A loop across Sicily from Palermo to Taormina: street food and Arab-Norman mosaics, Cefalù, the Valley of the Temples, the Baroque towns of Ragusa, Modica and Noto, Siracusa's Ortigia and a guided day on Mount Etna.
Route9 nights · 5 stops · 2 day trips
Getting there and around
Day 1
A driver meets you at Palermo airport for the transfer to your hotel, about 40 minutes.
Evening walk along Via Maqueda to the Quattro Canti crossroads and the Fontana Pretoria, then dinner in the old town.
Night in Palermo, in a 4-star hotel in the historic center.
Day 2
A guided walk through Arab-Norman Palermo, a UNESCO World Heritage site: the Palatine Chapel in the Norman Palace and the cathedral. Then a street food tour through the Ballarò market: arancine, panelle and sfincione.
In the afternoon, a drive up to Monreale, about 30 minutes, for the gold mosaics of its cathedral.
Night in Palermo, in your 4-star hotel.
Day 3
A day trip along the coast to Cefalù, about an hour by regional train. Visit the Norman cathedral, wander the lanes down to the old washhouse and swim from the town beach. The fit can climb La Rocca above the town, about an hour up.
Night in Palermo, in your 4-star hotel.
Day 4
Pick up your rental car and drive south across the island to Agrigento, about 130 km and two hours.
In the late afternoon, a guided visit of the Valley of the Temples, when the Temple of Concordia turns golden. In summer, the site often stays open into the evening.
Night in Agrigento, in a 4-star hotel near the Valley of the Temples.
Day 5
Drive inland to the Villa Romana del Casale near Piazza Armerina, about an hour and a half, to see its Roman floor mosaics with a guide.
Continue to Ragusa, about an hour and three quarters, and walk down the stairs to Ragusa Ibla, the old town on its hill.
Night in Ragusa, in a 4-star hotel in Ragusa Ibla.
Day 6
Morning in Modica, with a tasting of its grainy chocolate, worked cold to a recipe that goes back to the Spanish era.
Afternoon in Noto, about 40 minutes away, and its golden Baroque main street. Stay for sunset on the cathedral steps before driving back to Ragusa.
Night in Ragusa, in your 4-star hotel.
Day 7
Drive to Siracusa, about an hour and a half. A guided visit of the Neapolis archaeological park: the Greek theater and the cave called the Ear of Dionysius.
In the evening, cross the bridge to the island of Ortigia for dinner near the cathedral square.
Night in Siracusa, in a 4-star hotel in Ortigia.
Day 8
Morning at the Ortigia market, then drive north to Taormina, about 120 km and an hour and a half. Leave the car at your hotel: the town center is closed to traffic.
In the afternoon, the Greek theater, with Etna on one side and the sea on the other.
Night in Taormina, in a 4-star hotel with a view of the sea.
Day 9
A guided day on Mount Etna with a volcano guide. On the south side, a cable car rises from about 1,900 to about 2,500 meters, and 4x4 vehicles continue to about 2,800 meters. How far you go depends on the volcano's activity and the authorities' rules on the day.
On the way down, lunch at a winery on the slopes and a tasting of Etna wines.
Night in Taormina, in your 4-star hotel.
Day 10
Drive or take a private transfer to Catania airport, about an hour, where you return the car before your flight home.
Our pickCrowds
April to June and September to October: warm days for the archaeological sites, a swimmable sea from June, and the grape harvest on Etna in autumn. July and August are very hot inland. Winter is mild on the coast and quiet, with snow possible on Etna.
Reviews from travelers who booked with us, in Italy.
Caroline was fantastic to work with
Our trip planner, Caroline, was fantastic to work with! She was patient, responsive and recommended fabulous experiences. She found amazing local guides and tours. The Last Supper was incredible to see during our fabulous Milan City Tour with guide Lara. Our favorite day at Lake Como was a guided hike with lovely and knowledgeable Maria ended with a picnic high in the mountains overlooking the Lake. Taking the Bernin…
Our trip planner, Caroline, was fantastic to work with! She was patient, responsive and recommended fabulous experiences. She found amazing local guides and tours. The Last Supper was incredible to see during our fabulous Milan City Tour with guide Lara. Our favorite day at Lake Como was a guided hike with lovely and knowledgeable Maria ended with a picnic high in the mountains overlooking the Lake. Taking the Bernina express through the Alps gave us hours of magical beauty. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Neuschwanstein castle that was lead by a local boy, Alessandro, who was amazing and enjoyable to be with. And finally we ended the trip in Munich to enjoy OctoberFest and a few major WWII sites. Incredible and memorable trip! Thanks to Caroline and the Mobee International team!
