Flavors Of Sicily
SMALL GROUP TOURS
Destination: Croatia • Duration: 13 days / 12 nights • Dates: May 14-28, 2024 • Destination: Sicily • Duration: 15 days / 14 nights • Dates: May 14-28, 2024 • Destination: Sicily • Duration: 15 days / 14 nights • Dates: May 14-28, 2024
Destination: Sicily
Dates: May 14 - 28, 2024
Duration: 15 days / 14 nights
Welcome to Sicily!
Upon arrival to Palermo airport, meet your English-speaking driver and transfer to your hotel in Trapani. Get settled in your room, relax, or start exploring on your own. In the early evening, head to the reception area where you’ll meet your host Terry and fellow travelers for the welcome reception. Then, it will be time to head just a few streets down, to an amazing local restaurant, for a delicious welcome dinner. Enjoy a Sicilian 3-course meal, paired with local wines. Enjoy, get to know each other, have fun!
Hotel: Palazzo Gatto & Spa 4*
Arrive in Palermo and transfer to Trapani
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2024
DAY 1
In the morning, head to to the port to board our private speed boat! The captain will take us on the discovery of the beautiful Egadi islands. There will be plenty of time for swimming in the clearest waters you have ever seen, around Favignana and Levanzo. Enjoy soft drinks and snacks on board and have free time for lunch on shore. Make sure to have a wind stopper and some warmer clotihing just in case it gets colder during the sailing. Return to your hotel in the afternoon, with the rest of the day at leisure. Let’s meet up for drinks and to grab dinner together!
Hotel: Palazzo Gatto & Spa 4*
Boat Trip To The Egadi Islands
DAY 2
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2024
DAY 4
In the morning, we’ll start our adventure into the Sicilian countryside. You’ll enjoy the scenic drive, and a visit to two amazing towns. First, we stop in Corleone, famous for the fictional Mafia family. Continue to Palazzo Adriano, an interesting town founded in ancient times by Albanian exiles who brought with them their culture and customs. We will admire the beautiful church of Santa Maria Assunta on Greek – Byzantine style and enjoy lunch at a local ‘agroturismo’. Then, we will continue our drive through the countryside to the Southern coast and Agrigento. Your evening is free. Agrigento is home to several awesome restaurants, make sure to check them out!
Hotel: Colleverde Park hotel 4*
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2024
Trapani - Sicilian Hinterland - Agrigento
DAY 5
Today we spend our day enjoying Agrigento. In the morning, we’ll visit the fascinating archeological site Valley of the Temples, one of the most significant sites of ancient Greek history. But this is also a very beautiful place! The view toward the coast is breathtaking! Be sure to sample coffee with pistacchio at the bar within the Archeological area, it’s a special experience! Later, proceed to town, together with your guide for a short walk through the historic center. The tour will end here, you can stay in town for lunch, or return to the hotel, relax by the pool, have some fun! Let’s meet up in the evening for drinks and dinner in town!
Hotel: Colleverde Park hotel 4*
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024
Explore Agrigento
DAY 6
It is time to head inland again, today we visit Piazza Armerina and proceed to Ragusa where we’ll spend the night. In Piazza Armerina, we’ll visit The Villa Romana Del Casale, former mansion of a wealthy Roman senator who traded in exotic animals, today fully protected by UNESCO, and then, indulge in a delicious lunch at a local agritourism. We’ll proceed proceeding to Ragusa in the afternoon. Get settled into our hotel, and then you are free to explore Ragusa, it’s a gorgeous Baroque hilltop town with a maze of narrow streets, churches, and palaces, that seem layered on top of one another. Tonight, we recommend trying ‘focaccia Ragusana’, a famous local dish.
Hotels: San Giorgio Palace hotel 4*
SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2024
Piazza Armerina - Ragusa
DAY 7
This morning we head to Modica, yet another magical Sicilian town that is also home to a very unique factory – a chocholate factory. The chocholate from Modica is known all over the world for its special propreties. Of course, we will visit the factory and taste this unique type of chocholate! Then, we’ll continue through the scenec country roads of Sicily to the town of Noto, considered one of the finest examples of Sicilian baroque style towns. A local guide will show us the highlights of town, and then we’ll enjoy time to explore on own, take pictures, or enjoy coffee at a local bar. Our journey continues all the way to Syracuse. We’ll settle in our hotel, and relax, enjoy your evening is at leisure.
