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Splenid travel to Sicily with O.A.T - Overseas Adventure Travel

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I'll start at the beginning. As other writers have commented, do not buy the insurance from them... read more

Inaki is The best tour leader I’ve had in 15 trips. He’s a great leader, extremely even tempered... read more

Splenid travel to Sicily with O.A.T

We had a wonderful trip to Sicily with our awesome/knowledgeable/personable and funny local guide Sergio Lentil who stayed with us for the entire tour. The trip was top notch (except some of the hotels) with lots of sightseeing and visits to family's houses where we had home made lunch and learned from family memebers about their lives.

The tour of Turkey was very interesting and well planned by OAT. Our leader, Ridvan Uyanik, was very well informed and helpful with details, etc. He did an exceptional job of dealing with a bus breakdown by finding a cafe closeby and providing some food and drinks during that delay. The 4 nights on the wooden sailing ship-Turkish gulet- was very interesting. The ship was in great condition although the cabins, at least in the front of the ship, were really tiny and a bit uncomfortable. The Korumar Hotel De Luxe at our final destination in Kusadasi was exceptional.

We had an amazing trip to Sicily. We visited temples, cathedrals, farms, and wineries. We got to zoom down narrow streets in an ancient village in vintage Fiats. The food was always great...we ate nothing that wasn't fresh, including fish, meat, and incredible pasta. Our guide was exceptional, and through her eyes we all learned to love Sicily. We miss it!

Our recent Overseas Adventure Travel trip to Portugal and Spain was more than just a visit to see monuments and castles.Throughout the trip we were provided meaningful experiences among which were: a cooking lesson in Portugal; a visit to a family business to learn how they harvest olives and make olive oil; a visit to a family cork business to see how cork is harvested, processed and made into any number of things; a unique visit to a ranch in Spain that raises bulls for bullfighting. We stayed mostly in small inns, some rustic, some modern, but all comfortable. We did also get to see and tour many historical sites that were on the itinerary. It will remain a memorable trip that we highly recommend.

We just returned from a fabulous Overseas Adventure Travel trip: Crossroads of the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Serbia. This is our third trip with OAT and it did not disappoint. This travel group is stupendous in every way - from the detailed organization of every day’s adventure to the special times we shared with local people! This is more than just a travel log. We learned so much from our conversations with local guides as well as folks who make this region their home. We learned the history of the former Yugoslavia and the challenges each country faced in gaining its independence. The scenery was beautiful - including sunsets over the Adriatic Sea and the mountainous areas framing lush agricultural land. Our guides were well trained and knowledgeable about both history and current living conditions/challenges. We had a small group (15) so there was ample time to develop new friendships as we shared our journey. We plan to continue traveling with OAT because of the value added experience!

Great small ship experience along with land adventures. Lots of variety and a well planned trip that visited both small and populated islands and lovely mountain country.

The Scoop: What to Know About Overseas Adventure Tours (OAT)

This small-group specialist runs tours to all continents..

The Scoop: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours

• Looking at an Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) tour, but want to know more about this small-group tour company?
• Here’s everything you need to know about the tour company, all updated for 2024.

Overseas Adventure Travel —more commonly referred to as OAT (saying the letters as opposed to naming the grain)—is a small-group tour specialist with tours on all continents. As its name suggests, tours with Overseas Adventure Travel tend to be fairly active, so participants should be comfortable with six to eight hours of activity each day, including walking distances ranging from three to six miles.

OAT has a great reputation for its solo guest focus (more on that below), and offers a generous number of no-additional-cost single spots on its tours. It also has women-exclusive departures on many itineraries.

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On OAT tours, accommodations tend to be less about amenities and more about authenticity. Another thing to note is that airfare is often bundled into the up-front price of the tour (unless you specify that you want to book your own travel). OAT is one of the family of Grand Circle Corp. companies, also including Grand Circle Travel and Grand Circle Cruise Line.

TourScoop Takeaways

• Countries: OAT has tours on every continent 
• Tour Size Average: OAT specializes in small-group trips of no more than 16 people. Its small-ship tours are aboard 50- to 98-passenger ships max out at 25 travelers. 
• Tour Type: Coach, van, small ship, rail, and air

Credibility Check

Overseas Adventure Travel is BBB accredited with a rating of A+. It’s an active member of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA). The OAT website posts verified guest reviews on each tour page (sometimes with hundreds of reviews) so it’s easy to see what past travelers think of each tour. 

Tour Destinations

For 2024, OAT has 80 itineraries that include tours on every continent. Some of the most popular tours are to destinations in Italy, Egypt, and multi-country tours in Africa and around the Adriatic. 

Overseas Adventure Travel gives all its tours an Activity Level Rating that ranks tours from one (easy) to five (strenuous) to help travelers find the right fit. It has both women-only departures and many no-additional-cost single traveler spots on tours. 

There are multi-country and single country tours. On many tours, OAT creates spaces for discussion and learning with its Controversial Topics program that covers topics such as Scottish independence on its Scotland Revealed itinerary and female genital mutilation on its Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge & Tented Safari tour. 

Tour Guides

OAT’s tour guides are called Trip Experience Leaders. All are fluent in English and have a range of skills, certifications, and experience specific to the tour destination and experience. Trip Experience Leaders focus on both the logistical and the experiential, and help connect travelers with destinations by sharing firsthand insight that brings a destination to life. 

Inclusions/Extras

Inclusions are tour-specific (there’s a “What’s Included” section on each tour’s page), but generally include round-trip flights, many (but not all) meals, transportation, accommodations, activities, and gratuities for local guides, porters, etc. As with most tour companies, gratuities for trip experience leaders is separate. 

Typical Travelers

OAT’s guests are mostly American travelers aged 50 and older. In the last few years, Overseas Adventure Travel has seen a major jump in the number of solo travelers—more than half of all OAT guests are now solo travelers, and 80% of these solo travelers are women.

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OAT does right by its strong solo traveler base —in 2024, the company is offering 25,620 single spaces—91% of which are free (the remaining 9% of single spots have what OAT says is the lowest single supplement in the industry). And a number of itineraries also have women-exclusive departures. 

Communication

After booking, travelers have access to all trip details through the “My Planner” section on the website. The section includes details like flight information, destination weather, and itinerary information.

Then, two weeks before departure, travelers receive all their final documents, and are also contacted by their Trip Experience Leader. Any additional questions can be directed to OAT’s customer service email or phone number.

Loyalty Program

OAT’s loyalty program is the Sir Edmund Hillary Club . Membership benefits kick in when travelers reserve their third trip, and increase after traveling with OAT five and ten times. Benefits include credits to use on future trips, travel credits, exclusive gifts, and priority luggage service. 

Private Options

OAT offers Personalized Private Adventures for groups of five to 10 people. These private departures are available using existing itineraries, and include a dedicated Trip Experience Leader. The private group premium amount depends on the number of travelers in a group. Some of the most popular private tours include Ultimate Africa , Sicily’s Ancient Landscapes , and Japan’s Cultural Treasures . 

Sustainability Efforts

OAT is part of Grand Circle, and participates in the Grand Circle Foundation , which supports projects around the world focused on water and sanitation, education, community development, renewable energy, the protection of indigenous cultures, conservation, historic preservation, and disaster relief.

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Health and Safety Practices

On OAT tours that include time onboard a ship, additional precautions include crew trained on best health and hygiene practices to prevent onboard spread of illnesses, nightly electrostatic disinfection of public areas, and disinfection of high-efficiency air filtration systems before each sailing. The OAT website is the place to go to read more about the current health and safety practices for land and ship tours.  

