The luxury Sicily tour package is an upscale guided tour of the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.
Sicily’s unique culture is a result of distinct cultures and civilizations mixing here. Sicily is a work always in progress. The mixing of cultures over the course of history combined with its sheer natural beauty make it a fascinating and fabulous vacation destination.
Over its 3000+ year history the Sicilians maintain the best of the old while always reinventing itself.
The luxury tour sightseeing highlights include Agrigento, Palermo, Taormina, Siracusa, Modica, Noto, Monreale. The day-by-day 2024 luxury Sicily tour daily includes guided tours escorted by local expert guides. In each town you’ll enjoy the best of Sicily with 5-star accommodations.
For more information or to book your first-class 5-star luxury tour of Sicily call 800-227-1577 or submit the form.
Highlights
Luxury Sicily Tour Sightseeing Highlights
Sicily’s sightseeing highlights span all historical eras. During the Magna Grecia Hellenic civilization flourished on the island of Sicily and around southern Italy. The ancient Romans adopted some of their customs. Ancient Greek Temples and theaters later updated by the ancient Romans provide incredible windows into how the ancient civilizations evolved here. Medieval Norman architecture, to the Sicilian Baroque are all remnants of the island’s middle age colonizers. The luxury Sicily vacation itinerary includes an exploration into all the culture that inhabited this stimulating island.
- Monreale: Tour of the Norman Cathedral, its gold mosaics, and Benedictine cloister gardens
- Palermo: Walking tour of central market
- Agrigento: With local expert guide tour Valley of Temples and enjoy scenic lunch overlooking the temples.
- Ragusa: With local expert guide dive into Baroque architecture
- Modica and Noto: Explore the Baroque Valley and learn to make chocolate
- Siracusa: Local expert guided tour of Neapolis Archaeological Park to explore Ancient Greeks and Ancient Romans.
- Mt. Etna winery and lunch
- Taormina: Walking tour of center and Greek Theater
- Transfer from and to airports
- 20 meals included: 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners per itinerary
- All gratuities for hotel staff and restaurants
- All local entrance fees with skip the line tickets
Hotels
Luxury Sicily Tour Accommodations
Siracusa 2 Nights – Grand Hotel Ortigia
Built in the 1890s, the Grand Hotel Ortigia has held court in the Sicilian city of Siracusa for more than a hundred years. Although completely renovated in the mid-1990s, this grand landmark maintains much of its original 19th-century architecture and charm… along with other preserved historic features like the “Spanish Walls” (Bastion Hall), part of the 16th-century Spanish fortifications that once encircled the island of Ortigia. At the turn of the 20th century, the Grand Hotel Ortigia took its place as a hub of social life in Siracusa… a position it still held following its renovation a century later, as its reputation for luxury and gracious hospitality continues into the 21st century. The hotel’s elegant guest rooms offer sea views and are equipped with a telephone, electronic combination safe, air conditioning, satellite TV, radio alarm clock, minibar and more. The hotel’s terrace restaurant, La Terrazza sul Mare, and its roof garden bar offer savory dishes and refreshing libations as you enjoy sweeping views of the bay.
Ragusa 2 Nights – Eremo Della Giubiliana
Eremo della Giubiliana is a charming hotel occupying a historic residence set among carob forests and stone walls a few kilometers south of Ragusa near the southern tip of Sicily. Ancient, thick stone walls surround and protect the property’s courtyards and inner structure, and its tall white tower overlooks a plateau that gently slopes towards the sea and miles of coastline; from this lofty perch, on clear days you can gaze across the Mediterranean and see the island of Malta and the African Coast. Protected by the Eremo’s walls, enjoy walks through its park or along medieval trails, or use it as a base for exploring nearby Taormina, Siracusa, Agrigento and more. Because of the property’s past as a centuries-old country residence, no two guest rooms are alike – but each is unique and very special, with the original pitch stone floorings, wrought iron beds and antique furnishings; all bathrooms are private, and have a bathtub with shower. On the grounds, you’ll find the Ristorante Don Eusebio, offering cooking classes as well as fine locally sourced cuisine; a wine cellar set within a restored medieval crypt; the Asphodelus wellness area and spa; and the Eremo’s own archeological site tracing back to the 8th century B.C.
Agrigento 1 Night – Verdura Resort
Verdura Resort is 230 hectares of sun-kissed Mediterranean coastline, countryside, spa and golf. Olive trees, orange groves and white-sand beaches. Tennis courts, water sports, championship golf. Infinity pools, thalassotherapy and a spa. Fine dining, healthy eating and world-famous local wine. Luxurious eco-architecture and organic ingredients, grown on the land. Verdura is an oasis, set against the backdrop of charming Sicilian villages, ancient Greek and Roman sites and the beautiful, blue Mediterranean Sea. All guest rooms feature private terraces, sea views and décor combining modern luxury and authentic Sicilian motifs. Leisure facilities include two 18-hole golf courses, a 9-hole, par-3 course, six tennis courts, a 60-meter infinity swimming pool, running trails meandering through lemon and olive groves and a fully equipped gym. The Vendura Spa adds four thalassotherapy pools along with an extensive menu of treatments. The cuisine of Verdura Resort’s many restaurants strongly evokes the authenticity of the island, incorporating local ingredients and age-old recipes. The hotel, along Sicily’s stunning southwest coast, is the Rocco Forte Hotels’ flagship resort.
