Treasures of Sicily

Package Inclusions
8 days / 7 nights duration departing Sunday 11th May 2025
Departures LGW or LUT to Catania – Sample flight times based on 2024 schedules
English speaking Guide accompanying from the first to the last day whilst in Sicily
Private coach transportation whilst in Sicily
Welcome drink with light lunch in Catania in a typical restaurant (drinks not included) – Day 1
7 nights B&B accommodation - 4 * hotels
7 Dinners at local venues
City taxes - Catania, Palermo & Taormina
Local guides in Siracusa, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Palermo\Monreale, Etna and Taormina
Whisper audio guides where required
1 Granita and Brioche Tasting in Catania – Day 2
1 x Farmhouse Lunch with typical products – Day 3
1 Street food tastiing in Palermo – Day 4
1 Ericini tasting in Erice – Day 5
1 x Light lunch in Erice – Day 5
1 Lunch with typical products in Cefalù – Day 6
1 Etna wine tasting with Farmhouse light-lunch – Day 7
All entrances in museums and archaeological zones

Price based on a minimum of 30 persons from £1799pp – Twin / Double share
Single rooms on request only - with supplement
Initial deposit £100pp at time of booking. 2nd deposit £250pp by 31.07.24.
3rd deposit £250pp by 31.10.24
Balance due 24.02.25
Insurance £90pp – No upper age limit – conditions apply

Price does NOT include:
Etna Full experience Tour (Cableway and Jeeps) – Pre-bookable optional excursion – price tbc
Tips and extras in general
Everything not expressly described in "Price includes"

• Travel Insurance
• Drinks with meals unless otherwise stated
• Porterage
• UK airport transfers

A valid passport is required for this holiday.
To enter the EU your passport must be no more than 10 years old from the issue date.
Passports must have a validity of 3 months from the day after your return to the UK.

Itinerary
1st Day: Checking in at LGW approx. 5am or LUT approx. 4am for a direct flight to Catania.
Upon arrival (ETA 11.10hrs from LGW – ETA 10.20hrs from LUT), you will be met by your guide who will escort you to Playa di Catania. This guide will remain with you throughout the tour, in addition to extra local guides where required. Here, you will be welcomed at a beachfront venue with a variety of drinks and local appetizers, followed by an included light lunch, typically featuring a pasta dish or a fish dish with salad. You will then be transferred to the hotel where there will be time to relax or explore the city. Dinner tonight is included at a typical trattoria.

2nd Day: Catania Fish Market, Syracuse and Noto
After breakfast, we delve into the vibrant heart of Catania starting with a visit to its colourful fish market.
Here, among stalls laden with fresh fish and chattering vendors, experience the authentic Sicilian atmosphere. Also included is a ‘must-do’ experience in one of Catania's most renowned pastry shops where you will taste the delicious Granita with 'brioche cu tuppu', a typical sweet. Later we depart for Siracusa, approx. 1 hour by coach, where a visit to the city's archaeological area with its ancient history is included.
Notable sites include the Ear of Dionysius, an extraordinary artificial cave linked to legends and myths and also the Greek Theatre, one of the most majestic examples of ancient architecture.
Next, we explore on foot Ortigia, famous for its beautiful square dominated by the grand Syracuse Cathedral. Inside the Cathedral, you will see an ancient temple skilfully integrated into this Christian structure. There will be free time for lunch before this afternoon’s included visit to Noto, (approx. 30-minutes’ drive). This Baroque city is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Sicily. Your guide will escort you along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, where you will see the magnificent Cathedral and enjoy some free time. Old Noto was completely destroyed in the violent earthquake that struck Eastern Sicily in 1693, a quake that heavily damaged Catania and Syracuse also. The present site of Noto was rebuilt from scratch almost entirely in the Baroque style, the prevailing style of building in Sicily at the time. It is a town on two levels, an upper part on the plateau and a lower & newer part on the slope below. The latter accommodates the buildings of the nobility and the religious complexes of the 18th-century. The topography, town plan and architecture combining to create a spectacular 'Baroque stage set' with 9 religious complexes and numerous palazzi. A trattoria dinner is included tonight.

3rd Day: Piazza Armerina and Agrigento
After breakfast, this morning’s destination is Piazza Armerina (approx. 75 minutes by coach).
This city is predominantly famous for the Villa Romana del Casale (entrance included), a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its extraordinary mosaics. This ancient Roman residence will astonish you with its richly decorated floors, depicting stories of hunting, myths, and everyday life in Roman times, within one of the largest and best-preserved mosaic collections in the world. Included is a coffee break on site, before departing for Agrigento, (approx.80 minutes by coach). Lunch is included at a beautiful farmhouse, just a stone's throw from the Valley of the Temples. This is a real farm with horses, nestled in the greenery amongst the orange and lemon groves. This afternoon’s included excursion with a guided tour is to the Valley of the Temples, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. This archaeological park is one of the most significant examples of Greek art and architecture outside of Greece, featuring beautifully preserved temples including the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Hera, and the Temple of Zeus Olympian. Visiting these ancient monuments, with their majestic columns and millennia-old stories, will be an unforgettable journey through time. From here, we continue on to Palermo, (approx. 1.5hrs by coach), where having checked into the hotel, dinner is included in a local restaurant.

