Sicily in Depth

Insight Vacations (AU) · 9 days

Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply

Sicily in Depth
9 Days
From AUD $5125
Trip Type
Group Tour
Activity Level
Easy

Rating


(10 reviews)

Sicily in Depth

Sicily in Depth

Insight Vacations (AU) · 9 days

Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply

Duration

9 days

Tour Type

Group Tour

Accommodations

Deluxe

Physical Rating

Easy

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

See every slice of Sicily during this 9-day Sicily guided tour. Take off to Paradise Quarry in Syracuse with a Local Expert, who will show you its Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped limestone grotto: call out to your fellow travellers here, and your voice may echo as many as 16 times.

Highlights

Dining Summary

  • 5 Dinner (D)
  • 8 Breakfast (B)

Choice Highlights

    Choose between two carefully selected activities
  • Syracuse: Wander through the gardens of Paradise Quarry, test the remarkable acoustics in the Ear of Dionysius and step into the ancient Greek theatre, set within one of Sicily’s most evocative historic sites.
  • Syracuse: Stroll through the old town on the island of Ortigia, tracing its narrow lanes towards the Fonte Aretusa and the legends that continue to shape this historic waterfront.

Additional Included Highlights

  • Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
  • Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
  • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
  • From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
  • Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
  • If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

Authentic Dining

  • Palermo: Embark on a fun exploration of Palermo's tasty culinary scene on a Dine-Around evening.
  • Marsala: Enjoy a tasting of some of the island's richest Sicilian wines at a local winery in Marsala.
  • Ragusa: Savour the flavours of Ragusa during your Farm-to-Table dining experience, highlighting the freshest locally sourced ingredients – a relaxing moment spent with your fellow travellers.
  • Giardini Naxos: Your celebration dinner reflects some of Sicily's top culinary heritage.

Insight Choice

  • Syracuse: Wander through the gardens of Paradise Quarry, test the remarkable acoustics in the Ear of Dionysius and step into the ancient Greek theatre, set within one of Sicily’s most evocative historic sites.
  • Syracuse: Stroll through the old town on the island of Ortigia, tracing its narrow lanes towards the Fonte Aretusa and the legends that continue to shape this historic waterfront.

Make Travel Matter

  • Trapani: Explore how the ancient tradition of salt extraction has been handed down from generation to generation. Set in a breathtaking natural landscape, home to pink flamingos and various aquatic birds, the salt pans and windmills create a picturesque scene against a backdrop of sea and sky. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Top Rated Highlights

  • Palermo: Visit the spectacular 12th-century Palatine Chapel. Its sombre exterior gives away few clues to the riches inside. Step into a world where the walls glitter with 12th-century mosaics - the best of their kind in the world.
  • Agrigento: Explore the Valley of the Temples and its impressive Hellenistic ruins like the well-preserved Temple of Concordia and the clifftop Temple of Juno overlooking the Sicilian landscape.
  • Piazza Armerina: Travel to the Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO site since 1997. The Villa is one of the most luxurious of its kind, showcasing it's rich and intricate mosaics which decorate almost every room.
  • Ragusa: Walk through Ragusa with a Local Expert, taking in its noted Baroque churches and the elegant facades that define the old town.
  • Modica: Discover Modica’s celebrated hand-made chocolate, shaped by age-old techniques and rich aromas. You’ll watch the process unfold and sample pieces that carry the distinctive texture and flavour made possible through Modica's traditional cold-working process.
  • Taormina: Visit Taormina’s ancient amphitheatre with your Local Expert. Carved from honey-coloured stone and set high on the cliff, the theatre frames wide views of the Ionian Sea and the distant rise of Mount Etna through its weathered arches.
  • Taormina: Wander through Taormina’s limestone streets and lively boutiques with a Local Expert. Then enjoy free time along Corso Umberto and take in the broad outlook from Piazza IX Aprile, where the town opens towards sea and sky.

Travel Director

  • "A type of food I really love introducing my guests to is the street food because it tells a lot about the habits of the locals, it can be a slice of pizza folded up or a sfogliatella in Naples, an arancini, a gelato in Sicily, or a cannolo. "
  • "One fun fact people don't usually know before they come to Italy is that the Italian alphabet only has 22 letters."
  • "One thing I really love about showing guests about Italy is how art and beauty can be found around every corner of some of Italy's cities, which are real open air museums."

Well-being

  • Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
  • Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Sicily in Depth

Trip Details

Duration

9 days

Transportation

Private

Guide Language

English

Starts

Palermo, Italy

Finishes

Catania, Italy

Accommodations

Deluxe

Travel Style

Explorer, Budget

Physical Rating

Easy

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Welcome to Palermo
Relax and settle in before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Palazzo Liberty Unique
Meals: Dinner
2
Day 2: Palermo & the Golden Age of the Normans
Discover Palermo on a walking tour featuring a visit to the stunning 12th-century Palatine Chapel with a Local Expert. This afternoon, enjoy leisure time exploring Palermo Cathedral, a fascinating site with its unique blend of architectural styles reflecting centuries of history. For your dining pleasure, you can try the foods the locals like to eat and experience how they like to eat it on your Dine-Around Evening.

Accommodation: Palazzo Liberty Unique
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
3
Day 3: Trapani and Marsala
Nestled along its crescent-shaped coastline, Trapani is embraced by the Mediterranean Sea. Discover the age-old tradition of salt production when you visit the colourful salt pans and an ancient stone windmill during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to see where sea water is transformed into salt crystals. Then, savour the flavours of Marsala with a tasting at a local winery, where you can enjoy the town's renowned wine in beautiful surroundings.

