Best of Sicily in 11 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Mt Etna spitting fire and seeing it with snow on it. Seeing a tiny chapel in Taormina called Sant’ Antonio. It had a nativity scene in the context of the entirety of Bethlehem. The little wooden buildings with the little clay figures going about their day oblivious to the fact that something is happening in their town that will impact the world for thousands of years. Also an interaction with a restaurant cook and her grandchildren was lots of fun. "

The tour did a nice job exploring all the "lasagna layers" of Sicily- the multi-layers of history, art, culture, food, scenery, geography, and interactions with locals.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Villa Romana del Casale was really extraordinary. I had no idea how expansive the collection of beautiful mosaics would be, and how well preserved. It was a fascinating journey back in time."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent guide, great tour members and amazing history

Favorite "WOW" moment

"View of Mount Etna at sunset from roof top bar at our hotel in Taormina"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Saw lots of interesting and historical sites, but too many churches for my taste. The "behind the scenes" or "off the beaten path" experiences were great and the tour of the countess's home was awesome and unexpected. As usual, the group made a fine time even more enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Countess's home visit...personal, in-depth, and current yet with a fantastic historical connection to Sicily and European hierarchy.."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour guide and his local guides were so excellent in every way. I wanted to wrap them up in my suitcase. I really enjoyed each one of my fellow tourists, it was remarkable how nice and interesting they all were. The compare system created an immediate friendship.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There really were many of those moments. The view from our hotel room in Trapani, the ancient mosaics where the bikini girls were found, the fish market in Catalina where the squid shot out its ink! All of the sites in Taormina, seeing the volcano. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our two guides were quite knowledgeable and personable. The scenery was beautiful and the special stops were well planned.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Maria’s lunch where we learned to make cookies and had amazing food."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized and offered a variety of experiences to understand and appreciate Sicily. The tour guide, Andrea was organized and informative. As a resident of Sicily he offered many local experiences and insites which enhanced the overall experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our day at Mt. Etna. The winery visit which included lunch and a tasting of three wines was excellent. Upon our arrival in Taormina, we watched the volcano erupt from our hotel balcony. It was a memorable day."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour experience was phenomenal. The guides were wonderful. They were interesting, informative, personable, funny and made the trip very enjoyable. The participants were fun to be around and all had wonderful attitudes.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was walking on Mt Etna that afternoon and then watching it erupt that evening. We had our Volcanist explain all about the volcano and then he informed us it was erupting. We went to the roof to watch and we were able to eat dinner and watch the volcano for two hours. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Top notch guides, interesting sights, excellent hotels, and wonderful food and wine.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Mt. Etna erupt just hours after our visit."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is our third Rick Steves Tour. It was interesting, challenging, educational and absolutely fun, all at the same time. I continue to be impressed with how smooth and organized this and all of our prior trips have been.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Oh, that is easy! We visited Mt. Etna in the afternoon on our way to Taormina. That evening at our hotel, we had a first rate lecture from an engaging volcanologist from Catania. As the lecture was ending, we were told that Mt. Etna was erupting right then! Everyone rushed up to the hotel's rooftop restaurant to watch, and we just stayed there to eat dinner while watching the fireworks for over two hours. Amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We took this tour of Sicily on the strong recommendation of other travelers, so we had few expectations. This trip was beyond anything we could have imagined! Every day we were surprised and delighted by historic sites, food, and unique experiences. wonderful people, and surprises provided by our tour guide, Andrea. Andrea did a great job organizing things and keeping us on schedule. We had the added bonus of Vanessa along for the ride.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite WOW moment was eating pizza outside a restaurant on Via Cavour in Ortigia and having an AMAZING tenor set up a boom box and begin singing "O Sole Mio." It was a quintessential Sicilian moment! Another WOW moment was our hotel in Agrigento. Such a place of beauty and peace overlooking the Valley of the Temples! And WOW! We saw Mt. Etna erupting!. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour leader, great group of traveling companions.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Great lunch at an old barn / farm. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

One of many ETBD tours we have done. Other than being one of the shorter, it is was a very good one. Great history lessons throughout, good scenery, architecture, food and lodging.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Enjoyed the Valley of the Temples the most, but each stop was well planned. Taormina was certainly one of the best "village" experiences."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Sicily was a delight to visit with a variety of experiences and history in the itinerary. Guides were all very good including Alfredo, our lead guide plus local guides. There was ample free time for personal explorations. The group size was a bit larger than I prefer and the timing of the trip relative to local holidays and museum hours prevented visits to leading archeology museums in Palermo and Syracuse.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Exploring the amazing Valley of Temples and visiting the museum prior to the visit to gain more appreciation for the structures. Concordia Temple was a high point to see."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First of all, Alfredo, our guide was outstanding! He provided us with so much information and history and we all enjoyed his humor and energy! All the other guides for some of our tours were wonderful also. All the hotels were great and the roof top restaurants of some of the hotels provided wonderful views,

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick one as each city we traveled to had a wow moment of its own, but I would have to say to have been at Mt Etna knowing how "Big Mama" has provided Sicily with so much...was pretty spectacular. We were fortunate to have been there a couple of days before she decided to erupt again."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was my 3rd Rick Steves tour and I found it unique and exciting. The Sicily tour was made particularly interesting because of our "standout" tour guide, Alfredo Vitale Cafasso. Alfredo was both energetic and thorough in his enthusiasm of each of the locations we visited. His energy and knowledge made the tour that much more enjoyable for everyone. This was the first time that I toured alone and found the experience enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is difficult to point to a single "wow" moment but, I would say that our trip to Erie, a medieval town located above Trapani stood out. We enjoyed a cooking class from Maria Grammatica which could only be described as a once in a lifetime experience. Each of the local guides were knowledgable and shared a genuine fondness and personal friendship with our tour guide, Alfredo."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Sicily was my fourth RS tour in Italy, having started with the also amazing Venice, Florence, Rome tour and working my way south, and I can honestly say I would "Groundhog Day" BEST OF SICILY without hesitation. It was, in my opinion, worth the wait on every level, and the itinerary, guides, and food were all first-rate---it delivered ten times the color, joy and vibrancy I so adore all over the mainland of Italy. I will be back FOR SURE!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I am the travel nerd who will keep repeating every minute was a "WOW" on this tour because I value all the little details along the way that are so carefully and professionally organized, but I do want to mention a couple of major highlights. Our lunch at Maria Grammatico's pastry demonstration near Erice and our visit/meal to Georgiana's (SP) farm near Catania, and the Contessa's' home in Palermo. Meeting these wonderful people up close and learning about their lives are priceless souvenirs. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves Tour and I was impressed with how well organized it was, the prep, the variety of activities, and especially the travelers in our group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Agrigento's Valley of the Temples -- weather was perfect and we visited in late afternoon with magical lighting in the late afternoon sun. Mt. Etna was pretty cool, too."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed the sites covered, the group of people we were with and all that was included

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being on mt Etna was thrilling, especially now seeing that it erupted 5 days after we were there. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Incredible!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many favorites! Tasty lunch with pastry making with Maria Grammatico. The coastal town of Trapani, Ortigia was great, especially their gelato's, beautiful Taormina, and Valley of the Temples."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Most enjoyable. Loads of walking. Great food and accommodation

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Swimming in the Adriatic."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Another great Rick Steves tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mt. Etna"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is an amazing tour. Sicily offers everything: natural beauty, ancient history, modern history, delicious food and wine and the tour delivered a chance to experience all of these. This group of people all were thoroughly enjoying the tour and being together. Our second Rick Steves tour and we loved it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can we have three? Visiting Monreale Cathedral with an excellent guide; pastry making with Maria; and seeing the ancient Roman mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Weather great, people great, guide great, how tour curated great !!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Isle of Ortigia experience "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing from start to finish! After touring Sicily with tour guide Tommaso we can say we had daily opportunities to learn history, enjoy local foods and people, and share the fun with a great group of Rick Steves fans. Almost everyone who came on this tour had already been on an RS tour previously. Now we know why!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Posing for a group photo at our farewell dinner and realizing that we had been completely transported for two weeks and loved every minute with a wonderful group of travelers - now friends."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

5th RS Tour and most active. Great weather, lots of food/wine but overall I was disappointed with tour compared to previous ones, especially Southern Italy/Village Italy. A large portion of the island is not very scenic. Guide was full of knowledge but a fast talker and mover, it was hard to keep up with him sometimes. Covid surfaced & sadly some left the tour. Last night in Catania should be dropped and Taormina made 3 nights. As usual local guides were great and everything flowed smoothly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taormina. It's beautiful and reminded me of the Amalfi coast. Mt. Etna was also spectacular to see. Usually there are so many 'wow' moments it's hard to pick one but this tour had fewer 'wow' moments than other tours I've taken."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Deep history at each stop - supported by local "Expert Guides"...that was really great and appreciated. Selected hotels exceeded my expectations. Our guide, Tomasso, was talented and very knowledgeable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Maria Grammatico day - Great fun to meet Maria and the baking demo of her Almond Cookies and Cannoli. The buffet lunch was beautifully created and served. Delicious food! A fun afternoon."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a fun-FILLED trip. So much to see and I met many wonderful people in our tour group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Stephanie was our tour guide. She was our tour guide in 2015 for our Rome tour. Stephanie is wonderful and always goes above and beyond for the group. I loved seeing the salt pans, Mount Etna, and the many hill towns we visited. I can't seem to pick just one wow moment."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great tour scheduled just the way I travel

