Mainland Italy to Sicily – 14 day itinerary

Colosseum and Roman Forum

Travel back in time on your first day in Rome on our unique walking tour of the epic Colosseum, which also includes a visit to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (includes entry tickets). This fascinating walking tour begins with the imposing Colosseum, one of the world’s most famous landmarks. Led by a professional guide you will learn about the Colosseum’s construction and the deadly gladiator battles that it hosted, as well as its ongoing preservation as an archaeological site.

After learning all about the Colosseum your guide will take you on a journey of discovery around the Roman Forum, which is a rectangular plaza surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient buildings. For centuries it was the center of Roman public life and here you can retrace the footsteps of the ancient Romans and learn more about the Roman Empire and its famous characters. To finish off, you will visit Palatine Hill, which stands 40 meters above the Forum – it is the center-most of the Seven Hills of Rome and is one of the most ancient parts of the city.

Vatican Museum and Castel Saint’Angelo

Explore more of the Eternal City visiting the Vatican Museum including the breathtaking Sistine Chapel, and St Peter’s Basilica. The Vatican is the center of Catholosism and a sensory overload, leaving a lasting impression on visitors from all over the world, faithful or other. Aside from the religious aspect, it is unparalled in terms of historically significant art, with tireless works of Michalangelo and Raffael.

Not too far from the Vatican City is Castel Saint’Angelo, an imposing curved castel representative of ancient Roman architecture constructed in 135AD. We recommend ending your evening in the Jewish quarter, a quaint neighborhood bursting with authentic Roman restaurants serving dishes typical of the area dating back to the sixteenth century.

Boat tour of Capri

This full-day excursion to the glorious island of Capri begins with a relaxing boat ride along the Sorrentine coast, allowing you to absorb the glorious sea views and coastal vistas as you approach the island. Known as the Pearl of the Mediterranean, Capri is a revered vacation resort with quaint alleyways and boutique stores that you can discover with free time on the island (between 4 and 5 hours). You will then be treated to a boat tour around the island, allowing you to see Salto di Tiberio, the Faraglioni, numerous fascinating caves and the Punta Carena Lighthouse. There will be several stops for swimming or snorkeling, and there will also be the opportunity to relax on the boat to appreciate the scenery. Of course, you will also have the chance to see the enchanting and magical Blue Grotto (weather permitting).

Historical tour of Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii

Journey back in time to 79 AD on this fascinating, yet thrilling, sightseeing tour to Pompeii and the epic Mount Vesuvius (entry tickets included). This tour begins with a pretty coach tour of the Sorrentine peninsula before reaching the ancient town of Pompeii, which is regarded as one of the world’s most important archaelogical finds. Pompeii is a historic settlement that was lost for nearly 1500 years beneath a blanket of ash following an ancient volcanic eruption. The ash served to preserve everything in the town from its buildings and materials to its unfortunate residents and so yields a unique and fascinating glimpse back to ancient times. On this excursion you will have plenty of time to discover the main monuments and homes before having free time for lunch and moving on to the imposing Mount Vesuvius. This tour takes you by coach to the outer crater of Mount Vesuvius called Mount Somma, which sits at an altitude of 1000 meters. From here you will have the opportunity to walk to the top of the internal active cone with a mountain guide. On clear days, you can enjoy striking views of the sea from here, taking in scenes of distant islands dotted in the blue-green waters of the Gulf of Naples.

Tour of Palermo

Admire Palermo – a city rich in history, culture, art, music and food – with this tour that covers all main landmarks of the city, including the Norman-style Cathedral and its stunning mosaics. You’ll also visit Italy’s largest theater, Massimo Theatre, as well as the oldest royal residence in Europe, the Norman Palace. You’ll finish the tour at the famous Ballero Market, where Sicily comes to life through flavors, smells and friendly market vendors.

