9-Day Sicily Small Group Tour

Sicily Small Group Tour Itinerary

The small group Sicily tour includes up to eight travelers. The tour begins in Taormina. The closest airport is Catania. The tour ends in Palermo. The closest airport is Palermo. Included sightseeing includes Mt. Etna, Syracuse, the Greek Temples in Agrigento, and Palermo.

Choose between the “cultural” itinerary or the “food and wine” itinerary.

Cultural Highlights

DAY 1 – DEPART UNITED STATES

Fly overnight from the United States to Sicily’s Catania airport

DAY 2 – ARRIVAL AND EVENING TAORMINA FOOD & WINE TOUR

Upon arrival at Catania airport be greeted by your driver, who will bring you to your charming hotel in Taormina.

Late this afternoon you will meet your local guide in the city center to discover ideal places to get a real taste of Taormina. Savor its delicious food, soak in its vibrant culture, and meet the people who keep so many wonderful food and wine traditions alive. Just follow your expert guide through the town and eat and drink like the locals.

Afterward, your tour will finish at around 9:30PM in the heart of Taormina. Then you have time to enjoy the town at night.

Overnight in Taormina (Hotel Ariston**** or similar)

DAY 3 – SAVOCA, FORZA d’AGRO & TAORMINA

GODFATHER VS MAFIA TOUR WITH LIGHT LUNCH

After breakfast meet your “mafia” guide in lobby of your hotel and start a half-day trip to small antique villages Savoca and Forza d’Agro located on the mountains. See the places where the most famous scenes of Godfather movies were done and where started the love story of Michael and Apollonia. Find out the secrets of moviemaking as well as true facts about mafia. Take refreshing aperitif in the most famous sicilian bar “Vitelli” and enjoy the lunch with typical seasonal food on extraordinary terrace.

Aftwerward, return to your hote. Relax and then enjoy Taormina at night.

TAORMINA WALKING TOUR & GREEK THEATER VISIT

After some relaxation take an easy walk with your local guide. The guide will reveal Taormina’s culture, architecture, natural and political history and tell stories about the Sicilian people and their traditions.

Conquered by the Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Byzantines and Normans, Taormina boasts a rich and fascinating history and a robust mix of styles. Discover little streets and hidden corners that gives Taormina a special charm.

Visit the Magnificent Greek Theatre and get immersed directly in the life of Your first destination.

Overnight in Taormina (Hotel Ariston**** or similar)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 4 – MT. ETNA TRIP WITH LUNCH IN ETNA WINERY

On this day start your adventure with visit of Mt. Etna. Firstly, you will reach the base camp Refuge Sapienza, located at 1,900 meters. See the marvelous extinct Silvestri craters and take souvenir pictures of the area. There is free time to walk on the old lava flows. Then there is an option to continue ascent until 3000 mt by cable car and Jeep to the main authorized craters area. You will be accompanied by an English-speaking Alpine Guide. A 45-minutes visit in this lunar landscape is memorable.

After hiking continue your tour to panoramic Winery located on the slope of Etna famous for it’s unique volcanic wines and organic food. After guided visit of estate and wine cellars enjoy wine tasting (at least 5 wines) with pairing cold appetizers and light lunch. Drop-off to your hotel and free evening in sparkling Taormina.

Overnight in Taormina (Hotel Ariston**** or similar)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and wine tasting

Optional: Etna ascent to 3000MT is additonal cost.

DAY 5 – NOTO WALKING TOUR WITH LUNCH AND TRANSFER TO SYRACUSE

After breakfast meet your private driver in the lobby and move to magnificent Noto. Enjoy an easy walk with local guide in town of UNESCO heritage – a jewel of baroque.

While walking, taste a famous Modica chocolate and Sicilian ice-cream with extraordinary taste.

Afterward, travel to the typical Sicilian fisherman’s village Marzamemi. There you’ll enjoy a traditional fresh fish lunch in a family taverna.

