Syracuse, a historic city on the southeastern coast of Sicily, is a treasure trove of ancient wonders and Baroque beauty. Founded by the Greeks in 734 BC, it boasts a rich cultural heritage evident in its impressive archaeological sites, such as the Neapolis Park, home to the grand Greek theatre and the intriguing Ear of Dionysius. The charming island of Ortigia, the city’s historical heart, offers picturesque streets, vibrant piazzas, and stunning landmarks like the Cathedral of Syracuse, which stands atop the ruins of the Temple of Athena. With its blend of ancient history, stunning architecture, and a vibrant coastal atmosphere, Syracuse captivates visitors with its timeless allure.
- 1 - 9 May 2026
- 9 Nights/ 10 days
- Weather 18-24 C
- Fitness - Med 5km per day
- Price Range - $$$
- This tour starts in Palermo and ends in Catania
Signoras in Sicily
Prepare to embark on an enchanting journey through the heart of Sicily, where history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes converge to create a truly unforgettable experience. Begin your adventure in the vibrant city of Palermo, where the intoxicating blend of chaotic streets and rich architectural wonders sets the tone for your exploration. Over nine days, you’ll traverse through picturesque towns and ancient ruins, marvel at the majestic Mount Etna, and indulge in the flavors of Sicilian cuisine. From the medieval charm of Cefalรน to the coastal beauty of Taormina, and the historic grandeur of Syracuse, each destination promises a unique glimpse into Sicily’s soul. Whether wandering through bustling markets, savoring world-class wines, or simply soaking in the stunning vistas, this journey offers a perfect balance of guided tours and leisure, ensuring every moment is as delightful as it is memorable. Your Sicilian sojourn concludes in Catania, leaving you with cherished memories and a deep appreciation for this captivating island.
Combine with our “Bella and Amalfi & Pretty Puglia Tours” for an inspiring three-week Italian holiday.
Oh the places we'll go ......
Palermo
Cefalu
Taormina
Castelmola
Syracuse
Palermo
Palermo, the vibrant capital of Sicily, is a city where history and culture intertwine seamlessly with modern life. With its eclectic blend of architectural styles, from the grandeur of Norman palaces and Baroque churches to the bustling markets and lively piazzas, Palermo offers a captivating journey through time. The city’s unique character is reflected in its rich culinary scene, where traditional Sicilian dishes are infused with influences from various cultures that have left their mark over the centuries. From the stunning mosaics of the Palatine Chapel to the aromatic delights of street food markets like Ballarรฒ, Palermo enchants visitors with its intoxicating rhythm and timeless charm.
Cefalu
Cefalรน, a picturesque coastal town on the northern shore of Sicily, is renowned for its stunning beaches, historic charm, and vibrant cultural scene. Dominated by the majestic Norman Cathedral, which boasts intricate mosaics and a rich history, Cefalรน offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and architectural splendor. The town’s narrow, winding streets are lined with charming shops, cafรฉs, and restaurants, inviting visitors to explore its medieval heart. The crystal-clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea provide a stunning backdrop for relaxation and recreation, making Cefalรน a must-visit destination for those seeking both cultural enrichment and seaside tranquility.
Taormina
Taormina is a picturesque town perched on the cliffs of Sicily, Italy, offering breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea and the imposing Mount Etna. Known for its ancient Greek theatre, Teatro Antico di Taormina, which is still in use today, the town boasts a rich blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Wander through its charming cobblestone streets lined with vibrant bougainvillaea, boutique shops, and delightful cafes. With its stunning beaches, exquisite cuisine, and enchanting ambiance, Taormina is a perfect blend of Mediterranean allure and historical intrigue, making it a must-visit destination for travellers.
Castelmola
Castelmola, a quaint hilltop village near Taormina, is renowned for its spectacular panoramic views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. This charming village, with its narrow, winding streets and ancient stone buildings, offers a glimpse into traditional Sicilian life. Visitors are often enchanted by the historic Bar Turrisi, famous for its unique decor and local almond wine, vino alla mandorla. The peaceful atmosphere and stunning vistas make Castelmola a perfect retreat for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the more tourist-heavy areas below, while still enjoying the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of Sicily.
Syracuse
Trip Highlights
- Private transfer and leisure evening in Palermo.
- Mafia Tour in Palermo - Understanding Sicily's history
- Hands-on cooking class in Palermo with market-to-table experience.
- Train ride and guided tour in Cefalรน, with optional hike up La Rocca.
- Leisure day in Cefalรน to explore at your own pace.
- See Mount Etna with wine tasting and lunch at a local winery.
