8 days, 7 nights · Best for Escorted discovery of Sicily's ancient sites and baroque treasures
Meraviglia of Sicily Deluxe Escorted Tour | Vacation Packages for 2025, 2026
Experience Sicily’s wonders as you explore Catania, Siracusa, Palermo and Taormina, where history, flavors and landscapes create an unforgettable island adventure.
Your Adventure Starts Here
This is a starting point. Change the nights, choose the style of hotel, add the experiences you want. Your planner takes it from there.
Stop 1Catania, Sicily
Catania
Welcome to the island at Etna's edge
Your Sicily adventure begins in Catania, a lively baroque city rebuilt in honey-colored stone after the 1693 earthquake. Mount Etna rises to the west, the Ionian Sea spreads to the east. We meet you at your hotel in the historic center for a welcome briefing with your tour escort and fellow travelers. A welcome cocktail and group dinner introduce the island's flavors: caponata, pasta alla Norma, swordfish, local wines from the volcanic slopes.
Arranged for you: We arrange your centrally located hotel, welcome cocktail, and group dinner with regional Sicilian dishes.
Your hotel
Styles, not names. We name the property once we know your dates and your party.
Interests in Catania
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Private morning market walk with chef Day Trips · Half day
Join a local chef through the Pescheria fish market and citrus stalls, then cook together in a private kitchen.
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Wine tasting on the slopes of Mount Etna Day Trips · Half day
Visit a small estate growing Nerello Mascalese in volcanic soil, with lunch overlooking terraced vineyards.
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Aci Trezza and Cyclopean Islands boat tour Day Trips · Half day
Cruise the lava rock islets off the fishing village, then walk the waterfront where Verga set his novels.
Day by day in Catania
Arrive on your own in Catania, a vibrant city on the eastern coast of Sicily framed by Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. Make your way to your centrally located hotel and take some time to settle in. In the afternoon, meet your tour escort and fellow travelers for a friendly welcome and an overview of your Sicily itinerary. Enjoy a refreshing welcome cocktail followed by a delicious group dinner featuring regional Sicilian specialties. Overnight in Catania, ready to begin your island adventure.
Stop 2Ragusa, Sicily
Ragusa
Baroque splendor in the Iblean hills
After exploring Siracusa's Greek amphitheater and the Ear of Dionysus, then wandering Ortigia Island to see the Cathedral and Fountain of Aretusa, we continue to Ragusa. The town splits into two: the modern upper district and Ragusa Ibla below, a baroque maze of golden palaces, convents, and staircases carved into the hillside. Churches by Rosario Gagliardi anchor the piazzas. The UNESCO core glows amber at dusk. Free time lets you walk the stone lanes, taste ricotta-filled ravioli, or photograph the view from the belvedere across the valley to San Giorgio's dome.
Arranged for you: We arrange your Ragusa hotel, group visits to Siracusa archaeological park and Ortigia Island, and private motorcoach transfers.
Your hotel
Styles, not names. We name the property once we know your dates and your party.
Interests in Ragusa
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Chocolate tasting in Modica Day Trips · Half day
Visit the baroque town famous for grainy Aztec-style chocolate, stopping at two historic producers for tastings.
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Private cooking class with a Ragusana cook Day Trips · Half day
Learn to make scacce (folded flatbreads), ricotta ravioli, and cassata in a home kitchen overlooking the valley.
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Donnafugata Castle and gardens Day Trips · Half day
Tour the nineteenth-century castle's Venetian Gothic rooms and English-style park planted with palms and succulents.
Day by day in Ragusa
After breakfast, depart for Siracusa, one of Sicily’s most important ancient Greek and Roman cities. Visit the impressive archaeological park, where you’ll see the Greek Amphitheater, the evocative Ear of Dionysus, Minerva’s Temple, and the Roman Theater. Continue to Ortigia Island, Siracusa’s baroque heart, to admire the Cathedral and the legendary Fountain of Aretusa, then enjoy free time for lunch in one of its charming trattorias. In the afternoon, transfer to Ragusa, a stunning town divided into the “new” upper section and the baroque jewel of Ragusa Ibla below. Before heading to your hotel, savor a typical Sicilian aperitif and tasting of local products while overlooking the main square and majestic Cathedral of Ragusa Ibla. Dinner and overnight in Ragusa.
Stop 3Agrigento, Sicily
Agrigento
Greek temples and Roman mosaics
We stop in Caltagirone to see artisans hand-painting maiolica tiles in workshops that have stood for centuries. At Piazza Armerina, the Villa Romana del Casale spreads floor after floor of late Roman mosaics: hunting scenes, gymnasts, the famous bikini girls. A local restaurant serves cavatelli with pork ragù and ricotta salata. By afternoon we reach Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples, where Doric columns rise from almond groves above the Mediterranean. The Temple of Concordia, honey-colored in the slanting light, is among the best-preserved Greek structures anywhere. You walk the ridge as the stone glows gold, then amber, then rose.
