Amazing Family-Friendly Sicily Tour

Palermo is a city of contrast, having absorbed the eclectic cultures of settlers and conquerors over thousands of years. The streets tell stories of legends cast in the remaining architecture and vibrant traditions of the locals. The family lands at Falcone-Borsellino Airport, where your private transfer is waiting to greet you. Your transfer escorts you into the heart of Palermo. Palm trees tower over historic buildings. The streets contain a golden hue against the backdrop of azure water lapping at the port.

The kids marvel at the Norman Palace, which acted as the seat of the Kings of Sicily. Today it is the Seat of the Sicilian Regional Assembly. The edifice was erected in the 9th century under the patronage of the Emir of Palermo. The Arab architecture is apparent in the foundation’s vaults. The interior houses the Cappella Palatina, a royal chapel that combines Arab, Norman, and Byzantine décor, including mosaics embellished with flecks of gold. The chapel is the perfect embodiment of the city and the families that have resided in Palermo for centuries. Your hotel is luxurious. The family easily settles into the wonderful accommodation at the center of the city.

In the morning, the aroma of zesty oranges blends with the scent of rich espresso. At breakfast, the kids are delighted to taste the sweet, flaky texture of freshly baked brioche accompanied by freshly squeezed orange juice. After your meal, your guide meets the family in the hotel lobby. The kids are eager to explore the city, treating every step like a treasure hunt, and they are determined to find the treasures of Palermo. The Capuchin Catacombs were carved into the volcanic rock underneath the city in the late 16th century. The kids curiously wander through the underground lair where mummies line the walls.

The cool air settles over the network of passageways. Dim lights add to the ambiance of the catacombs. When you return to the upper levels of the city, you follow your guide to the Opera dei Pupi Vincenzo Argento e Figli, a puppet theater founded in the 1890s. The Argento family continues to own and operate the theater, crafting puppets, sculpting wooden figures and busts, along with shaping unique arabesque style armor out of actual metals. The show is inspiring for both children and adults. The puppets move with fluidity to tell tales of knights, kings, maidens, and battle.

In the morning, the family enjoys the delights of breakfast once more. The kids sip on their fresh-squeezed orange juice, and you indulge in the strong flavor of a rich espresso before your guide meets you at the hotel. The family ventures to Segesta, a famous archeological complex set in the scenic hills of western Sicily. The landscape ranges from lush grass to rugged foothills, emphasizing the Mediterranean scenery. A Doric temple stands atop the hill, overlooking the outline of the ancient city. The temple was erected in the 5th century BC and contains 36 Doric columns with an area of 200 feet long by 85 feet wide.

The temple strikes awe into the entire family, due to its magnificent size, well-preserved pillars, and seasoned age. The Greek Theater of the old city overlooks the valley. The kids run around the former stage in front of the horseshoe-shaped auditorium. Their voices echo off of the stone seats. They pretend to battle in an epic war of sibling rivalry in front of an ancient audience. You continue onwards to Erice, a hilltop town with unforgettable views over the port of Trapani.

Medieval architecture creates a historic ambiance, seamless blending with the cobblestone streets beneath the imposing walls of the castle. The town sits 2,624 feet above sea level, which offers a natural fortification. The streets and buildings adhere to the triangular shape of the peak. The castle was erected in the 12th century on the foundation of what was once Erice’s ancient temple. When the family enters the castle grounds, you step through the gateway, climb the flight of stairs, and find a view of the crags along the coastline as well as the ruined castle on the rocks below set against the crashing waves.

After breakfast, the family’s private transfer meets you at the hotel and escorts you to the enticing city of Agrigento. The modern city overlooks the meandering archeological park below known as the Valley of the Temples. Wild olive trees and orange orchards rise out of the landscape. Shepherds let their sheep graze on the lush grassy landscape. The kids comment on hearing the sheep bleat behind the trees. The park contains eight temples, each erected between the 6th and 5th centuries BC. The Temple of Concordia stands atop a rocky outcrop. The well-preserved structure was built in the Doric style.