Family Companies

The Grand Circle family of companies includes Overseas Adventure Travel , Grand Circle Cruise Line , and Grand Circle Travel .

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Colours of Sicily

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9 Day Sicily Sightseeing Tour

9 days, 1 country and 10 cities

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8 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners

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Sicily’s vibrant palette of colors comes alive on this trip. Sip local wine on the slopes of Mount Etna, wander the chic streets of Taormina and meet the locals in colorful fishing villages. Top it all off with a sweet treat – all the Modican chocolate you can lay your hands on.

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9 days itinerary trip from Palermo to Catania visiting 1 country and 10 cities

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About this trip

Sightseeing highlights.

Explore Palermo, Monreale, Valley of the Temples, Ragusa, Syracuse and Taormina 

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 Theater in Taormina

View Mount Etna (optional)

Travel highlights

Specific transfer information can be found here:

Airport Transfers

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

On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences

Every one of our tours includes at least one conscious travel experience that supports one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). Look out for yours within the day-by-day trip itinerary.

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Net-zero by 2050

Travel knowing our 4-point climate action plan will ensure net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Support Local

Your tour directly supports local communities by visiting family-run businesses, UNESCO sites and places of cultural significance.

Sustainable Practices

Every part of our business, from trip design to how we run our offices, aligns to our 5-year sustainability strategy which ensures a positive impact on people, the planet and wildlife.

Philanthropic Efforts

Our not-for-profit, the TreadRight Foundation, invests in nature-based solutions to address climate change.

You’ll make a positive impact to people, planet and wildlife on this tour

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• Places and cities
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• LIVING SICILY
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SICILY authentic emotion

• Where to go? Everywhere Acireale Agrigento Aidone Alcara Li Fusi Avola Bagheria Bisacquino Borgo Parrini Bronte Buccheri Burgio Butera Caccamo Calascibetta Calatafimi Segesta Caltagirone Caltanissetta Capo d’Orlando Castelbuono Castellammare del Golfo Castelmola Castelvetrano Castiglione di Sicilia Castroreale Catania Cefalù Cinisi Egadi Enna Eolie Erice Etna Favara Ferla Gangi Gela Geraci Siculo Giardini Naxos Gibellina Grammichele Gratteri Ispica Lampedusa & Linosa Letojanni Licata Marsala Marzamemi Mazara del Vallo Messina Milazzo Militello in Val di Catania Modica Mondello Monreale Montalbano Elicona Monterosso Almo Naro Nicosia Niscemi Noto Novara di Sicilia Paceco Pachino Palazzolo Acreide Palermo Pantelleria Parco Archeologico di Selinunte Paternò Patti Petralia Soprana Piana degli Albanesi Piazza Armerina Porto Empedocle Ragusa Randazzo Realmonte Salemi Sambuca di Sicilia San Cono San Marco d’Alunzio San Vito lo Capo Santo Stefano Quisquina Savoca Sciacca Scicli Siracusa Sperlinga Sutera Taormina Terme Vigliatore Termini Imerese Terrasini Trapani Troina Tusa Ustica Zafferana Etnea
• What's your interests? All interests Art and Culture    Archaeological Sicily    Art in Sicily    Handicraft    Living Traditions    Places of Culture    Sicily and Cinema    UNESCO Event    Christmas    Cinema and shows    Conventions and congresses    Exhibitions    Festival    Festivals, fairs and markets    Folklore and traditional festivals    Major Events    Music    Other events    Sport and adventure    Theater Families and Children Inland Outdoors    By Bike    By Motorbike    Sport and Adventure    Trekking and Outdoor Sea in Sicily Spa and Wellness Spirituality    Religious Tourism    Sacred Routes Territory Tourism Commitment Traveling you learn Unmissable flavors Villages Xmas in Sicily

HIGH LIGHTS

Discover unique proposals to consult on the fly

BLU FLAG BEACHES

The number of  “Blue Flags”  assigned to  Sicily  in 2024 is confirmed to 14.

Event Theater

Classical Plays Syracuse 2024

The theme "Passions and Illusions" identifies the central aspects of the texts chosen for the Syracuse Classical Plays of the [...]

Cinema and shows Event Festival Major Events

Taormina Film Festival

The Taormina Film Fest, the historic international film festival in Taormina, is back, celebrating its 70th edition this year. From 12 [...]

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EXPERIENCES TO BE LIVED

How many times have you yearned to enjoy a fully relaxing holiday, to contemplate a beautiful landscape while breathing in clean air and sipping a good glass of Etna DOC?

To stroll through a piazza with open-air bars and get lost in a maze of narrow streets, with your nose in the air, wandering between flowery windowsills and bell towers, noble palaces and rounded balconies, peering into courtyards?

Dreams and desires can come true: it’s time to visit Sicily’s beautiful villages.

These small towns by the sea, surrounded by greenery, nestled in the hinterland or perched on the mountains will offer you what you are looking for, with small curiosities and new discoveries, such as houses carved out of the rock that were inhabited until the last century, or the most famous film set of all time.

In each of the nine Sicilian provinces, you will find the right village for you and, nearby, many other places that may be less renowned but will remain forever in your heart.

These people-friendly places and holidays can be experienced in company and in safety, where the watchword is “unspoiled”, just like your chosen village.

Unmissable flavors

The flavours, shapes, scents and colours of Sicilian food have become symbols of overwhelming pleasure all over the world.

The outstanding desserts include cannolo   and cassata , which bring out the freshness and authenticity of local ricotta. Granita , which does not include ice here, reveals itself in all its creaminess. It can be difficult to choose between the many flavours and it is so delicious it can even give the best homemade ice cream a run for its money. Never alone: it should be accompanied by an aromatic hot brioche , and strictly with a “tuppo” (nobble).

Almonds , another of the island’s points of pride, are used to make the paste that is often chosen as a sweet souvenir by those visiting a distant friend. It is also the basis for a thirst-quenching and sumptuous milk and the choreographic creations of martorana fruit , which add life to the windows of the pastry shops and amuse tourists and passers-by.

In Sicily there are many delicacies rooted in tradition and faith , which become beloved symbols before they being consumed.

Bridging sweet and savoury, the juiciest red oranges  come from the countryside most beloved by the sun, while the most famous pistachios , those from Bronte, now dominate the culinary scene thanks to their gastronomic flexibility, which ranges from their use as sweet cream in desserts to the intense pestos that bring together ancient grains [link to Sicilian Ancient Grains] in the form of inimitable first courses.

A treasure trove of flavours: from Bronte’s green gold to the finest red gold , Saffron , which seduces the palate and inspires you to dream. And digging in the undergrowth, precious jewels and nuggets emerge: mushrooms and truffles .

An icon of Sicilianness, arancin*  has a name that divides people but its taste brings everyone together: it is a rice-based wonder, an essential fried delicacy and the pinnacle of Sicilian street food .

Sicily is the cradle of the Mediterranean diet , which has always been the healthiest and most varied approach to food. It also brings out the best of fish and vegetables through caponata and parmigiana , as well as pickles and infinite speciality dishes, in which the Pachino tomato reigns supreme .

In Sicily, the dinner table becomes a “stage” for exhilarating flavours: one case in point is pasta alla Norma , made with tomato sauce and fried aubergines, and so named because it is considered sublime like the work of the same name by the “Swan”, the composer Vincenzo Bellini.

Meat from historic farms, such as the Nebrodi black pig, rounds off rich and surprisingly impeccable menus.

The price of Sicilian wines is rising rapidly, as the product becomes increasingly sincere, intoxicating and versatile. It serves as an invitation to savour this island in small sips, with a glass in your hand and lightness in your heart.

