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Classic Sicily, Etna & Taormina
Lift the veil on Italy's fascinating southern island outpost, its ancient treasures, natural wonders, sun-kissed beaches and elegant resorts.
This two-centre holiday, featuring excellent, four-star hotels, combines a three-night stay close to the historic resort town of Cefalù, during which you’ll also take in the Sicilian capital Palermo, with four nights beneath the fabled hill-town Taormina. Visit Roman Piazza Armerina, the towering cone of snow-capped Etna and Archimedes’ ancient Syracuse and complete the Sicilian adventure with a memorable optional cruise around the Aeolian Isles.
Top Highlights
Experience a walking tour of Sicily’s capital Palermo
Spend four nights in a charming hotel beneath fabled Taormina
Visit Syracuse, rich in Greek and Roman history
Spend a day exploring the Aeolian Islands on an optional excursion
Itinerary
Travel to Sicily’s east coast this morning and meet your tour manager, before transferring to your first hotel in the resort of Mazzaforno.
Rest and relax after the journey and have dinner in the hotel.
The morning sees you in the nearby coastal city of Cefalù. Dominated by a mighty cathedral, which we visit, and the craggy outcrop of ‘La Rocca’, Cefalù is part fishing port, part holiday resort. The 12th-century cathedral is home to one of the world’s finest Byzantine mosaics, and the surrounding maze of medieval cobbled streets is a delight to wander through. The more energetic might even consider a climb to the Temple of Diana, on the slopes of La Rocca.
The town boasts a superb beach of fine sand, and there’s a good selection of shops, restaurants, and pavement cafés for you to explore and soak up the local atmosphere before you return to the hotel this afternoon.
Embark on this morning’s included tour, first calling at the Benedictine monastery at Monreale. Acknowledged as one of Sicily’s greatest architectural glories, this abbey cathedral is a mix of Romanesque, Byzantine and Arab design. Set off a guided walking tour of Palermo, the island capital that has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Founded by the Phoenicians, and later home to Carthaginian, Greek and Norman conquerors, Palermo, once Europe’s richest city, offers a glimpse of the entire history of Southern Italy in one place. Wander the streets of its four quarters, the Quattro Canti, watching the world go by from a seat in one of the city’s countless bars and cafés.
Return to the hotel later this afternoon, where you can spend some time before dinner by the pool or on the hotel’s private beach.
Bidding farewell to Mazzaforno, travel deep into the Sicilian interior, to the medieval town of Piazza Armerina, set high in wooded hills, and close to the Roman villa at Casale, with its well-preserved mosaics, giving an insight into Imperial life. Continue to your second hotel, positioned in the resort of Giardini-Naxos.
Rest and relax and enjoy dinner in the hotel.
Today’s included tour first heads to the southern slopes of towering Mount Etna. Ascend by cable car to a height of 2,300 metres, to take in impressive views on clear days, and perhaps walk to the base of the volcano’s crater. Taormina is no less stunning, with its marbled squares and flower-decked streets lined with restaurants – perfect spots for lunch. The famous Greco-Roman theatre is cut into the mountainside. Once used for gladiatorial contests, it is now a setting for modern performances that compete for audiences’ attention with the vistas of Etna and the sea.
After a special day, return to the hotel for dinner.
On yet another memorable day, you'll have the chance to join an optional excursion to the north coast port of Milazzo. Here, you’ll step aboard a ferry one-hour crossing to the glorious, volcanic Aeolian Isles, which rise out of the blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Arrive on the largest island Lípari, passing Vulcano with its brooding crater, and after docking in Marina Lunga, it is a short transfer to Lípari Town to spend a couple of hours, before returning to the mainland and back to the hotel for dinner.
Unearth the treasures of one of Sicily’s most important cities today, as you make the short journey to discover Syracuse. The former centre of the Greek empire, the ancient heart of the city is on Ortigia island, upon which great temples of Apollo and Athena were built.
