Gems of Western Sicily

Discover Sicily’s vibrant west on this expertly crafted new tour, blending culture, cuisine and history. Explore Palermo’s grand architecture and lively markets, marvel at Monreale’s golden mosaics and uncover ancient sites at Segesta and Selinunte. Taste Marsala wines and traditional pastries, and visit atmospheric salt pans and coastal villages. From Baroque streets to dramatic temples and shimmering coastal landscapes, each day reveals a different facet of this captivating island. 

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Palermo
Fly from London to Palermo, the island’s capital. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and take time to settle in. Later, meet your Tour Manager Aure, and fellow travellers over a welcome drink. This evening, we dine at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Palermo and Monreale
This morning, discover Palermo on foot. The city’s architecture reflects its complex past, and our tour includes the Cathedral, a site associated with Sicily’s Norman kings and their royal burials. Continue to Quattro Canti, the Baroque heart of the city, where four grand facades mark the historic crossroads. Visit the Martorana Church, known for its Byzantine mosaics, and view the exterior of nearby San Cataldo, with its distinctive red domes reflecting the Arab-Norman architectural traditions of medieval Sicily. A visit to one of the city’s traditional markets offers the chance to sample Sicilian street food. After free time for lunch, travel to Monreale, set above the Conca d’Oro valley. Its cathedral, built by William II in the 12th century, is one of the great achievements of Norman Sicily. Inside, extensive mosaics depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments, while the adjoining cloister is noted for its finely carved columns and decorative detail.

Day 3: Marsala
Travel westwards to Marsala. It was at Marsala that Garibaldi landed in 1860, a key moment in the unification of Italy. Visit the Florio Winery, founded in the 19th century, for a tour exploring the production of Marsala wine, followed by a tasting. Continue along the coastal Via del Mare, where salt pans and windmills form a long-established landscape shaped by the harvesting of sea salt. In Nubia, visit the Salt Museum to learn about this traditional industry, still active today. Lunch features local fish dishes, reflecting the area’s maritime economy.

Day 4: The Belice Valley and Gibellina Vecchia
Today’s touring focuses on the Belice Valley, an area profoundly affected by the earthquake of 1968. Visit the remains of Gibellina Vecchia, preserved within Alberto Burri’s Cretto, a large-scale memorial which traces the outline of the former town in concrete. Continue to the Epicentro del Belice Museum, which documents the social and cultural impact of the disaster on the region. After lunch with wine, travel to Alcamo, a town with strong agricultural traditions, particularly in wine production. At the historic Bar 900, sample a selection of local pastries.

Day 5: Erice and Segesta
Visit Erice, a small town occupying a commanding position above the west coast. Its layout, with narrow streets and stone houses, reflects centuries of continuous settlement from the Elymians to the Normans. A stop at the Maria Grammatico pastry shop introduces recipes linked to the town’s convent heritage. After time for lunch (own expense), continue to Segesta, one of Sicily’s most important archaeological sites. Its Doric temple, dating from the 5th century BC, stands in open countryside and remains largely intact. Although never completed, it provides valuable insight into ancient Greek building techniques and the cultural links between Sicily and the wider Mediterranean.

Day 6: Selinunte and Scopello
This morning, explore Selinunte. Once a major Greek colony, it flourished between the 7th and 5th centuries BC before its destruction by the Carthaginians in 409 BC. The site includes extensive remains of temples, sanctuaries and fortifications, set against the coastal landscape. Lunch is served at a local farm, where simple regional produce reflects long-standing agricultural practices. Specialities include locally produced olive oil and Castelvetrano bread. On the return journey, stop at Scopello, a charming village known for its coastal setting and historic tuna fishery.

Day 7: Cefalù
Travel east along the northern coast to Cefalù. Its Norman cathedral, founded by Roger II, is particularly noted for its interior mosaics, including a large depiction of Christ Pantocrator. After time to explore independently — perhaps along the waterfront or through the medieval streets of the old quarter — return to Palermo. The afternoon is free to relax before a farewell dinner with wine at a local restaurant.

Day 8: Departure
Transfer to Palermo Airport for your return flight to London Gatwick.

NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager’s discretion.

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 30 travellers.

Tour Grading: This tour has been graded as moderate due to the amount of time spent walking and standing for viewing at attractions. For further information, please visit the mobility page on our website, or call our team if you have any questions prior to booking. 

INCLUDED

• Return flights from London Gatwick to Palermo
• Seven nights’ accommodation on bed and breakfast basis at the three-star Hotel Al Madarig, Castellammare del Golfo, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• Welcome drink 
• 2 dinners
• 3 lunches
• All tours and entrance fees as detailed
• Airport transfers and full coach touring itinerary
• Accompanied by a local tour manager throughout

NOT INCLUDED

• Double for sole use supplement - £357
• Meals other than those stated
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
• Porterage and gratuities

HOTEL

Hotel Al Madarig, Castellammare del Golfo

Hotel Al Madarig is a 3-star hotel set within a traditional building overlooking a main square in the historic centre of Castellammare del Golfo, close to the harbour. The hotel retains a simple, characterful style in keeping with its surroundings and offers facilities including a bar, wellness spa, and terrace, providing a convenient base for exploring the town and nearby coast. Guest rooms are comfortably furnished with air conditioning, Wi‑Fi, TV, minibar, and tea/coffee-making facilities.

Hotel Website