Exoticca

Up to £400 cashback | Until July 31

picture-icon

View 9 photos

Timeless Sicily: Etna, Palermo & Noto

Italy in 8 Days, 7 Nights in Destination

Sophia , Travel Expert

Sophia
Travel crafter

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.

Trip Highlights

  1. map-pin-check-icon
    Catania
  2. map-pin-check-icon
    Cefalu
  3. map-pin-check-icon
    Syracuse

Included

  1. All flights

  2. Accommodation

  3. All transfers

  4. Activities

  5. Breakfast only

Availability

  1. Departures available until November 2027

  2. Available Group tours

  3. Solo travelers from + £490

  4. Add up to 3 nights to your stay

  5. WHAT'S THIS?

Categories available

  1. superior included

  2. WHAT'S THIS?

From

£1,389

£899

/person

-35%
abta_iconatol_icon

Exoticca is fully ABTA and ATOL protected

Itinerary

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.

1st Day: UK/Ireland - Catania - Giardini Naxos

arrow-icon

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.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Arathena Rocks Hotel or similar
tripadvisor rating

384 Reviews

See our full selection

2nd Day: Giardini Naxos - Taormina - Giardini Naxos

arrow-icon

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.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Arathena Rocks Hotel or similar
tripadvisor rating

384 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

included
Taormina guided tour and granita tasting

Moderate

See more
included
Walking tour of Giardini Naxos

Light

See more

3rd Day: Giardini Naxos

arrow-icon

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.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Arathena Rocks Hotel or similar
tripadvisor rating

384 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

Optional
Mount Etna and Regional Specialities Tasting Excursion

Active

See more

4th Day: Giardini Naxos - Cefalù

arrow-icon

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.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Hotel Costa Verde Cefalu or similar
tripadvisor rating

2189 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

included
Guided Walk Through Cefalù's Old Town

Light

See more
Optional
Dinner at Tenuta Luogo Marchese

Light

See more

5th Day: Cefalù - Palermo - Cefalù

arrow-icon

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.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Hotel Costa Verde Cefalu or similar
tripadvisor rating

2189 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

included
Full-day excursion to Palermo

Active

See more

6th Day: Cefalù - Agrigento - Syracuse

arrow-icon

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.)

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Hotel Panorama Siracusa or similar
tripadvisor rating

340 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

included
Valley of the Temples guided tour

Active

See more

7th Day: Syracuse - Noto - Syracuse

arrow-icon

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.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Hotel Panorama Siracusa or similar
tripadvisor rating

340 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

Optional
Ragusa & Modica Guided Tour with Chocolate Tasting

Moderate

See more

8th Day: Syracuse - Catania - UK/Ireland

arrow-icon

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.

Select a day to go to next step

July 2026
August 2026
September 2026
October 2026

Categories Available:

superior

From £899

Selected
  • Accommodation in Superior category hotels.
  • Accommodation in Standard room.
check-icon

Accommodation: 7 Nights

Included activities

Included

Taormina guided tour and granita tasting

Included activity for day 2

Explore Taormina and its charming streets and historic centre. Admire views of the sea and Mount Etna, see the Greek Theatre from the outside and enjoy a tasting of traditional Sicilian granita, a refreshing local speciality.

Duration: 03:00h

Pick up time: 13:00

Physical rating:

Moderate

more information
Included

Walking tour of Giardini Naxos

Included activity for day 2

Join your Tour Leader for a morning walk through Giardini Naxos, Sicily’s first Greek settlement. Stroll along the seafront, taking in views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna, before enjoying free time for lunch.

Duration: 04:00h

Pick up time: 08:30

Physical rating:

Light

more information
Included

Guided Walk Through Cefalù's Old Town

Included activity for day 4

Discover Cefalù and enjoy free time for lunch before exploring its charming old town. Wander through picturesque streets, admire its sandy beaches and visit the impressive Norman Cathedral, one of Sicily’s most iconic landmarks.

Duration: 01:30h

Pick up time: 08:30

Physical rating:

Light

more information
Included

Full-day excursion to Palermo

Included activity for day 5 in Palermo

Discover Palermo on a full-day excursion. Explore the historic centre, admire Palermo Cathedral and Palazzo dei Normanni from the outside, visit the vibrant Ballarò Market and enjoy free time to explore the city before returning.

Duration: 08:30h

Pick up time: 08:30

Physical rating:

Active

more information

Show more

Available Activities

Activities are subject to availability. The price for each optional activity will be shown in the next step of the booking process.
Optional

Mount Etna and Regional Specialities Tasting Excursion

Suggested activity for day 3

Join an excursion to Mount Etna and explore Europe’s highest and most active volcano. Finish with a tasting of local products grown in Etna’s fertile volcanic soil, including wine, olives, honey, and olive oil.

Duration: 07:00h

Pick up time: 08:30

Physical rating:

Active

This excursion is subject to weather and volcanic conditions. In case of snow on Mount Etna or any unpredictable volcanic activity, the tour may be modified or cancelled for safety reasons.

more information
Optional

Dinner at Tenuta Luogo Marchese

Suggested activity for day 4

Enjoy a traditional Sicilian dinner with local starters, wild boar ragù pasta, grilled meats and a fresh side dish. Finish with a traditional dessert. Water and carefully selected wine are included to complement the meal.

Duration: 02:00h

Pick up time: 17:30

Physical rating:

Light

It will be necessary to receive information regarding any food intolerances or allergies of the guests.

more information
Optional

Ragusa & Modica Guided Tour with Chocolate Tasting

Suggested activity for day 7 in Ragusa

Discover the Baroque towns of Ragusa Ibla and Modica with a local guide. Made famous by Inspector Montalbano, admire their architecture before visiting a traditional chocolate workshop in Modica for a tasting.

Duration: 04:30h

Pick up time: 08:15

Physical rating:

Moderate

more information

The price includes

  • Departures from main UK/Ireland airports.
  • International flights: UK/Ireland - Catania - UK/Ireland.
  • 7 nights accommodation in Superior category hotels.
    See hotels included
  • 7 breakfasts.
  • Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles as indicated in the itinerary.
  • Visits as indicated in the itinerary*.
    more information
    See 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

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.

  • Entry requirements

    Passport with a minimum of 6 months validity required.

  • Visa

    No visa is required to enter the country.

  • Currency

    Euro.

  • Language

    Italian.

  • Electricity

    220 V. Adapter required.

  • Health

    There are no mandatory vaccinations for travellers from EU countries.

  • Time zone

    GMT + 01:00.

  • Other useful information

    Entry requirements may change and it is the travelers’ responsibility to check the latest information before their trip.

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