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Classic Sicily, Etna and Taormina with Three-night Beach Extension

11days from

£2,018^*per person

Overview

Lift the veil on Italy’s fascinating southern island outpost, its ancient treasures, natural wonders, sun-kissed beaches and elegant resorts.

Discover Sicily’s most memorable cities and their lesser-known highlights with an unforgettable two-centre holiday, taking in Palermo, Taormina and historic Syracuse. You’ll start the holiday with a flight to Catania and check into your four-star hotel base in nearby Mazzaforno. Your first included excursion will showcase Cefalù, with its exquisite Byzantine mosaics, ahead of a stop in Palermo. Explore the city’s rich cultural heritage with a guided tour of some of its most famous landmarks and continue to Giardini Naxos for your next hotel, enjoying a visit to Villa Romana del Casale en route.

After taking in the treasures of Sicily’s colourful past, you’ll witness its finest natural vistas, starting with an excursion to towering Mount Etna, one of the world’s tallest active volcanoes. The idyllic Aeolian Islands, a memorable highlight on the Tyrrhenian Sea, are next and you’ll have the chance to dock on Lipari for an afternoon’s exploration before heading back to the hotel. Your final included excursion sees Syracuse’s diverse history showcased with time spent in its city centre and ancient Greek temples. At the end of a week-long exploration of Sicily, you can enjoy the next three days however you see fit, perhaps unwinding on Giardini Naxos’ delightful seafront or continuing your exploration independently.

Itinerary

Fly to Catania - Travel to Sicily’s east coast this morning and meet your tour manager, before transferring to your first hotel in the resort of Mazzaforno. Rest and relax after the journey and have dinner in the hotel.
Included visit to Cefalù - The morning sees you in the nearby coastal city of Cefalù. Dominated by a mighty cathedral, which we visit, and the craggy outcrop of ‘La Rocca’, Cefalù is part fishing port, part holiday resort. The 12th-century cathedral is home to one of the world’s finest Byzantine mosaics, and the surrounding maze of medieval cobbled streets is a delight to wander through. The more energetic might even consider a climb to the Temple of Diana, on the slopes of La Rocca. The town boasts a superb beach of fine sand, and there’s a good selection of shops, restaurants, and pavement cafés for you to explore and soak up the local atmosphere before you return to the hotel this afternoon.
Included Palermo guided tour - Embark on this morning’s included tour, first calling at the Benedictine monastery at Monreale. Acknowledged as one of Sicily’s greatest architectural glories, this abbey cathedral is a mix of Romanesque, Byzantine and Arab design. Set off a guided walking tour of Palermo, the island capital that has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Founded by the Phoenicians, and later home to Carthaginian, Greek and Norman conquerors, Palermo, once Europe’s richest city, offers a glimpse of the entire history of Southern Italy in one place. Wander the streets of its four quarters, the Quattro Canti, watching the world go by from a seat in one of the city’s countless bars and cafés. Return to the hotel later this afternoon, where you can spend some time before dinner by the pool or on the hotel’s private beach.
Included Villa Romana del Casale excursion - Bidding farewell to Mazzaforno, travel deep into the Sicilian interior, to the medieval town of Piazza Armerina, set high in wooded hills, and close to the Roman villa at Casale, with its well-preserved mosaics, giving an insight into Imperial life. Continue to your second hotel, positioned in the resort of Giardini-Naxos. Rest and relax and enjoy dinner in the hotel.
Included Etna and Taormina tour - Today’s included tour first heads to the southern slopes of towering Mount Etna. Ascend by cable car to a height of 2,300 metres, to take in impressive views on clear days, and perhaps walk to the base of the volcano’s crater. Taormina is no less stunning, with its marbled squares and flower-decked streets lined with restaurants – perfect spots for lunch. The famous Greco-Roman theatre is cut into the mountainside. Once used for gladiatorial contests, it is now a setting for modern performances that compete for audiences’ attention with the vistas of Etna and the sea. After a special day, return to the hotel for dinner.
Day at leisure with optional Aeolian Island cruise - On yet another memorable day, you'll have the chance to join an optional excursion to the north coast port of Milazzo. Here, you’ll step aboard a ferry for a one-hour crossing to the glorious, volcanic Aeolian Isles, which rise out of the blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Arrive on the largest island Lípari, passing Vulcano with its brooding crater, and after docking in Marina Lunga, it is a short transfer to Lípari Town to spend a couple of hours, before returning to the mainland and back to the hotel for dinner.
Included Syracuse city tour - Unearth the treasures of one of Sicily’s most important cities today, as you make the short journey to discover Syracuse. The former centre of the Greek empire, the ancient heart of the city is on Ortigia island, upon which great temples of Apollo and Athena were built.
Day at leisure - After a busy week’s exploration in Sicily, you’ll be free to spend the next three days under your own steam, perhaps relaxing on one of Giardini Naxos’ idyllic beaches or setting out to explore more of the island at leisure. Those in favour of a more active day’s exploration can find ample points of interest along Sicily’s east coast, only a short bus ride from Giardini Naxos.
Day at leisure - Spend another laid-back day in Naxos, perhaps relaxing by the poolside with a cocktail or soaking up views of the Sicilian coast from the hotel’s manicured gardens.
Day at leisure - Your final full day in Sicily can be spent however you see fit. If you haven’t already, make sure to tick any remaining wish-list experiences off before enjoying one last Italian dinner.

