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A Taste of Sicily
October 14 - 22, 2025
Join Stephanie Hansen for an unforgettable journey to Sicily! Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and rich history of this stunning island. Our adventure includes stays in Palermo, Agrigento, and Siracusa, where we'll explore ancient Greek, Roman, and Norman sites, enjoy a local winery visit, and delight in exceptional Sicilian cuisine. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to experience the best of Sicily!
Highlights & Inclusions:
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Airfare included from Minneapolis
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Daily Breakfast
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Welcome & Farewell Dinners
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Professional Tour Director
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Local Italian city guides
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Palermo, Siracusa and Taormina city tours
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12th century Monreale cathedral
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Cefalu seaside village (from White Lotus)
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Valley of Temples in Agrigento
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Palermo Walking Food Tour
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Archeological Park of Siracusa
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Taormina's Greek Theatre
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Drive the slopes of Mt. Etna
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Wine tasting
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Leisure time in Sicily
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And so much more!
Day 1: October 14
Fly To Sicily
Depart the United States for an overnight flight to Europe and the island of Sicily! Choose land only (you get your own flights) or the included flights which include airport transfers (please look at the optional flight schedule near the bottom of this page).
Day 2: October 15
Arrive In Sicily, Italy
We arrive in Palermo, Sicily, and are soon joined by a local guide. Enjoy some leisure time around the hotel before checking into the 4* Hotel Palazzo Cartari, ideally located in the heart of central Palermo. This will be our base for the next three nights. Tonight, join Stephanie and fellow travelers for a traditional Sicilian dinner at a local restaurant, where we'll kick off our adventure together. The optional airfare package including the schedule with airport transfers are mentioned at the bottom of the itinerary.
Included Meals: Welcome Dinner
Day 3: October 16
Palermo City Tour - Monreale Food Tasting Tour
Every morning, start your day with a delightful Italian breakfast. Later, our local guide will take us on a tour of the seaside city of Palermo, including a visit to the 14th-century Chiaromonte-Steri Palace. As the former capital of both the Arabs and Normans, Palermo's monuments beautifully blend two distinct cultures. A prime example is the 12th-century Palatine Chapel, a Norman creation adorned with Byzantine-style mosaics.
In the afternoon, we'll explore the hilltop town of Monreale and enter the stunning 12th-century Cathedral, famed for its nearly 70,000 square feet of gold and polychrome mosaics. Later, a local guide will join us to sample Sicilian culinary delights on a food tour that promises to be unforgettable. Enjoy the rest of the day and evening at your leisure in Palermo.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Food Tour
Day 4: October 17
Cefalu Seaside Town
Depart from Palermo for the enchanting town of Cefalù, a gem along the Sicilian coast! Cefalù is not only steeped in history but also recently gained fame as a filming location for the HBO TV series, "White Lotus". Discover the majestic Duomo di Cefalù, with its Norman architecture and stunning mosaics of Christ Pantocrator. Explore the medieval streets where the ancient Lavatoio Medievale highlights daily life from centuries past. Visit Osterio Magno, rumored to have been the residence of King Roger II, now a cultural landmark. Ascend the Rocca for panoramic views that showcase the town’s picturesque setting on the Tyrrhenian Sea. End your visit with a stroll along the vibrant seafront promenade, experiencing the same captivating scenery that has drawn filmmakers and travelers alike to this historic and cultural haven. Enjoy leisure time before returning back to Palermo.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: October 18
Agrigento - Valley Of The Temples
We depart Palermo and head to the southern shores of Sicily, toward the Agrigento area. Along the way, we'll pause at a local winery to enjoy a tasting of regional wines paired with a light snack. Agrigento is renowned for its breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage-listed Valley of the Temples, an archaeological marvel with a history that spans thousands of years. A local guide will accompany us through this historic site, enriching our visit with tales of its past and significance. We'll spend the night in Agrigento area at the Baia di Ulisse Hotel, where dinner awaits us.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Light Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: October 19
Noto – Siracusa
Departing from Agrigento, we journey to the picturesque town of Noto, where a local guide will meet us for a walking tour of this Baroque masterpiece, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. During the tour, we'll explore Noto's exquisite main attractions, such as the striking Cathedral of San Nicolò and the grand Palazzo Ducezio. After the guided walk, you'll have some free time to explore on your own and enjoy lunch in one of Noto's charming eateries, delving into Sicilian flavors. Following our visit to Noto, we will continue to Siracusa, where we will check into the 3* Hotel Gargallo, ideally located in central Siracusa. Here, we will spend the next three nights, using it as our base to further explore the rich history and culture of eastern. Sicily.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: October 20
Siracusa Archaeological Site
Discover the Archaeological Site of Siracusa with our expert local guide, where the echoes of ancient Syracuse’s illustrious past come to life. This city, once one of the most influential of the ancient Greek world, was home to the celebrated mathematician and engineer Archimedes. As you explore the ruins, imagine the streets bustling with philosophers and mathematicians during the city's heyday.
