Sicily in Depth
Crossroads of the Mediterranean…the “toe” in Italy’s boot…“God’s Kitchen”…
Sicily is all this and much more, as we see on our stellar small group journey around this Italian island. It’s lively cities and ancient ruins, temples of man and nature, hospitable people, and delectable cuisine…a feast for all the senses.
Sicily In Depth
Dates: March 29 – April 9, 2026
Deposit: $500
Land Only (transfers not included): $4,395
From San Francisco (air-inclusive)*: $5,874 (including $679 airline taxes/fees, which are subject to change)
Single Supplements: $895
*Other cities listed on brochure, which can be downloaded on the overview tab of this trip approximately nine months before departure. Airline prices are subject to change, and airline upgrades will be additional to the costs listed above.
Please note, all prices are for a standard, double room unless listed otherwise.
Your Tour Price Includes:
- Round-trip air transportation from listed cities
- 10 nights’ accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, and First Class hotels
- 22 meals: 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
- Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees
- Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
- Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip
- Luggage handling for one bag per person
- Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
Book your trip today by filling out the form and emailing it to ietravel@ucsc.edu.
Travel Dates: March 29-April 9, 2026
March 29, 2026
This evening we depart the US for Palermo.
March 30, 2026
We arrive today in Palermo, the capital of Italy’s autonomous region of Sicily. This evening we gather at our hotel for a briefing on the journey ahead, followed by a welcome dinner.
Accommodations: Eurostars Centrale Palace
(D)
March 31, 2026
On this morning’s walking tour, we discover 2,700-year-old Palermo’s twin claims to fame: impressive architecture and world-class street food. Highlights include Palermo Cathedral and Palazzo Reale, both a part of Arab-Norman Palermo, which is a UNESCO site comprising nine civil and religious structures dating to Norman rule in Sicily (c. 12th century). We also see the Church of San Cataldo, another of Palermo’s Arab-Norman treasures. Along the way, we pass through vibrant markets selling arancini, cannoli, and other Sicilian specialties – which, of course, we stop to sample. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration. With dinner on our own tonight, perhaps a culinary adventure is in order – and thanks to Sicily’s strategic Mediterranean location that lured many invaders, Sicilian food incorporates Italian, Arabic, and African influences into a singular and delicious cuisine.
Accommodations: Eurostars Centrale Palace
(B)
April 1, 2026
A full day of touring takes us first to the medieval walled town of Erice. Perched atop a mountain nearly 2,500 feet above sea level, Erice offers panoramic views of the valley below, the port town of Trapani, and the Tyrrhenian Sea beyond. We continue to Trapani, where we visit the region’s famed salt pans. Though the area is a designated nature reserve, Sicilians still harvest salt here using centuries-old methods; indeed, the oldest of the area’s 60 working windmills dates to the island’s Arabic regime. We tour the museum here and then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Palermo.
Accommodations: Eurostars Centrale Palace
(B, L)
April 2, 2026
En route to Agrigento today, we stop in nearby Monreale. Sitting on the slopes of Monte Caputo, Monreale overlooks La Conca d’Oro (or “the Golden Shell”), a richly fertile valley studded with groves of orange, olive, and almond trees. Here we visit the city’s celebrated cathedral, another gem of Arab-Norman Palermo and one of the finest examples of Norman architecture still in existence. The imposing main façade and ornate outer cloister serve to prepare us for the cathedral’s breathtaking main sanctuary, where every inch of wall and ceiling space is covered with painstakingly detailed mosaics. Crafted by artisans from Constantinople (now Istanbul), the dazzling mosaics contain some 4,850 pounds of pure gold. Our journey then continues as we visit a family-owned winery, followed by a wine tasting and lunch at a nearby country house. Late this afternoon we reach Agrigento and our hotel, where we dine together tonight.
Accommodations: Baia di Ulisse
(B, L, D)
April 3, 2026
This morning we visit the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO site and archaeological zone whose ruins of fallen Doric temples and sanctuaries date to Greek rule in the 5th century BCE. Known in its heyday as the “most beautiful city of mortals,” Agrigento was one of the leading cities during the Golden Age of ancient Greece. Our tour features both the eastern zone, where we see the beautifully preserved Temple of Concordia (c. 430 BCE), and the western zone, with the massive temple of Olympian Zeus, believed to be the largest Doric temple ever built. Moving away from the outdoor sites, we enter Agrigento’s archaeological museum with its exhibits and artifacts that tell the story of this outpost of classical Greece. Then we have lunch at a local restaurant and an afternoon at leisure. This evening, we visit an organic working farm for a cooking demonstration and dinner.
Accommodations: Baia di Ulisse
(B, L, D)
April 4, 2026
We travel across Sicily’s southern reaches today to Syracuse (Siracusa), stopping along the way in Piazza Armerina to visit Villa Romana del Casale, an elaborate 4th-century CE villa and UNESCO site boasting one of the richest and largest collections of mosaics in the Roman world. Thanks to having been buried by landslides, the villa, its vivid frescoes, and the more than 3,200 square feet of mosaics survived the millennia in remarkably good shape. Following our tour here, we continue on to Syracuse, arriving late this afternoon. Once the largest city in the ancient world, Syracuse today is an alluring spot known for its superb archaeological sites and the relaxed seaside ambience of its Baroque old town.