Walking along the nostalgic paths of taste  you will find that even dipping bread in oil  proves why you will never have enough of Sicily.

Visiting the local markets will be the best way to deeply discover the tasty, spicy and most authentic flavours of Sicilian street food. Sicilian street food is among the most celebrated, and its main symbol is the arancin * of contention, which is loved and appreciated all over the world.

Sicily is the cradle of the Mediterranean diet and will surprise you witha thousand combinations of poor ingredients that enrich vegetarian menus.

And if you are wondering whether Sicily is the right destination for you, you will find the answer in a glass of local wine .

Discover all the flavours of your happy island.

Traveling you learn

In Sicily, you can visit the majestic volcano Etna , the Valley of the Temples , the Greek Theatre of Taormina and the one of Syracuse . You can learn more about Quasimodo, Verga, Il Gattopardo and the Rape of Persephone . Close your geography, science and art history books. Forget everything you learned at school and get ready to live a new experience.

You can follow the verses and passages of the greatest writers in world literature, from Sciascia to Camilleri, from Tomasi di Lampedusa to Pirandello . Travel along the literary routes that will lead you to discover an unusual side of Sicily.

Discover the roots of the fascinating myths and legends . These stories take inspiration from an extraordinary nature whose shapes and colours influenced the course of history itself. All tales reveal one truth: Sicily has always been a place loved by the Gods .

Travelling through Sicily, you can learn what rare botanical wonders live around the island. You can visit corners of paradise such as the Bioparco di Sicilia , or you can choose to follow the footsteps of Charles V around Sicily’s most beautiful cities . Spend some time watching hundreds of colourful kites soar through the sky, then taste and discover the history of real Aztec chocolate .

Travelling is the best way to learn something new and unique about Sicily.

Tourism Commitment

There are stories of men , perspectives, voices and hands that come together and, with commitment, give life to new hopes. They are the symbols of a Sicily that rises from its ashes.

Discover the Sicily that doesn’t give up.

The part of Sicily that does not want to be forgotten creates memorials. Palermo Ecomuseum promotes projects related to shared social responsibility, participatory care of the territory and sustainable tourism. The local community plans cultural, touristic and educational initiatives.

A terrible earthquake destroyed the town of Gibellina . Today its existence echoes through the work of its rebirth: Burri’s Cretto . There is a part of Sicily that shouldn’t be forgotten and abandoned. In Favara , from the greyness of a neighbourhood destined to decay, Florinda and Antonio created the Farm Cultural Park . Today it is one of the world’s most vibrant cultural centres. With Fiumara d’Arte, Antonio Presti has proclaimed the salvific power of beauty, creating one of the largest and most evocative land art parks in Europe. The inhabitants of the small and enchanting Borgo Parrini transformed the town into one of the most evocative places on the island, a virtuous example of urban regeneration.

There is another part of Sicily that does not surrender to fate. It pursues its dreams and reaches for the stars. One example is the shepherd poet Lorenzo Reina , who shapes the Andromeda Theatre in Santo Stefano Quisquina with his bare hands.

We cannot mention the part of Sicily that does not surrender to the Mafia . With infinite gratitude for the men who gave their lives to protect their land, it keeps their memory alive and educates the new generations to fight with messages of peace.

Discover the beautiful stories that Sicily has to tell. Prepare yourself for an exciting journey that will enrich your soul: this is what committed tourism is all about.

Sicily is the perfect and unique destination for those who want to spend a holiday surrounded by art, history and culture.

Let’s discover the cities and small towns of Sicily. Noto is the capital of Sicilian Baroque. In Caltagirone , we will be surprised by the blaze of colours of its ceramics. Syracuse is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a walk through its streets will take you back in time. In Modica , the Duomo di San Giorgio’s great beauty (the Baroque icon in Sicily) will leave you speechless. In Marsala , you can admire the most beautiful sunset in the world, which makes the atmosphere of the Stagnone surreal. We then arrive in Piana degli Albanesi , a tiny Albania in the heart of Sicily, ready to welcome you with its lake teeming with life.

You will get to know such a wide and varied territory that you may wonder whether you are still in the same Region. Sicily seems to be the gateway to another dimension. Heaven and hell make peace in the Etnean landscape. Gods and nymphs weave love stories, unbridled passions and jealousies through forests, rivers and springs. But don’t forget to visit the smaller islands.

In Lipari , you can taste the worldwide famous Malvasia. Panarea is the most exclusive and popular destination. You can explore the Island of Alicudi on the back of a donkey. Don’t miss visiting the characteristic Island of Vulcano , renowned for its mud baths. Stromboli is pyrotechnical, while, in Salina , you can see the home of the poet Neruda, set of Massimo Troisi’s unforgettable movie “ Il Postino ”.

Then there are the Egadi Islands , Pantelleria , Ustica , Linosa and Lampedusa . They are all surrounded by a wonderful sea, and each Island has its palette of reflections, from deep blue to the turquoise sky. You will be completely captivated by the colours and atmosphere of these places.

There is too much to see, and it is hard to choose where to start. Do not waste time then: get ready to go. Sicily is waiting for you!

Spirituality

There is increasing demand for holidays that take us away from crowded places and daily stress, where the body and mind can find rest and meditation.

Excursions lead us to places where nature and silence reign, with monasteries, hermitages and shrines where it is possible to find religious devotion by retracing the paths of Saints and beatified people, as well as a secular moment of serenity.

The Sacred Paths are routes that have been travelled by pilgrims since ancient times, and have now become itineraries with great attraction for tourists. Some are a few dozen kilometres long, others hundreds. Discover the itineraries along the ancient roads of the Via Francigena or along the most beaten religious paths, and get ready to walk through the most enchanting places in Sicily.

Sicily is ready to offer an interesting network of religious routes that allow you to discover bright gems that are still little known, alone or with the help of local nature associations.

Spa and Wellness

Sicily offers a wide range of natural treatments to regenerate the body and mind.

If relaxation, sensory well-being and immersive pleasure are your top travel priorities, when you visit Sicily, you will discover that it is an amazing open-air spa .

It is not a matter of destination or length of your holiday: you will find out that the simplest and most natural things have extraordinary power over your health.

Breathe deeply and find your balance using the wisdom of the centuries-old forests and the energy of the frozen waterfalls . Surround yourself with sunshine and beauty. Relax on the salt crust in the unique setting of the Stagnone . Explore and rest in the natural caves , places of the Gods in the minor islands .

To treat yourself to some relaxation, spend a day in Vulcano’s mud baths . They are a true elixir of life. The thermal waters scattered throughout Sicily supply some of the best facilities in Italy .

Let your wellness journey begin. You deserve the best: you deserve Sicily.

Sea in Sicily

A quick look at the beaches, lidos and coves on the wonderful Sicily sea, with surprising transparency and richness of colours.

We’ll start from the coast on the south of this incredible island, going from Capo Passero in Syracuse to Capo Granitola in Trapani , which proudly reveals its golden sand with an exotic flair.

Marina di Ragusa, Pozzallo, Punta Secca in the territory of Ragusa , the Torre Salsa Reserve near Sciacca, the island of Lampedusa and the Scala dei Turchi in Agrigento have very long beaches that are usually not crowded, and which blend the “off-grid” harmony and relaxation we all seek.

This sandy coast extends to Mazara del Vallo and Marsala and continues with the Via del Sale, the Stagnone Reserve and Mozia in Trapani . Here we find out how salt is produced in the museums dedicated to it. Riserva dello Zingaro and the white, fine sandy beach of San Vito lo Capoe need no introduction and open up to the Tyrrhenian coast, characterised by a succession of beaches and cliffs.

