Greece & Sicily: 12-Day Cultural Journey
Travel from Athens to Sicily on a 12-day cultural tour, exploring Greek archaeological landmarks, Palermo, the Valley of the Temples, Syracuse, Mount Etna and Taormina.
Highlights
- Classical Greece
- Greek Heritage in Sicily
- From Baroque Towns to Etna
Overview
In Sicily, discover Palermo and the mosaics of Monreale, then visit Agrigento's Valley of the Temples. Continue through Piazza Armerina and the Baroque town of Noto, followed by the archaeological heritage of Syracuse and Ortigia. End the journey with the landscapes of Mount Etna and a visit to Taormina.
This is a proposed guided cultural itinerary with eleven nights across two countries. Hotel selections, inter-country flight schedules, guide arrangements, meals and site admissions must be reconfirmed in the final group proposal. The day-by-day programme provides the intended route and is subject to flight timetables and site opening conditions.
Day by day
- 1
Day 1
Arrival in Athens
Arrive at Athens International Airport. A reception and transfer to the hotel are envisaged in the original package and must be reconfirmed in the final travel proposal. Depending on flight arrival time, enjoy free time in the Greek capital. The programme envisages an evening welcome dinner, subject to the final meal arrangements and arrival times.
AthensDinnerAthens - 2
Day 2
Athens: Acropolis and Historic Centre
After breakfast, explore the Acropolis and its monuments, including the Parthenon, before visiting the Acropolis Museum. Continue through the historic district of Plaka and the area of the Ancient Agora. Allow time for a lunch break and a relaxed walk through the old centre. The exact order of guided visits and tickets must be confirmed.
AthensBreakfast, DinnerAthens - 3
Day 3
Corinth, Mycenae and Epidaurus
Depart Athens for the Corinth Canal viewpoint and the archaeological remains of ancient Corinth. Continue to Mycenae to see the Lion Gate and the monumental tholos tombs. Travel onwards to Epidaurus for the ancient theatre, subject to opening times. Overnight in the Nafplio area. A full visit to Acrocorinth is not included in this revised day's schedule, avoiding an overloaded programme.
Corinth Canal; Ancient Corinth; Mycenae; Epidaurus; NafplioBreakfast, DinnerNafplio area - 4
Day 4
Ancient Olympia
Travel west across the Peloponnese to ancient Olympia. Visit the archaeological site, including the remains of its sacred precinct and stadium, and the Archaeological Museum, according to opening arrangements. Allow a suitable lunch break and time for the visits before checking in near Olympia.
OlympiaBreakfast, DinnerOlympia area - 5
Day 5
Patras and Return to Athens
Travel via Patras and stop in the city centre for a short visit or free time, subject to road conditions and the day's transfer schedule. Continue to Athens for the final night in Greece. The route avoids an unnecessary repeat visit to sites in the Peloponnese.
Patras; AthensBreakfast, DinnerAthens - 6
Day 6
Flight from Athens to Palermo
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the inter-country flight to Palermo. The flight may require a connection; departure time and final carrier are subject to confirmation. On arrival, continue to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Dinner arrangements will depend on flight arrival time.
Athens Airport; Palermo Airport; PalermoBreakfast, DinnerPalermo - 7
Day 7
Palermo and Monreale
Explore Palermo's historic centre, focusing on its layered Arab-Norman heritage. See Palermo Cathedral, the Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel area, subject to confirmed entrance arrangements. Continue to Monreale for its richly decorated cathedral and panoramic setting above the Conca d'Oro. Return to Palermo for dinner and overnight.
Palermo; MonrealeBreakfast, DinnerPalermo - 8
Day 8
Palermo to Agrigento: Valley of the Temples
Leave Palermo and head south towards Agrigento. Visit the Valley of the Temples, including the imposing Doric monuments of ancient Akragas. Allow sufficient time for the archaeological site and a lunch stop, then check in to accommodation in the Agrigento area.
Palermo; Agrigento; Valley of the TemplesBreakfast, DinnerAgrigento area - 9
Day 9
Villa Romana del Casale and Noto
After breakfast travel to Piazza Armerina and visit the Villa Romana del Casale, celebrated for its Roman mosaics. Continue east towards Noto, allowing a travel break during the transfer. Take an introductory walk along Noto's Baroque main street if arrival time permits. Overnight in the Noto area. Syracuse is deliberately scheduled for the following day to keep this stage manageable.
Piazza Armerina; Villa Romana del Casale; NotoBreakfast, DinnerNoto area - 10
Day 10
Syracuse and Ortigia, then Catania
Drive to Syracuse to explore the Neapolis Archaeological Park, subject to confirmed tickets and opening hours. Continue to Ortigia to see Piazza Duomo, the Cathedral area and the Fountain of Arethusa. After time for lunch and the historic centre, transfer to Catania for the first of two nights.
