Best of Sicily in 12 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was great! Donald was very knowledgeable about Sicily, spoke fluent Italian and got us to where we needed to be on time. All of the day guides also were outstanding. Very good group of guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow! Hard to pick one. The day we went to Ortygia, an old ancient city and we happened to be there the day they were moving their Patron Saint Lucia from her chapel to the altar. She is all gold, silver and diamonds. It took over 50 men to carry her down the aisle while singing. There were hundreds of people there. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very fun, active, and interesting. Our guide (Donald) was fabulous, fun, personable, organized, informative and wanted to make sure everyone was having a good time. It is definitely active tour and very enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite aspects were the lunches with the "locals" - the lunch and cooking baking in Erice, the farmhouse lunch, and the cooking class in Catania. The best food on the tour!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great tour! The itinerary was packed with rich, diverse experiences. The tour was well paced, a good mix of group time and free time. Our guide, Donald, was kind, warm and engaging. He delighted us with unexpected treats, little and big! We were blessed to share this tour with a cohesive group of fun, easy-going tour mates. Late April/early May was a perfect time to visit Sicily. Everything was lush and green, temps moderate. Abundant Mediterranean wildflowers were a feast for the eye!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Siracusa Cathedral has a magnificent gold and silver statue of its patron saint, St. Lucia. It’s kept under cover in a chapel. We were lucky to visit on the first Sat. in May, the day each year when the statue is uncovered and moved, with great fanfare, to the altar. I loved watching the men hoist the statue (over a ton) onto their shoulders, then slowly process while a cantor chanted the Litany of the Saints and townspeople crowded in, jubilantly shouting, “Santa Lucia!” over and over. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We visited interesting sites and our guide was very efficient. Food was generally good, sometimes wonderful. Hotels were all good with 2 that were great. This was the first time I experienced so many groups traveling together - 7, 6, 4, 4, 2 - with only 2 couples who came without prior connections; that made for a bit of "hanging with one's own," especially for free time. This was my 6th tour, so I'm accustomed to the pace, but this tour often felt rushed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lunch at the Contessa's farm! It was wonderful to be in the quiet countryside, to hear the hens clucking, to see red poppies blooming amongst large artichokes. We had hors d'oeuvres under a bamboo awning and lunch in a huge, old barn. The food was fresh & delicious. Since I don't eat red meat, Donald had arranged for me to have chicken, which was very tender and perhaps the tastiest chicken I've eaten. (My apologies to the girl whose life was sacrificed for my enjoyment.) The Contessa was warm!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taormina"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour guide Donald was outstanding. He made all the difference, presenting Sicily in the most positive ways possible.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For all RS tours, the favorite wow moments are always about connecting with the locals. Visiting local farm, backdoor experience with Contessa Fredirico, cookie making with nonna Maria, cooking class etc."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Ruth was a fantastic guide. Enjoyed Sicily a lot. It was a nice balance of seeing sites and learning about the culture and history. We enjoyed the smaller towns more than the large cities but realize the cities were where the airports were. The attention to dietary restrictions was outstanding. I would emphasize that this tour is relatively active with lots of hills and stairs. Several of our tour members had a difficult time with the activity.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Mt Etna erupt was quite a treat. We also really enjoyed the wine tasting on Mt Etna. "

Sicily: A fabulous trip especially as our guide, Ruth, was terrific. I could not say enough about how well organized, informed and enthusiastic she was. I have never had a guide of this high standard. The choice of special options such as the wine tastings, cooking class, puppet theatre and the visit to the countess were great. The only disappointment was the last night in Catania as did not care for the room or the meal. All in all a great experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The town of Taormina is stunning. Loved the entire experience there: the hotel, the breakfast, pizza supper and view of Etna. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Ruth was absolutely amazing !!! She made the tour such a positive experience. We also really enjoyed the home cooked lunches in the countryside and winery. They were the highlight for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Signora Giovanna’s farm and lunch "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time and Ruth our Trip Leader was the best leader we have ever had.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monreale Cathedrel"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first tour after many years of traveling Europe on our own. Ruth, our tour leader, was marvelous. She was cheerful, knowledgeable and congenial. The local guides were also great, as was Alessandro, our capable bus driver. The itinerary covered the high points of Sicily and made the most of our time. Our only real criticism was the size of the group, which meant we could not stay in the smaller hotels that we like to frequent, and we had to leave by 8:15 - 8:45 every morning.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Husband: Mt. Etna. Wife: Agrigento."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I went to Sicily. A large group of 28. Ruth was a great guide. The hotels overall were great. The one with the nuns was a letdown. dark and dreary. My favorite experiences: Mt Aetna, the Rome mosaics, the lunch in the country and Maria, the baker. Sicily is a beautiful country and the people are welcoming.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"See above--the mosaics, the lunch in the country. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Ruth made the trip wonderful. She is a gem, and we all loved her. Starting and ending in Palermo and Catania, the gritty cities, allowed us to appreciate all the wonderful places in between.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lunch with Giovanna. Monreale was pretty “wow”, too"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Really fantastic tour guide and terrific itinerary, which was carefully thought out and put together.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A tour lunch at a private farm. A spectacular wine tasting experience with a provided lunch."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall the tour was fantastic. I thought Brad was such an amazing guide…informative, fun, friendly, and helpful. I learned more than I could every remember and enjoyed every minute of it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don’t think I can come up with one WOW moment. I think my two favorite things were the Valley of the Temples and the Taormina Theatre. I also loved the puppet show…what a wonderful surprise!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely wonderful - I’ve been on several RS tours but not for a few years now, and I wondered whether it would be as good an experience as I’d remembered them to be. Yep, it was!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The puppet show in Ortygia! I’ve had a good bit of exposure to ruins and other antiquities - while those are all still thrilling, the puppet show was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It was a perfect combination of unique culture and performance and history, so charmingly presented. Truly unexpected and breathtaking."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 7th RS tour and it was just as good as all the others. There is a remarkable consistency of quality and experience that I appreciate. Sicily was fascinating. There was a great mix in activities and sightseeing. A little bit for everyone. It had quite a bit more archaeology than other tours, but with good reason as Sicily has remnants of so many civilizations stretching back 2700 years.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think there were a lot of wow moments, but the most unique was the puppet (marionette) show. I swear, the puppets looked nearly lifesized, but it was a trick of perspective and they were only a couple of feet tall. It was a marvelous experience. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Sicily was more wonderful than I ever thought it could be. I really love the RS blend of guided touring and downtime so I can explore a little on my own. My tour had an outstanding group of fellow travelers and our guide, Brad, really went above and beyond by recommending wonderful restaurants and even helping us get reservations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The mosaics at the Villa Romana del Casale, making cookies with the world famous Maria, and a cocktail party to celebrate a tour member's 80th birthday on a terrace overlooking the beautiful town of Taormina."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Brad was fluent in Italian, deeply knowledgeable and accommodated us at every turn.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Thursday, April 24 Ancient Agrigento: history tour through the ruins of Agrigento, Valley of the Temples and archaeological museum. Our tour guide, Michael, was a highlight and the entire day is something we will never forget."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first RS Tour and I have to say it exceeded our expectations. Everything is so well organized, allowing us to let go of worries and enjoy the experience. Our tour guide, Brad, was a delight. We marveled at his knowledge, his calm demeanor, his attention to detail and his ability to connect with everyone as a group and as individuals. Oh, and his sense of humor was wonderful.it

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s hard to choose a favorite because just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, it did. But if I had to choose one, it would be the cookie masking with Maria and the lovely lunch. As this was fairly early in the tour, the act of baking cookies together really bonded our group."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic. Well organized. Knowledgeable, friendly professional guide and good local guides. Great bus driver! Nice hotels. Great food. Learned so much about Sicily! Such an important and integral part of Mediterranean civilization. Beautiful melange of cultures, food, and languages.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monreale Cathedral…Wow! That’s a lot of mosaics! Beautiful art and craftsmanship. And the size and scale is simply off the charts. Amazing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was the unveiling of a part of Europe that I really did not know much about and thus every day was an amazing revelation.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many different moments, but the day after visiting clouds shrouded Mt Etna, to see it the next morning at breakfast from our hotel deck in Taormina covered with snow and steaming from the top was unexpected and amazing. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We were very happy with our guide, he was very knowledgeable and always available for questions. Our accommodations were well chosen and always comfortable and clean . Even though we had to move our luggage to the hotels, it was always a short walk. We enjoyed hearing about the history of Sicily. Almost wish we had a timeline connecting all the sights. We had a very nice group. Some of our group dinners or lunches were really fantastic, others not so much.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ortigia, it was an unexpected jewel. And of course Taormina was spectacular. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First of all our guide Jaime was great! He was very knowledgeable about Sicily and the towns and areas the tour covered. He treated everyone with respect and tried to answer all questions. He had a command of the histry of Sicily and was very articulate conveying his knowledge. The tour picked great places to see and learn about. The restaurants we went to on the tour were excellent. The local guides were also excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Staying at Taormina with its incredible views, the ancient ampitheatre and the town itself."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I have never been on a tour and so was not sure what to expect. Our group of fellow travelers were kind and fun and easy to talk too. The bus was very comfortable with a competent driver. Our hotels were clean and had sufficient breakfast options. Our guide, Jamie, was incredible. He filled us with history both past and current, information about food and living in Italy, and we could tell he truly cared that we had a good time and were safe. He was very compassionate and knowledgeable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two really- our morning in Segesta with the magnificent views from the theatre, and then our delicious lunch and baking class with Maria Grammatico in Erice, AND the beautiful town of Taormina with Mt Etna looming in the background. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour itself was highly organized with excellent accomodation, tour guide, itinerary, and bus. Every person connected to the tour was professional and well informed. Out tour guide was knowledgeable, caring, funny, and extremely competent on top of being a lovely person and a great storyteller!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The quality of the group on the tour made every stop a wow moment....but I have to say having breakfast under Mount Etna in a lovely hotel was probably a high point as was out final dinner at SottoVoce in Catania. Jamie our guide went to great lengths to honor my Jewish heritage as well....took me to the sight of a new synagogue in Palermo....what an incredible person!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was excellent. I felt it was well planned in advance and they included experiences we may not have been able to have ever booked ourselves.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Some of the meals/buffets were amazing but the trips to Mt. Etna, Taormina and Agrigento were the best in my opinion."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour guide was outstanding