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think that Villa Romana del Casale was the wow moment, while the Mt Etna experience was for me a waste of time"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Guide Stephanie was terrific. But we had taken this tour in 2017 and it was better then, in several ways. The wine tasting at Benanti was disappointing--only 3 wines to taste and almost nothing available to buy (like we did last time). The pizza night was also disappointing. Last time they talked about how they make Italian pizza and let a few of us try to twirl it. This time they just put the pizzas on the table, with no presentation or participation. And the pizzas were unexceptional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The volcanologist (grad student) who was the guide for the Mt Etna portion and the pictures he showed and shared with us. The mansion with the extensive mosaic floors is also a major wow."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized and had just the right amount of educational opportunities. Our tour director was very good at keeping us informed and ensuring we knew when and where to meet. The other tour members were all considerate of each other and no one ever kept us waiting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Villa Casale Romano was spectacular! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very educational, beautiful scenery and some excellent food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taormina overall, the lunch on the farm and at the winery plus the parting dinner in Catania"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Best of Sicily Tour was absolutely amazing. While the days were busy seeing fabulous sites, there was still plenty of free time for independent exploring. All the accommodations were amazing and in great locations. Our tour leader, Jamie, was beyond incredible with his knowledge, experience and insight. He truly engaged with each member of the group and he kept the group engaged. The local guides were so personable and knowledgeable. Loved the "flavor" that they brought to the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Absolutely loved the time we spent with Maria in Erice. What an incredible woman and story. No language barrier could lessen the passion and joy that she radiates when she is teaching others to bake. She is a pure delight. The time with Maria was also a wonderful bonding experience for our group. Loved watching the respectful, warm and comfortable interaction between Jamie and Maria. Truly enjoyed the small village of Erice. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

5 stars for the Rick Steves' tour, 4 stars for Sicily. Sicily is a beautiful country with many outstanding sites; the cathedral at Monreale, ancient Agrigento, amazing Roman Mosaics, and beautiful Taormina, to name a few. Our guide Jamie's fabulous sense of humor, historical knowledge and passion for the food and drink of Sicily added tremendously to the trip. The food was fabulous. I disliked dirty, chaotic, graffiti covered Palermo and the trash problem that permeates much of the island.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The mosaics at the Villa Romana del Casale"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Well organized, lots of fun

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking out at noon with a volcanologist"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Sicily is a wonderfully memorable place made even better because of our guide Jamie. As usual, the other tour members also made the tour a wonderful experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The town of Taormina. The trip up to it, the hotel and the view from it, the shops, the food and the cable car down to the beach area and first class hotel on the beach."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Their weather was fantastic, as was the tour. We enjoyed the other participants and Jamie, our guide was terrific…we learned much of the history of the area.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many…such as meeting the Countess Fredricka."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Spectacular sights, friendly people, knowledgeable guide and local guides, pleasant accommodations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taormina Greek Roman Theater. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Guide Brad McEwen made this a very memorable tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Valley of the Temples at Agrigento"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Fun!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Brad made every destination a WOW moment. Loved Ortigia, especially at night! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceeded expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our tour guide Brad."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyable. Well organized. Good mix of activities. Good accommodations. Nice group of fellow travelers. Well paced. Experienced and knowledgeable guide, with a good sense of humor.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"View from hotel's top level deck in Taormina. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful sites, tastes and sights on this tour! Amazing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Climbing around the craters on Momma Etna, experiencing the views and otherworldly terrain!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour guide Brad was great. We walked over 7 miles a day and saw a lot. The whole 11 days was go go go.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the earth's most active volcano. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every day was fun, educational and interesting. The food and wine were outstanding. Hotels were in great locations and quaint. Our tour guide, Brad made our journey over the top.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have a few wow moment: our baking lesson with Maria along with the delicious lunch at her place, Villa Roma de Casale and it’s 37 million mosaic tilers!, and the salt harvesting in Trapani."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our ninth! They have all been phenomenal. Andrea was perfect - loved his narratives/anecdotes, knowledge of Sicily and sense of humor

Favorite "WOW" moment

"In Sicily, it was more about all the activities we would have never experienced on our own - Lunch with the Baroness and Benanti Vineyard. The food served at both places was delectable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour, with good weather, good guides and a fun group of tour members. The mix of ancient civilizations through the ages is inspiring. Strenuous walking in town and country, but not as bad as I had feared.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The mosaics at the Villa Romana del Casale. The imagination and artistry are incredible and the immense cost and time to decorate the villa show the values of the ancient Roman upper class."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

we had a great time on our tour in Sicily and loved everything about our tour ! This was our 5th rick steve tour , which lived up to our expectations. Our Tour Guide was Andrea and he was great in all aspects of his job !!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Great time every where we went, but Mt. Etna and Taormina was on our top of our list along with Wine tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved it all! People were great every one on time and respectful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Andrea was outstanding tour guide. Knowledgeable about everything. He made the trip for us. It was my first tour and can’t wait to do it again. I had so many wow moments hard to pick one."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I have limited information to share as we left the tour on Day 5 due to Covid. The 5 days we were there were great! Guide, Andrea, was very good and the hotels were wonderful. As usual the planned places we visited were awesome!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cooking with Maria at her house was a highlight!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour guides, fun group, beautiful, interesting trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The extraordinary beauty of Sicilian villages and natural scenery."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Unfortunately we had to leave the tour on the evening of day 4 due to a positive COVID test. Up to then the experience was excellent as we have come to expect from RSE.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our time was too short for a wow moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What an amazing experience, from our tour guide, the local guides, the accommodations, vibrant cities, fascinating history, delicious food, wine, and so much more!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Valley of the Temples was awe inspiring...just to imagine these structures are still standing after thousands of years!!!! Mind boggling !!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taormina"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour. I was a bit hesitant because of the caution about hotels being boutique and having less that great air conditioning. In Italy that was not the case. The tour was simply fantastic. The guide was wonderful, always going above and beyond to address any and all questions and issues. The logistics were perfect, we never waited around, every single thing worked like clockwork. Our experiences were uncommon, interesting, and fun. I loved the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Viewing the sea from atop Taormina but every day was filled with different and exciting activities. The group was simply delightful and fun to be with. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful people--our guide (Stephanie), our travel companions and all of our hosts in Sicily! Amazing access to experiences and connection with Sicily's people, stories, culture and the land now and through the centuries.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being treated to a homemade Sicilian feast and pastry-making experience with Maria Grammatico in beautiful Erice!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was such a great tour. It was the perfect balance of scheduled activities vs. free time. My fellow travelers couldn't have been friendlier, and the guide was exceptional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Looking back on the trip, there wasn't just one wow moment. Rather it was a blend of all the really beautiful places we went, and the fun activities that were sprinkled in amongst the sightseeing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized, the leader was outstanding, the accommodations were nice and the activities were interesting and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the beauty of the Sicilian coastline. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was our first Rick Steves tour we loved everything about it! Our guide, Stephanie, was wonderful. Our group was diverse and interesting and fun. The itinerary was a great mix of history, tasty cuisine, local farms/guides, and amazing scenery.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mt Etna, and gelato, of course. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It exceeded my expectations in many respects: tour guide, local guides, hotels, meals provided, and the group experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The spectacular views from Taormina."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We are not experienced tour participants, however this experience far exceeded our expectations for tour manager, hotels, bus, meal opportunities, location guided events and congenial fellow travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The hotel and surrounding views from Traomina."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The entire tour was great. There was a good balance between structured and free time. Our Guide Donald was engaging and very helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Valley of the Temples was spectacular. The stay at Baglio della Luna was beautiful and relaxing."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tour guide at Agrigento"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the ancient ruins plus Mt. Etna"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Donald was great. Very knowledgeable great personality and work well with all our fellow travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the temples that were still standing"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Saw a lot. Great guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Food experience at the farm."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Our leader did a good job of taking us around the island of Sicily to show us the highlights and to have some experiences we might not have had on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Making almond cookies near Erice with Maria Grammatico"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved seeing the land of my ancestors and absorbing the sounds, foods, flora and fauna, and diversity of the cultures. Ate more fish than I expected! Prickly pears took me back to my childhood. The Cattedrale di Monreale was breath taking.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"La Pasticcerria Maria Grammatico cookie making and incredible lunch spread of delicious Sicilian dishes and the cannolis!"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Overall it was good, tour guide was very knowledgeable, but I do not feel I really experienced Sicily, it was too rush. I understand the logistics and the crowd factor but every morning with exception of one we were on the bus by 8:00-8:15. It did not feel like vacation.My recommendation is to have concentration in one region of Sicily, a large town and small towns in the surrounding region. More cooking and wine tasting or other cultural experiences to experience the people of Sicily