Arranged for you: We arrange your Agrigento hotel, group visits to Caltagirone ceramics workshop, Villa Romana del Casale, Valley of the Temples, and lunch at a regional restaurant.
Your hotel
Styles, not names. We name the property once we know your dates and your party.
Interests in Agrigento
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Private early-morning temple visit Day Trips · Half day
Enter the Valley at dawn before the tour groups arrive, with your own archaeologist guide and the site in morning calm.
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Wine estate in Sambuca di Sicilia Day Trips · Half day
Drive inland to taste Nero d'Avola and Grillo at a family winery, with lunch on a terrace overlooking Lake Arancio.
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Scala dei Turchi sunset Day Trips · Half day
Visit the white limestone cliff shaped by wind and waves, walk the ridges, and watch the sun drop into the sea.
Day by day in Agrigento
Enjoy breakfast, then travel to Caltagirone, renowned worldwide for its colorful ceramics and artistic tilework. Visit a ceramics laboratory and showroom to see artisans at work and admire their creations. Continue to Piazza Armerina to tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Villa Romana del Casale, home to the largest collection of late Roman mosaics in the world. Enjoy a typical lunch in a local restaurant, sampling regional dishes. In the afternoon, head to Agrigento to explore the Valley of the Temples, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites of Ancient Greece, featuring the temples of Juno, Hercules, Zeus, Concordia, and Castor and Pollux. Dinner and overnight in Agrigento.
Palermo, Sicily
Palermo
Arab-Norman splendor and street market bustle
Palermo unfolds in layers: Norman mosaics, Arab domes, baroque facades, Liberty villas, and the shout of the Ballarò market. We visit Monreale's hilltop Cathedral, where twelve thousand square meters of Byzantine gold mosaics cover every surface, then the cloister with its carved twin columns. Back in the city, the Palatine Chapel glitters with more mosaics, the Cathedral holds royal tombs, the Opera House stages Verdi under frescoed ceilings. Praetorian Square buzzes with aperitivo crowds.
The next day we drive to Segesta for the isolated Doric temple on its hillside, then climb to Erice, a medieval village clinging to the peak of Mount Erice. Cobbled lanes, Norman fortifications, and views across the salt flats to the Egadi Islands. On the return, we trace the coast past Trapani's windmills and salt pans, the water pink with brine shrimp in summer, white pyramids of salt stacked along the shore.
Arranged for you: We arrange your Palermo hotel, group visits to Monreale Cathedral and cloister, Palatine Chapel, Cathedral, Opera House, Segesta temple, Erice village, Trapani salt flats, two group dinners, and private motorcoach transfers.
Your hotel
Styles, not names. We name the property once we know your dates and your party.
Interests in Palermo
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Private street food walk with local guide Day Trips · Half day
Taste arancine, panelle, sfincione, and cannoli through Ballarò and Vucciria markets, with espresso stops between bites.
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Mondello beach and Art Nouveau pavilion Day Trips · Half day
Escape to Palermo's sandy beach, swim in turquoise shallows, and lunch at the waterfront pavilion built in 1913.
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Favignana island day trip Day Trips · Full day
Ferry to the Egadi island for a swim in Cala Rossa's clear water, tuna-bottarga tasting, and a bike ride through tufa quarries.
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Private Cappella Palatina and Palazzo dei Normanni tour Day Trips · Half day
Skip the lines with an art historian for deeper context on the mosaics, royal apartments, and Norman-Arab fusion.
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City Tours with Coffee and Tasting Shore Excursions · Tour in a DayExperience Palermo with all your senses; taste, sip, and stroll through the city’s vibrant streets and flavors.
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Puppet Theatre Shore Excursions · Tour in a DaySee Palermo’s most scenic landmarks, then step into Sicily’s storytelling tradition with a spellbinding Puppet Theatre performance.
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Walking Tour of Palermo Shore Excursions · Tour in a DayMeet Palermo at street level, 3 hours of bold architecture, layered history, and lively Sicilian energy.
Day by day in Palermo
After breakfast, depart Agrigento for Palermo, Sicily’s lively capital. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy free time for lunch. In the afternoon, travel to nearby Monreale to visit its magnificent hilltop Cathedral, famous for its dazzling 12th-century gold mosaics, and the peaceful Benedictine monastery. Take in sweeping views over Palermo and the surrounding countryside. Return to Palermo for a sightseeing tour of the city, including the Palatine Chapel, the Cathedral, the grand Opera House, and Praetorian Square. End the day with dinner at a local restaurant and an overnight stay in Palermo.
After a breakfast buffet, depart for Segesta, another remarkable archaeological site where you’ll admire a majestic Doric Temple and evocative Greek ruins set amid rolling hills. Continue to Erice, an enchanting medieval village perched atop Mount Erice, known for its Phoenician and Norman history and spectacular views. Enjoy free time for lunch and photos overlooking Trapani, the salt flats, and the Egadi Islands. In the afternoon, follow a panoramic route to Trapani to see the historic salt pans and windmills that still dot the coastline. Return to Palermo in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.
