Sicily & Calabria
Palermo, Siracusa & Tropea
May 5-14, 2025
Price: $5750/person
Our popular Sicily & Calabria tour is back, and with the exciting addition of vibrant Palermo to start off the itinerary! Embark on a captivating journey with us through the heart of Southern Italy, from the bustling streets of Palermo to the ancient ruins of Siracusa and sun-kissed cliffs of Tropea.
Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of history, culture, and culinary delights that define these enchanting regions.
In Sicily, wander through the maze-like streets of Palermo's historic center, where Byzantine mosaics and Arab-Norman architecture stand as testament to the island's diverse heritage. You will fall in love with the ancient island of Ortigia in Siracusa where you'll experience one of the most beautiful piazzas in all of Italy. Crossing into Calabria, discover the rugged beauty of its coastline, where cliffs plunge into the azure waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. We'll explore charming Tropea, nestled in the rugged hillside, where time seems to stand still, and savor the flavors of local olive oil, freshly-caught seafood, and fiery Calabrian peppers.
This tour promises an unforgettable experience, where every moment is infused with the magic of Southern Italy. Join us and let the allure of Sicily & Calabria leave an indelible mark on your soul.
Keep scrolling for Trip Highlights and more important details! Contact us with any questions.
Itinerary
Our 10 days will begin in Palermo, Sicily before traveling across the island to ancient Ortigia, Siracusa, and then crossing the Strait of Messina to mainland Italy and the region of Calabria.
PALERMO (3 nights) – this vibrant capital of Sicily is characterized by its rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, bustling markets, and flavorful cuisine;
SIRACUSA (3 nights) – The small island of Ortigia, also known as Città Vecchia, is the oldest part of the ancient Greek city of Siracusa;
TROPEA (3 nights) – with nicknames like "Italy’s Most Beautiful Village" and "Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea," this is a town you don't want to miss!
Tour Highlights
Experience the famous Catania Market in Sicily, enjoying the sights, smells, sounds...and street food of this historic market!
Enjoy some amazing seaside vistas at every turn! Stunning views of the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas at every stop.
We'll enjoy long, leisurely meals together, enjoying all the specialities that these regions have to offer! (leave room for dessert!)
Walk the olive groves at a family-owned frantoio and enjoy a tasting of true extra virgin olive oil, right at the source!
Visit an artisan ‘Nduja producer in Calabria to learn about this fiery salume that's gaining in popularity amongst American chefs.
Enjoy a caffè or aperitivo at the foot of the oldest church in Europe, in one of the most scenic piazzas in Italy, while watching the island of Ortigia bustle around you.
Double occupancy: $5750/person
Single supplement*: $750
Deposit of $2,000/person is due upon booking to reserve your spot, along with a signed & completed registration form. Booking is not considered confirmed until deposit has been received.
Payments can be made by check (made out to Curata Travel) and mailed to: Curata Travel, 245 N. Main Street, Spring Grove, PA 17362.
Credit cards are accepted with a 3.6% fee.
Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure.
Pricing includes:
- Nine nights hotel accommodations (3 nights in Palermo, 3 nights in Ortigia, 3 nights in Tropea)
- All planned excursions & classes, including visits to artisanal producers and a hands-on cooking class.
- Meals included: daily breakfasts at our accommodations and most lunches & dinners. We curate each menu to focus on traditional regional specialties, accompanied by local wines.
- Experienced tour leaders and local guides
- Private motorcoach transportation throughout the tour
- Airport transfers on specified arrival/departure days/times. We include one group transfer for your arrival and departure at specified times. Any additional transfer will be at your own cost.
Not included:
- Airfare
- Gratuity for driver and tour leaders, at your discretion
- Any spending during free time, personal purchases, extraneous hotel charges (minibar, laundry service, etc.) and any alcoholic beverages not included with meals.
Each member of the tour will be responsible for booking their own flight into Palermo (PMO) & out of Lamezia Terme (SUF). Flights are not included in the tour cost.
You will be picked up at the Palermo airport on May 5 at 12:00p.m., then dropped off at the Lamezia Terme airport on May 14 by 9a.m. One group transfer for arrival & departure will be provided.
*Please note: Lamezia Terme (SUF) is a particularly small airport with somewhat limited flight arrivals & departures and likely no direct flights. You may find multiple connections or long layovers in the available flight itineraries. We strongly recommend looking into flight costs (try Google Flights) and trip insurance before booking your spot or see our tips for booking flights! These are important factors to consider as you budget for the trip.
A few items of note for some of the destinations and the trip as a whole to help set expectations and better prepare you for the trip. Some of the expectations are outlined in our Traveler Guidebook and the Terms & Conditions form that you will use to register (see specifically the Traveler Code and Traveler Expectations sections), but to reiterate some as they specifically relate to this Sicily & Calabria itinerary.
Cusine - As hopefully most of you know, our tours focus heavily on the culinary specialities of each region and town we visit. So when we arrange a lunch/dinner or culinary experience, we are working with those restaurants to plan menus in advance that highlight the seasonal produce, and dishes that reflect the region we’re in. As this tour has stops on the island of Sicily and the Calabrian coast, you can expect seafood to be highlighted, for example. We will be collecting some of this information at a later date from you, but if there are food allergies we need to be aware of, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate them. If there are entire categories of food that you just don’t eat (and are not willing to try), this might not be the tour for you!
Terrain: As you'll find throughout Italy, walkways are often made up of cobblestones and limestone paving. Good walking shoes, being sure on your feet, and staying alert are all key to getting around!
Excursions: With all of our excursions, you are not forced to participate if something like this is not your ’thing.’ You always have the option to stay behind and enjoy some free time on your own (please note, as mentioned in the Terms & Conditions, there is no compensation or refund for any portion of the tour or excursion you do not participate in).