- Be charmed by Castelmona's spectacular panoramic views of the Ionian Sea and charming streets and penis cafe!
- A night at the Italian Opera
- Soak in Stunning Syracuse
- See the Roman Theatre of Taormina
- Visit to the Stunning Cefalu Cathedral
- Swim in Tyrrhenian Sea (If you are brave it will only be 24 degrees air temperature)
- Shop the cobbleston streets of Cefalu for some Italian fashion
Book your Signoras in Sicily Tour 2026
Investment
- Twinshare โ $4585AUD (Euro 2755)
- Single Room โ $5885AUD (Euro 3535)
*FLIGHTS NOT INCLUDED
This tour requires a $500 deposit, followed by two installment payments.
The first installment is due 6 months before the start of the trip.
The second installment is due 75 days prior to departure.
If you are combining Amalfi , Puglia and Sicily
*Receive $200 discount for combining two trips, which has already been applied to the final pricing.
If this tour is fully booked, but youโre still hoping to join us, donโt worryโyou can be added to our waitlist.
Simply email us at [email protected]
Enjoy guided travel with our Escorted Tours, fully led by a certified, English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the journey, sharing their extensive knowledge and passion for the destination.
For groups of eight or more, a Vibrant Women Travel Host will join the tour to provide additional support and ensure a seamless travel experience.
Inclusions
- 9 nights Accommodation
- Meals as stated on itinerary
- Airport transfer to and from the hotel
- Private vehicle transport all throughout activities
- Professional Guide as provided throughout itinerary
- Entrance Fees as per itinerary
- Sightseeing Tours as stipulated
- Wine Tasting & Lunch
- Market Tour and Cooking Class
Exclusions
- International airfares to and from Palermo and Catania
- Travel Insurance (which is compulsory)
- Some Lunches and Dinners
- Personal purchases
- Tipping is for tour guides, drivers and hotel staff - $25AUD per day. To be collected on arrival or beforehand added to your invoice.
Travel Itinerary
Day 1 โ Arrival in Palermo
Morning: Arrive at Palermo Punta Raisi Airport. A private car will whisk you away to your accommodation in Palermo, allowing you to relax and take in the first glimpses of this vibrant city.
Afternoon: Settle into your hotel, unpack, and perhaps take a short walk around the neighborhood to familiarize yourself with your surroundings.
- Evening: Enjoy your first evening in Palermo at your leisure. You might choose to dine at a local trattoria, savoring authentic Sicilian dishes such as arancini and pasta alla norma.
Accommodation at Hotel Plaza Opera or similar.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 2 โ Palermo Half-Day Guided Tour
Morning: Meet your guide at 9:30 AM for an exploration of Palermo. This tour offers a great introduction to key features of the city. Your guide will introduce you, in broad terms, to explore Palermoโs history, art and architecture.ย We will make stops at key Norman buildings, notably the Norman churches of San Cataldo and la Martorana.ย As you stroll the cityโs lively and colourful streets, you can taste Palermoโs street food.ย Emphasis will also be put on the problems and challenges the city faces, and the role played by the Mafia.ย All in all, this should make for a fascinating orientation to this complex capital city.
Afternoon: After the guided tour, enjoy some free time to explore Palermo at your own pace. You might visit the bustling Ballarรฒ market or the serene Palermo Cathedral.
Evening: Wind down with a leisurely dinner, perhaps trying Palermo’s famous street food, such as panelle or sfincione.
Accommodation at Hotel Plaza Opera.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 โ Palermo Cooking Class
Sicilian cuisine stands as one of the worldโs richest, drawing from Greek, Arab, Norman and Spanish traditions. Enjoy a market to table culinary adventure in the heart of Palermoโs historic center. Besides learning to cook traditional Sicilian dishes under the wing of an experienced chef, this is a great opportunity to discover one of Palermoโs ancient food markets, soaking its popular atmosphere, identify some key ingredients of Sicilian cuisine, and understand their origins.
The experience starts at 10:00 in the company of your Chef, you will shop at one of Palermoโs ancient food markets, gathering all the fresh seasonal ingredients to be used to prepare traditional recipes. You will then stroll through the alleyways of the historic center, to the air-conditioned school kitchen where you will prepare a 4-course Sicilian meal. During this hands-on culinary experience, you will learn the techniques needed to recreate the dishes upon your return home.
Following the lesson, you will of course sit down together to enjoy the dishes you have prepared. A selection of Sicilian wines will accompany your meal, and homemade liqueurs and coffee will round off your cookery experience.
Afternoon: Free time to explore on your own.
