Upon arriving in Palermo, you’ll be greeted by your private driver, who will ensure a seamless transfer to your accommodation at the Best Western Ai Cavalieri Hotel (group transfer). This elegant hotel, situated in the heart of Palermo, oƯers a perfect blend of comfort and classic Sicilian charm. After check-in, you’ll have a chance to relax and settle into your surroundings.

In the evening, join your group for a warm and convivial welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant, where you’ll savor authentic Sicilian cuisine. This is an opportunity to meet your fellow travellers, share excitement for the days ahead, and get your first taste of the region’s rich culinary traditions, setting the tone for an unforgettable journey through Sicily.

MEALS INCLUDED TODAY: Welcome dinner
Best Western Ai Cavalieri Hotel Palermo – 2 nights

Begin your day with a walking tour of Palermo, Sicily’s vibrant and storied capital. With your local guide, explore a city where layers of history and culture blend seamlessly—Arab-Norman architecture stands alongside bustling piazzas, Baroque churches, and lively street corners. Stroll

through the historic center, where each building tells a tale of conquest and creativity, from the majestic Quattro Canti to the ornate Piazza Pretoria and the Church of the Martorana.

As you wind through the heart of the city, immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and scents of Palermo’s famed local markets, such as Ballarò or Il Capo. These centuries-old markets are the soul of Palermo’s street life, where vendors shout their oƯers in a musical dialect and stalls overflow with fresh produce, seafood, and spices. Along the way, indulge in a variety of authentic street food tastings, including iconic favourites like arancine, panelle, sfincione, and the daring pane ca’ meusa—all savoured like a true Palermitano, on foot and on the go.

After the street food experience, depart the city for the short drive up to Monreale, perched on a hill overlooking the Conca d’Oro valley. Here, visit the breathtaking Monreale Cathedral, a masterpiece of Norman architecture adorned with over 6,000 square metres of glittering Byzantine mosaics. Your guide will explain the rich symbolism behind the scenes depicted in gold—stories of creation, kings, and saints—all housed within one of the most impressive religious sites in Europe.

After your visit, enjoy the panoramic views before returning to Palermo, with time to reflect on the city’s unique blend of flavours, cultures, and spiritual beauty.

MEALS INCLUDED TODAY: Breakfast & Street Food

After breakfast in Palermo, set off towards the picturesque town of Erice, perched high above the sea. On arrival, meet your local guide for a walking tour through its beautifully preserved medieval streets. Wander past ancient churches, noble residences, and charming artisan shops selling almond pastries and hand-painted ceramics. From the city’s lofty vantage points, enjoy sweeping views over the Tyrrhenian coastline and the Egadi Islands.

After your visit, continue the journey down to the Trapani coastline, where you’ll stop at the iconic salt pans—an otherworldly landscape dotted with gleaming white mounds of sea salt and traditional windmills. Learn about the ancient Phoenician salt-harvesting methods still used today and take in the serene beauty of this unique environment.

In the late afternoon, arrive at your hotel in Trapani and enjoy some time to relax. In the evening, dive into the region’s culinary heritage with a hands-on cous cous cooking class. Guided by a local chef, discover the secrets of preparing Trapani-style cous cous, traditionally steamed and served with fragrant fish broth. End the evening with a shared dinner, enjoying the fruits of your labor in a warm and authentic Sicilian setting.

MEALS INCLUDED TODAY: Breakfast & dinner
Room of Andrea Hotel Trapani – 2 nights

After breakfast, set out on a guided walking tour of Trapani, a coastal town known for its baroque architecture, lively port, and elegant historic center. Stroll through narrow streets lined with stately buildings, charming piazzas, and local shops, while learning about the city’s maritime history and cultural blend of Arab, Spanish, and Norman influences.

Later in the morning, depart for Marsala, a town renowned for its namesake fortified wine and rich viticultural traditions. Upon arrival, visit one of the area’s historic wineries for a guided tour through the cellars, where oak barrels age the golden-hued Marsala wine. Learn about the winemaking process, from grape to glass, before enjoying a relaxed tasting of a variety of local wines, paired with Sicilian specialties.

