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Colors of Sicily

Operated by: Trafalgar

9 Days from $1,998 per person
APR - OCT 2023
Italy Sicily Ragusa Brick Rooftops

Countries Visited

Italy ...more Italy

Locations Visited

Palermo, Monreale, Erice, Marsala, Agrigento, Ragusa, Modica, Syracuse, Catania, Taormina ...more Palermo, Monreale, Erice, Marsala, Agrigento, Ragusa, Modica, Syracuse, Catania, Taormina
  1. Day 1 Welcome to Palermo

    Start your Sicilian journey in Palermo, whose rich trading history has left its unforgettable mark on the city’s Italian, Arab and Norman-styled piazzas, street markets and churches. Enjoy some free time to relax before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception to kick-start your Sicilian adventure.

    meals Welcome Reception
    hotel Garibaldi
  2. Day 2 Explore the Capital of Sicily Make Travel Matter

    Discover hidden Palermo as you join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, and learn about the civil anti-mafia movement. Head to Monreale on the slopes of Monte Caputo where a Local Specialist will guide you through one of the greatest examples of Norman architecture, the 12th-century Cattedrale di Monreale. This evening, why not join an Optional Experience to the beautiful fishing village of Sferracavallo, at the foot of Mount Capo Gallo? Here you’ll feast on Palermitano specialties, perfectly paired with delicious Sicilian wine.

    meals Breakfast
    hotel Garibaldi
  3. Day 3 Journey to Ancient Marsala Dive Into Culture

    Leaving Palermo behind, we head to Erice, the hilltop 'Town of a Hundred Churches'. You’ll have some free time for lunch before continuing to Marsala, home to the nutty-flavoured wine which shares its name. Dive Into Culture along the way, stopping at the salt pans to visit the Infersa Mill to learn about the ancient 'culture of salt' and industry which has shaped this region. You’ll be thrilled with an evening at leisure in picture-perfect Marsala with its marble streets and expansive piazze filled with colourful restaurants.

    meals Breakfast
    hotel Seawater
  4. Day 4 Onwards to Agrigento and Ragusa

    Today’s first stop is Agrigento where you’ll join a Local Specialist for a visit to the UNESCO-listed Valley of the Temples. You’ll explore one of the world’s most treasured centres of Greek art and architecture, including the seven sandstone Doric temples overlooking the city. There’s time for lunch before we head to Ragusa, a city with two very different souls – the lower and older Ragusa Ibla and higher Ragusa Superiore are separated dramatically by a deep ravine, the Valle dei Ponti.

    meals Breakfast, Dinner
    hotel Poggio del Sole
  5. Day 5 Explore Beautiful Baroque Modica Dive Into Culture

    This morning we pay a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Modica. Your Travel Director will show you the sights on an orientation of this Baroque beauty before we Dive Into Culture  and learn the secrets of Modican chocolate. Later we return to Ragusa to learn about the rebuilding of the city following a 17th-century earthquake which destroyed most of it. Your Local Specialist will reveal how this devastating seismic event led to the development of an entirely new city on a nearby ridge, while some of its brave residents remained to rebuild what was lost. You’ll hear how it was only in the early 20th century that the two were eventually fused together. This evening is yours to enjoy at leisure, or perhaps consider joining an Optional Experience to a unique local farm restaurant.

    meals Breakfast
    hotel Poggio del Sole
  6. Day 6 Off to Historic Syracuse

    Once a major Mediterranean power and the birthplace of Archimedes, the historic city of Syracuse takes centre stage this morning as you join your Local Specialist for in-depth insights into its colourful past. You'll see some of its treasures at the Archaeological Museum, then visit the island of Ortygia, the ancient heart of the city connected to the mainland by a stone bridge. Your afternoon is open to spend as you wish. This evening you’ll join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.

    meals Breakfast, Dinner
    hotel Mercure
  7. Day 7 Venture Past Mount Etna to Taormina

