Italy: Sicilian Heritage and Beaches

Here are our recommendations on what you can do in Palermo. The Cathedral is a great place to start where you can see various architectural styles across the centuries like Gothic, Baroque, Moorish, and others merge to create a unique landmark. Capture panoramic views of the city from the top, and proceed to the iconic Teatro Massimo, the largest opera house in Italy, which you might remember from the ending scene of Godfather III! Admire the grand interiors and learn about its intriguing history by joining one of the many guided tours. While in Palermo, do visit the Chiesa della Martorana, the majestic 12th century Byzantine church whose stunning gold mosaics and frescoes will take your breath away. If you feel hungry while sightseeing, then be sure to make a stop at Mondello, a popular beachside locality of Palermo lined with local pizzerias, pastry shops and quaint cafés. (Self-explore Activity; Transfers, entrance fees and meals are not included; Choose what best suits your interests and pace from our recommendations; Please note that you may not be able to do all recommended activities)

Explore Palermo city centre while teasing your taste buds with popular culinary delights. Reach Teatro Massimo to meet your local guide for the day. Stroll along the main squares and street markets of Palermo’s city center, sampling delectable street food as recommended by your guide. Sample the region’s authentic flavors and textures as you walk down the heart of town, learning more about the history and traditions of Palermo. Discover hidden gems and pick up fascinating trivia from your guide along the way. Return to your hotel at the end of a most insightful food trail! (Half Day; Time: 0900 hrs; Private Activity; Food tasting/sampling included; Fitness level: Easy; Please wear comfortable walking shoes and be sure to inform ahead of time regarding any food allergies).

Departing from Palermo in the morning, your first stop will be the dramatic temple ruins at Segesta. Formerly the main stronghold of the ancient Elymi people, the city flourished as an important trade hub. Standing proudly on the hillside, the well preserved (but interestingly never completed) 5th-century Doric temple is the main showpiece here and is an impressive sight with 36 grand columns standing tall among the surrounding hillsides. As well as exploring the temple area with your guide, you’ll also be able to visit the remains of a strikingly situated theatre, high up on the hillside, with stunning views across to the Gulf of Castellammare. Continuing on from Segesta, you’ll descend towards the coastal town of Trapani. The area is known for its ancient and picturesque salt pans; salt production here is believed to date as far back as the 12th century. Following the coastline, you’ll be rewarded with a shimmering landscape dotted with historic windmills and shallow pools known as saline. During the summer months it’s also not uncommon to see large mounds of bright white salt stacked at the side of the road ready for collection. While today it’s mainly small scale artisanal producers that maintain the salt pans, Sicilian sea salt from Trapani is still known throughout Italy and beyond and prized for its purity. With your guide you’ll visit one of the traditional salt mills, which has been beautifully restored, to learn about the salt production process and how it has changed over the years. The mill also has a wonderful restaurant where you will be able to enjoy lunch surrounded by the stunning salt pans. Continuing on from Trapani, your next stop is the enthralling medieval stronghold of Erice – perched dramatically at the top of a steep mountain overlooking the port of Trapani below. To reach the summit, it’s a short 10 minute journey by cable car from Trapani, during which you’ll be able to enjoy some stunning views of the surrounding landscape. With your guide, you’ll then enter through the town’s medieval gate ready to explore the narrow-cobbled streets and learn more about this history of the area. A particular highlight of any visit to Erice is a visit to the Pasticceria of Maria Grammatico, a remarkable woman sent to a convent at the age of 11 who used the skills she learned there to open her own pastry shop, and whose story was most famously told in Mary Taylor Simeti’s acclaimed memoir of Sicily, Bitter Almonds. Once you’ve finished exploring Erice, you’ll meet your driver just outside the city walls for your journey back to Palermo, enjoying some final stunning views as you descend back down from the summit. In total, your return journey should take around an hour and a half to two hours, depending on the traffic.

Here are our recommendations on what you can do in Cefalù. Spend a day at this small but bustling coastal town along the Tyrrhenian coast of Sicily, and popular seaside resort. Laze on the beach, letting go of all your worries, and sink your feet in the sand gazing at the ocean. Stroll through the squares soaking up the local sights and sounds as you approach the Duomo. Marvel at its impressive façade before you go in and check out the stunning Byzantine mosaics. If you want to see more of the sea, then hike up to the Tempio di Diana, a Roman temple to the goddess Diana which offers striking panoramic views from the temple complex. If you are up for it, climb a little higher to reach La Rocca, a mountain top with the ruins of a Norman castle. Savor the delicious Sicilian food and wine in any one of the beachside cafés along the promenade as you watch the world go by. (Self-explore Activity; Transfers, entrance fees and meals are not included; Choose what best suits your interests and pace from our recommendations; Please note that you may not be able to do all recommended activities)

Discover the beauty of the Sicilian coast at Cefalù by boat. You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the marina where you will board your boat. Set sail on the azure waters and pass the city’s most famous monuments including the imposing Capo Cefalù Lighthouse. As you travel along Cefalù’s western coast, you will also see the famous 11th-century Cathedral, the old port, the Palazzo dei Normanni among other historic buildings. Feel the sea breeze, as you cruise towards Kalura beach. Here your captain will drop anchor, and you can take a refreshing dip in the crystal waters. Unwind with an aperitif or sparkling wine paired with some local delicacies before wrapping up your tour. (Duration: 3 hrs; Seasonal: Apr – Oct; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: aperitif and snacks; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy)

