Summary
During the 10-day Sicily and Aegadian Islands Tour (Favignana, Levanzo) you will discover the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily, and the Sicilian Archipelago, as well as the largest of the Aegadian Islands, Favignana, which lies 16 kilometres southwest of Trapani and Levanzo Island. This tour offers you an itinerary for visiting the main cities of Sicily and discovering all the beauties of the island. Later, from Trapani, you will board a hydrofoil to reach Favignana, the most important of the Aegadian Islands, named “La Farfalla” by the painter Salvatore Fiume, thanks to its butterfly shape. You will enjoy 2 full days on Favignana Island, including a boat excursion to discover its astonishing bays and Levanzo Island. If you are a solo traveller willing to discover Sicily and join a group, this tour also suits you and you can be accommodated in a single room (Single Room Supplement: May / June / September - 399 €; July - 460 €; August - 500 €). The entrance fees at the attractions and city taxes are not included in the price. Closing date for receipt of group travel requests for this tour is two weeks before the travel date. Departures are organized every Saturday from May 18, 2024 to September 28, 2024.
Group travel request form Join a group tour
Valeria
Local travel expert in Italy
I am Valeria and I speak English, Spanish and French. My passion for travel and love for my land will let you discover Sicily and its treasures throughout extraordinary itineraries.
Itinerary
On the arrival day, you will arrange by your own the transfer to the hotel in the charming city of Catania in Sicily (optional private transfer upon request).
In the evening, you will meet the tour-leader and your travel companions for a short briefing.
Accommodation at the hotel in Catania.
This day, starting in Catania, will continue with a visit to Syracuse, the most beautiful and greatest Greek colony in Sicily listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO! The guided tour begins with the visit of the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, the Greek Theater, the Roman Amphitheater, the Latomie of Paradise and the Ear of Dionysus. The city is also the birthplace of Archimedes, a leading mathematician and engineer. Syracuse was one of the Mediterranean's major powers in ancient times.
You will continue the tour by visiting the beautiful Ortigia, a small island that is Syracuse's historical centre. In Ortigia, you will admire the beautiful Cathedral that dominates the square with its authoritative presence. Its facade is a powerful Sicilian-Baroque composition, but it gives no hint that this building was once a Doric temple!
In the afternoon, you will have some free time for lunch. more
After lunch, you will travel to Noto, the capital of Sicilian Baroque, famous for its fine early 18th century buildings and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Inspired by the Baroque ideals of "open city", Noto is famous for its fine early 18th century buildings, which are considered some of the finest examples of Sicilian Baroque style. In fact, Noto's Baroque is a game of elegant curves, floral weaves, palaces and gardens, capitals and decorations adorning the facades of churches and monasteries.You will visit Nicolaci Villadorata Palace, a beautiful Baroque noble residence, once the residence of Don Giacomo Nicolaci, a patron of the arts.
Departure to Ragusa. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel in Ragusa.
This day will begin with the visit of Ragusa Ibla and its historical centre, cradle of Sicilian Baroque. Used as a location of the extremely popular Police Inspector Montalbano Tv series, it is today stated among the 44 Italian World Heritage Sites. This little precious ancient town hosts more than 50 churches and many Baroque architectural treasures! You will be fascinated by its Cathedral, situated in the beautiful Dome square, and you will love the “Giardino Ibleo”, the oldest of the four main gardens in Ragusa. At 383 meters above sea level, from this beautiful garden you can admire a spectacular panorama!
