with Peter Woodbury
May 14 to 23, 2027
10 days/9 nights
3 nights in 3 hotels!
9 spaces available
May 12 – 14, 2027 : Early arrival option: Lounge by the beach, recover from any jet lag, wander the streets, have a glass of grappa or a limoncello, plus self-pay food tour*.
(no cost – just acknowledge Peter and the pope of the tour business)
*Sicily is known as “God’s Kitchen” – describing the incredible culinary history of the island, shaped by Greek, Roman, Arab, and Spanish dominations.
ITINERARY
Day 1 – 14 May :
Arrival in Palermo
(D)
Arrival into Falcone Borsellino Airport or simply Palermo Airport (PMO).
Meet and greet by our driver and transfer to our hotel.
Depending on arrival time, day at leisure.
Welcome dinner (included)
First of 3 nights in Palermo
Day 2 – 15 May : Palermo walking tour with street food tasting (4 hours)
(B)
After breakfast, departure our hotel to begin our walking tour.
Visit highlights:
Piazza Pretoria
Quattro Canti
The Palermo Cathedral
The Royal Palace
The Palatine Chapel
The Mercato del Capo where we will sample local street foods.
Lunch on our own*
Free afternoon
Dinner on our own*
*For off-tour meals, Peter will make suggestions of where to eat and a time to meet and take a headcount and make a reservation. You can attend the group meals as you like or enjoy a quiet meal on your own, as you please.
2nd of 3 nights in Palermo
Day 3 – 16 May:
Erice & Trapani (6 hours)
(B, L)
After breakfast, head out by private van to visit the towns of Erice and Trapani
Trapani and Erice are two contrasting yet complementary gems on Sicily’s west coast. Trapani is a bustling, sun-drenched coastal town known for its historic harbor, seafood, and historic salt pans, while Erice is a tranquil, misty medieval village perched high on a mountain, offering dramatic views.
Santuario della Madonna di Trapani
Medieval City Center of Erice
The Norman & Baroque City Center in Trapani
The Trapani Duomo (Cathedral)
Lunch at a local trattoria
Dinner on your own*
Night 3 of 3 in Palermo
Day 4 – 17 May : Siracusa (8 hours)
(B, L)
Check out of hotel
After breakfast, board our private van and make our way to Siracusa.
On route, we will stop in Agrigento and visit the Valley of the Temples.
The Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi) in Agrigento, Sicily, is an expansive UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring some of the world’s best-preserved ancient Greek Doric temples. Despite the name, it is not a valley, but a dramatic rocky ridge overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
Lunch included
Dinner on your own*
First of 3 nights in Siracusa
Day 5 – 18 May :
Ragusa & Modica* (6 hours)
(B, L)
After breakfast begin our excursion:
Ragusa and Modica are two of southeastern Sicily’s most spectacular UNESCO-listed Baroque towns. Located just 15 km apart, both were rebuilt after the devastating 1693 earthquake. They are renowned for their dramatic hillside settings, noble palaces, and rich gastronomic traditions.
Ragusa known for majestic panoramic views and a fairytale-like, compact historic center.
Modica known incredible local food, a vibrant atmosphere, and unique chocolate tastings!
Ragusa Ibla
Giardino Ibleo
Duomo di San Giorgio Modica
Chiesa di San Nicolo Inferiore
Lunch included
Chocolate tasting
Dinner on your own*
2nd of 3 nights in Siracusa
Day 6 – 19 May
Ortigia visit & walking tour (4 hours)
(B, L)
After breakfast, begin our excursion to Ortigia.
Ortigia (or Ortygia) is the historic heart of Syracuse, Sicily. It is celebrated for its 3,000-year history, stunning Baroque architecture, and vibrant food scene. Connected to the mainland by two short bridges, this tiny, one-square-kilometer island packs an immense amount of culture and natural beauty into a walkable labyrinth.
The Fountain of Arethusa
The Apollo Temple
The Old Market of Ortigia (Mercato di Ortigia) is a vibrant, centries-old street market. Operating daily near the Temple of Apollo, it is celebrated for its bustling atmosphere, fresh seafood, local produce, artisanal cheeses, and aromatic spices.
Light tasting lunch at the market.
Dinner on your own*
Night 3 of 3 nights in Siracusa
Day 7 – 20 May:
Noto & Taormina (7 hours)
(B, L)
Check out of hotel
After breakfast, board our private van and make our way to Taormina.
Along the way, we will stop and visit Noto. Noto is a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site known for its golden Baroque architecture and as a filming location for The White Lotus. Rebuilt in the 1700s after a devastating earthquake, the town serves as a stunning, easy-to-navigate excursion.