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceeded my expectations.Outstanding leader who actively interacted with all 28 participants and presented historical material with enthusiasm knowledge and humour.The tour went without a hitch and was always on time. The varied daily excursions were ideal for needs of group .I was agreeably surprised about quality of all 6 accommodations with lifts and only short distance of bus to hotel with no cobbles. four hotels has skylight terraces with outstanding panoramas.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monreale cathedral and Villa Armerina murals"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best of Sicily was fantastic, it blew my mind . With the intermingling of all the different cultures, with the food , languages stunning beauty, I really enjoyed everything , I’ve never been to a place with such diversity.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our tour was there when Etna was erupting , either it was good timing or the gods, but that was fantastic. Palermo was quite the trip having just been to Naples I was prepared for the great chaos,I actually enjoyed the entire itinerary , the Greek sites of segesta and Agrigento and the Roman floor mosaics at Romana del castle were special, as was the Phoenician isle of Mozia.And the food tasting which were wow moments in their own right!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had a lot of experiences that I would not have planned, (or known about) if traveling on my own. The group was genial and our guide was fantastic. We packed a lot of Sicily into 11 days!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's hard to pick just one but standing on the slopes of Mt. Etna and then seeing it from the rooftop of our hotel that evening was pretty amazing. Some of the group saw it erupt!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely unforgettable! The tour guide, outstanding. Accommodations, top notch. Food delicious. Sicilian/Italian current social and historical perspective, top notch. Antiquities and their cultural relevance, astounding. Weather, perfect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were actually several "wow" moments but watching the glow of Mt. Etna erupting from our hotel room balcony was one and another, being able to witness the Mysteri di Trapani."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic guide (Vanessa), great itinerary, good choices of restaurants when we shared meals, nice accommodations

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The eruption of Mt. Etna"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

A very fun and informative tour. Every day was filled with surprises.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Segesta Temple was an amazing site to see. A beautiful theater and temple built into an area seemingly in the middle of nowhere. It was quite impressive."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A new experience every day, beautiful sights, nice people, a great guide!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Difficult to choose one but the personal visits were among my favorites-The Contessa in Palermo, Farmhouse lunch, Vineyard tasing and lunch and Maria Grammatica lunch and cooking lesson. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great itinerary, great guide and a fun group. The hotels were good to very good, just as advertised(!). Their central locations afforded great opportunities for independent activities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had two. The Trapani Good Friday 24-hour procession - with “floats,” bands, drummers and children bearing icons was very moving. The second was our guide, Vanessa, singing “Bella Ciao” at the Segesta amphitheater while we viewed the rich and rolling Sicilian countryside in the distance. It, too, was moving - so much so that the maintenance guys turned off their machines to listen."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 4th Rick Steve’s Tour and loved it. Just like our previous tours, everything went smoothly and like clock work. Everyday was a new and exciting experience and we learned so much about Sicilian people and culture.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cathedral embellished with beautiful ceramic tiles and scenes from the Bible was amazing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well run and everything was as advertised. The information from the guides we had was interesting and helpful. We saw a lot in 11 days !

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to say. The cities each had their own beauty.and I loved the variation. Having ancestors that were from Sicily made it more special especially when something reminded me of them. My mother served caponata,and "boccocino". And she loved marionettes! Who knew they would be part of our Sicilian experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

So many wonderful sights to see, learn about and the food was amazing! The hotels were lovely and welcoming. Everyone was helpful and respectful and our group was very interested in learning about the history & culture of Sicily.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Monreale Cathedral - it was a true world wonder from its architecture, history and impressive mosaics - could have stayed there all day admiring!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized with a focus on the history and culture of Sicily. Informative guides and fun and interesting fellow travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many, but Segesta and Valley of the Temples, as well as when we exited the WWII bomb shelter under the Duomo in Ortigia and it opened up right out at the waterfront."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was very well planned with the right balance of touring and free time. My fellow travelers were well-seasoned and I enjoyed hearing about their experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My WOW moment was in Trapani experiencing the Good Friday religious procession and hearing the dirge music from afar and waiting for the hundreds of participants march into the square infront of the church. Extremely moving. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was everything we hoped for and more. Such a varied and stimulating itinerary. We were exposed to the history, architecture, food, wine, landscapes, cities and people of Sicily. Our guide, Brad, was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Our fellow tour members were a fun, curious, lively and engaged group. Being there during Holy Week was an added bonus since there were many celebrations underway. Plus the spring weather made for an especially pleasant sojourn in beautiful Sicily!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's impossible to choose! Walking craters at Mt. Etna while it was erupting, stunning mosaics, awe-inspiring Greek temples, lively street markets, the WWII museum, the cathedrals, the layers and layers of Sicilian history still visible today."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great group, guide and tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Erice"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is the favorite of our Rick Steves tours. Food was exceptional and wine was included at several meals, which was a wonderful and welcome surprise. Bus rides were of reasonably short duration with a friendly and capable driver. Brad was a wonderful tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Two stand out, but it's hard to choose since there were many wonderful moments. 1) Maria Grammatico in Erice--her personal history and friendliness, the abundance of delicious food, the pastry class--Perfect! 2) Mt. Etna erupted on my birthday while we were touring there. And there was an unexpected bottle of champagne in our room in Taormina from Rick Steves to wish me birthday greetings!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First Steves tour. I am single and went by myself. The group was welcoming and included me in free-time activities. Many WOW moments. Fantastic guide. Wonderful tour stops. I was always informed and felt comfortable throughout the trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Segesta: the ancient Greek site with the Doric temple and the hilltop theater. Plus, the sweeping views down the valley to the Mediterranean Sea. Awesome. Gave me chills to experience something well preserved and ancient. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We could not have had a better guide. His knowledge of each venue was exceptional as well as his choices of restaurants.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are a number of options such as Mt. Etna, ancient ruins, or views from Taormina but as a retired Army guy I was extremely impressed with his knowledge of the the US and British Armies landing on the Sicily beaches in WWII while we moved through the WWII museum in Catania. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great Experience. Jamie was a great guide and very knowledgeable on all the cities we visited in Sicily. I enjoyed my fellow tour mates and found them great fun at our group meals and cocktail get togethers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mount Etna and Erica."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Organized , efficient, educational

Favorite "WOW" moment

"No “wow” moments. Valley of Temples came close."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First of all Sicily was amazing! More culture, art, and beautiful things to see per square kilometer than any other place I've been. The food and wine were incredible. This is my 6th Rick Steves tour and all of my guides have been excellent, but Jaime was the best ever. His epicurean knowledge, as well as his knowledge of history, botany and everything else were amazing as was his ability to communicate. You will never be disappointed on one of his tours, no matter where it is.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is a difficult question to answer, as there were many. The two Contessas and the lunch and cooking class with Maria Grammatico were all great. Also, the beautiful cathedrals in Monreale and Syracuse come to mind. If forced to pick, I guess I would say the wonderful lunch (and more) with the Contessa in Lentini was a nice respite in our trip, especially with the orange blossom riso. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I really enjoyed the history lessons, my fellow travellers, Jaimie’s narratives, the group meals & the locations. I got so much more from visiting the historic sites because of the guided tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I didn’t have one specific moment. I found everything fascinating. I have never been on such a tour before."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Where to start ? Wonderful itinerary, wonderful hotels. !! GREAT " guides. More than exceeded my expectations. Looking forward to our next RS adventure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard choice but i would say the Valley of the Temples."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a well-planned tour with great places to explore. Alfredo was a fantastic guide, and made getting our group places seem easy - but we know he worked hard in the background.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was sitting on the patio of the hotel with a drink overlooking the Valley of the Temples. The view was beautiful with the lights on the temples, and it was a relaxing spot."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Alfredo is an excellent tour guide: well informed, patient, kind & humorous. The tour provided us with an extensive knowledge of Sicily's history, culture & its people. Our lodgings were centrally located, comfortable & all provided a morning breakfast.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Valley of the Temples was a moment of wonder. Also, the beautiful city of Taormina - I didn't want to leave!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was great from Palermo all the way through to Catania .Alfredo tour guide was fabulous extremely educational and made every visit fun for the entire group

