Save over £400pp* on brand new dates for our best-selling cruise along the Douro BOOK HERE >

Sicily tour
8 Days
In association with TS Tours
Check availability
Call now and book 02039934304 Quote ref: RIVSICILY
Check availability
Call now and book 02039934304
Quote ref: RIVSICILY
Email us
Explore Palermo, Taormina, Siracusa, and Mount Etna on this immersive tour of the Mediterranean’s largest island

Discover the Mediterranean's largest island, where citrus and olive groves stretch into the distance and lush pine forests contrast with sweeping bays, red volcanic rocks and the dramatic backdrop of snow-capped Mount Etna.

As well as spectacular natural landscapes, Sicily is home to a mix of ancient Roman and Greek ruins and intricately carved Baroque palazzos and restaurants that showcase Italian food at its finest, offering up seafood fresh from the Mediterranean Sea that surrounds you.

Your adventure begins with a guided tour of Agrigento's Greek ruins in the Valley of the Temples, one of the world's greatest archaeological sites. Marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes the wonderfully preserved Temple of Concordia.

You'll then travel through the rugged wild landscapes of the island's north coast, on your way to the historic city of Palermo. Here you'll find a heady mix of influences, from Arabia to Europe. See the Palatine Chapel, the royal chapel of the Norman kings of Sicily; marvel at the gold leaf mosaics of Monreale; and take in the sights and scents of the city's lively street markets.

Also on the itinerary are Siracusa, with its wonderful limestone buildings, and Taormina, which towers 250 metres above the sparkling coastline.

Last but not least is a visit to Europe's highest volcano, the spectacular Mount Etna, which dominates the eastern side of the island. You'll drive as near to the snow-capped summit as possible, where you'll be rewarded with unforgettable views across the island.

To read more about this trip:
PDF
Download the brochure here

Reasons to book

Valley of the Temples

This archaeological site in Agrigento is considered one of the most outstanding remaining examples of ancient Greek art and architecture

Carefully selected hotels

Stay in carefully selected historic and modern hotels, many with pools, all conveniently located for your guided tours

Ancient Palermo

Once one of the most important cities in Europe, Palermo is famous for its outstanding wealth and as a centre of learning

Monreale Cathedral

Enjoy a guided tour of one of the greatest remaining examples of Norman architecture, with the world’s finest medieval mosaics

Taormina

Spend two nights in stylish Taormina, a beautiful clifftop town known as the Pearl of the Ionian Sea

Ortigia

Siracusa’s Old Town is found on an island called Ortigia, connected to the mainland by three bridges
Share this trip
Tour brochure
PDF
Download a PDF tour brochure

Price includes

  • Seven nights' accommodation
  • Daily breakfast, dinner and one light lunch at a rural restaurant
  • Guided tour of Agrigento's ancient Greek ruins in the Valley of the Temples
  • Visit Palermo, Taormina and Siracusa
  • Guided tour of Piazza Armerina's Roman villa
  • Enjoy authentic Sicilian food at a farmhouse
  • Visit Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe
  • Guided tour of Monreale Cathedral
  • Entrances to Valley of the Temples Villa, Piazza Armerina and Monreale
  • All local taxes and transfers
  • Tour Manager
  • Return flights and transfers

Availability

From
Mon, Mon, Apr 1, 2024
To
Fri, Fri, Oct 31, 2025
Duration
8 days
Price per person
£1,499*

* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability and based on 3 April 2024 departure date and flights from Manchester airport. Various departure dates are available, please call for details. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement on request. Deposit required. Not suitable for those with mobility issues. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd and Riviera Tours Limited.

Call now to book 02039934304
Quote ref: RIVSICILY
Got any questions about this trip? Send us an enquiry

Itinerary

  1. Day
    1
    Arrive in Sicily
    Catania, Italy

    Today, you'll arrive at the airport to take your flight to Catania. On arrival, a coach will meet you to take you to your hotel.

  2. Day
    2
    Valley of the Temples
    Valley of the Temples , Italy

    After breakfast at your hotel this morning, you'll visit one of the wonders of the ancient world, the incredible Greek ruins in the Valley of the Temples.

    The most famous of these impressive temples is Concordia, similar in design to the Parthenon in Athens, which is almost perfectly preserved, with just the roof missing. Marvel at the wonderful tapering columns with their beautiful light golden colour.

    You'll enjoy a guided tour of the site, and may also have time to visit the excellent museum, where you'll see finds from within the temples and surrounding area, including a unique collection of vases.

