Vacation Overview
Tour Details
Solo-ish Sicily
Jump headfirst into the wonders of Sicily on this eight-day Solo-ish adventure from Catania to Palermo. They say the best way to understand a culture - and bond with your new travel besties - is through food, so get ready to dive in with a market tour and hands-on cooking class. Wander through vibrant market stalls, breathe in the aroma of local delicacies, and savour every bite of Sicily’s famous cuisine. Then, stand in awe beneath the towering Mt. Etna, exploring its volcanic landscapes and lush flora. From one breathtaking coast to the other, you’ll leave with a full camera roll, a happy stomach, and a group of lifelong friends!
Highlights
Dive deep into Sicily's delectable cuisine with a hands-on cooking class, Walk to Crateri Silvestri - a striking volcanic crater formed by the 1892 eruption, Explore the ancient theatre of Taormina - a breathtaking relic of classical architecture, Wander the historic streets of Syracuse and Palermo with your CEO leading the way
Accomodation
On this trip you can expect to stay in small family-run hotels or pensions (with the exception of the start and finish hotels, which are often larger city hotels), which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators, air-conditioning or English-speaking staff, but most importantly all are locally-run, with some traditional character, and in excellent central locations to give you maximum time for exploring the sights. You can expect to find clean, safe, simple accommodation in convenient locations.
Note that most accommodation in Europe does not have air conditioning units in rooms. Air conditioning is not routinely installed in European homes and workplaces. However, nearly all hotels will provide a standing or desk fan for your room on hot nights. If you do not already have one in your room, please ask your CEO to organize one for you with reception.
Group Leader
This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders, otherwise known as a Chief Experience Officer (CEO). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects.
We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.
Group Size Notes
Max 16, Avg 12.
Meals Included
7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Migrantour Catania, Catania
Dinner Party: Catania Cooking Class, Catania
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
We Day: Highlights and Flavours of Catania, Catania
G Day: Sicily in all of its Glory, Catania
Me Day: Agrigento Me Day, Agrigento.
Catania orientation walk and market visit. Aperitivo experience. Walk at Mount Etna to see the Crateri Silvestri. Visit Taormina and the ancient amphitheatre. Syracuse visit. Agrigento orientation walk. Palermo orientation walk. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Daily Itinerary
G Adventures: Solo-ish Sicily
Day 1: Dinner Party: Catania
Welcome to Catania. Meet your included arrival transfer at the airport, then join your CEO and fellow travellers for a welcome meeting before being immersed in the local gastronomy with a cooking class and dinner. Dive head first into Sicily with delicious flavours and new friends.
Catania is located at the foot of Mt. Etna, an ancient port city boasting a central square, Piazza del Duomo, and La Pescheria, a rowdy weekday fish market. If you have extra time, we recommend taking extra time to enjoy everything this city has to offer.
Day 2: We Day: Catania
Today is all about exploration, local flavours and the community. Set out into Catania this morning with a CEO-led orientation walk and local market tour. Check out the city's highlights before joining a local guide who'll explain life as a migrant in this beautiful city. Finish off with an aperitivo, a cultural ritual to open the stomach before dining.
An Aperitivo usually consists of light snacks and drinks drinks, and typically takes place in the early evening in hopes of stimulating appetite for dinner.
Day 3: G Day: Crateri Silvestri and Taormina
Time to experience what G does best and become immersed in Sicily's culture and history with a surprise G twist occurring somewhere along the way. Head out on a drive to the imposing Mount Etna for a walk through Crateri Silvestri where you can see a group of craters formed from the last eruption as well as incredible views of the coastline. Continue to Taormina and explore the ancient amphitheatre before a bit of free time for lunch. Later, continue to the beautiful village of Castelmola for a walking exploration before returning to Catania.
Day 4: Catania/Agrigento
Wave a bittersweet goodbye to Catania this morning and hop on the bus for the drive to Syracuse. Get your bearings on an orientation walk and enjoy free time to explore this historic and beautiful city. Continue to Agrigento and set off to explore the city centre with your CEO. Learn about the city's rich history and culture, and spend the remainder of the evening at leisure.
Day 5: Me Day: Agrigento
After four days of exploration with your fellow solo-ish travellers, today is yours. Choose to accompany your CEO to a local beach, exploring the protected coastal area and unspoilt beaches, perhaps take an excursion to the Valley of the Temples or just explore and relax on your own. Agrigento really does have it all and there's no better time than today to set off and discover it for yourself.
Day 6: Agrigento/Palermo
Climb aboard a local train and watch the Sicilian scenery drift by as you travel to Palermo. Check in to your hotel and enjoy lunch on your own before setting off with your CEO on an orientation walk of the city. Spend the evening however you wish with free time.
Palermo is known for Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau churches, palaces, and buildings. There's the opera house, vibrant food markets, and shopping areas if you're interested in picking up some souvenirs.
Day 7: Palermo
Enjoy a free day to take advantage of everything that Palermo has to offer. Explore some of the city's monuments, take an excursion to Mondello Beach or set off on a walking food tour to sample some of the delicious local flavours of the street food scene. Re-group in the evening for an optional final dinner out with the group.
Day 8: Palermo
You arrived a solo traveller and are leaving with many new friends. Say goodbye to your fellow Solo-ish travellers and depart at any time.