Then be transferred to your charming hotel in Syracuse to enjoy this romantic town at night.

Overnight in Syracuse (Hotel Gargallo*** or similar)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 6 – SYRACUSE WALKING TOUR OF ORTIGIA

Meet your local guide in the city center and start a 2-hour walking tour of Ortigia, Syracuse’s old town.

Admire the majesty of the Apollo Temple before heading down Via Cavour, one of the most colorful streets in Ortigia, where local artists and aristocrats like to spend their evenings. See the Archimede Fountain on the way to the city’s Jewish district that was founded in the 3rd century BC. When you reach Duomo Square, you’ll be at the heart of Ortigia. This is one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, and home of the stunning Duomo and the Church of St. Lucy.

Along the way your tour guide will share insights regarding the Sicilian lifestyle, traditions and local customs. The charm of this town is unforgettable.

This afternoon and evening are free for you to explore Syracuse on your own.

Overnight in Syracuse (Hotel Gargallo*** or similar)

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7 – GUIDED VISIT OF TEMPLE VALLEY IN AGRIGENTO, LUNCH AND TRANSFER TO PALERMO

It’s time to say goodbye to Syracuse and move towards Palermo passing ancient Temple Valley. Your driver will pick you up in Your hotel. After ab 2 hoout, you will reach the Temple Valley. There, your local guide escort you on a 2-hour guided visit of the ancient Temples, which is UNESCO heritage site.

Afterward, enjoy a fresh seasonal lunch in local taverna. Then continue driving to Palermo hotel.

This evening you have time to relax with a free evening in the Sicilian capital, Palermo.

Overnight in Palermo (Hotel Palazzo Brunaccini**** or similar)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 8 – PALERMO WALKING TOUR & WINE

Today you’ll discover the beauty of Palermo. You’ll be escorted on a 2 hour walking tour of this fascinating city.

With your local expert guide, you will depart the hotel at 10AM. You’l explore the city, learning about the fascinating mix of cultures that made Sicily over the last thousand years.

Be ready to discover Authentic Palermitan area. Pass through Palermo old town and the most important highlights such as: Martorana Church, Piazza Pretoria, Quattro Canti & the Cathedral,
listening the stories of your guide.

Afterward, enjoy a glass of typical Palermo wine. Then relax with a free evening in Palermo.

Overnight in Palermo (Hotel Palazzo Brunaccini**** or similar)

Meals: Breakfast

Optional Activity: This afternoon take an optional tour to Cefalu to visit the Norman Cathedral. This is not included in the price. Price of this tour is by request and must be arranged by final payment.

DAY 9 – DEPARTURE

This morning transfer to airport for flight home or extend your visit.

Meals: Breakfast

Click Sicily tours to view all Italy vacations to southern Italy and Sicily.

Sicily Food and Wine

DAY 1 – DEPART UNITED STATES

Fly overnight from the United States to Sicily’s Catania airport

DAY 2 – AIRPORT TRANSFER TO HOTEL AND TAORMINA LIFESTYLE, GOURMET & WALKING TOUR

Upon arrival at Catania airport be greeted by your driver, who will bring you to your charming hotel in Taormina.

Once it starts to cool down, take an easy walk in Taormina city center with your local guide who will meet you in the lobby. Discover the main attractions of the town, its soul and lifestyle, the best places for traditional pastries, ice cream, coffee, food and handicraft shopping and anything else that might be interesting for you.

Pass the most important monuments and highlights of Taormina listening the stories of your guide.

There are three foodie stops. First in family trattoria for fish selection and white wines. Second in typical bottega for cheeses, salumi, bread, olives and red wine tasting. Third in small pastry bar for tasting of typical Sicilian sweets, liquors and coffee.

After tour enjoy free evening in sparkling Taormina.

Overnight in Taormina (Hotel Ariston, Sea View Room)

DAY 3 – TAORMINA COOKING CLASS & LUNCH IN FAMILY TRATTORIA

After breakfast start your foodie experience from the city center with the local guide/chef. Have a visit of Taormina’s Food Market, where local farmers, fishermen and butchers sell their fresh goods.

