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Air Canada Vacations

Rome and Sicily Guided Tour

Overview

Visit the capital of Italy before Sicily’s finest awaits on this amazing island-spanning journey featuring breathtaking views of historic sites, mountains, delicious food and wine, 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.

This itinerary features More Moments activities included with your package. 

13 days | 11 nights

Format

Guided tour

Locations

  • Rome
  • Taormina
  • Ragusa
  • Palermo

Inclusions

  • Round-trip flights to Rome (if Flight & Hotel package option is chosen)
  • Domestic flights from Rome to Catania and Palermo to Rome
  • 11 nights of accommodation
  • 11 full breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners, 1 tasting                                              
  • 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)
  • Professional English/French-speaking guide for the entire duration of the tour
  • More Moments activities include:
    • Rome: guided walking tour of Rome including Colosseum and Palatine Hills. Hop-On Hop-Off pass (valid for 24 hours)
    • Taormina: guided walking tour of Taormina and full-day discovery of Mount Etna by train
    • Siracusa: guided walking tour of Syracuse and Ortygia  
    • Ragusa: full day guided tour of Sicilian Baroque: Ragusa, Noto and Modica
    • Agrigento: guided tour of Temple Valley
    • Palermo: guided walking tour of Palermo and Monreale. Visit Cefalù by train
  • Earn and redeem Aeroplan® points

Itinerary

Day 1

Depart Canada

Fly to Rome.

Day 2

Welcome to Rome

Upon arrival, take the transfer to your hotel and check in. Meet the tour leader in the late afternoon.

Day 3

Rome: Sightseeing

In the morning, take a guided walking tour of Baroque Rome. In the afternoon, take advantage of the Hop-On Hop-Off bus to get a panoramic tour of the Eternal City.

More Moments Activities Included

  • Guided Walking Tour of Rome

    Join a guided stroll through the alleys of Baroque Rome, where you'll admire iconic sites such as the enchanting Piazza Navona and the renowned Pantheon (from the outside). You'll also have the chance to make a wish by tossing a coin into the legendary Trevi Fountain.

  • Hop-On Hop-Off (24 hours)

    Pop into all of Rome’s most famous attractions.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 4

Rome: Visit

Today's itinerary includes an exciting visit to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum.

More Moments Activities Included

  • Colosseum and Palatine Hills Guided Tour

    Explore the grandeur of the Colosseum, the iconic symbol of ancient Rome where gladiators once fought. Ascend Palatine Hill to enjoy breathtaking views and learn about the origins of Rome. Wander through the Roman Forum, the heart of ancient Roman public life, filled with historic ruins and monuments.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 5

Rome – Catania – Taormina

After breakfast, take your transfer to the airport. Board your domestic 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

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

Meal(s): Breakfast and dinner

Day 6

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 1900 metres high). Enjoy a food and wine tasting at a local winery.

($) Optional Activities

  • Etna by Jeep

    Reach Mount Etna’s higher peaks by jeep.

Meal(s): Breakfast and tasting

Day 7

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 Neapolis Archaeological Park, famous for its Roman amphitheatre, the Greek Theatre, 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 8

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

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 9

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 10

Palermo: Visit

Enjoy a full day discovering Palermo and Monreale.

More Moments Activities Included

  • Walking Tour of Palermo & Monreale

    Start your morning with a walking tour of the city centre, starting from Teatro Massimo and continue through the famous “u Capo” local market, tasting Sicilian specialties like arancina or the famous Austista lemonade. Continue to the Cathedral and walk to 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 11

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 fishing village, on the slopes of a promontory, hosts a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Arabic-Norman Cathedral. You will have the whole day at your disposal to relax on the beach, shop, or hike up La Rocca ($)!

Meal(s): Breakfast and dinner

Day 12

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. The rest of the day is at leisure.

(Approximately 424 km)

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 13

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

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

Room details

Type of bed(s): 1 double bed or 2 twin beds
Room occupancy: Maximum 3 people (3 adults, or 2 adults and 1 child)
Unless otherwise specified, guests will stay in a standard room at all hotels during the trip.

Important Information

  • Tour begins on Friday:

    • April 25, 2025
    • May 9 & 30, 2025
    • September 5 & 19, 2025
    • October 3, 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 (23kg) and 1 handbag (8kg)

    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.