SICILY: A Delicious Slice of Life!

Women-only small group Sicily Tour: Catania, Siracusa, Noto & Taormina

Discover the famed beauty of Sicily’s Ionian Riviera! On this 9-day getaway to the Ionian coast of Sicily, you’ll tour archaeological sites dating to the 8^th century BC, ornate baroque villages, a city built of lava, and the enchanting seaside resort of Taormina. You’ll explore Mount Etna by jeep and sample products grown in the volcanic soil of its slopes. Dine at some of Sicily’s finest restaurants, visit local markets, learn Sicilian cooking, and enjoy wine tasting at one of Sicily’s best wineries.  This active vacation offers a blend of culture, archaeology, art, history, cuisine, and a bit of luxury.

Dates: TBD September 2027  Email us to be notified and save
Priice: $TBD /Single Supplement: $TBD
Solo Travelers: Opt to share and pay no single supplement.
Upgrade Option to sea view room for 3 nights in Taormina, starting at $100 per person sharing/$170  single, subject to availability
Check Kayak.com for great flight deals to Catania (CTA).  Delta is now offering non-stop flights from JFK!

Sicily travel itinerary:

Day 1: Catania

Arrival at Catania–Fontanarossa International Airport (CTA) before 2:30 pm. Transfer to the heart of Catania, a city built of lava, dating back to 729 BCE. Here, we find ancient Roman baths and an amphitheater enclosed by a residential area, beautiful baroque architecture, and the famous Fontana dell’Elefant. Relax and enjoy the view of Mount Etna from the rooftop bar/restaurant of our 4-star hotel before gathering in the evening for a welcome dinner of local specialties and wine. (D)

Day 2: Catania

Today, we will explore this fascinating city on foot with our local guide.   Learn about the city’s history from ancient times to modern-day life in the shadow of Mount Etna. Visit the fish market, churches, and the Catania Cathedral dedicated to St Agatha, the patron saint of Catania. Today, St Agatha is also the patron Saint of breast cancer patients. Enjoy a traditional Sicilian-style lunch. (B, L)

Day 3: Ortigia (Siracusa, Syracuse)

After breakfast, transfer by minibus to Ortigia, which is the old section of Siracusa. In Ortigia, the ancient Greeks of the 8th century BCE first built a colony from which grew the city of Siracusa.  In Ortygia, our hotel is in the center of the ancient city, surrounded by baroque palaces, ornate churches, ruins of Greek temples, and just a block from Ortigia’s famed Piazza Duomo. That evening, enjoy a sunset cruise for a different view of this city known as the White City. (B, L))

Day 4: Ortigia

The best way to explore the narrow streets of Ortigia is on foot. We’ll begin our day with a visit to the local morning market with colorful produce, fresh fish, and other sights and smells, sampling food along the way. Next, we’ll learn to make some of the delicious foods Sicily is known for. You’ll learn the secrets to making traditional Sicilian cuisine; this fun experience culminates at the table, where we will enjoy the food and company together, drinking wine. Later that afternoon, we’ll be joined by our guide for a look at the city’s ancient past. According to the Homeric Hymn to Delian Apollo, Ortigia is where Leto gave birth to the goddess Artemis. After her birth, Artemis assisted her mother across the sea to the island of Delos in Greece, where Leto gave birth to Apollo. Discover ancient Greek temples, one dedicated to Apollo, protruding from the earth in the middle of the old city. Another dedicated to the virgin goddess Artemis is hidden beneath a municipal building. Athena’s temple still stands next to the temple of Artemis, but it has been incorporated into a Catholic cathedral honoring the Virgin Mary. Nearby, across the piazza, is the Church of Santa Lucia. It is believed to have been built on the site where Siracusa’s virgin patron saint, Santa Lucia, was martyred. (B, L)

Day 5: Ortigia (Noto, Syracusa)

Today, you can enjoy an excursion to the unspoiled baroque village of Noto. This beautiful town of the Val di Noto is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Due to its ornate architecture, this town is described as a garden of stone. The churches tell an exciting story of women’s role in Sicily’s religion. We’ll stop at a local restaurant for lunch before touring the Siracusa Archaeological Park with its ancient Greek and Roman structures, including a Greek theater that seats 15,000 and the ruins of a Roman amphitheater. (B)

Day 6: Taormina

After breakfast, we will bid farewell to Ortigia and travel north to the enchanting seaside town of Taormina. En route, we will stop for a wine tasting and lunch at a small family-owned winery with beautiful gardens and a 13th-century hunting lodge of Frederick II, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Arrive in Taormina and enjoy welcome refreshments at the hotel’s poolside, with beautiful vistas of the Ionian Riviera and majestic Mount Etna in the distance. That evening, we’ll explore the fascinating history of Taormina on a walking tour with our local guide. Visit the ancient Greek theater built in the 7th century BCE, discover the city’s Arabic history and beautiful medieval architecture, and visit the garden of the pioneering conservationist Florence Trevelyan. Learn about H. D. Lawrence’s self-imposed exile to this seaside paradise where he wrote his controversial novel “Lady Chatterley’s Lover.” (B, L)

Day 7: Taormina

Experience Mount Etna on a full-day 4×4 Jeep Safari with our local expert. Etna is the highest volcano in Europe, towering 10,922 feet above sea level. As we walk on lava flows and, in lava tunnels, and on extinct craters, you’ll learn of the region’s volcanic history and mythology. Pass through charming villages with vineyards on the volcano’s slopes, stopping at a winery for a wine tasting and a lunch of local delicacies made of produce grown in the rich volcanic soil. This will be a fascinating and fun day! (B, L)

Day 8: Taormina

Enjoy a day of relaxation, or an optional walk/hike (or drive) to the village of Castelmola for breathtaking 360-degree views of Mount Etna, Taormina, the bay of Giardini Naxos, and the Strait of Messina. This charming medieval village is perched upon a hill overlooking Taormina, with fewer tourists.  Here, you can explore picturesque narrow alleys with cafes, restaurants, and shops with local arts and crafts. In the evening, we’ll have our farewell dinner at one of Taormina’s best restaurants, owned by two talented sisters,  known for gourmet versions of seasonal specialties and a lovely selection of Sicilian wines, which they pair with the food. (B, D)

Day 9: Transfer to Airport

Morning transfer to Catania–Fontanarossa International Airport (CTA) in time for international flights departing at 10:30 am or later. Private transfers can be arranged for other times for an additional cost.