Snapshot of Western Sicily – Exclusively Solos

Journey through Western Sicily with equally curious and compatible travellers, surveying the historic, culinary and cultural highlights. Whether you’ve visited this sun-drenched island before or it’s your first time, this well-paced exploration will cover some of the country’s lesser-known areas as well as famed hotspots, including the Valley of the Temples and Monreale. From the smaller towns like Sciacca, with its famous fishing port and intricate ceramics, to Palermo, one of the most historically diverse cities in all of Europe, a local expert will guide and enlighten you throughout. Each day of the itinerary is designed, so you can learn about how the invasions and wars shaped this destination, marvel at Greek, Roman and Islamic architecture, and gain insights into the traditional processes of local produce, like cheese, salt and wine. Personal time allows you to explore at your leisure and carefully planned excursions encourage you to connect with other classical civilisation lovers. Never miss out on a sight, or an interesting fact, and relax at the end of each day knowing that the next is taken care of.

What's Included:

• Seven nights' half-board accommodation at the four-star La Tonnara Di Bonagia Resort, Valderice
• A welcome dinner and drinks, and a farewell dinner
• Seven dinners (in total), six breakfasts and one lunch
• A visit to Erice and Trapani
• A culinary walking tour of Palermo
• An excursion to Segesta
• A visit to a local dairy, with a cheese tasting
• A visit to Monreale
• A visit to the town of Marsala and the Salt Museum
• A visit to a local winery and wine tasting
• An excursion to Sciacca
• A guided tour of the Valley of the Temples
• Return flights to Palermo
• Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers throughout

• Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

  Highlights:

• Survey the salt pans in Marsala, learn about the production of sea salt, and sample local wines at a historical winery
• Explore the medieval town of Erice with panoramic views and visit Trapani's historic centre
• Discover Palermo's food markets and culinary scene, as well as the city's artistic and monumental riches on the Arab-Norman route
• Observe the magnificent Doric Temple of Segesta and the theatre located at the top of the mountain
• Visit Monreale Cathedral, Benedictine Cloister, and the Valley of Temples in Agrigento, one of the greatest treasures of the Greek heritage
• Embark on an optional excursion to the mountainous, Mediterranean Egadi Islands
• Experience a dairy built inside an old tuff quarry and indulge in traditional Sicilian cuisine with a cheese tasting and typical appetisers.

Day 1: Arrive in Palermo

Upon arrival at Palermo airport, you’ll be greeted by your tour manager who’ll transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, you’re free to unwind and take advantage of the hotel’s amenities before enjoying a welcome dinner and drinks at the hotel’s restaurant. This presents an ideal opportunity to meet with your fellow travellers ahead of the first excursion.

Day 2: Included visits to Erice and Trapani

After breakfast, the first full day of the tour includes a visit to the medieval town of Erice, one of the few typical medieval towns in Sicily, set on Mount Erice. The group will wander around the historic and cultural highlights of this unique area of Western Sicily, including the scientific culture centre, and the Gothic cathedral, Chiesa Madre. There’ll also be time to take in the panoramic view of the Egadi Islands and the city of Trapani that divides the Tyrrhenian Sea from the Mediterranean Sea. You’ll then break for a tasting of typical almost sweets, a Sicilian speciality before travelling to Trapani. Here, a guide will escort you around the historic centre, home to several fascinating sights, including the Torre di Ligny, the fish market, and the church of Sant'Agostino. Lunch will be enjoyed back at the hotel and the afternoon will be free to unwind at the resort, perhaps sip on a cocktail by the pool alongside the other travellers.

Day 3: Included culinary walking tour of Palermo and visit to Montreale

Have breakfast and then depart for Palermo, Sicily’s capital, on a guided excursion with a difference. Instead of focusing specifically on the architecture and art of the city (which you’ll still see), this tour will showcase the culinary highlights. On foot, you’ll survey the markets selling fresh produce and eateries popular with the locals and sample the typical street food for which Palermo is known. Savour freshly cooked rice balls, arancini, tuck into a traditionally made cannoli, and cool down with a refreshing granita. During your exploration, you’ll still have ample time to take in the city's rich artistic and monumental heritage, including its UNESCO-recognised Arab-Norman architecture. Later, the group will head to Monreale and call at its famous cathedral, a masterpiece of Arab-Norman style adorned with stunning mosaics that tell stories from the Bible and the New Testament. You'll also have the chance to examine the Benedictine Cloister and its beautiful arches, capitals, and columns decorated with colourful polychrome ornamentation. 