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Cooking with Maria and the tasty lunch "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Sicily was wonderful. The old country environment of narrow stone streets and ancient buildings was delightful, and the scenery was beautiful. I was surprised by the consistently high quality of the hotels. The schedule of events made every day a delight, and we were having a hard time deciding which meal was our favorite. We liked the size of the group--small enough to get to know everyone, and not large enough to feel like an invading horde.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being in the theatre in Taormina on a beautiful day, looking down to the town and off to the steaming Mount Etna in the distance. The combination of scenery and history was very powerful."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The food served for the first orientation dinner and the last farewell dinner were very disappointing. The pre-orientation dinner tour of countess home was not very interesting. I'm sure there are other sights that would be more worth while.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our beach afternoon on our own at Taormina. Best sights were the golden mosaic church at Monreale and the mosaic floors at Villa Romona del Casal."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a wonderful tour guide and a very nice group of people. While Palermo and Catania were a little grittier than I expected, the drive around Sicily and the stops were very fruitful in revealing the complicated history of this Mediterranean island.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Mt Etna up close and lava flows and the talk by the volcanologist were wonderful. The winery visit and tasting several different wines and the talk. The temple ruins in Agrigento and Taormina shows that structures can be built to last."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Experiences, city guides, hotels, our guide (Tommaso), meals together were amazing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to choose! Probably Etna."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved learning about the history, eating the fantastic food, and seeing so many parts of Sicily. Weather was sunny and the group was fun to be with. Loved the special experiences like meeting the Contessa in Palermo, Cooking with Maria, and the Winery Tour and lunch - those are what set Rick Steves apart.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved Palermo and the visit to Monreale and the relaxing wine lunch near Mount Etna."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was so well planned and ready to go for us!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many WOWS to be able to pick a favorite. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My husband and I have used Rick Steves guidebooks for independent travel and decided to give one of his tours a try. I am so glad we did! The tour was amazing! Our guide, Brad, was extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and fun. I loved all of the sites we visited, enjoyed all of the incredible group meals we shared and especially liked interacting with our local hosts, like Maria during her cookie making lesson. Great tour, excellent guides and wonderful traveling companions!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Agrigento's Valley of the Temples. The amazingly well preserved Greek buildings were stunning and our local tour guide was excellent. An incredible experience."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

As always this Rick Steves' tour did not disappoint. I can't say it was my favorite of the ten I have been on but Sicily can't be compared to other wonderful places in Europe. It was active, educational, well organized, and the tour members were truly wonderful people. The intimate experiences such as making pastries, touring a Contessa's home make these tours extra special.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the pastry making lesson by a feisty 80+ woman wonderful lunch."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Sicily is a great location if you have been to others parts of Europe because this is where the cultures from throughout Europe came together and left their imprint over the centuries. It was fascinating to learn about cultures and religions coexisting, with evidence of this in the food and the architecture (sometimes in the same building!). The hotels were great & well located. Brad is very knowledgeable about Sicily and he was able to teach us a lot about the history, usually with great humor.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Far too many to choose just one. Almost every day had a wow moment, whether it was meeting a Contessa, countryside lunch at a winery with a Baroness, the mosaics, the volcano talk, making cookies, the list goes on and on. I’d also have to say that dinner with Rick (via Zoom) was also a highlight"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Sicily was a well-orchestrated intense tour with many great varied experiences. Lots of group meals together and many hotel 'receptions', official and unofficial, were fun where group congealed as family! Group at 29 was larger than ideal, hoping not a RS trend. Had Brad as tour guide twice within a month! He is superb, knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, likable, wanting all to have good time. Some things could be tweaked, but all in all, there is no going wrong with a RS tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taormina was favorite town where we could finally shop when shops were open! Free time during siesta is frustrating! Cookie making class with Maria was excellent and fun! Lunch with Baroness excellent stop! Mosaics in Villa Romana incredible. Mt Etna was great. As we had a RS staff member on tour, we had an impromptu FaceTime visit with RS himself at pizzeria and visited with 'the man' individually. FUN! Outstanding tour members as well, which seems to be a recurring theme on RS tours, our 4th. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour guide and site experts, good accommodations, and the touring sites were excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Valley of the Temples and the Roman Villa."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My overall experiences were fantastic. Having Jamie as the tour guide made it incredible. He explained cultures of the Sicilian people in very interesting ways.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The whole tour was a wow moment. From the time we met in Palermo to our final dinner together."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Sicily Tour came in highly recommended by former Rick Steves co-tour members, and it did not disappoint. Our lead guide, Jamie, was fantastic. He set the tone for a fun and educational tour. His being a food and wine enthusiast certainly did not hurt. I won't soon forget that fish stew from the Catania fish market!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are several to choose from, but the standout for me was Agrigento's Valley of the Temples with its well-preserved collection of ancient Greek buildings. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great trip. Very enlightening. Our tour guide, Jamie, was outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Looking at a Pre-Greek, Pre-Phoenician temple in Segesta. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was the BEST(out of 5) Rick Steves tour we have taken! Jamie was incredible! Our group was fun & fabulous! The sites we visited exceeded all expectations!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would have to say that our guide insured that almost every moment was a "wow"! The food, the wine, the city guides, the markets, the villages, the archaeological sites, the churches, the puppet show, the museum and even the bus driver, Massimo - WOW, WOW, WOW!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved all of the cities that we visited and the unique experiences we were able to have. Our tour guide, Virginia was fantastic!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being able to attend and participate in a cooking/pastry class with Maria in Erice. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide Virginia was wonderful! Professional, knowledgeable, personable the overall package of what one would want need and expect in a guide. Our group moved along in a friendly yet efficient manner. Each day was filled with memorable experiences!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our “wow” moment is difficult to choose since there were many! Our afternoon in Mozia with picnic lunch! The site was a marvel our guide through the property was very knowledgeable. The Sicilian picnic was some of the most delicious fresh food and wine not your ordinary American picnic!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Virginia was a perfect guide, and the itinerary was thoughtful and interesting. Fantastic experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Difficult question. The mosaic work at the Roman villa was amazing, also understanding the scale of the Temple of Zeus in the Valley of Temples was astonishing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour gave an excellent representation of Sicily, going to the various regions to experience the people, atmosphere, different cuisines, and wines. The tour was well-organized and small enough to get to know the group and not feel overwhelmed. The hotels were well situated so it was easy to explore the area we were in.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite was the visit to the Contessa's house in Palermo which was an added attraction. The Contessa was so lively and fun. The other WOW was staying in the countryside hotel with beautiful gardens and scenery and of course, our host Salvatore who put a smile on everyone's face. The hotel was a much-needed rest and relaxation in the middle of our busy tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful Sicily experience from start to finish. I was very impressed with how knowledgeable our guide was regarding both the tremendous historical events as well as the cultural and present realities of the region. Plans for each day were well communicated and the needs of the group were well planned, especially since this was a fairly active tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Always hard to pick just one, but for me my "wow" moment was visiting the Cathedral in Monreale. I have visited countless cathedrals across Europe, but this was truly amazing with all the golden mosaics!! Our guide was wonderful helping to make the whole experience even more meaningful. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This being our first Rick Steves trip, I have to say I was totally impressed. The attention to detail with our Guide Andrea was outstanding and almost all touring days were very pleasurable and informative. Hotels, food, transportation and guests were all enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had 3 "wow moments 1) The Cathedral in Monreale with its amazing glittering gold mosaics, Ancient Agrigento Temples with the stone carving of Zeus holding up its walls and the Trapani Salt flats . The guide in Agrigento was the best on the trip!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I have always been intrigued about Sicily. All of the cities and experiences were so different and fantastic

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Erice. Being able to almost “touch the clouds”, the view was amazing. But better yet, was meeting Maria Grammalico. She treated us to a fantastic buffet lunch and then instructed all of us of how to make a few of her favorite pastries. Instead of taking the bus back down, Andrea treated us to a gondola ride down to Trapani. Such a fun day!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We visited great historical sites and had great guides. Andrea, our tour guide was excellent and with great knowledge of the island, especially the history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our favorite "wow" moments were the Monreale cathedral with the beautiful mosaics and the temples in Agrigento."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a wonderful time on the Sicily tour with my husband. Our guide was knowledgeable about the history of this island, and I learned a lot about the different cultures that populated Sicily.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment on the tour was our dinner in Agrigento. The dinner at our lovely hotel was outside, and we were able to view the temples that were illuminated at night. The Blue Moon, Harvest Moon, Supper Moon was stunning as it appeared while we were having our first course. The dinner and wine were delicious."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The town of Taormina !"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We really enjoyed Sicily, great guide, enjoyable experiences, good food and wine. What else is there?