The island of Ustica , Cefalù and Mondello in the Palermo area, the Aeolian Islands , Capo d’Orlando and Tindari in the province of Messina and the Egadi Islands in the Trapani region all overlook the Tyrrhenian Sea, where the blue of the sea is intense and snorkelling is very enjoyable.

The eastern coast starts after Messina with the lava rocks and pebble beaches of Taormina and Giardini Naxos, the Acireale Timpa Nature Reserve and the cliffs of Aci Trezza. The sand then returns in the Gulf of Catania , Syracuse , the Vendicari Reserve , going up to Marzamemi and the Isola delle Correnti, the precise point where the Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea meet.

Also discover the child-friendly beaches and those that have been awarded the blue flag in 2023 !

The climate and landscapes allow you to pursue many outdoor sports activities in Sicily, combining wellness and fun: you will be spoilt for choice.

If you love the sea, you can dive and snorkel, experiencing the thrill of contact with the most awe-inspiring fauna and flora and discovering the “Divers’ paradise” on the bottom of Ustica, in the heart of Italy’s first marine reserve. You will behold images and colour combinations that you thought were pure science fiction with your own eyes.

On the surface, however, the sea works together with the wind to playfully push you towards kitesurfing: try it in the beautiful setting of Stagnone in Marsala!

The Sicilian natural scenery offers an original and fully comprehensive solutions for any level of fatigue, for all ages and for previous background of physical activity, from those who want to get fit to those who want to push their limits. Choose between a walk with your children   and the extremes of climbing and ski mountaineering. There are challenges with a very wide range of difficulty levels, from golf, which you can play in both the west and east of Sicily, to a highly evocative bike trip, from a day spent feeling truly free on a sailing boat to a horseback ride on Etna or crossing the Argimusco.

The hinterland of Sicily is the heart of the island, it is a little-known area. Here time flows naturally, and the contact with the locals is wonderful. It is a land rich in cultural expressions, millenary traditions, archaeological, architectural and naturalistic treasures. Many places make you want to stay forever.

Let’s discover the slopes of Mount Etna or the Simeto Nature Reserve : this area is rich in lava caves, waterfalls, rapids and small lakes. The Piana degli Albanesi Lake , on the other hand, is an area teeming with life. From the Bosco Della Ficuzza , we find ourselves in the heart of the Parco delle Madonie , dotted with small towns where time flows slowly and quietly.

Enna is the highest town in Italy, and from here you can enjoy a panoramic view over the whole island. Caltanissetta has a historical centre full of Renaissance and Baroque monuments.

Sutera is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. The Teatro di Andromeda in Santo Stefano Quisquina is a magical place surrounded by the pastoral landscape of the Monti Sicani .

Despite being in the centre of Sicily, far from the coast, you can enjoy the incredible and unique view of the Aeolian Islands . You will feel like you have just completed a journey into the most unusual and authentic Sicily.

Families and Children

Sicily is the perfect place to spend a carefree and fun holiday with your family and children.

Here you can travel and walk with children in total comfort and safety , discovering beautiful and unexpected natural settings . You can travel on foot, by bicycle or on the back of friendly donkeys . There are many ways to discover a land rich in hidden treasures, observing fauna and flora of rare beauty.

We recommend the best beaches to enjoy the wonderful Sicilian sea and spend your days among sandcastles, velvet seabeds and curious little fish. If you are lucky enough, you may even see a specimen of Caretta Caretta turtle !

In the Valley of the Temples , children can become budding archaeologists. They will be provided with the right equipment and guided by experts in discovering ancient remains. The Ludum is the first science museum in Sicily where you can learn what laws regulate the Universe.

You can discover the rare botanical wonders hidden around the island together with your family. You can visit corners of paradise such as the Bioparco di Sicilia . Or you can test your courage in the Adventure Parks , suspended in the air amidst the greenery.

Another unforgettable experience is driving along the writers’ road . Follow in the footsteps of Charles V on a historical route. Have fun with the children by flying colourful kites and tasting Aztec chocolate . Be inspired and choose the experience that perfectly suits you and your family.

Art and Culture

Some treasures do not need to be touched to perceive their rarity. However, in this triangular and evocative region, you will constantly come across the signs left by history, the passage of man and his creativity.

Get ready to discover how Sicily can amaze you. Sicily will surprise you when you least expect it. As you stroll along the streets, you will come across the works of contemporary street art : it is intense, immediate and universal. Looking out, over the infinity of the Sicilian hinterland, from the Andromeda Theatre, you will see a mystical and ancestral place. You will feel like floating in sidereal space. You have the chance to visit artisan’s workshops , guardians of traditions handed down from father to son.

Some customs are very ancient, such as the working of obsidian or the unique and precious Mediterranean coral . These traditions keep alive arts and knowledge of inestimable value, they are World Heritage Site. This heritage also includes the Sicilian puppets , protagonists of the Opera dei Pupi . Or the art of dry stone walls that embellish landscapes with their ancient beauty.

And what about archaeological sites ? Of Sicily’s 7 UNESCO sites , some are among the most beautiful archaeological sites of all time. Examples, Pantalica , the Valley of the Temples  and the magnificent Theatre of Taormina . They all bear witness to a glorious past in bright colours just waiting to be discovered. In Sicily, you will find countless places of culture , beautiful theatres and museums, artistic routes and endless opportunities to breathe in art en plein air. You will cherish this journey in the depths of your heart, along with your most precious memories.

DISCOVER THE  AREA

Things not to be missed

TUSA E CASTEL DI TUSA

Sicily for all: accessible tourism, termini imerese, trapani and paceco salt pans.

SICILY, UNIQUE IN THE WORLD

to the discovery of an immense and always surprising heritage

EXPERIENCES AND  ITINERARIES

Travel tips and advice

Southern Castles between Syracuse and Ragusa

Pilgrims’ way: the itinerarium rosalie, horse trail in the sicani mountains, castles in the messina area, from the tyrrhenian to the ionian sea, sailing sicily: from milazzo to vulcano, the friars walk, franciscan walks in sicily, not only sea: raccuja-floresta-montalbano elicona.

UNESCO HERITAGE IN SICILY

From the seven wonders of the ancient world to the seven diamonds

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM, SPORT AND ENTERTAINMENT – SICILY

Via Notarbartolo, 9 – 90141 – Palermo

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VISIT SICILY

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A Sicilian Odyssey

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Year, Departure Type

Select small group departures (averaging 24 Tauck guests), or classic departures, and the year you would like to travel.

• 2024 Small Group
• 2025 Small Group

Accommodations

• Pricing & Availability
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Uniquely Tauck

Experience with tauck

TAUCK EXCLUSIVES – Private lunch at a Baron's palazzo in Siracusa with a wine tasting from the family vineyard and dinner and an art tour with the son of a baroness at their private villa in Palermo

Tauck Value Includes

Visit to Palermo's grand Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele, the largest opera house in Italy

Visits to the Sicilian Baroque UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Noto and Ragusa Ibla

Enjoy a wine tasting at a local winery

SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Active components such as hiking, bicycling and walking longer distances may be included, and hills and/or uneven terrain may be encountered on several days. Guests should be able to walk two to three miles and stand for long periods of time with no difficulty.

Often robust – may include long days, active sightseeing, early starts, evening activities, significant travel times.

Along Europe's Scenic "Yellow Roads"

Discover cultural footprints forever present... O ver the centuries, the island of Sicily was colonized by the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Muslims, Normans and assorted others before becoming part of Spain, then the Bourbon Kingdom, and finally part of Italy. And today...

