Which hotels are used?

The Deluxe Hotel Collection features San Giorgio Palace Hotel or a similar property in Ragusa and Hotel Metropole, NH Taormina, Excelsior Palace or a similar property in Taormina. Lotus offers preferred upper room categories, spacious rooms, Junior Suites, Suites, preferred views or terraces where available, with final options confirmed in your Journey proposal.

Now Journey Signature Tour

La Dolce Vita Sicily

Q: How much leisure time is included?

The journey follows a slow-travel approach, with much of the guided sightseeing in the mornings and free time built into many afternoons.

Eight days of Baroque towns, volcanic landscapes and Sicilian charm—beautifully paced.

Ragusa → Noto & Siracusa → Modica → Taormina → Mount Etna & Savoca

8 Days / 7 Nights
Generally 8–12 / Maximum 16
Deluxe & Lotus Hotel Collections
From $8,579

Explore Daily Itinerary View Dates & Prices

8 Days / 7 NightsSlow-travel pace

Ragusa to TaorminaTwo settled hotel bases

Generally 8–12 GuestsMaximum 16

Deluxe & LotusTwo Hotel Collections

From $8,579Per person, double occupancy

Tour CaptainHosted throughout

Choose the Right Island Journey

Sicily only—or Sardinia and Sicily?

Both Journeys include Taormina and Mount Etna. The difference is depth versus breadth: spend eight days exploring southeast Sicily, or pair four nights in Sardinia with four nights in Taormina.

8Days

Deeper Southeast Sicily

La Dolce Vita Sicily

Ragusa, Noto, Siracusa, Modica and four nights in Taormina, arranged around two settled hotel bases.

9Days

Two-Island Journey

Sardinia & Sicily

Four nights in Sardinia followed by four in Taormina, with Sicily focused on Taormina, Mount Etna and Savoca.

Want a Greek-island finale too? Compare the 12-day Sardinia, Sicily & Santorini Journey.

01Ragusa3 nights · First hotel baseArrive through Catania, then begin among Ragusa’s Baroque streets, churches and elevated views.
02Noto & SiracusaDay excursion · Return to RagusaA day of World Heritage Baroque architecture, Greek ruins and the island setting of Ortigia.
03ModicaEn route · Chocolate & IspicaPause for celebrated chocolate and the Archaeological Caves of Ispica on the way east.
04Taormina4 nights · Second hotel baseThe Ionian Sea, Corso Umberto and the Ancient Theatre set the stage for four beautifully balanced nights.
05Etna & SavocaDay excursion · Return to TaorminaTaste volcanic-terroir wines, then continue to Savoca’s hilltop streets and cinematic history.

Journey Story

La dolce vita, at Sicily’s pace.

This Journey begins in the carved-stone towns of the south, turns toward Taormina’s sea views, and climbs into the vineyard country shaped by Mount Etna.

The Baroque facade and broad steps of Noto Cathedral in Sicily

01 · The Opening

Ragusa, Noto & Siracusa

The south speaks in stone.

Ragusa opens the Journey with honey-colored lanes and church domes. Noto and Siracusa add Baroque detail, ancient Greek history and Ortigia at the water’s edge.

Taormina and its ancient theatre at golden hour

02 · The Unfolding

Modica & Taormina

The horizon opens.

Chocolate, archaeology and the road east lead to Taormina—four nights of guided discovery, Mediterranean views and the freedom to enjoy the town at your own pace.

03 · The Finale

Mount Etna & Savoca

Volcanic soil. Village stories.

Etna’s vineyards bring the island’s terroir into focus before Savoca closes the day with hilltop views, old churches and a celebrated place in cinema history.

Why Now Journey

Hosted, not herded.

Expert local guides reveal Sicily while your Tour Captain gives the Journey continuity. Morning discovery and meaningful leisure time are designed to coexist.

Small by design

No big buses or oversized groups. Now Journey groups are generally 8–12 guests and never more than 16.

Slow travel

Three nights in Ragusa and four in Taormina reduce packing and give the island room to unfold without sun-up-to-sun-down touring.