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Brioche con gelato, maybe?"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First of all, our tour guide, Virginia, was amazing. She was personable, knowledgeable and super fun. The hotels far surpass ones from other tours, and the sites that we stopped at were all great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Valley of the Temples and the hotel/dinner we stayed at. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent guide and very good group experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mt. Etna"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour and Virginia was a great guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view from the amphitheater in Taormina was one of the highlights"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was wonderful! Great tour guide, great group of people to travel with and an amazing itinerary of places to visit.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That is hard to answer because I love them all! Visiting the Contessa in Palermo, baking cookies with Maria in Erice, visiting the Baroness, the puppet show, the winery...I honestly cannot pick one! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding time! It exceeded my expectations! Patricia our guide was amazing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are constant wow moments. Taormina really was amazing, the ruins, temples, Greek amphitheater, the cathedrals, all hotels were excellent, all meals were amazing, meeting a baroness, a countess and making cookies with Maria! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

a great group of people, incredibly good and knowledgeable guides and fab food and interaction with locals

Favorite "WOW" moment

"many"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful tour with a few minor blips. Palermo and Catania are big cities that reminded me of the Italian TV shows Gomorrah and Suburra. They are old and filthy with modern trash and desperate desolation of the poor. the difference between the have much and the have nothings is very evident. There is historic value to both cities and there are beautiful sites to be seen. The small cities and towns are the real jewels and the people are the stars of Sicily.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Favorite moment was walking Agrigento's Valley of the Temples in the heat and seeing the immense scale and accomplishments of the ancient world. Second favorite was viewing and climbing part of Mount Etna. Awesome. Third was viewing the roman influences and mosaics at Villa Romanadel Casale."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What made our journey finding the best of Sicily was our Guide and Angel, Patricia. She made sure our trip was seamless, exciting and fun. We were a small group of 22 including us and we all got along so well. We were a very respectful group always showing up on time and never keeping anyone waiting. By the end of our trip we became a family thanks to Patricia's joyful energy which was contagious!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The temples of Sicily! They are in such amazing condition and they tower over you!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed the free time. It was just enough. The quality of the guides was exceptional. Patricia, our director of our tour, was.the best I have had. The food that you provided was thoughtful and tasty. I can't imagine a tour being as good as Sicily.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many. One stands out: the Countess was so wonderful, she left me speechless."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The food and accommodations were great. The different venues we visited were very interesting. Our tour guide Nancy was the best. She was very caring and patient but kept us moving. She was very knowledgeable and loved sharing the Sicilian way of life with all of our group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views, food, and the ferry tale setting of Taromina."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves' tour and was by far one of the best group trips I have ever been on. Nancy was a fantastic guide - very intelligent, informed and personable. The timing of daily events was perfect - just the right amount of time to visit sites, eat, shop or whatever was on the schedule. Each hotel was unique and comfortable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was the visit to Villa Bianca - such a beautiful setting, lovely host and the most amazing food!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Had a wonderful time. The activities were planned well and our guide Nancy was informative, sociable and a great tour leader.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to name. The cathedral at Siracusa and the wine tasting."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our second Rick Steves' Europe tour and it was outstanding. Our tour guide, Nancy, was amazing and made the tour such a great experience for all of us. I loved her humor and all of the interesting facts about Sicily that she shared with us. The sights were great, the pace was perfect and the food and drinks were awesome. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I felt like almost every day had its own "wow" moments; from the breathtaking cathedral at Monreale, to the mountaintop town of Erice, learning about the salt harvesting methods that have been used for centuries, visiting the Greek temples, seeing the Roman mosaics, staying on the beautiful island of Ortygia, visiting Mt. Etna and a gorgeous winery on its slopes - all "wow" memories to treasure forever."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour guide was excellent, extremely organized and did a great job of exposing us to the Sicilian culture with many extras along the way. The meal choices on the tour were wonderful. There was much variation in the meals and wine choices which exposed us to experiences that really enhanced the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had many memorable moments from the tour including the tour of the ruins of Agrigento and the visit to Taormina and the Greek theater. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour and it exceeded my expectations. Hotels were clean and comfortable, food outstanding and Nancy, our tour guide has raised the bar so high for future tour guides I would find it almost impossible to duplicate.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many "wow" moments, but i was taken back by Agrigento's Valley of the Temples. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour focused a lot on historical sites, and our guide, Nancy, had an excellent way of presenting the sites to us through stories and her knowledge of history, etc. The tour was well-paced so we had free time to explore on our own. It was nice to not be on the bus so much on this tour. I felt like we received an excellent overview of Sicily and now I want to return to see more.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My “wow” moment centers around our tour guide, Nancy. Not only is Nancy well-versed in all things in Sicily, including history, people, the cuisine, the wine, she exudes charm and fun. She also has empathy and thorough understanding of people. In particular, my wife and I were locked out of our hotel room in Ortigia , through no fault of our own. I have severe anxiety disorder and was in the middle of an anxiety attack. Nancy saw this immediate and calmed me down & took charge of the situation."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Sicily Tour was a wonderful tour. Our tour guide Nancy was incredible as she led us through this beautiful and historic island. We were accompanied by a group of enthusiastic travelers that helped make this a very memorable travel experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When one experiences Sicily and learns of its history, culture and the role of the various civilizations that made Sicily what it is today, one is awed by the ruins and artifacts that these cultures left behind. I have always been intrigued by mosaics and tiles, and I was really taken by the mosaic art in the Monreale Cathedral and Villa Romana del Casale. As a car buff, it was a thrill meeting Conte Frederico. And I swam in the Mediterranean Sea!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent from the start to the last moment! I expected to love Sicilian culture, food and it’s beauty, however our tour guide, Andrea, brought history and present day into such fabulous focus that each and every day was momentous and we can’t wait to go back.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That’s a difficult question to answer because it seems like there were many. WOW was having a guide with such knowledge and passion to lead our journey. Well done Rick Steves for selecting Andrea! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our first RS tour, and we couldn't be more thrilled -- fabulous guide, great traveling companions, Sicily was more than we ever expected!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view from Erice was so unexpected and beautiful. But for a 'wow' it was more the social learnings related to the Sicilians we met on the way. Everything from 'I'm worried as the Americans are drinking too much coffee' to 'Eat everything offered or you don't have love in your heart'. Those experiences can't be replicated if we had gone solo to Sicily. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"beautiful group dinner in a magical garden in Agrigento"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I made my reservation with very high expectations. Those expectations were met and exceeded. I wanted to explore antiquities, to eat delicious food, and to experience the best of Sicily. I did not expect hotels with such spectacular views, an added bonus. My fellow travelers were a convivial group, "PBS types." I enjoyed their company. Angelo was a skilled bus driver navigating us through traffic with inches to spare. Andrea, our guide, was knowledgeable with fine problem solving skills.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many "wow" moments. On Day 3, we started at Segesta. Andrea explained its complicated history, Then we ate a delicious buffet meal at Maria Grammatica's which was followed by a fun almond cookie baking demonstration. After lunch, Andrea led us on a walking tour of Erice. When we reached the mountaintop, the view was spectacular! A man was playing the accordion in the background. I felt the "flow" of a perfect moment."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great activity and travel organization. Easy transfer and hotel check-in. Well timed interesting stops on travel days.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The special food stops including the Contessa's estate and wine tasting. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We enjoyed the Sicily tour with Virginia as our guide. This was our first Rick Steves tour. The pace was more relaxed than I expected with plenty of free time to explore on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to identify only one wow. The hotels were much nicer than I expected!! The dinner at Agrigento was very special. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Virginia was a good leader, very informative and accommodating to all the various needs of our group. Palermo and the Western side of Sicily were not as scenic and a bit more gritty than we expected. Siracusa and Taormina were more scenic. I would recommend one less day in Palermo or the Western side of the island and add a day in the East. Catania was added just for proximity to airport, it is a wasted day, I would find a way to get group to the airport from Taormina.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Baking with Maria and Eriche, farm lunch, Mount Etna and beautiful Ortigia and Taormina. Really wish we had an extra night in Ortigia or Taormina. All the hotels were good on this tour, a nice mix of old and new and excellent breakfast choices. The last group meal was not up to Rick Steves standards, menu or restaurant needs to be changed in Catania. The meal was terrible and the staff seemed less than excited to serve our group, hopefully a change can be made for future groups."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall I thought the trip was very good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Favorite things for me were the experiences like the Contessa, baking with Maria, farm lunches, pizza dinner."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Thoroughly enjoyed the mix of activities and pace of the tour (not as overwhelming as some of the others we’ve taken), learning about the different cultures and regional foods of Sicily was also enlightening. Also enjoyed the different regions we visited from the gritty, but fun, vibe of Palermo to the beautiful and upscale Taormina, each had their own personalities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many “WOW” moments on this tour, the salt flats of Trapani, the breathtaking vistas in Taormina, and the grandeur Mt. Etna. One of our favorite days was a visit to Cefalu, a small beach town about an hour away from Palermo which we visited pre tour. We “discovered” Cefalu in the RS guide book prior to the tour, it was a fantastic day spent at a beautiful beach in a historic old town; a great addition to the wonderful tour to come."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Virginia and the local guides were fun and informative. Food and hotels were great; most hotels had wonderful rooftop terrace views. We enjoyed learning about all the different cultures that ruled Sicily throughout the centuries and the mix of activities and options to make the most of our free time - overall great experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many, to choose just one. The stunning mosaics in the Monreale cathedral, pastry class and lunch with Maria Grammatico in Erice, and lunch at the vineyard on the hill flanking Mt. Etna are definitely in the top three. The opportunity to spend our free afternoon in Taormina at a private lido, swimming in the Ionian sea, really made for a memorable, well rounded tour of Sicily."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour covered everything we expected and felt like we had seen the most important parts of Sicily.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The valley of the temples and the overview provided prior to walking around the ruins."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was excellent! The sights, food and drink were all wonderful. We really felt like we learned a lot about Sicily's diverse history and culture. Our guide, Alfredo, was so knowledgeable and a pleasure to be around.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! The first "wow" moment was seeing the view from our hotel breakfast room on the roof of the building our first morning. 360-degree view of Palermo...fantastic! The temples of Agrigento, the mountaintop town of Erice, the Greek site of Segestra, and the mosaics at the Villa Romana del Casale were all favorites. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Loved learning so much more of Sicily then on any other tour we have taken

