Travel Insurance

Visa

Other Practical Information

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4.67/5

Excellent based on 850 customer reviews from

Karen

Problem-free booking and service right through the process

1 month ago

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