The tour continues towards Modica town with innumerable Baroque architectural treasures and for this reason declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking along the tiny streets of this charming town, you will have a stop to visit Sabadì, one of the most renowned chocolate more manufacturers whose chocolate has been awarded as the best Modica chocolate during the last 9 years! You will enjoy a multi-sensory chocolate tasting discovering the authentic Sicilian flavours: the local nepitella (wild mint), the orange blossom honey, the raw PGI - quality Sicilian lemon and the PGI – quality Sicilian red orange are just some of the many flavours you can taste! Then, you will visit the beautiful and perfectly preserved noble seventeenth-century Palazzo Castro Polara Grimaldi. You will be astonished by its amazing balcony, which dominates the town with a spectacular view and you will have the feeling of being brought back to the past at the beginning of the 20th century, where time seems to have stopped. The style of the interior has the typical structure of Sicilian noble palaces: frescoes of landscapes, wallpapers in splendid satins, vases and furnishings of the most precious manufacture, together with the private collections of Donna Grazietta Grimaldi. All these signs will give you the impression that nothing has changed and that the ancient traditions of the house are still alive. You will then be brought back to the present by savouring some local delicacies under the shadow of the amazing Orti di San Giorgio: 7 gardens suspended between light and beauty. A breath-taking panorama will be the setting of your relaxing lunch!
The day goes on to the charming Piazza Armerina for visiting the famous Villa Romana del Casale, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and admiring the splendid polychrome mosaics! This majestic villa, which belonged to a member of the Roman Senatorial aristocracy, houses prestigious mosaics representing mythological and historical episodes.
Departure to Agrigento. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel in Agrigento.
In the morning, you will enjoy an excursion in Agrigento where you will visit the Valley of the Temples, one of the most outstanding examples of Greater Greece art and architecture, and one of the main attractions of Sicily, included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Agrigento presents a remarkable series of Doric Temples of the 5th century and here you will see the “Temple of Heracles” and the “Temple of Concordia”.
Next, you will travel to Marsala where you will discover the city centre and the aristocratic buildings, monuments and Baroque churches. It is a lovely Mediterranean city featuring beautiful colours: bright yellow, intense blue, dazzling white and natural green. You will also enjoy a guided tour at Florio Cellars where you will see three fascinating barrel rooms with around 1,400 small barrels and 600 larger barrels where approx. 5,500,000 litres of Marsala wines age more in silence and stillness. After a 30 min. tour you will enjoy a wine tasting and lunch at the wine cellar.
You will continue the tour along the charming and well-known Salt Road: the west coast of Sicily with many salt marshes, which have given rise to one of the oldest salt-extracting industries in the world. They are now protected between Trapani and Marsala, in part because of the interesting birdlife, and as important sites of industrial archaeology.
Transfer to Palermo. Dinner on your own and accommodation at the hotel in Palermo.
After breakfast, you will spend the morning in Monreale. Here, you will see the huge Norman Cathedral, proclaimed the 8th Wonder of the World, and its splendid Cloister in Arab-Norman style: admirable masterpiece of art, sculpture, and semi-precious stones marquetry. It is one of the nine structures included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale.
Then, you will have a stop in Palermo, that is the cultural, economic and tourism capital of Sicily. While the Baroque predominates in Palermo, there is a profusion of different architectural styles reflecting the city’s multicultural past: Punic walls, Art Nouveau villas, noble residences, 17th century squares, including an elegant opera house. You will visit the wonderful Arab-Norman Cathedral, the astonishing Martorana Church and the amazing Palatine Chapel included in the more UNESCO World Heritage Site mentioned above. In Palermo, you will enjoy tasting local Sicilian street food and will stop for a food surprise at Antica Focacceria San Francesco.
In the afternoon, you will make a stop to enjoy a typical lunch with local food.
The walk will continue after lunch, and you will have the opportunity to admire the Teatro Massimo and the debated fountain in Pretoria Square.
Accommodation at the hotel in Palermo.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Trapani, from where you will board a hydrofoil to reach Favignana - the largest and most important of the Aegadian Islands. The island lies 16 kilometres southwest of Trapani and in the 70’s, it was named “La Farfalla” by the painter Salvatore Fiume, thanks to its butterfly shape.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy some free time for lunch.
Dinner at a local restaurant and accommodation at the hotel in Favignana.
