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Unique Sicily from Catania to Taormina small group tour – 8 days escorted tour

8 Days
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Highlights

This carefully curated tour, beginning in Catania and concluding in Taormina, will guide you through charming villages, remarkable archaeological sites, and breathtaking landscapes. Along the way, you’ll enjoy local delicacies and a range of included experiences. Designed for a small escorted group, this tour offers comfortable 4-star accommodation and excellent value for money.

Highlights

  • The only regular tour of Sicily, staying two nights in Taormina city centre
  • Small groups up to 20 people, exclusively in English
  • Itinerary designed to alternate the visits to the main archaeological and monumental sites with gastronomic and enological experiences.
  • Visit to the Catania fish market to have a full immersion in the “Authentic Sicilian life”
  • Free time at disposal for shopping or to enjoy a walk.
  • Charming Hotels located in the historical centre of the main sicilian towns, an Exclusive Resort with swimming pool and spa and a Wine resort in the Marsala countryside
  • Visit of the Main Sicilian UNESCO SITES: (Ragusa, Siracusa, Valley of Temples, Etna volcan, the Arab-Norman Palermo itinerary and the Cathedrals of Monreale and Cefalù)
  • Food and Wine Experiences: cheese and sicilian specialties tasting/light lunch in Ragusa; wine tasting/ light dinner at sunset Experience in Marsala; Overnight in a winery immersed in a vineyard; traditional pastries tasting in Erice; Typical Street Food lunch in Syracuse; Visit of a typical winery on Etna and wine tasting

Itinerary

  • Day
    1

    Catania

    Independent arrival at your hotel in Catania, followed by check-in. Enjoy a welcome drink and dinner at the hotel before settling in for your overnight stay.

  • Day
    2

    Catania - Siracusa with street food lunch - Catania

    After a buffet breakfast, we depart for Syracuse to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Neapolis. Here, you’ll explore the famous Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Latomie of Paradise, and the striking Ear of Dionysius.

    The journey continues to the island of Ortigia, the charming baroque heart of Syracuse. Highlights include the magnificent Cathedral, built upon the ancient Doric Temple of Minerva, the legendary Fountain of Arethusa, and the Temple of Apollo.

    In Ortigia, we’ll savour a light street food lunch in the historic centre, followed by free time in the afternoon to wander its enchanting streets, enjoy a leisurely stroll, or shop for local treasures.

    We then return to Catania. The evening is yours to experience the city’s lively atmosphere and perhaps dine at one of its typical restaurants. Overnight stay in Catania.

    We then return to Catania. The evening is yours to experience the city’s lively atmosphere and perhaps dine at one of its typical restaurants. Overnight stay in Catania.

    Free time for lunch. Departure to Noto, the capital of Sicilian Baroque, famous for its fine buildings of the early eighteenth century and declared Unesco World Heritage Site. Inspired by Baroque ideals of “open city”, Noto is a rare masterpiece and the clearest example of theatrical tastes in 18th century architecture whose local limestone has been burnt gold by the sun. Noto’s Baroque is a game of elegant curves, floral weaves, perspective views, palaces and gardens, capitals and ornaments that adorn the facades of churches and monasteries. Visit of Palazzo Nicolaci Villadorata, beautiful noble residence in Baroque style. Free time for a walk along the town. Transfer to Ragusa for dinner and overnight in hotel.

  • Day
    3

    Catania with fish market- Ragusa with testing local specialties

    After a buffet breakfast, we begin the day with a leisurely walk through Catania’s city centre, including a visit to the lively fish market “A Piscaria”, one of the largest in Sicily. As old as the city itself, this vibrant market offers a true immersion into Sicily’s rich fishing traditions and authentic daily life.

    We then depart for Ragusa, a town renowned for its fine cheese production. Along the way, we’ll stop to enjoy a tasting of artisan cheeses and Sicilian specialties, served as a light lunch.

    In the afternoon, we’ll take a charming panoramic tour of Ragusa Ibla, the historical baroque centre, aboard the “Baroque Train.” Here, you’ll marvel at magnificent palaces and churches that, along with seven other cities of the Val di Noto, are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

    Afterwards, we continue to our reserved hotel, where you’ll have free time to relax by the swimming pool or unwind in the Spa. Dinner will be served at the hotel, followed by an overnight stay.

  • Day
    4

    Ragusa- Agrigento - Marsala with testing and overnight in a wine resort!

    After a buffet breakfast, we depart for Agrigento, the hillside town celebrated for its magnificent Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The visit includes the Temple of Concordia, one of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world, along with the temples of Juno and Heracles. Free time will be available for lunch.

    In the afternoon, we continue to Marsala, a charming coastal city renowned for its production of the famous Sicilian sweet wine. Our destination is Baglio Donnafranca, a beautifully restored 19th-century estate once owned by the noble Florio family, set in the Marsala countryside with sweeping views of the Egadi Islands.

    Here, we’ll visit the wine cellar and discover the secrets of local winemaking. The experience concludes with a guided wine tasting and a light dinner at sunset, an unforgettable way to end the day. Overnight stay at the baglio.

  • Day
    5

    Marsala - Salt Route - Erice with local pastries- Monreale - Palermo

    After a buffet breakfast, we depart along the spectacular “Salt Route”, a scenic road lined with ancient salt pans, traditional windmills, and historic salt houses where sea salt is still harvested today, just as in Phoenician times.

    We then arrive in Erice, a charming hilltop town overlooking Trapani and the Egadi Islands. Here, we’ll wander through its narrow lanes, hidden courtyards, and picturesque streets, pausing to enjoy a tasting of the town’s famous biscuits.

