Sicily Carousel Signature | 8 Day Small Group Tour 2027
Tour Essentials
7 breakfasts, 2 dinners, street food lunch and wine tasting light lunch
Why we've chosen this tour
We like this tour because it gives Sicily a clear and satisfying arc in just eight days. It begins with eastern Sicily’s classical and volcanic landscapes, crosses through Piazza Armerina and Agrigento, then finishes with Palermo, Monreale and the west. The food and wine experiences are also useful rather than decorative, helping travellers understand Sicily through markets, street food, artisan traditions and volcanic wine country.
Is this tour for you?
This tour suits travellers who want a structured small group Sicily itinerary with a strong mix of archaeology, historic cities, food, wine and free time. It is best for guests comfortable with regular touring days, walking through old towns and archaeological sites, and moving hotels three times across the week.
Not sure? Call us on 03 9824 0898 — we'll tell you honestly whether this tour is the right fit.
Tour Details
Sicily rewards travellers who see it as more than one island story. This eight-day journey moves from Catania to Palermo, linking Greek theatres, Roman mosaics, Arab-Norman monuments, baroque streets, volcanic slopes and western Sicily’s salt-pan landscapes into one compact small group itinerary.
What makes the route appealing is the contrast. The first half is anchored around eastern Sicily, with Syracuse and Ortigia, Mount Etna and Taormina giving you classical history, volcanic wine country and Ionian Sea views. The journey then crosses through Piazza Armerina and Agrigento before turning towards Palermo, Monreale, Erice and Marsala, where Norman mosaics, market culture and western Sicilian wine traditions come to the fore.
We particularly like that the food and wine experiences are not treated as add-ons. A Syracuse street-food lunch, arancina tasting in Palermo, Sicilian product tasting in Sciacca, Marsala wine experience and Etna cellar visit all help explain the island through its local flavours.
Inclusions
- Seven nights accommodation in selected 4-star hotels
- Seven breakfasts and two dinners
- Welcome drink in Catania
- Street-food lunch experience in Syracuse including a glass of wine
- Arancina tasting in Palermo
- Sicilian product tasting in Sciacca
- Marsala cellar visit with wine tasting and light lunch
- Visit to the Marsala salt pans
- Mount Etna cellar visit and wine tasting
- Entrance fees for Syracuse Neapolis, Syracuse Cathedral, Valley of the Temples, Villa Romana del Casale, Monreale Cathedral and Mount Etna Silvestri Craters
- Transport by deluxe coach, or minivan with English-speaking driver for smaller groups
- English-speaking tour escort and 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 - Catania
Arrive independently in Catania and settle into the hotel. Late in the afternoon, meet your tour leader and fellow travellers over a welcome drink, then enjoy the evening at leisure.
Overnight: Catania
Day 2 - Syracuse And Ortigia
Travel to Syracuse, once one of the most powerful cities of the ancient Greek world. Visit Neapolis Archaeological Park, with the Greek Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre, Ear of Dionysius and Latomia del Paradiso, before continuing to Ortigia, the historic island heart of Syracuse.
Ortigia brings together baroque palaces, sea-facing piazzas and ancient layers including the Cathedral built over the Temple of Athena. A street-food lunch introduces some of Sicily’s local specialities, with free time before returning to Catania.
Meals: Breakfast and street-food lunch
Overnight: Catania
Day 3 - Mount Etna And Taormina
Head towards Mount Etna, travelling through black lava fields, vineyards and forested slopes to around 1,800 metres. Visit the Silvestri Craters, then continue to an Etna winery for a guided visit and tasting of Etna DOC wines with local cheeses, cured meats and traditional 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 4 - Piazza Armerina And Agrigento
Travel inland to Piazza Armerina to visit Villa Romana del Casale, famous for some of the best-preserved Roman mosaics in the Mediterranean. Continue to Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples, where the ancient Greek temples stand in a remarkably atmospheric landscape.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Overnight: Agrigento
Day 5 - Sciacca, Monreale And Palermo
Begin in Sciacca, a fishing town known for artisan traditions. Visit a coral artisan workshop, meet local craftspeople, explore the historic centre and taste local Sicilian products before continuing to Monreale.
At Monreale, visit the cathedral, one of the great monuments of Norman Sicily, with extensive Byzantine mosaics. Continue to Palermo for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Overnight: Palermo
Day 6 - Palermo
Explore Palermo, where Arab, Norman, Byzantine and Spanish influences meet in the historic centre. The walking tour includes Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria, Piazza Bellini, Palermo Cathedral and one of the city’s lively open-air markets, with an arancina tasting along the way.
The afternoon, evening and dinner are at leisure. An optional excursion to Cefalu may be available for those who would like a coastal visit.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Palermo
Day 7 - Erice, Marsala And The Salt Pans
Travel to Erice, a medieval hilltop town overlooking western Sicily, then continue to Marsala for a cellar visit, wine tasting and light Sicilian lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Stagnone Lagoon salt pans, where shallow waters and historic salt-working landscapes create one of western Sicily’s most distinctive scenes.
Return to Palermo, with dinner and the evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast and light lunch
Overnight: Palermo
Day 8 - Palermo
After breakfast, the tour ends in Palermo and individual onward arrangements begin.
Meals: Breakfast
Tour Highlights
- Small group Sicily touring with a maximum of 20 guests
- Three nights in Catania, one night in Agrigento and three nights in Palermo
- Syracuse and Ortigia, including Neapolis Archaeological Park
- Mount Etna, Silvestri Craters, Taormina and Etna wine country
- Villa Romana del Casale and Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples
- Sciacca artisan traditions and local product tasting
- Monreale Cathedral and Palermo’s historic centre and market culture
- Erice, Marsala wine tasting and the Stagnone salt pans
Accommodation
This tour uses three Sicilian bases: Catania, Agrigento and Palermo. Accommodation is planned in centrally located 4-star and selected 5-star hotels, giving useful access to city centres as well as the touring route.
Indicative hotels include Katane Palace Hotel or San Giorgio Palace Hotel in Catania, Hotel della Valle in Agrigento and Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa in Palermo, or similar.
Tour Notes
Physical Requirements
This tour includes guided walking through historic centres, archaeological sites, market areas and hill towns, often on uneven stone, steps or cobbled streets. A moderate level of mobility is recommended, especially for Agrigento, Syracuse, Monreale and Erice.
Important Notes
- Triple-room pricing is on request.
- 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 fees listed in the inclusions are based on the supplied 2027 arrangements and should be reconfirmed before final booking if site managers revise admission costs.
Exclusions
- Transfers in and out unless otherwise 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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