Accommodation: Seawater, Marsala
Meals: Breakfast
4
Day 4: Explore the Valley of the Temples
Travel along the southern coast of Sicily en route to Agrigento. In Agrigento, explore the Valley of the Temples with a Local Expert. Recognised by UNESCO, these temples are exceptional examples of ancient Greek architecture. Marvel at the imposing Temple of Concordia and the cliff-top Temple of Juno, both overlooking the sea. Reflect on this unforgettable day with your fellow travellers over dinner at the hotel, sharing insights and experiences.

Accommodation: The Scala dei Turchi Resort, Agrigento
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
5
Day 5: Discover Villa Romana del Casale and Ragusa
Travel inland to the Villa Romana del Casale, a luxurious Roman villa renowned for its rich and intricate mosaics. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1997, showcases the opulence of ancient Rome. Continue to Ragusa and explore the labyrinthine alleyways of Ragusa Ibla with your Local Expert. The town, with origins dating back to the Bronze Age, was once inhabited by the Sicels tribe, who gave their name to Sicily. Admire the remarkable Sicilian Baroque architecture that has earned Ragusa UNESCO recognition. In the evening, savour the rich flavours of locally sourced ingredients with a delicious Farm-to-Table dinner at a charming local restaurant.

Accommodation: Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
6
Day 6: Modica Relaxed Start
Enjoy a Relaxed Start this morning or join an Optional Experience to the Val di Noto and the town of Noto. Later, explore the town of Modica, rebuilt after the 17th-century earthquake, and discover its artisanal techniques used to create the town's celebrated handmade chocolate.

Accommodation: Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa
Meals: Breakfast
7
Day 7: Ancient Syracuse
Discover Syracuse through Insight Choice. Opt for sightseeing with your Local Expert at Syracuse’s Paradise Quarry, home to the unique Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped grotto with remarkable acoustics. Next, visit the impressive Greek theatre, carved from solid rock, and one of the largest of the ancient world. Alternatively, take time to explore the atmospheric Old City on the island of Ortigia, a labyrinth of narrow streets lined with palaces. This historic area is where the famed mathematician Archimedes famously ran through the streets, exclaiming 'Eureka!' Continue your journey along Sicily’s picturesque Ionian Riviera to the charming resort of Giardini Naxos or Marina Forza d'Agrò (departure dependent).

Accommodation: Hellenia Yachting, Giardini Naxos, Baia Taormina, Marina di Forza D’Agrò
Meals: Breakfast
8
Day 8: Taormina and the Dawn Coast of Europe
Your hotel faces east, offering early risers a glimpse of why D.H. Lawrence dubbed this 'The Dawn Coast of Europe'. After breakfast, consider an Optional Experience through the vineyards to Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. Journey to the charming old town of Taormina, perched on Mount Tauro with views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. With your Local Expert, visit the ancient Greek theatre, set on a cliff and open to the sky. Sit and absorb the breath-taking view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna. Stroll along the elegant Corso Umberto and enjoy panoramic views from Piazza IX Aprile. Celebrate your time in Sicily with a delightful dinner at a local restaurant, savouring Sicilian cuisine with exquisite Italian wines.

Accommodation: Hellenia Yachting, Giardini Naxos, Baia Taormina, Marina di Forza D’Agrò
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
9
Day 9: Depart Catania
Your Sicily tour has now come to an end. Appreciate views of Mount Etna on your way to the airport.

Meals: Breakfast
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $5,125
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin

Duration: 9 days

Trip Type: Group Tour

Activity Level: Easy

See every slice of Sicily during this 9-day Sicily guided tour. Take off to Paradise Quarry in Syracuse with a Local Expert, who will show you its Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped limestone grotto: call out to your fellow travellers here, and your voice may echo as many as 16 times.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 02 Apr 2027

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
5.0
Anonymous
Traveled, May 2019

05/15/2019

The tour director was very familiar with the area and did everything to meet the needs of the 39 travellers under her care. Our driver was a skilled, personable driver. Every historical site was explained by a professional expert. Accommodation was first class. A thorough trip through Sicily! Perhaps more forewarning of the amount of walking involved would have been appreciated especially by those who are overweight or older. We would have liked to have visited more markets, but we're very pleased with all places on the itinerary.

4.5
Anonymous
Traveled, May 2024

05/15/2024

Excellent once we connected with the tour but poor coordination getting us from airport to first hotel. It was even worse for several other travelers. Went many amazing and varied places in just a few days. Tour director was fun and knowledgeable. Local guides were excellent. Hotels in Gahanna and Palermo were much below our expectations for Insight.

Tour Operator

Insight Vacations is a premium guided tour operator specializing in immersive, luxury travel experiences across Europe, North America, and beyond. Part of The Travel Corporation (TTC), Insight offers carefully curated itineraries that combine high-quality accommodations, exclusive experiences, and expert Travel Directors who bring destinations to life. With a focus on comfort, cultural authenticity, and personalization, Insight emphasizes “premium escorted journeys,” featuring small group sizes, luxury coaches with extra legroom, and insider access to local traditions, cuisine, and people. Their philosophy is to transform trips into meaningful travel experiences that leave lasting connections with the destinations and cultures visited.

In Business Since 1978