- Explore baroque towns and ancient Greek temples
- See the impressive Piazza Armerina mosaics
- Take special tours led by local guides
- Discover the best sights and towns in Sicily
Sicily Grand Tour
15 Days
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15 Days
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Culture
Itinerary
Catania Taormina
Fly to Catania
This tour starts in Catania. Those arriving on the group flight will be transferred to our central hotel where we spend the next two nights.
Start in Catania
We begin our Sicilian adventure in Catania, the second-largest city on the island. There are no planned activities today, so take time to settle in and enjoy the hotel facilities. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening.
Excursion on Mount Etna; afternoon wine tasting
After breakfast, we enjoy a spectacular guided walk on Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. We hike up, past several old lava flows, to be rewarded with a panoramic view of the volcanic landscape (one to two hours’ walking, approximately 3mi/5km). We strongly advise you to take a waterproof/windproof jacket, a warm top and to wear long trousers. In the afternoon, we enjoy a delicious wine and cheese tasting in a wine cellar. We stay overnight in Catania.
Morning sightseeing tour of Catania; afternoon drive to Syracuse and visit archaeological park
This morning, we enjoy a guided tour of eclectic Catania. We start from the historic heart of the city, Piazza Duomo, and wander through the main streets, most of which have several magnificent baroque buildings, such as Palazzo dei Chierici, Palazzo degli Elefanti and the duomo (cathedral). We continue via the central fish market, one of the biggest in Italy, and admire the array of bright colours and peculiar smells, accompanied by the unabashed shouts of fishmongers selling their fresh produce.
In the afternoon, we drive for approximately one hour to the city of Syracuse, once the most powerful city-state in the Greek world and briefly capital of the Byzantine Empire. Here we take a guided tour of Neapolis Archaeological Park accompanied by a local expert guide. The site is northwest Syracuse and home to spectacular ruins, including a Greek theatre that dates to at least the fifth century BCE. The Roman amphitheatre, built in the third century CE is also very impressive: at 460ft (140m) long and 390ft (119m) wide, it is one of the largest in the world. We overnight in Syracuse.
Free day in Syracuse
The day is free to explore the lovely island of Ortygia, the historical heart of Syracuse. We recommend starting from the Piazza del Duomo, a delightful pedestrian square and home to a wonderful cathedral. The island measures just 124 acres (50ha) and can be easily explored on foot. Restaurants, trattorias and bars abound; it is particularly lovely to sit out on the western side, warmed by the sun and with a sea view. The afternoon is free for further independent exploration. We recommend visiting the great archaeological museum Paolo Orsi, which has an extensive collection from the pre-Greek to Roman eras. Close to the museum are the Catacombs of San Giovanni, a maze of tunnels niched with early Christian tombs hidden beneath the flower-filled ruins of a Norman church. We stay overnight in Syracuse.
Visit the Unesco-listed baroque towns of Noto and Ragusa
In the morning, we leave Syracuse and head to the town of Noto (approximately 45 minutes), which has been part of a Unesco World Heritage site, Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto, since 2002. The striking architecture is a result of a major earthquake in 1693, in which the old town was almost destroyed. It was reconstructed with a design intended to be functional and harmonious. We explore the small town on foot, wandering around the narrow streets, admiring the golden stone buildings and the fantastical façades and balconies. After lunch, we drive to the town of Ragusa (approximately one hour), a Unesco-listed baroque town and considered one of the most picturesque in Sicily. Ragusa became particularly well-known in recent years as one of the main filming locations for the Sicilian detective drama Inspector Montalbano. The town is split into two parts, and while the upper section offers some noteworthy architectural delights, it is the smaller Ragusa Ibla below that really draws visitors. The historic centre is compact, making it easy to explore on foot in a few hours.
Explore town of Modica; transfer and overnight in Piazza Armerina
We start our day with a visit to Modica, another Unesco-listed baroque town with fine architecture, picturesque views and historic lanes. The chocolate made here is one of the most famous products in Sicily. We have the chance to sample some during a visit to the main chocolate shop in town. In the afternoon, we drive north (approximately two hours) to Piazza Armerina, a historic town in the heart of Sicily, to enjoy a pleasant stroll in its charming centre.
