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Tours With Flights Sicily in Depth

Sicily in Depth

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Description:

See every slice of Sicily during this 9-day Sicily guided tour. Take off to Paradise Quarry in Syracuse with a Local Expert, who will show you its Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped limestone grotto: call out to your fellow travellers here, and your voice may echo as many as 16 times. Visit the Palatine Chapel to marvel at the glittering gold mosaics for a stunning sight. Travel to the salt pans and windmills on the western coast and taste Marsala wine in its home town. In Taormina, perched above the Ionian Sea, join a Local Expert at the city’s cliffside Greek theatre, from which you can see Mount Etna, the island’s active Strato volcano.

Tour Options:

Starts:
Palermo, Italy
Ends:
Catania, Italy
Duration:
9 days, 8 nights
From:
Nov 2026 - Mar 2027
Destination:
Italy

Itinerary:

Welcome to Palermo

Relax and settle in before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travelers for dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Mercure Palermo Centro.

Palermo & the Golden Age of the Normans

Discover Palermo on a walking tour featuring a visit to the stunning 12th-century Palatine Chapel with a Local Expert. This afternoon, enjoy leisure time exploring Palermo Cathedral, a fascinating site with its unique blend of architectural styles reflecting centuries of history. For your dining pleasure, you can try the foods the locals like to eat and experience how they like to eat it on your Dine-Around Evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Mercure Palermo Centro.

Trapani and Marsala

Nestled along its crescent-shaped coastline, Trapani is embraced by the Mediterranean Sea. Discover the age-old tradition of salt production when you visit the colorful salt pans and an ancient stone windmill during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to see where sea water is transformed into salt crystals. Then, savor the flavors of Marsala with a tasting at a local winery, where you can enjoy the town's renowned wine in beautiful surroundings.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Seawater, Marsala

Explore the Valley of the Temples

Travel along the southern coast of Sicily en route to Agrigento. In Agrigento, explore the Valley of the Temples with a Local Expert. Recognized by UNESCO, these temples are exceptional examples of ancient Greek architecture. Marvel at the imposing Temple of Concordia and the cliff-top Temple of Juno, both overlooking the sea. Reflect on this unforgettable day with your fellow travelers over dinner at the hotel, sharing insights and experiences.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Della Valle

Discover Villa Romana del Casale and Ragusa

Travel inland to the Villa Romana del Casale, a luxurious Roman villa renowned for its rich and intricate mosaics. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1997, showcases the opulence of ancient Rome. Continue to Ragusa and explore the labyrinthine alleyways of Ragusa Ibla with your Local Expert. The town, with origins dating back to the Bronze Age, was once inhabited by the Sicels tribe, who gave their name to Sicily. Admire the remarkable Sicilian Baroque architecture that has earned Ragusa UNESCO recognition. In the evening, savor the rich flavors of locally sourced ingredients with a delicious Farm-to-Table dinner at a charming local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa

Modica

Enjoy a Relaxed Start this morning or join an Optional Experience to the Val di Noto and the town of Noto. Later, explore the town of Modica, rebuilt after the 17th-century earthquake, and discover its artisanal techniques used to create the town's celebrated handmade chocolate.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa

Ancient Syracuse

Discover Syracuse through Insight Choice. Opt for sightseeing with your Local Expert at Syracuse’s Paradise Quarry, home to the unique Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped grotto with remarkable acoustics. Next, visit the impressive Greek theater, carved from solid rock, and one of the largest of the ancient world. Alternatively, take time to explore the atmospheric Old City on the island of Ortigia, a labyrinth of narrow streets lined with palaces. This historic area is where the famed mathematician Archimedes famously ran through the streets, exclaiming 'Eureka!'. This evening, you may choose an Optional Experience at Tenuta del Gelso, pairing rural Sicilian flavors with Etna wines.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Il Principe Hotel

Taormina and the Dawn Coast of Europe

After breakfast, consider an Optional Experience through the vineyards to Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. Journey to the charming old town of Taormina, perched on Mount Tauro with views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. With your Local Expert, visit the ancient Greek theater, set on a cliff and open to the sky. Sit and absorb the breath-taking view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna. Stroll along the elegant Corso Umberto and enjoy panoramic views from Piazza IX Aprile. Celebrate your time in Sicily with a delightful dinner at a local restaurant, savoring Sicilian cuisine with exquisite Italian wines.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Il Principe Hotel

Depart Catania

Your Sicily tour has now come to an end. Appreciate views of Mount Etna on your way to the airport.