Private tour of palermo's teatro massimo, behind-the-scenes at italy's largest opera house, palermo's teatro massimo vittorio emanuele.

The largest theatre in Italy and Europe's third-largest opera house, Palermo's Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele opened in 1897 – 22 years after construction began – with a production of Verdi's "Falstaff." Its neoclassical exterior was inspired by ancient Greek and Roman architecture, while its auditorium reflects the style of the Renaissance and features excellent acoustics, as you'll see (and hear) on your guided tour of this grand venue. Closed for 23 years starting in the 1970s, the Teatro Massimo – the location where the final scenes of "The Godfather, Part III" were filmed – was restored and reopened in time for its centennial in 1997.

Reception and dinner at a private villa

An exclusive reception, dinner and art tour hosted by a family member at a private villa in palermo.

Built in the 18th century for the King of Naples, Ferdinand I and Queen Maria Carolina of Borbone (an older sister of Queen Marie Antoinette of France) during their exile in Sicily, Villa Chiaramonte Bordonaro is still home to the Barons Chiaramonte Bordonaro today, and its gardens rank among the most beautiful parks in Palermo. The villa's current owners often open up their home for special events… like your exclusive private visit and gala dinner, to which you are welcomed by the son of the current Baroness, who hosts a tour of his family's villa and their private art collection housed in a building designed by Ernesto Basile, the architect of the Teatro Massimo.

Verdura Golf & Spa Resort

Nights 3 and 4

An alluring Sicilian escape....

An irresistible destination boasting miles of private Mediterranean coastline, Verdura Golf & Spa Resort is a place where your room will seem woven subtly into the Sicilian landscape... where you'll enjoy a true sense of space and uninterrupted views of the azure waters from your private terrace.

Sicily is an island of wild beauty and history, with a culture that dates back to antiquity. The tour encapsulated the passion and pride of a Sicily one must experience.

Tauck Traveler Review

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Where you stay is an important part of your journey – with Tauck, accommodations have been handpicked and carefully selected for their location and ambiance, enhancing the destinations you explore. Download accommodation details and your travel plans begin!

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Overnight Accommodations

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Arrive Early

Grand hotel ortigia.

Siracusa, Sicily, Italy

Eremo Della Giubiliana

Ragusa, Sicily, Italy

Verdura Resort

Sciacca, Sicily

Grand Hotel et des Palmes

Palermo, Italy

Belmond Villa Sant'Andrea

Taormina, Sicily, Italy

Your journey

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About Booking This Tour

Travel Documents

If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey for entry into Italy; however, you do not need a visa for the short duration of this tour.

If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally, you should contact an embassy or consulate of Italy to determine what travel documentation is required.

Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.

We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

To facilitate Travel Requirements, destinations are increasingly utilizing online forms that require digital proof that you've successfully completed your submission (via an email, QR code, etc.) To ensure smooth travels and peace of mind, we strongly recommend all guests carry a personal smart phone and sign up for international data plans before traveling overseas.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN AS A GUARDIAN: If you are traveling as the guardian of a child/children, we strongly suggest that you carry a letter from both parents of the child authorizing emergency treatment in the event of illness or accident. For travel abroad, many foreign countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling internationally without BOTH parents. (These requirements are in response to the increased incidence of children being abducted and taken abroad.) PLEASE NOTE THAT TAUCK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for children traveling without both parents.

How to Book a Tour

See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:

• Tour Name and Departure Date
• Traveler's Name: First and last names as they appear on your passport or driver's license
• Traveler's Address(es)
• Email Address*
• Traveler's Phone Number(s)*
• Emergency Contact Information: Please provide the name and phone number  of a relative or friend (not travelling with you) whom we could contact during the tour in the unlikely event of an emergency
• Interest in purchasing a travel protection plan (US and Canada)
• Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
• Interest in our specially negotiated airfares

* Required Fields

Deposits & Final Payment

Deposits and fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.

The deposit amount is $600 per person

Final Payments:

Final Payment is due to Tauck  90  days before departure for lands trips, and  120  days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Travel Protection Plan

Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:

Tauck's Guest Protection

Tauck's Guest Protection provides you with cancellation protection before your journey begins as well as insurance benefits while you are traveling. Guest Protection includes the following:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost, based on your original method of payment.

*Extreme Circumstances:  In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.

Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

• Trip Cancellation –  If you must cancel your tour due to a covered reason, the plan provides coverage for the amount you paid for your travel arrangements. Since the non-insurance cancellation waiver takes care of the land package cancellation fees already, this benefit reimburses the airfare cancellation charges up to the value of your original airfare purchase.
• Trip Interruption –  If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement to catch up to your tour or return home.
• Travel Delay –  Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.
• Medical Expense –  Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 
• Baggage / Personal Effects Protection –  Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.
• Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services –  Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

The cost of Tauck's Guest Protection is: $559  per person

This protection provides insurance coverage that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Fees are based on costs as of July 1, 2021, and are subject to change. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined below, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost.

To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit  affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACGPPINTL .

If You Have To Cancel

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees. If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.

Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person 

Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan :

90 days or more before departure = $600 per person

89-8 days before departure = $900 per person

7-1 days before departure = $1500 per person

Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

Note:  All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here  to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

Air Information and Luggage Restrictions

AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com.

TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents.

AIRLINES and CHECKED LUGGAGE: Due to space limitations during your Tauck journey, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person. Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and are free to revise luggage policies without notice. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies. PLEASE NOTE that if you are booked on a tour that includes on-tour flights, the checked luggage weight restrictions for these flights may be lower than the weight restrictions for your international flights.

Checked Luggage – General

Due to space restrictions, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one suitcase per person weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm).

Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and luggage exceeding airline standards for size or weight may result in expensive overage fees or other consequences.

Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.

Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

Health, Safety and Mobility

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

While drinking water is generally safe at all our hotels, bottled water will be available wherever the local water is not fit to drink. We also provide bottled water on the motor coaches.

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

If you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

If you are a resident of the U.S. traveling internationally, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Italy. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 800-232-4636 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC website by clicking here .

If you are a resident of another country traveling internationally, please contact an embassy or consulate of Italy to determine what vaccination(s) may be required for your travel.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.

A Sicilian Odyssey is an active and extensive tour. To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. Sicily is home to innumerable historic buildings and sites, some dating from antiquity. Therefore, roads, walkways and architecture will present challenges for you if you have difficulty walking independently and, therefore, we do not recommend this tour if you have such difficulty. You will encounter cobblestone streets, narrow passageways, and steep and winding hill town roads. The amount of walking you do at the various sites and towns is at your sole discretion; you may remain on the coach during any of these walking excursions.

Examples of our walking itinerary:

• Agrigento 2 hours of walking over mainly even terrain
• Noto - cobblestoned but flat walkways
• Siracusa - uneven terrain at Archaeological Park
• Taormina - steep walkways throughout city center

In addition, coach travel along the many "Yellow Roads" on this tour are very windy and may cause you some discomfort if you are prone to motion sickness. If you are, we advise bringing motion sickness remedies or medication with you.

PLEASE NOTE: We regret that this Tauck itinerary cannot accommodate wheelchairs or motorized scooters. Likewise, we regret that we're unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. The responsibility of the Tauck Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

Reading List

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey!

You can view the reading list  here.

Sicily has a typical Mediterranean climate with mild and wet winters and hot, dry summers. Summer temperatures are often above 90°F (32°C) during the day and drop to about 70°F (21°C) at night. In the fall the temperatures range from 60 to 80°F (16 to 27°C). Rainfall can occur anytime throughout the year, though the summer months are the driest.

To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website by clicking here.