It’s “Arrivederci, Sicilia”, as you leave the hotel and transfer back to the airport for your return flight to the UK, at the end of an incredible exploration of a truly intriguing island.
Further Highlights
Visit Monreale’s Benedictine monastery
Travel by cable-car to the top of Etna, one of the highest volcanoes in Europe
Discover Taormina, a beautiful hilltop town
What the price includes
- Seven nights’ carefully chosen half-board accommodation in Mazzaforno and Giardini Naxos
- An excursion to Cefalù
- City tours of Palermo, Syracuse and Taormina
- A visit to the mosaics at the Villa Romana Casale
- A Mount Etna cable-car ascent
- Return flights to Sicily
- Coach travel and transfers throughout
- Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
- All mandatory local taxes and charges
Dates & Prices
Solo price
Want to spread the cost? Choose our Easy Payment Plan.
| Departure point | Departure date | Price (per person) | Availability | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham |
April 2027 - October 2027 |
from £1679.00 pp |
23 dates available |
||
| Birmingham |
14 Apr 2027
Wednesday
8 days
21 Apr 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1691.00 was £1989.00 |
|
||
| Birmingham |
21 Apr 2027
Wednesday
8 days
28 Apr 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1683.00 was £1979.00 |
|
||
| Birmingham |
28 Apr 2027
Wednesday
8 days
05 May 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1717.00 was £2019.00 |
|
||
| Birmingham |
05 May 2027
Wednesday
8 days
12 May 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1764.00 was £2075.00 |
|
||
| Birmingham |
12 May 2027
Wednesday
8 days
19 May 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1810.00 was £2129.00 |
|
||
| Birmingham |
19 May 2027
Wednesday
8 days
26 May 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1895.00 was £2229.00 |
|
||
| Birmingham |
26 May 2027
Wednesday
8 days
02 Jun 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1895.00 was £2229.00 |
|
||
| Birmingham |
02 Jun 2027
Wednesday
8 days
09 Jun 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1934.00 was £2275.00 |
|
||
| Birmingham |
09 Jun 2027
Wednesday
8 days
16 Jun 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1912.00 was £2249.00 |
|
||
| Birmingham |
16 Jun 2027
Wednesday
8 days
23 Jun 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1929.00 was £2269.00 |
|
||
| Birmingham |
30 Jun 2027
Wednesday
8 days
07 Jul 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1938.00 was £2279.00 |
|
||
| Birmingham |
07 Jul 2027
Wednesday
8 days
14 Jul 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £1926.00 was £2265.00 |
|
|
| Birmingham |
14 Jul 2027
Wednesday
8 days
21 Jul 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £1951.00 was £2295.00 |
|
|
| Birmingham |
21 Jul 2027
Wednesday
8 days
28 Jul 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £2082.00 was £2449.00 |
|
|
| Birmingham |
25 Aug 2027
Wednesday
8 days
01 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £2040.00 was £2399.00 |
|
|
| Birmingham |
01 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
08 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1960.00 was £2305.00 |
|
||
| Birmingham |
08 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
15 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
from £2048.00 was £2275.00 |
|
||
| Birmingham |
15 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
22 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £1870.00 was £2199.00 |
|
|
| Birmingham |
22 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
29 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1802.00 was £2119.00 |
|
||
| Birmingham |
29 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
06 Oct 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1773.00 was £1969.00 |
|
||
| Birmingham |
06 Oct 2027
Wednesday
8 days
13 Oct 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1679.00 was £1975.00 |
|
||
| Birmingham |
13 Oct 2027
Wednesday
8 days
20 Oct 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1700.00 was £1999.00 |
|
||
| Birmingham |
20 Oct 2027
Wednesday
8 days
27 Oct 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1798.00 was £2115.00 |
|
||
| Leeds Bradford |
March 2027 - October 2027 |
from £1649.00 pp |
25 dates available |
||
| Leeds Bradford |
31 Mar 2027
Wednesday
8 days
07 Apr 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1751.00 was £2059.00 |
|
||
| Leeds Bradford |
07 Apr 2027
Wednesday
