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Sicily in Depth

Operated by: Insight Vacations

8 Days from $2,318 per person
APR - OCT 2023
Rooftops in Ragusa, Sicily, Italy

Countries Visited

Italy ...more Italy

Locations Visited

Catania, Ragusa, Agrigento, Palermo, Erice, Marsala, Cefalu, Taormina ...more Catania, Ragusa, Agrigento, Palermo, Erice, Marsala, Cefalu, Taormina
  1. Day 1 Welcome to Sicily

    On arrival at Catania airport, transfers leave for your hotel at 10:00, 12:30 and 15:30. Relax and settle in before meeting your Travel Director at 17:30, for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.

    meals Dinner with Wine
    hotel NH Catania Centro.
  2. Day 2 Ancient Syracuse

    Sightseeing with your Local Expert takes you to Syracuse’s Paradise Quarry with its unusual Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped grotto with an unusual echo. Continue to the superb Greek theatre, carved out of solid rock, one of the largest of the ancient world. There is time to explore the atmospheric Old City, a maze of narrow streets lined with palaces, sprawling over the island of Ortygia. It was here that the famous geometrician Archimedes ran naked through the streets, crying ‘Eureka!' Continue around the southeastern corner of Sicily to Ragusa.

    meals Breakfast
    hotel Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa.
  3. Day 3 Explore the Valley of the Temples and on to Palermo

    Journey along the southern coast of the island, past the oil producing town of Gela to Agrigento. Explore the Valley of the Temples with a Local Expert. See the massive Temple of Concordia and the clifftop Temple of Juno overlooking the sea. Your travels continue to the Sicilian capital of Palermo.

    meals Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
    hotel NH Palermo.
  4. Day 4 Palermo & the Golden Age of the Normans

    Explore Palermo with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the spectacular 12th century Palatine Chapel with a Local Expert. Alternatively, join your Local Expert for a walk through the lively market. Later this morning, visit Palermo Cathedral which has been altered many times over the years and observe its unique blend of architectural styles. For your dining pleasure, you are offered a selection of local restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening, each with their own ambience and cuisine.

    meals Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
    hotel NH Palermo.
  5. Day 5 Exploring Erice

    Venture to the charming hilltop walled town of Erice and explore the labyrinth of quiet alleyways. Pause to enjoy the sea views from the gardens alongside the Castle of Venus. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in the heart of Marsala countryside, during a tasting of rich Sicilian wines. The estate uses sustainable farming practices, cultivates rare ancient grains and uses water management systems to reduce waste. Back in Palermo the evening is at your leisure.

    meals Breakfast, Lunch with Wine
    hotel NH Palermo.
  6. Day 6 Cefalu and the Taormina Riviera

    Travel to the quaint fishing town of Cefalu. The town's imposing cathedral was erected to fulfill a vow made by the Norman King Roger II. Stroll down to the medieval stone fountain and seek out the Gothic arch of the Porta Marina for a picture-perfect view of the little harbour. Later, travel onwards towards the Taormina Riviera.

    meals Breakfast
    hotel RG Naxos Hotel, Taormina.
  7. Day 7 Taormina and the Dawn Coast of Europe Relaxed Start

    Your hotel faces east, so early risers may experience why D.H. Lawrence christened this 'The Dawn Coast of Europe.' After breakfast, perhaps take an Optional Experience through the vineyards to Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano. Travel to the old town of Taormina, which clings to the side of Mount Tauro overlooking the Ionian Sea and the peak of Mount Etna. With your Local Expert, visit the Greek theatre set on a cliff and open to the sky. Take a moment to sit in this ancient theatre and absorb the view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna. Stroll on to the tiny courtyard of the Palazzo Corvaja, Taormina’s grandest building and further along the elegant Corso Umberto, the Piazza IX Aprile offers panoramic views. At a local restaurant, rejoice with your new-found friends over your Celebration Dinner of delicious, freshly prepared Farm-to-Table cuisine, accompanied with exquisite Italian wines.

    meals Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
    hotel RG Naxos Hotel, Taormina.
  8. Day 8 Depart Catania

    Appreciate the vistas of Mount Etna one last time on your departure transfer to Catania Airport. Transfers arrive at the airport at 06:30 and 08:30.

    meals Breakfast
Map
Price Includes

Dining Summary

  • 4 Dinner with Wine (DW)
  • 7 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Lunch with Wine (LW)

Choice Highlights

  • Choose between two carefully selected activities
  • Palermo: Join your Local Expert for a walk through the lively Vucciria market.
  • Palermo: Visit the spectacular 12th Century Palatine Chapel. Its sombre exterior 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.

Authentic Dining

  • Catania: Join your Travel Director and fellow guests for your Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
  • Palermo: Choose between a variety of restaurants and cuisines on your Dine-Around Evening.
  • Taormina: Your Farm-to-Table Celebration Dinner reflects some of Sicily's top culinary heritage.

