Tasting Italy - Explore Sicily
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 many other travel essentials that will help make this trip easy and unforgettable.
Format
Locations
- Palermo
- Agrigento
- Syracuse
- Taormina
- Rome
Inclusions
- Round-trip flights to Rome (if the Flight & Hotel package option is chosen)
- Domestic flights from Rome to Palermo and Catania to Rome
- 7 nights of accommodation in Sicily at 4-star hotels
- 1 night of accommodation in Rome Fiumicino airport at a 3-star hotel
- 7-day car rental within Sicily, in selected category
- 8 full breakfasts, 1 welcome dinner, and 3 light lunches with wine tasting
- 4 guided tastings of slow food wines and/or Presidia products from the Sicily region
- 1 dinner at Osterie d’Italia, a typical slow food restaurant
- More Moments activities include:
- Palermo: private guided walking tour of Palermo (3 hours)
- Agrigento: private guided tour of the Valley of the Temples, archaeological park (2 hours)
- Ortiga: private guided walking tour of the archaeological park (2 hours)
- Taormina: private guided walking tour of Taormina (2 hours)
- Entrance fees to the Palatine Chapel in Palermo, the archaeological park in Agrigento and Ortiga, and the Greek Theatre in Taormina
- Earn and redeem Aeroplan® points
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart Canada
Fly to Rome.
Day 2
Rome – Palermo
Upon arrival at Rome airport, connect with the flight to Palermo. Once you’ve landed, pick up your car rental or meet your private driver, then proceed to your hotel for check-in.
(Approximately 535 km)
Meal(s): Welcome dinner
Day 3
Palermo – Monreale – Palermo
Embark on a walking tour through the center of Palermo and feel like you are visiting an open-air museum. Later in the day, journey to Monreale and explore the Cloister of Santa Maria La Nuova, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
More Moments Activities Included
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Walking Tour of Palermo
Start your morning with a private walking tour of the city center, starting from Teatro Massimo, and marvel at a range of different architectural styles and see the Capo street markets that are a true mix of culture, customs, and food traditions. Taste five local food specialties from Palermo.
Meal(s): Breakfast and light lunch
Day 4
Palermo – 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.
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, tasting, and light lunch
Day 5
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 meters.
Conclude the day with a departure for Syracuse and dine in the historic town center of Ortigia.
(Approximately 210 km)
More Moments Activities Included
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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 and dinner
Day 6
Syracuse – Ragusa – Modica – Syracuse
Embark on a journey to Ragusa, renowned for its Sicilian-style baroque architecture, earning it a designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is divided into two sections: the historic old city (Ibla) and the modern new city. Continue to Modica, the former county capital, showcasing impressive architectural examples that celebrate the traditional Sicilian baroque style. Explore the city, including a visit to the renowned old pastry shop celebrated for its chocolate, where you can indulge in a tasting experience.
(Approximately 105 km)
Meal(s): Breakfast and tasting
Day 7
Syracuse – Mount Etna – Taormina
Following breakfast, embark on a city tour, exploring one of the most significant and strategically important political centers in ancient Greece. Afterward, journey towards the Etna area, making a stop along the way to visit a vineyard renowned for producing prestigious wines—a true gem for Etna wines. Enjoy a tasting session accompanied by local products.
(Approximately 125 km)
More Moments Activities Included
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Archaeological Park, 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 and light lunch
Day 8
Taormina
In the morning, a guided tour to discover Taormina, the small medieval village called "the pearl of the Ionian Sea."
More Moments Activities Included
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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 9
Taormina – Catania Airport - Rome
After breakfast, head to Catania airport to board your flight to Rome. Upon your arrival, take the hotel shuttle service to your airport hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
(Approximately 55 km)
Meal(s): Breakfast
Day 10
Rome - Return to Canada
After breakfast, take the hotel shuttle service to the airport and board your flight back home.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Accomodations
Where you'll stay
Location
Hotel
Room details
Bed size(s): 1 Italian standard double bed or 2 Italian standard single beds
Room occupancy: Maximum 2 adults or 2 adults and 1 child
Unless otherwise indicated, guests will stay in a standard room during the trip.
Important Information
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Daily from January 6 to December 19, 2025
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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
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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.
In case the excursion in the French language is not available, the service will be provided in English.
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- Flight baggage allowance: 1 piece of luggage (23 kg) and 1 handbag (8 kg).
- 7-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:
- A 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 the principal driver of the vehicle. Modifications or change of name to principal driver 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 seats, 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 the country of origin must be presented at the time of rental. All drivers under the age of 25 will be subject to a surcharge.
Private Driver Option:
- Sedan 1-2 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
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City taxes are applicable for hotel stays in Italy and are payable in local currency upon checkout.
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The order visited may change due to operational restrictions. The itinerary above is for reference only.