8 days
14 Apr 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1708.00 was £2009.00 |
|
||
| Leeds Bradford |
14 Apr 2027
Wednesday
8 days
21 Apr 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1696.00 was £1995.00 |
|
||
| Leeds Bradford |
21 Apr 2027
Wednesday
8 days
28 Apr 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1657.00 was £1949.00 |
|
||
| Leeds Bradford |
28 Apr 2027
Wednesday
8 days
05 May 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1730.00 was £2035.00 |
|
||
| Leeds Bradford |
05 May 2027
Wednesday
8 days
12 May 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1836.00 was £2159.00 |
|
||
| Leeds Bradford |
12 May 2027
Wednesday
8 days
19 May 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1887.00 was £2219.00 |
|
||
| Leeds Bradford |
19 May 2027
Wednesday
8 days
26 May 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1904.00 was £2239.00 |
|
||
| Leeds Bradford |
26 May 2027
Wednesday
8 days
02 Jun 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1938.00 was £2279.00 |
|
||
| Leeds Bradford |
02 Jun 2027
Wednesday
8 days
09 Jun 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1963.00 was £2309.00 |
|
||
| Leeds Bradford |
09 Jun 2027
Wednesday
8 days
16 Jun 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1938.00 was £2279.00 |
|
||
| Leeds Bradford |
16 Jun 2027
Wednesday
8 days
23 Jun 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1955.00 was £2299.00 |
|
||
| Leeds Bradford |
30 Jun 2027
Wednesday
8 days
07 Jul 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1926.00 was £2265.00 |
|
||
| Leeds Bradford |
07 Jul 2027
Wednesday
8 days
14 Jul 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £1994.00 was £2345.00 |
|
|
| Leeds Bradford |
14 Jul 2027
Wednesday
8 days
21 Jul 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £2062.00 was £2425.00 |
|
|
| Leeds Bradford |
21 Jul 2027
Wednesday
8 days
28 Jul 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £2087.00 was £2455.00 |
|
|
| Leeds Bradford |
25 Aug 2027
Wednesday
8 days
01 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £2113.00 was £2485.00 |
|
|
| Leeds Bradford |
01 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
08 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1963.00 was £2309.00 |
|
||
| Leeds Bradford |
08 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
15 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
from £2021.00 was £2245.00 |
|
||
| Leeds Bradford |
15 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
22 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £1917.00 was £2255.00 |
|
|
| Leeds Bradford |
22 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
29 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1895.00 was £2229.00 |
|
||
| Leeds Bradford |
29 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
06 Oct 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1850.00 was £2055.00 |
|
||
| Leeds Bradford |
06 Oct 2027
Wednesday
8 days
13 Oct 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1717.00 was £2019.00 |
|
||
| Leeds Bradford |
13 Oct 2027
Wednesday
8 days
20 Oct 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1649.00 was £1939.00 |
|
||
| Leeds Bradford |
20 Oct 2027
Wednesday
8 days
27 Oct 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1717.00 was £2019.00 |
|
||
| London Gatwick |
March 2027 - October 2027 |
from £1637.00 pp |
25 dates available |
||
| London Gatwick |
31 Mar 2027
Wednesday
8 days
07 Apr 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1683.00 was £1979.00 |
|
||
| London Gatwick |
07 Apr 2027
Wednesday
8 days
14 Apr 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1722.00 was £2025.00 |
|
||
| London Gatwick |
14 Apr 2027
Wednesday
8 days
21 Apr 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1688.00 was £1985.00 |
|
||
| London Gatwick |
21 Apr 2027
Wednesday
8 days
28 Apr 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1649.00 was £1939.00 |
|
||
| London Gatwick |
28 Apr 2027
Wednesday
8 days
05 May 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1637.00 was £1925.00 |
|
||
| London Gatwick |
05 May 2027
Wednesday
8 days
12 May 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1662.00 was £1955.00 |
|
||
| London Gatwick |
12 May 2027
Wednesday
8 days
19 May 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1649.00 was £1939.00 |
|
||
| London Gatwick |
19 May 2027
Wednesday
8 days
26 May 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1649.00 was £1939.00 |