4th Day: Monreale and Palermo
After breakfast, today’s included excursion is to Monreale, (approx. 1hr 40 mins by coach), located on the Mountain of the Kings and home to the famous Monreale Cathedral. This UNESCO monument is a masterpiece of Byzantine and Norman art with its luminous mosaics covering an area of 6,340 sqm, shining with pure gold and masterfully recounting biblical stories. Accompanied by your guide, you will be immersed in the streets of Palermo, the most Arabic-looking city in Sicily and a treasure trove of great museums.Included is a visit to the Cathedral, a charming example of Norman, Gothic, and Baroque architecture. From there, we will pass through Piazza Pretoria, often called ‘the square of shame’ due to its nude statues, and the Quattro Canti, the ornamental intersection which marks the heart of the historic centre.
Your Palermo experience continues with a visit to its lively markets. The atmosphere here is electric, with the bright colours of the fruit and vegetable stalls and the scent of spices. We will dive into the local gastronomic culture by tasting some of the Palermo Street food specialties, including arancini, sfincione, pani ca meusa, pani cunzato, and panelle. These dishes represent the culinary soul of Palermo and offer an authentic taste of Sicily. There will be some free time before tonight’s included evening meal at a local restaurant.

5th Day: Segesta and Erice
After breakfast, we depart for Segesta, one of the most imposing archaeological sites in Sicily and an included visit to the majestic Temple of Segesta, an exceptional example of ancient Greek architecture in remarkable condition. This Doric temple, erected in the 5th century BC, stands alone in a naturally beautiful setting.
You will also have the opportunity to visit the Ancient Theatre of Segesta, carved into the rock with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Next, we head to Erice, a medieval town located on top of a mountain with spectacular panoramic views. Its cobbled streets, ancient walls and mystical atmosphere will transport you back in time as we explore the historic centre, admiring historic buildings including the Castle of Venus which dominates the town with its imposing presence. Lunch is included at a typical trattoria which serves traditional dishes in a cozy and characterful environment. Today concludes by returning to Palermo + dinner at a trattoria.

6th Day: Cefalù and Taormina
After breakfast, we travel to the picturesque coastal village of Cefalù (approx. 1 hour by coach). This charming town will enchant with its cobblestone streets, beautiful medieval and Renaissance buildings and its imposing Cathedral, a masterpiece of Norman art in Sicily. The façade of the Cathedral, adorned with 2 majestic towers, dominates the square and offers an unforgettable spectacle. Lunch is included at a sea-view trattoria from where there are views of the crystal-clear sea. Suitably refreshed, we head towards Taormina during which you will see the wonderful Aeolian Islands emerging from the sea in the distance. Once in Taormina, a city renowned for its beauty and timeless charm, we begin with an included guided walking tour of Sicily’s most sophisticated and dramatic resort, celebrated by poets and writers alike. Included is a visit to the famous ancient Greek Theatre carved into the rock with breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna.
This theatre, in addition to its historical significance, offers a truly unique panorama to take your breath away. There will be free time afterwards to explore the town, stroll along its charming streets, or simply enjoy the magnificent atmosphere. Arriving at the hotel and having checked in, dinner is included locally.

7th Day: The Imposing Mount Etna
After a hearty morning breakfast, today is dedicated to exploring the majestic Mount Etna. Our route will wind through characteristic Etna villages, gradually ascending to reach an altitude of 2,000m. It is from here however that the real adventure begins! For those who choose (pre-bookable only), this visit continues by boarding the cable car which continues to approx. 2600m into a lunar environment, where the landscape is as if from another world. The journey continues on special off-road vehicles to an altitude of almost 3,000m.
Here, expert alpine guides will explain the fascinating volcanic activity of Mount Etna, unveiling the mysteries and secrets of one of the most active volcanoes on the planet.
For those choosing not to pre-book this extended excursion, you will have approx. 2.5hours during which you can visit the Silvestri Craters, taste local & excellent quality honey, visit souvenir shops, pastry shops, or relax in one of the bars or restaurants.
After this volcanic exploration, an included lunch is included at a cozy farmhouse with breathtaking views of the volcano. There will be a tasting of a selection of local wines alongside typical culinary specialties from the Etna area. Returning to Taormina, dinner is included.

8th Day: Farewell to Sicily
After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport where check-in is approx. 9am for your direct flight to LGW / LUT (ETA 14.00hrs), where this tour terminates.

Simply Groups reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control.