Day 4: Included excursion to Segesta and local dairy with a cheese tasting and lunch

Once you’ve had breakfast, the tour will embark on a journey to Segesta, a town founded on the slopes of Mount Barbaro by the Helimes between the 12th and 11th centuries BC. The wild and mountainous site offers a spectacular view of the magnificent and solitary Doric Temple of Segesta, a true masterpiece in a Greek style. The group will also stop off at the theatre, which is positioned at the top of the mountain and reachable by a shuttle bus. The next destination will be a local dairy that has been built inside an old tuff quarry. You’ll learn about the traditional processes of cheese production before tasting several of the cheeses. Lunch will be enjoyed at the farm and feature dishes made from locally sourced produce. In the evening, you’ll return for dinner and to take it easy at the hotel.

Day 5: Included visit to Marsala, with a trip to the Salt Museum, and a wine tasting

Following on from breakfast, you’ll travel along the ‘salt road’ towards the coastal town of Marsala, passing by famous salt pans. You’ll then arrive at the Salt Museum, which provides an insight into the production of salt sea and the importance of this mineral to the area. This town is also known for its wine production, which was held in very high regard by the British at the end of the 1700s. The group will call at a historical winery here, where you’ll be able to taste for yourself and compare notes with the other travellers. You’ll then have time to wander around at your leisure in the historic centre, observing its ancient ruins, spotting migratory birds flocking to the beachfront, and perhaps drinking some more wine at one of the many pavement-fronted cafés. Afterwards, the group will head back to the hotel for dinner

Day 6: Included visit to Sciacca and the Valley of the temples in Agrigento

Enjoy breakfast and set off on a memorable excursion to the fishing port of Sciacca. Known for its fine artistic ceramics, this town is awash with boutique shops displaying these wares. You’ll get to stroll around its old town and visit some of the ceramic exhibitions while learning about this art form. The tour will continue to the hilltop city, Agrigento, home of the famous Valley of the Temples. This area is a breathtaking archaeological site that contains some of the most well-preserved Greek temples in the world. Erected during the 5th century BC, these monuments are now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are unmissable on a trip to Sicily. As you’re guided through the valley, you’ll see one remarkable shrine after another, including the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Concordia, and the Temple of Hercules. The sheer size and magnificence of these structures is awe-inspiring, and your tour manager will help you gain a new appreciation for the history and culture of the Greek civilization that once thrived in Sicily. The Temple of Concordia is particularly impressive, as it is considered to be one of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world. Its intricate carvings across the stone columns and walls are a testament to the skill and artistry of the ancient Greek architects and craftsmen. Post-adventuring, you’ll be dropped back at the hotel for dinner and to relax.

Day 7: A full day at leisure or an optional excursion to the Egadi Islands

It’s your final day, and you can make the most of it by doing as little or as much as you like at your leisure. Alternatively, you can join an optional excursion to the Egadi Islands, a group of three small islands located off the western coast of Sicily, encompassing Favignana, Levanzo, and Marettimo. You’ll get to cruise to two of these islands, with the first being Favignana, the largest one, which is known for its crystal-clear waters and stunning beaches, as well as its tuna fishing industry. There’ll be time to visit its small fishing village of narrow lanes and beautiful architecture before continuing to Levanzo. The smallest of the three islands, Levanzo, is mostly uninhabited and features idyllic bays and rocky cliffs, which are perfect for hiking and exploring. The cruise is subject to weather conditions and the period of stay, as the area often gets strong winds and it’s not always possible to guarantee the crossing. Back on land, the tour will return to the hotel and conclude the trip with a farewell dinner. Over a traditional Sicilian meal and some drinks, you can reflect on the week, sharing personal highlights with the other travellers.

Day 8: Fligh back to UK

After breakfast, you’ll check out of the hotel and be transferred to Palermo airport for your flight home.