Sicily Tour Itinerary Departing from Antalya
ANTALYA DEPARTURE SICILY DREAM TOUR
MODICA • SYRACUSE • ETNA • CATANIA • TAORMINA • SAVOCA • MESSINA • CEFALÙ • PALERMO
Get ready to explore the most enchanting island of the Mediterranean, Sicily! On this special tour departing from Antalya; an unforgettable Southern Europe journey awaits you with UNESCO World Heritage cities, impressive baroque architecture, unique coastal towns, active volcano views, and rich Italian cuisine.
During your journey starting with Turkish Airlines comfort; Modica and Syracuse, located on the UNESCO World Heritage List; Etna, Europe's most active volcano; Catania, captivating with its historic streets; Taormina, hosting unforgettable scenes from the movie "The Godfather"; Savoca and Forza d'Agro; Messina, one of Sicily's important port cities; Cefalù, not falling short of postcards; and the island's capital, Palermo, will welcome you.
Throughout the tour, you will get up close to the mesmerizing lava views of Mount Etna, taste Modica's world-famous chocolates, explore Syracuse's historic Ortigia Island, be amazed by Taormina's unique Mediterranean views, and get to know Palermo's Arab-Norman architecture closely. Additionally, you will experience unique moments with the included Modica Mini Train Tour and a visit to the Cappuccini Underground Mummy Cemetery, one of Europe's most interesting museums.
Thanks to comfortable hotel accommodations, breakfasts, the dinner specified in the program, professional Turkish guide service, and carefully prepared city tours, you will fully experience Sicily's history, culture, and unique atmosphere.
✨ Tour Route:
Highlights:
• Antalya - Istanbul - Modica - Syracuse - Catania • Mount Etna - Catania • Taormina - Savoca - Messina • Cefalù - Palermo • Palermo - Istanbul • Istanbul - AntalyaAntalya - Istanbul - Modica - Syracuse - Catania
After midnight, we meet our valued guests in front of the Antalya Airport domestic terminals. After completing our passport and baggage procedures, we fly to Istanbul Airport with a Turkish Airlines flight. Upon arrival, we continue from Istanbul Airport International Terminal and take a Turkish Airlines flight to Catania Airport, located in the shadow of the famous Etna Volcano, the Mediterranean city where we will arrive. After completing our passport procedures and collecting our luggage, we board our waiting vehicle and head towards Modica, one of the post-Baroque cities of Val di Noto listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. With its stone houses built on both slopes of the valley, magnificent Baroque churches, and historic streets, Modica is considered one of Sicily's most captivating cities. The most striking feature of Modica is that the city is built on two different levels. These sections, known as Upper Modica (Modica Alta) and Lower Modica (Modica Bassa), are connected by narrow stairway streets, terraced houses, and Baroque churches. In particular, San Giorgio Cathedral in Modica is regarded as the symbol of the city with its long staircases and impressive Baroque facade. After our walking tour through this beautiful and rare city, which we will begin exploring with the guidance of our guide, we embark on an enjoyable approximately 40-minute Mini Train tour starting from Corso Umberto, the central area, visiting San Pietro Church, the Upper Modica (Modica Alta), San Giorgio Cathedral, and the Baroque streets. (Included in the price!) Continuing our program, we have the opportunity to get acquainted with the famous Modica chocolates, prepared using an ancient technique brought from the Aztecs, where we can learn about the production process and taste them. After our enjoyable train ride that takes us back centuries through stone streets and offers wonderful photo opportunities, following some free time, we turn our direction towards Syracuse (Siracusa), another site on the UNESCO World Heritage List and one of Sicily's most captivating ancient cities. This historic city, which has hosted famous film productions such as Godfather (Baba) and Malena, was one of the most important cities of the Mediterranean during the Ancient Greek period and is also known as the birthplace of the famous scientist Archimedes. Upon arriving at the city, we visit the Temple of Apollo, whose foundations rest on an ancient Doric temple and which has been used throughout history as a Byzantine church, an Islamic mosque, a Norman church, and a Spanish barracks, witnessing the history of this ancient city with the explanations of our guide. Then, we continue our tour in the enchanting Ortigia Island, considered the heart of Syracuse, which has hosted various civilizations for centuries. We begin our walk on this historic island, famous for its narrow stone streets, Baroque squares, and views opening onto the Mediterranean Sea, and see the Statue of Archimedes, built to honor the famous mathematician and scientist Archimedes. Continuing our walk, after seeing the Artemis Fountain, known for its mythological figures, we visit the Santa Lucia (Siracusa) Cathedral, built on top of a former Greek temple and one of the most magnificent structures of Ortigia with its Baroque architecture. At the end of our tour, we direct our route to the legendary freshwater spring Fonte Aretusa, where we enjoy our dinner included in the price at restaurants located on this beautiful spot by the Mediterranean coast, featuring special menus made with rich seafood and representing the finest examples of Sicilian cuisine. After our enjoyable dinner, we record the day's memories in our minds and head to our hotel in Catania for overnight accommodation. ✈︎ Flight No: TK2441 (THY) - Departure: Antalya - Time: 04:10 - Arrival: Istanbul Time: 05:40 ✈︎ Flight No: TK1393 (THY) - Departure: Istanbul - Time: 07:00 - Arrival: Catania Time: 08:25