Make Travel Matter

  • Marsala: Enjoy a tasting of some of the island's richest Sicilian wines at Baglio Donna France. The estate uses sustainable farming practices, cultivates rare ancient grains and uses water management systems to reduce waste.

Top Rated Highlights

  • Syracuse: Walk through the gardens of Paradise Quarry, listen to the acoustics in the mysterious Ear of Dionysius and visit the Greek theatre.
  • Ragusa: During your orientation with your Travel Director see the famous Baroque buildings and churches.
  • Agrigento: A Local Expert 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.
  • Palermo: Join your Local Expert for a walk through the lively Vucciria market.
  • Palermo: Visit the spectacular 12th Century Palatine Chapel. Its sombre exterior 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.
  • Cefalu: Your Travel Director will show you the cathedral, built to fulfil a vow. Walk to the medieval stone fountain in the old fishermen's quarter, find the Gothic arch of the Porta Marina and see the harbour.
  • Taormina: Should you awake early, you may see why this is known as 'The Dawn Coast of Europe.'
  • Taormina: Visit the ancient Greek Ampitheatre with your Local Expert. Set on a cliff, open to the sky, take your seats and enjoy the view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna.
  • Taormina: During your orientation with your Travel Director, visit the courtyard of Palazzo Corvaja, seat of the first Sicilian parliament, and stroll along Corso Umberto to Piazza IX Aprile.

Travel Director

  • : "A type of food I really love introducing my guests to is the street food because it tells a lot about the habits of the locals, it can be a slice of pizza folded up or a sfogliatella in Naples, an arancini, a gelato in Sicily, or a cannolo. "
  • : "One fun fact people don't usually know before they come to Italy is that the Italian alphabet only has 22 letters."
  • : "One thing I really love about showing guests about Italy is how art and beauty can be found around every corner of some of Italy's cities, which are real open air museums."

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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June 2023
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August 2023
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October 2023
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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.

Ragusa

Available on Day 2

Dinner In Ragusa

Indulge in the varied and complex flavours of Sicily, at this evening's dinner. Sicillian shores are washed by three different seas, so fish is a must (meat alternative available). The large greenhouses around Ragusa also produce a wide range of fruit and vegetables to enjoy. Arabian settlers brought sugar with them and now the island's dolci are considered among the best in Italy. Of course any Italian meal wouldn't be complete without the wonderful local wine. Buon Appetito!
Adult Price: € 54

Available on Day 2

Guided Tour Of Ragusa Ibla

Join a Local Expert to explore the jumble of churches, houses, old squares and civic palazzi that make up Ragusa Ibla. Devastated by the earthquake of 1693, this part of town was rebuilt along the lines of the old medieval layout. With most of the nobility and wealthier citizens choosing to live in the new upper town, the fortunes of Ibla waned. Now you can step back more than three hundred years into the past, where every turn of the winding streets and stairways comes with the promise of another fantastic discovery.
Adult Price: € 25

Palermo

Available on Day 4

Hidden Palermo

Walk the ancient streets of the historical centre and learn, through the eyes of our Local Expert, how the Palermitani live. You’ll discover hidden treasures of this fascinating city that most visitors don't get to see, like a private visit to the palace of the family of the Counts of Palermo, whom we’ll meet and who will share their amazing experiences with us. This unique tour also includes a drink and light snacks.
Adult Price: € 49

Available on Day 5

Dinner in Palermo

Sicilian dining is one of life's true pleasures! We'll indulge in great food made from the freshest ingredients, accompanied by the island's delicious wines.
Adult Price: € 65

Taormina

Available on Day 6

Dinner in the Clouds

With one of the most incredible rides of your lives, you will arrive high above the sea, a world apart from the areas that tourists tread. You'll arrive in your terraced authentic local restaurant for a truly educational meal of delicious regional specialties, with accompanying local wines.
Adult Price: € 75

Available on Day 7

Mt Etna

Where myth and legend merge to reality! With a Local Expert we'll drive up Mt. Etna, Europe's largest active volcano. Ascend through the fertile foothills, bypassing small villages, lush forests, ancient craters and lava flows to see amazing lunar landscapes and houses surrounded by lava. Admire astonishing panoramic views over the eastern Sicilian coast and Ionian Sea whilst discovering the history of Sicily’s most popular attraction and its eruptions.
Adult Price: € 56

