COACH TOUR: Travel from Palermo to Taormina on this 7-day coach tour taking in the best of Sicily, in the south of Italy. Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town of Palermo and visit the medieval village of Erice. See the historic salt pans of Saline della Laguna, experience wine tasting in Marsala and uncover the UNESCO-listed archaeological ruins of Agrigento. End your tour with a visit to Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Palermo
Benvenuto! Welcome to Palermo, capital of the Italian Mediterranean island of Sicily. Make your own way to our start hotel and spend your first evening in the city at leisure.
Overnight: Palermo | Dinner
Monreale & Palermo sightseeing
This morning we visit Monreale, located in the fertile valley of La Conca d'Oro and renowned for its almonds, citrus fruits, and olive oil. We'll visit UNESCO-listed Monreale Cathedral and there will be time for some lunch and shopping if you choose.
Returning to Palermo, we enjoy a guided walking tour of the Sicilian capital. This 3,000-year-old city has a rich history which our local guide will share with you. Step back in time as we explore the narrow streets of the Old Town and visit the impressive Palermo Cathedral. After our tour, you will have free time to further sightsee independently.
Overnight: Palermo | Breakfast, Dinner
Medieval Erice & Agrigento
Palermo - Erice - Saline della Laguna - Marsala - Agrigento. We enjoy a busy day of Sicilian sightseeing today! Departing Palermo, we head to the medieval village of Erice, where little has changed since the 6th century. Hewn into the side of Monte San Giuliano, Erice offers incredible views and delightful labyrinthine lanes to explore.
Our next stop is Saline della Laguna, a historic salt pan. We then continue to a traditional tavern in the wine-producing region of Marsala. Here we can visit the wine cellar before enjoying included wine tasting and lunch. Then it's onwards to Agrigento, on Sicily's south coast.
This afternoon we visit the Valley of the Temples, one of the most outstanding surviving examples of Ancient Greek architecture in the world. We take in the incredible Temple of Concordia, Temple of Hercules and the Temple of Jupiter, which was once the largest Doric temple ever constructed.
Reaching our hotel, the evening is at leisure.
Overnight: Agrigento | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ragusa
Agrigento - Ragusa. Today we drive to the hilltop town of Ragusa. Here we visit the enchanting historical centre, known for its Baroque palaces and churches. We see the old gate of San Giorgio, and the Giardini Iblei, a picturesque public garden with sweeping views of the surrounding area. Then we head to Piazza Pola to visit the Baroque Church of San Giuseppe, a hidden gem in the city. We also see the elegant Cathedral of San Giorgio and Cosentini Palace, a beautiful Baroque villa protected by UNESCO.
Overnight: Ragusa | Breakfast, Dinner
Syracuse
Ragusa - Noto - Syracuse - Taormina. Our first stop after departing Ragusa this morning is the picturesque town of Noto. We visit the Cathedral of San Nicolò, rebuilt in the years following an earthquake in 1990.
Driving along the coast, we then reach Syracuse, at Sicily's southeastern tip. Here we visit Ortygia, an island that is also home to Syracuse's oldest area, with lots of medieval streets and Baroque architecture to admire. There is free time to explore this fascinating and historic area. Continuing to Taormina, the evening is at leisure.
Overnight: Taormina | Breakfast, Dinner
Mount Etna & Taormina free time
Today we visit the largest active volcano in Europe - Mount Etna. This stratovolcano last erupted in 2022, and you may well see signs of volcanic activity including smoke billowing from the top of the volcano. On our visit, we learn about this volcanic activity and see the lava fields from previous eruptions. Weather and conditions permitting, we have the opportunity to hike to the summit, 1,800m above sea level.
Returning to Taormina, the rest of the day is free for you to explore this hilltop coastal town. We recommend visiting the Ancient Greek amphitheatre, Teatro Antico di Taormina, which is still in use today.
Overnight: Taormina | Breakfast
Taormina
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel before our Sicilian adventure comes to an end.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 2 persons. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. Room sharing is not available on this tour.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Hotel Mercure Palermo Centro, Palermo
The modern Mercure Palermo is centrally-located, a 15-minute walk from the city's iconic Cathedral and 10 minutes from the harbour. This contemporary hotel has a refined design, with wooden flooring and furniture, and rooms in smart black, white or grey finish. Each room features an ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning, satellite TV, tea and coffee making facilities and free Wi-Fi. Daily buffet breakfast is served in the onsite restaurant and there is also a bar and coffee shop.
Hotel Della Valle, Agrigento
Set amongst beautiful gardens, Hotel Della Valle is located just outside the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. The hotel boasts an outdoor swimming pool, spa, bar and two restaurants serving both international and Sicilian cuisine and offering outdoor dining. Rooms are simply but elegantly furnished and come with air-conditioning, minibar, TV, and ensuite bathrooms. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas.
Poggio Del Sole Hotel, Ragusa
Situated between central Ragusa and the Mediterranean, the Poggio Del Sole is housed in an impressive 19th-century manor house with a backdrop of the rolling hills of the Hyblean Plateau. Large rooms feature a modern finish, ensuite bathrooms, flat-screen TV and a minibar. There is a large outdoor swimming pool and sun terrace, as well as a wellness centre. Dining options are the informal Hosteria for grilled meat and fish, or the Ristoria dell'Angelo, housed in the former stables. A daily buffet breakfast is also served, and there is a bar and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Splendid Hotel, Taormina
Built into a rockface and housed in a former monastery, Splendid Hotel Taormina is one of the best places to stay in this Sicilian city, just a short walk from the historic centre. There's an outdoor swimming pool and roof terrace, where guests can enjoy a drink overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Indoors there is a piano bar and onsite restaurant serving a buffet breakfast, also with marvellous sea views! Rooms are simply but elegantly furnished, offering sea or pool views and equipped with free Wi-Fi, ensuite bathrooms and TV.
At a Glance
Tour guide Laura was excellent & made it very enjoyable”
