Small Group Winter Tour of Sicily - 6 days

Small Group Winter Tour of Sicily
6 days – up to 6 people

Sicily is one of the Mediterranean’s greatest pleasures. Lying off the coast of southwestern Italy, this captivating island offers stunning sea views, quaint medieval hill towns, rustic cuisine and fine wine.

Sicily is one of the warmest places in Europe in winter, and people come to Sicily in winter to enjoy a bit of sunshine when the rest of the continent is frozen. Winter also happens to be low season, with the lowest prices of the year and the fewest crowds.

There are lot of options for tours in Sicily, where you can relish great wines looking at breathtaking surroundings, endless wineries, street food meals, archaeological sites and lovely coastal towns.

We have assembled top activities, top sights and especially top rated services and we have designed this tour for total 6 days.

Tour Recap

Season: all year available on request
5 nights/6 days
Palermo (3 night) Siracusa (2 night)
Accommodation: Not Included. You can either book your hotel on your own, or we can help and include it in your package.
Airline Tickets: not purchased by us

Land: Palermo airport – West Side
Leave: Catania airport – East Side

1° day – Palermo airport > Independent Transfer to Palermo City Centre
2° day – Palermo Street Food Walking Tour and Monreale
3° day – Palermo > Marsala, Lunch and Erice > Palermo
4° day – Palermo > Agrigento and Piazza Armerina > Siracusa
5° day – Siracusa and Ortigia Half Day
6° day – Siracusa > Independent Transfer to Catania airport

HIGHLIGHTS

Palermo Street Food Experience
Dome in Monreale with 6.340 square meters gold mosaics
Marsala Saltpans, country meal and Erice Marzipan
Valley of the Temples in Agrigento
Amazing Roman Villa in Piazza Armerina
Siracusa Archaeological Park and Ortigia

HOTEL PACKAGE

Fell free to book the hotels that appeal you more or ask us to provide an Optional Hotel Package based on the hotel rating you wish to lodge in.

DEPARTURES, SEASON, BLACK-OUT AND DETAILS

Daily departures from Palermo
Winter Tour valid from November 1, 2023 to March 15, 2024
Black-out: December 19, 2023 to January 2, 2024

THE RATE IS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

SPECIAL DEAL: Family and Friends travelling together

Category
Multiday Escorted Tours, Multiday Private Tours of Sicily
Location
Agrigento, Erice, Marsala, Monreale, Palermo, Piazza Armerina, Siracusa
Days
6
Nights
5
Category
Multi Days
Group Size
up to 6 ppl
Departures
Daily
Accommodation
On Request
Availability
On Request
Season
Winter Tour

Day 1

Independent Arrival in Palermo Palermo Airport > Town

Welcome to the warm, beautiful and pleasant island of Sicily!

Upon arrival at Palermo Airport (PMO) collect your luggage inside the customs area. Then independent transfer to your hotel.

The balance of the day is at leisure to explore the town on your own.

Not Included:
>Tips and Gratuities
>Arrival Transfer with private vehicle and Italian speaking chauffeur (available on request - read more>)

Day 2

Palermo and Monreale with street food tastings - half day

Today departure for Monreale by taxi for a guided visit to the Dome, a wonderful example of the Arab-Norman art and architecture. Launched in 1174 by William II, the Dome represents scenes from the Old and New Testaments all in golden mosaics. Later back to Palermo and start with a walk into a lively open-air market, a place with strong Arab influences, resembling a souk, with picturesque stands of fresh fish, cheeses, fruits and vegetables. During the tour you will have the opportunity to observe local people in their dailly activities and to savor foods that real Sicilian people love to eat! A small tasting of typical street food is included.
The walking tour through the ancient center of Palermo is approx. 2,5 hours and you will visit several monuments including Piazza Pretoria, and the exterior of Cathedral. The tour will finish at the Four Corner to permit to have the afternoon at leisure to explore Palermo on your own.

Included Today:
>Half Day Palermo Street Food Walking Tour
>Street Food tastings
>Round trip taxi service from Palermo to Monreale and return to Palermo

Not Included
>Admission Fee
>Tips and Gratuities
>English speaking guide to visit the Dome in Monreale

Day 3

Marsala, Salt Way Road, Lunch and Erice

Today departure for Marsala, the Arab “Marsa Allah” –Harbor of God–, is known in the whole world for one thing: Wine! The Marsala Wine comes from the western lands of Sicily and its name derives from the homonymous town. The Marsala is the oldest Italian DOC wine, with an average alcohol content of about 18 degrees. Then, we drive along the scenic Salt Way Road to admire the beautiful Saltpans where the sea-salt is still produced following the old Phoenician tradition preserved during the century. Enjoy a light-lunch in a local Olive Oil and Wine producer Farmhouse including tasting of mixed local products

This afternoon departure for Erice uptown. The Elymians settled in the medieval town of Erice, which was an important religious site associated with the goddess Venus. Wander through its ancient streets and visit some of the famous homemade pastry shops—world-famous for marzipan candies and other delicacies like almond and pistachio pastries. At arrival, independent walk along the city centre with recommended stop at local pastry shop to taste some Sicilian local sweet.

Later we return to Palermo.