Cattedrale di San Nicolò
Corso Vittorio Emanuele is the beating heart of Noto, widely celebrated as the “capital of Sicilian Baroque”. This pedestrian-friendly main thoroughfare is famous for its glowing, golden-honed 18th-century architecture, sweeping staircases, and ornate palaces rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake.
Piazza Municipio
Porta Reale
Palazzo Nicolaci
Marzamemi – We will enjoy a fish lunch at this typical Sicilian fisherman village.
Dinner on your own*
Night 1 of 3 in Taormina
Taormia nown as the “Pearl of the Ionian,” Taormina is a glamorous hilltop town on Sicily’s east coast. Famous for its dramatic sea views, ancient Greek ruins, and upscale Mediterranean charm, it seamlessly blends rich historical architecture with luxurious resort living
Day 8 – 21 May :
Mount Etna visit! (7 hours)
(B, L)
After breakfast, begin our excursion to Mount Etna!
Mount Etna, situated on the eastern coast of Sicily, is Europe’s highest and most active stratovolcano. Standing at approximately 11,165 feet (3,400 meters), its height changes constantly due to frequent eruptions that build up and collapse its summit craters. Known locally as “Mongibello”, this massive geological wonder was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013 due to its immense scientific and cultural importance.
We will take the Funivia dell’Etna (the Etna Funicular), from the base station (6,300 feet/1,920 meters) to the upper station at 8,200 feet/2,500 meters in just 10 minutes.
We will the visit the foot of the active volcano, where you’ll take a relaxed walk through the lava fields to see where lava and ash have flowed during past eruptions. Head down underground (helmet and flashlight included) to see some of the volcano’s lava caves.
***Anyone phobic of heights or with a past-life being sacrificed in a volcano, can stay at the base station which has restaurants and bars.
Lunch included
Wine tasting included
*Dinner on our own
Night 2 of 3 in Taormina
Day 9 – 22 May :
Catania (5 hours)
(B, D)
After breakfast, depart our hotel by private van to visit Catania.
Catania is Sicily’s vibrant second-largest city, located on the Ionian coast at the foot of Mount Etna. Famous for its dramatic, dark-hued Baroque architecture built from volcanic stone, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its chaotic energy, historic fish market, and exceptional street food.
Sites we will visit:
The Duomo San’Agata
Via Etnea
La Pescheria
Catania Market visit and street food tasting
Farewell dinner (included)
Night 3 of 3 in Taormina
Day 10 – 23 May :
Transfer to Catania Airport (1 hour)
(B)
Check out of hotel
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Catania Airport for your departure flight.
End of services.
PRICING
Double occupancy – $4,828 credit card price
$4,688 “cash” price (Venmo, Zelle, Wise, check)
($125 per person deduction if also registering for the Morocco tour)
Single room supplement – $1,406 credit card price
$1,365 “cash” price
Payment Schedule:
- $500 deposit due at registration – $250 is refundable until August 1
- ½ of balance due: January 15, 2027
- Remaining balance due: March 15, 2027
INCLUSIONS :
- Zoom meetings to get to know each other and learn about the culture and history of Sicily
- Regressions, prayers & meditations before & during the tour.
- Dream study while on the bus
- Group discussions while on the bus
- Medical & Medical Evacuation insurance coverage for US residents ($100 credit for non- continental US residents)
- Private transportation with A/C
- Pick up/drop off at your hotels
- Water available on the bus
- Airport pick-up in Palermo and drop off in Catania
- All the transportation in minibus or minivans (including airport transfers)
- English speaking guide
- 9 nights in classic 4 stars hotel centrally located with breakfast included
- Palermo: Hotel Politeama (or similar) https://www.hotelpoliteama.com/
- Syracuse: Hotel Livingston (or similar) https://www.hotellivingston.com/
- Taormina: Hotel Splendid (or similar) https://www.splendidhoteltaormina.com/
- Tour Guide or local guides during the day tours
Meals included: - 2 dinners
- 6 lunches
- 2 street food tasting
- 1 wine tasting
- 1 chocolate tasting
- Entrance fees as per place in program
- Mount Etna ascent with jeeps, cable car and alpine guide.
- Free time to explore the sites, breaks for photos, etc
- Customized & flexible stops
- Fuel
EXCLUSIONS :
- Personal expenses (gifts, souvenirs, personal services, bail…)
- Beverages e.g. alcoholic, sodas, water. (Water is complimentary on the bus).
- Not included meals.
