The Other Italy: a Grand Tour of Sicily’s Taormina, Syracuse, and Palermo
Unravel the layers of Italy’s largest island on this immersive Sicily trip through Taormina, Syracuse, and Palermo, with stops in the Val di Noto, Egadi Islands, and Trapani.
Italy
11 days / 10 nights
$4,950 /person
$4,950 /person
Your trip at a glance
Top Activities
Visiting Taormina’s Greek Theater to imagine the sights and sounds of Hellenistic Sicily
Walking along Mount Etna’s volcanic terrain and scenic craters
Cruising to Sicily’s Egadi Islands on a Favignana and Levanzo Boat Tour
Tasting Modica chocolate straight from the source at one of the city’s oldest chocolate laboratories
Touring Palermo’s No Mafia Museum to uncover the truth of the island’s battle with organized crime
Benvenuti in Sicilia!
Greek Ruins and Theatrical Treasures of Ancient Taormina
Exploring Eruptive Mount Etna, Lava Flows, and Volcanic Craters
Ancient Tombstones and a Sciacca Tasting in Pantalica
The Island of Ortigia and the Greek Soul of Siracusa
Show All 11 days
Modica Chocolate, Hilltop Ragusa, and the Val di Noto’s Baroque Villages
Agrigento’s Temple Valley and a Trapani Welcome to Western Sicily
An Island Off the Island: Day Trip to Favignana and Sicily's Egadi Islands
The Medieval Hilltop Haven of Erice
Mafia History and Street Food Stalls in Historic Palermo
Alla Prossima!
Exploring Eruptive Mount Etna, Lava Flows, and Volcanic Craters
Overview
You can’t come to Sicily's East Coast without taking a closer peek at the region’s signature volcano. As the world’s most active volcano, Mount Etna embodies the Sicilian spirit; it comes with an unpredictable beauty, equal parts passionate and surprising. You’ll discover its qualities and so much more during today’s half-day volcano tour. After breakfast this morning, your local expert guide will lead you inland, where that faraway volcanic silhouette will grow and grow before your eyes. As you drive, you’ll pass by lava flows of recent years and centuries-old forests. When you reach Mount Etna, you’ll participate in an easy hike of roughly 45 minutes, during which you’ll walk around side craters in the barren lava flow landscape. You’ll then don a helmet to explore a lava cave, closing the gap between you and the sublime beauty of this eruptive area. During these experiences, your English-speaking volcanologist guide will fill you in on Etna’s history, natural features, and folklore. Note that today’s tour won’t take you to Etna’s top. For that, you’ll have the option to book a full-day tour, which would require a longer and more intense hike. After about five hours, the tour will conclude, and you’ll return to Taormina by the early afternoon. That’s more than enough time to freshen up for a leisurely dinner in town or a spritz in a piazza. (Breakfast)
Highlights
Mt. Etna
Dominating the landscape of eastern Sicily, Mt. Etna marks her territory with a massive, brooding presence that demands to be seen. Roughly 3,326 meters tall, Etna ranks as Italy's highest mountain south of the Alps — and the largest active volcano in all of Europe. According to UNESCO, it's also the world's most active stratovolcano. During today's tour, you'll navigate this volcano with both excitement and safety at the forefront. Alongside your volcanologist guide, you'll dive into the patterns and inner workings of this eruptive and ever-active peak.
Etna's Eruptions and History
Near the coast touching on the Messina Strait, Etna represents a terrestrial laboratory, whose volcanic zones and intense eruptions have been observed and discussed since Antiquity; writings that refer to Etna actually date as far back as 2,700 years ago. Now, the volcano remains in an almost-constant state of activity. Eruptions occur most spectacularly from the four summit craters though, more often, they come from the fissures and old craters on the mountain's flanks.
Accommodations
Hotel Casa Adele (or similar)
Located in the heart of Taormina, Hotel Casa Adele sits a mere 50 meters from Porta Catania: one of two historic entrances that leads onto Corso Umberto, the main pedestrian street of the historic city center. Given the hotel's central location, you'll enjoy easy access to the city and experience a carefree holiday amidst the magic and glamour of Taormina. As for the actual property, the 1900s-era building evokes a majestic atmosphere, thanks to recent restorations that preserve history while upgrading amenities. Once you check in to your room, prepare for an idyllic stay in one of Sicily's most beloved and beautiful cities.
Location:
Viale Apollo Arcageta, 16
Phone:
+39094238873
How it works
Fill out request form
Provide your ideal trip dates and details to be matched with one of our local planning experts.
Meet your expert
Schedule a call with your expert to confirm dates, pricing and any recommended edits to the itinerary.
Book your trip
Once your itinerary is set, it’s time to pay the deposit to secure your trip.
Take-off
Let the journey begin! Your expert will offer real-time support and concierge service while traveling.
Ready to Go?
Let our local experts plan your dream trip.
What's included
Included in the final price
- Roadbook with local tips and expert recommendations
- 24/7 on-the-ground support
- On-trip concierge service
- Personalized trip crafting
- COVID entry and exit information and assistance
Not included in the final price
- International flights tickets
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and gratuities