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many, almost every day of our tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves Tour. My husband and I were very impressed by the whole experience. Sicily was incredible! We learned a lot of interesting history, have wonderful memories, ate a lot of delicious food, and made new and fun friendships!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The sites of the Doric temples in Segesta and Agrigento. Also, our tranquil stay in the very quaint hotel called Baglio de la Luna. The gardens were divine! I also loved Taormina, wished we stayed there an extra day!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Sicily Tour felt very authentic and provided a great overview of the Best of Sicily. A great tour guide and an excellent coach driver made our trip safe and enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our lunch and pastry class with Chef Maria was a fantastic afternoon spent in a lovely location! Our favorite meal was lunch at the agritourismo! From appertivo to limoncello, everything was delicious!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic trip, exceeded expectations. Tomasso made it wonderful. I have suggested improvements, however.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Far too many to decide, but I loved the Roman mosaics. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my third RS trip and I will continue to travel this way. Our kitten herder and local guides were truly amazing. The hotels were perfectly located within the hearts of the cities. The whole tour went without a hitch!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two major "WOW" moments the amazing temples of Agrigento and the mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Frankly, I was a little hesitant to book a tour (didn't want to be part of a herd following a flag-holding guide or be stuck for 11 days with annoying companions, etc.). However, the tour was great! Tomasso is an awesome guide--knowledgeable, efficient, and personable, and the local guides added their expertise. Sicily is gorgeous, with a rich and fascinating history. The other members of the tour group were friendly, fun, and interesting. There's a good balance of group activities and free time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Do I have to pick just one?? I loved the tour of Palazzo Federico in Palermo--the Palazzo is gorgeous and contessa is incredibly charming and charismatic. The Greek or Roman ruins, especially Agrigento's Valley of the Temples and the mosaics at Roman del Casale, were amazing. The food, coffee, wine and gelato were all delicious. It's pretty hard to beat sitting on the terrace in the evening at the Taormino hotel, sipping an aperol spritz and gazing at Mount Etna with its smoke plumes. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I felt the trip was very authentic and really showed us a insight to daily Sicilian culture

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Authentic Italian lunch and cooking with the Italian lady "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From the moment we gathered, our tour was perfect: the people, the locations, and of course, Tommaso our guide, this trip could not have been better.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Erice and the cookie experience was absolutely brilliant! But how do you choose just one moment!? Late country lunch, magnificent ruins, excellent subject experts, all with guidance from Tommaso and safe driving by Massimo meant the WHOLE teip was my favorite “wow” moment!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide was great and the group of people participating was a phenomenal group of people!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Baglio Della Luna countryside hotel views and the ruins in Agrigento. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Sicily Tour would not have been as great as it was without Virginia our tour leader. She pointed out the best coffee shops, Arancini and gelateria. I have excellent memories of our trip and enjoyed local guides and the history of modern Italy and Sicily. Our driver was tops.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Countess’s palazzo in the Bolero, but better yet our volcano tour and three separate dips in three different seas! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well organized. Our time was managed well. Virginia was an excellent guide and Alessandro, our bus driver, was an excellent navigator. They were both highly professional and personable. Virginia gave us great tips regarding where to eat and what to do in our free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Mt. Etna would be wonderful on its own, but was very special with the company of a vulcanologist. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Sicily is an interesting island. Lots of interesting and beautiful areas. The heat in mid-June was very intense and made the trip more challenging.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mt Etna and the views of the coast while coming into Taormina."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

What this tour had to offer was exceptional. The fact that the weather was so hot it made us sick meant that we got to enjoy about half of all the events and activities we hoped to enjoy. Our guide, Virginia, was exceptional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Getting away from the 97-102 degree weather to go up Mt. Etna and to the winery. After heat stroke and days of nausea, not being able to go out to wander mid-day after morning tours, the Mt. Etna trip restored us. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Virginia was fantastic and the food was amazing! We really enjoyed talking with our tour mates and enjoying all the historical and cultural experiences on offer.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The mosaics of Villa Romana del Casale blew us away! The quantity and quality were some of the best I've ever seen. The museum that went along with Agrigento was fantastic (we could have spent way more time there) and the city itself was fascinating. All of our local guides really knew there stuff, which makes whatever they were talking about so much more interesting. We went to a performance of Medea, and ancient Greek play in an ancient Greek theatre in Syracuse and it was amazing!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This trip was dreamy! Outstanding guide and all experiences. Just fabulous!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were too many wow moments to count! The views from our bus on our way to Erice and Segesta were incredible. The visit to the Palazzo Conte Federico was quite a treat. The visit to Mount Etna was just fantastic."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Virginia was an amazing guide; she is so caring and compassionate.!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Maria and her cooking class"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great access to sights, food, guides, stays.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Deep history of Sicily!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour and overall, it was an amazing experience. I’m so glad I let the tour planner do the “heavy lifting” of arranging accommodations, transportation and activities/experiences. I’m sure I participated in things that I never would have found out about on my own.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taormina was stunningly beautiful "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Top notch, very smooth transitions (ex: from motor coach to taxi to room), no delays, clear communication at all times. No waiting around. Our guide Andrea was superb! Knowledgeable, personable, from Palermo, kind, and full of surprises. I cannot imagine a better guide!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the cliff town of Taormina, and the Greek Temples in Agrigento."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent guide and excellent lunches and dinners. Andrea was most informative and very funny and friendly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gondola rise form Eriche and see Trapani peninsula- beautiful. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All the selected hotels, restaurants, museums, churches, and other sites visited were great, but what really made the trip was our guide to Sicily, Andrea Vannelli! He was absolutely fantastic!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view from the rooftop of the Hotel Ambasciatori was a real wow moment. Equally amazing were the stops at the Palazzo Conte Federico, lunch with Maria Grammatico in Erice and the farm lunch in Lentini"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized, thoughtfully planned, top notch tour guides and accomodations made it a wonderful stressfree tour through Sicily!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful mosaics and architecture at Monreale and the Benedictine Cloister and the detail."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very nice combination of scheduled activities and free time. Knowledgeable tour guides provided information one would not know without a lot of prior research. History, culture, food, wine, overall a wonderful experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The mosaics at numerous places."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Sicily tour was outstanding every single day. Perfect balance of guided activities, spontaneous group activities, and solo time. Every day was an adventure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is a difficult question, because there were so many. One favorite was climbing up to the theatre in Segesta, because the view of the verdant Sicilian surroundings was incredible, the layers of history you're literally walking on and through were thrilling, and we got to chat spontaneously with some archaeologists working on the site. This was early on in the trip, and seeing the history "in situ" was really something special."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Engaging, entertaining and informative

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Meeting Maria Grammatico and baking cookies with her! The buffet lunch there in Eric’s of local foods was absolutely fabulous. Also loved seeing the beautiful orchards and vineyards as we traveled through Sicily. I now appreciate the diversity of the Sicilian architecture and cuisine after seeing first hand the blending of Norman, Muslim, Christian and Greek cultures across the island."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was my first time in Europe and it couldn’t have been better. The Rick Steves Tours is the way to go. Thank you!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me there were many “WOW” moments. But if I had to pick one I guess it would be the trip to Mt. Etna. It was so surreal being that close to an active volcano. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