Following the tasting, sit down for a leisurely lunch at the winery, where regional flavors and fresh ingredients take center stage. In the afternoon, return to Trapani with time to unwind or explore at your own pace.

MEALS INCLUDED TODAY: Breakfast & lunch + wine tasting

After breakfast, depart Trapani and begin your journey towards Agrigento, traveling along the scenic northern and southern coasts of Sicily. Your first stop is the charming seaside town of Cefalù, nestled between the Madonie mountains and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Join a local guide for a walking tour through its historic center, where you’ll visit the magnificent Norman cathedral, admire the medieval washhouse carved into rock, and enjoy time to wander the quaint lanes filled with boutiques and cafés.

Continue south through the island’s heartland, passing rolling hills and olive groves en route to the southern coast. Along the way, enjoy a photo stop at the striking Scala dei Turchi, a dazzling white limestone cliff that spills into the turquoise sea like a natural staircase. Its unique formation and dramatic setting have made it one of Sicily’s most photographed coastal landmarks.

In the late afternoon, arrive in Agrigento and check in to your hotel. The evening is at leisure to relax or begin exploring this ancient city, home to one of the most celebrated archaeological sites in the Mediterranean.

MEALS INCLUDED TODAY: Breakfast
Hotel della Valle Agrigento – 2 nights

After breakfast, set out for a private guided tour of the Valley of the Temples, one of Sicily’s most iconic and awe-inspiring archaeological sites. Walk among the remarkably well-preserved ruins of ancient Akragas, founded by the Greeks in the 6th century BC. Your guide will bring history to life as you explore the majestic Temple of Concordia, the dramatic ruins of the Temple of Juno, and other impressive monuments set against a backdrop of almond trees and open countryside.

Following the tour, continue to a traditional Sicilian farmhouse nestled in the hills outside Agrigento. Here, you’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch made with fresh, local ingredients—dishes that reflect the authentic flavors of the land. As you dine, the atmosphere comes alive with the joyful sounds of a local band playing traditional Sicilian folk music, adding a festive and unforgettable touch to your countryside experience.

In the late afternoon, transfer back to your hotel in Agrigento with time to relax and reflect on the day’s rich cultural encounters.

MEALS INCLUDED TODAY: Breakfast & lunch

After breakfast in Agrigento, depart for Siracusa, heading east across the heart of Sicily. Along the way, stop in two of the island’s most enchanting Baroque towns—Modica and Noto—for private guided tours that reveal the unique charm and layered history of each.

Begin in Modica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its dramatic architecture, steep staircases, and decadent chocolate. With your private guide, explore the elegant churches and noble palaces that define the town’s historic core, and learn about its rich past as a major cultural and administrative center. Don’t miss the chance to sample Modica’s famous chocolate, made using ancient Aztec techniques introduced by the Spanish.

Continue to Noto, a jewel of Sicilian Baroque, where honey-colored buildings line wide boulevards in a city rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake. Stroll with your guide through the historic center, taking in landmarks such as the Cathedral of San Nicolò, the ornate Palazzo Ducezio, and the Church of San Domenico—each a masterpiece of symmetry and stonework.

After the tour, travel onward to Siracusa, arriving in the late afternoon and checking in to your hotel. The evening is at leisure to relax or enjoy a first taste of this atmospheric coastal city.

MEALS INCLUDED TODAY: Breakfast
Grande Albergo Alfeo Siracusa – 2 nights

After breakfast, set out on a guided walking tour of Ortigia, the ancient and atmospheric island that forms the historic center of Siracusa. With your local guide, stroll through a labyrinth of narrow streets where Greek temples, medieval buildings, and Baroque facades blend seamlessly together. Visit the ruins of the Temple of Apollo—the oldest Doric temple in Sicily—before making your way through bustling local markets and hidden courtyards toward the stunning Piazza Duomo. Here, admire the magnificent Cathedral of Siracusa, built on the bones of a 5th-century BC Greek temple, and learn how the layers of history reveal the city’s Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Spanish legacies.

As you continue your walk, enjoy sea breezes and sweeping views from the island’s promenade, passing by the mythic Fountain of Arethusa and hearing tales of nymphs and ancient legends that still shape Ortigia’s soul.