Starting at the top of the valley with your guide, you’ll be able to enjoy a gentle stroll down through the archaeological area and learn about the ruins of what was once the great city of Akragas, founded in 581 BC. Today, the area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and includes a grid of ancient streets as well as the five massive Doric temples from which the valley takes its name. The two most spectacular temples within the site are the Temple of Concordia and the Temple of Juno. The Temple of Concordia is a colossal structure that offers a real sense of how prosperous and significant Akragas once was. The building is one of the largest and most intact Doric temples in the world. Its proportions and elegantly simple design are largely untouched, despite being converted into a Christian basilica in the 6th century AD. Nearby, the similar Temple of Juno was damaged by an earthquake in the Middle Ages, but is still fascinating to visit. The oldest surviving temple though is that of Hercules, which dates from the end of the 6th century BC and sits among a cluster of impressive ruins in the eastern portion of the site.

Travel to the town of Piazza Armerina that is home to the splendid Villa Romana del Casale known for the world’s biggest collection of Roman mosaics. Get a closer look at the mosaics that depict scenes from daily life in a bygone era. Learn about the history of this mansion as you wander around the rooms visualizing life as it was centuries ago. Have lunch at a local restaurant before heading off to your next destination. (Private En Route Activity; Private Transfers included; Guides to be met on site at Villa Romana; Entrance fees included; Meals: lunch, please let us know about any food allergies in advance; Fitness Level: Mid, moderate walking is involved, please wear comfortable shoes).

Explore Syracuse and its historic center, the Island of Ortigia. Meet your guide and head to the Island of Ortigia, a UNESCO landmark renowned for its Greek heritage. Then, pass the Temple of Apollo to reach Piazza Archimede, built to honor the Greek mathematician, Archimedes. Pause at the Fountain of Diana and stroll to Piazza Duomo. Visit the Cathedral of Syracuse and the Santa Lucia al Sepolcro that houses Caravaggio’s ‘Burial of Saint Lucy’. Later, at Mercato di Ortigia, sample street food including varieties of cheese, arancini balls, savory pies and pizzas. (Duration: half day; Time: flexible; Private activity & transfers; All entry fees are included; Meals included: lunch; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Please wear comfortable walking shoes)

Here are our recommendations on what you can do in Taormina. This city is the picture-postcard Sicilian seaside resort that instantly wants to make you let your hair down and relax! Probably one of its most noted attractions is the Roman Theatre at the heart of the town, which still hosts plays and events during the summer. Stroll through the ancient ruins, exploring the nook and crannies, walking through the gardens and then climb up. Settle down in one of the higher seats of the amphitheater to capture panoramic views of the shimmering sea and Mount Etna in the distance. If you want better views of both the sea and the mountain, consider heading for Castelmola, a pretty medieval village on a hill with a number of quaint cafés in the colorful Piazza Chiesa Madre. Isola Bella is also another tiny little island near Taormina where you can spend a few hours unwinding on the beach. (Self-explore Activity; Transfers, entrance fees and meals are not included; Choose what best suits your interests and pace from our recommendations; Please note that you may not be able to do all recommended activities.)

Embark on a journey to the summit of Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. Your guide will pick you up in the morning and drive you to the base of the mountain. From here you will ascend by cable car, enjoying views of the mountainside along the way. Once you reach, climb aboard a 4×4 vehicle for the final push to the summit. At the top, follow your guide on a short walk to view the craters of this incredible moonlike landscape. Afterward, your guide will take you to the historical Barone di Villagrande estate. Learn about the history of wine production in Etna’s fertile volcanic soil as you explore the family-run winery. Then, sit down for a wine tasting and sample local Etnean dishes made using fresh ingredients and vegetables from the estate garden. Finally, check out the shop on-site before being driven back to your hotel. (Duration: full day; Private activity and transfers; Meals included: wine tasting & light lunch; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: difficult, please note that this activity is not suitable for people with physical challenges; Please wear sturdy shoes, long-sleeved clothing, long trousers and a windproof jacket)

Here are our recommendations on what you can do in Taormina. This city is the picture-postcard Sicilian seaside resort that instantly wants to make you let your hair down and relax! Probably one of its most noted attractions is the Roman Theatre at the heart of the town, which still hosts plays and events during the summer. Stroll through the ancient ruins, exploring the nook and crannies, walking through the gardens and then climb up. Settle down in one of the higher seats of the amphitheater to capture panoramic views of the shimmering sea and Mount Etna in the distance. If you want better views of both the sea and the mountain, consider heading for Castelmola, a pretty medieval village on a hill with a number of quaint cafés in the colorful Piazza Chiesa Madre. Isola Bella is also another tiny little island near Taormina where you can spend a few hours unwinding on the beach. (Self-explore Activity; Transfers, entrance fees and meals are not included; Choose what best suits your interests and pace from our recommendations; Please note that you may not be able to do all recommended activities.)