Mount Etna - Catania
After breakfast at our hotel, we head to the Mount Etna region, which in recent times has erupted with lava, scorched everything in its path, and periodically reactivates to remind us of its presence. Along the way, we will see houses with roofs turned to ash from past eras, coal-black mounds of earth, and chilling landscapes. You will witness nature's magnificent power and miracles in the form of blooming flowers amidst black lava fields, and you will be amazed to learn that the volcano brings not only destruction but also benefits. Together with our valued guests, using our special vehicle, we will first ascend to an altitude of 1,900 meters, where we will have the opportunity to capture some fascinating photos. On the return journey, we will stop for a pleasant lunch at the foot of the famous volcano, offering stunning views of Mount Etna. Afterward, we will proceed to Piazza del Duomo to visit the Cathedral of Saint Agatha, home to the Elephant Statue, which has become the symbol of Catania, considered the heart of the city. Our walking tour, guided by our guide's commentary, will take us next to Piazza Università (University Square), a palace-like square surrounded by Baroque-style buildings, cafes, and ice cream parlors. Following some photo opportunities here, we will visit Palazzo Biscari, built in the 18th century for the Biscari Princes. This magnificent structure survived a powerful earthquake, was rebuilt, and now blends Rococo and Baroque architectural styles, featuring hand-painted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and marble staircases, earning it the reputation as one of Catania's most beautiful palaces. Today, the palace still belongs to the Biscari family and can be visited in certain sections with permission. Due to its continued use, access is limited to authorized areas. After visiting this beautiful building, our next stop will be the famous Fish Market, widely regarded as Sicily's most renowned and authentic market. Following a short break here, we will enjoy free time in Via Etnea, the city's most popular street, known for its abundant shopping options and charming cafes lined with delightful establishments. Finally, we will return to our hotel to rest and prepare for the exploration-filled itinerary of the following day.
Taormina - Savoca - Messina
On our last day in this city where we woke up to the morning of Katanya, after having breakfast and checking out of our rooms, we are heading to visit and explore the towns of Taormina-Savaco-Forza d'Agro, where the film BABA was shot and its sets were created. The film, shot in Sicily with an intriguing plot that has been etched into the memories of the entire world, is one you will remember. Our first stop is the town of Taormina. Among the places we will see are Palazzo Badia Vechia, which contains archaeological remains from the Roman period, the Odeon Theatre, which historically hosted only important figures, the Taormina Gardens, Corvaja Palace, and Santa Caterina D'Alessandra Church. We will spend our free time on Corso Umberto Street, which features souvenir shops, pastry shops with an artistic atmosphere, and magnificent restaurants—places where we can enjoy ourselves. Here, we are given free time for lunch, and then we head to visit the towns of Forza d'Agro and Savoca, famous worldwide as the locations where the iconic scenes of the Godfather film were shot. After our guided tour through these towns, where wedding scenes were filmed and the famous Bar Vitelli is located, accompanied by memorable photos, we make our way to Messina, an important port city located on the coast of the Strait of Messina, which separates mainland Italy from the island of Sicily, in the northeast of Sicily. Upon arriving at the city, founded during the ancient Greek period and historically one of the key centers of Mediterranean trade routes, we begin our tour. The Messina Astronomical Clock, built in the 12th century and known as one of the largest mechanical clocks in the world, attracts tourists with its moving figures that strike the bell every day at noon. Another significant structure we will see is the Fountain of Orion, a masterpiece from the Italian Renaissance dating back to the 16th century. After completing our tour of Messina, once our free time ends, we check into our hotel.