Morning guided visit in Piazza Armerina; see the Unesco-protected mosaics collection of Villa Romana del Casale
Today starts with a guided tour of Piazza Armerina and continues with a visit to the Unesco-listed Villa Romana del Casale, considered the top heritage site in Sicily by many visitors. This is one of the best-preserved villas built during the Roman Empire, with extensive and almost intact mosaics spread over 37,670sqft (3,500sqm). These vivid mosaics, probably produced by North African artisans, portray scenes of daily life, including a well-known tableau of girls exercising in swimwear. We return to Piazza Armerina in the afternoon.
If you wish to explore more, we recommend a visit to the impressive archaeological site of Morgantina, approximately 40 minutes’ drive from the hotel (optional, payable locally). The fascinating ruins of Morgantina, an ancient Greek city which continued to thrive in Roman times, still preserve major Greek structures, including the sanctuary in the agora, the public grain store and the theatre.
Visit the Valley of Temples in Agrigento and archaeological site of Selinunte
Today is one of the longest travel days as we make our way south, first stopping in Agrigento (approximately two hours’ transfer) and then continuing to Selinunte (approximately a 1hr 20min drive) where we stay the night. In Agrigento, we visit the Valley of the Temples. A guided tour will allow us to discover and learn the history of this splendid archaeological park, which consists of eight temples (and various other remains) built between approximately 510 BCE and 430 BCE.
In the afternoon, we explore Selinunte, one of the great Greek archaeological sites in Sicily. In the southwest corner of the island, the park incorporates Greek temples, ancient town walls, the ruins of residential and commercial buildings, countryside paths and zones yet to be excavated. We overnight in Selinunte.
Explore the island of Mozia by ferry and drive to the hilltop town of Erice
An hour’s drive north and a short boat ride bring us to the island of Mozia, an interesting archaeological site in western Sicily, between the towns of Trapani and Marsala. The site was once an important colony of Carthage, the Phoenician-founded city in North Africa, with a small museum and extensive ruins to visit.
In the afternoon, we continue (approximately a one-hour drive) to the picturesque medieval hilltop town of Erice, set in a stunning location approximately 2,625ft (800m) above sea level. Thanks to its strategic position, Erice was occupied by many civilisations, including the Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs and the Normans. We enjoy free time to explore the narrow town lanes on foot, and perhaps enjoy down time and a drink in one of the panoramic terraces at sunset. We overnight in the Trapani area.
Half-day walk in Zingaro Nature Reserve; visit Segesta ruins and drive to Palermo
This morning, we take a break from the cultural highlights of the island and head to the coast to explore one of the best examples of idyllic Mediterranean coastline on foot. Stretching along the coast for 4mi (7km) between the lovely village of Scopello in the east to San Vito Lo Capo in the west, the Zingaro Nature Reserve has stunning walking trails with views out to the azure sea, cliffs, coves and pristine beaches. We take a leisurely walk for up to three hours (including stops) along beautiful coastal trails with the opportunity for a quick swim before returning to the bus.
In the afternoon, we head to Palermo, but not before stopping in the ancient city of Segesta (40 minutes’ drive), founded around 1200 BCE by the mysterious Elymians. Here we visit the Greek theatre and the well-preserved fifth-century BCE doric temple, set on top of a hill and surrounded by mountains. We overnight in Palermo.
Morning tour of Monreale and the ‘duomo’; afternoon guided visit to Palermo
We start with a half-day excursion to Monreale (30 minutes’ drive each way) to visit the cathedral, considered the greatest example of Norman architecture in the world. An extensive area of the interior is covered in gleaming gold mosaics and features a fascinatingcombination of Norman, Byzantine and Islamic art. Later in the afternoon, a local expert guide will take us on a walking tour around the historic centre of Palermo, revealing some of the city’s landmarks, including Quattro Canti, Pretoria Square and Marina Square. We overnight in Palermo.
Free day in Palermo for individual sightseeing; drive to the picturesque port town of Cefalù
The day is free for further individual exploration of the historic centre. A great way to spend the morning is by heading to one or two of the main street markets (Ballarò, Capo or Vucciria) where the legacy of Palermo’s past as a commercial port continues to manifest itself. Palermo’s Muslim history has made an imprint on the bazaars of the town: bustling, crowded and full of treasures. A morning at the markets is without doubt the best way to connect with the real lifestyle of the locals. Later in the afternoon, we transfer to the seaside town of Cefalù (approximately 1hr 15min). We overnight in Cefalù.
