Fabulous trip around Sicily.
Italy | Aug 28 - Sep 11, 2024

Lorna
Lorna B.
Australia | Reviewed on Sep 12, 2024

Our concierge was to meet us at 3pm at our hotel however didn’t get there until 5pm which left us a little in the lurch. However when we did catch up he was very nice and helpful. Our guides were fantastic and very informative. The only thing I would let you know is that each guide repeated much of the same stories which was a little repetitive. Loved the places suggested however by the end of the trip we were glad not to see any more churches or relics. The number of days suggested in some of the cities were spot on. I most probably would have added one extra day in Syracuse/Ortigia. Driving should really be done from midday as everything is closed so when they arrive at hotel people can walk around when shops are opened.

Hotel Reviews
Palazzo Natoli Boutique Hotel
Palermo

Really beautiful boutique hotel in the heart of the old city close to everything.

Authenticity & Character
Decor was lovely and so clean. Breakfast for me was a little hit and miss. You tick your breakfast order a little like a hospital menu. I think they could do it different.
Location
It’s slam dunk in the Main Street. You can walk to everything.
Staff
The girls on reception were amazing and so helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was very spacious with balcony
Viacolvento Boutique Hotel
Marsala

Nice hotel just if the main road. Very nicely kept. Staff were excellent. Recommended a fantastic restaurant. Very obliging. Room was upgraded so that was excellent.

Authenticity & Character
Lovely clean hotel with exposed brick. Really nice.
Location
Marsala for us was just a pit stop. Didn’t venture out
Staff
Limited English but was really helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Breakfast was continental and plenty to choose from.
Boutique Hotel Re Federico
Ortigia

Quaint Boutique Hotel right next to the sea. Loved Ortigia would have stayed one more night.

Authenticity & Character
Upgraded to a much bigger room which had separate bathroom and kitchenette
Location
Just a short walk across the street if you want a dip in the sea. You do however have to swim out quite a bit. Rocky.
Staff
Staff were very pleasant
Cleanliness & Comfort
Air conditioner needed a part to reduce the fan blowing very loudly which was fixed the following day
Hotel Foresteria Baglio della Luna
Agrigento

Outside of Agrigento but in a perfect location if you don’t want to walk the city. Otherwise it’s around 4Km to city. We preferred were we stayed as it was all inclusive beautiful grounds lovely restaurant close to beach

Authenticity & Character
It has a Tower as well as the hotel rooms surrounded by a lovely courtyard with beautiful gardens. Dinner was served outside overlooking the Temples. Gorgeous
Location
Lovely hotel get the room overlooking the Valley of the Temples.
Staff
Head waiter was superb
Cleanliness & Comfort
Had a small issue with shower overflowing on bathroom floor. But it was rectified immediately
Boutique Hotel Villa Fiorita
Taormina

Beautiful hotel in fantastic location just a couple of minutes away from all the hustle and bustle. The hotel had 6 floors. Rooms were well appointed but a little smaller than some of the other hotels we stayed in. I think we were upgraded to a balcony classic room which was very much appreciated. Breakfast was amazing. They don’t have a restaurant but they do a lovely lunch and afternoon sandwiches until 6pm. Hotel had a nice small pool which was nice to relax. I believe they are building a bigger one.

Authenticity & Character
Very well appointed. Loved it
Location
Just down the road from the main drag of Taormina
Staff
The staff were extremely attentive and very friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean hotel.
Activity Reviews
Piazza Armerina and Villa Romana del Casale
Piazza Armerina and Villa Romana del Casale
Italy

Guide was a history professor 82yrs old fantastic information. The Mosaics were unbelievable. Loved this so much.

Quality of Experience
Awesome mosaics. Unbelievable
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Onofrio was so expressive and informative.
Palermo Street Food Tour
Palermo Street Food Tour
Palermo

Georgio our guide was great and very informative we had a great day with him. We went to Monreal first then we walked all the way around Palermo. Really enjoyed our tasting lunch. Yum. He was lots of fun and bubbly with great history knowledge.

Quality of Experience
Excellent
Food
Street food at the fish markets
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very informative
Transport
Self Drive with Georgio directing the traffic.
Full Day Guided Tour of Palermo - Visit Monreale
Full Day Guided Tour of Palermo - Visit Monreale
Palermo
Day Trip to Segesta & Erice
Day Trip to Segesta & Erice
Palermo

Relics to Remember absolutely fascinating.

Quality of Experience
So interesting
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Lara was truly exuberant and was so excited to tell us all about the temples
Transport
Self drive
Guided tour of Valley of the Temples
Guided tour of Valley of the Temples
Agrigento

What a massive area of all 4 Temples from Juno to Concordia Hercules and Zeus and the statue absolutely one of a kind

Quality of Experience
Surreal
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Simona was an excellent guide who explained all the stories about each Temple
Transport
Self drive
Cooking Class in Taormina
Cooking Class in Taormina
Taormina

Chef made the day. He was funny and hands on with everyone. Meet some lovely people. We all had fun.

Quality of Experience
It would have been nice to cook small individual dishes and taste your own stuff. It was all mixed up so you weren’t judging your own sample.
Food
Mostly all of it. We made way too much
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The chefs were very involved
Transport
Self drive
 Etna Wine tasting
Etna Wine tasting
Italy

Unfortunately this was cancelled the day prior

Local specialist: Valeria Arcangeli
Valeria
Valeria Arcangeli
Local specialist in Rome | Replied on Sep 16, 2024

Hi Lorna,
Thank you for your review and suggestions.
Your experience and insights are incredibly valuable to us and play a crucial role in our growth and improvement.

The pictures are fantastic—such lovely weather and blue skies throughout your trip... well, except for the day of Mt. Etna.
It was a real disappointment to hear that the Mt. Etna excursion was canceled due to weather conditions.
We’re still working on mastering weather control! Lol!

hope you are well settle back home,
see you soon,
valeria