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every town we visited was a wow moment for myself"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Alfredo was the best. Traveling companions were interesting, kind and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We love the pastry baking and fabulous lunch with Maria Grammatica. And the amazing Sunday lunch with Giovanna at the agriturismo."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was our first Steves' tour, and I was pleasantly surprised. Organized, Options for free time, and always being there with support. Our guide, Alfredo was absolutely amazing. Charming, knowledgeable, with a sense of humor we all appreciated. I liked getting to know our group without name tags, and love the buddy system! Never had that on any other tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We've seen cathedrals and ruins but seeing the underground bomb shelter and then sitting in the simulator, it really hit home. Also seeing so much destruction and growth from the war. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent. Good balance between activities and leisure time, and the visits did allow time to actually see and explore the sites. Tour guide knowledgeable and good-humoured.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monreale would take some beating..."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide was so knowledgeable and fun. We explored so much of Sicily; I was completely impressed by it all. The hotels were excellent; the food was delicious; the people on our tour bus were so friendly; it all made for a wonderful experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Since my family is from Catania, when we entered the square, I felt a sense of home. It was not only beautiful but inviting and more charming than I imagined. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time with our wonderful guide and fellow tour members. We like the fact that there’s time to explore on our own, but also we appreciated the special activities that we wouldn’t have been able to organize on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s very hard to choose, but for me it was probably visiting the Contessa Roderigo at her palazzo. For my husband it was the Valley of the Temples."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour - friends and family were aware of the tours but no one had taken one. It was wonderful and we have already been great advocates for your tours!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There wasn’t just one favorite moment. We loved that everything was taken care of without having us feel like children who needed to be guided around."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 5th Rick Steves Tour, and my husband and I think of these tours as incredible life experiences! We've loved all of our tours, and Sicily was as good as, or even better than our previous tours! It was indeed a merry band of travelers, expertly led by Donald, who deserves so much credit for being amazingly organized, humorous and fun! The local guides were all incredible as well. Sicily has a rich history, warm people, beauty, and of course incredible food and wine. We loved it!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every day was filled with "wow" moments! It's hard to compare being on Mt. Etna versus the majesty of the Monreale Cathedral, Valley of the Temples, Roman mosaics, and the breathtaking country hotel Baglio della Luna, where I could have stayed forever. Group Happy hour, courtesy of Rick Steves, on the rooftop of the hotel in Taormina, and my favorite: Our guide Donald arranged the staff and group to sing Happy Birthday to me at our farewell dinner-one of the best moments of my life! Memories!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my fourth tour, and I'm getting used to the consistent high quality of everything from the bus drivers (Alessandro in this case) to the hotels and dinners... and perhaps most especially, the guides (Donald was incredible).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I may be getting a little jaded when it comes to the always amazing art and architecture we are privileged to experience on a Rick Steves Tour; what came completely unexpected and breathtaking were the banks of wildflowers blooming all over the Island of Motya and on the slopes between Il Teatro Oggi and the Segestra Temple. We were probably lucky, as I can hardly believe such a display can maintain itself through a Sicilian summer."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Surpassed my expectations in chosen accommodations, quality and quantity of meals, educational local tour guides, choice of sites visited, main tour guide's use of time on bus to give us educational historical background

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to name just one, sorry. Several come to mind: The puppet show on Ortygia ; walking near the Mt. Aetna crater, being at the Taormina Greek theatre, the Doric temple at Segesta, seeing Mt. Etna from Taormina on a clear day. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 7th RS tour and one of the best. However, I was disappointed with our farewell dinner because the restaurant was too small to accommodate the entire group in one room. The space was so crowded we could not easily leave our table to socialize in the room where we were seated not to mention going to the other room to chat.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I just loved it all! Wonderful well balanced and informative 12 days."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Perfect length tour to cover key places in Sicily. Beautiful countryside and coastline, warm culture and great food/drink.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visit to the ancient Greek temple and theater of Segesta. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Sicily was a joy from beginning to end!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many "wow" moments on the tour but waking up and seeing the view of Mt Etna smoking is a sight I will always remember. Others included, The Valley of the Temples, lunch at the Contessa's farm and eating her Linguine al Limone and celebrating the birthdays of individuals in our group. The natural beauty and history of Sicily and its people was inspiring. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Donald, made each day memorable. He was a wealth of knowledge about every city and attraction on our Sicily tour. He was interesting, personable, humorous, and thoughtful. Our group was also very special. Everyone was friendly and caring and we felt like a family by the end of our tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many “wow” moments, but my favorite was The Valley of the Temples and the archaeological museum in Agrigento. To be walking around the Ancient Greek temples was a surreal experience! The museum had incredible artifacts."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We took the one week tour of Rome first,then continued on to Best of Sicily. Both were excellent! Our guides—first Lisa then Donald, were exceptional. We loved the “extras” such as the cooking classes and the tour of the Countessa’s home in Palermo.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"On the Rome tour, it was the view of the Forum from the Capitoline Museum-so stunning on a beautiful spring day! For the Sicily tour, I think it was the garden of the Country Hotel ( we stayed in the tower)! It was so beautiful and peaceful and the smell of the blooming wisteria was just heavenly."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Sicily Tour is an outstanding, well-planned tour of Sicily's historic cities and sites. We were given a glimpse of life in Sicily--it's culture, history, architecture, beautiful mountains, seashore, and of course, it's cuisine. Our guide, Donald, was very knowledgeable, organized, and made us laugh often.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's hard to pick a favorite "wow" moment. There were many awesome moments. In retelling my story of this trip to my friends, they seem to enjoy my telling of the visit to the Baroness's mountain top home/restaurant to enjoy a delicious variety of Sicilian dishes for lunch and for a lesson in making cannoli. Other outstanding "wow" moments were the visit to the Roman mosaics, Mt. Etna, and the visits with all of the local experts. "

Our tour was a thoroughly enjoyable, extraordinary mixture of history, culture, food, and new experiences. Our guide, Jamie, was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and helpful. He provided insightful commentary along the way including a dramatic retelling of a famous Greek myth while our group was standing on an ocean pier during a windy afternoon. This was our 5th Rick Steves tour and it both met and exceeded our expectations!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many “Wow” moments. Just to name a few: the intricate ancient mosaics at the Roman Villa of Casale, the entertaining performance of Sicily's traditional puppet theater, and the awesome views of Mount Etna made even more impressive after an educational presentation by a local volcanologist."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Mt. Etna from the hotel balcony is an amazing site. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Heard the Sicily tour was the best and it did not disappoint. Right length, right amount of free time, bus, etc. Great food!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Looking out my hotel window and seeing Mount Etna in full view, covered with snow!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I find that every Rick Steves tour I take is amazing. From the cities and towns visited, to the excellent guides, to the local guides, to the hotels. Sicily was no exception. The food was outstanding!! So pleased that our accommodations are in the city, and one can walk out the hotel doors and go explore.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Always a hard question because there are so many. I guess it would have to be the morning the rain stopped, the clouds lifted and the sun came out to have the perfect view of Mt Etna. Taormina was my favorite place."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide, Andrea, and the local guides were all knowledgeable and engaging. I learned so much and it made we want to know more. Our bus driver, Giuseppe, was such a fabulous driver - those roads!!! He was also very kind and thoughtful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were a lot of “wow” moments. If I had to pick one it would Be the pottery exhibit."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the tour of Sicily. This was my 7th Rick Steves tour so speaking from experience, I thought this one was a fantastic blend of history, cultural experiences, beautiful places and tour/free time. The extra special part for me was our amazing guide, Andrea. His knowledge and the way he shared it was wonderful and I loved his perspective as a Sicilian. He was a great communicator, set clear expectations, and gave us special experiences like a fun gelato stop and a beautiful boat ride, bravo!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sicily gave me a lot of WOW moments, but I think my favorite was when we climbed the craters of Mount Etna, visited the winery for lunch and a tasting, and then ended our day just as the sun was setting in Taormina with amazing views from our hotel balcony. It was a perfect day!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour of Sicily was everything and more than I expected. Our guide, Andrea, was warm, engaging and super informative. The tour was well-organized and had a lovely balance of learning and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Villa Romana del Casale-- the UNESCO World Heritage Site- was incredible."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We thoroughly the whole Sicily itinerary! Andrea was an outstanding guide and such a positive representative of his homeland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taormina with views of Mount Etna!"

My trip report is here: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tours/trip-report-sicily-late-march-2025 I am using this survey to tell you about just a few items.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour. Felt like there were alot of special experiences on this tour that would not have happened without Rick Steves. I would have liked alittle more down time in the middle towns on the tour. It could have benefited from a full day off as some of the tours have in perhaps Taormina or Trapani or Syracuse?

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is always a Sophie's Choice questions for me. So many amazing moments. I'll go with visiting the Contessa's home and meeting the Contessa in Palermo and the views from EVERYWHERE but especially Taormina."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I always knew Sicily was rich with history and culture, but this tour really delivered on presenting this incredible location in all of its splendor. While there is so much to see and do, the choice of cities and sightseeing venues was perfect. You really leave the tour with a rich understanding of the Sicily and its place in human history. Our tour guide was incredible and he worked tirelessly to make sure we got the most out of our precious travel days.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Where do I begin? I can't decide between the Temple of Athena, The Monreale Cathedral, or the hike up to Mt. Etna. Everyday was a "wow" moment on this tour. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We have been to Europe 6 times. This was by far our favorite tour. Andrea was also the best guide we have had.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Taormina from above. Breathtaking. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was an amazing way to truly experience Sicily. This was our 8th RS Tour. We've had wonderful tour guides in the past, but Andrea V was the absolute best! As a local Sicilian, his passion for sharing the history, the culture, and the people of Sicily shone through. He took great care to enrich our experience and ensure we all had a great time as a group. I've come away with a genuine appreciation of Sicily's past and present.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can't decide between hiking the rim of Mt Etna or watching the sunrise along the waters of Siracusa. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thought the tour was well run. Our tour guide, Alfio was outstanding; he is an eleven out of a ten! He was extremely knowledgeable, funny & well organized. I was impressed with all of the hotels as well as the quality of the food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The view from the Greek Theatre in Taormina."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Alfio did a great job guiding the group and adjusting the schedule to create a memorable tour experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Definitely the Valley of the Temples! We were able to see the temples from our hotel room window. Sunset and sunrise views were awesome!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

