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Discover a multicultural island in the middle of the Mediterranean.
Sicily’s traditions and cuisine take on a new life as the summer comes to an end and locals take to the streets. From fresh fall harvests and beautiful blue-sky winters to warm spring weather, each season brings a unique reason to visit. Travel to lively Palermo, seaside Syracuse, and charming Taormina to uncover the island’s beautiful landscapes and interesting history.
Your tour package includes
7 nights in handpicked hotels
7 breakfasts
3 dinners with beer or wine
5 sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides
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Included highlights
Cappella Palatina
Monreale Cathedral
Piazza Armerina
Island of Ortygia
Syracuse Cathedral
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Start planning today
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Welcome to Italy! Meet your Tour Director and fellow group members at tonight’s welcome dinner.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Palermo & Monreale
Included meal: Breakfast
This morning, embark on a guided tour of the bayside city of Palermo and the hilltop town of Monreale.
Discover the city’s Baroque architecture as you pass the Quattro Canti piazza in the historic center
Step inside the Cappella Palatina to see the stunning mosaics and artwork
Head to nearby Monreale and enter Monreale Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site that combines Norman, Arab, and Byzantine architectural styles
Spend a free afternoon in Palermo or add an excursion.
Cefalù Wine Tasting & Dinner
From $119 per person
Syracuse2 nights
Day 4: Syracuse via Piazza Armerina
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
On the way to Syracuse, stop for a guided tour of Piazza Armerina and view the stunning mosaics in the UNESCO-listed Villa Romana del Casale.
After, continue on to Syracuse and sit down for an included dinner.
Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Syracuse
Included meal: Breakfast
Embark on a guided tour of Syracuse, a city known for its rich Greek history.
Visit the Greek theater, the most complete ancient Greek theater still in existence
Tour the massive Paradise Quarry and gardens, featuring the cave that Caravaggio dubbed “The Ear of Dionysius” for its unique acoustics
Visit the Roman amphitheater, then cross a bridge to the Island of Ortygia to see the Temple of Apollo and Syracuse Cathedral
Enjoy a free afternoon in Syracuse or add an excursion.
Baroque City of Noto
From $59 per person
Taormina Region3 nights
Day 6: Transfer to Taormina & sightseeing tour
Included meal: Breakfast
Transfer to Taormina, where a local guide introduces you to this scenic town perched high above the sea.
Stroll along the city’s cobblestone streets to see Taormina Cathedral and Palazzo Corvaja, seat of the first Sicilian parliament
Visit the town’s 2nd-century Greek theater which, on clear days, offers panoramic vistas of Mount Etna
Day 7: Free day in Taormina
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in Taormina or add an excursion.
Sicilian Cooking Class & Lunch
From $119 per person
Day 8: Free day in Taormina
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Enjoy a free day in Taormina or add an excursion.
This evening, celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.
Hidden Sicily: Medieval Savoca & Forza d’Agrò
From $59 per person
Flight Home
Day 9: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the Catania airport for your flight home or continue on to explore Rome.
Extension to Rome
Have your sights on more art, history, and street life? Rome is sure to deliver. Only in the Italian capital can you sip cappuccino in front of the Pantheon and have an audience with the pope all in one morning. After a flight, admire the highlights during guided sightseeing.
Rome3 nights
Day 9: Flight to Rome
Included meal: Breakfast
Fly to Rome this morning. Enjoy a free evening to explore Rome on your own.
Day 10: Sightseeing tour of Rome
Included meal: Breakfast
Follow in the footsteps of the ancient Romans on a guided tour of the Eternal City.
Soak up over 2,000 years of history in Imperial Rome, viewing the Arch of Constantine and the Arch of Titus
Enter the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater of the Roman Empire
Stop at the ruins of the Forum, once the setting of parades, elections, and trials
Pass by Palatine Hill to see Circus Maximus, the stadium where ancient Romans raced chariots, and the Baths of Caracalla
Spend a free afternoon in Rome or add an excursion.
Ancient Rome: St. Paul’s Basilica & the Catacombs
From $79 per person
Day 11: Free day in Rome
Included meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in Rome or add excursions.
This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.
Iconic Sights: Vatican City
From $115 per person
Pasta-Making Class & Dinner
From $115 per person
Flight Home
Day 12: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
We LOVED this trip... allowed us to see all of the major sites of Sicily! Hotels were in great locations and the the pace was comfortable - we never felt rushed. Highly recommend!
EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 9/19/23
Hi Thomas! Thank you so much for your kind review....
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5.0 star rating
Sicily and Rome
7/15/23 by 1st-time traveler Deborah
This was by far a great trip. Thank you to our tour director Luca and our bus driver Salvatore for keeping us safe and comfortable in the incredible heat we experienced. The highlights of the trip are just too numerous to mention - I fell in love with Taormina. Rome was everything I thought it wo...
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Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Hotel Mercure Palermo Centro
This modern hotel is located in the Palermo city center. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a bar, and a spacious lobby. Nearby, you'll find Teatro Politeama, T...
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Grand Hotel Villa Politi
This grand hotel is located near the historic archeological zone. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and spa. Nearby, you’ll find the Greek Theater of Sy...
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Excelsior Palace Hotel Taormina
This historic hotel is located in the city center. Guests enjoy an outdoor swimming pool, sun deck, and restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find Corso Umberto,...
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Hotel Massimo D'Azeglio
This historic hotel is located in central Rome. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar and lounge, and fitness area. Nearby, you’ll find the train station, Te...
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Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare package and you'll get:
Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
In order to enter Italy, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
Beginning in 2024, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2024, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to **goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements **and searching the code SIS.
You will walk for at least 1.5 hours daily across uneven terrain, including cobblestone streets and unpaved roads.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Palermo and depart from Catania (or Rome on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
A flight from Catania to Rome is included in the price of your tour extension.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code SIS.
Sicilian cuisine in particular is heavily influenced by Spanish, Greek, and Arab traditions. The Spanish brought New World influences to the region in the form of tomatoes, chocolate, and maize, while the Arab influence can be tasted in recipes that include rice, spinach, saffron, and citrus fruits. Regional specialties include arancini, cannoli, and granita.
For more authentic meals, try local trattorias, small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. A typical Italian meal includes wines and the occasional beer, followed by a few sips of after-dinner drinks like grappa or limoncello.
On the tour extension, Roman food is typically freshly prepared and varies depending on the season. Must-try bites include cacio e pepe (a simple dish of pasta, cheese, and pepper) and supplí (a fried rice ball similar to Sicily’s arancini ).
Italy operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, F, or L plugs with two or three small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
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