|
||
| London Gatwick |
26 May 2027
Wednesday
8 days
02 Jun 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1781.00 was £2095.00 |
|
||
| London Gatwick |
02 Jun 2027
Wednesday
8 days
09 Jun 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1870.00 was £2199.00 |
|
||
| London Gatwick |
09 Jun 2027
Wednesday
8 days
16 Jun 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1768.00 was £2079.00 |
|
||
| London Gatwick |
16 Jun 2027
Wednesday
8 days
23 Jun 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1739.00 was £2045.00 |
|
||
| London Gatwick |
30 Jun 2027
Wednesday
8 days
07 Jul 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1751.00 was £2059.00 |
|
||
| London Gatwick |
07 Jul 2027
Wednesday
8 days
14 Jul 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £1793.00 was £2109.00 |
|
|
| London Gatwick |
14 Jul 2027
Wednesday
8 days
21 Jul 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £1819.00 was £2139.00 |
|
|
| London Gatwick |
21 Jul 2027
Wednesday
8 days
28 Jul 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £1866.00 was £2195.00 |
|
|
| London Gatwick |
25 Aug 2027
Wednesday
8 days
01 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £1929.00 was £2269.00 |
|
|
| London Gatwick |
01 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
08 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1730.00 was £2035.00 |
|
||
| London Gatwick |
08 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
15 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1877.00 was £2085.00 |
|
||
| London Gatwick |
15 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
22 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £1683.00 was £1979.00 |
|
|
| London Gatwick |
22 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
29 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1773.00 was £2085.00 |
|
||
| London Gatwick |
29 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
06 Oct 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1787.00 was £1985.00 |
|
||
| London Gatwick |
06 Oct 2027
Wednesday
8 days
13 Oct 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1679.00 was £1975.00 |
|
||
| London Gatwick |
13 Oct 2027
Wednesday
8 days
20 Oct 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1662.00 was £1955.00 |
|
||
| London Gatwick |
20 Oct 2027
Wednesday
8 days
27 Oct 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1654.00 was £1945.00 |
|
||
| London Luton |
May 2027 - October 2027 |
from £1586.00 pp |
19 dates available |
||
| London Luton |
05 May 2027
Wednesday
8 days
12 May 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1615.00 was £1899.00 |
|
||
| London Luton |
12 May 2027
Wednesday
8 days
19 May 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1594.00 was £1875.00 |
|
||
| London Luton |
19 May 2027
Wednesday
8 days
26 May 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1606.00 was £1889.00 |
|
||
| London Luton |
26 May 2027
Wednesday
8 days
02 Jun 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1773.00 was £2085.00 |
|
||
| London Luton |
02 Jun 2027
Wednesday
8 days
09 Jun 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1849.00 was £2175.00 |
|
||
| London Luton |
09 Jun 2027
Wednesday
8 days
16 Jun 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1739.00 was £2045.00 |
|
||
| London Luton |
16 Jun 2027
Wednesday
8 days
23 Jun 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1734.00 was £2039.00 |
|
||
| London Luton |
30 Jun 2027
Wednesday
8 days
07 Jul 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1764.00 was £2075.00 |
|
||
| London Luton |
07 Jul 2027
Wednesday
8 days
14 Jul 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £1793.00 was £2109.00 |
|
|
| London Luton |
14 Jul 2027
Wednesday
8 days
21 Jul 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £1807.00 was £2125.00 |
|
|
| London Luton |
21 Jul 2027
Wednesday
8 days
28 Jul 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £1866.00 was £2195.00 |
|
|
| London Luton |
25 Aug 2027
Wednesday
8 days
01 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £1875.00 was £2205.00 |
|
|
| London Luton |
01 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
08 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1717.00 was £2019.00 |
|
||
| London Luton |
08 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
15 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1944.00 was £2159.00 |
|
||
| London Luton |
15 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