    Continue up the coast to Catania, the city that lies in Mount Etna’s shadow. You’ll have some free time to explore on your own and perhaps sample arancini, a favourite Catania snack. Later join a Local Specialist to delve into the history and culture of the ancient town of Taormina. A particular highlight of this afternoon will be a visit to the beautifully preserved ruins of the Teatro di Taormina. Imagine masked actors performing against the backdrop of glorious sea views more than 2,500 years ago. You’ll have an evening on your own to spend as you wish or consider joining our Optional Experience evening enjoying Sicilian specialties.

    meals Breakfast
    hotel Caesar Palace Giardini Naxos
  8. Day 8 Taormina Free Day Connect with Locals

    Taormina is yours for the taking today. You could choose to visit the 10th century Palazzo Corvaja with its Islamic-style tower or explore the elegant boutiques along Corso Umberto. Work up an appetite and stop for some of the city's signature cannoli or cool down with a famous Sicilian granita, a half-frozen dessert served with a piping-hot brioche. Movie buffs will delight in an Optional Experience to Mount Etna and Savoca, the hilltop village of 'The Godfather'. Later this evening, learn the art of Sicilian cuisine on a charming Be My Guest experience.

    meals Breakfast, Dinner
    hotel Caesar Palace Giardini Naxos
  9. Day 9 Farewell Sicily

    Your journey through Sicily has come to an end. All that's left is to say a fond farewell to new friends and take your airport transfer for your return journey home. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.

    meals Breakfast
Colours Sicily Guided Tour Map
Price Includes

Whats Included

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Optional Experiences and free time

Dining Summary

  • 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
  • 8 Breakfast (B)
  • 3 Dinner (D)

Be My Guest

  • Catania: Learn how to make homemade macaroni and sit down to a delicious local meal with your charming hosts, the locals of Castiglione di Sicilia, a Jewish Village.

Dive Into Culture

  • Marsala: Explore Sicily's 'Culture of Salt' at the Salina della Laguna.
  • Modica: Learn how the local Modica chocolate is made and enjoy a chocolate tasting.

Iconic Experience

  • Monreale: The sombre exterior of the cathedral at Monreale gives away few clues to the riches inside. Step into a world where the walls glitter with 12th-century mosaics, the best of their kind in the world.
  • Erice: Led by your Travel Director, explore the quiet alleys of this ancient walled town, as if you've stepped into the Middle Ages. See the medieval churches and marvel at the sea views from the gardens of the Castle of Venus.
  • Agrigento: A Local Specialist will lead you through the magnificent remains of the Greek colony in the Valley in the Temples. See the massive Temple of Concord and clifftop Temple of Juno.
  • Ragusa: Join a Local Specialist on an insightful look into the historic devastation at the root of Ragusa's two distinctive districts.
  • Syracuse: Walk with a Local Specialist through the historic island of Ortygia and visit the Archaeological Museum of Syracuse.
  • Catania: During an exploration with your Travel Director see the Duomo, Piazza and the noble buildings of Palazzo Senatorio.
  • Taormina: Visit the ancient Greek Ampitheatre with your Local Specialist. Set on a cliff, open to the sky, take your seats and enjoy the view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

  • Palermo: Learn about the civil anti-mafia movement and discover the lesser known history of Palermo.

Must-see Highlights

  • : Explore Palermo, Monreale, Valley of the Temples, Ragusa, Syracuse and Taormina with a Local Specialist
  • : Discover Modica and Catania
  • : Visit Monreale Norman Cathedral, Erice, Infersa Mill in Marsala, Valley of the Temples, the Syracuse Archaeological Museum, Ortygia and the Greek Theatre in Taormina
  • : View Mount Etna

Whats Included

  • : An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • : Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • : All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • : All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • : Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • : Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • : Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • : Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • : Optional Experiences and free time

Dates & Prices

Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. To request a personalized travel quote, click "Request Quote" and a Travel Specialist will send your custom quote including airfare if requested.

Online Booking Process

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July 2023
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Jul 29 Sat
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August 2023
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Aug 5 Sat
Aug 13 Sun
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Guaranteed Departure This departure is guaranteed
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Aug 26 Sat
Sep 3 Sun
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Guaranteed Departure This departure is guaranteed
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PRICE/PERSON
$2,395 $2,036 Save $359
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September 2023
AARP Members Save up to $100
Sep 30 Sat
Oct 8 Sun
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Guaranteed Departure This departure is guaranteed
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$2,375
October 2023
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Oct 14 Sat
Oct 22 Sun
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Guaranteed Departure This departure is guaranteed
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PRICE/PERSON
$2,350
Optional Add-Ons

Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.