FABULOUS!!! Being an Italian from the Calabria region (tip of the Italian boot) and never been to Sicily, this tour allowed me and my wife to actually visit the very best of Sicily without any stress of renting a car. No doubt this tour was one of the best vacations I've experienced; from the comfortable bus, excellent hotels, superb dining/wines, new friends and above all the qualified tour guide, Alfio, Sicilian born, charming, educated and knowledgeable about historical Sicily. Grazie Rick S.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I'm still in awe of the various historical locations and ancient sights we visited. The ruins, monuments and churches, as well as the paintings, sculptures and mosaics left behind my the many conquerors and civilizations that made roots in Sicily. Once again, the expertise with which our tour guide, Alfio, conveyed his historical knowledge in an easy to understand pace all while capturing everyone's interest. My other WOW was me telling my wife how this tour in itself was worth every penny."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour covered many sites, but needed a few extra days to make it not so hectic and allow for more time to see things. The guide was knowledgeable and kind. We would characterize this tour as "hectic," but not "strenuous'" as it's listed, because we never had to walk as many miles as listed in the description.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery is beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent guides, great restaurants, well organized. Only one slight complaint regarding the hotel location in Catania. It was in a very seedy area that did not seem safe.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many so I really can’t pick one."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Organized, efficient, historical, great cuisine, wine, scenery, awesome guides, driver, & group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing wildflowers in full bloom @ Valley Of The Temples"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well planned, good locations, meals delicious and plentiful

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taormina was beautiful and so clean."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Phenomenal- Exciting, Engaging, Informative, Delicious, Friendly…the fun never stopped!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow moments (because there can’t be only one)…our Tour Guide, Alfio brought the history of Sicily to life and it helped understand the various cultures that inhabited Sicily at a given point in time. From Ancient history right through to WW2 allied landings (but then perhaps these were more a-ha moments!) The hotels selected for the tour were so unique and a pleasure to stay at! The food was incredible."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Alfio was a wonderful guide, great Sicily knowledge base which he communicated with enthusiasm and clarity. All the specialty guides were also excellent. Each day was filled with an interesting variety of experiences. Shared meals alternated with time on our own was nicely balanced. The included shared meals and wine were wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking through the ruins, wild flowers, and wild fennel in Segesta with the long walk on the trails on nour own, with some guidance from Alfio - this was one of my favorite experiences of the tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was an amazing introduction to the history, culture and beauty of Sicily. Our tour guide Donald and all of the local guides were knowledgeable and entertaining. Each day was filled with unique experiences, incredible food and wonderful new friends.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow was the beautiful ruins in Segesta. It was amazing to walk right into the remains of a 2,400-year-old Greek temple. The surrounding hillsides and blooming wild flowers formed a stunning backdrop. And the cookies made with love by Maria were the perfect sweet ending to the day."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our ninth RS Tour, and from beginning to end, this tour of Sicily did not disappoint. With tour leader Donald as our guide, we thoroughly enjoyed Sicily's unique blend of scenery, history, culture, and food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While the Valley of the Temples was awesome, my favorite site was the Roman Villa del Casale. The well-preserved mosaics there were amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A beautiful destination and terrific guide in Donald

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mt Etna sighting"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

our tour quide, Donald was very welcoming and knowledgeable along with a good sense of humor. I've been to Italy several times on my own but loved the Rick Steve's tour. We visited placed I would not have been able to see on my own. The hotels were very nice and I would have liked to stay at Baglio della Luna an extra day to enjoy the surroundings. The food is outstanding. I've never had a bad meal in Italy. I loved the demonstrations of cookie making and pizza making! I The trip was GREAT

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several "wow" mements.Seeing the mosaics at the Villa Romana del Casale. Hard to imagine these were created hundreds of years ago! The mosaics of the HUNT were incredible with such detail. Another "wow" moment was the puppet theater and of course the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Learning of so much histrory lin Sicily left such an impression that I will always cherish."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thought Donald was a super tour guide. He was knowledgeable, funny, well organized. He was really the best.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Roman Villa Casale"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My tour was outstanding. Our group was full of people who were enthusiastic about history, music, Italian culture, food, and new experiences: the perfect attitude for getting the most out of travel. Our guide, Donald, was helpful, knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and our driver, Aurelio, was kind to everyone. Whether it was one's first Rick Steves tour, or the tenth, I am confident in saying that everyone had a wonderful experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I sat in a little roadside bar, nursing a glass of white wine, watching the sun sink toward the horizon and listening to the rhythm of the surf pounding the sea wall on the island of Ortygia. A classic setting, other customers--some local and some visitors--chatting quietly, a short break from a busy day: what could be better?"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First timer here. The food, the guides, the experiences, the GROUP of fellow travelers, what a wonderful tour! Sicily is a fascinating melange of cultures and I felt that, it'll be a while before I can process ALL of it, I learned so much and will keep revisiting those wonderful memories.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moment came with the realization that, as we were walking around Mt. Etna, I was standing in the shadow of my paternal grandfather's family home. Walking on that black gravel, knowing this vista was what my ancestors viewed - all very emotional."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first trip to Sicily and Italy. It was a destination we wondered about and were not disappointed. The tour was well organized, comfortable and diversified enough in activity, down time and structure to provide a well balanced experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment had to be the night we spent at Agrigento. The hotel was phenomenal, the food spectacular and the hotel staff endearing. What a relaxing location. It was everything one dreams about when traveling in Italy/Sicily - laid back setting, quiet gardens, sipping drinks on the patio topped by a beautiful dining experience. Only regret is that we did not spend 2 nights in Agrigento."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was a great experience overall and met or exceeded expectations. The itinerary was obviously put together to give us as much variety as possible. The other tour members were very easy going. The hotels were comfortable. Tour guide Virginia was absolutely outstanding and managed the tour very skillfully, and did a wonderful job of setting the tone on the first day and each day thereafter. Her knowledge of Sicily and ability to communicate are first rate. For me she made the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There wasn't a single one. Looking back, some of the most memorable parts were the temples of Agrigento, the mosaics of Villa Romana del Casale, the puppet theatre in Ortygia, the stop high up on Mt. Etna, and the wine tasting and fabulous lunch at the winery. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

An overall very pleasant experience, just as the other tours we have taken.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It would have to be Mount Etna for WOW. But I will not forget the Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Catania."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Virginia was an amazing guide and I learned a great deal from her about Sicily. The tour covered nearly all the major sites and there was sufficient free time to explore on my own as well. Good mix of experiences as well. Great group of tour mates as well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The WWII Museum of the 1943 Landings was a highlight of the trip. I also was wowed by the mosaics in the Monreale Cathedral"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everyone was so pleasant and accommodating .Great group!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Beautiful scenery in Taormina."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As always, a very pleasurable experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The temples at Agrigento"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was well organized and our guide was amazing. But there are a few things that could be improved.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The ancient theaters and temples"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We really enjoyed the tour and the people on the tour, both guides and tour members.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed seeing the different cultures that had inhabited the island over the centuries. In particular how Greek Temples had become Roman Temples, Mosques, Norman Churches and Catholic Cathedrals. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized. What we've come to expect from a Rick Steves Tour! Hotels were located just where we'd want to be. Great guides and excellent overall experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Throughout the trip we visited sites inhabited by the Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Normans and Spanish. A lot of what we saw was from the 8th century BC forward. Wrapping your head around the technology achieved that long ago and thinking about the melting pot that is Sicily was profound!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great tour guide Karin. Interesting and enjoyable group. My only dislike of the tour was visiting the salt pans . Not worth the time to visit

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Agrigento was amazing"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Karen was an excellent guide, bus driver was superb, group was very cngenial

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Palazzo visit"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great! We saw so much, had so many experiences and had nice people to share them with

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Santa Lucia statue when we went to Mass in Siracusa. The guide said that was a once a year event. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was perfectly planned with a great guide and local guides. We loved every second!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The wow moment was being able to bake cookies with the famous baker from Erice. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Having never been on a programmed tour before, I was very skeptical, however, it was an absolutely amazing experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Several come to mind, but the one that pushes itself to the front is making cookies with Maria Grammatica! Second, might be Alfio‘s description on the bus of the lead up to World War II. Although I thought the WW2 museum was a bit overwhelming, Alfio‘s description gave me an entirely new insight to a piece of history that I ever fully understood."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The mid day meal with Maria Grammatica"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Really enjoyed the trip. Everything we saw was very interesting and all the guides were very knowledgeable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The realization that we were able to see so many ancient in their original state. The Valley of the Temples and the villa with the mosaics. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't say there was one moment, but we really enjoyed all the group dinners/lunches, Monreale and the visit to Maria's villa for lunch and a baking demonstration."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very educational & well-organized—full of information but also of heart, Our tour guide (Olfio) was outstanding & deserves extra kudos for his efforts!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many but the first one was soon after arrival, sipping wine at an outdoor cafe in a cobblestone piazza surrounded by ancient buildings while listening to an exquisite violinist busking in the sunlight…the dolce vite & quintessential Italy! But I also loved my first glimpse of an almost intact temple amongst the hilltops…"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Guide was knowledgeable and efficient