    The journey continues toward Monreale, with a light lunch of local specialties en route. Perched on a hill just a few kilometres from Palermo, Monreale is home to the world-renowned Cathedral, a masterpiece of Moorish architecture. Inside, we’ll admire its extraordinary cycle of Byzantine mosaics, depicting stories from the Old and New Testaments in splendid Arab-Norman style.

    We then proceed to Palermo for hotel accommodation. The evening is free to enjoy shopping or dinner at leisure. Overnight stay in Palermo.

  • Day
    6

    Palermo - Cefalu - Messina- Taormina

    After a buffet breakfast, we begin with a walking tour of Palermo, the vibrant capital of Sicily. Strolling along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, we reach the famous Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria, and Piazza Bellini. We’ll visit the majestic Cathedral, one of the city’s most important architectural treasures, before continuing to one of Palermo’s historic markets—an explosion of colours, aromas, and authenticity that truly captures the soul of the city.
    Our journey then takes us to Cefalù, once a humble fishing village and now a picturesque coastal town. We’ll explore its charming centre, walk along the main street, and visit the stunning Arab-Norman Cathedral as well as the medieval washhouse carved into the rock. You will have free time to explore the town at your own pace, shop, or enjoy lunch on your own.
    In the afternoon, we drive along the scenic coastal road to Taormina, passing through Messina, where we’ll admire the breathtaking views of the Strait of Messina. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and enjoy free time for dinner. Overnight stay in Taormina.

  • Day
    7

    Taormina - Mt Etna with wine testing - Taormina

    After a buffet breakfast, we set out on an excursion to Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. We’ll ascend to 1,800 metres, reaching the Silvestri Craters, where a breathtaking panorama opens over the Ionian Sea.

    On the eastern slopes of Etna, we’ll stop at a renowned winery for a guided visit to its prestigious cellar. Here, we’ll enjoy a tasting of fine local wines, paired with traditional cheeses and cured meats.

    In the afternoon, we return to Taormina, often called “the Pearl of the Ionian Sea.” You’ll have free time to wander its charming narrow streets, shop for local treasures, or, if you wish, visit the famous Greek-Roman Theatre on your own. Dinner is at leisure, followed by an overnight stay in Taormina.

  • Day
    8

    End of the unforgettable experience

    After a buffet breakfast, your unforgettable journey comes to an end. Please let us know if you would like assistance with post tour arrangements in Sicily, elsewhere in Italy, or anywhere in the world.

    Please note that the itinerary may be adjusted for organisational reasons or in cases of force majeure

The Cost Includes

  • 6 nights accommodation in 4* hotels and 1 night in a wine resort
  • Welcome drink on day 1.
  • 2 Dinners (Catania on day1; Ragusa on day 3) and 7 Breakfasts at Hotel.
  • Mineral water (1/2 per person) at meals in Hotel
  • 1 light lunch on the way to Monreale ( day 5)
  • 1 Street food lunch in Siracusa including a glass of wine
  • Cheese & Sicilian products tasting/ light lunch in Ragusa including water and a glass of wine
  • Panoramic tour by Baroque train in Ragusa
  • Almond pastries tasting in Erice
  • Visit of a cellar and Wine tasting/light dinner in Marsala
  • Visit of a cellar and Wine tasting on Mount Etna

The Cost Excludes

  • Flights
  • Arrival and Departure transfers
  • Other meals and drinks
  • Beverage with meals
  • Entrance fees at monuments/museums (unless purchased the privilege pack)
  • Hotel tourist taxes (where required) - (unless purchased the privilege pack)
  • Insurance and everything not listed as “Included.”

Accommodation:
Hotels are carefully selected for their location and design to combine Sicilian tradition with comfort. 

  • Catania:  Katane Hotel  4* or similar
  • Ragusa: Poggio Del Soel Rosort 4* or similar
  • Marsala: Baglio Donnafranca Wineresort 4* or similar
  • Palermo: Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa 4* or similar 
  • Taormina: Hotel Splendid 4*or Hotel Caparena 4* or similar

Payment and Cancellation

Payment:  Deposit A$600 per person within 7 days of confirmation, and the balance 60 days before leaving Australia

Cancellation:

  • Cancellation received 45 working days or more before departure: deposits will not be refundable.
  • Cancellations made from 44 to 30 working days before departure: 40% of the payments will not be refundable.
  • Cancellations made 15 to 29 working days before departure: 70% of the payment will not be refundable.
  • Cancellations made 14 days or less prior to departure: 100% of the payment will not be refundable.

* For reasons beyond our control (public events, religious holidays, sporting events or adverse weather conditions), the itinerary may be modified without notice; in this case, we will ensure, as far as possible, similar visits and excursions according to the spirit of the tour program.

If the number of participants does not reach the minimum of 9 people, we guarantee departure with a minivan, an English-speaking driver, and local guide services at the main sites, reserving the right to make changes to the itinerary by providing notice within 15 days before the departure date.

The Italian Travel Bureau, also known as itb.tours, is a reputable boutique-style operator. It provides unique & small group tours, packages, for our clients. To meet the ongoing demand for unique and exciting travel experiences, our web page is in continuous development with new products and destinations. All our costs are AUD$.

1300 2 DREAM (1300 237 326)
Australia

info@italianbureau.com.au

See it online https://www.italianbureau.com.au/tour/unique-sicily-from-catania-to-taormina-small-group-tour-8-days-escorted-tour/