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Sicily Experience
Custom Vacation Package - Independent Travel
Siracusa, Taormina, Cefalù & Palermo
10 Days, 9 Nights
from $4,920pp*
Our Package Price Includes US flights
Exclusive private tours, upgraded hotels
Vacation Highlights
A half-day 4x4 tour of Mount Etna: pickup from your accommodation, drive through Sicilian villages and wine regions, then an English-speaking guide leads a 45-minute hike across old and new lava fields. The tour continues off-road through pine forests, showcasing volcanic flora and fauna, before an equipped (helmet, flashlight) exploration of a historic lava cave once used for ice production. The trip ends at hardened lava flows that destroyed a ski lift in Etna's last major eruption.
A one-day Sicilian cooking class teaching traditional and innovative recipes, focused on fresh pasta and sauce-making. You'll prepare a 4-course meal (antipasto, fresh pasta, main with a side, and dessert) across 7 preparations, using seasonal local ingredients. The menu highlights unique regional flavors, letting you take home authentic Sicilian recipes.
Food & wine walking tours in Siracusa and Palermo, where your culinary journey combines a perfect mix of food and history led by local professional guides with passion and knowledge of food and interesting stories.
* Seasonal rates may vary. Listed price is from Chicago, but you can fly from your preferred airport. Includes 1 checked, 1 carry-on & 1 personal bag per person. Price includes all airline taxes, fees & surcharges. Economy (advance seat reservation cost not included).
Flexible cancellation policy
Pay in 4 interest-free installments
Premium, highly-rated city-center accommodations
Top-rated private and small group tours of major attractions
Private airport transfers
24-hour customer support while on vacation
Round trip standard economy airfare from the US
What's Included
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About This Vacation
Experience Sicily with a custom vacation that combines travel, adventure, food, and history. Begin your journey in Syracuse (Siracusa) and the beautiful Old Town on the Island of Ortygia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Head north to Taormina, dramatically perched on a clifftop with sweeping views of the Ionian coast and the smoldering silhouette of Mount Etna. It's the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable off-road adventure up the volcano's rugged slopes.
Continue along the northern coast to the pastel-colored seaside town of Cefalù where the golden beach stretches beneath a towering limestone rock and a magnificent Norman cathedral (another UNESCO site) anchors the medieval heart of town. Your last stop is Palermo, Sicily's vibrant, chaotic capital, where Arab-Norman architecture, buzzing street markets, and centuries of layered culture collide in the most exhilarating way. You'll immerse yourself in the soul of Sicilian life with food tours in Syracuse and Palermo as well as a cooking class in Cefalù because in Sicily, food isn't just sustenance, it's a way of telling the story of the island itself.
Customizable Day-by-day Itinerary
All of our tailor-made packages depart on the dates you choose. Small group and private tours feature local, expert guides. Send us a message if you want to customize the itinerary, or for any other special request.
1
Siracusa
Siracusa
Arrive in Catania and take a private transfer to your hotel in Siracusa, renowned for its historical and architectural splendor. This ancient port city was founded in the 8th century BC and in ancient times it rivalled Athens.
2
Siracusa
Siracusa
Embark on a 3.5-hour small group culinary journey, exploring the gastronomic and cultural beauty of Syracuse. Discover the best street food and wine in Ortigia. Learn about the monuments of the historic center starting from the local market of Ortigia and a tasting of local Sicilian delicacies.
3
Taormina
Taormina
Take the train north to Taormina (2hr, direct) with a private transfer to your hotel. Wander the beautiful beaches on the Ionian Sea. Don't miss the iconic Isola Bella. Take some time to soak in the views of Mt. Etna and the sea.
4
Taormina
Taormina
Take a half-day 4x4 tour of Mount Etna. You'll be picked up at your hotel and guided on a 45-minute hike across lava fields. The tour then takes you off-road through pine forests, showcasing volcanic flora and fauna, before an exploration of a historic lava cave once used for ice production. The trip ends at hardened lava flows that destroyed a ski lift in Etna's last major eruption.
5
Cefalù
Cefalù
Take the train to Cefalù on the Tyrrhenian coast (4hr, direct). This little seaside town is considered one of the most beautiful villages of Italy.
6
Cefalù
Cefalù
In a villa just outside Cefalù, you'll enjoy a full-day, small group Sicilian cooking class. You'll learn traditional and innovative recipes, focused on fresh pasta and sauce. You'll prepare a 4-course meal (antipasto, fresh pasta, main with a side, and dessert) across 7 preparations, using seasonal local ingredients.
7
Cefalù
Cefalù
Free day. We suggest seeing Norman Sicilian architecture like the Cefalù Cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
8
Palermo
Palermo
A short train to Palermo, the vibrant capital of Sicily (1hr, direct). After settling in to your hotel, take a semi-private sunset walking food tour. Learn about the culinary traditions of Sicily and taste some local specialties like sfincione, crocché, panelle, or arancine. Don't forget to try the best Sicilian dessert!
9
Palermo
Palermo
Free day to relax or explore. Whether it's museums, parks, shopping, or dining, Palermo has everything you could want. We love the Norman Palace and its Palantine Chapel. You'll find an embarrassment of architectural and cultural riches.
10
Return home
Return home
Take a private transfer to the airport and fly home.
Erik L. & Deb T.
We enjoyed our visit to Mt. Etna although it should be noted that it is a challenging hike. Maybe not suitable for all ages. Our guides were great. It did take the whole day so that’s important to know. Wonderful, memorable, beautiful trip. Perfectly planned and well managed. All our wishes were fulfilled, and it surpassed our expectations. Thank you Shawn and Trademark Vacations.
What Our Travelers Say
Hotels & Attractions
Hotel photos are from the actual hotels our clients have stayed at for this package. Almost all City and Attractions photos taken by us.
WHY CHOOSE TRADEMARK
We've spent over two decades living, working & traveling throughout Europe. We have an office in the UK and in France. We've built deep connections with local partners. We take pride in our destination knowledge and are excited to share the hotels, tours, and activities that we enjoy ourselves.
1. Local Knowledge
We treat every trip like a family vacation with an attention to detail and a focus on creating special experiences for lasting memories. Every detail is tailored to you—your timetable, your interests and preferences, your pace— for a truly 100% custom European vacation.
2. 100% Custom
We take great pride in providing unparalleled customer service. We work closely with you from planning your trip until you're safe back home. And with 24/7 support while you're traveling, know that we've always got your back when the unexpected happens.
3. Service & Support
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