Sicily in Depth

(10 reviews)

From:

CAD $4195

9 Days

Best Rate: Guarantee

Trip Type: Group Tour

Activity Level: Easy

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Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 12 Nov 2027

This trip has alternate itineraries available.
Please select your preferred option to see itinerary and pricing.

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 travelers 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 theater, from which you can see Mount Etna, the island’s active Strato volcano.

Highlights

Dining Summary

5 Dinner (D)
8 Breakfast (B)

Well-being

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.

Additional Included Highlights

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.

Travel Director

"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."

Top Rated Highlights

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.

Make Travel Matter

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.

Authentic Dining

Marsala: Enjoy dinner and 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.

Insight Choice

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.

Choice 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.

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Trip Details

Product Code: 34183

Tour Type: Group Tour

Accommodation: Deluxe

Transport: Private

Guide Language: English

Travel Styles: Explorer, Budget

Tour Operator: Insight Vacations (CA)

Supplier Code: 146.280B

Starts: Palermo, Italy

Finishes: Catania, Italy

Duration: 9 days

Departures: Not Guaranteed

Physical Rating: Easy

Includes

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $4195 ($466 /day)

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Palermo

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

Accommodation: Mercure Palermo Centro.
Meals: Dinner

Day 2: 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.

Accommodation: Mercure Palermo Centro.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: 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. In the evening, enjoy dinner and a wine-tasting experience at a local winery.

Accommodation: Seawater, Marsala
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: 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.

Accommodation: Della Valle
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: 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.

Accommodation: Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: 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.

Accommodation: Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Ancient Syracuse

Accommodation: Il Principe Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: 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.

Accommodation: Il Principe Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9: Depart Catania

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

Meals: Breakfast

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Tour Operator

Insight Vacations (CA)

Part of The Travel Company (TTC) family of brands, Insight Vacations began operations in 1978 and is based in Cypress, CA. Journeys are featured to destinations, such as the U.S. and Canada, Europe, Latin America, North Africa, Asia, the UK and Ireland. The company offers are a variety of tours under the classifications of Regional Journeys, Country Roads, Discovery Journeys, Easy Pace trips, and Special Interest tours. Insight is the ideal name for the tour operator, as the journeys provided by Insight Vacations allow travelers to gain further insight into whatever destination they wish to explore. For example, Discovery Journeys are the ideal choice for first-time visitors to Europe. Itineraries include Dine-at-Home or Farm-to-Table experiences so travelers can learn more about how locals live and dine. Regional Journeys allow trip-goers to see a specific location in Europe that they have always wanted to see – Poland, Switzerland, Italy, etc. The carefully planned trips enable customers to immerse themselves in one specific region or country and to become acquainted with its culture, traditions, and people. For anyone seeking travel off the beaten track, Insight Vacations offers Country Roads – trips that lead travelers off the well-tread tourist trail to explore hidden gems where visitors can savor the local produce with Farm-to-Table dining. Some trips are offered under the Easy Pace travel style – the ideal trip choice for trip-goers who wish to slow their pace during their vacation. During these tours, vacationers stay at least 3 nights at each destination, giving them some additional time to explore a place and enjoy it. Regardless of the travel style, many of the vacations offered by Insight Vacations begin with Relaxed Starts – giving travelers time to sleep in a little, spend more time at breakfast, or explore an area on their own. The tour company prides itself on providing business class tours that features luxury coaches with 40 seats. While most coach touring operators provide vehicles with 53 seats, Insight Vacations has re-configured its motor coaches to hold up to 40 guests. This gives passengers extra leg room while traveling and offers them more space and privacy.

In Business Since 1978

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Reviews

Anonymous - Traveled, May 2019

The tour director was very familiar with the area and did everything to meet the needs of the 39 travellers under her care. Our driver was a skilled, personable driver. Every historical site was explained by a professional expert. Accommodation was first class. A thorough trip through Sicily! Perhaps more forewarning of the amount of walking involved would have been appreciated especially by those who are overweight or older. We would have liked to have visited more markets, but we're very pleased with all places on the itinerary.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/15/2019

Anonymous - Traveled, May 2024

Excellent once we connected with the tour but poor coordination getting us from airport to first hotel. It was even worse for several other travelers. Went many amazing and varied places in just a few days. Tour director was fun and knowledgeable. Local guides were excellent. Hotels in Gahanna and Palermo were much below our expectations for Insight.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/15/2024

Anonymous - Traveled, May 2024

The inclusions were well thought out and the tour director and driver were both very good at their job. Not all the hotels were a great experience and one restaurant was very poor with service as other customers were waiting for tables and we were pushed. The coach was comfortable but we found the number of people too much and prefer a smaller tour.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/15/2024

Teresa - Traveled, May 2023

Daniele Nannetti was an AMAZING tour guide/emcee for our "Sicily in Depth" trip. He was always friendly, caring, and attentive to all of us guests, very knowledgeable and informative (he taught us SO much about Sicilian history and culture), and was not only supremely organized and proactive but kept us quite literally on the edge of our seats with his infectious enthusiasm. The bus was very spacious and comfortable, and the route of the trip allowed us to see ALL of the diverse and awe-inspiring views out the window. Rotating seat assignments also let us each experience a different vantage point each day for looking out the window on the bus. Daniele selected excellent and comfortable hotels for us to stay at. The Mariott at Giardini Naxos, our final night's stay, was the most luxurious and gorgeous hotel I have ever stayed at in my 32 years; enjoying the delicious and decadent buffet breakfast while seated outside looking out over the Mediterranean was a dream, the perfect end to a perfect vacation, truly something from a postcard. Daniele also arranged the best and most informative tour guides for each special trip/stop on our adventure, and I learned SO much from them as well. Each of the excursions we took were stunning and fascinating, and I loved all of them, especially the tours of Palermo and Agrigento. The history, culture, geography, and gastronomy of Sicily are all incredible, and Sicily in Depth--and Daniele who guided us--embodied all of it. It was so hard to leave at the end of our tour; this was without exaggeration a dream come true. I cannot wait to go back to Sicily, and I cannot wait to go on another Insight Vacation.