Clear inclusions

No tour up-selling and no hidden tour fees: scheduled experiences, taxes and gratuities are included, except the Tour Captain gratuity.

Day by Day

The Complete Itinerary

Eight days across southeast Sicily, anchored by two hotel bases and balanced with guided discoveries, hosted dining and time at leisure.

Chapter One · 3 Nights

Ragusa

Baroque streets, local discoveries and a full day among the treasures of Noto and Siracusa.

Day 1Welcome to Sicily

Arrive at Catania Airport, where your included meet-and-greet arrival transfer begins the Journey to Ragusa. Your Tour Captain and local expert guides create a balance of activity and leisure throughout the week.

Join a Now Journey Discovery Walk through Ragusa, then gather for a welcome reception and dinner featuring Sicilian cuisine with premium beverages.

Your home in Ragusa · 3 nights with daily breakfast
San Giorgio Palace Hotel or a comparable property.

Day 2Exploring Ragusa

Explore Ragusa’s narrow streets, churches and views while discovering the city’s blend of modern and ancient Baroque character.

There is ample free time at leisure. Tonight, join your Tour Captain for an optional dinner or continue exploring independently.

Day 3Noto & Siracusa

Discover the World Heritage Baroque town of Noto, then continue to Siracusa for Greek ruins and the picturesque island of Ortigia.

Return to the hotel for the balance of the day at leisure. Dinner is independent, with an optional hosted gathering offered by your Tour Captain.

Chapter Two · 4 Nights

Taormina

Ancient theatre, Ionian views, Etna’s vineyards and time to savor Sicily’s celebrated hill town.

Day 4Modica & Welcome to Taormina

Travel to Modica, known for its churches and award-winning chocolate. Visit the Archaeological Caves of Ispica before continuing to Taormina, your home for the next four nights.

Join your Tour Captain for a Discovery Walk along Corso Umberto, through elegant piazzas and past views toward the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna.

Tonight’s included dinner features premium beverages and wines inspired by Mount Etna.

Your home in Taormina · 4 nights with daily breakfast
Hotel Metropole, NH Taormina, Excelsior Palace or a comparable property.

Day 5Exploring Taormina

Explore Taormina with an expert local guide, tracing its history through elegant streets and sunlit piazzas. The Ancient Theatre is the day’s centerpiece, pairing layers of history with views toward Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea.

Tonight, optionally join your Tour Captain for dinner or enjoy Taormina at your leisure.

Day 6Mount Etna & Savoca

Venture into the countryside for a visit to a Sicilian winery framed by Mount Etna’s volcanic slopes. Learn about the island’s terroir and winemaking traditions while tasting local wines and delicacies.

Included Experience · Winery Tour & Lunch

The current tour inclusions feature one winery tour and lunch as part of the Sicily Journey.

Continue to Savoca, the hilltop village immortalized in The Godfather. Visit Bar Vitelli, walk historic streets and take in the views before returning to Taormina. The evening is at leisure.

Day 7Taormina at Leisure

Choose your own rhythm: relax by the pool or at a local beach, browse Taormina’s boutiques, or arrange an optional experience.

Mount Etna Discovery · Price on request.
Explore the dramatic craters and local shops around Europe’s highest active volcano.
Sicilian Culinary Experience · Price on request.
Learn the techniques behind beloved Sicilian dishes in a hands-on cooking experience.

Journey Finale

Gather with your Tour Captain for a special evening celebrating the Journey through Sicily.

Day 8Arrivederci, Taormina

Breakfast is included this morning if your departure schedule allows. Continue home or extend your time in Italy with the optional Amalfi Coast and Sorrento Peninsula experience below.

Optional Extension · 3 Days / 2 Nights

Amalfi Coast & Sorrento Peninsula

A clearly separate post-tour option connecting Sicily with Pompeii, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. Extension package pricing is confirmed when you inquire.