Cafelu - Palermo
After breakfast at our hotel, we head to Cefalù, a modest fishing village built on rocky cliffs, renowned for its dreamlike architecture and natural beauty. Upon arrival, we visit the Duomo di Cefalù Cathedral, construction of which began in 1131; the Temple of Diana at Rocco, a favorite spot for young lovers; and the Mandralisca Museum, famous for housing its library and manuscript archives. After an enjoyable free time to explore Cefalù, we set off toward Palermo, the capital of Sicily, where Arab-Norman-Spanish-Italian cultures blend together. Arab-Norman architecture is one of the city's most distinctive features, and many of Palermo's buildings are listed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Upon reaching the city, we tour some of its most important historical landmarks: the Norman Palace, once used as a royal residence; the Palatine Chapel, considered one of Sicily's most impressive works of art with its golden mosaics; Teatro Massimo, one of Italy's—and Europe's—largest opera houses; and Teatro Garibaldi, located in Palermo's historic center and built in the 19th century, along with the Piazza Politeama in front of it. We then enjoy free time in the city's central square, famous for shopping, strolling, and cafés. At the time arranged with our guide, we reconvene and check into our hotel.
Palermo - Istanbul
On our last day in Sicily, we will have breakfast at our hotel and visit the Capuchin Catacombs (Included in Price), one of the largest mummy collections in Europe. Since the 16th century, this museum has housed and displayed the mummified remains of Palermo's nobility, clergy, and wealthy families, containing approximately 8,000 mummies. These catacombs were originally built in 1599 by the Capuchin friars to bury their own monks. Over time, as aristocrats were also interred here, the site was preserved in its original state up to the present day. Its most famous mummy is that of a young girl who died in 1920 (Rosalia Lombardo, known as "The Sleeping Beauty"), recognized as the best-preserved mummy in the world. After visiting this site, we will head back to the city center to say farewell to the city and Sicily. We will then provide free time for you to enjoy any meals that caught your attention or that you would like to taste beyond those included in the tour price, as well as to shop and purchase souvenirs. We will meet again at the return time set by our guide and depart on our Turkish Airlines flight, which will first take us to Istanbul Airport.
Istanbul - Antalya
After our arrival, at the time indicated by our calendar for the next day, we arrive at Antalya Airport on our Turkish Airlines flight and say goodbye to meet again in another tour program.
General Information
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT
This tour is organized with a minimum participation requirement of 25 people. If sufficient participation is not achieved, the final cancellation notification date is 20 days prior to the tour start date. Tours cancelled due to insufficient participation will be notified to you through our agency.
VISA AND PASSPORT
Ordinary Passport: Visa required
Green Passport: Visa not required
Service Passport: Visa not required
You must have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the end date of your trip and issued no more than 10 years ago.
In destinations requiring a visa, the visa application must be made with the documents specified in the "Documents Required for Visa" list provided by your travel agent. To avoid issues with customs police at the border of the country to be visited due to torn, worn, wet, or otherwise damaged passports; it is necessary to renew such passports, and if the destination country requires a visa for Turkish citizens, the relevant visa must be on the new passport. In case of failure to comply, responsibility lies with the traveler. For guests under 18 years old traveling alone or with only one parent, there may be a request from the police officer at the entry/exit points for a document showing joint parental consent; therefore, we recommend that guests under 18 and their parents pay special attention to this matter.
*Having a valid passport and/or having obtained a visa (for destinations/passports where a visa is required) does not guarantee entry into the country. The passport police have the authority to deny you entry. Our agency is not responsible for this situation; responsibility lies with the traveler.
CURRENCY
The currency used in European countries is the Euro. It is recommended that you carry small amounts of Euros with you.
TIME ZONE
Europe is 1 hour behind Turkey during summer time and 2 hours behind during winter time.
For example, when it is 18:30 in Turkey in summer, it is 17:30 in Europe.
FOOD CULTURE
Sicilian cuisine, which we will not find too foreign, includes unique flavors such as arancini, eggplant Pasta alla Norma, caponata, and swordfish that you should try. For desserts, world-famous cannoli, cassata, and lemon granita are a must-try. Additionally, Bronte pistachio products and local Nero d'Avola wines are among the important flavors completing the region's gastronomic identity.