After your tour, meander through the charming streets of Siracusa’s old town. Visit the magnificent Duomo di Siracusa, which fascinatingly incorporates elements from the Temple of Athena. Be sure to stroll by the Fonte Aretusa, a legendary spring with ties to ancient myths, and take in the timeless beauty of the seafront. Each corner of Siracusa offers a chance to walk in the footsteps of some of the greatest figures of antiquity, enriching your visit with a deep sense of history. Enjoy the remainder of the day exploring Siracusa.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: October 21
Mt. Etna – Taormina
This morning, we set off to explore the stunning landscapes of Mount Etna, where the active volcano provides a dramatic backdrop to the lush vineyards and farms that dot its slopes. Witness the raw beauty of nature in one of the most unique volcanic regions in Europe. After our visit to the volcano, we'll head to Taormina, a town famed for its exquisite beauty and historic charm. Here, we'll explore the ancient Greco-Roman Theatre, an architectural marvel that not only offers a window into the past with its well-preserved ruins but also features breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. Taormina's blend of natural beauty, historical significance, and cultural prominence, recently highlighted as the filming location for "White Lotus,". Later, we return to Siracusa where we gather for a fond Farewell Dinner to Sicily!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Day 9: October 22
Fly Home
Today, we depart from the nearby Catania airport for home with new friends and experiences in Sicily. Or extend your stay in Europe (If you choose to extend your stay, please book 'land only'. If you need assistance with airfare or other areas to visit in Europe, please let us know. (Please refer to the group flights for the return home schedule).
Included Meals: Breakfast
Optional Flight Schedule
Departure
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Tuesday, October 14, 2025
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United Airlines #576
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Minneapolis (MSP): 11:32 AM
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Chicago (ORD): 12:51 PM
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Swiss #007
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Chicago (ORD): 2:20 PM
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Zurich (ZRH): 6:10 AM (Wednesday, October 15)
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Swiss #1740
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Zurich (ZRH): 7:00 AM
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Palermo (PMO): 8:55 AM
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Return
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Wednesday, October 22, 2025
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Lufthansa #1907
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Catania (CTA): 11:55 AM
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Munich (MUC): 2:05 PM
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Lufthansa #434
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Munich (MUC): 3:45 PM
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Chicago (ORD): 6:15 PM
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United Airlines #1564
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Chicago (ORD): 7:35 PM
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Minneapolis (MSP): 9:01 PM
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Important Information About Group Flights
If you choose to book a group flight, please be aware that seat assignments are not provided by the airline until the day of check-in. This is standard airline policy for group reservations.
If you require a specific seat type, such as an aisle, window, or an upgraded seat, we recommend not purchasing a group ticket. Instead, we’d be happy to provide you with a separate quote that allows for specific seat selection.
While airlines will make every effort to seat you next to your traveling companion, this cannot be guaranteed.
Thank you for your understanding, and we appreciate your flexibility when booking group flights!
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Tour Price:
LAND ONLY RATE
$4799
PER PERSON
(Based on 2 people in a room) INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE IS NOT INCLUDED
AIRFARE INCLUDED RATE
$6199
PER PERSON
(Based on 2 people in a room) AIRFARE INCLUDED OUT OF MSP
LAND ONLY - SINGLE RATE
$5498
PER PERSON
(Based on 1 person in a room) LAND ONLY - AIRFARE IS NOT INCLUDED
AIRFARE INCLUDED RATE
$6898
SINGLE RATE
(Based on 1 person in a room) AIRFARE INCLUDED OUT OF MSP
Trip Deposit
A $300 non-refundable per person deposit is due at the time of registration. After final payment all monies are non-refundable. Travel Insurance is available and HIGHLY ENCOURAGED
Final Payment
June 16, 2025