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Maria making cannoli"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our favorite Rick Steves Tour to date. The guide David was outstanding! Very knowledgeable and interesting. Always looking out for all the group members. Went above and beyond. Seemed to truly enjoy being there.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many! Taormina was my favorite city. The ocean views and Mt. Etna. Bellissima!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall tour experience was excellent. Exceptional tour guide, great scenery, just the right mix of group time and "alone" time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There so many wow moments, it's hard to pick. But we'll go with our tour guide's humorous and thoughtful commentaries on the bus, and his guitar playing and singing at supper. Scenic hilites included Taormina, Mount Etna, and the Villa Romana de Casales. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was our first Rick Steves tour. Previously we had put together our own tour using his guide books which have always been outstanding. This tour took it to another level. We loved the stress free travel and the personal touches provided by our guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Greek Temples"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour of Sicily was an outstanding experience. We were immersed in new historical and cultural/culinary perspectives daily. David did an amazing job as cultural ambassador, logistics coordinator and entertainer. He facilitated our cultural experience while seamlessly handling issues behind the scenes to minimize impact to the group. David was a great "il dolce far niente" Sensei.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This trip had multiple "wow" moments. One of the highlights was standing on the battlements of a Norman/Templer castle looking out over the Mediterranean Sea, across to Mt Etna, and down on a Greek theater converted into a Roman coliseum."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a great guide, David, who not only familiarized us with the rich history of Sicily, but showed flexibility and adaptive thinking while addressing the needs of our travel group. We praised David, but he kept the focus on the needs of the group, rather than himself. Historic sites visited were interesting, but the highlight for me was the mountaintop vistas from Castellomalo and Erice overlooking the Mediterranean. The views were simply staggering. Hotels were good; food was good+

Favorite "WOW" moment

"View of Mount Etna from our table comfortably positioned below a picture window in the Hotel Continental dining room in Taormina or the view of the waves breaking on the shore at Taormina as viewed from a high vantage point."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We felt the whole tour went well for two reasons. It was a great group of people. And.... our guide, Nina, was excellent. Kept us on our toes and fully informed. And Micheal...well he was a bonus!😲

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Micheal singing in the amphitheatre! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great experience

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My overall experience was wonderful. Our guide was very knowledgeable and engaging with all others on the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moments were the breathtaking views of the seacoast and roof top views while eating breakfast. The markets were fantastic - the vegetables, meats and cheeses were so tempting. And the churches were so beautiful no words to express their beauty."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The experience was great and very informing about the history of Sicily

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Looking at the Temples "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was exactly as described. Very well organized and we were able to see so much in the 10 days in Sicily.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the cooking class with Maria and long the cookies. The lunch was amazing and she was so delightful. Afterwards the little town of Erice was lovely."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First time taking an RSE tour, although very familiar with Rick, his PBS shows and guidebooks. Used him as a travel resource for over 30 years. The Sicily tour was well run. The hotels were all good, the bus transportation too. Our tour guide was very knowledgable, engaging and ready to help. The selected tour sites were all interesting and we especially appreciated the exclusive activities. We didn't know much about Sicily prior to the trip, but now appreciate it's rich history and evolution.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many, many interesting moments. Perhaps if it wasn't so cloudy and we could see all of Etna, that would have been our "wow" moment."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The Tour was very well organized and ran like clockwork. The hotels, meals and tours were all perfect for the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The market in Palermo was incredible. We also really enjoyed the meal and cooking class in Erice."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Nina was the heart of the tour. There were a lot of amazing, moving parts and she made it seem effortless and engaging the entire time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"To find out there is beachcombing in Ortygia. I enjoyed spending time by the water in my free time. I’ve never seen so much lovely beach glass and bits of ceramics. That was an unexpected surprise."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour with excellent, knowledgeable guides. Though group was larger than I’m used to, it didn’t feel large by the end. The information gained about Sicily was outstanding. I am left wanting to visit Sicily again.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to pick just one. The Count and his home; the cooking lesson from the 84 year old baker, the views from Taormina, I could go on and on. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

An informed tour of Sicily is Ancient History 101. It was an enriching experience studying the layers of civilization and the opportunity to engage with the intellectually stimulating fellow travelers. I have already been recommending Sicily in February to others. We were frequently among just ordinary Sicilians, not other tourists.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Siracusa or Ortygia. Delightful approachable town. Where else can you have Archimedes, the greatest mind in ancient history, the Peloponnesian Wars and the Apostle Paul?"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful tour leader, sights, activities and weather.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Monreale Cathedral "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very positive! everything we look for in a Rick Steves Tour. It was stimulating, educational and fun! I loved the variety of experiences: Wine tasting, theater, so much to see, do and learn.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Three moments stand out to me. Agrigento and The Valley of the Temples was fascinating. It was a beautiful day and the almond trees were blooming. Baglio della Luna where we stayed was lovely. The panoramic views of the temples lit up in the evening from the Baglio della Luna courtyard were truly breathtaking. The visit to Palazzo Conte Federico was so unique. Count Federico gave our group the tour. Monreale Cathedral and golden mosaics....so moving as a Christian."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a busy tour but the atmosphere was always calm and relaxed. We saw and experienced so much more than we would have if travelling on our own (our usual style).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to state just one! A tour of the Palazzo by Conte Alessandro Federico. The visits to Erice, Cathedral of Monreale, Temple & Theatre of Segeste, the island of Mozia, Valley of the Temples, the 142 Steps in Caltagirone, the mosaics of Villa Roma, Syracusa Cathedral, a walk on lava, lunch at Benanti Vineyard, Carnivale at Taormina which was total immersion in the celebration, seeing Mt.Etna, Cathedral of Catania. The island of Mozia was pretty special."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour of Sicily was beyond expectation. Stephanie was the perfect tour guide with knowledge, humor and patience. Hotels were comfortable with the exception of the first hotel in Palermo. Don’t put guests up in room directly below kitchen and restaurant. It was loud resulting in not much sleep due to early morning set-ups and closings. I did mention it to Stephanie after we moved on to next city. The hotel said they couldn’t move us when asked. We look forward to another trip next year.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our last day the sky was clear allowing a perfect view of Mt.Etna all day into the evening from hotel patio was a true delight."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We saw a lot of Sicily which was great. Outstanding bus driver Enzo, who drove us safely around many tight turns. It was my 2nd Rick Steves tour and not as impressive as the first, Central Europe, maybe due to the lesser quality of the hotels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our orientation tour of Taormina and we ran into a Carnival Parade! Wow, indeed!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The highlight of the trip was our guide Tomaso. He was very professional and skilled as a guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Trapani, the art in all of the churches and the cooking class with Maria. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Sicily was a great tour, and I underestimated how much I would like it, appreciate it, and learn from it. Tommaso really made our tour even more outstanding- his insights as a Sicilian, his choice of restaurants and professors and guides, and his entertaining way with us all as a group. Thank you.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the amphitheater and also the temple, in Segesto- my first glimpse of each, the setting and Tommaso’s explanations while we viewed it all. I loved walking down from the amphitheater hilltop, with the nature, and its views. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tommaso was a wonderful tour leader: knowledgeable, passionate, humorous, and a great story-teller. We were also fortunate to have a great group of fellow travelers. The tour really hit so many highlights of Sicily, from the various cities and towns we visited to the historical, political and geological breadth of the island. Accommodations were first rate, for the most part, and of course, the food. We sampled many regional specialties, along with a wide variety of riojas and biancos.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That's a tough one, but I think the first time Mount Etna popped into view, as the bus rounded a corner was a WOW. But also the mosaics at the Villa Romana del Casale, and the Cathedral at Monreale. The most unexpected wow moment was going out later on Sunday evening in Taormina and participating in the Carnival parades. What a hoot!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent guide, group and experiences

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many, but I would say when we accidentally dropped into the middle of the carnival parade at Taormina. We were just heading down to meet our guide Tomaso for the evening orientation tour and went from our wonderous hotel, took a few steps down to the piazza and were in the thick of it. Loud, exciting, full of confetti, noise, music, children dressed in Halloween-like costumes, and adults smiling ear-to-ear with spritz in hand. I had confetti coming off my clothes for days."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tomasso was wonderful, the group was fun and engaged, Sicily was spectacular

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The views from Taormina were astounding"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Pleasant, friendly tour group, great variety in sites, great guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can't say I had a wow moment. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved Sicily! The people, the food and wine, the colorful markets, the beautiful seascapes and the fascinating history. This tour is a feast for the senses. Our guide Tommaso was wonderful. We especially loved his stories about his Mama; we all wished we could meet her. Our bus driver Enzo took excellent care of us as he drove on many steep and winding roads.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I said "wow" a lot so it's hard to pick just one. My favorite and the most fun experience was cooking with Maria.  What a treasure she is, we could not stop laughing and smiling with her.  Following our cooking lesson and a fabulous lunch, we explored the medieval mountaintop town of Erice with amazing views of the water far below us. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour gives a great impression of the people, food and pulse of Sicily. Our guide Tommosa is a Sicilian and has a vast knowledge of the area. There was a great mix of cities, smaller villages, great architectural areas, and food experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved accidentally stumbling on the Carnival Parade and being covered in confetti. The Valley of theTemples in Agrigento, with it well preserved and intact temples was amazing to me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

great itinerary......great tour guide(Andrea)!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"climbing Mt Etna"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip did not disappoint. It was the trip of a lifetime for me and my husband. We were grateful to have Andrea as our tour director. Andrea was knowledgeable on the history, culture, food and people of Sicily. He created a welcoming, engaging experience that left us feeling connected to the places we visited. The venues and hotels were excellent and our bus driver Giuseppe was the best!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments: the ruins, cathedrals, architecture and landscape. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Sicily Tour far surpassed my expectations. The variety of sites visited, the skills & communication of both the tour guide and the individual location guides, the level of exploration of Sicily's history & culture, our fun companions, amazing food experiences -- all made the trip exceptional. I had hoped for "interesting", but this 11 day tour turned out to be "amazing". The presentations made with care by our guide, Andrea V. made every day a fun time complete with new information.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stepping from another beautiful Italian piazza into the astonishing all-surround mosaic art that fills the Monreale Cathedral. Learning from the outstanding local guide about how William II as a 17 year old in the 12th c had the vision to bring together Eastern & Western Christian artisans, along with Arab Muslims to create the art unique in all Europe. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Another great RS tour. There is a lot more to Sicily than I realized. So much interesting history, beautiful landscapes and wonderful food. What {who} I will remember most however, is Andrea, our wonderful guide. He added experiences not on the itinerary and introduced us to Sicilian music, candies and traditions. There were 3 birthdays in the group and his way of celebrating them brought joy to all of us. One of the celebrants said it was the best birthday she'd ever had.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lots of wows, but Mt. Etna "tops" them all. Never in my life would I have expected to be walking on the rim of a volcanic crater."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Sicily tour provided a great overview of the history, and culture. The tour director, Andrea, native to Sicily, knows the land, history, and food well and is a wonderful tour director.There is great interactions with the tour members. The Sicily tour has met beyond my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow moments: - Agrigento ancient ruins, the Roman mosaic in Siracusa, walking along one of the craters of Mt. Etna - the food - enjoying the company of other tour members "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great itinerary, Wonderful sites

