Itinerary Expand allViagrande to Taormina Fly to Catania and transfer to Viagrande.Arrive at Catania airport and transfer to Viagrande, a little town just 30km north of Catania and a 1 hour drive from Taormina. From its lofty position above the sea it offers stunning views of Mount Etna. The current old town centre was founded in 1408 but Viagrande's first settlement of the village was founded under the Greek domination. The ancient Roman road which led to Messina, gives the name to the village (Viagrande = big road). Important is the territory and the crops that, like the whole of Sicily and the rest of the Mediterranean, are present with vineyards, olive groves, and citrus groves. The best known local products are strawberries from Maletto, honey from Zafferana, pistachios from Bronte and prickly pears from Belpasso. Much more famous even outside the Etna countries are the Etna wines produced at least from the Middle Ages. Day 1 Start in ViagrandeArrive at Catania airport and transfer to Viagrande, a little town just 30km north of Catania and a 1 hour drive from Taormina. From its lofty position above the sea it offers stunning views of Mount Etna. The current old town centre was founded in 1408 but Viagrande's first settlement of the village was founded under the Greek domination. The ancient Roman road which led to Messina, gives the name to the village (Viagrande = big road). Important is the territory and the crops that, like the whole of Sicily and the rest of the Mediterranean, are present with vineyards, olive groves, and citrus groves. The best known local products are strawberries from Maletto, honey from Zafferana, pistachios from Bronte and prickly pears from Belpasso. Much more famous even outside the Etna countries are the Etna wines produced at least from the Middle Ages. Day 2 Excursion on Mt Etna, Europe's highest active volcano; afternoon wine tasting.After breakfast we enjoy a spectacular guided walk on Mt Etna, Europe's highest active volcano. We hike up past several old lava flows to be rewarded with a dramatic panoramic view of the volcanic landscape and old craters (1 to 2 hours walking, 5 km). You are strongly advised to take a waterproof/windproof jacket, a warm top and to wear long trousers. In the afternoon we enjoy a delicious wine & cheese tasting in one of the famous wine cellars of the area. Transfer back to Viagrande. Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 Drive to Syracuse to visit its archaeological site; on to the UNESCO Baroque town of Noto.This morning we drive to Syracuse (approx. 1h 15 mins drive), the most powerful city-state in the Greek world and briefly capital of the Byzantine Empire. Here we visit the superb Neapolis Archaelological Park with its spectacular Greek theatre and well-preserved Roman amphitheatre, accompanied by a local guide. In the afternoon we drive to our next destination, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Noto (approx. 45 mins). This is an absolute gem: a beautiful town built in the unique Sicilian baroque style using beautiful honey-coloured stone. Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Morning visit the hilltop town of Ragusa Ibla; transfer to Agrigento's Valley of the Temples.After breakfast we drive to the hilltop town of Ragusa Ibla (approx. 1hr 30 mins), a fascinating maze of winding streets dotted with remarkable baroque churches, and continue on to Agrigento (2hrs 30 mins). Here we enjoy a guided visit of its magnificent Valley of the Temples: the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Concorde, one of the most well-preserved Doric temples in all the Greek world, the Temple of Ercules and the Temple of Castor and Pollux. We then overnight in Agrigento. Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 Visit ruins of Selinunte, overlooking the Mediterranean; drive to the hilltop village of Erice.Our day starts with a transfer to Selinunte (1hr 30 mins) to explore one of the most important archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, set high overlooking the sea. We then move on to the mountaintop village of Erice (1hr 30 mins) , and stop en route for a view of the famous salt flats of Mozia, dotted with characteristic wind mills (time permitting). Once in Erice, we have time for a stroll through its narrow streets and will try the best almond cakes (cassata) on the island. Overnight near San Vito Lo Capo. Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Walk in the stunning Zingaro Nature Reserve; afternoon transfer 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 landscape on foot. Stretching along the coast for 7km between the lovely village of Scopello in the east to San Vito Lo Capo in the west, the Zingaro Nature Reserve boasts some stunning walking trails with views out to the cliffs and the glistening sea, hidden coves and pristine beaches. We take a leisurely walk for up to 3 hours (including stops) along beautiful coastal trails with the opportunity of a quick swim before returning to the bus. In the afternoon we make our way to Palermo (approx. 