Erice and Trapani

Enhance your sightseeing experience of Sicily on an enriching full-day excursion to Erice and Trapani. On this tour, you can delight in the medieval majesty of Erice, a walled town that reigns over the picturesque harbor of Trapani, before delving into the historical wonders of Trapani, one of Sicily’s most in-demand destinations. This tour gives you the chance to get acquainted with Trapani on a deep and memorable level through its key landmarks. There will also be the opportunity to hike along the coastal reserve and take in glorious vistas that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Explore Cefalu

This morning you’ll enjoy a scenic drive from your hotel in Palermo to your hotel in Cefalu, giving you plenty of time to relax and take in the unique scenery. The rest of the day will then be yours to explore Cefalu or relax on the beach as you wish. In Cefalu, you’ll find boutique stores and impressive Norman architecture in the historic center, as well as beautiful beaches and calm seas to swim in. We highly recommend tasting the glorious seafood, which is caught locally and is full of flavor!

Discover Cefalu

Today, you’ll explore Cefalu and all its hidden landmarks on a special walking tour, featuring streets lined with boutique shops, historic architecture, beautiful beaches and delicious cuisine. With the help of our local guide, you’ll get to know Cefalu and discover another side of Sicily, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of the fascinating confluence of architectural styles that have made Cefalu famous.

Last day in Cefalu

This Italy and Sicily vacation gives you plenty of time to relax and today will be a leisure day so that you can enjoy a day at the beach or shop in the many boutiques throughout Cefalu. Cefalu Beach on the edge of town is, without a doubt, one of the best in Italy. Stretching 1.5-kilometers, this soft, golden sand beach is fringed by incredibly clear waters and, in the evening, you can enjoy dinner at a typical local restaurant – as a part of our complete Sicily travel service, we can arrange the reservation for you and even make menu recommendations!

VIP Valley of the Temples tour

Today you can immerse yourself in Sicily’s Greek past with a tour of Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, which is a UNESCO-protected archaeological site that hints to Sicily’s turbulent past.

This tour experience takes you to the sacred site, where an expert guide will treat you to a guided walk through the Valley. It will truly feel like you are stepping back in time as your guide tells you about how the temples were constructed, what their purpose was and how great efforts are being made today to help preserve this sacred site.

As a part of your tour, you will see the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Herakles, the Temple of Zeus and the Sanctuary of Chtonian Deities (Temple of Castor and Pollux). This unique site is a must-see on any Sicily vacation and we are sure you will make memories here to treasure forever!

Road trip to Taormina

Today our driver will take you across the center of Sicily to the iconic east coast town of Taormina. On the will get a feel for the Sicilian countryside and be able to visit less touristic towns such as Enna which is about half way. You may also break up the day with a relaxing lunch at a Sicilian winery.

Tour Taormina with a local guide

Today, you’ll discover the hidden treasures of this picturesque historic town on a walking tour of its main sights, including Borgo Medievale (Taormina’s oldest neighborhood), the Baroque fountain, Villa Communcale, Piazza del Duomo and Taormina Teatro Greco. You’ll learn all about the history of this stunning town and its monuments, and have plenty of time to ask your guide questions to learn more about this intriguing corner of Sicily.

Visit Europe’s most active volcano

Today, you’ll take a trip up Europe’s most active volcano. Standing guard over Sicily at a height of 3,320 meters, Mount Etna is one of Europe’s biggest volcano with a base circumference of 93 miles. On this thrilling tour, you’ll begin in the foothills of the mighty volcano, taking in the exotic wildlife with your guide, before embarking on a walking tour to Rifugio Sapienza, which includes the famous Monti Silvestri Craters. Here, you will be able to take in unbelievable sea views and views of the surrounding countryside.

Take it easy in Taormina

On the final day of your Italy and Sicily vacation you can spend the day soaking in the Sicilian sun or discovering the surroundings at your leisure. A visit to the Greek Theater of Taormina is strongly suggested, or you may want to visit Taormina’s public gardens, which are dedicated to Lady Florence, an important Scottish noblewoman who called this special place her home in the 19th century. As a final treat, we suggest you bid farewell to Sicily with a typical Sicilian dinner at a traditional restaurant. As a part of our dedicated Italy travel service, we can arrange the reservation for you and treat you to a local bottle of Mount Etna wine!