First time group tour - Andrea created a wonderful overall experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Andrea arranged a boat tour very impromptu with wine and snacks."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We so enjoyed our Sicily in 11 days with Donald White. He was a knowledgeable tour guide and very good natured. We liked the places we went and the amount of time at the different locations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the views from Erice!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic tour led by the knowledgeable and personable guide, Donald White. The tour was well paced and included all the sights we had been planning on seeing in Sicily.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"View from the top of the hotel in Taormina was breathtaking!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well organized, generally nice group of folks, interesting stops, great guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cathedral at Monreale."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Accommodations were excellent, guide was very personable and knowledgeable, and the food was good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My short climb on Mount Etna."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The guide, Donald White, is an outstanding tour guide. Very knowledgeable, always kept us informed as to what to expect the next day. Everything went like clockwork. Good group of fellow travellers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The boat trip at Syracuse."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The absolutely perfect way to celebrate my fiftieth birthday with a mom-and-daughter trip! I love how each RS tour is so different. Sicily provided a wide variety of venues to explore, along with its rich diverse history as a backdrop. All planned activities, hotels, and meals were superb and tied in well together. The diversity of towns each provided their own unique shops, eateries, and activities. Donald was an exceptional guide!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monreale and the cloisters was perfectly situated at the beginning of the tour to give us not only the incredible beauty of the landscape from above, the intricate mosaic tilework at the church with all the stories contained within them, and the collaboration represented by multiple groups to build, respect, and incorporate them rather than destroy these incredible works of art as time moved on. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Comprehensive itinerary. Nice mix of urban city, small towns, countryside, nature (Mt. Etna, farm lunch), historical architecture (Greek, Roman, Medieval, Byzantine).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Palermo's classic architecture - monuments like the Quatro Canti and the Monreale catheadral. Wonderful!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first RS Tour, so I didn’t know what to expect. Each day of the trip was well planned with unexpected “special moments/events” which I probably could not have thought of to include had I planned the trip on my own. It was a relief to leave all the planning for each day to our excellent tour guide —Donald White.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Dining outdoors in a garden on a weather perfect evening with no bugs, enjoying excellent food, local wine, lively conversation and a view across the valley of ancient BC temples lit for their evening display. This was a WOW moment for me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My wife and I were the youngest in our group, but no one seemed to notice. We were all too busy scrambling after Donald and his team of local experts, soaking up every possible adventure in Sicily. The balance of activity and free time was perfect, with lots of beach moments without too many fish markets. There were only a few head-scratching moments, but they were so minor they're not worth mentioning. I would plunge into the energetic chaos of a Rick Steves tour again and again!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While it's tempting to say it was seeing the Greek temples lit up from the window of my hotel room in rural Agrigento, the real wow was seeing how well my Celiac wife was able to eat. Everyone understood "Celiaca", and her food was always abundant, beautiful, and best of all pasta! Our guide was an excellent advocate, but every restaurant or catering company picked up her needs and ran with it. Knowing my girl was having a gourmet experience in the land of pizza and pasta—WOW!! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first RSteves tour and my first trip to Europe.I was very happy to have selected this tour because it included all of my favorite elements in one tour. We learned about the history and culture of Sicily, we walked a lot almost every day, we visited the Valley of the Temples, we learned to make cookies and cannolis, we feasted at a local farm, we savored local wines, and we enjoyed tasting local dishes and sharing it with our tour “family.” My free time spent on beach and opera.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Outstanding wow moments for me: Sunday passiagettas; Sicily as a multicultural society embracing its cultural identity; being at the Valley of the Temples made history and myth come alive; the magnificence of Mama Etna; the power of the Romans evidenced at Villa Romana, and the beauty of Taormina city. For me there simply was no one wow moment, there were many."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Going from ancients to more modern areas of Sicily

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How very tall the building were/are. I want to know HOW they did build them!!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The trip was great— Angelo our bus driver, Virginia our guide, the other tour members, and the sights and experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The puppet show in Palermo was a wonderful surprise. I would have never found this on my own. The scenic countryside kept me looking out the bus window!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All was terrific! From our fabulous tour guide to the beautiful island sights to the hotels close to the city centers. What a delight our "Mama" Virginia is. She's so helpful, fun, funny, upbeat at all times, but, also, a stickler for the "rules." This made the trip even better as everyone took her rules very seriously. No whiners, no tardiness! All our tour members were interesting, fun, and considerate.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our stay at Baglio della Luna! It was so beautiful and peaceful there. Gazing across the lovely flowers in the gardens over the valley to the Agrigento ruins with a glass of wine in our hands was definitely a highlight. The whole group sat around the patio eating and drinking, too, that evening we arrived there. Virginia could, also, be considered one continual "wow" moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Virginia was wonderful. She had the most delightful, positive personality and wonderful laugh. The variety of activities was appreciated. The hotels were great. I especially enjoyed the Hotel Romano with modernity framed by preservation. My room looked out on the lobby, that made me laugh. So roomy and nice!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I especially loved Mount Etna, the subsequent lecture and the cream puff prior to getting on the mountain. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed all aspects of the tour. Our guide, hotels, meals, bus driver, agenda, and fellow passengers were amazing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The amazing group dinners and sharing at the beginning and conclusion of the tour. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very good guide. Good hotels and meals. Well organized. Too many cathedrals

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was our first tour and we enjoyed it immensely! Our tour director, Virginia was enthusiastic and knowledgeable thru out the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many wow moments including visit with the contessa, lunch & wine tasting on the farm, lunch & pastry class."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Extremely well organized with a Tour Guide who was not only familiar with all the areas visited, but also familiar with the guest experts giving detailed information about certain areas visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every new place visited was a WOW moment, but the first was visiting the private home of a Contessa whose husband was a descendant of Fredrick II. The home had been lived in for many generations and the Contessa had overseen the home’s total restoration. The history of the home and its occupants was captivating. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

First Rick Steves tour; great docent, Virginia! She was fun and informative.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ruins at Agrigento."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Always traveling independently this planned "tour" was my first and it turned out many, many times better than expected. I didn't feel herded, the group was positive and funny, and I appreciated the specialized guides at various cites. The city orientations by Victoria were invaluable in immediately establishing a comfort level with one's new surroundings.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The layers of civilizations that washed over Sicily had been discussed since Day 1 but on Day 6 when we walked into the main square in Syracuse and I saw the impressive Greek columns of the Temple of Athena imbedded in the Baroque facade of the city's Duomo...I really got it...in 3-D!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Though we have no other tour experience to compare our RS Sicily tour to, we rate it as "outstanding." It met or exceeded all our expectations. From the first event on Day 1 (a tour of Palazzo Federico given by the contessa) in Palermo to our final delicious dinner together in Catania, every day brought us new adventures, layer upon layer of history/science lessons, culinary experiences, astounding tours of ancient ruins and civilizations, open air markets, people watching, and new friendships.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every day was a "wow" day. It's impossible for us to pick one "wow" moment. It was the special events we were able to experience - the tour by the contessa, the pastry lesson and special luncheon near Erice, the tour of Mozia led by a local professor, the midday feast at a working farm, the presentation about Mt Etna by a local vulcanologist - that were "wow" experiences we would not have had if we'd been traveling on our own. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide and driver. Local guides were very good and the itinerary was excellent

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taormina and the ruins and views"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very well organized. Exceptional tour guide. Good restaurants. Good accommodations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Salt Flats, Cooking experience ( cannolis) Monreale, Taormina Villa Roma"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time on the "best of Sicily" tour. The pace was to our liking; our guide, Virginia, was fantastic throughout; we saw amazing things we would not have been able to access on our own; and we made new friends!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were lots of Wow moments, but the one that comes to mind is the "Farm to Table" lunch we had. The food was exquisite and incredibly fresh. Our hostess was very personable and intent on meeting everyone. We meet a very kind group of young Sicilians on holiday. And then we were caught in a huge downpour before we boarded the bus. It said a lot about the group that we all took that in good humor."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall the experience was excellent. Everything was beautifully planned and organized. The tour guide was extremely professional and very thoughtful and considerate of our needs.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The winery we went to was in such a beautiful location that we didn't want to leave (even though I don't drink wine!). "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceeded my expectations. The guides were fantastic and enhanced our experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Segesta! And the farm to table meal outside of Siracusa"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved all the amazing places we visited and the wonderful people we met along the way! These tours give us educational and visual and interesting knowledge of a new place and culture. We always want to return!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tough question! The two Marias who provided wonderful meals are memory makers! The landscape and views along the way were breath-taking! The history of Sicily was so interesting, but we were stunned by the Roman mosaics at the Villa Romana del Casale!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was a perfect mix of group events and on-your-own time and included things I wouldn’t have done on my own. It included almost everything I wanted to see in Sicily

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were lots of wow moments; not sure I can pick just one! I had never been to the Monreale Cathedral so that was one. And I loved what they’ve done at the Roman Villa in Piazza Amerina "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well balanced with education, leisure, comfortable accomodations and great food

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going to Mount Etna, and the presentation by the volcanologist! A close second was the sea salt harvesting."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best guided tour I've ever taken; great experiences, guides, food and tour group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"View of Mt Etna from Taormina. The enormous size of the volcano was amazing, especially on the final morning when steam could be seen rising from the southeast crater forming a plume stretching for miles over the sea. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well, people often say, the tours exceed what they expected. And this is so true. Each day was filled with at least 2 activities and many times 3 things to do. Each activity could stand alone for it's content and quality. The meals, well planned stops, the intimate knowledge of the tour guide to give us an authentic experience, walks in the local markets, excellent lectures by local guides, and just about every hour there was something of value included.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have several....of course, meeting and baking with Maria Grammatico, traveling along the green country side on the bus, while learning the history of Sicily from our guide, the mosaics at Villa del Casale, too many 'wow' moments to narrow it down."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Knowledgeable guides all along the way, interesting activities every day, kinda like adult summer camp