    You'll also visit Agrigento itself and see its medieval architecture, with narrow, stepped streets and quiet shady piazzas overlooking the blue Mediterranean, before returning to your hotel.

  3. Day
    3
    Monreale and Palermo
    Palermo, Italy

    You'll head to the north coast of Sicily today, soaking in some wonderful scenery along the way.

    Your first stop is the magnificent Benedictine Abbey at Monreale, founded in the 12th century. Still used today, it boasts outstanding medieval mosaics covering almost the entire interior, depicting stories from the Old Testament. If you can manage the steps to the roof, you'll enjoy a superb panoramic view of Palermo below, the surrounding countryside and the sea beyond.

    Later in the afternoon, you'll visit Sicily's capital, Palermo, which was once one of the most important cities in Europe, famous for the wealth of its court and as a great centre of learning. Today it has more of a 17th century appearance and during your visit, you'll pass the Norman Palace, an elegant former royal residence, now the seat of the regional government and see the Cathedral dating from the 10th century.

  4. Day
    4
    Piazza Armerina and Taormina
    Taormina, Italy

    This morning you'll leave Agrigento and take a drive to the small town of Piazza Armerina, where one of the most amazing archaeological discoveries of the last century was made. You'll enjoy a guided tour of the 4th-century Roman villa, possibly owned by one of the joint Emperors, which explains its size and richness of decoration.

    Buried for centuries, you can still see the remains of pastel-coloured frescoes on the walls, but the mosaics, showing animals and hunting scenes, are simply the finest we have from Roman antiquity. This palatial building, complete with its baths, illustrates with great clarity the evident high standard of living of the Roman elite.

    Today your lunch will be at a traditional 'Agritourism', a rural house serving farm-to-table produce.

    After your visit, you'll continue your journey to Taormina. This is one of the most beautiful towns on the island towering 250 metres above the sweeping coastline below, where you'll stay in your choice of hotel for four nights with breakfast and dinner.

  5. Day
    5
    Free day
    Taormina, Italy

    Today you'll have a free day to spend as you wish in Taormina. Perhaps take the chance to relax at your hotel, making the most of the facilities, or walk into the town and wander through pretty alleyways lined with boutiques until you reach Palazzo Corvaja, a historic building that houses the Museum of Taormina Arts and Traditions.

  6. Day
    6
    Siracusa
    Siracusa, Italy

    Today you'll take a drive to Siracusa, once one of the richest cities in the ancient world, even rivalling Athens. Its most famous resident was Archimedes, who discovered the principle of displacement whilst in the bath, before running through the streets naked, exclaiming "Eureka" (I've found it!)

    Today the city is one of Sicily's most attractive, with a wonderful collection of limestone buildings, dating mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries. There's an extraordinary Baroque Cathedral which houses an ancient temple, with a lovely interior, as well as the Bosco Palace, a grand urban palace in the heart of Syracuse's Ortigia island.

    You'll be free to explore the old town of Ortigia; actually, which is connected to the mainland by three bridges. There's a chance to take a boat trip around the bay before returning to the hotel.

  7. Day
    7
    Mount Etna
    Mount Etna, Italy

    Today you'll see Europe's highest volcano, Etna, with a morning drive as near to the snow-capped summit as possible.

    Ascending the winding road, the landscape becomes increasingly barren, with razor sharp black rocks in contorted formations, and some areas devoid of almost all vegetation.

    As you approach the cable car station you can enjoy extensive views over the whole area. Subject to certain regulations you will have the opportunity to take the cable car, jeep and guide to explore even higher levels.

  8. Day
    8
    Return home
    Catania, Italy

    Today a coach will take you back to the airport to catch your return flight home as your Sicilian adventure draws to an end.

Brought to you by

TS Tours as agent for Riviera Travel
This tour is operated solely by TS Tours
TS Tours is acting as agent for Riviera Travel. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel.

Established 35 years ago, Riviera Travel offers exceptional experiences at outstanding value for money. They were the highest-rated cruise operator in a 2017 survey by Which? magazine. Riviera is ABTA and ATOL-bonded.

TS Tours Ltd specialises in creating bespoke tours, cruises and rail journeys in the company of experts. Its exclusive trips combine unique experiences as well as access to inspirational people. All trips are ATOL-protected and financially bonded.

For information about TS Tours, click here.
For Riviera Travel's terms and conditions, see here.

To view TS Tours as agent for Riviera Travel’s supplier’s terms and conditions click here.

This tour is protected by the following:
Tripsmiths
Tripsmiths partners with leading tour operators and media brands to deliver unique travel experiences.

Availability

Call now to book 02039934304
Quote ref: RIVSICILY
Email us