Free day in Cefalù
Today is free to soak up the charming atmosphere of Cefalù. We recommend starting the day with a visit to the impressive Norman cathedral, home to elaborate Byzantine mosaics, and a restored 12th-century cloister. Continue with a stroll through the winding medieval streets of the historic centre and stop for lunch near the picturesque harbour. In the afternoon, you can relax at the sandy beach, take a walk to the hilltop Rocca to visit the ruins of a Norman castle and enjoy superb views, or visit the town museum, the Museo Mandralisca. We overnight in Cefalù.
Transfer to Taormina, visit Greek theatre and free time
This morning, we drive to Taormina (approximately 2hr 40min). On arrival, we enjoy a short orientation tour through picture-perfect alleys followed by a visit to the third-century BCE Greek theatre, from which you can enjoy splendid coastal views. The remainder of the day is free for optional activities. If you are looking for a break from the crowds, head to the lovely public gardens. You can also take a walk (two-hour round trip) or a bus to the neighbouring hamlet of Castelmola. If you prefer to relax in the sunshine, visit Isola Bella, a tiny island in a small bay just below Taormina. Activities such as cooking classes may be available on request. We stay overnight in Taormina.
End Taormina and fly to London
End Taormina
The tour ends in Taormina after breakfast. You can begin your return journey home, but if you’d like more time to explore this magnificent island, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Three- and four-star hotels
We use comfortable three- and four-star hotels, and occasionally comfortable B&Bs. Some hotels have been selected for their warm hospitality and typical Sicilian character and others for their location close to the historic centres we visit. All rooms have en suite facilities and wifi and some hotels have a pool. Below is a list of the hotels normally used for this tour although please note that occasionally these may change to others of similar standards. If you would like an up-to-date list, contact our Customer Operations team two to three months before departure.
- Catania: Dimora de Mauro
- Syracuse: Hotel Gran Bretagna Boutique Ortigia
- Ragusa: Hotel Barocco, Hotel Dell’Orologio or Mediterraneo Palace
- Piazza Armerina: Hotel Suite D’Autore, B&B Antichi Quartieri or others. We use the albergo diffuso sustainable hospitality concept here, created in Italy in the 1980s to revive small historic centres and reuse uninhabited houses that were vacated as people moved to cities. The group may be split amongst properties of different sizes and décors.
- Selinunte: Hotel Admeto
- Trapani: Agriturismo Baglio Fontana
- Palermo: Hotel Garibaldi
- Cefalù: Hotel Tourist
- Taormina: Hotel Villa Esperia
Trip Experts
Reviews
Add your own reviewGrand Tour May 7-21 2022
This trip was wonderful, especially after being released from Covid issues. Our guide Tiziano Tomasello was terrific. Very cheerful, helpful in every way. My cousin and I had signed on for the May 2020 trip, which was cancelled and again for the May 2021 trip, also cancelled. Many in our group had tried also. We all were very happy to finally get to Sicily. It rained our fist 2 days so hiking on Etna was strange; due to the weather the cable car was shut down and the top was covered with clouds. But there was a fabulous wine tasting after our wet hike. By the time we circumnavigated the island, Etna was erupting and highly visible from Taormina. The rest of the trip the weather was perfect, the local guides were also excellent. The most incredible site was the Villa Romana del Casale with gorgeous mosaics.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Tiziano is a young man but very knowledgeable about leading a group and making sure all is well. He has been a guide in Germany, France and other places and is fluent in English, German, French, Italian and of course Sicilian.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Try the food in the markets. All delicious. And the gelato is the best ever.
We are travelling again!
This was a thoroughly enjoyable trip — we were lucky to have such fantastic weather in October. The tour offers a great overview of the highlights of Sicily and many ideas for a return visit. We visited both historical and natural sites and had an opportunity to sample fantastic local cuisine. Hotels were comfortable and some offered rooftop terraces with views.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many highlights but I suppose my favourite day was the visit to the temple of Selinunte in its natural setting. It feels very untouristy, especially in the aftermath of the Pandemic. I love Noto and the other baroque towns -- Ragusa and Modica, as well as the stunning landscapes of the Zingaro. I also loved the Roman mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Tiziano was charming, helpful, and good-humoured. We had a lot of laughs along the way. He is passionate about his island (and especially Palermo). He tried his very best to make everyone happy and to point out different things that could be of interest to different people.
Suggestions
The trip could could be expanded a bit -- the visit to Erice was rushed and it would have been nice to have some time in Trapani too. A visit to Scicli should be included too, since we are in the neighborhood and it is a UNESCO site.