Stop 5Taormina, Sicily
Taormina
Clifftop elegance above the Ionian Sea
We leave Palermo for the northern coast, stopping in Cefalù to see the Norman Cathedral with its Christ Pantocrator mosaic and the medieval wash-house carved into rock beside the sea. Lunch is served at Miraglia Forest in Nebrodi Park, surrounded by oak and beech. The drive continues through Cesarò and Randazzo, offering unusual views of Mount Etna's northern flank, lava fields giving way to vineyards and pistachio groves. By evening we arrive in Taormina, perched on a terrace between the volcano and the water.
The next morning is yours: sip granita di mandorla on Corso Umberto, ride the cable car down to Mazzarò beach, or browse shops selling lace, coral, and Sicilian ceramics. An optional ascent of Mount Etna takes you to eighteen hundred meters, where fumaroles steam and the view stretches across the Ionian coast. The Greek Theater, carved from the hillside in the third century BC, frames Etna in its stage backdrop. You can visit on your own, walk the ancient tiers, and watch the light change on the summit.
Arranged for you: We arrange your Taormina hotel, group visits to Cefalù Cathedral and wash-house, lunch at Miraglia Forest, and private motorcoach transfers.
Your hotel
Styles, not names. We name the property once we know your dates and your party.
Interests in Taormina
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Mount Etna summit craters with volcanologist Day Trips · Half day
Ascend by cable car and off-road vehicle to three thousand meters, walk the active craters, and study recent lava flows.
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Private yacht cruise to Giardini Naxos Day Trips · Half day
Sail the coast from Taormina's bay, swim in hidden coves, and anchor for prosecco and Sicilian antipasti on board.
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Wine tasting on Etna's north slope Day Trips · Half day
Visit a small estate in Solicchiata growing Nerello Mascalese in century-old bush vines, with lunch among the vines.
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Private Greek Theater evening access Day Trips · Half day
Return to the theater after hours for a guided walk through the cavea and scaenae frons, alone with the view.
Day by day in Taormina
After breakfast, travel to Cefalù, a picturesque fishing village on Sicily’s northern coast. Wander its quaint historic center, visit the impressive Norman Cathedral adorned with beautiful mosaics, and see the medieval wash-house carved into the rock. Continue into the lush landscapes of Nebrodi Park and stop for a characteristic lunch at Miraglia Forest, surrounded by nature. In the afternoon, drive via Cesarò and Randazzo, enjoying an unusual and striking perspective of Mount Etna. Arrive in Taormina in the evening, a medieval town dramatically set between Mount Etna and the sea, where you’ll enjoy dinner and an overnight stay.
Enjoy breakfast, then take a leisurely morning in Taormina, sip a refreshing Sicilian granita, write postcards, or ride the cable car down to the beach. If you wish, join an optional excursion to Mount Etna (not included). Weather permitting, you’ll ascend to about 1,800 meters on Europe’s highest active volcano, where breathtaking views of the craters and the Ionian Sea await. In the afternoon, return to Taormina to wander Corso Umberto, lined with boutiques selling lace, ceramics, coral jewelry, and local delicacies, or visit the iconic Greek Theater on your own. In the evening, enjoy a festive farewell dinner with your travel companions and spend your final night in Taormina.
Day 8
Taormina
After breakfast, your unforgettable Sicily tour comes to an end. Take a final look at Taormina’s stunning coastline and Mount Etna before departing on your onward journey. You’ll leave the island with rich memories of ancient ruins, baroque towns, dramatic landscapes, and the warm hospitality and flavors of Sicily.
Why plan with Trips 2 Italy?
Designed around you by Italian-born planners
Guides, drivers and boats for your party alone
Hand-selected hotels in every destination
Local English-speaking guides who know their city
Met at the airport, private transfers throughout
Testimonials
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They took the time to understand our preferences and designed an itinerary that was comfortable, personalized, and enjoyable. They offered thoughtful recommendations while never being pushy.
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Questions travelers ask
What destinations does this package visit?
Over 8 days this journey brings you to Agrigento, Caltagirone, Catania, Cefalu', Erice, Monreale, and Palermo. Each stop is woven into the itinerary with time for the landmarks, the views, and the local flavor that make it special.
How is transportation handled on this trip?
Transportation is arranged as part of the itinerary, with comfortable train segments between the cities and vehicle transfers where they serve you best. Every connection is planned for you, so you can focus on the scenery instead of the logistics.
Who will enjoy this itinerary most?
It suits travelers who enjoy the ease of an escorted experience, with sightseeing arranged and a group to share it with.
Can we tailor this trip to our wishes?
Yes. This sample itinerary is a starting point, and every Trips 2 Italy package is fully customizable. Your travel consultant will adjust the destinations, hotel category, pace, and experiences to fit your plans. A minimum of 2 travelers applies.
When is the best time to take this trip?
The package is available all year around on request. Late spring through early fall is prime time on the coast, with warm seas and long evenings, while April, May, September, and October pair gentle weather with quieter towns.