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Exoticca
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Timeless Sicily: Etna, Palermo & Noto

Italy • 8 days / 7 nights

From £899

£1,389

35% off

Flights, hotels & activities included
Discover Sicily through its vibrant cities, ancient Greek heritage, spectacular volcanic landscapes and UNESCO-listed Baroque towns, with authentic local flavors and unforgettable cultural experiences along the way.
Sophia
Designed by Sophia Travel crafter

Highlights

Overview

Trip map

This fully-escorted tour showcases the best of Sicily, from the coastal charm of Taormina and Cefalù to vibrant Palermo, the magnificent Valley of the Temples and elegant Noto. Discover Baroque towns, sample authentic Sicilian flavors and enjoy comfortable hotel stays, guided sightseeing and included transfers throughout.

Itinerary

Day 1

1

UK/Ireland - Catania - Giardini Naxos

UK/Ireland - Catania - Giardini Naxos

It's time to discover the treasures of Sicily! Pack your bags and head to your departure airport, ready for a flight to Catania.* Arrive at Catania Airport and meet your local assistant. Transfer to your hotel in Giardini Naxos (approximately 50 minutes). The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore the beautiful Ionian Coast at your leisure. Overnight stay in Giardini Naxos.

* If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2

2

Giardini Naxos - Taormina - Giardini Naxos

Giardini Naxos - Taormina - Giardini Naxos

Breakfast at the hotel. Orient yourself with a morning walk through Giardini Naxos alongside your Tour Leader, followed by free time for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a half-day excursion to Taormina. Admire Taormina’s renowned views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna; wander through its picturesque streets and explore the historic center. Admire the famous Greek Theatre from the outside. Complete your afternoon with a traditional Sicilian granita tasting, one of the island's most iconic specialities.  Overnight stay in Giardini Naxos.

Activities

Taormina guided tour and granita tasting

Taormina guided tour and granita tasting

included
3h
Walking tour of Giardini Naxos

Walking tour of Giardini Naxos

included
4h

Day 3

3

Giardini Naxos

Giardini Naxos

Breakfast at the hotel. Take time to enjoy Giardini Naxos at your own pace, either relaxing at the hotel or exploring the surrounding area. To fully savor the local experience, we recommend our Mount Etna & Regional Specialties Tasting Excursion.* Overnight stay in Giardini Naxos.

*Optional Mount Etna & Regional Specialties Tasting Excursion: Explore Mount Etna, Europe’s highest and most active volcano. Admire its striking landscapes before tasting a selection of local products, including honey, wine, and olives, grown in Etna’s fertile volcanic soil.

Activities

Mount Etna and Regional Specialities Tasting Excursion

Mount Etna and Regional Specialities Tasting Excursion

Optional
7h

Day 4

4

Giardini Naxos - Cefalù

Giardini Naxos - Cefalù

Breakfast at the hotel. A transfer will take you from Giardini Naxos to Cefalù. Here you'll have free time for lunch before joining your Tour Leader for a Guided Walk Through Cefalù's Old Town. Discover the sights which make it one of — I borghi più belli d'Italia — the most beautiful villages of Italy. In the evening, you may choose to continue your Sicilian experience with an authentic countryside dinner with our Optional Dinner at Tenuta Luogo Marchese.* Overnight stay in Cefalù.

*Optional Dinner at Tenuta Luogo Marchese:
  Escape to a Sicilian estate and enjoy a traditional dinner prepared with local ingredients in a peaceful countryside setting, perfect for experiencing the island's authentic flavors.

Activities

Guided Walk Through Cefalù's Old Town

Guided Walk Through Cefalù's Old Town

included
1h 30m
Dinner at Tenuta Luogo Marchese

Dinner at Tenuta Luogo Marchese

Optional
2h

Day 5

5

Cefalù - Palermo - Cefalù

Cefalù - Palermo - Cefalù

Breakfast at the hotel. Travel to Palermo, Sicily’s capital, for a full-day excursion. Uncover the city’s rich history, shaped by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, and Romans who have each influenced it over the centuries. Walk through Palermo’s historic center and admire Palermo Cathedral and Palazzo dei Normanni from the outside, before experiencing Ballarò Market. Browse its colorful stalls filled with produce, street food, spices, clothing and accessories. Later, enjoy some free time and continue exploring Palermo at your own pace. After a leisurely afternoon, return to Cefalù. Overnight stay in Cefalù.

Activities

Full-day excursion to Palermo

Full-day excursion to Palermo

included
8h 30m

Day 6

6

Cefalù - Agrigento - Syracuse

Cefalù - Agrigento - Syracuse

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the Valley of the Temples and enjoy a tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site,  one of Sicily's most important archaeological areas. Admire these remarkably preserved ancient Greek temples as you learn more about their construction and history. After your visit, continue your journey to your hotel. Overnight stay in Syracuse area.

