Sicily: Jewel of the Mediterranean

Sicily: Jewel of the Mediterranean

Sicily is home to a unique mix of culture borne of years of foreign domination. From the Phoenicians to the Bourbons, each has left an architectural stamp on the island - culminating in a jumble of historic sites in Palermo, Monreale and utterly charming Syracuse. As we circle the island on our Sicily tours, we’ll also seek out some of Sicily’s other treasures, including the Valley of the Temples, and postcard-pretty Taormina. It's not all about sights on our Sicily holidays, though - we’ll also sip wine produced on the slopes of Mount Etna and taste rich Modica chocolate and almond-infused pasticcini biscuits.

What’s Included:

• 9 nights in hotels
• 17 meals: 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 6 dinners
• Portable audio headset system on excursions
• Nationwide return chauffeur service
• International flights. Prices are based on return flights with British Airways or easyJet from London Heathrow or Gatwick.
• 1 days free time
• Titan tour manager
• Porterage

16 included excursions and visits

• Guided tours of Ortigia (including boat trip), Syracuse Archaeological Park, Noto, Ragusa, Palermo (including Palatine Chapel and cathedral), Selinunte, Valley of the Temples, the Roman villa at Piazza Armerina, and Taormina
• Visits of Cefalù, Monreale (including cathedral entrance), and Mount Etna
• Tasting at Maria Grammatico’s bakery in Erice; lunch at the private Geracello estate; and visit a local winery, cellar visit and wine-paired lunch on Mount Etna

Day 1: UK - Catania - Noto

Titan Travel's nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Catania. On arrival we’ll transfer to our hotel in Noto.

Day 2: Syracuse and Ortigia

Today you’ll visit Syracuse and Ortigia, with guided walking tours of Ortigia town and Syracuse Archaeological Park. The small island of Ortigia has been joined to Syracuse by a bridge since the 16th century and is home to narrow medieval lanes and baroque piazzas. You’ll also hop on a harbour cruise and view Ortigia from the sea. At Syracuse Archaeological Park, we’ll explore the Greek theatre and Roman amphitheatre with our guide. The afternoon is free to explore.

Today includes… Excursions & visits: Guided tours of Ortigia with boat cruise and Syracuse Archaeological Park (morning)

Day 3: Noto - Ragusa

Today you'll explore the lovely baroque towns of Noto and Ragusa - rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1693. You’ll wander along Noto’s elegant Corso Vittorio Emanuele, with honey-stoned palazzi and churches. Walk straight onto the real-life set of the TV series ‘Inspector Montalbano’, filmed in and around enchanting Ragusa.

Today includes… Excursions & visits: Excursion including guided tours of Noto and Ragusa (all day)

Day 4: Cefalù - Santa Flavia

You’ll spend some time in the pretty beach town of Cefalù on our way to Palermo. Wander its narrow lanes, or perhaps treat yourself to a gelato to enjoy by the sandy beach. You'll arrive later in Palermo for two nights.

Today includes… Excursions & visits: Visit to Cefalù (afternoon)

Day 5: Palermo - Monreale

This morning, we’ll take a guided tour of bustling Palermo, including a stop at the Palatine Chapel and the cathedral. We’ll then travel to Monreale to visit the magnificent cathedral, famed for its Byzantine mosaics.

Today includes… Excursions & visits: Guided city tour of Palermo, including Palatine Chapel and cathedral and visit to Monreale, including cathedral entrance (all day)

Day 6: Segesta - Trapani - Selinunte - Agrigento

Your first stop today is Erice and Maria Grammatico’s bakery, to try her famous pasticcini (soft almond biscuits) - you’ll wash them down with a glass of liqueur. We then continue, passing Trapani’s ancient salt pans, before Selinunte for a guided tour of this fascinating Greek archaeological site. In the evening you'll check into our hotel in Agrigento.

Today includes… Excursions & visits: Guided tour of Selinunte and visit to biscuit bakery (all day)

Day 7: Agrigento - Valley of the Temples - Piazza Armerina - Giardini Naxos

You'll start our day with one of the highlights - a guided visit of the nearby Valle dei Templi, a collection of classic Greek temples scattered across a valley of almond trees. Recognised with UNESCO World Heritage status in 1998, Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples is a globally significant archaeological site. The romantically ruined temples and their picturesque setting have inspired countless generations of artists, poets and writers. You'll stop at the private estate of Geracello, where local produce is used for a delicious lunch. Then you’ll head east to Piazza Armerina, for a guided tour of the Roman villa reveals an incredible floor mosaic. We then continue to Giardini Naxos, a lovely coastal resort.

Today includes… Excursions & visits: Guided tours of the Valley of the Temples and the Roman villa at Piazza Armerina (all day)

Day 8: Taormina

Your walking tour shows us the sights of the cliffside town of Taormina. You have the rest of the afternoon free.

Today includes… Excursions & visits: Guided tour of Taormina (morning)

Day 9: Mount Etna

This morning you'll take a drive to the slopes of Etna. Europe’s largest and most active volcano, Mount Etna, has a recorded history of eruptions dating back to 1500 BC. Constant low-level emissions mean that explosive eruptions endangering those of the island’s population that live on its slopes are infrequent and, thanks to its fascination for travellers and its richly fertile volcanic soil, this 3km-high icon is Sicily’s single biggest source of income. An excursion to Etna reveals an enthralling geological story and stunning views. After a short walk, there’ll be free time to explore this fascinating area with your tour manager and on your own. Be sure to bring a camera - on a clear day, the views from here are spectacular. Later, we visit a local winery for a cellar visit and included wine-paired lunch.

Today includes… Excursions & visits: Visit to Mount Etna (morning) & Visit a local winery, cellar visit and wine-paired lunch (afternoon)

Day 10: Giardini Naxos - Catania - UK

We transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.