Europe – Sicily

8 Days/7 Nights
Palermo, Monreale, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina, Caltagirone, Siracusa, Mt. Etna, Taormina

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Experience the beauty, history and traditions that have been cultivated over the 10,000 years since this island paradise off Italy’s southeast coast was first settled. With features that include hilly landscapes, stunning coastlines and the most active volcano in Europe, it’s no wonder that the land has shaped the people who call it home. And as any visitor quickly finds out, the Sicilian people are welcoming to all those who come and embrace the food, culture and way of life that is truly unique to this magical island.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Monreale Cathedral
Take a privately guided tour of this stunning 12th-century cathedral, monastery and gardens.
Sicilian Village Experience
Experience daily life in the small Sicilian village of Sant’Angelo Muxaro through meeting its artisans and having a traditional village lunch.
Valley of the Temples Ruins Visit
Explore the ruins of several ancient Greek Doric temples that shows Greece’s influence in Sicily.
Caltagirone Ceramics Experience and Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte
Marvel at the intricate designs and vibrant colors created at this traditional artisan ceramic studio—and paint a keepsake of your own. Then visit the famed staircase decorated in tiles.
Isola Bella Boat Tour
Sail the tranquil, turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea off Isola Bella as you relax, swim, snorkel and explore the Blue Cave.

Adventure Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Palermo

Ciao e benvenuto a Sicily! Once you clear customs and retrieve your luggage in the baggage claim area, look for the Adventures by Disney representative who will assist you with your luggage and take you to the pre-arranged transportation to your hotel.

Check-in at Hotel & Explore

As soon as you walk through the entrance to the Grand Hotel et Des Palmes—your home for the next 2 nights—you’ll feel enveloped in the elegance and romanticism that permeates throughout this iconic Sicilian hotel. Once you check in, spend time exploring the hotel and discover the amenities it offers. Then venture outside into the heart of Palermo and walk the shop- and café-lined streets of Sicily’s capital city.

Welcome Dinner at Palazzo Asmundo

Gather at a former aristocratic residence renowned for its frescoes and meet with your fellow Adventurers and Adventure Guides with whom you will be creating magical memories on your amazing trip.

Meal included: Dinner

Day 2

Breakfast at the Hotel

Enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast in the hotel’s dining room to start your adventure-filled day.

Excursion to Monreale Cathedral & Monastery

Stand in awe at one of Italy’s most important monuments and one of the great examples of Norman architecture. Started in 1172 by William II, the last Norman king, and completed in 1267, the cathedral features intricate and colorful tile mosaics that depict stories from the Bible, sacred artwork and several tombs, which includes the final resting place of Louis IX, King of France. You’ll take a privately guided tour through the cathedral, the monastery and cloister gardens.

Capo Market Tour & Food Tasting Lunch

Experience the vibrancy of local foods and flavors as you make your way through the vendor stalls where you’ll taste Sicilian staples like panelle, crocche, caponata e sifincione, coppu and, of course, cannoli.

Teatro Massimo Tour

Peek behind the curtain of the Teatro Massimo, the largest theater in Italy. You’ll go backstage on a privately guided tour of this stunning building that was built in 1897 and is world-renowned for its perfect acoustics.

Old City Exploration

Feel the flow of the bustling city of Palermo as you wind your way down the streets that have lasted throughout the city’s 2,000-year history on this privately guided tour.

Capuchin Catacombs Visit

Explore the spookier side of Palermo and head down into the catacombs of the Convent of the Capuchin Friars, whose excavation began in the 16th century after the original cemetery ran out of space. Before being closed in 1939, close to 10,000 bodies were entombed in the catacombs.

Dinner On Your Own in Palermo

Work up an appetite while exploring the city of Palermo, then sit down to savor the local flavors with a delicious meal. You may dine at one of the restaurants in the hotel or in the city. Be sure to ask your Adventure Guides to recommend some of their favorite dining spots.

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3

Breakfast at the Hotel

Enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast at the hotel to start your day.

Sant’Angelo Muxaro Village Experience & Lunch

Experience daily life in a small Sicilian village on this walking tour where you’ll visit local artisans and their shops, such as tasting a local specialty at the bakery or observing the shepherd making cheese. Your walking tour culminates with a seated lunch highlighting the foods you learned about and prepared by the people you met—a village-to-table lunch!