Transfer Cefalù to Valley of the Temples, approximately 2 hrs 10 minutes. Transfer from Valley of the Temples to Noto, approximately 2 hours 45 minutes.)

Activities

Valley of the Temples guided tour

Valley of the Temples guided tour

included
2h

Day 7

7

Syracuse - Noto - Syracuse

Syracuse - Noto - Syracuse

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day to relax or explore the Noto area at your own pace. For a deeper insight into Sicily's rich heritage, join our optional Ragusa & Modica Guided Tour with Chocolate Tasting.* Overnight stay in Syracuse area.

*Optional Ragusa & Modica Guided Tour with Chocolate Tasting: Discover more UNESCO World Heritage sites with the Baroque towns of Ragusa Ibla and Modica. Accompanied by a local guide, explore Ragusa Ibla’s historic cobblestone streets before visiting Modica to learn about the town's celebrated chocolate-making tradition with a traditional chocolate workshop and tasting.

Activities

Ragusa & Modica Guided Tour with Chocolate Tasting

Ragusa & Modica Guided Tour with Chocolate Tasting

Optional
4h 30m

Day 8

8

Syracuse - Catania - UK/Ireland

Syracuse - Catania - UK/Ireland

Breakfast at the hotel* before transferring to Catania Airport for your return flight to the UK/Ireland

*Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel's breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

What's included

  • Departures from main UK/Ireland airports.
  • International flights: UK/Ireland - Catania - UK/Ireland.
  • 7 nights accommodation in Superior category hotels.
  • 7 breakfasts.
  • Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles as indicated in the itinerary.
  • Visits as indicated in the itinerary*.
  • All air taxes and fuel surcharge.
  • Granita Tasting.
  • Walking tour of Giardini Naxos and Cefalù, Taormina and Valley of the Temples guided tour.
  • Tour Leader from day 2 to day 7.
  • Excursion to Palermo

Accommodation

These are our featured hotels for this tour. Hotel allocation depends on availability and seasonality, so you may be assigned any hotel from our selection.

Select your departure date

All prices include flights, hotels and activities. A £39 per person handling fee applies at checkout.

June to July 2026

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We recommend booking early

Prices can change and departure dates may sell out.

Flexible payment options available

Pay in full, make a deposit, or split payments.

Best prices

All prices include flights, hotels and activities. A £39 per person handling fee applies at checkout.

Included activities

Optional activities

Personalization options

  • Extra nightsExtend your stay with additional nights before or after the tour.
  • Flight optionsCustomize your flights by selecting your preferred airline, cabin class, and departure and arrival times.

Additional information

What's not included

Tax*, drinks, tips and any other services not mentioned in what's included.

* The tourist accommodation tax in Italy must be paid directly to the hotel upon arrival. The amount varies depending on the destination and is approximately as follows:

  • Giardini Naxos: 4-star hotels — €3.00 per person, per night.
  • Cefalù: 4-star hotels — €2.50 per person, per night.
  • Noto / Modica: 4-star hotels — €2.50 per person, per night.

Rates are approximate and may be subject to changes according to local municipal regulations.

*In the case of adverse weather conditions, for safety reasons or for any other reasons deemed appropriate, the order and duration of the excursions included in the itinerary may be changed or cancelled without prior notice.

*Important notes: Much of the tour involves uneven terrain, cobblestone streets, stairs (sometimes without handrails), and hot temperatures in the summer.

The activity vouchers will be sent before your departure and will be available in the customer account and in the Exoticca: Traveler's app - Documents section, confirming the exact schedules and meeting points.

Please note that hotel ratings in Italy are not governed by the same standards as those in the UK/Ireland.

Tipping is optional and always at your discretion. As a general guideline, you may consider tipping your main guide, driver, and any local guides who assist you during activities. The amount is entirely up to you and should reflect your satisfaction with the service provided.

Remember to download your e-ticket to confirm the times of your flights and to complete online check-in using the airline's website, or directly at the check-in desk at the airport.

Accommodation at the hotels is as indicated. In the event of any changes to accommodation, they will always be of the same, or a higher category. The category of hotels is not standardized across all countries in the world. For this reason, the criteria may differ depending on the destination country's own standards.

In the case of adverse weather conditions, for safety reasons or for any other reasons deemed appropriate, the order and duration of the excursions included in the itinerary may be changed or canceled without prior notice.

If you have reduced mobility, require the use of a wheelchair, or you would prefer this tour to be a private experience for you and your group, you must contact our Experts at +44 20 8068 3176 before booking to ensure that your needs can be met.

While on the road, it is highly unlikely that the vehicle will be equipped with wifi or bathroom facilities, although rest stops will be made for long trips. We recommend purchasing a new SIM card at the airport or placing an e-SIM before travel to guarantee internet connection.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office offer up-to-date travel advice by visiting https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

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