ELECTRICAL SOCKETS
Electrical sockets are the same as in Turkey.
TOURS & OPTIONAL TOURS AND ACTIVITIES
*All City and Culture Tours listed in the program are included in the price.
*Optional activities or program options clearly specified in the program, such as boat trips, are organized with a minimum participation requirement of 15 people and are not mandatory. If the required number is not met, tours may not take place, or optional tour/activity prices, content, and vehicles used may vary depending on the number of participants. Additionally, the days and times of extra tours/activities may be changed by the guide based on whether museums, historical sites, or venues are open/closed and weather conditions.
*The agency reserves the right to change the tour route while keeping the content the same, when deemed necessary.
*Tours or visits that cannot be carried out for any reason due to restrictions imposed by local authorities or other reasons will not be conducted. The agency cannot be held responsible for the inability to conduct these tours.
ACCOMMODATION
During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be used at distances greater than the specified kilometers.
*Triple rooms are subject to hotel availability. In such rooms, the bed provided for the 3rd person may be smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed and 1 extra bed. Since extra beds are foldable or coach beds, participants who are the 3rd person and/or children booking are considered to have accepted potential crowding in the room and the type of bed.
*Child discounts apply to children staying with 2 adults and falling within the age group specified in the pricing section.
*Breakfasts included in the services of the tour program are served according to the breakfast culture of the country being visited.
*In case of possible disruptions, technical issues reported to us by the hotel management, our agency reserves the right to change hotel names, provided that the hotel category remains the same.
CLOTHING AND ESSENTIAL ITEMS
During the summer season, we recommend bringing t-shirts, short and long-sleeved shirts, cotton trousers, shorts, comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket, and a thin sweater for evenings. Additionally, we recommend bringing a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, earplugs for possible noise, a camera, video camera, and their chargers and spare memory cards. During autumn and winter seasons, we recommend clothing that allows you to move comfortably and keeps you warm, an umbrella, and a thin raincoat.
LOSSES, OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS, PASSPORT AND IDENTITY LOSSES
*When leaving the hotels where you stayed during your trip, please ensure that you have taken all your belongings without exception. In cases where forgotten items are found, any expenses incurred during their return to the country and/or the owner shall be borne by the item owner.
*In the event of loss or theft of your passport, our agency representative/guide must continue the tour program as committed to other traveling guests; therefore, they must know that all organization regarding passport procedures, return, or inclusion in the tour in the country where the loss/theft occurred will be handled at their own responsibility. Our agency accepts no responsibility for any difficulties or problems arising in this regard.
*The agency is not responsible for lost, misplaced, or stolen items during the tour.
FLIGHT DURATION
Antalya ✈ Istanbul ✈ Catania ⏱ 3 hrs 35 min
Palermo ✈ Istanbul ✈ Antalya ⏱ 3 hrs 55 min
AIR TICKETS AND FLIGHTS INFORMATION
*Before the tour date, our agency will share flight times and reservation numbers. Due to group reservations, you can complete your baggage and customs procedures at the specified time and counter with just your passport, even without your ticket. Check-in procedures are handled by our agency.
*During registration, the name, date of birth, passport number, and ID number on the passport must be entered into the system. Air tickets are issued based on this information. Cancellations or changes to air tickets resulting from incorrect information will be charged to the guests as no-show fees.
*Our agency is not liable for any damages incurred due to payments made to hotels and airlines in situations where you fail to participate because you arrived late for the flight or were unable to catch the flight due to your own reasons.
*Our agency acts as an intermediary between the passenger and the airline and is subject to the Hague Protocol of 28.09.1955. There may be a risk of delay in scheduled and special flights, or times may change before the current tour and flight. Routes may vary depending on the city where the plane lands. All times must be confirmed 48 hours before the departure date. Our agency is obliged to notify these changes as soon as possible. Passengers purchase the tour knowing and accepting that flight details may change.
*Children aged 0-2 do not pay airport taxes or airport service fees.
HEALTH
We do not expect any health-threatening issues with meals taken in good restaurants and hotels in the region. However, we advise you to be careful about food and drink when you are not with the group, strictly consume bottled water, avoid ice, milk, and dairy products, consume meat and fish products that you are sure are well-cooked, and eat fruits like bananas and pineapples whose peels can be removed.