Day 9 · Pompeii & Sorrento

Fly from Catania to Naples, tour Pompeii with an expert guide, then continue to Sorrento for an included dinner. Stay two nights at Grand Hotel Capodimonte or a comparable property, with breakfast.

Day 10 · Amalfi Coast at Leisure

Explore Sorrento independently or consider the optional private boat experience to Capri and Positano, published at $679 per person and subject to weather and boat availability. Gather for a finale apericena.

Day 11 · Departure

Breakfast is included if time allows. Departure transfers are not included but may be arranged; Naples International Airport is the suggested departure gateway.

Return to Top ↑

The Details Are Handled

What’s Included

These inclusions are drawn directly from the current Sicily tour materials. Optional experiences and the Amalfi extension remain separate.

Tour Captain & Guides

Now Journey Tour Captain
Expert Italian and local guides
Discovery Walks in Ragusa and Taormina

Accommodations

7 nights in hand-picked 4- to 5-star hotel collections
3 nights in Ragusa and 4 in Taormina
Daily breakfast

Dining

Three included dinners
One finale apericena
One winery lunch and tour
Premium beverages with included dining

Experiences

Ragusa, Noto and Siracusa sightseeing
Modica and the Archaeological Caves of Ispica
Guided Taormina and Ancient Theatre
Mount Etna wine country and Savoca

Arrival & Touring

Meet-and-greet arrival transfer from Catania Airport
Tour transportation for scheduled experiences
No big buses or large groups

Other Services

Scheduled admission and sightseeing fees
Tour taxes and gratuities
Tour Captain gratuity is not included

Return to Top ↑

Hotel Collections

Same extraordinary Journey. Your preferred level of accommodations.

Choose between two thoughtfully curated Hotel Collections. The itinerary, Tour Captain services, sightseeing, transportation and included dining remain exactly the same.

Signature Collection

DELUXE

Hand-selected 4- to 5-star properties emphasizing location, service, comfort and thoughtful room selection.

Your accommodations

At 4-star properties, Now Journey selects accommodations one category above the hotel’s entry-level room; at 5-star properties, accommodations begin with the standard category or better.

Lotus Hotel Collection

LOTUS

The Lotus Hotel Collection brings an elevated level of comfort and distinction to your Sicily Journey.

The Lotus difference

Thoughtfully selected preferred upper room categories, spacious rooms, Junior Suites, Suites, preferred views or terraces where available. Final room options and availability are confirmed in your personalized Journey proposal.

Both collections enjoy the same itinerary, Tour Captain, expert local guides, sightseeing, transportation, admissions and included dining.

Collection images are conceptual and do not depict a named hotel. Hotels pictured or named below are examples of the Deluxe Collection and may be replaced by a similar property. Lotus room categories and availability are confirmed in your Journey proposal.

Compare Dates & Prices

Destination Hotel Examples

Your homes in Sicily.

A two-base collection keeps the Journey settled. The published properties may be replaced by a comparable hotel when necessary.

The illuminated Baroque cathedral of San Giorgio in Ragusa Ibla at blue hour

Your Home in Ragusa · 3 Nights

Ragusa Collection

San Giorgio Palace Hotel or a comparable property, with daily breakfast.

Destination image. The named hotel is part of a collection and may be substituted with a similar property.

Your Home in Taormina · 4 Nights

Taormina Collection

Hotel Metropole, NH Taormina, Excelsior Palace or a comparable property, with daily breakfast.

Destination image. The final hotel is selected from the published collection or a similar property.

Return to Top ↑

Dates & Prices

Choose your season.

Explore the published 2027 departures and find the dates that work best for you. Prices are in U.S. dollars, per person, based on two guests sharing a room.

Signature Collection

DELUXE

Hand-selected 4- to 5-star stays with thoughtful room selection.

$8,579 per person

Lotus Hotel Collection

LOTUS

Preferred upper room categories, spacious rooms, suites, views or terraces where available.

$13,579 per person

Now Journey groups are generally 8–12 guests, with a maximum of 16. International airfare is not included. Deluxe and Lotus prices apply to the published departures below; availability is confirmed when you inquire.