What To Pack

Bringing the right clothing for your trip is important – we've partnered with Necessary Gear who provide an "easy-to-use, one-stop shop" for your Tauck travel needs, specifically selected for this trip. Click here to visit their site .

When packing for your trip to Sicily, it is important to keep in mind the time of year you are traveling and the current weather conditions for that time. The weather in Italy is temperate and unpredictable. Your journey is designed with leisure in mind. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Generally, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Cool weather at higher elevations or at night will require warmer, layered clothing.

In Europe, especially in finer restaurants, it is customary to dress somewhat formally. Slacks or a dress for women and a jacket for men are acceptable dining attire. It is advisable to avoid wearing jeans, sneakers or shorts for dinner. You may also wish to dress up a bit for the welcome reception and the farewell dinner, but certainly be comfortable.

Most Catholic churches in Italy require that your knees and shoulders be covered when you enter, even during the hot days of summer.

You will find a hair dryer located in your hotel guest room. By law in Italy, irons and ironing boards are not made available to guests at the hotels. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services are available for a fee.

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor's prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your trip to Italy:

• Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts
• An optional jacket and tie for men
• Casually elegant evening wear for ladies
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
• A light sweater or jacket for higher elevations or a breezy night
• Binoculars (7x50 preferably)
• Insect repellent
• Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and chargers
• Lightweight, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
• Travel alarm clock/cell phone with alarm function (many hotels do not have clocks in the rooms)
• Rain poncho and collapsible umbrella
• Daypack for camera equipment
• Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find en route
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling

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About Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T. Tours)

About Sicily Activities

New Tour of Sicily from Palermo 10 Days

• In-depth Cultural
• Fully Guided

Places You’ll See

• Have lunch next to the mythic Arethusa’s Fountain
• Marvel at Mount Etna, the highest volcano in Europe
• See the incredible mosaics in Piazza Armerina
• Enjoy dinner and a wine tasting in Marsala
• Introduction
• Day 1 PALERMO
• Day 2 PALERMO - MONREALE
• Day 3 PALERMO - CEFALU’ - CATANIA
• Day 4 CATANIA - MT ETNA - TAORMINA
• Day 5 CATANIA/ACI TREZZA
• Day 6 SIRACUSA - NOTO
• Day 7 RAGUSA - PIAZZA ARMERINA - MODICA - AGRIGENTO
• Day 8 AGRIGENTO - MARSALA - SALT ROAD - PALERMO
• Day 9 ERICE - SEGESTA
• Day 10 PALERMO - DEPARTURE

Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Customer photos.

Operated by Soleto Travel

Soleto Travel, is a tour operator active from 2014, based in the island of Malta providing a wide range of touristic services in the maltese islands and Italy. Our team formed by friendly and dynamic staff includes: English, Italian, Spanish speaking staff, all well skilled in the tourism industry. Soleto Travel is a new concept of travel, paying attention to details offering high-end services and giving full support 24/7 to all our clients. Reliability on service, efficiency and personalisation are our strong points.

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation policy.

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Customer Reviews

• Overall Rating Excellent 4.2
• Itinerary Excellent 4.4
• Guide Excellent 4.4
• Transport Excellent 4.4
• Accommodation Good 3.9
• Food Good 3.9
• Tour Operator Soleto Travel 4.5
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• Lowest First

• DK Daryl · 14th May 2024 Didn’t like the split group tour . Six of us started in Palermo joining 27 others and a guide Angelo ( awesome guide) that were 3 days from the end of their tour. In Catania we had 38 different people and a different guide join us for the last 4 days... Show more Trip date: April 2024 Review collected by Soleto Travel
• BC Betty · 22nd April 2024 Excellent tour, very well organised. Nice and clean accomodations . Very comprehensive tour, all the main sites are covered, but some days are really a bit tiring .Soleto's assistance provided before and during the tour was superb. Good value for money. Trip date: April 2024
• FD Filomela Ada · 28th October 2023 We had the best tour guide ever. Placido is an asset for your company. He make sure that everything went smooth and his knowledge is academic. Trip date: October 2023

Dates & Availability

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• Upcoming departures
• August 2024
• September 2024
• October 2024
• November 2024
• Tuesday 11 Jun, 2024 Thursday 20 Jun, 2024 English Sold Out €1,998 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Tuesday 18 Jun, 2024 Thursday 27 Jun, 2024 English Sold Out €1,998 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• 1 Other Unavailable Departure
• Tuesday 25 Jun, 2024 Thursday 4 Jul, 2024 English Almost Sold Out Multiple Room Types €1,998 Confirm Dates
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Frequently Asked Questions

We will provide suggestions on what to pack closer to the tour start date.

Your travel voucher will have detailed information about any additional costs.

Yes, cultural and historical insights will be provided throughout the tour.

Yes, the transfer includes pick up from your hotel to the airport.

It usually takes 1 hour from downtown Palermo to Palermo Airport.

Yes, assistance with luggage will be provided during transfers.

The tour has a maximum of 40 people.

Details regarding meals are provided in the travel vouchers.

Please attach your complete flight itinerary to ensure the best organisation.

You will be staying at the IL PRINCIPE HOTEL, Catania.

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Experience Sicily

Small Group Tours of Sicily and Customized Sicily Travel

2023 Tours of Sicily

Immerse Yourself in Sicily in 2023   with Experience Sicily

About our small group sicily tours.

Experience Sicily tours are fully escorted and supported by professional, licensed drivers. Owner/Curator Allison Scola is your tour leader. Each journey is limited to 12 or fewer guests. See the day by day descriptions to see all of the benefits of traveling with us!

Special Early Registration Incentives!

See below for early registration incentives. 

Photography in Sicily with Don Toothaker and Hunts Photo

Wednesday, may 3 to friday, may 12, 2023.

  Spend ten days in Sicily learning the art of travel photography from professional photographer and teacher Don Toothaker . Don and Experience Sicily Owner and Curator, Allison Scola, have designed an adventure that will delight those who love to travel through the lens. You’ll go off-the-beaten-path while learning travel photography from the Director of Photo Adventures for Hunt’s Photo and Video in Massachusetts. We’ve built in lots of time so you can capture the vivid colors and intriguing life of Sicily.  

$6,495 per person, double occupancy (Single Supplement $1000). Land only. 10 days, 9 nights. Includes everything but five meals (Includes all breakfasts, six lunches, and six dinners.)

Enchanting Sicily

Sunday, may 21 to saturday, june 3, 2023.

  On our signature tour of Sicily, you’ll discover off-the-beaten path towns, interact with locals, and immerse yourself in Sicilian culture and ancient history. You’ll tour intriguing UNESCO World Heritage sites, remote mountain communities, and charming seaside villages. You’ll attend a world-class performance of a classic Greek play in Siracusa’s Ancient Greek theater. You’ll amble through Palermo’s open-air markets and interact with Sicilians in a meaningful way. You’ll stay in 4-star hotels and characteristic inns and relish family-run trattorias as you explore Sicily’s 3,000 years of human history with authentic experiences, vibrant flavors, and sweet melodies that will capture your imagination. Ask about our optional pre-tour stay in Taormina!  

$6,950 per person, double occupancy (Single Supplement $1200). Land only. 14 days, 13 nights. Includes everything but eight meals (Includes all breakfasts, ten lunches, and seven dinners, all transportation, all entrance fees and tickets, most tips.) 

Secret Sicily Tour: Life in a Remote Sicilian Town

Saturday, july 15 to monday, july 24, 2023.