Hotel: Grand hotel Alfeo 4*
MONDAY, MAY 20, 2024
Ragusa - Modica - Noto - Syracuse
DAY 8
After breakfast we’ll head out for a walking tour of Syracuse old town, Citta Vecchia, a UNESCO World Heritage site, located on the island of Ortigia. After the tour, enjoy exploring the streets of Ortigia on own, or head back to the hotel and relax. Late in the afternoon, we’ll head to our next adventure and embark our boat that will take us on an exciting sail around the Ortiga island and North Syracuse. Enjoy the sights of picturesque caves and corals, as well as landmarks such as Castello Maniace, the Spanish Walls, the Ear of Dionysus cave and much more! Have a light dinner onboard, and enjoy a glass of prosecco. We’ll return to shore and the rest of the evening is free.
Hotel: Grand hotel Alfeo 4*
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2024
Exploring Syracuse by Land & Sea
DAY 9
Today we travel northeast to Catania, an interesting combination of ancient and modern, protected by mighty Mt. Etna. We will meet our guide and discover Catania during a leasurely walk with some unique food tasting along the way. We’ll learn the difference between arancino and arancina, try Sicilian cannolo, granita and many other traditional delicacies We’ll learn about the history and the life in Catania.
In the afternoon, we will enjoy the drive with views of Mount Etna and arrive at our hotel in Taormina. The balance of the day is free, and our hotel is right at the beach! Enjoy the views, go dip your feet in the sand and enjoy! The town is a short taxi ride away, if anyone wants to explore, join Terry and head out to town.
Hotel: Hotel Caparena 4*
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2024
Syracuse - Catania - Taormina
DAY 10
After breakfast, our driver will take us to town where we’ll meet our local guide and enjoy a walking tour of Taormina and visit the amazing Greek theatre, offering splendid views of the Calabrian coast, the Ionian coast and the spectacular cone of Etna. Later, we will meet our chef and enjoy a cooking class together. Learn how to prepare Sicilian dishes from scratch. Most possibly the best souvenir to take home from this trip! The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the beach, relax or explore on your own.
Hotels: Caparena 4*
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2024
Taormina
DAY 11
Another great day is ahead of us! In the morning our local guide will meet us at the hotel Lobby. Today, we explore the most fascinating area of Sicily, the Etna countryside. Please make sure to bring some warmer clothes as it can be much colder on the mountain! A wind stopper and or a hoodie will come in handy. Or, you can decide to buy it on the spot, they offer many warm clothing as souveneras from Mount Etna. As we approach the higher levels you’ll see the scenery becoming outwordly, but beautiful! We’ll leave our coach and board the funnicular that will take us even higher, toward the top of this fascinating vulcano, mother Etna. Up there in the clouds, we’ll meet our Alpine guide and enjoy exploring this unique enviroment. We’ll enjoy the view of the sorrounding towns and the coast while learning about how mighty but also how gentle Etna is, How much is loved by the locals and why they call it “mother”. After our descent, we will proceed to visit an awesome local winery where we will enjoy wine tasting with a light lunch. The return to Taormina is planned for the afternoon hours and your evening is free.
Hotel: Caparena 4*
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2024
Explore The Etna Countryside
DAY 12
Another day, and perfect timing to visit another vulcano! Today, we’ll enjoy the drive to Porto di Milazzo, where we will meet our skipper and board our boat. Sail along the mesmerizing Aeoli islands, dotted along the Sicilian northeast coast. We’ll have time to explore Panarea, and then, we’ll sail to Stromboli, the famous active Vulcano! Stay on this amazing island and explore until sunset. At sunset, we board our boat again and start our night sail along the island. If we are lucky, we will have the chance to whiteness the natural phenomena – the active volcano small eruptions of lava in the night. This is a bucket list experience that you will never forget! Late return to our hotel; it could be close to midnight.
Hotel: Caparena 4*
SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2024
A Boat Trip To Panarea And Stromboli
DAY 14
Morning tour of Monreale, a town right next to Palermo. Visit the fascinating Duomo and learn about citrus production and its importance for the area. Enjoy some free time to explore on own or relax. In the early afternoon hours, gather one last time and head out to a local restaurant for the farewell dinner with amazing Sicilian dishes and wines!
Hotel: Hotel Plaza Opera 4*
MONDAY, MAY 27, 2024
Explore Monreale And Palermo
DAY 3
Continue to Erice, a unique and wonderfully preserved mountaintop town with breathtaking views and a great historical presence. Visit the impressive Royal Cathedral, a golden mirage of sculptured buttermilk stone and Carrara marble. Walk the cobbled streets lined with superb examples of Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Enjoy some free time. Recommendation: try Sicilian sweets and pastries from authentic Maria Grammatico’s Pasticceria. We will meet again for lucnch with local dishes in a small, family-owned trattoria. Later, we’ll head to Segesta and visit the archeological area. Return to our hotel in Trapani in the afternoon, with time for you to enjoy yourself at your own pace.