2hrs) where we can enjoy some time at leisure to discover the vibrant historic centre and lively streets filled with restaurants and bars. We then overnight in Palermo. Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 Morning visit to Monreale Cathedral; guided tour of Palermo and free time.After a short transfer to Monreale (approx. 1 hr), we visit its extraordinary cathedral, considered the greatest example of Norman architecture in the world. We then head to Palermo (approx. 1 hr) and our local guide will show us the most important sites of this beautiful city, including Quattro Canti, Pretoria Square, the Cathedral and Marina Square. In the afternoon we have some free time in Palermo to enjoy this eclectic city at our own pace. We overnight in Palermo. Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Drive to the fishing village of Cefalu to visit its Norman Cathedral; on to charming Taormina; free time to explore.This morning we drive to the fishing village of Cefalu (approx. 1 hr 15 mins), where we visit the impressive cathedral, home to elaborate Byzantine mosaics, and the lovely historic centre with its winding mediaeval streets. Our tour ends in one of the most renowned treasures of Sicily: the charming town of Taormina (approx. 2hrs 40 mins drive). We have time to visit its Greek theatre and enjoy the spectacular views of Mt Etna and the sea. We overnight in Taormina. Meals included: Breakfast Transfer to Catania airport; fly to London.Transfer to Catania airport; fly to London. If the group flight is scheduled to leave late in the afternoon or evening, we can enjoy some extra free time in Taormina before our airport transfer departs (usually approx. 3 hrs before our flight). Meals included: Breakfast Day 9 End in Taormina.Our tour ends in Taormina in the morning of day 9. Meals included: Breakfast
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ItalyNo visa required for British passport holders. Please note in Italy it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times.For further Brexit travel advice please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers
3 and 4-star Hotels and Agriturismo On this trip we use different comfortable 3 and 4-star hotels and one agriturismo . Some of them have been chosen for their warm hospitality and typically Sicilian character and others for their convenient location. They are often located in proximity of the historic centres we visit so that we can easily explore the towns in the evenings or during our free time. Some hotels have a pool and WiFi.List of hotels normally used:Viagrande: Grand hotel Villa ItriaNoto: Hotel FloraAgrigento: Hotel DioscuriBuseto Palizzolo: Baglio FontanaPalermo: Hotel B&B Palermo Quattro CantiTaormina: Hotel Villa Esperia
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Reviewed May 2022 Helen BouchamiA Crossroads of Civilisations and Cultures Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Carthaginians, Berbers, Arabs - even Normans have all left their mark on Sicily - leaving a rich cultural legacy to be discovered by today's visitors. Because we completed a circuit of the whole island, there were inevitably some longer stints on the coach - but it was roomy and we always had a break halfway on longer stretches. Hotels were mixed -the one at Agrigento felt rather soulless and the Agroturismo had some problems - the rustic setting was fine but some people had no running water in the morning. I hope this problem can be fixed as I like the idea of giving custom to a local business. But the one in Palermo couldn't have been more central and the one at Taormina was delightful and so close to the beach (and the beachside restaurant where we had our last dinner)What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? I loved the Zingaro reserve and could happily have spent the whole day there, but I understand that all tastes have to be catered to. Taormina is lovely - spectacular views, and I enjoyed pottering around Ragusa Ibla. I have a limited appetite for churches (especially catholic iconography) and temples, but Monreal with its stunning mosaics and the Greek temple at Agrigento were terrific, and enhanced by the explanations of the guide.What did you think of your group leader? Veronica was excellent - friendly, welcoming, informative. Also a shout out for the drivers, especially Salvatore who was with us for most of the trip - careful, safe and he always welcomed us back to the coach with a smileDo you have any advice for potential travellers? I didn't think you could eat badly in Sicily, but we had two bad meals - in Palermo, accompanied by surly service. The food was cold and one of the group was ill. But we ate really well at Taverna Dei Canto around the corner from the hotel in Palermo (lively street - not a quiet venue) My advice would be to check out the latest reviews on Trip Adviser - guide books can be out of date. If you plan to walk in Zingaro (some people preferred to swim) be aware that while not challenging, parts of the path are rocky so a pole can be helpful if you have any knee problems.
