Sicilian Soujourn 2024

Sicily is not Italy.  

Yes, that's right, Sicily is not Italy.  It may be a part of the Italian nation-state, but it is a world unto itself, as anyone who has ever been to this fantastic island will attest.  Located in the heart of the western Mediterranean, Sicily has been at the crossroads of many great civilizations for thousands of years.  Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Phoenicians and Romans have all at one time or another called Sicily their home--and they have left us countless cultural, artistic and historical monuments to remind us of their presence.  Whether it be the Arab-Norman Cathedral of Monreale, or the Greek archaeological ruins of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, or the spectacular Roman mosaics in Piazza Armerina, or the visible combination of all of these influences in the picturesque cliff side town of Taormina overlooking the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna, you will continually find yourself awestruck by the incredible beauty this "floating" museum.  

Fiercely independent, the Sicilians themselves are a tough, cautious and proud people, whose emphasis on tradition and family have been the glue that has cemented their culture for countless generations.  Although naturally somewhat suspicious of outsiders, a consequence in no small part of their turbulent past, Sicilians are famous for their hospitality and delicious cooking.  One meal at the table of a true Sicilian restaurateur (or, if you are lucky, in the home of a Sicilian grandmother) and you will quickly realize that there is no comparing food from the Italian mainland with the sustenance of Sicily. If you've been to Italy but not Sicily, then you simply must make it a point to visit this island;  or, if you've never been to Italy, then it is a wise decision to start with Sicily, for long before the Roman Empire, Sicily was colonized by a plethora of peoples who appreciated the natural beauty and strategic significance of this Mediterranean wonder. 

Back by popular demand, the Sicilian Sojourn Tour 2024 is the fifth trip to Sicily that ArawjoTours has operated in the last twenty-five.  The itinerary has been tweaked in order to make the trip even more enjoyable than it was in the past.  To make your stays in Palermo and in Agrigento less rushed, we have added an additional night in each city, and have also added on more night in the remarkable town of Taormina, which many ArawjoTours nomads (including myself) have found to be one of the prettiest resort settings on earth.  To find out more about what is included in this package, please read the tour features below.

TOUR FEATURES:   : Round trip trans-Atlantic air transportation on ITA Airways to/from Palermo, Sicily out of JFK Airport; all motor coach transportation with driver throughout the tour as per the itinerary; two nights at the Grand Et Des Palmes Hotel in Palermo and one at the Hotel Frederico II Hotel with breakfasts daily (two nights on arrival and one night before departure); a full day guided sightseeing tour of Palermo and Monreale; two nights at the Baia de Ulisses Hotel in Agrigento with breakfasts daily; a full day guided tour of the archaeological site of Agrigento with lunch included at the Kokalos Restaurant; a guided tour the Roman Villa of Casale en route to Syracuse with lunch included at the Agriturismo Torre di Renda; two nights in Syracuse at the Ortea Palace Hotel with breakfasts daily; a half day guided walking tour of the Old Town of Syracuse; a visit to the Syracuse Archaeological Site, including the Greek Theater and Ear of Dionysius (en route to Taormina); three nights in the Excelsior Palace Hotel in Taormina (or similar) with breakfasts daily; a half day walking tour of Taormina with visit to the Garden of Villa Comunale and the Greek Theatre; a full day guided tour to Mt. Etna; and the services of a full-time English-speaking Tour Manager.