Tour of epic proportions
The only criticism of the trip was that a number of hotels which were a good standard and a wide variety of styles and locations had very poor breakfasts of mainly cakes and issues with the rooms. Plumbing problems air con not switched on and difficult to control. One hotel set in a cave was wonderfully appointed in an ultra modern style but the toilet flush was problematic and plaster dropped all over the floor and beds and our hair and faces due to the damp. More attention to detail is needed on the part of management. I was very pleased overall and the tour certainly lived up to expectations in all other respects. This is a very expensive tour and difficult to justify but I loved all the places we went to and would certainly go back for more.
Most Inspirational Moment
Hard to say as it’s all so inspirational but probably the mosaics and the engineering achievements in construction of the temples and villas. The museums offered a staggering array of artefacts especially the one housing the Morgantina findings. Sadly a grass fire prevented us from seeing the site itself but do go on this optional visit if you can.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Mileena was passionate and knowledgable about all aspects of the tour. A geologist by profession and a highly experienced tour organiser. A real gem of a guide which was all I had hoped for from Exodus and the reason I chose this tour over other companies offering cheaper options.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Yes. June was not the best choice for sightseeing as it was unbearably hot but good for the beach visits if you have time. Mileena advised that November could be good for both activities but the weather is so unpredictable so difficult to generalise. There are many steps to visit the baroque churches in tour but hop on hop off buses and land trains can get you to see most places if you have trouble with knees and feet. You need incredible stamina for this tour but no more than most Exodus trips. I found it easier than my previous excursion to the Greek islands last year rated grade 1 and this was grade 2.
Suggestions
Yes a fabulous island green and the scenery rewarding. It was cheaper to eat out than Italy and the wines better. There’s more variety of places to eat. I’d like to go again on a different itinerary with more seaside venues where it’s cooler.
Excellent tour
Do this tour! Excellent itinerary, no early starts, relaxed pace but full on interest, guided tours and “guided” free time to wonder, excellent guide, Tiziano and driver Allessandro, great group of 6 people, great food at local restaurants that had lots of character, really good choices. A couple of hotels could have been better standard but they were ok and in a great location so its a choice that I think worked, plus I wasn’t there for the hotels. That said a few great hotel picks in the mix too.
Most Inspirational Moment
Too difficult to choose one moment or place as it means "downgrading" all the other equally great places on this trip. If I have to pick one great one...….. its too hard! I can list the bottom ones - Zingaro walk could easily have been left out - not a great walk; the Mt Etna walk was a stroll on a windy hillside and didn't give any feel for Etna, its there to pass the time while any of the group do the optional summit excursion. (My following tour was a week walking on the Volcano trip so its not that I don't like walking!) All the rest of the itinerary is equal first.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Tiziano and the driver Allesandro were both great. Good company, very cheerful, very helpful. Tiziano was always available and preceded each free time with an orientation tour and suggestions ending at the coffee shop where we could find him with any questions (we also had his mobile number)
Advice for Potential Travellers
If like me you are a bit fed up of long bus journeys on similar tours then this tour is great for you, the 14 days allocated means there are no early starts or long bus tips, I think the longest was 3 hours the rest were really short allowing enough time for a short sit down before another wonder around. The expert guides were all excellent. There is a lot of easy walking but easy really depends on your view of walking I guess. I don't want to steal another travellers comments but his app after about 10 days told him he had walked 70km - sounds like non stop walking but it really didn't feel like it -don't be put off you can walk around a lot or not according to your preference - the coffee shops are great!
Suggestions
One of my best trips. A great mix of destinations with guided and free time.
Fabulous tour with the best guide ever Milena and a wonderful driver Alessandro
The 15 day tour of Sicily was absolutely fantastic. The best tour guide ever, her name is Milena. A wonderful driver Alessandro. I felt that it was a pretty comprehensive tour of Sicily seeing all the highlights plus more. Fabulous food in restaurants where we ere taken by Milena. Verdict EXCELLENT.
Most Inspirational Moment
Too many to single one out.
Thoughts on Group Leader
She was fantastic.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for a lot of walking and many steps, some steep.
Suggestions
A must do for any lover of Italy.
sicily grand tour
fast paced, every day a different town, our guide exceptional, hands on, helping beyond whats expected, every town we had a few hours private down time,first class transportation, charming driver,interesting accommodations.