22 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £1705.00 was £2005.00 |
|
|
| London Luton |
22 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
29 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1739.00 was £2045.00 |
|
||
| London Luton |
29 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
06 Oct 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1751.00 was £1945.00 |
|
||
| London Luton |
06 Oct 2027
Wednesday
8 days
13 Oct 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1603.00 was £1885.00 |
|
||
| London Luton |
13 Oct 2027
Wednesday
8 days
20 Oct 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1586.00 was £1865.00 |
|
||
| London Stansted |
October 2026 |
from £1276.00 pp |
1 date available |
||
| London Stansted |
28 Oct 2026
Wednesday
8 days
04 Nov 2026
Wednesday
|
Late Escape
|
from £1276.00 was £1595.00 |
|
|
| Manchester |
March 2027 - October 2027 |
from £1688.00 pp |
25 dates available |
||
| Manchester |
31 Mar 2027
Wednesday
8 days
07 Apr 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1742.00 was £2049.00 |
|
||
| Manchester |
07 Apr 2027
Wednesday
8 days
14 Apr 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1700.00 was £1999.00 |
|
||
| Manchester |
14 Apr 2027
Wednesday
8 days
21 Apr 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1696.00 was £1995.00 |
|
||
| Manchester |
21 Apr 2027
Wednesday
8 days
28 Apr 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1688.00 was £1985.00 |
|
||
| Manchester |
28 Apr 2027
Wednesday
8 days
05 May 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1691.00 was £1989.00 |
|
||
| Manchester |
05 May 2027
Wednesday
8 days
12 May 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1722.00 was £2025.00 |
|
||
| Manchester |
12 May 2027
Wednesday
8 days
19 May 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1717.00 was £2019.00 |
|
||
| Manchester |
19 May 2027
Wednesday
8 days
26 May 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1751.00 was £2059.00 |
|
||
| Manchester |
26 May 2027
Wednesday
8 days
02 Jun 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1819.00 was £2139.00 |
|
||
| Manchester |
02 Jun 2027
Wednesday
8 days
09 Jun 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1892.00 was £2225.00 |
|
||
| Manchester |
09 Jun 2027
Wednesday
8 days
16 Jun 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1807.00 was £2125.00 |
|
||
| Manchester |
16 Jun 2027
Wednesday
8 days
23 Jun 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1827.00 was £2149.00 |
|
||
| Manchester |
30 Jun 2027
Wednesday
8 days
07 Jul 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1815.00 was £2135.00 |
|
||
| Manchester |
07 Jul 2027
Wednesday
8 days
14 Jul 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £1849.00 was £2175.00 |
|
|
| Manchester |
14 Jul 2027
Wednesday
8 days
21 Jul 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £1853.00 was £2179.00 |
|
|
| Manchester |
21 Jul 2027
Wednesday
8 days
28 Jul 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £1972.00 was £2319.00 |
|
|
| Manchester |
25 Aug 2027
Wednesday
8 days
01 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £1977.00 was £2325.00 |
|
|
| Manchester |
01 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
08 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1742.00 was £2049.00 |
|
||
| Manchester |
08 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
15 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1859.00 was £2065.00 |
|
||
| Manchester |
15 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
22 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
|
No Single Supplement
from £1781.00 was £2095.00 |
|
|
| Manchester |
22 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
29 Sep 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1929.00 was £2269.00 |
|
||
| Manchester |
29 Sep 2027
Wednesday
8 days
06 Oct 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1953.00 was £2169.00 |
|
||
| Manchester |
06 Oct 2027
Wednesday
8 days
13 Oct 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1713.00 was £2015.00 |
|
||
| Manchester |
13 Oct 2027
Wednesday
8 days
20 Oct 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1696.00 was £1995.00 |
|
||
| Manchester |
20 Oct 2027
Wednesday
8 days
27 Oct 2027
Wednesday
|
from £1688.00 was £1985.00 |
|
Accommodation
Further information
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately two hours and 30 minutes and approximately 45 minutes on departure.