Accommodations: Hotel Borgo Pantano
(B, L, D)
April 5, 2026
Today we discover what this city is best known for: the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, a UNESCO site that comprises a range of ancient monuments. We begin our explorations at the 5th-century BCE Greek theater, the 16,000-seat amphitheater where the tragedies of Aeschylus were staged – in his presence – and is still in use today. Next: Latomia del Paradiso (Paradise Quarry), the now overgrown shaft from which the white limestone used to build Syracuse was cut. Because it has excellent acoustics, the quarry also is known as the Ear of Dionysius. We continue on to the Roman amphitheater, the 1st-century BCE arena that once held gladiator spectacles; today it hosts musicals on its ancient stones. Then we take a walking tour of Ortigia, the “white pearl” of Sicily, historical center of Syracuse, and a UNESCO site.
Accommodations: Hotel Borgo Pantano
(B, D)
April 6, 2026
This morning we embark on a cruise along Sicily’s Ionian coast, dotted with tiny islands and caves. We see the Spanish Wall, 13th-century Castello Maniace which served as a bulwark against invaders in the Middle Ages, and historic Ortigia Island. We disembark at Ortigia, where we’re free to explore and enjoy lunch on our own. Late this afternoon we return to our hotel, where we dine tonight.
Accommodations: Hotel Borgo Pantano
(B, D)
April 7, 2026
We depart Syracuse this morning and make our way up the coast to Mt. Etna, one of Europe’s largest active volcanoes. The ancients believed conical snow-topped Etna to be the forge of Vulcan, god of fire; today, Sicilians have a very personal relationship with the volcano, which frequently erupts but is seldom destructive. Descending from the volcano, we stop at a private farm set amidst acres of lemon and kiwi groves, where we enjoy a small group highlight: a homemade lunch prepared by the family who lives here. To accompany our meal, we sample some excellent Sicilian wines. Then we resume our journey to Taormina, arriving late this afternoon. This evening is at leisure, with dinner tonight on our own.
Accommodations: NH Collection Taormina
(B, L)
April 8, 2026
This morning we embark on a walking tour of this delightful medieval town set on a rocky terrace overlooking the Ionian Sea. Highlights include the 3rd-century BCE Greek theater, where gladiators once battled; the 13th-century fortress-like Duomo; and grand Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, site of the ancient agora and today an inviting plaza. This afternoon is at leisure to enjoy Taormina as we wish; tonight we celebrate our Sicily adventure over a farewell dinner at our hotel.
Accommodations: NH Collection Taormina
(B, D)
April 9, 2026
We transfer today to the Catania airport for our return flight to the U.S.
(B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Accommodations:
Eurostars Centrale Palace, Palermo, Italy / Days 2-4 / Superior First Class
Located in the heart of Palermo within walking distance of the Palermo cathedral and the famed Via Maqueda, the Eurostars Centrale Palace occupies the old Palazzo Tarallo building, retaining the original structure along with vintage frescoes and furniture. The hotel also forms part of the Arab-Norman route, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, where the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, and Arabs raised their places of worship. Hotel amenities include a restaurant serving traditional Sicilian fare and a terrace bar, both with panoramic views of Palermo and its surrounding mountains; complimentary Wi-Fi access; fitness center; and laundry and dry-cleaning services (for a fee). Air-conditioned guest rooms include private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, minibar, and TV.
Please note: Due to the historical significance of this property, management has kept much of the original furniture, retaining the hotel’s old-world charm while still offering all the modern comforts and amenities.
Baia di Ulisse, Agrigento, Italy / Days 5-6 / First Class
Baia di Ulisse stands along the southern coast of Sicily, just a short drive from Agrigento and the only hotel in the area with direct access to a private beach. The hotel boasts classic Sicilian décor and offers amenities including a restaurant and bar, swimming pool, spa with sauna and available massage treatments (for a fee), and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access in common areas. Each of the 92 air-conditioned guest rooms has a balcony and features private bath with hair dryer, minibar, TV, and phone.
Please note: The spa is open Friday – Sunday during the winter months and Wednesday – Sunday the rest of the year.
Hotel Borgo Pantano, Syracusa, Italy/ Days 7-9 / First Class
The Hotel Borgo Pantano sits on the site of a restored 19th century manor in the rolling green countryside outside Syracuse. This family-run property was opened in 2010 and boasts four dining and drinking options: a restaurant, outdoor grill, thatch-roof poolside bar, and lobby bar. Set within sweeping manicured grounds with an array of covered sitting areas is an expansive outdoor swimming pool and lounge area. Additional amenities include laundry and dry-cleaning service (for a fee) and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. Each air-conditioned guest room has a unique layout and furnishings, is adorned with furniture and art created by local artists, and includes private bath with hair dryer, minibar, tea-making facilities, in-room safe, TV, and phone.
NH Collection Taormina, Taormina, Italy / Days 10-11 / Deluxe
The elegant NH Collection Taormina is nestled high on the rugged wooded hillside along which the city of Taormina is built. The hotel offers a restaurant, café, rooftop swimming pool with poolside bar, fitness center (with spa, sauna, solarium, and steam bath, for a fee), laundry and dry-cleaning service (for a fee), and complimentary Wi-Fi internet service. All 63 air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, minibar, in-room safe, tea- and coffee-making facilities, TV, and phone. Please note: Due to the unique nature of this boutique hotel, you may find the room size to be a bit smaller than at other hotels on this tour.
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