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everyday we had at least one."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely enjoyable from start to finish. Our tour guide Andrea was outstanding, bright, friendly and a great teacher. Our accommodations were excellent selections, with delicious breakfast provided. The cities chosen for our eleven day adventure were enchanting. The guided tour offerings we experienced during the trip were delightful yet educational. Rick provided our group with a once in a lifetime experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit to Maria's cooking demonstration near the Mountaintop village of Erica. We learned how to make authentic canoli, and later enjoyed a spectacular dinner that included my surprise birthday celebration organized by Andrea. The staff provided an assortment of Maria's famous baked delights to top off the event. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is one of the best Rick Steve's trips that I have been on. Of course, Andre was very professional, educated us about the history and had fun with us at the same time. Ex..pocket coffee. The group was very tightly knit which is quite unusual. That made it doubly fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Valley of the Temples. The temple and the amphitheater just took my breath away. So many wow moments it's hard to name just one."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every step of the tour was informative, plenty to see and enough free time to explore. I think it's the best lead RS tour I've been on.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I must say on this trip I found every place to be Wow. Each days experiences were more than I had hoped for and truly intriguing and insightful. Thanks to Andrea our guide. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Sicily tour was just about perfect. The destinations, pace, lodging, food, and guidance were better than I could have ever hoped for.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I found Erice's castle and view entrancing."

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

Very busy with not as much free time as I'd hoped. Need a few more days spread over 2-3 towns. More focused on things and sights, not people and culture today. The group was very large (27!) which is too many to do a lot of things. Local guides and headsets were hard to hear and understand. A talk about what we would see the evening before would be more beneficial. The volcano expert is an example. Having choices and breaking into smaller groups would be beneficial.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Etna erupting and visiting a crater where locals were sledding."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Impressed with quality of activities each day. The food was great and rooms very nice

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Erma eruption "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was great all the way through. It was well planned, with interesting stops and local guides, and the balance of planned and free time was perfect. Sicily is a fascinating place. It is beautiful and I enjoyed learning so much of its history, from ancient times to the present. Also, our guide Karin was excellent, making everything flow, sharing her knowledge and making it fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many moments during the tour that could be a "wow" moment, but I would have to say that my favorite "wow" moment was seeing Mt. Etna erupting."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our experience was exceptional! Our first time traveling with a tour and the value of doing so was evident daily. Plentiful breakfasts. Thoughtful itineraries & reasonable daily schedules. Supportive & unique lodging. Comfortable & relaxing time on the bus -- thanks to a sincerely kind and skilled driver (Enzo!). Skillful, patient trip guide (Karin!) and informative, warm local guides. We were younger (mid/late 40s) than most of our tour mates (60s+) but that made the experience richer.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Uniquely "checking into" each hotel in mere seconds -- in a fun & engaging way! Many multi-course meals facilitated by kind, attentive and professional staff."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful tour experience. Karin was an amazing tour director...always upbeat and full of interesting information. The sites were amazing. The hotels we stayed in were very good. The cooking lessons were so much fun. The food that we were served was a real treat. We also enjoyed being part of a small group where we could get to know people. We also appreciated free time to do further walking tours or just enjoy our surroundings.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This was difficult because there were so many. The Villa Romana de Casale with its mosaics was unbelievable and the biggest wow. The baroque church of Santa Caterina was also spectacular. We loved the puppet show and were so glad to see this art form. The mosaics in Monreale, Greek temples in Segusta and Agrigento, Mt. Etna, the scenery everywhere we went, the salt flats, it was all wow! We enjoyed the food, the cooking lessons and the knowledgeable guides."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was amazing! All the sites we visited, what we learned, and above all else our WONDERFUL guide! We were very well taken care of the entire time, and for sure you will never go hungry for food or knowledge!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Agrigento and Mount Etna putting on a show for us!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My overall tour experience was fantastic! I learned so much about the culture & history of this beautiful island. The food, weather & people all contributed to an amazing tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

" There were so many “wow” moments for me - everyday held another wow ! The view of Mt Etna from our hotel deck was certainly a WOW , the mosaics, Greek temples, local markets and of course -the cannolis!! Wow! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very much enjoyed the tour. Was educational and logistically well executed. Travel companions were uniformly friendly and interesting. Our leader was very good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This question is always difficult because a visit to a new region is essentially a “wow” experience throughout. Nevertheless, if one moment needs to be selected, it might be the visit to the cathedral in Monreale. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was organized, well planned, and provided enriching information as well as experiences that we could not have accessed on our own. Our guide was fun, caring, and kept things rolling along efficiently. The local guides offered meaningful in depth background about the area and specific sites we were visiting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was surprised that Rick Steve’s Tours were so well known across the country. I had always enjoyed thinking that he was a local Pacific Northwest guy with a local following. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The overall tour experience was great. The tour guide, Stephanie, was exceptional, as were all the local guides. They were all so knowledgeable and engaging. The pace of the tour was brisk but each day still left enough time to explore on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the Villa Romana del Casale and seeing all the mosaics!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First time touring with a group. Loves the experience and knowledge our guide had given us

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to chose from"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful I just loved Sicily and out your guide Stephanie

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Erice and Monreale"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized, professionally executed, educational and much fun. The group of 28 was enough, wouldn’t want more than that, preferably a little smaller but it was ok.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Getting near Mt Etna and the history around it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Stephanie made the tour very informative and manageable. We could not imagine doing such a fully scheduled tour on our own. Just researching and managing our bonus three days in Naples after our Sicily tour was exhausting. The Rick Steve’s tour allowed us to visit more interesting sites in an efficient manner.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Starting our tour with a visit to the palazzo was a fabulous start to the wonders of Sicily. It was personal and spectacular which got us off to a great start. We were still adjusting to the time ( we’d been delayed on our flight) and were trying to absorb the differences in Sicilian culture. Meeting a long term Sicilian/palermo resident helped us connect our expectations with the reality of Palermo. There are palazzos labeled all over Palermo and Sicily, but the Contessa explained the reality."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was engaging and well-planned.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the St. Lucia procession in Syracuse."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was an amazing tour experience. It exceeded our expectations in every way. Our guide Patricia went above and beyond not only for myself but I witnessed her do the same for other tour members. Patricia also added experiences along the way that helped our group bond. It took our group from a bunch of strangers to family.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The smile on my husbands face as he exclaimed, “this was the best birthday I’ve ever had in my life”. He turned 65 during the trip. The magical day started with Patricia organizing the singing of happy birthday in an ancient theatre. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best guide and tour I’ve taken. Our last tour guide set a high bar but this trip was even better

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many. I think sitting in the Greek theatre viewing Mount Etna but there were so many. Outstanding tour"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I chose your late November Sicily tour because it was not an island that I would or could navigate on my own. And, I am not a hot weather fan! Our guide, Virginia, made this island's vast historical past, present and looking forward stimulating; skillfully incorporating numerous cross-cultural, social, political complexities into a fun weave of "on and off the bus" talks and conversations. Her excellent communication, organizational, interpersonal, humor skills shone out to me!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The lighting storm the evening of arriving in Trapani and the rainstorm the morning of leaving Trapani; the humbling beauty, awe and power of Mother Nature; looking out to the Ionian Sea and imaging how both sea and weather has shaped this place and its peoples for eons. Like a temper-tantrum and then it's over - this too shall change so be adaptable and roll along with it!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Sicily tour was fantastic! Led by Virginia's first-rate knowledge, joyful enthusiasm, and playful sense of humor, our journey across Sicily was filled with impactful moments and many memories to treasure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I especially enjoyed the well-preserved Roman mosaics at the Villa Romana del Casale, The Valley of the Temples at Agrigento, and the natural beauty of Taormina. But my top "wow" moment was learning more about the various civilizations inhabiting Sicily throughout time; such a distinctive characteristic of its present day culture."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall excellent tour. Recommend it for sure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Castelamola"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

From tour check in to our farewell dinner, each moment spent felt curated just for us. Sicily is a region that one can really dive in to the history, culture, food, wine, scenery and architecture and come away with a new appreciation for the passion and personality of the people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There is never just one but I think it’s the attention to detail RS tours puts into the tours. His guides are the best of the best (Virginia, we love you!) and each tour supports the RS travel philosophy."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