At the end of your tour, take a seat for lunch at Fratelli Burgio, a cherished family-run eatery nestled inside the Ortigia food market. Known for their vibrant platters of local salumi, cheeses, olives, caponata, and seasonal specialties, this is a true celebration of Sicilian flavors. Watch the market life unfold around you as you enjoy a casual yet delicious meal in one of the most authentic spots in town—where tradition, taste, and hospitality are served in equal measure.

MEALS INCLUDED TODAY: Breakfast & lunch

After breakfast, transfer to the town of Trecastagni, nestled on the slopes of Mount Etna, where you’ll spend the day at leisure in celebration of the Festa dei Santi Fratelli Martiri Alfio, Filadelfio e Cirino—one of the most deeply rooted and vibrant religious festivals in eastern Sicily.

This beloved annual event honours the three martyred brothers, patron saints of the town, and transforms Trecastagni into a lively and heartfelt expression of Sicilian devotion and tradition. The streets fill with colour and energy as processions, music, and the ringing of church bells accompany the ornate statues of the saints through the town. Locals dressed in traditional attire join in the festivities, creating a powerful and emotional atmosphere that blends faith, folklore, and community spirit.

You’ll have the entire day free to immerse yourself in the celebrations at your own pace—whether watching the processions, enjoying local street food, browsing artisanal stalls, or simply soaking up the joyful energy of this unique cultural experience. In the late afternoon or evening, return to your accommodation with lasting memories of a true Sicilian festa.

MEALS INCLUDED TODAY: Breakfast
San Anton Hotel Trecastagni – 1 night

This morning begins with an early departure from Trecastagni as you make your way up the slopes of Mount Etna, Europe’s highest and most active volcano. Travel through a landscape of ancient lava flows, pine forests, and rugged volcanic rock until you reach Rifugio Sapienza, located at an altitude of nearly 2,000 metres. Here, you’ll have time to explore the lunar-like terrain and take in the dramatic views of the surrounding landscape.

For those seeking a truly unforgettable experience, there is the optional opportunity to ascend even higher via cable car (weather permitting). This thrilling excursion offers the chance to walk near the summit area and witness the raw power and beauty of Etna up close. The cost is €45 per person, payable locally.

After descending from the volcano, continue to a nearby Etna winery, where the rich volcanic soil produces some of Sicily’s most distinctive wines. Enjoy a guided wine tasting of local varietals such as Nerello Mascalese and Carricante, followed by a relaxed lunch featuring regional specialties, all served with sweeping views of the vineyards and the volcano in the distance.

In the afternoon, travel to the elegant seaside town of Taormina, where you’ll check in to your hotel and have the evening at leisure to unwind or begin exploring this stunning hilltop retreat.

MEALS INCLUDED TODAY: Breakfast & lunch + wine tasting
Ariston Hotel Taormina – 2 nights

After breakfast, set out on a fascinating journey into the cinematic and cultural history of Sicily with a private Godfather Tour to Savoca and Forza d’Agrò—two quiet hilltop villages made famous by Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic film trilogy.

Begin in Savoca, where time seems to have stood still. Stroll through its peaceful lanes with your guide, stopping at Bar Vitelli, the famous spot where Michael Corleone asked for Apollonia’s hand in marriage. Visit the small church where their wedding scene was filmed and enjoy sweeping views over the Sicilian coastline as your guide shares behind-the-scenes stories and local history.

Continue to Forza d’Agrò, another picturesque village where several key scenes were filmed. Explore its winding streets, medieval architecture, and panoramic viewpoints that offer stunning vistas of the Ionian Sea. As you walk through these quiet towns, you’ll not only revisit scenes from the films but also gain insight into the traditional Sicilian life that inspired them.

Return to Taormina in the afternoon for a private walking tour of the town. Discover its elegant streets, chic boutiques, and hidden terraces as your guide reveals the town’s rich past and multicultural influences. The tour includes a visit to the magnificent Greek Theatre, one of the most impressive ancient sites in Sicily, with its spectacular setting overlooking the sea and Mount Etna. Learn about its origins, Roman enhancements, and how it continues to host performances to this day.

After the tour, the evening is at leisure to enjoy the beauty and charm of Taormina on your own.

MEALS INCLUDED TODAY: Breakfast & lunch