Itinerary Details
CIE Tours: Classic Sicily
Day 1: Palermo Arrival & Welcome Dinner
Meet your tour director at 5:00 PM and join your fellow travelers for a welcome drink and dinner at your waterfront hotel overlooking the Gulf of Palermo. A fascinating city rich in cultural treasures, Palermo was founded by the Phoenicians in the 5th century BC, and its streets tell tales of settlements and conquests by Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and many other influences.
Hotel: NH Palermo
Meals: (D)
Day 2: Palermo Walking Tour & Monreale Cathedral
Take a guided tour of Monreale Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the outskirts of the city; it’s a fascinating blend of Byzantine, Arab and Norman styles that dazzles with golden mosaics depicting biblical scenes. Return to the heart of Palermo for a walking tour to see grand piazzas, ornate castles and churches, and bustling markets. Enjoy a free afternoon and evening to savor the city at your own pace.
Hotel: NH Palermo
Meals: (B)
Day 3: Baglio Elena Agriturismo & Cantine Pellegrino
Explore Sicily’s culinary delights during a visit to Trapani on the west coast. Drive through the mesmerizing salt flats, where the mineral is still harvested by traditional methods used by the Phoenicians. Participate in a cooking demonstration and enjoy a family-style farm-to-table lunch at Baglio Elena Agriturismo. At the renowned Cantine Pellegrino in Marsala, tour and taste their fortified wines. Arrive in Agrigento for dinner at your seaside hotel.
Hotel: Baia di Ulisse Hotel
Meals: (B, L, D)
Day 4: Valley of the Temples & Taormina
Step back into ancient times as you explore one of the great achievements of antiquity and one of the largest archaeological sites in the world: the Valley of the Temples. Built by the ancient Greeks to worship their gods, this UNESCO World Heritage site stands in haunting testimony to the power and influence of the Greek Empire. Continue your journey to Taormina, your base for the next three nights. Dine in your seaside hotel this evening and perhaps watch the sun set behind Mount Etna.
Hotel: Eurostars Monte Tauro
Meals: (B, D)
Day 5: Taormina Walking Tour & The Godfather Village
Delve into the charm of Taormina, a captivating blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant Italian charm. Its winding streets are filled with boutique shops, authentic cafes, and lively piazzas. Take a walking tour to see lush public gardens, medieval palazzos, Baroque fountains, and ancient ruins. Enjoy free time for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the remote hilltop village of Savoca showcased in The Godfather. Return to Taormina for an evening free to dine and explore as you wish.
Hotel: Eurostars Monte Tauro
Meals: (B)
Day 6: Mount Etna Tour & Wine Tasting
Today you’ll explore life on the side of Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. Savor the sweetness of honey with a visit to Oro d’Etna, where tireless bees collect nectar from the blooms of nine types of trees, including orange, lemon, thyme, and chestnut. Drive through stunning volcanic landscapes to Silvestri, where you can walk around a crater and admire the spectacular views. Continue to Tenuata San Michele for a winery tour with lunch and tastings. The winery offers enchanting views from its hillside perch, and its grapes are grown in mineral-rich volcanic soils. Return to Taormina for an evening free to dine and explore as you wish.
Hotel: Eurostars Monte Tauro
Meals: (B, L)
Day 7: Messina Cathedral & Cefalù
Arrive in Messina, a historic port city connecting Italy to the Mediterranean. Visit the Messina Cathedral bell tower, home to the world’s largest mechanical and astronomical clock, and watch its gilded bronze figures perform a mesmerizing spectacle celebrating the city’s rich heritage and engineering marvels. Take free time for lunch. Continue your journey to Cefalù for a stroll around the medieval village before visiting a local restaurant for a farewell dinner of authentic Sicilian cuisine. Return to Palermo for your final night.
Hotel: NH Palermo
Meals: (B, D)
Day 8: Tour Ends in Palermo
Your tour ends after breakfast.
Meals: (B)
Meal Abbreviations: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner
