Sicily is truly one of our favorite destinations!  Since our specialty is custom-designing your trip of a lifetime, we will consult with you at length about your energy level, your desires and your budget with the aim of selecting the perfect hotels and activities in each place and indeed for your entire vacation! 


Day 1     Depart USA
Early check in is a must as you will be winging your way across the Atlantic to Italy!


Day 2Palermo arrival
Palermo is your destination today!  On arrival you will be met for the private transfer to your hotel.  Hotel TBA - free time this afternoon to relax and begin your exploration of Palermo, antique city highlighted by Beaux Arts, theaters, and neighborhoods that have been unchanged for 100's of years!


Day 3Palermo - Monreale city visit
Daily breakfasts in each of your hotels.  Today a guide and driver will accompany you for detailed private sightseeing of Palermo and Monreale.  The natural harbor and fertile land made this a natural capital for the island since the Phoenician times. See the medieval and baroque churches and architecture, as well as dazzling mosaics.  Free time in the evening maybe for seafood dinner at nearby Mondello??


Day 4Palermo - Segesta - Erice - Palermo
A guided visit now to Segesta’s bucolic Greek temple and theater, followed by a visit to impressive hilltop Erice, a medieval mountaintop fortress 750m above sea level!  Return to Palermo for the overnight


Day 5Palermo -Cefalu’ -Madonie Mountains
Your private driver and guide will escort you along the seacoast to Cefalu’ which is home to an impressive cathedral and a lovely fisherman’s village and town center.  In Cefalu’ pick up your  rental car for the ride up to the Madonie Mountains to your B&B-style overnights in the countryside.  Dinners included!


Day 6 Madonie  Mountains -Agrigento- Madonie 
Drive south now to Agrigento passing beautiful countryside, and the Valley of the Temples, for a guided visit to the ruins of the ancient city center and temples to Greek gods.


Day 7    Madonie  - Piazza Armerina - Taormina
Continuing eastward today, just about at Enna, you will get your first look at Mount Etna, the 10,000 foot volcano & symbol of Sicily!  Take a little detour to see the Roman floor mosaics of the Villa Casale, just below Piazza Armerina, and then continue to resort town of Taormina high above the sea on the slopes of Mount Etna!


Day 8  Taormina
Relax today and take in the sights and sounds of this lovely town with spectacular views of the Ionian Sea!  Time for a swim in the little bay??  Or just shop, stroll and explore!  Here, as elsewhere, very personal restaurant suggestions will be made for you!


Day 9Taormina - Siracusa - Taormina
A day-trip today will take you south to Siracusa, hometown of Archimedes and one of the great cities of the Greek world!  Your guide will meet you at the Archaeological Park known for the quarries and exceptional Ear of Dionyssios!  See the Cathedral and town on the little peninsula of Ortigia before returning to Taormina for your last night.


Day 10Too Soon it Ends!!
Transfer to Catania Airport in time for your USA-bound connecting flights...   Same day arrival in the USA

Or... why not extend your stay?  A night or two in Rome is always welcome, or you could certainly include a couple of extra nights in Sicily to include Selinunte, Noto, a detailed look at Mt. Etna, and so much more... As always, we will gladly consult with you and suggest ways to truly make this “the best vacation of your life!”

Bethesda Travel Center LLC
4422 East West Hwy
Bethesda, MD 20814
1-888-656-1670
1-301-656-1670
ciao@bethesdatravel.com

Favorite Itineraries

La Sicialia e Bella!!
Bethesda Travel Center LLC
4422 East West Hwy
Bethesda, MD 20814
1-301-656-1670
1-888-656-1670
ciao@bethesdatravel.com