Sicily Walk

Arrive at Palermo airport and transfer together to our hotel in the heart of the city where we spend our first three nights. This evening, join fellow travelers for a reception in the hotel’s historic restaurant.

This morning, set out on a walking tour of Quattro Canti, Palermo’s baroque square, to see the Palermo Cathedral, built by the Normans in the 12th century, and the Church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio. In the afternoon, we visit the stunning Monreale Cathedral. These three religious structures, together with additional structures, form a UNESCO World Heritage site honoring the intersection of Western, Islamic, and Byzantine cultures.

Travel outside the city to the town of Calatafimi, the starting point for Garibaldi’s march on Rome. Walk through vineyards to the magnificent Temple of Segesta, considered the best surviving example of Doric architecture in Europe. Enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the temple. After visiting the site, return to Palermo by road.

Depart Palermo and drive east along the coast, stopping to see the magnificent Cefalù Cathedral. Arrive in Milazzo and board a hydrofoil to reach Vulcano Island, where we spend three nights. Enjoy free time to explore the island before dinner.

We concentrate today on the two adjacent and most important islands of the archipelago, Vulcano and Lipari. On Vulcano, climb to the top of the eponymous volcano to walk amongst the sulphur fumaroles and take in the dramatic. Continue to the neighboring island of Lipari for lunch in a local trattoria. Spend time in the main town with its remarkable museum of ancient history before returning to Vulcano by boat.

After a free morning on Vulcano, travel by hydrofoil to Panarea. Stop for lunch, then walk along the coast to a Bronze Age settlement perched dramatically above the blue waters of the Mediterranean. Later this afternoon, climb aboard our private chartered vessel to visit the nearby island of Stromboli. Take a short walk to view the volcano before returning to the boat to dine al fresco. Continue around the island by boat, watching the sun set and taking in the glorious display of Stromboli, which erupts every 20 minutes.

Return by hydrofoil to Milazzo. From there, continue by road on to Taormina. After a walking tour of the town, stop for lunch overlooking the cathedral square. Next, drive south to our final stop at the most beautiful city on the island, Siracusa.

Venture to the coast at Noto for a morning walk in the Vendicari Nature Reserve through coastal scrub punctuated by some of the most beautiful beaches in Sicily. This afternoon, we visit the nearby town of Noto. Wander the streets of this enchanting city lined in beautiful buildings, all built in the 17th-century Baroque style. Later, return to Siracusa by road.

Spend today in the heart of Sicily’s past. Begin our tour of Siracusa in Ortygia, the main Greek settlement on Sicily and home to a stunning cathedral and wonderful Baroque buildings. Enjoy an independent lunch and time to explore on our own. Later, drive to the Archaeological Park of Syracuse to visit the Greek Theatre of Syracuse and the Altar of Hieron II. Tonight, gather and toast our journey at a reception and dinner overlooking the beautiful Aegean Sea.

Transfer to Catania airport for our flights home.