Palermo

Available on Day 2

A Visit To Cefalù

Take a drive along the blue coastal highway to the quaint medieval village of Cefalù. You'll have the chance to stroll from the long golden beaches into the winding Arab streets with your Local Specialist.
Adult Price: € 36

Available on Day 2

Colours and Traditions of Palermo

A panoramic drive through verdant forest with spectacular views over the city of Palermo brings us to the summit of Mt. Pellegrino. Here we visit the grotto of Santa Rosalia, Palermo's patron saint. Later, with a Local Specialist, we explore and sample Palermitano street food at one of the most famous and colourful markets with its stalls of olives and spices. A wonderful opportunity to enjoy picturesque Sicilian everyday life.
Adult Price: € 30

Available on Day 2

Sferracavallo with Dinner

Join us for a drive to the coast of Sicily, where we’ll arrive at the quaint fishing village of Sferracavallo. You’ll have the chance to sample a delicious feast of local Palermo specialities, accompanied by wine and soft drinks.
Adult Price: € 60

Marsala

Available on Day 3

Flavours of Marsala

No visit to Marsala would be complete without a tasting of the famous wine named after the town. For seven generations, the Pellegrino family have grown grapes and made wine in this corner of Sicily, so we will visit their historic cellars to learn about the winemaking, and taste a selection of their renowned wines, accompanied by a selection of local specialty dishes. A true sensory delight!
Adult Price: € 64

Ragusa

Available on Day 5

Aromas of Sicily

This evening, a scenic drive takes us to a unique family farm, where an out-of-this-world sensory experience awaits. The Russino family’s passion for the Sicilian aromatic herbs and plants they nurture is contagious. Their warm hospitality, tasty home-cooking and a stunning sunset will make this experience a highlight of your trip.
Adult Price: € 62

Taormina

Available on Day 7

Dinner in Castelmola

Climb by minibus to the heights of Castelmola, above Taormina, to enjoy a tasty Sicilian Dinner with local wine in a characteristic restaurant with some of the best views of this magical part of the island. Then enjoy a tasty Sicilian Dinner with wine.
Adult Price: € 82

Available on Day 7

Sicilian Dinner and Entertainment

Join us for a fantastic Sicilian evening where we’ll enjoy a dinner of Southern Italian specialities with musical entertainment.
Adult Price: € 75

Available on Day 8

Mt Etna, Savoca And The Godfather

Discover rustic village life with your Local Specialist as we visit Savoca, the Sicilian setting for 'The Godfather'. Enjoy the stunning views before a visit to Vitelli's bar, featured in the film and famous for 'granita di limone'. Later, you’ll journey up Mt Etna, one of the most intriguing volcanoes in the world.
Adult Price: € 56

Reviews
Service
Vacation
Independent Reviews
Trusted Customer
Sunday, October 2, 2022
Service
We saw so much of sunny Sicily including Mt. Etna. Wonderful memories. Wonderful tour guide, Antonella and bus driver Simone.
Response from Grand European Travel:
It sounds like you had a wonderful time exploring Sicily. We are so happy to hear that! Thank you for writing a review and leaving your feedback. We appreciate it!
Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Vacation
Very well organized and fun tour around the island of Sicily seeing most of its iconic locations. Tour director and bus driver were first-rate.
Trusted Customer
Sunday, September 18, 2022
Service
I have booked my trips with GET for many years. They are very helpful and on this trip helped me get better flight plans.
Response from Grand European Travel:
We are thrilled that you enjoyed your trip to Sicily and so glad we were able to help you plan it. Thank you so much for your repeat business and your kind words. Both are very much appreciated. We hope you will call us when you are ready to plan and book your next adventure. Happy Travels!
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Vacation
We had a wonderful guide whose knowledge and personality enriched our learning experience.Sicily has had an eventful history and we had some great local guides.
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