Check-in at Hotel

Villa Athena is an 18th-century villa as well as the only 5-star luxury hotel located within the Archaeological Park of the Valley of the Temples. Situated approximately 650 feet (200 meters) from the Temple of Concordia, the hotel is in a place where nature, art and beauty have been merging for over 2,500 years in the presence of the gods.

Valley of the Temples Privately Guided Tour

Join a local expert for a privately guided tour of this stunning archaeological site comprised of the ruins of 7 temples. One of the most outstanding examples of Magna Graecia art and architecture, the site is one of Sicily’s most popular attractions and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dinner at Villa Athena

Dine at your leisure in the Restaurant Federico II, which is located in the hotel with breathtaking views up to the temples.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 4

Breakfast at the Hotel

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel before transferring to Piazza Armerina to begin the day’s adventures.

Villa Romana del Casale

As you tour the ruins of this Imperial Roman villa that dates back to the 4th century, you’ll be awed as you see the stories unfold in the richest, largest and most complex collection of late Roman mosaics in the world. The villa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of Sicily’s most popular destinations for visitors.

Lunch at a Local Agriturismo

Savor the wonderful flavors from a locally grown and highly sustainable lunch as you dine at a converted 14th-century monastery.

Caltagirone Ceramics Experience and Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte

Get a privately guided tour of this traditional artisan ceramics studio in a village famous for their intricate ceramic designs and vibrant colors. You’ll get a demonstration where you’ll learn about the process that goes into creating these stunning works of art. Then, you’ll even get to put your artistic flare to the test by painting your very own ceramic keepsake.

You’ll also visit the famed Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte, where each step is decorated with locally designed ceramic tiles.

Check-in at Hotel

Following your coach transfer to Siracusa, you’ll arrive at the Grand Hotel Ortigia, your home for the next 2 nights. While your Adventure Guides get you checked in, explore this charming hotel that was built in in the late 19th century in the Liberty style.

Adult Dinner at Hotel

Adults will dine at leisure in the hotel’s La Terrazza Sul Mare Ristorante with stunning views of Ortigia and the sea.

Junior Adventurer Dinner at Hotel

While the adults enjoy their meal, Junior Adventurers will dine together in a private setting in the hotel.

Junior Adventurer Movie Night

Following dinner, Junior Adventurers will gather to relax and enjoy a movie together.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 5

Breakfast at the Hotel

Enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast at the hotel to start off your adventure-filled day.

Neapolis Archaeological Park Guided Exploration

See the influence the Greeks brought to Sicily as you walk amongst the ancient Greek and Roman structures on a fascinating privately guided tour. The Neapolis Archaeological Park is located in the heart of Siracusa and contains temples, theaters and caves with exceptional acoustics.

Ortigia Walking Tour

Marvel at the many historic buildings on the island of Ortigia, the oldest part of the magnificent city of Siracusa, which is located on Sicily’s southeast coast. Among the sights you’ll visit are the Cathedral of Syracuse, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose structure is originally a Greek Doric temple, and the underground, a long intricate network of catacombs below the city.

Pizzeria Lunch on the Duomo

Dine at a local pizzeria located in the heart of Ortigia island where you can enjoy great food while watching the people as they walk through one of the most beautiful squares in Italy.

Puppet Experience

Become immersed in the story and history of the Opera dei Pupi, the Sicilian puppet theater, included in the UNESCO Cultural Intangible Heritage List. Activities include:

Puppet Workshop: Customize your own puppet creation.
Backstage Tour: Visit backstage for a fascinating glimpse of what the puppeteers do during their performances.
Puppet Museum: See the history of puppets at this museum dedicated to the art and craft of puppetry.
Private Puppet Show in Theatre: Experience the fun and excitement of a live puppet show performed by professional puppeteers.

Dinner & On Your Own Time in Siracusa

Continue your exploration of one of Sicily’s most beautiful cities. The Temple of Athena, Arethusa Spring and Castello Maniace are just a few options you may wish to visit. And after you’ve worked up an appetite, stop in a local restaurant for what is sure to be an amazing meal. Your Adventure Guides will be happy to recommend some of their go-to restaurants.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6

Breakfast at the Hotel

Enjoy a delightful breakfast at the hotel before you head out to for fantastic adventures at Mt. Etna.

