Overview
Start:Palermo, Italy
Finish:Palermo, Italy
Duration:8 days
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Travel Period
April 2025 - October 2026
Join us on a budget-friendly holiday in Sicily—the Mediterranean’s largest island, just off the toe of Italy’s “boot”. Your discovery of this fascinating island, rich in culture, warm welcomes, and beauty starts in Palermo, a vibrant city of churches, squares, marketplaces, and palazzos of every style. Take in stunning views with a cable-car ride to the medieval hilltop town of Erice—with cobblestone streets, fortifications, ancient churches, and breathtaking views over the Mediterranean Sea and the Egadi Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of Trapani, set on a harbour that was once a powerful trading network, and visit Marsala, known for its aromatic wine.
See the Acropolis and the temples in Selinunte, and take a guided tour of the spectacular ancient Greek temples near Agrigento. Visit the Roman Villa at Casale, famous for its mosaics, like the “Bikini Girls”. Visit elegant Taormina and the coastal town of Cefalù. Enjoy an excursion on Mount Etna, the majestic volcano overlooking the city of Catania, the verdant valleys, and the shimmering blue Mediterranean waters. Celebrate your Sicilian adventure ending your affordable adventure in Palermo.
Traveller Notes
Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!
Your Itinerary
Day 1 - ARRIVE IN PALERMO, ITALY.
Check into your hotel. Spend the rest of your day exploring this great city with tips, maps and recommendations on your CosmosGO app. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions. (D)
A full day to enjoy this busy and brilliant city with many interesting squares and marketplaces, churches, and palazzos in every style-from Moorish to Baroque. Join the included sightseeing tour to learn more about the history and culture and visit the magnificent Baroque St. Catherine Church. (B)
Day 3 - PALERMO-TRAPANI-ERICE-MARSALA.
Two Sicilian treats are on the agenda today. First, visit enchanting Trapani with a Local Guide. Set on a harbour that was once at the heart of a powerful trading network stretching from Carthage to Venice, the city centre skirts the port and was built primarily in Baroque style. Next, take a cable car to visit the medieval hilltop town of Erice. Situated about 2,500 feet above sea level, it immediately impresses with its defensive walls and castle, affording breathtaking views over the Gulf of Trapani and Egadi Islands. On clear days, see all the way to the African coast. Overnight in nearby Marsala. Today's Distance: 105 mi/ 170 km (B,D)
Day 4 - MARSALA-SELINUNTE-AGRIGENTO.
This morning, spend some time on your own in Marsala, or awaken your palate with an optional excursion to learn about Sicilian wine and to experience the ancient salt pans and mills, created by the Phoenicians and still active today. The salt pans, according to temperature, weather, and water evaporation, display different colours reflecting the Sicilian sky. Then head towards Selinunte, one of the most striking and interesting archaeological sites in Sicily. Here, you will see the remains of the acropolis, with its temples and fortifications. Continue to Agrigento. Today's Distance: 96 mi/ 155 km (B,D)
Day 5 - AGRIGENTO-PIAZZA ARMERINA-TAORMINA AREA.
Enjoy a guided visit of the spectacular Doric temple of Concord, and the temple of Juno Lacinia, archaeological jewels of the Valley of the Temples near Agrigento. On to Piazza Armerina, a maze of steep streets positively overflowing with the vibrant atmosphere of Sicilian life. At nearby Casale, visit the well- preserved Roman villa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and famous for its mosaics, including the whimsical "Bikini Girls." Tonight, we'll save you a seat at the table for an optional Sicilian dinner. The tastes and aromas of colourful Sicilian food never fail to please, especially when paired with traditional music and entertainment. Today's Distance: 155 mi/ 250 km (B)
Day 6 - TAORMINA AREA. EXCURSION TO MOUNT ETNA.
Drive up the heights of Mount Etna with the option of a jeep or cable-car ride for a better view of Europe's largest active volcano (subject to weather conditions). Descend to sun-kissed Taormina, magnificently situated on a 700-foot plateau overlooking the Ionian Sea. The heart of Taormina is Piazza Nove Aprile, a paved square with unmatched views of the sea and Mount Etna. Take a stroll along the Corso Umberto, and maybe taste a refreshing granita or a sumptuous cannolo. Today's Distance: 75 mi/ 120 km (B,D)
Day 7 - TAORMINA AREA-CEFALU-PALERMO.
Arrive in the coastal town of Cefalu, featuring medieval squares, narrow streets, and ancient churches. During your visit, marvel at the sight of the Norman cathedral, a 12th-century fortress-like structure with elaborate Byzantine mosaics and soaring twin towers. Later, return to Palermo. During your final day in this glorious city, catch up on some last-minute shopping or explore more of the city on your own. Today's Distance: 174 mi/ 280 km (B)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Travel Partner
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Cosmos offers affordable, expertly planned tours that make exploring the world accessible and enjoyable. With a focus on value, comfort, and enriching experiences, their itineraries cover a wide range of destinations, from the historic cities of Europe to the natural wonders of North America. Enjoy guided tours, comfortable accommodations, and the perfect balance of free time and planned activities.