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Air Canada Vacations

Journey Through Sicily

Overview

Sicily’s finest await on this amazing island-spanning journey featuring breathtaking views of historic sites, fine architecture, and mountains; delicious food and wine tastings; and all the picturesque charm you expect from Italy.

The train tickets and hotel stays are included in the package, along with some meals and many other travel essentials that will help make this trip easy and unforgettable.

Format

Guided tour

Locations

  • Taormina
  • Ragusa
  • Palermo
  • Rome

Inclusions

  • Round-trip flights to Rome (if the Flight & Hotel package option is chosen)
  • Domestic flights from Rome to Catania and Palermo to Rome
  • 9 nights of accommodation
  • 9 full breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner 
  • All transfers to and from the airports 
  • Luxury coach on certain routes
  • Train transfers in second class 
  • Worry-free luggage service at railway station and coach (1 piece per passenger)
  • More Moments activities include:
    • Palermo: guided walking tour of Palermo and Monreale. Visit Cefalù by train
    • Agrigento: guided tour of Temple Valley
    • Ragusa: full-day guided tour of Sicilian Baroque: Ragusa, Noto, and Modica
    • Siracusa: guided walking tour of Syracuse and Ortygia 
    • Taormina: guided walking tour of Taormina and full-day discovery of Mount Etna by train
  • Earn and redeem Aeroplan® points

Itinerary

Day 1

Depart Canada

Fly to Rome.

Day 2

Rome - Catania - Taormina

Upon arrival at Rome airport, connect with the flight to Catania. Once you’ve landed, meet your driver to transfer to your hotel in Letojanni for check-in. In the afternoon, meet the group and tour leader.

(Approximately 535 km)

More Moments Activities Included

  • Walking Tour of Taormina

    Afternoon walking tour of Taormina to visit the most popular touristic destination in Sicily. Admire the natural terrace overlooking the sea dominated by the majestic volcano Mount Etna and visit the Greek Theater. 

Meal(s): Welcome dinner

Day 3

Mount Etna

After breakfast, discover Mount Etna, the highest peak of Sicily and the most active volcano in Europe.

More Moments Activities Included

  • Etna Tour

    Walk along the beach to Letojanni train station and reach the village of Giarre, where you will board the Circumetnea train, which travels around the volcano passing through many villages, offering travelers' picturesque glimpses of this unique view. Board a bus to reach the Silvestri Craters (about 1.900 mt). Enjoy food and wine tasting in a local winery.

($) Optional Activities

  • Out & About

    Reach Mount Etna’s higher peaks by jeep.

Meal(s): Breakfast and lunch

Day 4

Taormina - Ragusa: Visits

Board the train and head to Syracuse, one of the most interesting sites on the island, followed by a visit to the island of Ortigia. In the afternoon, continue the journey by bus and reach your next destination, Ragusa.

(Approximately 157 km)

More Moments Activities Included

  • Syracuse

    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.

  • Ortigia

    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

Day 5

Ragusa: Sightseeing

A full day to discover one of Sicily’s hidden gems, dominated by the sumptuous and majestic Baroque architecture, characterized by the numerous UNESCO sites.

More Moments Activities Included

  • Guided Tour of Ragusa, Noto and Modica

    Start your visit in the historic aristocratic city of Val di Noto and explore its baroque churches. Continue to Modica, a UNESCO World Heritage city known for its chocolate as well as for its wonderful buildings. Last stop will be Noto, the capital of the late Sicilian Baroque. Cross the famous Arco, stroll in the center admiring the wonderful aristocratic palaces with the famous decorated balconies, the sumptuous churches full of decorations, the cathedral with its staircase, and the city theater, all built in Baroque style.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 6

Ragusa - Agrigento - Palermo: Visit

After breakfast, depart by bus for Agrigento to visit the Temple Valley. At the end of the visit, enjoy lunch with an overlooking view of the area. Head to the Agrigento Centrale Train Station and embark on an extraordinary train journey through the Sicilian countryside to reach Palermo. Upon arrival in Palermo, transfer to the hotel and check in.

(Approximately 270 km)

More Moments Activities Included

  • Guided Tour of Temple Valley

    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 and lunch

Day 7

Palermo: Visit

Enjoy a full day discovering Palermo and Monreale.

More Moments Activities Included

  • Walking Tour of Palermo & Monreale

    Start your morning on with a walking tour of the city center, starting from Teatro Massimo, and continue through the famous “u Capo” local market, tasting some Sicilian specialties like arancina or the famous "AUTISTA,"  an “explosive” lemonade. Continue to the Cathedral and walk to “I Quattro Canti." After some free time for lunch, take the local bus to Monreale, a lovely town on the slopes of Monte Caputo overlooking Palermo. Walk with your guide to Monreale Cathedral, considered one of the finest Norman constructions in the world.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 8

Palermo - Cefalù: At Leisure

After breakfast, board the train with your tour leader for a 30-minute ride to reach Cefalù. Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit for a relaxing day by the sea at your leisure.

(Approximately 69 km)

($) Optional Activities

  • Cefalù

    A beautiful medieval fishermen's village on the slopes of a promontory, hosts as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Arabic-Norman Cathedral, which looks like a fortress. You will have the whole day at your disposal to relax on the beach, do shopping, or hike up La Rocca ($)!

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 9

Palermo - Rome

After breakfast, take your transfer to head to Palermo Airport. Board your flight to Rome. Upon your arrival, a transfer will be waiting for you to take you to a hotel located in the city centre. Rest of the day at leisure.

(Approximately 424 km)

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 10

Rome: At Leisure

Explore the Eternal City at your own pace. 

($) Optional Activities

  • Out & About

    Rome is an open-air museum; you will be impressed by the stunning beauty of its many squares, churches, and fountains, as well as by the ancient ruins. Book an excursion to the Vatican City or the magnificent Colosseum.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 11

Rome - Return to Canada

After breakfast, take the transfer to the airport and board your flight back home.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Accomodations

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.

Location

Hotel

Taormina
Hotel Albatross (or similar)
4
Ragusa
Hotel Mediterraneo Palace (or similar)
4
Palermo
Hotel NH Palermo (or similar)
4
Rome
Hotel Bettoja (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

  • 2024 -Tour begins on Sunday:

    • August 25, 2024
    • September 1, 8 & 29, 2024
    • October 6, 20 & 27, 2024

    2025 -Tour begins on Monday:

    • April 28, 2025   
    • May 12, 2025                  
    • June 2, 2025                    
    • September 8 and 22, 2025         
    • October 6, 2025
  • Not included:

    • Meals and beverages, unless specified
    • City or tourist tax, payable at destination
    • 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.

    Out & About - Suggested itinerary:

    This itinerary includes Out & About suggestions for activities that are not included in your package, but they are great tips for places to visit and things to do. 

    • Flight baggage allowance: 1 piece of luggage (23 kg) and 1 handbag (8 kg).

    Details regarding transfers between train stations, hotels, and excursion meeting points will be communicated by the tour leader during your journey.

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

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