We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.
Guests on half-board arrangements will be served a three-course evening meal, and can expect a first course of traditional pasta or soup, a main meat or fish course accompanied by one or two types of vegetable, and a simple dessert of fruit, cake or Italian ice cream. Breakfasts will usually consist of bread rolls, jam, cereal, ham, cheese, fruit juice, tea and coffee. Menus will vary from hotel to hotel, but choice will be more limited than in a normal restaurant. In some instances, individual guests who have booked with the hotel independently may be offered a different menu from those who are staying at the hotel as part of a package tour.
An authentic dining experience in Italy can often be a bit different to the Italian food that international tourists might be used to, but it’s one of the best ways to truly appreciate the finer cultural differences of this tourist hotspot. From simpler, but more frequent, courses to regional dishes, here are some points to note when dining in Italy.
The first major difference you’re likely to notice is that the dining experience as a whole is much longer; you’ll enjoy a much more social experience than the average dinner back home with multiple smaller courses spread across a longer period of time. While each meal will be prepared to order, you may notice that dishes are served cooler than you might be used to – Italian dishes are rarely served piping hot to preserve the more delicate flavours of each ingredient and to provide a more enjoyable dining experience. The final thing to bear in mind is that it may be tricky to find Italian classics in the same form as they are at home. For instance, while Spaghetti Carbonara is a staple in historic Rome – and made traditionally using egg yolks rather than cream – you’ll often find it replaced with a wild boar ragù in Tuscany.
You will ride to a higher altitude and experience uneven ground when visiting Mount Etna and warmer clothing - a cardigan or jacket - is recommended along with stronger shoes.
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
Travelling to Europe
Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. You do require government issued passport to travel.
Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names.
Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you arrive (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date").
Visa - You do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.
The EES scheme commenced on the 12th October 2025, and the phased implementation will last until 9 April 2026. From 10 April 2026, EES will be fully operational at all EU borders. - the latest information can be found at https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/ltr
EES is a new digital border management system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of most European countries. Once introduced, when you go through passport control on arrival, as well as producing your passport for checking, you will also have your photograph taken and fingerprints scanned. The system will register your entry on arrival and your exit when departing. You will only need to do this on your first entry into Europe after the scheme starts.
For those travelling via Eurostar, there is a dual British and French/Belgian border in operational at St Pancras International. Therefore the EES system will be in place at the station, you will not need to be checked again on arrival at the other side. For further information please visit the https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/planning-and-booking-a-holiday/upcoming-changes-travel-europe here.
Please note: Irish passport holders or British Passport holders with an EU residency are currently excluded.
Following the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, changes have been planned which affect the eligibility of citizens of the United Kingdom to have visa free travel to the EU. ETIAS travel authorisation is a new entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of the European Union and Schengen counties.
The ETIAS system is not live yet - the latest information can be found at www.etias.com. We recommend keeping yourself updated on the planned commencement date and, once live (and if applicable to you), apply for your ETIAS in good time prior to travel.
Newmarket Holidays will not be able to undertake ETIAS applications on your behalf, so have instead instructed the services of the Travel Visa Company to provide help, should you need it. You can find more information about this service here.
Please note: ETIAS will not be required for UK citizens travelling on our UK and Ireland tours.
All mandatory local taxes and charges are included in the price of your holiday as per the itinerary. Prices for any optional excursions are listed separately. Any suggested free-time activities, attractions, meals or entertainment are not included (unless otherwise stated), and may be subject to local charges. Please note that tipping is optional and as such, is typically not included in the price of your holiday (unless otherwise stated).