Select products for your class and with personal guidance from your chef learn culinary secrets of cooking homemade bread, pasta, fish and vegetables dishes in a traditional Sicilian style.

While eating what Your own hands made, enjoy the taste of local wines.

Afterward, the afternoon and evening are free for you to enjoy Taormina.

Overnight in Taormina (Hotel Ariston, Sea View Room)

DAY 4 – ETNA COUNTRYSIDE FOOD & WINE LOVERS TOUR

After breakfast start your “off the beaten path” trip to Mt. Etna with a pick-up from your hotel by local foodie guide.

Drive through small typical Etna villages admiring authentic lava stone houses, orange, lemon, olive and almond trees plantations, while listening to charming stories about Sicilian culture, traditions and food. Proceed up until 1,000 meters above sea level and discover the breathtaking views of volcanic land.

The first stop is an antique family run winery. After guided visit of cellars, try volcanic wines with organic etna appetizers in an astonishing lava stone open air amphitheatre.

Afterwrd, continue your gastronomic experience to authentic picturesque farmhouse and enjoy the lunch with lots of seasonal antipasti, homemade pasta and typical pastries.

Later return to Taormina for your own free time.

Overnight in Taormina (Hotel Ariston, Sea View Room)

DAY 5 – NOTO WALKING TOUR WITH LUNCH IN MARZAMEMI

After breakfast the tour travels to magnificent Noto. Upon arrival enjoy an easy walk with local guide in town of UNESCO heritage – a jewel of baroque.

While walking taste a famous Modica chocolate and sicilian ice-cream with extraordinary taste.

After the walking tour, the tour visits Marzamemi. This authentic Sicilian fisherman’s village on the seaside is the setting for lunch in a family trattoria.

Afterward, the tour continues to your charming hotel in Syracuse. There enjoy this romantic town at night on your own.

Overnight in Syracuse (Hotel Domus Mariae Benessere or similar)

DAY 6 – ORTIGIA FOOD & WINE WALKING TOUR

Meet your foodie local guide when it starts to cool down. Enjoy a walking tour of Ortigia, Syracuse old town, and taste fresh fish, typical Sicilian appetizers, homemade Sicilian pastries, fragrant wines and liquors in three different food venues. Eat and drink as locals do.

During the tour your guide will share with you a lot about history, culture, lifestyle and gastronomy of the area while passing the most important monuments and little hidden gems of the town.

Tour will finish in the heart of Ortigia so after you can still enjoy the town at night.

Overnight in Syracuse (Hotel Domus Mariae Benessere or similar)

DAY 7 – SYRACUSE WINERY TOUR & TRANSFER TO PALERMO

After breakfast, be picked by your driver to start the day with visit of ancient winery located in Syracuse’s countryside and wonderfully structured as a castle. Will be welcomed by the owner, have a guided visit of the cellars and the old millstone. Enjoy a light lunch with local organic products and wine tasting in magnificent courtyard. Appreciate the taste of wines produced in this Syracuse area and discover their difference with Etna wines.

After lunch continue to drive around 3 hours to reach colorful Palermo. Time to relax and free evening.

Overnight in Palermo (Hotel Garibaldi or similar)

DAY 8 – PALERMO STREET FOOD WALKING TOUR

On this day sample the best of Sicilian streetfood during a 3 hours Walking tour of Palermo. This food tour, led by a local expert guide, explores the fascinating culinary world of Sicily’s capital and includes visit of the famous and bustling Vucciria and Mercato del Capo outdoor markets, tasting of five different Sicilian treats along the way — including ‘panelle’ (chickpea fritters) and ‘arancine’ (deep-fried rice balls). Pass through Palermo old town and the most important highlights listening the stories of your guide.

After tour enjoy free evening in Palermo.

Overnight in Palermo (Hotel Garibaldi or similar)