As usual, everything ran on time and was streamlined. This was helped by the fact that our.group was.so.small. December is a lovely time to travel to Sicily. It was cool, but not cold. Crowds were minimal. The Christmas lights were decadent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taormina. The physical beauty was stunning, particularly with the city all lit up for Christmas. The locals were friendly. It was very relaxed."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful experience on an island with rich history, great food and wine, and colorful locales. Beautiful land, friendly people, outstanding guides (notably Virginia). Our needs were anticipated all along the way and our instructions clear. Group dynamics were good. Learned a lot and the sights were spectacular.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It was one wow after another, either in history or visuals. Seeing Thomas Beckett depiction in Monreale Cathedral was an eye opener. Never expected an English cleric to be such a big deal in Sicily. The view of Mt. Etna down to the sea from our hotel in Taormina. Watching residents in a Palermo flat improvising an outdoor dumbwaiter by hoisting a bucket to a third floor balcony. Listening to street musicians. The mosaics at the Imperial Villa. The amphitheaters all over. The numerous temples."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Virginia and Michael were wonderful. We had a great group. Food was absolutely outstanding!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taormina was so magnificent! Definitely going back!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour exploring the history, culture, and beauty of Sicily. A nice variety of experiences discovering the highlights of this fascinationg island.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful mosaics at Monreale Cathedral and the historical Valley of the Temples in Agrigento."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All details were perfectly planned and executed, from the hotels, to the tours and guides, to the wonderful meals and activities. Our guide Stephanie was exemplary. She was friendly, helpful and the epitome of professional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The perfect balance of organized activities and free time. Our group was especially good, with everyone pulling together."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Sicily was wonderful. An extension of the best of south Italy tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mt Etna"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A tour of Sicily and it was absolutely amazing. Can’t wait to take another Rick Steves trip

Favorite "WOW" moment

"They were all “wow” moments! every time I thought I had seen the best, the next thing would blow me away."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had heard so many positive reviews of the Best of Sicily tour from other tour members and I was not disappointed. The itinerary, the sights, the FOOD and our tour members made the tour a memorable and a great learning experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many “WoW” moments to single out just one, but visiting the sight of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento and the hilltop town of Taormina and the Archaeological Park were standout experiences."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic, and unanticipated, that it would be so good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to list"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Incredibly organized tour from day to day; wonderful guides; beautiful settings and scenery and even weather; a minimum of tourists; outstanding food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Discovering Ortygia and all it had to offer."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Sicily is absolutely beautiful, the culture, history, traditions, food and people are incredible

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every day was a wow moment, every place visited, every city, every food eaten, every experience had the wow effect on me."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Apart from a couple of specialized sea kayak expeditions, this was the first group tour we've ever taken. We've always preferred independent travel; didn't know whether we could adapt to a rigid schedule. Turned out that the "rigidity" was not an issue, and the tour was so well organized, and the leader so stunningly good, that the experience was overwhelmingly positive.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the astoundingly well-preserved Greek temple at Segesta and having the remarkable freedom to wander all around and through it. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We found the trip fascinating and exciting. Our tour guide was GREAT. The extra things we were interesting . We learned so much history and culture from this trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the landscape around Taormina. Incredible!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Sicily tour is a very well-organized experience full of incredible history, amazing architecture, delicious food, charming local guides, and plenty of free time to explore on your own. Our guide, Nina, was absolutely stellar. She is a wealth of knowledge about Sicily and she has an uncanny ability to turn that knowledge into amazing delivery to the group day after day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everyday held memorable moments, but I think the "wow" for me was the cathedral and cloisters in the hill-topping town of Monreale. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was amazing. Just about all of the many RS tours we and our friends have been on have been amazing but it is so clear to a group of us that the tour guide makes such a huge difference in the tour experience and whether it is very good vs. outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As usual, I would have to look at all my photos to give you the most accurate response. For now, I will say the volcano lecture and the puppets were "wow" because we have been lucky enough to see beautiful sights, mountains, buildings, etc. on all the tours but those two items were unique to this tour!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was very pleased with the itinerary and other than one property I found the accommodations to be very good. Our tour leader and local guides were excellent. The group was not too large or unwieldy and we moved along quite well. And our driver was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Mount Etna from Taormina was spectacular."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great first experience with RSE. Loved the knowledge of the guides and the itinerary.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Local restaurants that we tried (on our own) in Trappani and Catania that were absolutely outstanding in quality, service and value."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was well organized and ran smoothly. We met very nice fellow travelers and the guides were great. I wasn’t as fond of the big cities; I really enjoyed visiting Erice, Trapani, Agrigento, Syracuse (Ortygia) and Taormina.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Mount Etna and everything about Taormina. It’s really hard to pinpoint a favorite wow moment when there were so many enjoyable moments and activities. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, the tour was excellent. Of course, I enjoyed some stops and some activities more than others, but that is a matter of personal taste not a criticism.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everything about Taromina. The beautiful town, the history, the stunning vistas, its proximity to Etna…everything."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Itinerary was great, Stephanie was knowledgeable, organized, considerate and sweet, hotels well located and very nice, and meals good

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Valley of the Temples in Agrigento at night "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of Sicily in 11 Days tour exceeded my expectations. Each day held a fabulous experience. Our guide Stephanie, gave good information on landmarks, history, customs and general helpful local ideas. The range of her knowledge was exceptional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Driving up to Taormina and seeing the beautiful views of the Mediterranean and Mt Etna was amazing."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The trip was good, but I wish it include the Neapolis Archaeological Park in Siracusa in the itinerary

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The mountain Etna ride and Taormina stay"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Stephanie was a superb leader. Activities were fun and provided new and educational opportunities. Other travelers were friendly and open. The bus driver was exemplary- making the windy, mountainous roads of Sicily manageable for passengers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Great food offerings at multiple venues."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed the sites, guides, food, and relatively reduced bus time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The valley of the Temples and the Roman Villa were my favorites."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Once again, RSE exceeded expectations:-)

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Very difficult to answer bc there were many! Loved Monreale Cathedral, lunch at Maria Grammatico, Museum of Salt, Villa Romana Del Casale, lunch at Agriturismo Torre di Rende, Mount Etna tour, all of Ortigia, all of Taormina."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic tour. I will admit Sicily was not on my "bucket list" but it certainly delivered. Beautiful scenery, wonderful accommodations and outstanding tour guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Roman mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale -- I have never seen anything like it. Largely intact with beautiful detail."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed this tour immensely because of our expert guide, Alfredo, a very knowledgeable set of local guides, great selection of hotels and group meals, and a friendly set of traveling companions. The history in this place is so vast it is hard to capture. The scenery is really breathtaking. It isn’t hard to understand why the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Moors, Normans, and anyone else would want to spend time in Sicily.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One wow moment was seeing Mount Etna framed in the ruin of the Greek Theater in Taormina. Another was walking the Valley of the Temples. And still a third has to be all the mosaics of Villa Romana del Casale."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We are seasoned travelers and I was impressed with the balance of free time to guided tours. The guides were great. Alfredo provided excellent overviews of the places we visited and drove past along with detailed information on where to to eat and what to see on our free time. The addition of subject experts who guided us at the various sites were "icing on the cake". They really knew their stuff.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is very difficult to pick just one when the competition includes Mt Etna, sea salt harvesting, a pastry baking lesson from an 80-year old master, a collection of temples from each of the occupiers of Sicily, a Roman villa and the delicious meals. However, my favorite "wow" moment was the Cathedral at Monreale with its jaw dropping mosaics. A not to be missed site!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour guide Alfredo was so fun and informative and had such a positive attitude that he made the trip fly by.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The villa in Syracuse with all the mosaics was incredible."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Rick Steves is a top notch travel group with incredible tour guides, great experiences, opportunities to participate in group activities as well as explore on your own with guidance from the ‘book’.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I thought about this a lot during the trip and there were many incredible sights and experiences, but they were made all the better by Alfredo and especially the local guides: Jacqui, Michele, Countess Alwine, Iliana and Franco. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a wonderful tour with fabulous tour guides. Each of the locations gave a new experience and gave us a broader view of the landscape, history, and cultural heritage of Sicily.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Agrigento with its lovely Greek temples. I also loved the Roman Villa with its beautiful mosaic."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

While a few insisted on pushing their political views making it uncomfortable to converse, for the most part it was a good group of travelers. There were enough opportunities to avoid unwanted conversations to make it bearable. Our tour guide Alfredo was fabulous and made the trip great. The additional guides were very knowledgeable and enhanced the experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Each location had its wow moments but the nicest quality was the short guided walk at the destination and free time to explore on our own."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

9 or 10 thousand steps per day but a great experience. Thomaso was a great guide he kept the tour interesting and fun. Great group of people. Rick Steves delivers again

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Not sure I had a wow moment there was so much to see and do. Sicily is a relatively small island but it is full of beautiful churches and Greek and Roman ruins. 16 different nations ruled at one time or another. The whole island is a walk through history. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guides/fun experiences