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Driving up and around Mt Etna"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour group was fantastic! Definitely felt like a family with everyone helping each other out.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The WW2 museum in Catania and the setting in Taormina."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I saw and experienced more than I had planned and expected. The tour was intense, varied,interesting, with great tour companions and a fabulous tour leader. But it was exhausting; I felt some of the activities felt like "making busy". For example, three fish markets were too much. I would stay with the market in Palermo. I would have liked to spend more time in Montreal, the roman villa del cassale and the Greek temples. Definitely eliminate the couscous demonstration and dinner.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Totally unexpected - the fountain of shame. After the very busy intersection of the four winds, this open white space and fountain was just an introduction to the wealth of beauty of the three churches of the Bellini piazza, each on its own different style. The Marauonde was the wowest moment, so accesible to the eye and the heart. For me, it was a special connection. "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Very knowledgable guide. Beautiful views. The hotels were good, generally. It was a good group of people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taormina and the views of the ocean."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

My experience was mostly positive. I think Jamie did a fabulous job. Overall, my enjoyment was colored by the rainy weather which was unusual and illness. Both myself and my wife were sick during portions of the trip as were others. The tour was physically demanding, but doable, and more difficult when not in top form. The tour was comprehensive. I might have traded less tour for more free time. I really enjoyed the group meals. They were a great to meet people from all over the country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Getting sandwiches at the market in Ortygia was a highlight. They were the best ever! The view from the roof of the hotel in Palermo was wonderful as was the view from the deck of the hotel in Taormina. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Jamie our tour guide was amazing.. I would go on a tour with him anytime. We had an outstanding group. The tour and experiences were better than expected.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many wow moments. Too many to count. I think the lunch at the baroness’s was one of them. Driving from area to area was another. The private tour guides was outstanding. I guess Mt Etna was a wow moment. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour in Sicily! very well organized with different varieties of events and places. From city centers to country sides. Great excursions with knowledgeable local guides. Our tour guide, Andrea, was exceptionally professional and passionate telling us about his home place Sicily and Italy overall. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to visit this beautiful country.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was visiting sides of Mt. Etna. As well as visiting on private tour to Contessa house in Palermo. Really enjoyed and wish it was longer stay in Ortigia part of Siracusa. All places we visit on the tour were great in their own way. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Andrea was excellent. Knowledgeable, kind, funny, all while very professional. He pulled the tour and group together. The hotels were very good, our bus driver was excellent, and the local guides were exceptional. The choice of locations gave us a real view of Sicily and Andrea was able to add to that each day with valuable and some first hand information. From the opening reception, to the little local treats along the way, the tour was just amazing. The perfect blend of tour and free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! The WWII museum was incredibly touching and educational, learning that Sicilians and southern Italians migrated because of the unification was eye opening, the first view of Etna and the lecture by Erik the vulcanologist was really impressive, the visit to the salt flats was surprising, the view from our go hotel in Palermo was breathtaking, the mixture and acceptance of different cultures and art was beautiful. Learning that Sicily seems more like a different country. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a wonderful tour. A great diversity of visit types -- from cathedrals to salt pans; excellent guides all along the way; a great balance of group time and free time; and a congenial group of fellow Sicily explorers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"In terms of site visits, the Cathedral in Monreale was simply amazing. So, too, was the World War II museum in Catania--it was one of the most moving experiences I have ever had in a museum. More generally, however, it was the gradual realization -- thanks to our tour visits, but especially to the information from our wonderful guide, Andrea -- of the difference between Sicilian and Italian identity. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent guide, Andrea. Wonderful tour group. Palermo & Catania were much less “gritty” than expected. This was my 5th Rick Steves Tour and expectations were met or exceeded

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The history of all the cultures that contributed to Sicilian history and development "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Generally a nice mix of history, cultural and social. Most hotels were located well, and were comfortable. Our guide, Andrea, executed well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The afternoon picnic was a great event. The surrounding landscape was quite interesting, as was the trip to the estate."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Too many to list, but need to mention that 3 of us had wine shipped back home so be ware of the wonderful wine tasting and wine as it my not be free. lol

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mount Etna was a surprise to me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour far exceeded my expectations. I was concerned I would be tired or pushed too hard, but instead we had a reasonable activity level that left me energized and ready for the many wonderful experiences that were planned for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment was being on Mt. Etna, the most active volcano in Europe. We were able to take several hikes near the peak and hold some of the youngest rock in the world. Afterwards, we relaxed at an outdoor coffee bar soaking in the majesty of the surroundings. It was mesmerizing. To top it off, the following day a professional vulcanologist gave an exciting presentation on Mt. Etna to our tour group. He conveyed to us how volcanoes affect our world and what the future holds for Etna! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Avery well organised tour. David was a Excellent guide Angelo the driver was also. We learnt a great deal and benefited from Davids knowledge,

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour of Mount Etna unfortunately the weather didnt oblige."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour guide,David, who was so knowledgable about the history, society and economics of Sicily and also Italy as a whole. Great planning for the tour and and a great group of fellow travelers

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit withe the contessa and her daughter on their farm"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Sicily tour was more than I expected, greatly due to our amazing tour guide, David Tordi and the local guides. Together, they brought the history of Sicily to life for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All of it! The amazing history, architecture, food, morning espresso and evening wine enjoyed on resort-style balconies with soaring vistas, experiencing life in small towns such as Erice and Ortygia and larger cities like such as Palermo and Catania, and seeing 3,000 year old history in person with a great group of tour partners and guide. Fantastic all around!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Tour Guide was fantastic. He made sure everyone was satisfied and had what they needed. He was fun to be with and really cared for everyone.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Its a toss up: The cooking class with Maria Grammatico and seeing all the ruins. It is amazing what was built with little technology 3000 years ago."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

David Tordi is fantastic. He’s captivating, he shares relevant info, and he brings a local perspective. Overwhelmed with Sicily and it’s culture and food. Excellent experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taormina and hiking Mt Etna. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well planned, local guides were excellent and our manager David exceeded all expectations. He brought a smile to everyone and made sure each and every guest was involved and okay.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Entered the Greek Theater in Agrigento and David sang Ole Solo Mio. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour covered not only the places described in the tour summary, but many "extras" such as learning how to make almond paste cookies from an 83 year old expert in Erice, and even receiving my own apron as a momento. The tour guide, David Tordi, was excellent, and definitely the best we have ever had. The local tour guides were also very good and clearly delighted to share the love of their locale with us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view of the coastline from above Taormino, with David pointing out in the distance the location of the city of Savoca, which is our last name, and the origin of my husband's family."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Sicily was beautiful but, our guide David made our experience exceptional

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeking Mt Etna "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best tour guide ever. David Tordi is both knowledgeable and entertaining. During the bus rides from city to city, David provided specific information plus humorous anecdotal commentary.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The salt production from the salt flats south of Trapani was quite impressive. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great venues. Great guide. Good local guides

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Greek theater at Agrigento"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From the first meeting with David, our guide, and our tour members, everything was well planned and interesting. David added so much history and cultural information. The itinerary was full but I generally did not feel rushed although I would've stayed longer in Agrigento (to see the actual town) and Taormina.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to choose BUT the drive into Taormina was spectacular."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wow, outstanding, incredible doesn't even begin to describe the experience of money well spent on one of the most memorable vacations I have ever had.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"David our guide was the most wow moment. From teaching Italian phrases, Italian history and all things Italian-ness to our group with genuine pleasure he made the whole trip experience a daily "wow"!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was so much more than I expected. I learned so much about Sicily's history, culture and people on this adventure. The guide Nancy went above and beyond to share stories, treats and drinks from her native Sicily.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment was learning that Sicily has so many Greek temples! Having been to Greece, this tour provided additional Greek history that I did not even expect. I went in thinking Sicily was olive trees and wine, but left with a true understanding of the people, culture and history that made this wonderful country so much more than I thought."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Sicily Tour was an excellent balance of history, culture, food, exercise and fun. Nancy, our guide, expertly coordinated the tour with ease and shared her country and culture enthusiastically, passionately and personally. Our bus driver and limo drivers all navigated some challenging roads with patience and ease. This was our 4th RS tour and was our favorite group of travelers so far. All of the on site guides were excellent communicators & incredibly knowledgeable & hospitable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Impossible to choose just one: the mosaics at Monreale were breathtaking; spending the afternoon with Mara Grammatico & Mark learning to make almond cookies & cannoli was a special treat; the four buffet lunches prepared for us were phenomenal and some of the best food on the trip; having Boris as our guide at Mt. Etna was incredibly fortunate. The markets in Palermo, Siracusa & Catania each had their own character and were fun to explore. Everyone in our tour group enjoyed being together!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was fabulous as usual! This was my 7th Rick Steve’s tour and it was fun, educational, entertaining and had wonderful people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We had so many “wow” moments, the museums, the palazzo in Palermo, each location had special moments. I would say the biggest WOW, was our guide, Nancy. She brought the country alive with her passion and knowledge."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tour guide Nancy was a total WOW"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Superb tourPicking highlights of Sicily. Truly outstanding guide, NancyBenedetti, knew the goals to unite and guide through the amazing cities, markets, churches, greek and roman temples, Mt. Etna.She knew each personality and tried to Sind things of interest to each person. Loved the hotels, the bus. Met new friends, including royalty, the