Accommodation at Hotel Plaza Opera.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 4 โ Cefalรน Introduction Tour
Morning: Take an hour-long train ride east of Palermo to the charming town of Cefalรน.
Afternoon: Begin your guided tour with a visit to the stunning Norman Cathedral, followed by an optional hike up La Rocca for spectacular views. If hiking isn’t your thing, relax at a cafรฉ or the beach.
Evening: Enjoy a peaceful evening in Cefalรน, exploring its medieval streets or simply relaxing by the seaside.
Accommodation at a bed and breakfast in Cefalรน.
Meals: Breakfast
All Day: Spend the day at your own pace, soaking up the tranquil atmosphere of Cefalรน. You might visit local shops, relax on the sandy beaches, or take a leisurely stroll through the historic town center.
Accommodation at a bed and breakfast in Cefalรน.
Meals: Breakfast
This morning, your driver will pick you up at your accommodation in Cefalรน, and you will all drive towards the brooding, smoldering Mount Etna, which dominates the entire north-eastern region of Sicily. You will meet your guides there. On this guided hike, you will explore the eastern slopes of Mount Etna, a unique and dynamic landscape shaped by hundreds of thousands of years of volcanic activity. You will climb up ancient lava flows, walk on the edge of an extinct crater and along the path that leads to the magnificent panorama of the Valle del Bove. You will complete your experience of the Volcano by exploring a lava cave. By the end of the hike, you will have become familiar with the history and the peculiar geology and flora of the Etna in general, and of this area of the Etna in particular.
After the excursion, you will stop at one of the best local wineries for a wine tasting and a typical Sicilian light lunch, made of seasonal and local products.ย
Afternoon: Transfer to Taormina and check into your hotel.
Accommodation at Nero Hotel Taormina.
Meals: Breakfast
- Morning: Meet your guide at 9:30 AM for a half-day tour of Taormina. Visit the town’s well-preserved Greek theatre, Piazza Duomo, and Piazza IX Aprile, where you can enjoy an almond granita.
- Afternoon: Explore Taormina further on your own, perhaps doing some shopping or visiting local attractions. Take a short drive to the village of Castelmola, known for its splendid panorama and local almond wine.
- Evening: Enjoy a performance of the Italian Opera in Taormina.
Accommodation at Nero Hotel Taormina.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 โ Syracuse Half-Day Tour
Morning: Check out from your hotel in Taormina and head to Syracuse with your private driver, a scenic two-hour drive.
Afternoon: Explore Neapolis Park with your guide, visiting the impressive Greek theatre, Roman amphitheatre, and the Ear of Dionysius. Later, take a taxi to the charming islet of Ortigia, stopping at important sites such as the Apollo Temple, Arethusa Fountain, and Piazza Duomo.
Evening: Enjoy your last evening in Syracuse, soaking in the baroque beauty and vibrant atmosphere of this historic city.
Accommodation at Isabella di Castiglia or Similar
Meals: Breakfast
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 โ Departure for Catania Airport
Morning: Meet your driver in the hotel lobby and transfer to Catania Airport. Depending on your departure time, you may opt for a street food tour in Catania to savour one last taste of Sicilian flavors before your flight.
Meals: Breakfast
*NOTE: WHEN PLANNING TOURS SO FAR IN ADVANCE YOU CAN EXPECT SOME CHANGES TO THE ITINERARY PLEASE ADJUST YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS.ย
Accommodation
Palermo
HOTEL PLAZA OPERA OR SIMILAR
The Hotel Plaza Opรฉra is located in the heart of Palermo city centre, and is a four-star hotel with a strong cosmopolitan vocation and, at the same time, a strong bond with the territory. From the rooftop lounge you can look at the city from above, breathe, listen. Here is Palermo from another point of view.ย For breakfast at the hotel or dinner at Osservatorio โ Fine Restaurant & Mixology Rooftop.
Cefalu
RETRO ROOMS BED AND BREAKFAST OR SIMILAR
In the center of the city of Cefalรน and a few meters from the beach Retro’ Rooms, a welcoming and easily accessible from the most representative points of the Norman town, is ideal for those who want to experience in its entirety the reality of Cefalรน made of sea, sun, culture, activities and fun. Retro’Rooms is spread over three levels, and has a nice garden for breakfast. In walking distance to everything.ย
Taormina
NERO ROOMS OR SIMILAR
Welcome to Nerรณ Rooms, where southern Italian hospitality meets modern luxury in the heart of Taormina. Our family house, meticulously transformed, offers charming and comfortable rooms for an unforgettable stay. Immerse yourself in the captivating Taormina lifestyle, with our lush garden providing an oasis of peace and tranquility at the center of it all. Nerรณ Rooms stands out as an exceptional choice, offering an alternative to the best hotels in Taormina, ensuring a unique and memorable experience during your stay.