Reviews
Service
Vacation
Independent Reviews
Rosemarie Williams
Friday, November 9, 2018
Service
I don't understand why I had to take three flights from Italy to JFK when direct flights are available from Rome.
Response from Grand European Travel:
You are correct about direct flights from Rome, but your tour ended in Catania so an additional flight was required and unfortunately it did not meet the timing to connect up with the nonstop flight to JFK. We always book the most direct flights that are available. We are happy to see that you did enjoy Italy and the trip overall. Thank you!
Monday, November 12, 2018
Vacation
Tour was enjoyable. Itinerary covered the history but also included fun and out of the way locations
Maureen Moscatello
Friday, September 21, 2018
Service
The restaurants we were take to the food was poor to just plain bad. Palermo was filthy which I know was not your fault. The hotels were just average except for the Hilton which was very nice. We were with GET two times before this and we had a great time. Beside the sites Italy is a place that you go for the food and this food just didn't make it. The last time went to Italy the restaurants we were taken to had music and some entertainment. This had nothing.
Response from Grand European Travel:
We are sorry that the food and restaurants fell short of your expectations. We will be sure to share your comments with the Quality Control team at Insight Vacations and hope they can improve on this issue. We appreciate your feedback.
Friday, September 21, 2018
Vacation
The food just turned us off.
Trusted Customer
Friday, August 31, 2018
Service
You were able to switch people at almost the last minute. We had a group of 10 family members. Our grandson at Drexell University did not dare to sign up in the early Spring and the tour was full when he realized he could go. Meanwhile, his dad started a new job and really felt he needed to stay home. Your staff allowed the swap to happen and all went smoothly. We all had a great time.
Response from Grand European Travel:
We're so happy to hear we could help make your travel experience go as smoothly as possible! We'll share your compliments with the team, they'll be glad to know you had such a great time in Sicily! Thank you for sharing.
Friday, August 31, 2018
Vacation
It was a lovely trip. I gave less stars since some of the meals and hotels were not that great.
Grace Beaman
Friday, June 1, 2018
Service
Caitlyn Ryan, who explained everything to me and from whom I purchased the trip was wonderful to work with---very responsive and clear and up front with all explanations.
Response from Grand European Travel:
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Caitlyn is wonderful to work with and we'll be sure to pass along your lovely complement to her! So glad you enjoyed Sicily, what an amazing trip to take! Our Travel Directors and local specialist really do make a vacation, in such a beautiful place, that much more incredible. Happy to have you as part of our travel family!
Friday, June 1, 2018
Vacation
It was worth every penny. This was truly worry free travel. The tour director and guides were just wonderful. They were very knowledgeable and professional. They saw to every detail.
Rosemarie Greene
Saturday, May 5, 2018
Service
The tour director was exceptional and the local tour guides were quite knowledgeable and professional.
Vacation
Very reasonable price for total experience.
Trusted Customer
Monday, November 27, 2017
Service
We were very pleased with their service and attentiveness. They answered all questions without hesitation. Insight vacations proved to be one of the best tours we've ever taken.
Vacation
Our tour guide "Mitch" was extremely knowledgable and entertaining. He definitely made the trip most enjoyable,
Response from Grand European Travel:
Thank you for your review. We are delighted to learn that you enjoyed your trip to Sicily and hope to see you again soon.
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Linda Viverito
Friday, October 20, 2017
Service
Their presentation of each location we visited was wonderful. The meals presented by them were good. Personally I would prefer an all inclusive type of package, makes traveling and planning easier. I would recommend them to others.
Response from Grand European Travel:
Thank you for your review. We're glad you enjoyed your trip to Sicily! If you are looking for an all-inclusive package, be sure to check out our boutique river cruises - they are a wonderful and relaxing way to explore Europe. 
Friday, October 20, 2017
Vacation
It truly met my expectations.
Trusted Customer
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Service
Knowledgeable agents, responded promptly to email inquiries.
Vacation
Hotels were average. Tour director efficient but not very personable. Local guides were very good. Itinerary enjoyable. Coach and driver excellent. There was a bathroom on the coach but use was highly discouraged. More time at Mt. Etna was needed. More of the optional experiences that we purchased should have been included.
Trusted Customer
Friday, August 18, 2017
Service
I thought the service was good. I had an issue with United Airlines. Their flight out of Newark was late to leave and though they had a partnership with Luftansa, they claimed that they cpuld not re book the connecting flight to Catania. Your office assisted to re book the flight. I would avoid booking on United if possible as they were so unhelpful.
Response from Grand European Travel:
Thanks for taking the time to write. Sorry to hear that you had some issues with your flights, but we're glad we were able to take care of the problem for you.  That's one of the many benefits of booking your entire package with GET!
Friday, August 18, 2017
Vacation
Though the trip was called Sicily in depth, it is impossible to see Sicily in depth in 6 days. There is 3000 years of history and 6-7 major influences. There is so much more history that we did not see.
Response from Grand European Travel:
We agree! Sicily is a fascinating destination. We hope you'll come back and see more of it with us in the future!
Friday, August 18, 2017
Trusted Customer
Friday, July 21, 2017
Service
I thoroughly enjoyed my trip. Lorena and the local experts were excellent.
Vacation
It was excellent. Lorena and the local experts were great.
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