Palermo 2 Nights – Grand Hotel et des Palmes
The hotel evokes a feeling, as you walk through the entrance, that you are entering a place ready to surprise you. It is an authentic emotion to get lost along the corridors and the sumptuous halls of the Grand Hotel et Des Palmes, where a magical tranquility and the beauty of its art try to stop the passing of time. Balanced between aesthetic and functionality, the suites of the Grand Hotel et Des Palmes dialogue with history, design and innovative technology; the harmony of hospitality, an icon of elegance and romanticism. From acclaimed dining to the imperial elegance of guest room decor and the SPA, the hotel is a welcomed retreat in Palermo.
Taormina 2 Nights – Grand Hotel Timeo
Set in the heart of Taormina in Sicily, Grand Hotel Timeo serves up views that have enchanted for more than a century. The first hotel to be built in the city, this historic property gazes out across the coast towards Mount Etna and beyond. Here one can breathe in the full spectacle of Sicilian life. Bask in manicured gardens, savor sensational cuisine and fuel the imagination with cocktails on the Literary Terrace – just like generations of celebrated guests have done before you. Combining elegance and tranquility, guest rooms are decorated in Sicilian style. Dining venues are highlighted by Ristorante Timeo – backdropped by Mt. Etna and Naxos Bay, the restaurant is complimented by a menu of locally sourced Sicilian favorites. Amenities include a heated, panoramic outdoor pool that’s surrounded by lush terraced gardens; a well-equipped fitness center; and a wellness center. Evoking the elegance of days gone by, the hotel has played host to literary greats who would stay for months on end.
11-Day Luxury Sicily Tour
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Luxury Sicily Tour Day-by-Day Sightseeing Itinerary
Sicily only recently became part of Italy. Over the course of its history its location in the Mediterranean Sea made it an attractive location for colonizers. Today its architecture, food, wine, music, and dancing all include remnants of ancient Greek, Roman, Aztec, Byzantine, and Norman influences. In the 18th Century Sicily became part of Spain. Then Sicily joined the Bourbon Kingdom. When the Italian Republic was created in the late 19th century Sicily became part of Italy. On this comprehensive luxury tour of Sicily you’ll experience all these civilizations in what is today authentic Sicilian culture. While sightseeing in Sicily you’ll visit the famous ancient Greek Temples in Segesta and Agrigento. You’ll visit Siracusa, which was described in ancient texts as the most beautiful of all ancient Greek cities. In Taormina you’ll tour the ancient Greek Theater and see first hand why it has been a resort town for 3000 years. In Palermo and Monreale you’ll discover the Normans. Sicily’s Mt Etna gives its land fertile soil. The inclusive upscale luxury Sicily tour itinerary includes tasty Sicilian wines from grapes grown on the slopes of Mt Etna paired with authentic Sicilian culinary specialties.
DAY 1 – Depart the United States for Sicily
Depart the United States for Italy. Typically your flight will be overnight. Enjoy dinner and then breakfast on board the airplane. Most flights include video entertainment.
Day 2 – Arrive in Catania and Transfer to Siracusa
Tour begins: 6:00 PM. A transfer is included from Catania – Fontanarossa Airport to the Grand Hotel Ortigia, a century-old landmark hotel ideally located in the historic heart of Siracusa on the island of Ortigia. Tonight join your fellow travelers and tour director for a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel tonight.
DAY 3 – Discover Siracusa
Walk in the footsteps of ancient Greek explorers who settled on this historic island in 734 BC, building a city of archaeological splendors, economic prosperity and political power that rivaled Athens as the most important city in the world until it fell to the Romans in 212 BC. Your locally guided walking tour today reveals some of its treasured Greek and Roman sites as you explore Neapolis Archaeological Park, including the 16,000-seat Greek Theatre (Teatro Greco), the Ear of Dionysius (Orecchio de Dioniso), and the 3rd-century Roman amphitheatre. Back in Ortigia, visit the Theatre of Apollo, the Baroque Duomo and, schedule permitting, view the Caravaggio painting, The Burial of Saint Lucia, in the Basilica Santa Lucia al Sepolcro. Lunch today is a noble affair when you dine at the family palazzo of the Barone Pietro di Beneventano, and taste wines from the family vineyard. Free time this afternoon offers you an opportunity to see more of the city with the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 4 – Noto & Ragusa
Drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Noto this morning where a walking tour along the elegant Corso Vittorio Emmanuele promenade showcases the city’s Baroque buildings, golden-hued palazzi and churches among them, rebuilt after a devastating 17th-century earthquake. View from the outside the Basilica di San Salvatore and the Duomo di Noto as well as the ornate Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata, before exploring on your own. A tour of a local herb farm later this afternoon introduces you to the freshly picked aromatic spices that add true regional flavor to today’s family-style tasting lunch.