Reviewed May 2022 June MacDonaldDescribes the itinerary An excellent way to discover Sicily and her pastWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Valley of the templesWhat did you think of your group leader? Excellent Knowledgable Organise Friendly A people personDo you have any advice for potential travellers? Prepare for all weathersIs there anything else you would like to add? .
Reviewed April 2022 Andrew DaviesVery Comprehensive and Interesting This was a very well put together itinerary with a very good balance between organised time and the opportunity to explore individually. The standard of accommodation and transport was high. A really great trip for those interested in history and architecture/archaeology.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Walking among the ruins in Selunite. The beautiful coastal walk. The archaeology Park in Syracuse. A fantastic local guide around the Valley of the Temples in Aggriento who was a working forensic archaeologist who brought the site to life.What did you think of your group leader? Veronica was fantastic. She was enthusiastic friendly and ensured every day was well organised and that we got the most out of each location. Great communication skills and ensured that we all kept to time with the lightest touch. A very talented tour leader.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Prices have increased a bit over recent months but great food and wine is still reasonably priced. Bring a kettle and tea/coffee as this is not provided in the rooms. Travel in April was a good decision as it wasn't too hot and not overly busy in most locations.Is there anything else you would like to add? Thanks to Veronica and the lovely group who made the trip fun and enjoyable.
Reviewed October 2019 Sue PotterSicily is truly a treasure A fabulous trip with a fantastic mix of scenery, walking , culture and food experiences. An outstanding guide, Alessandro who helped the trip run smoothly, was always friendly and informative. The pace was good with plenty of time to explore on your own. Walks could be taken at your own pace and adapted.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Seeing the craters of Etna. Walking in Zingaro. Views from Erice. Selinunte ruins in the sunshine by the sea. Monreale mosaics. Greco RomanTheatre in Taormina .I could go on. Everything was excellentWhat did you think of your group leader? Alessandro was outstanding, one of the best guides I've had the pleasure to travel with. He provided lots of handouts on food, language, maps, what to see in the towns. He was extremely knowledgeable about his homeland, its history and geography. He was always patient, caring and friendly. A real treasure himself.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take wet shoes if you want to swim in the sea, it's rocky. No need to bring a lunch box. Go on a diet beforehand so you can enjoy all the fantastic food.Is there anything else you would like to add? Go!
Reviewed September 2018 Wanda HowickSicily in a week My husband and I had a fabulous trip to Sicily - a place I knew I would adore and I was not wrong. In 8 days you can only scrape the surface of this wonderful island but this round trip was a great way to see what it can offer. It was a perfect introduction to somewhere we will return to many times.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The aching beauty of Eriche, Noto and Cefalu.What did you think of your group leader? Marco was a charming leader, efficient, informative with a dark sense of humour. And he was extremely good company.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? There is an element of walking every day so if you are infirm this may not be the trip for you.Is there anything else you would like to add? It would have been good to have been given a map of Sicily at the beginning of the week so we had a sense of where we were going. Please do not ever use Hotel Europa in Palermo again. Other than this notable blip however the accommodation on the trip was amazing.
