Escorted Tours
Gems of Western Sicily
Discover Sicily’s vibrant west on this expertly crafted new tour, blending culture, cuisine and history. Explore Palermo’s grand architecture and lively markets, marvel at Monreale’s golden mosaics and uncover ancient sites at Segesta and Selinunte.
Taste Marsala wines and traditional pastries, and visit atmospheric salt pans and coastal villages. From Baroque streets to dramatic temples and shimmering coastal landscapes, each day reveals a different facet of this captivating island.
From
£2,420
per person
what’s included
At A Glance
Meet Your Expert Guide
Aure Garozzo
Aure is a native Sicilian and certified tour guide who has been welcoming visitors to the island since 2014. His aim is to reveal Sicily through the eyes of a local friend, sharing his knowledge in an accessible and entertaining way.
A passionate foodie, Aure knows where to find the character, flavours and secret corners that only a local can reveal. His warmth and enthusiasm create a personal introduction to Sicily, helping travellers understand both its celebrated sights and the everyday culture that brings the island to life.
itinerary & excursions
Your Itinerary
Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.
Day 1: Arrival in Palermo
Fly from London to Palermo, the island’s capital. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and take time to settle in. Later, meet your Tour Manager Aure, and fellow travellers over a welcome drink. This evening, we dine at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Palermo and Monreale
This morning, discover Palermo on foot. The city’s architecture reflects its complex past, and our tour includes the Cathedral, a site associated with Sicily’s Norman kings and their royal burials.
Continue to Quattro Canti, the Baroque heart of the city, where four grand facades mark the historic crossroads. Visit the Martorana Church, known for its Byzantine mosaics, and view the exterior of nearby San Cataldo. Known for its distinctive red domes reflecting the Arab-Norman architectural traditions of medieval Sicily.
A visit to one of the city’s traditional markets offers the chance to sample Sicilian street food. After free time for lunch, travel to Monreale, set above the Conca d’Oro valley. Its cathedral, built by William II in the 12th century, is one of the great achievements of Norman Sicily. Inside, extensive mosaics depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments, while the adjoining cloister is noted for its finely carved columns and decorative detail.
Day 3: Marsala
Travel westwards to Marsala. It was at Marsala that Garibaldi landed in 1860, a key moment in the unification of Italy. Visit the Florio Winery, founded in the 19th century, for a tour exploring the production of Marsala wine, followed by a tasting.
Continue along the coastal Via del Mare, where salt pans and windmills form a long-established landscape shaped by the harvesting of sea salt. In Nubia, visit the Salt Museum to learn about this traditional industry, still active today. Lunch features local fish dishes, reflecting the area’s maritime economy.
Day 4: The Belice Valley and Gibellina Vecchia
Today’s touring focuses on the Belice Valley, an area profoundly affected by the earthquake of 1968. Visit the remains of Gibellina Vecchia, preserved within Alberto Burri’s Cretto, a large-scale memorial which traces the outline of the former town in concrete. Continue to the Epicentro del Belice Museum, which documents the social and cultural impact of the disaster on the region.
After lunch with wine, travel to Alcamo, a town with strong agricultural traditions, particularly in wine production. At the historic Bar 900, sample a selection of local pastries.
Day 5: Erice and Segesta
Visit Erice, a small town occupying a commanding position above the west coast. Its layout, with narrow streets and stone houses, reflects centuries of continuous settlement from the Elymians to the Normans.
A stop at the Maria Grammatico pastry shop introduces recipes linked to the town’s convent heritage. After time for lunch (own expense), continue to Segesta, one of Sicily’s most important archaeological sites. Its Doric temple, dating from the 5th century BC, stands in open countryside and remains largely intact.
Although never completed, it provides valuable insight into ancient Greek building techniques and the cultural links between Sicily and the wider Mediterranean.
Day 6: Selinunte and Scopello
This morning, explore Selinunte. Once a major Greek colony, it flourished between the 7th and 5th centuries BC before its destruction by the Carthaginians in 409 BC. The site includes extensive remains of temples, sanctuaries and fortifications, set against the coastal landscape.
Lunch is served at a local farm, where simple regional produce reflects long-standing agricultural practices. Specialities include locally produced olive oil and Castelvetrano bread. On the return journey, stop at Scopello, a charming village known for its coastal setting and historic tuna fishery.
Day 7: Cefalù
Travel east along the northern coast to Cefalù. Its Norman cathedral, founded by Roger II, is particularly noted for its interior mosaics, including a large depiction of Christ Pantocrator. After time to explore independently — perhaps along the waterfront or through the medieval streets of the old quarter — return to Palermo. The afternoon is free to relax before a farewell dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to Palermo Airport for your return flight to London Gatwick.
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HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
Hotel Al Madarig, Castellammare del Golfo
Hotel Al Madarig is a 3-star hotel set within a traditional building overlooking a main square in the historic centre of Castellammare del Golfo, close to the harbour. The hotel retains a simple, characterful style in keeping with its surroundings and offers facilities including a bar, wellness spa, and terrace, providing a convenient base for exploring the town and nearby coast. Guest rooms are comfortably furnished with air conditioning, Wi‑Fi, TV, minibar, and tea/coffee-making facilities.
Hotel Website
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Mobility Information
This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing.
If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.
Your questions answered
Tour FAQ
If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.
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