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How happy and friendly Sicilians are Living and sharing their country Seeing Phoenician city walls holding together and upon it built greek, Roman,and Norman structures reflected the livings history of the island. That works together to honor, glorify and live for the day,not the dollar."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great flavor of Sicily - tour guide was awesome, describing the places we visited as well as an overview of the day-to-day life of the people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the churches and cathedrals - each had its own style, different and beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As a single woman traveling to Sicily I was a little apprehensive but I shouldn’t have worried. The tour was fantastic and I felt included 8n every way. Our tour guide Nancy was the best. So knowledgeable about Sicily and made the tour so enjoyable. She had a great sense of humor and there wa not a snag on the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many . The beautiful views in Taormina and Mt. Etna were incredible. The World War II museum in Catania was so interesting, seeing the war from the perspective of the Sicilians. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is a third Rick Steves tour and we loved it just as much as the first two. I hope that we can do many more.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really don't think I can select just one favorite, but the wonderful village of Erice was certainly high on the list of favorites."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 1st Rick Steve’s tour and it was so wonderful that we would definitely use your tour group again. What made it extra special was our magnificent tour guide Nancy. Nancy was fun, knowledgeable and we miss her!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had a couple of wow moments. One was when the countess opened the shutters inside her courtyard when we ran the door bell. 2nd wow moment was being in Segesta and being the only tour group first thing in the morning to visit the Ancient Greek Theatre. Last wow moment was walking through the arch to see the town of Catania. I loved how wide the streets were, the market place and over feel of this town."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We couldn't have been happier. The tour guide (Nancy) is amazing; people were wonderful and Sicily was so much more than I ever imagined. I felt like we got a really good sense about the country, the people and loved every minute. We loved the activities and the many opportunities to walk through the country. We'd recommend this tour to anyone who asks about it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I'd have to say "visiting mountaintop Erice"...such a lovely place and visiting the place where my dad was born: Castellamare de Golfo. Although it was not part of the tour, our tour guide arranged to have a cab pick us up and return us to the hotel after our visit so we had a chance to visit it. She helped us figure out the best day and time to visit when we would not miss any part of the planned tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour leader, very knowledgeable and personable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taormina was a beautiful town to visit and definitely a WOW for me."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Of our five Rick Steve's tours this was our least favorite. Not the tour but Sicily in general compared to Spain, Greece, Italy, Austria.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring the former Greek temple that is now an active Catholic Cathedral."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Beyond my wildest dreams. I talked to individuals who had been on RS tours and watched videos and zoom meetings but watching and listening is not seeing, hearing, listening, touching first hand. I couldn’t wait to tell my friends and family, stop thinking maybe next year, go now!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It all started with looking out the plane window and saying “wow” I have finally done it, I’m going on a tour in Europe. Everyday there seemed to be a new wow, I can’t believe the historical ruins, buildings, food, and special events planned for the group. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Getting to Sicily is an issue that needs to be addressed before you book your tour. It was worth it but we flew Seattle to Chicago to Frankfurt to Sicily for $3500. And many hours in the air so packing light with one carryon is essential. It was the perfect number of days and we added 5 more on the end at Cefalu. That was too much; 3 would have been better. A few too many long walking tours but overall a great time. Fun guide and very informative

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having an eruption of Mt Etna when we were there was it. Don’t know how Rick arranged that😃"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This trip was my second Rick Steve’s tour. I feel like I got a good feel for Sicily in all the important aspects. So much to see and experience and I think we touched on all of it. Bonus points for Mt Aetna spewing ash as we approached!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All of the ancient ruins, temples, theatres, the telemon, mosaics. Mind boggling that the ancient people could do this and so much if it. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I really enjoyed the experiences with the Sicilian people. In Erice we had an amazing lunchtime buffet including delicious eggplant dishes, arancini, bruschetta, and more! After the meal we met the incredible Maria and learned how to make memorable almond cookies and cannoli. It was fun to learn about the salt making process at the salt flat museum with an engaging presentation. The lecture about Mt. Etna by volcanologist, Boris Behncke, was excellent. I made lemon fettuccine from the farm meal!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A “wow” moment for me was the bus getting covered in ash from Mt. Etna. The driver could not see because of a thick black coating on the windshield. We had to stop five or more times to wash the windshield with buckets of water thrown up on the window in order to continue on to Lentini. Windshield wipers could not be used because they would scratch the glass. Who knew!?!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 7th tour and there's a reason we keep coming back - the great guides, the attention to detail, the great local hotels, the comaraderie that the small group promotes

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Surprisingly, as a non-wine drinker, the visit to Benante Winery. The presentation was engaging, passionate, and informing. The buildings and grounds were gorgeous, and the meal was lovely!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour director Patricia was fantastic and the historians were very knowledgeable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monreale Cathedral was amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Stress-free, well organized, Patricia, the tour guide was friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable, and went out of her way to help each individual. Lots of delicious food and Patricia provided great suggestions for independent meals. She helped the group negotiate crowds which maximized our enjoyment of the places visited. The local guides were all excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed the food. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary was thorough, our tour director was attentive (and fun), and the people, which is typical of a Rick Steves tour, were interesting, well traveled and made the trip enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our trip to a Contessa's palace and her engaging tour. Of course being on a volcano when it is erupting can't be ignored and gives one a great story to tell."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

There were a number of very good experiences and some not so good. I think the weather was an unfortunate impediment. As the Sicilians we met told us, "Welcome to November." They had never experienced such dismal weather in May: rain and wind and cold. It made a difference as far as our experiences were concerned. The upside was that we saw some amazing sites and had some wonderful adventures. .Loved being on the island of Ortygia outside of Syracuse.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lunch and learning how pastries were made at La Pasticceria with Maria Grammatico That was the most fun of all. And Erice. Too bad we didn't have enough time to wander around this town."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

As in past RS tours we've taken, the tour guides were excellent and the stops interesting. Our weeklong guide was thorough and flexible but was a bit too snarky for our tastes. The only big negative was the weather for much of the week (rain/threatening) but that obviously was no fault of RS.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visit to the contessa's palace in Palermo"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was exceptional. We had a wonderful tour guide (Patricia) and a wonderful group of fellow travelers. The food, the sights, and the entertainment were all exceptional!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite Wow moment was going to Villa Romana del Casale. It was amazing to see the tile work at this location. You could see the story they wanted to portray of their lives and interests. I also was amazed at every view and every turn around Sicily."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first experience at group travel. It is definitely the way to go! Our guide, Patricia, was excellent. She made each person feel welcome and was attentive to each individual needs. She was energetic, fun and informative. We were happy with the selection of lodging and meals were very good. Local guides were very knowledgeable and informative. Rick Steve's tour took away much of the stress of travel. I will definitely sign up for another trip and recommend it to others!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Monreale Cathedral took my breath away! The brilliant depictions of bible stories done in mosaics was like no other."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The mosaics inside the Cathedral at Monreale were incredible."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our very expert guild was Nancy was informative, friendly, experienced in problem solving, and perfect for our group. I have no negative remarks on the tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"No one event or place. Sicily exceeded my expectations."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Aways busy doing something enjoyable

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The variety of history"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Good food , new sights and adventures around every corner

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view of the Mediterranean from Taormina "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Although we use Rick Steves' guidebooks every time we travel to Europe, this was our first Rick Steves tour. We had such a wonderful experience, it changed the way we will approach future travel as we got so much more out of the trip. Our guide was wonderful, we saw and learned more than we would have on our own, we still interacted with local people on our own, and we really enjoyed the other travelers on the tour. We are sold!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many, but two come to mind. One was seeing the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento - they were amazing. The other was because we packed so lightly, we had to do our laundry in Ortegia. While doing our laundry, we met the laundry's owner - a woman from Northern Italy - and talked to her about her family and her business. Another customer - a young engineer from France - also joined our conversation. Had we not had to do our laundry, we would have missed out on a great conversation!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent overall job done by Rick and his crew. The guide was terrific, the pacing of the travel fine, the sites visited all important and interesting, the hotels comfortable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Trying to hike Mt Etna during a rain and windstorm....only to learn it erupted two days later."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour, excellent guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to count, Sicily was beautiful, the food and was amazing"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing guide who the entire experience fun and interesting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking up to Mt Etna in a hail storm!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Good balance of local sights/tours combined with free time to explore

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taormina . Views were spectacular"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Saw amazing places, met amazing people, and our guide was absolutely the best. We learned so much! But the best part of the tour was being guided by Nancy-she was wonderful!!! The tour was very organized and everything was smooth. Hotels were great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to list. The church in Monreale and all of Taormina stand out the most. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I travel for scenery, culture, history, food, wine and learning. Sicily has them all in abundance.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cathedral in Monreale. 88 million fabulous tiles."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

So much to see! Jamie was a great tour guide, and the expert guides really added to our experiences! The differences between each town was enjoyable. The food was incredible...and a noticeable difference between Sicilian pasta and Tuscany pasta.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two! The cathedral in Monreal with all the mosaics! And, the Greek Temples! Loved the large stone man in the museum from Temple of Zeus!"