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Villa Romana"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The pace and variety of this tour was outstanding. Sicily is such an interesting island with so many different historical and cultural influences that bleed into the architecture, food, and way of life. If you like Italy, try Sicily for something a bit beyond.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Roman mosaics at the Villa Romana del Casale were astounding. I thought I had seen some fine mosaics in Turkey, but the magnitude and quality of these were mind-blowing. Also, the temples at Agrigento and Segesta were wonderful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed the trip. The guide, Tommaso, was fabulous. We had a great group. The weather was perfect (except for the one day).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed the ancient ruins in Segesta, Agrigento and the roman villa."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed our tour, as we have enjoyed all our Rick Steve's tours. It is a wonderful balance of tour time and free time. I appreciated all the expert specific guides and the focus on history and botany that Tommaso provided.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The breathtaking beauty of Sicily in general as well as the unique character of each city."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The most informative, educational and fun tour I have experienced! Sicily is such an exotic place, with all those diverse layers of history, art and religion.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lots to choose from, but I’ll go with the Monreal Cathedral. Larger than the dimensions of a football field, a Roman Catholic Cathedral that incorporates Byzantine, Arabic and Norman architecture, art and religion. It’s symbolic of the “good governance” promoted by King Roger II."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a great tour. Our tour guide Tomasso was very knowledgeable and uplifting. He always had a positive spin on everything.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The wine tasting at Mount Etna was fabulous with great food."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very smooth trip with really fun treats along the way

Favorite "WOW" moment

" Villa Romana del Cásale "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What's not to love? Our guide, Andrea, was outstanding. He not only gave us the information we needed to enjoy each destination, but he went above and beyond with intelligent, interesting conversations and additional activities, all with a smile and a sense of humor. The itinerary was well thought out to hit the highlights of a Sicilian adventure, and the local guides were very knowledgeable. The hotels were all good in great locations, perfect for wandering around during free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! One highlight was the wonderful lunch and pastry class with Maria Grammatico, followed by sightseeing in the hilltop medieval town of Erice. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was wonderful: the island of Sicily itself, the accommodations and meals provided, the added activities, the group dynamics, our amazing driver Guiseppe, and above all our incredible guide, Andrea. I've never travelled on a group tour before and I am so happy to report I loved it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hmmm, there were quite a few, but if I had to choose just one, the Cathedral at Monreale. I've wanted to see it ever since I became aware of its existence and it was simply amazing to see those acres of 800 year old mosaics shining brightly. Honourable mentions: Greek temples in Agrigento and Segesta; the cathedral at Siracusa; the personal tour of Palazzo Conte Federico in Palermo by the Contessa herself."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I have heard nothing but raves about this tour but I did not expect it to be so diverse and well rounded. There was a little bit of everything-history, art, churches, great food and fun activities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many but the first time I saw the Palermo Cathedral really stands out."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was our first large bus tour. It was well planned and operated smoothly. The hotels were an interesting mix, and were always agreeable or excellent. Our tour leader Andrea was very effective and entertaining. I think he was an essential attribute of the successful tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ancient Segesta and Mountaintop Erice"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Having never been on a RS tour, let alone any group tour, had nothing to compare it to but the breadth of sites and activities was better than we even anticipated.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the salt pans of Trapani and the Temple of Concordia in Agrigento."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

In planning and selecting the tour, our opinion is that the tour description was accurate and delivered a very enjoyable, memorable experience. We loved meeting and interacting with all the people and left having made new friends. Alfredo has to be one of the best in the business. His knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm made for a great small group tour experience. Additionally, the local guides we had at the various cities and sights were excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Valley of the Temples and our tour guide. The evening view of the Temples from the hotel’s garden terrace. Only wish we could have stayed another night."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The pace of the trip is well planned, the experiences covered a broad range of highlights, and the accommodations were, for the most part comfortable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Taormina was a magical place, especially after dark. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What a great experience. Our guide Alfredo, with humor and warmth, expertly moved us through a busy itinerary. We had full days, but I can't imagine skipping anything. Sicilian history is captivating -- deep and layered. The excellent local guides really brought it to life. The food is delicious, the scenery beautiful. Ruins, gardens, mountains, water, charming small towns -- endless delights. You can tell a lot of care went into the planning of the Sicily tour. I'm so glad we went.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every day offered at least one wow moment but looking back, the visit to quiet Segesta with its ancient temple and theater was very special. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well thought-out and organized, with great local guides, a great tour leader (Alfredo), and a wonderful diversity of activities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The rooftop of the hotel in Palermo where we had our first meeting."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

A fine introduction to Sicily’s history and melting pot of ancient cultures and cuisines, Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman, Spanish

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Villa Romana del Casale and its extraordinary mosaics. Wish we could have spent more time there"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first trip with a tour group. Very organized and well done.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The hotel in Agrigento. Unexpectedly beautiful, too bad we couldn’t eat there. The baronessa’s farm, The Roman villa with the floor tiles."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was semi skeptical at first because we usually travel by ourselves, but I thought, why not. I was really happy we chose Rick Steves tours. We met some great people, had great tours of sites and good food and wine wherever we went. I totally recommend this company.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cathedral of Mon Real was incredible. The dogs that greeted us at Mozia were so heartwarming."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What a tour! Thank you for the outstandingly organized tour of Sicily. Nina was the best and the whole package of outings, hotels, sites was just perfect. We have been on many other tours and this one was the best. Recommending to all I speak to of it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Valley of the Temples. So amazing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well run. On time. Variety of experiences. Helpful guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mosaics at Montreale. Valley of the Temples. Winery visit and farm lunch."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

SIcily has such a fascinating multi-cultural history. This impacted all aspects of our tour--including the architecture, food and places we visited. The beauty of Sicily was amazing--with Mt. Etna being a star. Each hotel was better than the next with the roof-tops of each being very fun to look forward to. Our tour guide, Nina was awesome--so enthusiastic, knowledgeable and a joy to be around. We were also blessed with a wonderful tour group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Oh gosh--so many...Mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale, Being able to climb a bit on Mt. Etna, Climbing up the steps to church above Taormina at sunrise. And then coming back for tea on the incredibly scenic hotel patio. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceeded all expectations. Our guide, Nina, shared her knowledge and experience and passion with our group. The tour was a perfect blend of time exploring with the group and on our own. I appreciated not waking in a different town every day but getting to spend time absorbing the unique character of each of our stops.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Every moment was a “wow” moment and all enriched by the history and traditions shared with us by our local guides, the demonstrations at Maria Grammatico’s and Benanti Vineyards, walking up in and walking around places that people have been waking up in and walking around for millennia. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I was so impressed with the vivaciousness and knowledge of our Tour Leader Nina. She made the trip fascinating and fun. The daily adventures were nicely varied and each town had its own flavor. Our group was very congenial, and our bus driver Massimo was terrific.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Cathedral at Monreale was a wow moment. The blend of ancient cultures were beautiful. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Nina was very knowledgeable & made it enjoyable to learn about Sicily. The planning with the hotels, tours & meals were flawless. The group was very compatible which also added to the pure enjoyment of our tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour of the ruins was my Wow moment, besides the outstanding natural beauty of Sicily. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The Siciliy tour was very informative and interesting. Our guide, Nina, was excellent and made the trip even more enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Greek Temples near Agrigento were amazing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Nina, cannot imagine better. She was happy, knowledgeable, energetic, and so darn good in her delivery of information. She was very organized and her friendships with other local guides was real and nice. You could tell they enjoyed seeing her and her groups again. The hotels were very nice and interesting. Maybe one or two local guides were Italian and hard to understand at times. The places that we got to stay and see were wonderful. Mossimo, our driver, was skilled and helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I do remember saying “wow” more than once but 2 times in the same place was Taormina. The view from our room was over the top and walking into the theatre on the local tour was the second. It’s always an eye opener to see how skilled the people who lived back then were to be able to design and build what they did. It’s just remarkable. My geography and history always gets better. The length of the trip was just right. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This trip was an excellent introduction to the culture and history of Sicily. Nina was so knowledgable, helpful, and fun, and I can't imagine a better guide. All accommodations were very comfortable and not in the usual tourist hotels, and the logistics ran without a hitch. On top of all that, my fellow travelers were delightful, and we now have many new friends.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was amazed by the Valley of the Temples, including the remains of the Temple of Zeus. Their setting on the hilltop was so dramatic. I had read about this place but still stunned to see it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour, and it was *excellent*! From gritty Palermo to *chichi* Taormina, we really got a comprehensive tour of Sicily. I appreciated the balance between group activities and free time to explore on our own in each location. The other attendees were all great as well. I was impressed that our group of ~25 strangers were all so friendly -- truly no grumpy or needy colleagues in our group!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A literal "Wow!" moment for me was Monreale cathedral. As soon as I stepped through the doors and caught my first glimpse of the mosaics, I had no words other than "Wow!" It is a beautiful cathedral with a fascinating history."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I found Sicily to be a fascinating part of Italy. I was surprised by how large a part it played in European History.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed Agrigento but also the Villa Romana Del Casale."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The best word to describe the experience is “Fun.” From the amazing sights, food, history, fellow travelers, and especially our top-notch guide Nina it was a pleasure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing atop the 2,000 year old ruins of the Greek theatre in Taormina looking out over the breathtaking beauty of the city perched above the sea with Mt Etna peeking through the clouds in the distance. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

tour of Sicily

Favorite "WOW" moment

"learning about the history and culture of Sicily"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful experiences in understanding the culture and getting to see things off the beaten path.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting Erice Mountaintop and baking with Mary. Awesome experience. Much enjoyed. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Jamie was a fantastic guide and we had a fantastic group of people. The tour lives up to the name, the best of Sicily. The pace is somewhat intense but it also seems the only way to really do an overview of all these different places and sights in Sicily in such a short time. The organization and balance of "must-see" touristic sites plus off-the-beaten-path experiences was, I think, perfect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can't really isolate one "wow" moment -- it really was a cumulative experience of tastes, sights, learning a bit of Italian, and so on. I loved meeting Maria Grammatico and practicing shaping cookies with her. Loved the Roman mosaics. Loved the ruins at Segesta. I think Ortigia was my favorite."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Good variety of Sicilian locations. Great hotels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"None"