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Air Canada Vacations

Explore Sicily by Car

Overview

 Drive through Sicily while discovering not only delightful food and wines but also the most interesting monuments, works of art, churches, and natural landscapes of the region.

The car rental and hotel stays are included in the package, along with some meals and activities that will help make this trip easy and unforgettable.

This tour includes More Moments, activities included with your package.

Format

Self-guided

Locations

  • Catania
  • Palermo
  • Agrigento
  • Syracuse
  • Taormina

Inclusions

  • Round-trip flights to Catania
  • 9 nights of accommodation
  • 9-day car rental in selected category
  • 9 full breakfasts, 1 welcome dinner, 1 tasting and 2 light lunches with wine tasting
  • 1 dinner at a typical restaurant in Ortigia 
  • Earn extra Aeroplan® points per member on this tour       

      More Moments activities include:

  • PALERMO: a guided street food walking tour of Palermo (3 hours)
  • AGRIGENTO: private guided tour of Agrigento
  • ORTIGA: private guided walking tour of Ortigia
  • TAORMINA: private guided walking tour of Taormina
  • Entrance fees to Palatine Chapel in Palermo, Valley of the Temples Archaeological Park in Agrigento, and the Greek Theatre in Taormina

 

Itinerary

Day 1

Depart Canada

Fly to Catania.

Day 2

Welcome to Catania

Upon arrival at Catania airport, pick up your car rental or meet your private driver, then proceed to your hotel for check-in. 

Day 3

Catania – Cefalu – Palermo

Your day begins with a visit to the picturesque seaside town of Cefalù, renowned for its magnificent Norman Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece crowned by its imposing towers. Enjoy free time wandering the cobbled streets of the historic center or explore the famous Mandralisca Museum, home to an impressive collection of art and archaeological treasures. Following lunch (at leisure), continue on to Palermo. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and savor a welcome dinner in a traditional local restaurant.

(approximately 181 km)

Meal(s): Breakfast, welcome dinner

Day 4

Palermo – Monreale: Visit

After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Palermo, often described as an open-air museum. In the afternoon, depart for Monreale to admire the stunning Cloister of Santa Maria La Nuova, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and masterpiece of Byzantine architecture.

(approximately 15 km)

More Moments Activities Included

  • Walking tour of Palermo

    Discover its diverse architecture, lively Capo street market, and taste five local specialties paired with a drink. Along the way, visit landmarks such as the Opera dei Pupi, Piazza Beati Paoli, the Cathedral, Quattro Canti, and the Pretoria Fountain.

Meal(s): Breakfast, light lunch

Day 5

Erice – Marsala – Agrigento

Head to Erice, a captivating medieval city set against a stunning backdrop. Explore the town center, and don't miss a visit to Pasticceria Maria Grammatico, an ancient pastry shop offering recipes from the Antico Convento. Try some of the local delights (optional).

Continue your journey to Marsala, renowned for its eponymous wine. Tour a winery, enjoy wine tasting paired with local delicacies, and have free time to wander through the charming old town. Finally, make your way to Agrigento.

(approximately 130 km)

Meal(s): Breakfast, light lunch

Day 6

Agrigento – Villa Romana of Piazza Armerina – Syracuse

Following breakfast, embark on a guided tour of the remarkable Valley of the Temples, a testament to ancient Greek civilization in Sicily.

We recommend continuing your journey to Piazza Armerina, where you can marvel at the Villa Romana del Casale ($). This 4th century AD villa, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts impeccably preserved mosaics spanning 3,500 square metres. 

Conclude the day with a departure for Syracuse and dine in the historic town center of Ortigia.

(approximately 210 km)

More Moments Activities Included

  • Guided Tour of the Valley of the Temples

    Your guide will reveal all the secrets of the Temples’ Valley, including the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Concorde (one of the best-preserved Doric temples in the whole Greek world), the Temple of Hercules, and the Temple of Castor and Pollux.

Meal(s): Breakfast, dinner

Day 7

Syracuse – Modica – Ragusa – Syracuse

Following breakfast, embark on a city tour, exploring one of the most significant and strategically important political centers in ancient Greece. Continue to Modica, the former county capital, to admire its splendid Baroque architecture and visit a renowned pastry shop for a chocolate tasting. 

