April 6-14, 2026
Sicily is an island where history and nature meet at every turn, a place where golden beaches frame ancient cathedrals and bustling markets overflow with flavors shaped by centuries of tradition. From the slopes of Mount Etna to the cloisters of Monreale, every corner of Sicily tells a story.
Your base is the seaside town of Cefalù, where Arab Norman architecture rises above a lively fishing harbor and Mediterranean sunsets paint the sky. From here, explore Palermo’s vibrant markets, gaze at the mosaics of Monreale, and step back in time in Tindari and Castelbuono. Savor farmhouse tastings of wine, honey, pistachios, and olive oil, and experience the volcanic landscapes of Taormina and the Madonie Mountains.
Balancing discovery with leisure, this retreat allows time to relax along the coast, wander cobblestone streets at your own pace, and embrace the gentle rhythm of island life. Sicily is a feast for the senses, a meeting place of cultures, and an invitation to experience the Mediterranean at its most authentic.
Stay seven nights in Cefalù, a charming seaside town where a Norman Cathedral and medieval streets meet the Mediterranean.
Walk the volcanic landscapes of Mount Etna and continue to Taormina, Sicily’s most iconic hilltop town overlooking the sea.
Explore the lively markets and historic treasures of Palermo and marvel at the golden mosaics of Monreale Cathedral.
Journey into Madonie Natural Park, visit the medieval town of Castelbuono, and enjoy a farmhouse lunch of local specialties.
Discover Tindari, home to the revered Black Madonna and panoramic coastal views, paired with time to enjoy Cefalù itself.
Taste authentic Sicilian flavors including wine, honey, pistachios, olive oil, and other farmhouse delicacies.
Enjoy leisure days by the Mediterranean in Cefalù, with time to relax, stroll the seaside promenade, or simply soak up the island atmosphere.
Add an optional day trip to Agrigento to marvel at the Valley of the Temples, one of the most important archaeological sites in the Mediterranean.
Day 1 – Depart USA
Board your overnight transatlantic flight to Sicily. Settle in and enjoy the anticipation of your Mediterranean adventure as you cross the Atlantic.
Overnight in flight | Meals aloft
Day 2 – Arrival in Sicily
Arrive in Palermo and enjoy a scenic drive along Sicily’s northern coast to Cefalù. Upon arrival, check into the Hotel Cefalù Sea Palace, set directly on the seafront. Relax and take in your first sunset over the Mediterranean before joining your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.
Overnight Cefalù | Dinner
This morning, explore Cefalù, a jewel of the Tyrrhenian coast. Wander narrow cobblestone streets that open to the striking Norman Cathedral, famous for its Byzantine mosaics and commanding presence at the heart of town. Learn how Arab Norman architecture shaped the town during the Middle Ages. In the afternoon, continue to Tindari, perched on a cliff with sweeping views of the coastline and Aeolian Islands. Visit the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna, a site of devotion and legend, and stroll the remains of the ancient Greek and Roman settlement, including its amphitheater.
Overnight Cefalù | Breakfast, Dinner
Today is yours to relax and enjoy Cefalù at your own pace. Lounge on the beach, swim in the Mediterranean, browse artisan boutiques, or sip a cappuccino in the lively piazza. For those who wish, a walk up to La Rocca offers panoramic views of the coastline and the red-tiled rooftops of Cefalù.
Overnight Cefalù | Breakfast, Dinner
Venture east across Sicily to Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore its dramatic volcanic slopes where lava flows and fertile soil have shaped a unique landscape. Along the Etna Wine Road, stop at a local farmhouse for a tasting of Sicilian specialties: honey, pistachios, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, and regional wines. In the afternoon, continue to Taormina, Sicily’s most celebrated resort town. Explore the ancient Greek Theatre, dramatically set with views of both the sea and Mount Etna, and stroll elegant streets lined with boutiques, gardens, and piazzas. This is Sicily at its most glamorous.
Overnight Cefalù | Breakfast, Dinner
Travel inland to the rugged beauty of the Madonie Mountains, part of a UNESCO Global Geopark. Discover Castelbuono, a medieval town crowned by a castle built by the Ventimiglia family, and wander its winding streets filled with artisanal shops and pastry cafés. Learn about the local tradition of harvesting manna, a sweet resin unique to this area. Later, enjoy an authentic farmhouse lunch, where regional specialties are prepared with seasonal ingredients, offering a taste of true Sicilian hospitality surrounded by rolling hills and olive groves.
Overnight Cefalù | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Immerse yourself in the fascinating capital city of Palermo. Explore its historic center where centuries of cultural influences converge, from Arab Norman palaces to Byzantine mosaics and Baroque churches. Visit vibrant local markets where the aromas of Sicilian street food such as arancini, panelle, and cannoli fill the air. Continue to Monreale, a hillside town overlooking Palermo. Step inside the Cathedral, one of the greatest treasures of Norman Sicily, where golden mosaics depict biblical stories in breathtaking detail, and enjoy time in the serene Benedictine cloister.
Overnight Cefalù | Breakfast, Dinner
Spend your final full day at leisure in Cefalù, perhaps taking a swim, strolling the seafront promenade, or enjoying the hotel spa. For those who wish, join an optional excursion to Agrigento to explore the Valley of the Temples. This extraordinary archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage treasure, features some of the most well-preserved Doric temples from the ancient Greek world. Walk among monumental ruins including the Temple of Concordia, Temple of Hera, and Temple of Heracles, set against olive groves and the Sicilian sky. This is one of the Mediterranean’s most awe-inspiring ancient landscapes.
Overnight Cefalù | Breakfast, Dinner
Bid farewell to Sicily as you transfer to Palermo airport for your return flight, carrying with you memories of sunlit coastlines, golden mosaics, and the flavors of the Mediterranean.