Meals: Breakfast

Highlights:

- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Syracuse: Wander through the gardens of Paradise Quarry, test the remarkable acoustics in the Ear of Dionysius and step into the ancient Greek theater, set within one of Sicily’s most evocative historic sites.
- Syracuse: Stroll through the old town on the island of Ortigia, tracing its narrow lanes towards the Fonte Aretusa and the legends that continue to shape this historic waterfront.
- Syracuse: Wander through the gardens of Paradise Quarry, test the remarkable acoustics in the Ear of Dionysius and step into the ancient Greek theater, set within one of Sicily’s most evocative historic sites.
- Syracuse: Stroll through the old town on the island of Ortigia, tracing its narrow lanes towards the Fonte Aretusa and the legends that continue to shape this historic waterfront.
- Trapani: Explore how the ancient tradition of salt extraction has been handed down from generation to generation. Set in a breathtaking natural landscape, home to pink flamingos and various aquatic birds, the salt pans and windmills create a picturesque scene against a backdrop of sea and sky. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities.
- Palermo: Visit the spectacular 12th-century Palatine Chapel. Its sombre exterior gives away few clues to the riches inside. Step into a world where the walls glitter with 12th-century mosaics - the best of their kind in the world.
- Agrigento: Explore the Valley of the Temples and its impressive Hellenistic ruins like the well-preserved Temple of Concordia and the clifftop Temple of Juno overlooking the Sicilian landscape.
- Piazza Armerina: Travel to the Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO site since 1997. The Villa is one of the most luxurious of its kind, showcasing its rich and intricate mosaics which decorate almost every room.
- Ragusa: Walk through Ragusa with a Local Expert, taking in its noted Baroque churches and the elegant facades that define the old town.
- Modica: Discover Modica’s celebrated hand-made chocolate, shaped by age-old techniques and rich aromas. You’ll watch the craft unfold and sample pieces that carry the distinctive texture and flavor made possible through Modica's traditional cold-working process.
- Taormina: Visit Taormina’s ancient amphitheater with your Local Expert. Carved from honey-colored stone and set high on the cliff, the theater frames wide views of the Ionian Sea and the distant rise of Mount Etna through its weathered arches.
- Taormina: Wander through Taormina’s limestone streets and lively boutiques with a Local Expert. Then enjoy free time along Corso Umberto and take in the broad outlook from Piazza IX Aprile, where the town opens towards sea and sky.
- Palermo: Embark on a fun exploration of Palermo's tasty culinary scene on a Dine-Around evening.
- Marsala: Enjoy a tasting of some of the island's richest Sicilian wines at a local winery in Marsala. 
- Ragusa: Savor the flavors of Ragusa during your Farm-to-Table dining experience, highlighting the freshest locally sourced ingredients – a relaxing moment spent with your fellow travelers.
- Catania: Your Celebration dinner reflects some of Sicily's top culinary heritage.
- "A type of food I really love introducing my guests to is the street food because it tells a lot about the habits of the locals, it can be a slice of pizza folded up or a sfogliatella in Naples, an arancini, a gelato in Sicily, or a cannolo. "
- "One fun fact people don't usually know before they come to Italy is that the Italian alphabet only has 22 letters."
- "One thing I really love about showing guests about Italy is how art and beauty can be found around every corner of some of Italy's cities, which are real open air museums."
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
- 5 Dinner (D)
- 8 Breakfast (B)

Departure Dates:

Friday 13 Nov 2026
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Saturday 21 Nov 2026
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Friday 11 Dec 2026
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Saturday 19 Dec 2026
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Wednesday 23 Dec 2026
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Thursday 31 Dec 2026
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Friday 08 Jan 2027
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Saturday 16 Jan 2027
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Friday 22 Jan 2027
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Saturday 30 Jan 2027
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Friday 05 Feb 2027
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Saturday 13 Feb 2027
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Friday 19 Feb 2027
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Saturday 27 Feb 2027
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Friday 05 Mar 2027
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Saturday 13 Mar 2027
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Friday 19 Mar 2027
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Saturday 27 Mar 2027
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Friday 12 Nov 2027
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Saturday 20 Nov 2027
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Friday 26 Nov 2027
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Saturday 04 Dec 2027
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Friday 10 Dec 2027
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Saturday 18 Dec 2027
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Wednesday 22 Dec 2027
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Thursday 30 Dec 2027
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Friday 07 Jan 2028
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Saturday 15 Jan 2028
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Friday 21 Jan 2028
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Saturday 29 Jan 2028
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Friday 04 Feb 2028
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Saturday 12 Feb 2028
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Friday 18 Feb 2028
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Saturday 26 Feb 2028
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Friday 03 Mar 2028
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Saturday 11 Mar 2028
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Friday 17 Mar 2028
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Saturday 25 Mar 2028
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Get the most attractive prices now!

Italy
9 days, 8 nights
From
$2,950
per person
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