In case of health issues or injuries occurring due to reasons beyond your control, we strongly recommend obtaining reports and invoices from the health units where you receive treatment. This will be beneficial for you if needed for insurance-related procedures.
TRANSPORT AND LOCAL TRANSPORT SERVICES
*There is a mandatory requirement to fasten seat belts during the journey. For passengers aged 0-4, a "child car seat" is mandatory. If rules are not followed, our agency cannot be held responsible for traffic fines or penalties applied.
*Even if the vehicle seat numbers supplied in the countries to be visited are purchased as is, direction, location, or position may vary. Placement is made according to the vehicle conditions of the current country.
*All vehicles provided by local vehicle service providers for transport and transfer services are inspected in accordance with European Union rules and conditions. Vehicles that pass inspection provide service regardless of their model and age, provided they are comfortable and flawless.
*Including the tours specified in the program, in situations where tours cannot be conducted on the corresponding day and time due to restrictions imposed by local authorities, closed roads due to any event, or weather conditions making the tour impossible, our agency is not responsible for the inability to conduct said tours. Some tours may be conducted using public transport or on foot, depending on available opportunities, at points where roads are closed or vehicle access is not permitted.
*During your trip, seat numbers are assigned and fixed according to the reservation order. Even if the assigned seat numbers are numbered the same, direction, location, or position may vary. Placement is made according to the vehicle conditions of the current country.
TRAVEL HEALTH AND CANCELLATION INSURANCE
*The insurance arranged by our agency for said trip covers the Professional Liability Insurance mandated by the Association of Travel Agencies for Travel Agencies (Sigorta Türk) and provides coverage for travel health. The travel health coverage is valid for ages 0-65. Guests over 65 years old must arrange their insurance upon payment of a surcharge. We recommend that you always obtain travel and health insurance for every trip to ensure your safety.
*However, it should be known that this insurance does not cover cancellations without conditions or reasons. In cases of force majeure, non-chronic and sudden illnesses, accidents, or in the event of adverse circumstances affecting first-degree relatives, cancellation is covered only upon submission and evaluation of the relevant reports to the insurance company. These evaluations are conducted by the relevant Health and Insurance Company health institutions and are outside the scope of our agency's responsibility.
CONTRACT AND CANCELLATIONS INFORMATION
*For air tours, there is an unconditional right to cancel up to 30 days before the tour departure date. For cancellations exceeding 30 days (25 days before the tour departure date), the remaining amount is refunded after deducting the cost of the air ticket and non-refundable operational expenses. There is no right to refund for cancellations made less than 25 days before the tour departure date. Compensation is paid by the consumer.
*All guests are considered to have purchased the tour by accepting the conditions and rules separately specified under the headings above. The Tour Registration Contract is a single entity.
What's Included
Services Included in the Package Price:
✅Round-trip flight tickets with Turkish Airlines (Antalya-Istanbul-Catania/Palermo-Istanbul-Antalya) and airport taxes
✅All city and cultural tours explicitly stated
✅2 nights accommodation with breakfast at our 4* hotel in Catania
✅1 night accommodation with breakfast at our 4* hotel in Messina
✅1 night accommodation with breakfast at our 4* hotel in Palermo
✅1 dinner at a restaurant in Syracuse
✅Mini train experience tickets in Modica
✅Etna Volcano Tour – Entrance fees & vehicle service
✅Tours of Catania-Modica-Syracuse-Taormina-Savoca-Messina-Cefalù-Palermo
✅Visit to the Cappuccini Catacombs and entrance fee
✅All city entrance fees, tourist accommodation taxes, all highway check-points (ZTL), and parking fees
✅All transportation services via local bus
✅Professional Turkish-speaking guide and local guide services
✅Professional liability and travel health cancellation insurance (additional premium applies for travelers over 65 years of age).
Not Included
Services Not Included in Package Price:
❌Foreign Departure Fee. (Guests can obtain it via Mobile APP, relevant banks, or at the Airport.)
❌Food and beverages consumed during breaks, all hotel extras, and beverages consumed with meals
❌Entrance fees for Museums, Historical Sites, and National Parks that individuals may wish to visit personally as specified in the program