Sicilian Carousel Discovery | 7 Day Small Group Tour 2027
Tour Essentials
6 breakfasts, welcome dinner, Syracuse street-food lunch and Marsala wine tasting light lunch
Why we've chosen this tour
We like this tour because it gives travellers a very efficient Sicily arc without losing the sense of place. Palermo and western Sicily come first, Catania anchors the eastern section, and the experiences in Marsala, Syracuse and Etna wine country add texture beyond sightseeing. It is a strong option for guests comparing structured Sicily tours with a manageable one-week duration.
Is this tour for you?
This tour suits travellers who want a compact small group Sicily itinerary with history, food, wine, volcanic scenery and free time in key towns. It is best for guests comfortable with regular touring days and guided walking through old towns, archaeological sites and uneven historic areas.
Not sure? Call us on 03 9824 0898 — we'll tell you honestly whether this tour is the right fit.
Tour Details
Sicily is at its most compelling when the journey gives equal weight to culture, landscape and local flavour. This seven-day small group tour starts in Palermo, where Arab, Norman, Byzantine and Spanish influences still shape the city, then follows the island west to Erice, Marsala and the salt pans before crossing towards Catania.
The route works particularly well for travellers who want Sicily’s headline places without turning the week into a race. Palermo gives the journey its cultural depth, Marsala and the Stagnone Lagoon bring in western Sicily’s wine and coastal traditions, and Piazza Armerina adds one of the great Roman mosaic sites before the focus shifts to Syracuse, Ortigia, Mount Etna and Taormina.
Food and wine are part of the texture of the tour rather than a separate theme. A Palermo market tasting, Marsala cellar visit with light lunch, Syracuse street-food experience and Etna winery visit all help connect the itinerary to the island’s everyday traditions.
Inclusions
- Six nights accommodation in selected 4-star hotels, with selected 5-star alternatives in Catania where confirmed
- Six breakfasts and one welcome dinner in Palermo
- Palermo arancina tasting
- Marsala cellar visit with wine tasting and light lunch
- Visit to the Marsala salt pans
- Street-food lunch experience in Syracuse including a glass of wine
- Mount Etna cellar visit and wine tasting
- Transport by deluxe coach, or minivan with English-speaking driver for smaller groups
- English-speaking tour escort
- Local guides where required
- Whispers headset kit for groups of more than 10 passengers
- Hotel porterage and destination staff assistance
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Palermo
Arrive independently in Palermo and settle into the hotel. In the evening, meet your tour leader and fellow travellers over a welcome dinner, a gentle introduction to Sicily’s hospitality and the rhythm of the week ahead.
Meals: Dinner
Overnight: Palermo
Day 2 - Palermo
Begin with a guided visit of Palermo, a city shaped by Arab, Norman, Byzantine and Spanish influences. See landmarks such as Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria, Piazza Bellini and Palermo Cathedral, then continue into one of the city’s open-air markets for a taste of traditional arancina.
The afternoon is free to keep exploring Palermo independently. An optional excursion to Cefalu may be available, giving the chance to visit its medieval streets, Arab-Norman cathedral and seafront.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Palermo
Day 3 - Erice, Marsala And The Salt Pans
Travel to Erice, a beautifully preserved medieval hill town above western Sicily’s coast. Its cobbled lanes, stone churches and far-reaching views make it one of the island’s most atmospheric historic towns.
Continue to Marsala for a cellar visit, wine tasting and light Sicilian lunch, then visit the Stagnone Lagoon salt pans. Return to Palermo for an evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast and light lunch
Overnight: Palermo
Day 4 - Piazza Armerina And Catania
Head inland to Piazza Armerina and visit Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its remarkably preserved Roman mosaics. The scenes of mythology, hunting and daily life make this one of Sicily’s great archaeological stops.
Continue to Catania in the afternoon, with time at leisure after arrival.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Catania
Day 5 - Syracuse And Ortigia
Travel to Syracuse, once one of the most powerful cities of the ancient Greek world. Visit Neapolis Archaeological Park, including the Greek Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre, Ear of Dionysius and Latomia del Paradiso, then continue to Ortigia, the historic island heart of Syracuse.
Ortigia brings together ancient Greek layers, baroque architecture, sea-facing piazzas and narrow lanes. A curated street-food lunch introduces some of Sicily’s local flavours before free time and the return to Catania.
Meals: Breakfast and street-food lunch
Overnight: Catania
Day 6 - Mount Etna And Taormina
Travel through Etna’s lava fields, vineyards and forested slopes to around 1,800 metres, visiting the Silvestri Craters and taking in views across the volcanic landscape. Continue to an Etna winery for a guided visit and tasting of Etna DOC wines with local cheeses, cured meats and Sicilian specialities.
In the afternoon, continue to Taormina for free time along Corso Umberto, with its artisan shops and terraces looking towards the Ionian coast. Return to Catania for an evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Catania
Day 7 - Catania
After breakfast, the tour ends in Catania and individual onward arrangements begin.
Meals: Breakfast
Tour Highlights
- Small group Sicily touring with a maximum of 20 guests
- Two nights in Palermo and four nights in Catania
- Guided Palermo sightseeing with market culture and arancina tasting
- Erice, Marsala wine country and the Stagnone Lagoon salt pans
- Villa Romana del Casale at Piazza Armerina
- Syracuse and Ortigia, including Neapolis Archaeological Park
- Mount Etna, Etna wine country and free time in Taormina
- Exclusively English-language touring
Accommodation
This tour uses two Sicilian bases, Palermo and Catania, keeping hotel changes manageable while still covering both western and eastern Sicily.
Indicative hotels include Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa in Palermo, or similar, and Katane Palace Hotel, Hotel Principe Catania or Palazzo San Giorgio in Catania, or similar.
Tour Notes
Physical Requirements
This tour includes guided walking in historic centres, archaeological sites, markets and hill towns, often on uneven stone, steps or cobbled streets. A moderate level of mobility is recommended for Palermo, Erice, Villa Romana del Casale, Syracuse, Mount Etna and Taormina.
Important Notes
- Triple-room pricing is on request.
- The optional Cefalu excursion is available at additional cost and requires minimum participation.
- The itinerary may be adjusted for public events, religious holidays, sporting events, adverse weather or operational reasons, with similar visits arranged where possible.
- If the group has eight or fewer participants, touring may operate by minivan with an English-speaking driver and local guide services at main sites.
- Entrance ticket arrangements are based on supplied 2027 information and should be reconfirmed before final booking.
Exclusions
- Transfers in and out unless otherwise arranged
- Entrance tickets to sites and museums unless specifically arranged
- City tax, payable directly at the hotel
- Beverages unless specifically included
- Optional excursions, room upgrades and personal expenses
- Anything not clearly listed under inclusions
Cancellations
For information related to cancellations and any associated costs, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.
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