Syracuse; Neapolis; Ortigia; CataniaBreakfast, DinnerCatania - 11
Day 11
Mount Etna and Taormina
Depart Catania for the accessible southern slopes of Mount Etna around Rifugio Sapienza, subject to weather and safety restrictions. High-altitude cable car or specialist excursions are not assumed. Continue to Taormina for its historic centre and Ancient Theatre, then return to Catania for the final overnight.
Mount Etna; Rifugio Sapienza; Taormina; CataniaBreakfast, DinnerCatania - 12
Day 12
Departure from Catania
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. The programme concludes in Catania. Departure transfer arrangements must be specified in the final confirmed proposal; flights home are not included unless expressly quoted.
Catania; Catania AirportBreakfast
Accommodation
Athens
Accommodation to be confirmed
Nights 1–2 · Meal plan subject to confirmation
Two nights in Athens. Hotel name, category and meal plan to be specified in the proposal.
Nafplio area
Accommodation to be confirmed
Night 3 · Meal plan subject to confirmation
One night near Nafplio following the visits to Corinth, Mycenae and Epidaurus.
Olympia area
Accommodation to be confirmed
Night 4 · Meal plan subject to confirmation
One night near ancient Olympia; property to be selected.
Athens
Accommodation to be confirmed
Night 5 · Meal plan subject to confirmation
One night in Athens before the flight to Sicily.
Palermo
Accommodation to be confirmed
Nights 6–7 · Meal plan subject to confirmation
Two nights in Palermo for the city and Monreale programme.
Agrigento area
Accommodation to be confirmed
Night 8 · Meal plan subject to confirmation
One night near Agrigento following the Valley of the Temples visit.
Noto area
Accommodation to be confirmed
Night 9 · Meal plan subject to confirmation
One night near Noto, after Villa Romana del Casale.
Catania
Accommodation to be confirmed
Nights 10–11 · Meal plan subject to confirmation
Two nights in Catania for Syracuse, Mount Etna and Taormina.
Included
- 11 nights' accommodation in Greece and Sicily; hotels, categories and room arrangements to be confirmed in the final quotation.
- Breakfasts and the dinners expressly specified in the confirmed programme; restaurant arrangements and quantities to be reconfirmed.
- Ground transportation for the scheduled touring programme, subject to the final group proposal.
- Guided visits as specified in the final confirmed itinerary; guide language and coverage to be confirmed.
- Athens–Palermo flight indicated in the original package, subject to flight routing, availability and written confirmation.
- Arrival, departure and scheduled airport transfers indicated in the original package, subject to written confirmation.
- Entrance tickets to scheduled sites indicated in the original package, with exact admissions to be itemised in the confirmed proposal.
Not included
- International flights to Athens and from Catania unless expressly quoted.
- Meals and drinks not specified in the confirmed proposal.
- Optional excursions, personal purchases, tips and gratuities.
- Tourist taxes and travel insurance unless expressly included in the quotation.
- Any costs arising from itinerary changes or services not expressly confirmed in the final proposal.
Entrance fees & tickets
- The historic offer states that site and museum admissions are included, but the exact admission list and booking conditions require supplier confirmation.
- Potential scheduled admissions: Athens Acropolis and Acropolis Museum; archaeological sites at Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus and Olympia; Palermo/Monreale ticketed monuments; Agrigento Valley of the Temples; Villa Romana del Casale; Syracuse archaeological attractions; Taormina Ancient Theatre.
- Do not treat this indicative list as a confirmed entitlement: the final written offer must state precisely which tickets are included.
Good to know
- Insider tip
- Compare the Acropolis in Athens with the Doric temples of Agrigento to appreciate the architectural links between Greece and ancient Sicily.
- Accessibility
- This itinerary includes extended walking on cobbled streets, steps and uneven archaeological paths. Accessibility of hotels, vehicles and individual monuments must be checked before accepting a booking.
- What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes, a light rain jacket, sun protection, a reusable water bottle, and layers for the cooler conditions on Mount Etna. Bring appropriate clothing for religious sites.
- Important information
- The itinerary is offered on a request-for-proposal basis. Hotel names, room categories, guide arrangements, inter-country flights and final meal plan require written confirmation before booking. The Athens–Palermo flight may involve a connection and the touring sequence may need adjustment to match the available schedule. Arrival and departure airport transfers are listed in the historic package inclusions but must be reconfirmed in the final quotation. Entrance tickets are currently described as included in the historic offer; the exact sites and tickets must be specified in the confirmed proposal. Some sites involve steps, slopes and uneven archaeological ground. Mount Etna visits depend on weather, volcanic activity and official access restrictions.