On the return to Syracuse, stop in Ragusa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the old town of Ibla and the newer city showcase the best of Sicilian Baroque style.

(approximately 200 km)

More Moments Activities Included

  • Walking tour of Ortiga

    A guide will lead you to the discovery of the Archaeological Park, famous for its Roman amphitheater, the Greek theater, and the ear of Dionysus.  Continue your visit to the island of Ortigia, the oldest part of the city, characterized by its narrow alleys, its sea views, and the wonderful square with its splendid cathedral.

Meal(s): Breakfast, tasting

Day 8

Syracuse – Mount Etna – Taormina

After breakfast, depart for the Etna region with a stop at a local vineyard producing renowned Etna wines. Enjoy a tasting paired with regional specialties.

(approximately 130 km)

Meal(s): Breakfast, light lunch

Day 9

Taormina: Visit

Enjoy a leisurely morning before meeting your private guide in the afternoon for a visit to Taormina, the charming medieval town known as “the pearl of the Ionian Sea.”

More Moments Activities Included

  • Walking tour of Taormina

    Explore the key highlights of Taormina on your exclusive walking tour, including a visit to the most renowned attractions. Take in the breathtaking natural terrace that overlooks the sea, dominated by the majestic volcano Mount Etna, and explore the Greek Theater. 

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 10

Taormina: At Leisure

Enjoy Taormina at your own pace, with time to explore the Ancient Theatre, stroll Corso Umberto, relax in the public gardens, or take the cable car to Isola Bella.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 11

Taormina – Catania Airport – Return to Canada

After breakfast, head to Catania airport to drop off your car and board your flight back home. 

Meal(s): Breakfast

Accommodations

Where you'll stay

The hotels listed below are presented as examples for your reference only. Hotel accommodation details will be communicated to you or your travel agent prior to departure.

Superior Accommodation

Location

Hotel

Catania
Katane Palace (or similar)
4
Palermo
Quintocanto Hotel (or similar)
4
Agrigento
Della Valle Hotel (or similar)
4
Syracuse
Grande Albergo Alfeo (or similar)
4
Taormina
GH Excelsior (or similar)
4

Room details

 Bed size(s): 1 Italian standard double bed or 2 Italian standard single beds

 Room occupancy: Maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child

Unless otherwise indicated, guests will stay in a standard room during the trip.

Important Information

  • Departure on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 4 – October 14, 2026

  • Not included

    • Meals and beverages, unless specified
    • City or tourist tax, payable at destination
    • Parking fees, if applicable
    • Gratuities
    • Additional activities and excursions
    • Personal expenses and insurance

     

     

  • The More Moments activities and excursions mentioned in the itinerary are all included in the package but may be rescheduled to take place on an earlier or later day, depending on availability and operational day.

    On Sundays or closures, the wine tasting will be replaced by a lunch in a local restaurant with wine included.

  • •    9-day car rental or a private driver during your stay in Sicily
    •    Distances in kilometres are estimated and presented as a guideline for reference purposes only.

    Car Rental:
    •    Car rental company will be provided prior to your departure.
    •    Compact automatic car (CCAR) Ford Focus or similar
    •    When booking your Fly & Drive, the first name added on the file is considered as the principal driver of the vehicle. Modifications or change of name to principal driver’s name will incur fees.
    Car Rental Inclusions:
    •    Time (24-hour basis), one additional driver, airport charges, unlimited mileage, tax, collision damage waiver (CDW) with no deductible, theft protection (TP) with no deductible, third party liability insurance coverage, personal accident insurance (PAI), glass and tire protection, road assistance plus

    Car Rental Exclusions:
    •    Personal effects protection (PEP) and other optional services such as satellite navigation, fuel, child seat and everything not mentioned in the inclusions.
    Minimum age for car rental is 19 years old with a prepaid voucher. A valid driver's license issued for at least 12 months from country of origin must be presented at time of rental. All drivers under the age of 25 will be subject to a surcharge.

    Private Driver:
    o    Sedan 1-3 passengers; Mercedes E class or similar

    Private driver inclusions:
    •    Private car, parking fees, accommodations and meals for the driver
    •    English-speaking driver. French-speaking driver on request 
     

  • The order visited may change due to operational restrictions. The itinerary above is for reference only.

  • City taxes are applicable for hotel stays in Italy and are payable in local currency upon checkout.