Immerse yourself in Secret Sicily! “Secret” because you’ll escape the ordinary while basing your travels for 10 days in the mountain village of Licodia Eubea. We’ll take care of the details while you create memories. You’ll delight in Eastern Sicily’s treasures—its people, its heritage, its cuisine, and its natural beauty. You’ll visit principal sites while staying in a town of 3000 locals as they celebrate their patroness, Santa Margherita. Your intellect will be stimulated by UNESCO sites while your heart will be warmed by the generosity of our local hosts. Ask us about adding our Palermo pre-tour from July 12 to July 15!  

$4,100 per person, double occupancy (Single Supplement $600). Land only. 10 days, 9 nights. Includes everything but six meals (Includes all breakfasts, four lunches, and seven dinners.)

• Early Registration Incentive Pricing!  Pay in-full by March 1, 2023 and receive $275/person off the cost of your tour.

Cooking In Sicily: Stirring Sicily Tour

Wednesday, september 20 to wednesday, september 27, 2023.

Delight in hands-on cooking classes, wine tastings of Sicily’s outstanding vintages, and interaction with locals. You’ll learn time-tested recipes of traditional Sicilian dishes while relishing the beauty and enchantment of central and western Sicily’s UNESCO sites and hidden communities. We’ll savor moments in Palermo’s vibrant markets, among the trees at an organic olive farm, with singing sheep at a family-run dairy (mmm… fresh ricotta!), and by getting our hands in the dough with home-schooled mammas and trained chefs. Co-hosted by chef Antonino Elia of Lititz, Pennsylvania, you’ll be entertained while having the peace of mind that we’ve taken care of all the details. Ask about our eastern Sicily prelude tour based in Siracusa! 

$4,100 per person, double occupancy (Single Supplement $500). Land only. 8 days, 7 nights. Includes everything but one dinner (Includes seven breakfasts, six lunches, and six dinners.).

• Early Registration Incentive Pricing!  Pay in-full by March 1, 2023 and receive $300 off the cost of your tour per person.

Stunning Sicily Tour

Sunday, october 1, to friday, october 13, 2023.

Stimulate your intellect and your senses with our October tour of Sicily! Intriguing UNESCO Worlds Heritage sites will take your breath away. Remote mountain towns and charming seaside villages will enchant you. Local harvest festivals will inspire you. Palermo’s open-air markets will mesmerize you. And your interaction with Sicilians will warm your heart. You’ll enjoy 4-star hotels and characteristic, family-run inns and relish typical trattorias as you discover Sicily’s 3,000 years of human history with authentic experiences, vibrant flavors, and sweet melodies that will capture your imagination.  

$6,950 per person, double occupancy (Single Supplement $1200). Land only. 13 days, 12 nights. Includes everything but nine meals (Includes all breakfasts, nine lunches, and five dinners)

Fully escorted; Professional drivers and licensed tour guides; Includes all but nine meals, all accommodations, all transportation, and all entrance fees.

Soulful Sicily Tour

Wednesday, october 18, to tuesday, october 31, 2023.

Stimulate your intellect and your senses with a private October tour of Sicily! Intriguing UNESCO Worlds Heritage sites will take your breath away. Alluring mountain towns and charming seaside villages will enchant you. Sicily’s regional cuisine’s will stimulate your palate. Palermo’s open-air markets will mesmerize you. And your interaction with Sicilians will warm your heart. You’ll enjoy 4-star hotels and characteristic, family-run inns and relish typical trattorias as you discover Sicily’s 3,000 years of human history with authentic experiences, vibrant flavors, and sweet melodies that will capture your imagination.

$5,000 per person, double occupancy (Single Supplement $1225). Land only. 14 days, 13 nights. Includes 13  breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 6 dinners) Fully escorted; Professional drivers and licensed tour guides; Includes meals, all accommodations, all transportation, and all entrance fees.

To reserve your spot, please use the form below. 

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Top Things to Do in Sicily for 2024

Ian Sumpter Last Updated: May 20, 2024

Planning a trip to Sicily? You aren’t the first! From Phoenicians and Greeks, Romans then Arabs, the Spanish then the French. All, at some time or other, have laid claim to Sicily, making it one of the most culturally diverse regions of Italy. Sicily is the clue to understanding all of Italy. So to understand Sicily best, I’m here to guide you through this beautiful and sometimes paradoxical country.

Pro Tip: You’re going to want to circle back to this article since it’s packed with local recommendations. Bookmark it in your browser on your phone so you’ll have it on your trip.

What Should You Do While in Sicily?

Sicily is one of Italy’s most authentic and less-touched regions by tourists. “Authentic” is what many travelers are aiming for, but beware, it can be far less comfortable.

Sicily will drag you out of your comfort zone in a way that more traditional ‘Disneyfied’ destinations won’t. But this will make the experience vastly more memorable.

I’ve traveled to Sicily many times. Along with Puglia, I consider it one of Italy’s best summer regions, offering value for money, amazing history, and fascinating culture. That, and the seafood, is off the charts. Here are the top things that I recommend doing while in Sicily.

1. Step Back it Time at Palazzo dei Normanni & Cappella Palatina

2. visit the home of archimedes – syracuse, 3. visit toarmina’s famous isola bella, 4. climb an active volcano, 5. catch a show at teatro greco taormina, 6. explore the valley of the temples, 7. go back in time by visiting medieval erice, 8. walk on the same floors as emperor hadrian, 9. get fatter, 10. bask in the salty tears of a goddess, 11. go medievel on at the duomo di cefalù, 12. get back to nature san vito lo capo, 13. unravel an ancient mystery at segesta, most recent blog posts.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Where to Stay in Sicily article

Palermo is a city full of beautiful palaces. Norman, Arab, Byzantine, and Baroque elements mingle to create a rich architectural heritage. Of all of Palermo’s many wonders, the Palazzo dei Normani stands out. Recent archaeological discoveries have pushed back the foundation date of the building considerably. Initially, historians believed that the structure was constructed during the Islamic Caliphate. However, further research and archaeological findings have led to the conclusion that the foundations of the structure actually date back to the much earlier Phoenician period of the city.

Once the center of political power in Sicily, Fredrick II and Roger II held court here.

The palace is a gem, but the jewel in the crown is the Cappella Palatina. Starting during the reign of Roger II in 1130, the mosaics took ten years to complete and are considered amongst the finest in the world.  Ego eimai to phos tou kosmou  ( I am the light of the world), reads the Greek inscription above the central apse.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Where to Stay in Palermo article

Founded in 733 BC on the island of Ortiga, Syracuse has spread across the causeway connecting to the mainland and expanded rapidly.

The home of Archimedes, Syracuse, once rivaled Athens as the largest and most powerful Greek city. Today you can wander the splendid area of Ortiga, which is rich in Baroque architecture. Visit the archaeological park with its incredible 16,000-capacity Greek Theatre and indulge in some of the best food on the island.

The city is renowned for its food, and the region for its outstanding wine and beautiful baroque towns like Noto and Sortino. The best way to see these sites is with a local expert who can guide you through the major gems of the region as well as some of its hidden wonders.

Or check out our article on the Best Places to Stay in Sicily!

Taormina is Sicily’s most sought-after vacation destination for a great reason-it’s gorgeous. Monsterous cliffs plunge straight into the sea, crystal clear water, and an incredible view of Europe’s highest and most active volcano. And if that’s not enough, the delicious smell of one of the World’s greatest cuisines will lift you from your beach chair at noon-thirty daily.

Isola Bella is one of the most incredible beaches in Sicily and something no traveler to Sicily should miss. The island has a small land bridge that connects it to the mainland, making it as accessible as it is beautiful. You can check out our full article on where to stay in Taormina right here.

Italy has four active Volcanoes, three of which are in Sicily and all of which you can visit. Mt Etna is the most popular and continuously active. It is also the highest volcano in Europe.