Hotel: Palazzo Gatto & Spa 4*
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024
Day Trip To Erice And Segesta
DAY 13
Free morning to relax and enjoy Taormina. Following, journey west along the coast. Our first stop today will be Cefalu, a cute fisherman village that developed into a beautiful resort town. Enjoy free time to walk around, take pictures and grab a bite, before continuing our way to Palermo. Get settled in our hotel, and then head out for a street food tour of Palermo! Be prepared for tasting amazing local foods!
Hotel: Plaza Opera 4*
SUNDAY, MAY 26, 2024
Taormina - Cefalu - Palermo
DAY 15
After breakfast, transfer to Palermo international airport for your homebound flight.
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2024
Depart Palermo
Pricing
Price Per Person In
Double Occupancy Rooms
$1290
Single Supplement
$6750
Request To Book
What's Included
Accommodation at listed hotels with breakfast daily, based on double occupancy rooms, with the option for single use at a supplement
Customized arrival and departure airport transfers, according to your individual arrival and departure flight timing
All transfers as per program with comfortable air-conditioned mini coach
Tour is hosted by Terry, your Vagabonda host
All sightseeing with licensed local guides
Welcome drink at the hotel
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant with traditional Sicilian 3-course meal, incl. wine & water
Private chartered boat trip to the Egadi islands, including drinks, snacks, and towels
Visit of the chocolate factory in Modica, including chocolate tasting
Private boat tour around Ortiga island, including light dinner and drinks
Guided tour of Taormina, including entrance to the Greek Theater
Hands on cooking class in Taormina, followed by lunch to enjoy the fruits of your labor
Guided street food tour of Catania and Palermo
Cable car to Mt. Etna, for a spectacular visit
Lunch and wine tasting at a local winery in the Etna countryside
Boat tour to Panarea and Stromboli (shared, larger boat for up to 40 guests)
Guided tour of Monreale, including entrance fee to the Duomo
Farewell dinner with drinks in Palermo
Guided tour of Erice, including entrance fee to Erice Royal Cathedral
Lunch at traditional local restaurant in Erice, including a glass of wine & water
Entrance fee to visit the Segesta archeological site
Guided tour of the town of Corleona and Palazzo Adriano
Lunch at the local farm in Sicilian countryside, including a glass of wine and water
Guided tour of Agrigento, including entrance fee to the Valley of the Temples archeological site
Guided tour of Piazza Armerina with entrance fee to the Villa Romana del Casale
Lunch at traditional agriturismo in Piazza Armerina, including a glass of wine and water
Guided walking tour of Ragusa, Syracuse, Noto, and Palermo
Visas, passport, and/or departure taxes
Airfare
Any items not listed above
Expenses of personal nature, including tips to guides and drivers, telephone calls, table drinks, internet, laundry, etc.
Travel insurance – highly recommended! Check out World Nomads.
Not Included
Pricing
Price Per Person In
Double Occupancy Rooms
$1290
Single Supplement
$6750
- The Coscia-Mancuso Family, White Plains, NY
We cannot thank Vagabonda Travel enough for custom-designing our family trip to Italy. Memories to last a lifetime. Every detail of our trip was perfectly curated and exceptional. We would have never been able to plan this adventure on our own. Communication with the staff is excellent and we felt secure knowing we had contact number while we were traveling. Cannot wait to book our next trip with you soon!
Trip of a lifetime.
Happy Clients
- Megan and Jerry, Los Angeles, California
We have never used a travel service before, and Vagabonda absolutely blew us away! From their hotel bookings, to the day-by-day itinerary, to hidden gems we definitely would have never found on our own, we can't thank their team enough! Highly recommend for anyone who wants an authentic experience in Europe!
BEST TRIP EVER! We'll remember this for the rest of our lives!
Happy Clients
- Pete and Paula, Lindenhurst, New York
When my husband and I started planning our 30th Anniversary trip to Italy we had no idea where to even begin. That’s when I stumbled across Alida’s TikTok videos. I absolutely LOVED her content. To be honest, at first I was skeptical about planning a trip like this off of someone I saw in a TikTok video, but after meeting with her we knew we picked the right travel agency. Our 17-day trip was absolutely incredible. Alida and Vagabonda Travel made our lifetime dream of touring Italy one we will never forget!
Happy 30th Anniversary to Us! A TRIP OF A LIFETIME!
Happy Clients
Explore More Small Group Tours
Vagabonda's European small group tours are led by our professional hosts. We're dedicated to making sure that every moment of your trip counts. We believe in taking it slow and connecting with locals as we uncover amazing experiences in unforgettable destinations. Travel should be more than just a vacation - it should be an experience that touches your heart and deepens your relationship with the world.