Return to the UK - This morning, after a final breakfast at the hotel, bid farewell to Sicily as you head back to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

What's Included

Holiday Highlights

Discover the historic Sicilian capital, Palermo, on a fascinating walking tour
Discover Taormina, a beautiful hilltop town
Visit Syracuse, rich in Greek and Roman history
Unwind with three days at leisure in Giardini Naxos
Marvel at the magnificent Byzantine mosaics of Cefalù’s 12th-century Cathedral and soak up its cultural landscape with under guidance
Travel by cable-car to the top of Etna, one of the highest volcanoes in Europe
Visit Monreale’s Benedictine monastery
Spend four nights in a charming hotel beneath fabled Taormina
Spend a day exploring the Aeolian Islands on an optional excursion

Our Price Includes

10 nights’ carefully chosen mixed-board accommodation at four-star hotels in Mazzaforno (3 nights) and Giardini Naxos (7)
10 breakfasts and 10 dinners
Visit to Palermo
Sightseeing in Taormina
Visit to the mosaics at the Villa Romana del Casale
A Mount Etna cable-car ascent
Guided tour of Syracuse
Return flights to Sicily
Coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager, apart from three-night stay in Giardini Naxos
All mandatory local taxes and charges

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Dates and Prices

Accommodation

Classic Sicily, Etna & Taormina Extension Hotels -

Introduction
You'll be staying in two good hotels, each of which will be of a high European standard.

Hotel Baia del Capitano, Mazzaforno (nights 1-3) – 2026 departures
Overlooking a sandy beach and enclosed by palm trees and olive groves, this relaxed Mediterranean-inspired hotel is located within the Bay of Mazzaforno, just a short drive from Cefalù. An elevated position allows for beautiful views over the sea, and facilities include two restaurants, three bars, an expansive sun terrace, an outdoor pool and a tennis court. Light, air-conditioned rooms, with a Sicilian style, feature Wi-Fi, TVs, and minibars.

Cefalù Resort Sporting Club, Mazzaforno (nights 1-3) – 2027 departures
Positioned only a short walk from the beach in the quiet coastal town of Mazzaforno, this delightful resort offers classic Sicilian hospitality and a relaxing spot from which to explore the island. The hotel has an expansive sun terrace and outdoor swimming pool, as well as a complimentary shuttle bus service to a nearby beach. Traditional Sicilian dishes and buffet-style continental breakfasts are served at the hotel’s restaurant, and drinks are available from its bar. Guestrooms are light and airy, and include TVs, safes, mini-fridges and air-conditioning.

Hotel Caesar Palace, Giardini Naxos (nights 4-10)
Encircled by a Mediterranean garden and centred around an expansive outdoor swimming pool, this casual, ivy-lined hotel also has private access to a nearby beach, reachable by a free shuttle. Local shops are within walking distance and a nearby public bus service is available. Air-conditioned, comfortable guestrooms feature tea/coffee-making facilities, TVs, mini-bars, sitting areas, and free Wi-Fi. Two on-site restaurants serve Italian, Sicilian, and international food in a buffet style, a poolside bar offers refreshments throughout the day, and a bar lounge hosts live entertainment every evening.

Other Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately two hours and 30 minutes and approximately 45 minutes on departure.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Meals in Italy

Guests on half-board arrangements will be served a three-course evening meal, and can expect a first course of traditional pasta or soup, a main meat or fish course accompanied by one or two types of vegetable, and a simple dessert of fruit, cake or Italian ice cream. Breakfasts will usually consist of bread rolls, jam, cereal, ham, cheese, fruit juice, tea and coffee. Menus will vary from hotel to hotel, but choice will be more limited than in a normal restaurant. In some instances, individual guests who have booked with the hotel independently may be offered a different menu from those who are staying at the hotel as part of a package tour. An authentic dining experience in Italy can often be a bit different to the Italian food that international tourists might be used to, but it’s one of the best ways to truly appreciate the finer cultural differences of this tourist hotspot. From simpler, but more frequent, courses to regional dishes, here are some points to note when dining in Italy. The first major difference you’re likely to notice is that the dining experience as a whole is much longer; you’ll enjoy a much more social experience than the average dinner back home with multiple smaller courses spread across a longer period of time. While each meal will be prepared to order, you may notice that dishes are served cooler than you might be used to – Italian dishes are rarely served piping hot to preserve the more delicate flavours of each ingredient and to provide a more enjoyable dining experience. The final thing to bear in mind is that it may be tricky to find Italian classics in the same form as they are at home. For instance, while Spaghetti Carbonara is a staple in historic Rome – and made traditionally using egg yolks rather than cream – you’ll often find it replaced with a wild boar ragù in Tuscany.

Mount Etna excursions

You will ride to a higher altitude and experience uneven ground when visiting Mount Etna and warmer clothing - a cardigan or jacket - is recommended along with stronger shoes.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Swimming pool & air conditioning availability

Please be aware that for departures in March and April, the swimming pool at this hotel may not yet be open, as hotels across Italy traditionally open their pools from May onwards in line with the warmer season. Similarly, air conditioning is not typically activated until May in Italian hotels, in accordance with local custom and regional regulations. During the spring months, daytime temperatures are generally mild and pleasant, though we recommend packing a light layer for cooler evenings. We hope this does not cause inconvenience and that you enjoy the wonderful spring atmosphere Italy has to offer at this time of year.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Holiday code

N2859

Holiday provided by Newmarket Holidays (for Metro Travel Offers)

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE: This holiday is sold and operated by Newmarket Holidays (ABTOT 5509, ATOL 2325, ABTA V7812), you can be 100% sure that your money is safe.

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