Mount Etna is the most accessible volcano in Sicily, which makes it an attractive option for daredevils, volcanologists, and yodeling walking-stick-packing Austrians.

Thousands of people visit the volcano daily, and the smart ones will change out of their bathing suits and bring a warm jacket because it can be freezing even in the summer.

For the bon-vivant out there, you can rent a sailboat (or take the pedestrian ferry) and visit Vulcano and Stromboli in the Aeolian Islands north of Taormina. You can check out our full guide on Mount Etna right here.

Stuck between the sea and the sky, the Greek Theatre of Taormina is the most beautifully located theatre in the world. It is the second largest theater in Sicily, constructed during the Hellenistic age around the 3rd Century BC.

The theatre was largely remodeled during the Roman occupation (most like during the reign of Trajan or Hadrian) and then again in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Today the theatre is often used as a concert venue, with Sting performing in 2022. But don’t worry, even without a show, you will likely never see such a wonderful performance, as sea meets sky and the ever-menacing Mount Etna looms impressively in the background.

In the heat of summer, it is best to arrive early to beat the heat and the crowds.

The Greeks were great warriors, stupendous engineers, unparalleled philosophers, and perhaps the most talented artists ever to live. They call it the cradle of Western civilization for a reason. Sicily, at times, can sometimes feel more Greek than it does Italian, and nowhere is that more evident than at the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento.

Seven Greek Doric temples stand in the Valley of the Temples. Making it one of Europe’s most impressive and under-visited archaeological sites. Often dubbed the Greek Pompeii.

Personally, I rate this as one of the most important sites in Sicily. Thankfully not everyone else agrees. Even in the height of summer, the valley never seems too crowded. Check out the full guide to the Valley of the Temples here .

According to legend, the town of Erice was founded by Aeneas and the survivors of the fall of Troy. Aenaeas mother, the goddess Aphrodite (later Venus), has always been the center of attention here.

Once an important center of worship for the goddess of fertility, the Temple of Venus is now no more than a few pillars on the edge of town. However, the town grew fat and prosperous on the back of ‘sacred prostitution’ between the 6th Century BC and the 1st Century AD.

Initiated into the cult at the age of 13, the girls were fed large amounts of milk and honey to make them pleasantly plump, trained in the art of lovemaking, and retired wealthy and heavily desired as wives at 21.

The small walled town sits high above the neighboring Trapani and is one of Sicily’s most beautiful gems. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Africa. No wonder it was such a strategic location.

Spend the day wandering around the cobbled streets, taking in the views, buying local goods, trying local food, storming the castle, and visiting one of the fifty beautiful churches.

Located three miles Southwest of Piazza Armerina, the Villa Romana del Casale is an archeological wonder. Constructed between the 2nd and 4th Centuries AD, the Villa Romana del Casale presents some of the finest examples of Roman mosaics. The polychrome mosaics cover 44165 square yards, averaging 3600 tesserae( individual mosaic pieces) per square foot.

It is not just the size but the quality of the work that astounds me. Archaeologists generally believe the quality to be a sign of the property belonging to a former Roman emperor. Possible owners include Diocletian or Maximian. A sign of its grandeur is it is oft compared to Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli and Diocletian’s palace at Split.

Whoever it once belonged to is secondary to this site’s magnificence, making it a must-visit destination.

I think what makes Sicilian cuisine the best in Italy is the successive episodes of occupation. Sicily has been occupied by the Greeks, The Carthaginians (modern-day Tunisia), the Romans, the Byzantines, the Muslim Caliphates, the French, and the Spanish, and I’m inevitably missing off a few here. Evidently, when it comes to food, variety is the spice of life. Each of these successive invasions brought its own ingredients, its own styles, its own secrets. It’s no surprise that the world’s oldest surviving cookbook was written in the 4th Century BCE, entitled Hedypatheia or On Good Taste , by Archestratus of Gela, in Sicily. Sicilians pride themselves on using only the very freshest ingredients. Therefore be prepared for seafood and lots of it. You can learn more about the history of Sicilian cuisine by reading our article on The Best Food to try in Sicily.

Or check out our article on the Best Food to Try in Sicily

Often referred to as the Land of Persophone, Sicily and mythology go hand in hand. Daughter of Demeter (the goddess of the harvest), she was beloved by the gods of Olympus. So much so that Hades (god of the underworld) kidnapped her, snatching her from Sicily and dragging her to the underworld.

For six months, Demeter searched the world for her, forgetting her godly duties. Nothing grew, crops failed, and famine set in (Autumn and Winter). Eventually, Hades would release Persophone for six months of the year. Demeter’s joy is such that crops grow in those six months, flowers blossom, and food is abundant (Spring and Summer).

While she searched for her daughter, Demeter distractedly dropped her scythe into the sea. The result is the sweeping headland of Trapani. Her tears of distress created the salt pans south of the city that are still in use today.

It is still an active Salt producing region and a WWF-protected wildlife environment. Many of the original windmills still survive, and the evaporation method of salt production is still in use. As a result, mounds of salt protected by terracotta tiles are not an uncommon site. Nor are flocks of Flamingos and other protected species that flock to the area.

You’ll need to book a week in advance to tour the nature reserve. Alternatively, there are many salt pans along the coast or the salt museum in Trapani.

In a country of picturesque towns, Cefalù still holds a special place. Founded by the Greeks in the 5th Century, its name derives from the Greek Kephalos (Head), referring to the head-shaped rock that looms over it. While the town is beautiful, the beaches heavenly, and the food divine, no trip to Cefalù is complete without a trip to the Cathedral. The Duomo de Cefalù was started in the 12th Century AD and not completed until the 13th. As with so much of Sicily, the art and architecture is a blending of different cultures. Norman, in its design, but with sixteen ancient Roman columns (probably taken from the temple of Diana), support the Arab-Norman arches. But the centerpiece are the stunning Byzantine mosaics in the central apse.

While legend says the tears of Demeter created the salt pans South of Trapani, to the North, we see signs of Demeter’s joy. San Vito Lo Capo is a stunning seaside resort on the Northern headland of Trapani.

Its fortress shows signs of the occupation of the land by the Byzantines, the Arab, the Normans, and the Spaniards. But as interesting as the history is, I come here for nature.

The beaches are pure, constituted of crystalline water and soft velvety sands. If that isn’t enough for you, head South, and you will find Sicily’s oldest nature reserve, the Zingaro Nature Reserve.

Five miles of unspoiled coastline, no vehicles are allowed inside the park. Even the park keepers carry out their work on mules. This park is an unspoiled paradise. There are numerous beaches where swimming is allowed.

For the nature lovers in a group, you’ll find Bonelli’s eagles, peregrine falcons, porcupines, foxes, and rabbits.

Despite being of the largest examples of a Doric temple anywhere in the world, the temple of Segesta was never actually completed. Built during the latter part of the 5th Century BC, for some reason or another, the temple was abandoned halfway through. The columns, in type Greek style, bulge slightly in the center in order to create the illusion of straightness. But, for some reason, they were never fluted, a sign the temple was not completed. The biggest giveaway, though, is that the bosses are still visible. A boss is a small protruding nub, often left on the stone to help them transport the already shaped stone to the site and then to help with grip while elevating the stones into position. Once the temple was complete, these bosses would have been chiseled down. The fact that they are still visible is a testament to the fact the temple was not completed but is vital to helping us understand how these fantastic monuments were constructed. Day trips covering Segesta and the Zingaro National Park are often lumped together, so this is a great way to kill two birds with one stone if you have no transportation of your own.

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