Breakfast
Roundtrip Airfare* (*LAX/additional gateways available - contact MGT for pricing)
Accommodations
Seven nights at the Hotel Cefalù Sea Palace in Cefalù
Meals: Daily breakfast, one lunch and seven dinners with wine
Local, English-speaking tour manager throughout
Transportation: Private coach on key touring days and select public-transit experiences where noted
Entrance fees: All listed sites per the itinerary
Tips for Tour Manager/Driver
Travel Protection
$4,499 Per Person/Double Occupancy
+$800 Single Supplement (Limited)
Includes Roundtrip Air
Own Air Reduction: $1,200 per person
*Airfare option must be selected at time of booking
Deposit due ($500) with reservation to secure space.
Final payment is due 120 days before departure
IMPORTANT CONDITIONS/NOTES
- Travel Protection is not included and HIGHLY ENCOURAGED
- The included airfare is group economy class airfare. Upgrades are limited within the group flight schedule.
- Tour Manager, Itinerary and hotels are subject to change.
- Airline checked luggage fees are not included.
Please Note: When traveling outside the United States, a passport is required for U.S. citizens & some countries require a visa. Valid traveler documentation is the responsibility of each passenger.
For the entire week you will stay at the elegant Hotel Cefalù Sea Palace, a five star property set directly on the Mediterranean. The hotel combines modern amenities with classic Sicilian warmth, offering spacious guest rooms, a wellness spa, and an inviting outdoor pool that overlooks the sea. A private stretch of beach lies just steps away, while the historic center of Cefalù is within easy walking distance. Each evening, enjoy multi-course dinners featuring regional flavors, and each morning begin with a generous buffet breakfast. The Sea Palace provides the perfect balance of comfort, location, and seaside atmosphere — a true retreat where you can relax, recharge, and soak in the beauty of Sicily.
GENERAL TOUR INFORMATION
What is the pace of this trip?
This journey is designed to be relaxed, with comfortable daily sightseeing balanced by leisure time. With one hotel stay for the week, the experience is smooth and unhurried.
What is the weather like in April and October?
In April, Sicily enjoys mild springtime weather with daytime temperatures in the 60s to low 70s°F and cool evenings. In October, the island is pleasantly warm, often in the upper 60s to mid 70s°F, and the sea is still swimmable. Both seasons offer fewer crowds and ideal conditions for exploring.
Where will we be staying?
The group will be based in Cefalù, a charming seaside town, with accommodations at a five star hotel directly on the Mediterranean. Staying in one place allows more time to enjoy the destination.
How large is the group?
This program is designed for approximately 30 travelers. It is the ideal size to create a sense of community while remaining comfortable and flexible. With a group this size, travelers benefit from shared experiences, smooth logistics, and the chance to connect with fellow participants.
Are meals included?
Daily breakfast and most dinners are included, along with a special farmhouse lunch in the Sicilian countryside. Leisure time also provides opportunities to sample local trattorias and cafés on your own.
Is there free time?
Yes. The itinerary includes two days at leisure to relax by the sea, stroll through Cefalù, or simply enjoy the atmosphere at your own pace.
Is there an optional excursion?
Yes. An optional full-day visit to Agrigento is offered to see the Valley of the Temples, one of Sicily’s most remarkable archaeological sites.
Refunds & Cancellation Fees:
Payments are fully refundable until 150 days before departure. Cancellations must be submitted in writing by certified mail or email to Meridian Guided Travel. After that point, cancellation fees apply according to the fee schedule. If you do not purchase travel protection, the below fees will apply in full. If you do purchase travel protection but cancel for a reason that is not covered by your provider, the same fees will apply.
MGT Cancellation Fee Schedule: Cancellations made up to 150 days before departure receive a full refund. If you cancel 149–120 days before departure, the deposit amount is retained. For cancellations 119–90 days prior, 70% of the total trip price is refunded. For cancellations 89–45 days prior, 50% of the total trip price is refunded. Cancellations made less than 45 days before departure are non-refundable.
RESPONSIBILITY: Meridian Guided Travel and its affiliated entities and its employees, shareholders, officers, directors, successors, agents, and assigns (MGT) neither owns nor operates any person or entity which provides goods or services for these trips or tours. Because MGT does not maintain any control over the personnel, equipment, or operations of these suppliers, MGT assumes no responsibility for and shall not be held liable for any personal injury, death, property damage, or other loss, accident, delay, inconvenience, or irregularity which may occur by reason of (1) any wrongful, negligent, willful, or unauthorized acts or omissions on the part of any of the tour suppliers, or other employees or agents, (2) any defect in or failure of any vehicle, equipment, instrument owned, operated or otherwise by any of these suppliers, or (3) any wrongful, willful, or negligent act or omissions on any part of any other party not under the supervision or control of MGT. MGT reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a participant of a tour at its discretion. MGT and/or its Tour Staff retain the right to require any participant to withdraw from a tour at any time, if determined to be in the best interests of health, safety and general welfare of the tour group or of the individual participant. MGT monitors security conditions around the world as well as government travel advisories. Conditions may require MGT to change or even cancel trips. You accept the risks involved in travel, both foreign and domestic, and accept responsibility for your own travel decisions. Guests may be required to review and sign a participation agreement prior to engaging in certain activities on the trip. Each client is responsible for proper documentation and inoculations that may be required and/or recommended to participate on tour. Please contact your local travel clinic or personal physician for specific details on the destinations you are traveling to and from. If you decide to make a reservation, you acknowledge and agree that you are physically well enough to travel and understand that medical facilities may not be similar to what you are accustomed to at home. Hotels and itinerary are subject to change. Payment of the deposit for this tour program constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions. CST #2137150-40