Most Inspirational Moment
evening walks through Oritiga, Piazza Amerina, and Erice.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Milena was the most outstanding group leader I have ever had the pleasure to meet in my 20 years of travel, knowledgeable, good natured, caring on a personal level, without overreaching, making everyone happy and comfortable. on the long rides, giving commentary on scenery, history, any topic, but at the same time, letting people rest, sleep, and then introduce us to a new town. taking us out for dinner,as a group or letting people do their own things and helping them to find a suitable restaurant.
Advice for Potential Travellers
must be able to carry your laguage up or down stone steps to the hotel , or inside hotels. walking in towns up and down cobblestone lanes.
Suggestions
our group of 13 was the perfect size, everyone very compatible.
Marilyn's Review
A really interesting holiday with lots of variety -loads of archeology and history, lovely churches, quaint hill top towns, nice coastal towns, main towns Catania(pretty) and Palermo(busy), mount Etna, very good group leader and local guides, a comfortable coach, good driver and of course great weather. I feel I have definitely seen the best of Sicily.
The accommodation unfortunately was disappointing except for hotels in Catania and Cefalu which were great. We had very damp rooms on two occasions, a B&B, quite basic tourist and tired hotel in Palermo etc. The holiday was not cheap and was advertised as having 3/4* hotels so I expected something better than we had.
I would rate it as Very Good if the accommodation had been better.
Most Inspirational Moment
Villa Romana in Casale - wonderful mosaics ; seeing(amazing views) and being on mount Etna
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent - very knowledgable and enthusiastic about archeology and Sicily in general. Good fun as well.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for a busy schedule.
Suggestions
Better with more time in Noto and Cefalu(even finish up here)- both lovely and less or no time in Catagirone which apart from the steps was a bit boring. Taormina was ok but quite touristy. It would have been better however if we had a nicer and more accessible hotel especially as it was our last stop.
Reply from Exodus
Exodus would like to thank Marilyn for her review, but we regret to read that she was disappointed with the quality of some of the accommodation. For this season, we have changed several of the properties in which groups can expect to stay, which we trust will prevent future clients experiencing similar disappointment. An updated list of properties can be found under the accommodation tab on our ADG tour webpage. We have also revised transfer time to allow clients more time in Cefalu. We are glad to read, nonetheless, that Marilyn found the hotels in Catania and Cefalu to be great! – Marta Marinelli, Product Manager.
Indeed a Grand Tour of Sicily
A good introduction to a wonderful island – its culture, cuisine and history.
Most Inspirational Moment
Selinunte - walking around the ancient streets of this ruined city gave a real perspective of how the city could have looked and functioned.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very good. A challenging role, as it was the first time the tour had run!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go with the flow! Plenty of free time for extended exploration. In Palermo, don't miss La Zisa, a Norman castle with ornate Moorish design. In Syracuse, the Catacombs of San Giovanni are the largest in Italy outside of Rome - recommend queue up for the after-lunch guided tour.
Suggestions
Being the "first" tour, we could have expected some hiccoughs but there were none of material note. We were fortunate that the agriturismo had been double booked and so we spent a night atop Erice which was a magnificently lofty alternative. The tour does not involve much "programmed" walking, and whilst there was plenty of free time for leg stretching, more walking would have been preferred. The hotels were varied and on the whole were adequately comfortable; the only exception was the hotel in Palermo which we found unclean and in need of refurbishment. More time in Ragusa and missing out Caltagirone, and less time in Palermo and more time in delightful Cefalu would have been much appreciated !
Reply from Exodus
Thank you Rob for taking the time to provide us with feedback about your time in Sicily; we are sorry to read, however, that your stay in Palermo was disappointing as you found the hotel to be unclean and in need of refurbishment. We are glad to say that we are now using the Hotel Mediterraneo in Palermo which we trust will ensure future clients will not have a similar encounter. We realise this cannot alter your experience, but we hope it shows we have taken your feedback on board. – Marta Marinelli, Product Manager.
Beautiful Sicilian Sights but tour requires some tweaks
We saw many of the must see sights and picturesque towns of Sicily, enjoyed tasty dishes especially the ice creams and granitas and had some time to wander around places and soak up the Sicilian way of life.