What our Guests have to say about our Tours
Where do I even begin, this was the most amazing trip of my life, from start to finish it was pure luxury, only everything of the best. Tammi and Selena could not do enough for everyone on the tour. So many amazing experiences that I would not have done/tried had I done the trip alone. I cannot wait to plan my next trip. Do yourself a favour, get a little magic in your life and book now.
Pamela H.
magic in Morocco 2024
5/5
Amazing, this was a return trip for me. Loved the ease and organisation. The trip was fun and relaxed. New adventures and different things to see and explore. Host was lovely and nothing was a problem. The accommodation is always clean and very nice. Vibrant Woman makes travel fun and easy.
Janelle K.
Vibrant Vietnam 2024
5/5
Frequently Asked Questions
Arrival and Departure Information
Travel Insurance
Visa Requirements
ETIAS - European Travel Information and Authorisation System
Cancellation Policy
Dietary Requirements
Deposit and Payment Plans
Fitness Requirements
Vaccination Advice for Travellers
Arrival and Departure Information
Arrival is Palermo International Airport and your airport transfer is included in your package.
Your departure is from CataniaโFontanarossa Airport (CTA) is an international airport. Your airport transfer is included in your package.ย
Travel Insurance
Our rates do not include any kind of travel insurance and each guest must make sure to arrange their own necessary insurance prior arrival. We will do everything possible to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. However, all travel involves some degree of risk we strongly recommend that you take out appropriate travel insurance for your adventure.ย
Your insurance protection should include cover for cancellation, medical, in particular Coronavirus and repatriation expenses, personal injury and accident, death and loss of personal baggage and money and personal liability. Insurance cover offered by credit card companies or reciprocal medical cover agreements are often not comprehensive please check this before travelling. Or contact our preferred Travel Insurance provider CoverMore.
Visa Requirements
Visa requirements depend on your nationality:
- EU/EEA nationals: No visa required for stays up to 90 days.
- US, Canada, Australia, and Japan: No visa required for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Other nationalities: Check with the Italian consulate or embassy in your country for specific visa requirements.
ETIAS - European Travel Information and Authorisation System
Please read our article HERE on how to apply for your ETIAS.ย
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policyย
Read more about our Booking Process and why we have the cancellation policy we do HERE
- Up to 180 Days Before Tour Start: A $500 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit will be retained.
- From 180 โ 75 Days Before Tour Start: 25% of the tour cost, plus the non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, will be forfeited.
- Fromย 75 โ 45 Days Before Tour Start: 50% of the tour cost, plus the non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, will be forfeited.
- Less Than 45 Days Before Tour Start or No Shows: The entire amount 100% of the tour cost will be retained, as we would have already incurred costs for accommodation, transport, flights, and activities, which cannot be refunded to us.
- After Tour Commencement: No refunds will be issued.
This is whyย travel insurance is compulsory. We suggest taking out travel insurance within 2 weeks of booking your tour.ย
ย
Dietary Requirements
We’re sorry, but we’re unable to accommodate complex dietary issues on our tours. If you can manage your dietary needs independently, that’s perfectly fine. However, we cannot assume responsibility for guests’ health and wellbeing regarding food in foreign countries, as sometimes there can be misunderstandings due to language barriers. We hope you understand that our primary concern is to ensure that none of our guests become unwell while travelling with us.
Thank you for your understanding.
Deposit and Payment Plans
This tour requires a $500 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit. Once you have secured your booking, you will receive a welcome email with all the details for the trip.ย
The first installment is due 6 months before the start of the trip.
The second installment is due 75 days prior to departure.
Fitness Requirements
ย Our tours are designed to provide a rich and immersive experience, which includes walking tours on some days. Participants will encounter uneven footpaths, stairs, and other elements that require good mobility. Therefore, we recommend that women joining our tours have a medium level of fitness. You should be able to walk up to 7km a day to fully enjoy all the activities and explore the beautiful destinations with ease.
Vaccination Advice for Travellers
ย To ensure a safe and healthy journey, it’s important to be up-to-date with your vaccinations. We recommend consulting with a healthcare professional or visiting a travel health clinic for personalised advice based on your travel itinerary. For comprehensive information on required and recommended vaccinations, please visit Travel Doctor. They provide expert guidance to help you stay protected while exploring the world.
**Preparation notes for your trip are available in your trip dashboard and can be accessed once you register.
EXTEND YOUR TOUR BY COMBINING TRIPS