The day will start with the departure from Favignana harbour, for a relaxing circumnavigation of the island. During the excursion, it will be possible to listen to the historical background of the Tonnara factory and Florio family and enjoy the time in the most astonishing bays. The first stop of this tour will be in Cala Rossa, one of the most known destination of Favignana, whose cliff is characterized by wonderful tuff caves surrounded by blue and crystalline waters. Later you will get to Blue Marino, Cala Azzurra - famous for its sandy white beach and the most crystalline sea of the island – and Lido Burrone, where you will enjoy free time for a dip. After arriving to the southern side of the island (Marasolo/Preveto), it is possible to enjoy a relaxing pause for a typical lunch on board. It is time for snorkelling or swimming to discover the charming coves.
In the afternoon, you will more depart for Cala Rotonda for a swim, coffee break with pastries and return to Favignana, after one last stop in Cala del Pozzo for a swim.
Dinner and accommodation at the hotel in Favignana.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will enjoy some free time for discovering the beautiful island of Favignana. You can walk around the two squares of the city, where you will be attracted by the traditional Mediterranean architecture, popular for its white walls and blue or green windows. Moving towards the waterfront, you will see a beautiful scenery similar to a portrait! The vintage mood of Favignana’s harbour will enchant you: ancient boats, nets and anchors give to this place a magic atmosphere! Do not miss the chance to have a swim in one of the splendid sea coves or, as an alternative, choose an extra boat excursion to Levanzo. You will have the occasion to visit this lovely fisherman village and have a stop to taste the delicious local “granita” and “gelato”. This Sicily and Aegadian Islands tour will proceed heading to the Il Faraglione, Cala Fredda and Cala Minnola, with a stop for a more dip. In the afternoon, you will come back to Favignana harbour.
Dinner and accommodation at the hotel in Favignana.
In the morning, you will have some free time, after which you will check-out from the hotel and board the hydrofoil to Trapani.
You will spend the free afternoon in the lovely Trapani’s city, also known as the “City of 100 churches”, which also hosts an impressive collection of fine local coral art crafts. The city owns a fascinating and legendary history; represented by Virgil in the Aeneid, Trapani’s origins are connected to Carthage, the most bitter Rome’s enemy. Dominated by the Roman Empire and the Spanish Kingdom, it still reveals this fusion made of different cultures and people. You will have the chance to stroll among the nice alleys, discovering its Arab atmosphere.
Dinner and accommodation at the hotel in Trapani.
On departure day, you will arrange your own transfer from the hotel to the airport. If your flight is in the afternoon, you can enjoy the morning on your own. Private transfers or excursions are available upon request.
Prices
Travel dates
Every Saturday (from May 18, 2024 to September 28, 2024)
Price per person in €
2 Pers.
6 Pers.
18 Pers.
4* Hotels (May, June, September)
1495€
1495€
1495€
4* Hotels (July)
1655€
1655€
1655€
4* Hotels (August)
1739€
1739€
1739€
| Travel dates | Accommodation | Price per person in € | ||
| 2 Pers. | 6 Pers. | 18 Pers. | ||
|
Every Saturday (from May 18, 2024 to September 28, 2024) |
4* Hotels (May, June, September) | 1495€ | 1495€ | 1495€ |
| 4* Hotels (July) | 1655€ | 1655€ | 1655€ | |
| 4* Hotels (August) | 1739€ | 1739€ | 1739€ | |
What's Included
- 9 nights accommodation in a double (DBL) or twin (TWN) room at 4-star hotels;
- Breakfast at the hotel;
- Lunch on day 3, 4, 5, 7 of the itinerary (beverages are not included);
- Dinner on day 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 of the itinerary (beverages are not included);
- Excursions on the entire itinerary;
- Chocolate tasting in Modica;
- Wine tasting at the wine cellar in Marsala;
- Tasting of local street food in Palermo;
- Transportation according to the entire itinerary;
- Boat excursion in group around Favignana;
- Multilingual guide/tour leader (English, Spanish, Italian) except the days at Favignana Island.