Mt. Etna Experience

A day filled with adventure awaits at Mt. Etna—Europe’s highest and most active volcano. You’ll ride through small towns at the base of Mt. Etna before embarking on a Jeep tour. Following the Jeep Tour, Guests will have the option of the activities below before transferring to Barone Villagrande Winery

Ox Valley Walk: Take in the spectacular views of Mt. Etna as you walk through Ox Valley, which is a great depression left behind by a landslide.
Lava Tubes: Explore these natural tunnels formed by lava flows from a long ago volcanic eruption, including Grotta delle Nevi. This ancient volcanic cave is known as the “Cave of Snow” as it was once used as a subterranean storage for snow to be used as refreshment in the summer months.
Privately Guided Trek: Explore the trails as you walk through the stunning terrain with a dedicated guide who will share stories about the surrounding area.
Continue Jeep Exploration: Continue your exploration of the area by jeep as you traverse this unique volcanic region.

Lunch at Barone Villagrande Winery & Wine Tasting

Arrive at this gorgeous winery and estate that has been family-owned and run for 10 generations. You’ll enjoy a delicious lunch and tour the winery where they create their wines that are flavored by the volcanic born fields.

During a wine-tasting, adults can taste how hundreds of years of working the vineyards and a volcanic terroir creates unique complexities in the wine. Junior Adventurers will enjoy their own tasting of products from the region.

Taormina Walking Tour

Upon transferring from Mt. Etna, arrive in the cliffside village of Taormina where you’ll embark on a walking tour of the old town. During your tour you’ll see the town’s natural beauty—it’s often regarded as the most beautiful town in Sicily—as well as its rich heritage that is on display through the ancient architecture, including the Teatro Antico di Taormina.

Check-in at Hotel

As your Adventure Guides check you into the fabulous NH Collection Taormina, relax and explore the hotel which is your home for the next 2 nights. With a stylish blend of early 20th-century architecture combined with a modern flare and small details that reference Sicilian traditions, along with an assortment of dining options, fitness room and in-room espresso machine, you’ll feel totally at ease. Plus, the views of the sea and historic town are spectacular.

Dinner On Your Own in Taormina

After you’ve had a chance to unwind, walk into the heart of old town Taormina for a delicious meal at a local restaurant. Your Adventure Guides will be happy to recommend the perfect dining spot for your tastes.

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7

Breakfast at the Hotel

Start your day off with a tasty breakfast before you explore more of this seaside town.

Teatro Greco

Visit the 2,000-year-old ancient Greek theater that offers unparalleled views of the azure waters of the Ionian Sea as well as Mt. Etna off in the distance.

Isola Bella & Blue Caves Boat Tour

Relax and take in the spectacular scenery that surrounds you as you sail around Isola Bella in privately-chartered boats. Explore the Blue Caves and then swim and snorkel off the boat during this amazing excursion.

Lunch & Afternoon On Your Own in Taormina

Follow your delightful morning at sea with a delicious lunch in town. Then, continue to explore the shops, markets, cafés and piazzas in this charming town.

Farewell Dinner at Baronessa

What better way to say arrivederci to your fellow Adventurers than with a fabulous farewell meal at a hilltop restaurant where you’ll take in the spectacular view of the sea with Mt. Etna in the distance.

Meals include: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 8

Breakfast at the Hotel

Bid farewell to all your fellow Adventurers as you enjoy one last breakfast in Sicily.

Transfer to Catania Airport (CTA)

Say arrivederci to Sicily as you board pre-arranged transportation to Catania Airport (CTA) to begin your journey home.

Meals include: Breakfast

Trip Overview Details

FLIGHT INFORMATION

Arrive: Palermo Airport (PMO)
Return: Catania Airport (CTA)

ACCOMMODATIONS

Grand Hotel et Des Palmes
Villa Athena
Grand Hotel Ortigia
NH Collection Taormina

16 MEALS

7 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners

AGES

Minimum Age: 4
Suggested Age: 6+
Adult Exclusive: Ages 18+

Dreams Unlimited Travel

Europe – Sicily

Adventures By Disney Discounts

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