We were on the first Grand Tour of Sicily so were anticipating some issues could arise. Future trips will only benefit from having a much smaller group (say max. 12 people). Much of the accommodation, restaurants, roads and some sights were on the small scale and our group of 17 people meant difficulties with accommodation type/quality, logistics and group meals. Also some changes to the itinerary (e.g. length of time spent at certain places) will only serve to improve future customers experience of Sicily, enabling them to fully immerse themselves in the Sicilian way of life, culture and history. I enjoyed my time in Sicily and thanks to our local Exodus guide feel I experienced much of what Sicily had to offer (& was on my wish-list). So if you want to see a varied heritage played out in archaeological treasures and picturesque landscapes coupled with a good dose of sunshine (we were very lucky) and tasty dishes (such as cake for breakfast – always good) then Sicily is the place to go. I just hope Exodus will reduce group numbers and not trip length.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many 'wow' moments, that only the number of photos taken can attest to, and special memories made on this trip. I really enjoyed wandering around picturesque Ragusa, plus being a Inspector Montalbano fan meant it was like being on the set. Seeing the back of Palermo cathedral for the first time was a wow moment just because it was so different to everything else we had seen. The byzantine and roman mosaics at Monreale and Piazza Armerina were very special and a lot to take in. Walking around Etna and through Zingaro Nature Reserve was a lovely experience and not to be missed. Wandering through the medieval streets (lots of steps) and enjoying the Baroque sights (everywhere you look) in Noto, Modica, Palermo and Catania were a joy. The sheer scale of some of the Greek and Roman archaeological towns/amphitheatres are a sight to beyond. Charming seaside town of Cefalu was a nice place to relax just wish we had longer.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Milena was a very good leader and coped well with a relatively large group and the problems (especially logistics getting to accommodation and for group meals) that this entailed. She was extremely knowledgeable about all the places we visited and travelled through. She was very enthusiastic about helping us learn more about Sicilian culture and history plus she had lots of geological knowledge which I found very interesting (but maybe not for everyone).
Advice for Potential Travellers
Find out about potential group size before you travel and hope that you have a small group as that will only be a benefit. Possibly take a small travel pillow as many of the beds/pillows were rock hard. If you have limited mobility or problems with stairs, be mindful that there are lots of steps, cobbles and slopes in the places we visit and even in accommodation itself. So might not always be easy going and you may need to request a room on the lowest floor possible in accommodation as there is not always a lift. Be patient as service can often be very slow in restaurants and sometimes quicker meals can be had in cafes if you need a snack. Don't miss out on the chocolate in Modica or the group lunch (very tasty, local only to that area) also make sure you experience the Etna walk and along the coast Zingaro NR. If you are a keen photographer - take a spare memory card or 2.
Suggestions
The Sicilian sights you see on this trip I would rate as very good and in some cases excellent in certain places. But the overall trip I currently rate as good purely due to the difficulties faced by a large group and the quality of accommodation used. After a long day of sightseeing all we wanted was a clean and comfortable room to relax in before the next full day but this was not always possible due to the available accommodation (i.e our group was sometimes spread around different B&Bs/hotel) and the simple logistics of reaching either our room (e.g. up to 1 hour wait) or the sights themselves. Suggest itinerary is tweaked so we stay 2 nights in Ragusa and Cefalu, 1 night in Taormina, leave Palermo at lunchtime so to reach Cefalu early afternoon, miss out the steps of Caltagirone entirely and spend bit longer at Roman mosaics of Piazza Armerina and lovely Modica & Noto.
Reply from Exodus
Exodus would like to thank Lucy for taking the time to review her trip. We regret to read, however, that she found the size of her group to impact on the enjoyment of her holiday and that she would have preferred to spend longer in some destinations. We have been operating tours in Sicily with a maximum group size of 18 and this is the first time we can recall receiving feedback of this nature. We have addressed the logistical issues which arose on this departure due to having a larger than expected bus to transport the group and we hope that going forward, future groups will not encounter similar challenges. We have also revised the transfer times for 2018 to allow clients more time in destinations such as Cefalu. We will continue to closely monitor the feedback we receive about the set-up of the itinerary to ensure we are maximising time in the areas which clients let us know they enjoyed visiting the most and will consider making adjustments to the itinerary as necessary.– Marta Marinelli, Product Manager.
Sicily Was Grand But Tour Needs Tweaking
Sicily was beautiful and this tour provides an excellent taste of this lovely island, but, tour groups for this trip should be limited to a maximum of 12 people, as 17 is too many for this trip and resulted in numerous logistical problems.