Reviewed September 2018 Kara BrownSicily in a week ! Overall an excellent trip. This covers the main sites round the island. As it is the largest island in the Mediterranean there is quite a lot of ground to cover so it is quite a busy tour. However it was worth it to see the contrasts of this lovely island which combined with the lovely food made a great holiday.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The wine tasting on the first day was really excellent and a good way at the start of the tour to get to know your fellow travellers. The sites of the island were stunning. Selinunte was not overcrowded with tourists so was particularly lovely to walk around, with its stunning setting overlooking the sea. The town of Erice also had stunning views and was lovely to wander the quite streets of the town.What did you think of your group leader? Marco was excellent. He provided us all with a book at the start of the tour and with a map of each town as we visited them. I have done many Exodus trips and have never had a guide so organised with such maps, highlighting the points of interest. Phillipe was our trusty driver who was also excellent and we all felt safe with his driving.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? I would say that the coastal walk was more challenging than the walk on Mt Etna. I wore good walking boots for both although could have got away with walking shoes for the Mt Etna walk.Is there anything else you would like to add? Overall a great trip with excellent guide and good hotels. The only downside was the hotel in Palermo which was a bit “Faulty Towers”. Two sets of people in our group had to change room and my Mum (who was on the holiday with me) had to put out a spark from an electrical socket. i Suggest the Exodus seriously look at changing the hotel for the two nights in Palermo.
Reviewed June 2018 Brian HelsdonGreat Trip This was an excellent well planned tour. I found the pace busy but not overly strenuos or hectic. You have plenty of variety, Mt Etna seaside towns and harbours, quaint old towns as well as the ancient sites. What made this trip so good was the guide, Vanessa,, who often went the extra mile to help the group, and the group itself, 15 very different people who got on well. We stayed on for 4 nights after the end of the tour for rest and relaxation near Taormina and this was certainly the right decision. Taormina itself is very crowded and touristy with the side streets and the public gardens offering a welcome relief. Palermo was the best big city with plenty of character.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The drive up to the hilltop village of Erice plus the stay at the farmhouse.What did you think of your group leader? Vanessa was one of the best, if not the best, tour leader I have travelled with. She had excellent English having lived in Dublin for eight years. She was extremely well informed and organised. She often went out of her way to help the group or individuals. For example we had independently booked a hotel at the end of the tour. Not only did she drop us off but checked the booking before we arrived and arranged for hotel staff to meet us at the end of the drive to the hotel. She was always cheerful and fun.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Be be prepared for some long bus journeys and quite a busy pace. Don’t worry overmuch about the walks. Our group managed both walks without any issues but good walking shows are essential for the Etna walk. Consider staying on after the tour but not at the tour hotel.
Reviewed June 2018 martin spiersTreasures of Sicily Well balanced holiday with a good guide as well as good local guides who had more detailed knowledge of the sites. Plenty of variety in the other activities,What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Seeing the Straits of Messina AND the meal cooked at the AGRITURISMO hotel in Busseto Palizzolo.What did you think of your group leader? He was pleasant, engaged, efficient and knowledgable about his homeland
Reviewed May 2018 Rebecca MidvidyClassic Sicily Wonderful trip. Varied, good hotels and the best trip leader. Francesca is kind, knowledgable, helpful. Probably would have prefered 2 less cities to visit. This would have made the trip a better pace and give us a chance to savour each place.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Valley of temples.What did you think of your group leader? Super as mentioned above.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? None.
Reviewed May 2018 Jen SGreat trip, fabulous gelato This was a great, moderately-paced trip. There's lots to do, but plenty of free time to just sit in a café and watch the world go by... or if you like to keep moving, just grab an espresso and slip around the next corner to see what's there... This was a pleasant balance of old Greek and Roman sites, free time in pretty towns and villages full of twisting alleys and stunning churches, a couple of light walks, and amazing Sicilian food.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? We had several hours to explore the beautiful town of Ortiga. It was a microcosm of the trip as a whole... after admiring the ruined temple in the main square, scoring an aranchine (Sicilian fried rice dumpling) and a cake for lunch, I spent hours exploring every tiny alleyway, my camera ever-ready, stopping off for gelato whenever I needed fuelling up...What did you think of your group leader? Francesca was bubbly and enthusiastic, and brought the group together.
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