This afternoon, drive to the lovely Baroque town of Ragusa Ibla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A local guide introduces you to the town on a guided walking tour of its ancient labyrinthine lanes, the main Piazza and historic sites. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of the Arezzo, the “noble” family of Ragusa Ibla; visit the century-old Circolo del Conversazione the original “Gentlemen’s Club” of the day, and Il Piccolo – the private, small family theatre of the Arezzo family who have lived in their 19th-century palazzo for more than 200 years.
Dinner this evening is at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 5 – Piazza Armerina
This morning, travel to the nearby town of Piazza Armerina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been called an “art city,” woven into the fabric of Sicily. The mosaics you will see here are considered among the most beautiful and best preserved of their kind anywhere in the world.
Your artful discoveries begin when you step inside the Roman Villa del Casale, dating back to 320 to 350 BC when it was built for a Roman official. Look down at the floors as you tour the villa; the mosaics, both figurative and geometric, tell eloquent tales of Homeric poems and myths, nature and scenes from aristocratic life.
After lunch, return to Ragusa for dinner in a wine cellar located in the medieval crypt underneath an old church, featuring 400 labels of the best Sicilian and international wines
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 6 – Explore the Greek temples of Agrigento
This morning, depart for a visit to Agrigento and the amazing Greek temples. The Valley of the Temples at Agrigento, dating back to 581 BC, must have been the favorite neighborhood of the gods if the number of temples there is any indication – the site is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Built on a hillside facing the sea, explore temples honoring deities the likes of Zeus, Hercules, Concord, Pollux and Castor with a local guide in this amazing archaeological site. Visit the temples of Zeus, Concord and Hercules, the Temple of Juno and more. Afterward, continue to resort by mid-afternoon; the remainder of the day is free to enjoy the resort’s amenities as you please.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 7 – Morning at Leisure then to Palermo
The morning is free to spend as you please. Enjoy a wine tasting en route to your Palermo hotel for a two-night stay.
This evening, join the son of a baroness for an exclusive private dinner and tour of his family’s art collection in their historic city-center villa, designed by Ernesto Basile, the architect of Teatro Massimo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 8 – Palermo
Start your day with a guided visit to the Palazzo dei Normanni, the seat of the kings of Sicily during the reign of the Normans and the main seat of power for Sicilian rulers for centuries. A UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the Palatine Chapel in the heart of the palace, the palazzo dates back to the 9th century and boasts multicultural touches that were added later. These include the spectacular mosaics of precious stones, many glittering in gold, you will see in the royal apartments and chapel, which also features inlaid carved marble floors and a painted wooden ceiling.
Then enjoy a walking tour of historic Palermo is followed by lunch at a local restaurant and a guided visit to Teatro Massimo, the largest opera house in Italy and the setting where the final scenes of the movie, Godfather Part III, were filmed.
The remainder of the day is free to spend as you please.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 9 – Cefalu and Taormina
Journey to Cefalù for a guided tour of its Norman cathedral, considered one of the jewels in Sicily’s Norman-Arab crown that includes the magnificent cathedral of Monreale and Palermo’s Palatine Chapel. View its soaring twin pyramid towers outside and elaborate Byzantine mosaics inside before driving into the Madonie Mountains.
Afterward, travel to Taormina enjoying a scenic drive that offers picturesque views of the Aeolian Islands dotting the seascapes.
Arrive at your hotel late afternoon and enjoy an evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10 – Sicily’s Resort Taormina
It may be that Sicily resort town Taormina is the oldest vacation destination in the world. It is simply beautiful. During its long colorful history Taormina has been enjoyed over the centuries by all who came to colonize Sicily. Its unique hilltop position gives it a view of the turquoise sea below. Vulcan’s home Mt Etna is ever visible too.
A guided walking tour of Taormina this morning takes you up hilly lanes to the Teatro Greco built in 3 BC by the Greeks and remodeled by the Romans. The views from here are worth the climb!
Then enjoy time to explore the sights on your own for the remainder of the day. Or, if you wish to experience an active adventure today, join us for a 4×4 Range Rover adventure up Mount Etna for a hike on its moon-like lava surfaces.
Following free time in Taormina, join us for a farewell reception and dinner tonight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 11 – Ciao Sicily
You comprehensive luxury Sicily tour ends today. Fly home with full of fond memories. Or continue your Italy vacation.
For more Sicily vacation options click 2024 Sicily Tours Packages.
For more luxury Italy vacations check out our Italy luxury tours page.
To book your luxury Sicily tour package call 800-227-1577 or submit the form on this page.