The bus was too big to fit down the narrow roads, meaning that we were frequently dropped a long way from our destination and had to walk the remaining distance, including carrying heavy luggage. A smaller group would have enabled a smaller vehicle to be used that could get closer to hotels and sites.
Most of the destinations are small towns and do not have large hotels, meaning that a large group has to be widely dispersed across various accommodation, which takes lots of time and logistical effort to organise. When you’re tired after a long day’s sight seeing you just want to get to your accommodation and not have to lug your stuff for miles and then wait for ages whilst all of the logistics of who stays where are sorted out.
Some of the accommodation also appeared to have been changed at the last minute to accommodate our group size and we were disappointed by the quality of some of the accommodation, which did not meet our expectations. The hotel in Palermo was dirty, and the hotel in Taormina had poor standards and served us stale croissants for breakfast, along with random leftovers from the previous evening. Some of the beds were terrible, with the bed in the hotel at Syracuse being like a slab of concrete.
Restaurants in Sicily are also not geared up to cater for large parties and we encountered numerous issues with the group meals, including, in one case, waiting over an hour just for drinks. Two and a half hours later some people in the group still did not have food and many of the orders came out wrong. This was the worst experience, but it wasn’t unique.
Sicily also has towns with many steps and slopes, and a lot of the guest houses do not have lifts, meaning that you have to carry your own suitcases up flights of stairs. This is something that needs to be considered if you are a person of limited mobility.
However, many of the towns are truly beautiful and we did enjoy the trip despite the above problems.
Most Inspirational Moment
We loved Ragusa and wished we could have stayed an extra day. The Roman mosaics near Piazza Armerina were truly spectacular and a highlight of the trip
Thoughts on Group Leader
Milena worked incredibly hard and did a very good job, but we felt that she was hampered by the size of the group and the issues that resulted from that.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Check the group size before you go. Bring your own pillow if you want a good night's sleep If you like chocolate make sure that you buy some of the delicious chocolate from Modica!
Suggestions
Exodus need to review this trip and make modifications to ensure that travellers have a good experience. We did enjoy the trip but it could have been much better with a smaller group size, smaller bus, better standard of accommodation in some places, and more research from Exodus to identify events such as the Erice car race (an annual event, so not a surprise) which prevented us from getting to Erice for many hours and caused major logistical problems. The group size needs to fit the country, and the group size on this trip did not.
Reply from Exodus
Exodus would like to thank Jamie for taking the time to review his holiday in Sicily, although we are sorry to read that his experience was impacted by a larger than expected vehicle being allocated to his group. We realise that this unforeseen issue created some logistical challenges during the trip, such as accessing sights in the historical centres, but we are confident that going forward future groups will not be impacted by a similar issue. This is the first time we can recall concerns about the size of the group being raised and we are confident that our leaders are well used to managing groups of up to 18 clients very well; we acknowledge, however, that Jamie would have preferred a smaller number of travellers and we will continue to closely monitor the feedback we receive regarding group sizes. – Marta Marinelli, Product Manager.
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Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Adult Price From £ 3,349 £ 3,949 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 590
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
04 May 2024 04 May 2024
Saturday Saturday
18 May 2024 18 May 2024
Availability Guaranteed (Limited) Only 4 spaces left!
Adult Price From £ 3,399 £ 3,949 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 590
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
01 Jun 2024 01 Jun 2024
Saturday Saturday
15 Jun 2024 15 Jun 2024
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Adult Price From £ 3,199 £ 3,749 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 590
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
24 Aug 2024 24 Aug 2024
Saturday Saturday
07 Sep 2024 07 Sep 2024
Availability Available
Adult Price From £ 3,099 £ 3,549 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 590
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
07 Sep 2024 07 Sep 2024
Saturday Saturday
21 Sep 2024 21 Sep 2024
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Adult Price From £ 3,199 £ 3,849 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 590
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
05 Oct 2024 05 Oct 2024
Saturday Saturday
19 Oct 2024 19 Oct 2024
Availability Guaranteed (On Request) Only 3 spaces left!
Adult Price From £ 3,099 £ 3,599 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 590
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead but there are only 3 spaces left. Do not delay your booking!
View Trip NotesWould you like to include flights with your booking?
- ATOL protected
- Competitive flight prices
- Full refunds in the event of FCDO cancellations or major disruption at your UK departure airport
- Specialist support to rearrange flights and transfers
- Regional flights available from many UK airports
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