Inclusions Today:
>Full Day Vehicle and English speaking driver
>One light-lunch in an Olive Oil and Wine Farmhouse
>Independent visit of Erice with recommended stop in a pastry-shop

Not Included:
>English speaking Guide
>Admission Fee to the Saltpans
>Tips and Gratuities
>Beverages

Then we drive back to Palermo.

Day 4

Agrigento and Piazza Armerina

Today we drive through the interior of Sicily to reach Agrigento to see the Valley of the Temples: two hours guided walking tour on the Valley of the Temples an important Unesco World Heritage site covers the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Hercules and the Temple of Zeus. Agrigento, according to legend, was founded by Daedalus and his son Icarus after they had fled from Crete “by air”. Historically, however, its origins date back to 582 B.C. when it was founded by Rhodian-Cretan colonist from the neighboring Gela who named their city Akragas after the nearby river. It rapidly increased in size, importance and military strength under Phalarides, the first tyrant, and later under Theron, who extended his way over northern Sicily as far as Himera.

In conclusion, Agrigento was a city of artists and illustrious personages, amongst whom the philosopher Empedocles. Pindar defines it as “the most beautiful of mortal cities” and, in fact, in the Vth century B.C., those famous temples, whose beauty we still admire today, were built.

This afternoon we then continue onto Piazza Armerina to enjoy the visit of the amazing Mosaics Floor at the Roman Villa of Casale, that belongs to the Unesco Heritage. Built on the 4th century AD, the Villa was later forgotten and only in the 20th century excavations revealed the whole building. It is the supreme example of a luxury Roman villa (about 3500 square meters of floor mosaics) and was probably the residence of a member of the upper class of the Roman Empire. The mosaics discovered here are celebrated among scholars of antiquity. The visit inside the Roman Villa will be done independently. Every room has information boards.

Later onto Taormina.

Inclusions Today:
>Full Day Vehicle and English speaking driver

Not Included:
>English Speaking Guide to visit the Valley of the Temples
>English speaking guide to visit the Mosaics Floor at the Roman Villa
>Admission Fee to the Valley of the Temples and at the Roman Villa
>Meals and Beverages
>Tips and Gratuities

Day 5

Siracusa and Ortigia Half Day

Today visit this wonderful town with a professional guide who will lead you to the discovery of the most important beauties as well as the hidden treasures of Siracusa and Ortigia Island.

Transfer by taxi the Archaeological Park that highlights the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and, the Paradise Quarry. After we travel back to the Island of Ortigia by taxi to start the walking tour from the Aretusa Fountain, visit the incredible Dome of Siracusa built on top of a Greek Temple and today incorporated in a beautiful baroque church!!

Continuing the walk, the tour will end at Apollo Temples to permit you to get back independently to your accommodation.

This afternoon is at leisure.

Inclusions Today:
>Half Day Guided visit to the Archaeological Park and Ortigia
>Taxi service from Ortigia to the Archaeological Park and return to Ortigia

Not Included:
>Admission Fee
>Meals and Beverages
>Tips and Gratuities

Day 6

Independent Departure from Catania airport

Time to say goodbye to Sicily!

Independent Transfer to Catania Airport and departure to your next destination

Not Included:
>Departure Transfer with private vehicle and Italian speaking chauffeur (available on request - read more>)

Included

All sightseeing, tasting and excursions as specified in the itinerary
Booking Fee
English speaking Tour Director/Driver (as per program)
Local Assistance
Small group experience
Tastings of street food
Transportation by taxi to Monreale and return
VAT
Visit as per itinerary (independent without booking of guide)

Not Included

Admission fees
Airport transfers
Beverage and meal not specified
City taxes
Gratuities and tips
Hotel accommodation
Intercontinental/Local Flights
Licensed Tourist Guide
Personal expenses and extra drinks
Porterage at airport
Pre & Post nights package-tour
Travel Insurance

Is Sicily worth visiting in winter?

What part of Sicily is best in winter?

A trip in the winter could be an opportunity to admire some of the most beautiful cities in Sicily where there's no mass tourism. So, if you wish to explore, enjoy and spend time with locals, the winter is an amazing season to travel to Sicily and save money!

Not to be missed would be Monreale, Marsala, Erice, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina and Siracusa-Ortigia. And of course the region's capital, Palermo.

Our bespoked winter small size --up to 6 people-- tour includes overnights in Palermo and Siracusa --which are the two important cities of Sicily and business town as well-- and visit the most important highlights in 6 days.

How cold is it in Sicily in winter?

Sicily is a subtropical climate, so the winter months (at least on the east and north coasts and in the center of the island) tend to be chilly, although mild. That is, in the low 40s F to about 60 degrees F and rainy (or on Etna, snowy) this time of year.

How many days in Sicily is enough?

it's much better to spend at least 6 days and/or a week discovering this Mediterranean paradise.

What clothes to take to Sicily in winter?

What to wear in Sicily in November – March: essentials and for sure dress in layers

-Warm waterproof winter jacket.
-Scarf, hat, gloves.
-Short and long sleeve tops for layering.
-Cardigan.
-Warmer jumper.
-Long trousers / skirts and winter tights.
-Underwear.
-Socks.