The temple has classical proportions with paralleled sides containing six columns and 13 columns. The kids are thrilled to step back in time to the same era as ancient Greece. The staircase leading to the roof truss is a unique inclusion in the temple, not usually found in the classical architectural style. The stairs were an addition in the 6th century AD when the temple was turned into a Christian church. After your exploration of the ancient wonders of Agrigento, the family can enjoy the remainder of the day on the shores of San Leone. The seaside resort town is quiet and maintains vast stretches of golden beaches filled with powdery sand and cool, refreshing water.

In the morning, the sunlight washes over the archeological park and casts the remaining ruins of the Temple of the Valley in a wondrous glow. After breakfast, your private transfer escorts the family to the ancient city of Syracuse. The vibrant city balances its historic beauty and contemporary reputation effortlessly. The kids are overjoyed to know they have arrived in what was once the largest city in antiquity, greater than even Athens. The Greek Theater on the edges of Syracuse was once the largest of the Greek Empire. The theater was erected in the 5th century BC and housed the premieres of tragedies written by Sophocles and Euripides.

The auditorium-style seating contains 61 rows carved into the rock. Ancient spring water continues to flow from one of the niches on the terrace. The Castello Maniace was erected in the 11th century on the citadel overlooking the Marina Grande. The kids gape at the powerful walls constructed from stone and think of a time when pirates and naval battles ruled the seas. The calm waters of the Mediterranean lap at the edges of the castle. From the ramparts, you can look down into the clear waters and imagine the ships sailing into the port.

You arrive in the city of Catania early in the day, when the energy of the streets fills the baroque city. Black and white palaces frame piazzas. The vivacious fish market brings succulent seafood and jovial interactions between vendors and shoppers to the forefront. The foundations of the city were laid in the 8th century BC and were reestablished in the 17th century after a large earthquake. The main square of Piazza del Duomo highlights the beauty of the city emphasized by the Baroque décor of the cathedral. The Fontana dell’Elefante, an elephant statue made out of black lava adorned with an Egyptian obelisk, stands at the center of the square.

The cathedral has housed the seat of the Archbishop of Catania since the mid 19th century. Three levels of Corinthian columns were removed from the Roman Theater in the city to help adorn the cathedral during its rebuilding. Marble statues of Saint Agatha adorn the gate. The bell tower stands nearly 220 feet tall. The kids are eager to learn more about Palazzo Biscari and the family that owns the palace today. The 18th-century face has a flamboyant décor of statues framing the ornate windows and doorframes. The interior dining hall has a Rococo style with elaborate mirrors lining the room, elegant stucco embellishments, and stunning frescoes.

Mount Etna is the most active and largest volcano on the European continent rising 10,991 feet above sea level. The illustrious peak climbs into the sky, overlooking fertile foothills rich with volcanic soil and stunning historic towns. After breakfast, get ready to embark on the Etna Morning hike to discover amazing ancient craters with Etna Est, a team of knowledgeable and experienced nature walking guides. Your guides meet you and your family at the hotel and escort you to the mountainside. The family is excited to explore the far reaches of Mount Etna with Etna Est. It isn’t every day a kid can climb and trek around ancient craters of the highest active volcano in Europe.

When climbing the volcano, the family marvels at the magnificent view of the mountain and countryside. The rugged foothills slope dramatically downward. The volcanic soil is black and craggy the higher up the mountain you climb. Your Etna Est guide takes you to an outlook of the southeast crater. White puffs of smoke drift out of the black cone shape of the crater. The display of raw nature is unforgettable. The power of Mount Etna has shaped the lives of the Sicilian people and the terrain of the entire island.

The sunlight washes over the horizontal layers of Porta Garibaldi. White limestone and black lava contrast one another to create an outstanding edifice adorning the boulevard. The 18th-century edifice was erected in honor of King Ferdinand IV, adorned with two winged figures that symbolize glory. At breakfast, the family once again enjoys fresh brioche. The aroma of zesty oranges blends with the refreshing scent of fresh espresso. After breakfast, your private transfer greets the family at the hotel. You make your way to Catania-Fontanarossa Airport for your flight home.