Detailed planning for Switzerland and Italy
Valentine was very detailed and helped us along the way when we had questions. She planned an amazing trip and made our lives easier!
Great local guides in Paris and Florence
All of local guides were great in both Paris and Florence. Fashionista guide and food guide were wonderful Francesco on conquering trrra and San Gianni was great with knowledge and flrxinilitu given the heater had a great time in spite of done challenges both hotels not prepared for I room double bed and 2 rooms twin beds even though I was clear with agent. There were mix up’s with cars to add imports seems we were t…
All of local guides were great in both Paris and Florence. Fashionista guide and food guide were wonderful Francesco on conquering trrra and San Gianni was great with knowledge and flrxinilitu given the heater had a great time in spite of done challenges both hotels not prepared for I room double bed and 2 rooms twin beds even though I was clear with agent. There were mix up’s with cars to add imports seems we were told 2 cars and then we would have a van with one driver which makes sense but did I pay for 2 cars each time. It took time to learn metro and we used it but going st night for stone river cruise directions said one hour needed and we left 9 minutes before and missed the boat by 46 minutes we do not know the traffic in Paris and I fett at l we should have been told more what to expect do we missed it yo the great disappointment got my oldest granddaughter and we were all dressed up I need an invoice with expenses for thst yo see if I can claim on my travel insurance and walking around looking for a place to eat. Is this new way of customers going to the guide which was an added stressor is that the way Mobee International is moving to? Do I believe my family made the best of it and we had a great time but I believe the agent does not fo detail well. Even directions or referrals got restaurants web sites were not how reservations were made those are things we would not know. I would think twice about working either Mobee International agdin
Two minutes, three steps. Free and without obligation.
Ten days is enough for a full loop of the island's highlights, with two or three nights in each area so you are not changing hotels every day. With a week, we focus on the east: Siracusa, the Baroque towns, Etna and Taormina. With two weeks, we add the Aeolian Islands or the west coast. Our Sicily itinerary compares the options.
Driving is the most flexible way to link the towns, and the main roads are good, but city traffic and parking in Palermo and Catania are hard work. That is why the car starts only on day 4 and you leave it at the hotel in Taormina. Historic centers are restricted traffic zones (ZTL). A private driver costs more but suits those who prefer not to drive.
Sometimes. The upper craters can only be visited with authorized guides, and access depends on the volcano's activity and the rules in force on the day. In practice, most visitors reach about 2,800 meters by cable car and 4x4, then walk with a volcano guide to about 3,000 meters when the rules allow. Bring warm layers and closed shoes, even in summer.
Most travelers connect through Rome or Milan, then take a short flight to Palermo or Catania. This trip starts in Palermo and ends in Catania, so book an open-jaw ticket. A night train from Rome to Sicily also exists, crossing the Strait of Messina on a ferry.
Very. Palermo has some of Italy's best street food, Modica its chocolate, Etna its volcanic wines, and every town its cannoli and granita. We add a street food tour in Palermo, a chocolate tasting and a winery lunch, and can include a cooking class in a country house.
Eight days to taste Tuscany: a market tour in Florence, Chianti Classico and Brunello wineries with a private driver, a pasta class in a Val d'Orcia farmhouse, and Siena, Pienza and Montepulciano. 4-star stays.
Price on request
Six nights from Milan to Zurich by private transfer and train: the Borromean Islands, Lake Orta, a grotto lunch above Lugano, a cheese day in Appenzell and the Bürgenstock spa. Four 4-star hotels; an easy pace for food lovers.
From €2,999 per person
Rome and Florence planned step by step for wheelchair users and travelers with reduced mobility: an adapted vehicle with a ramp, accessible routes at the Colosseum and the Vatican, train assistance and checked hotel rooms.
Price on request
How many days you need in Italy: nights for Rome, Florence, Venice, Amalfi, the Dolomites and Sicily, with our 5 to 21-day itinerary frameworks and pace rules.
Our Sicily itinerary for 7, 10 and 14 days: Palermo, Agrigento, the Baroque towns, Ortigia, Taormina and Etna, with driving distances and Etna access rules.
Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Praiano or Sorrento? Our Amalfi Coast guide: where to stay, how many days, ferries, SITA buses, the Path of the Gods and Capri.
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