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Now Journey small-group tour

Sardinia & Sicily: Treasures of the Mediterranean

A richly paced 9-day Journey through rugged Sardinian coastlines, Sicily's ancient soul, volcanic wines and seaside villages.

Sardinia → Sicily / Taormina Optional Santorini finale

  • 8 to 12 guests
  • Max 16
  • Tour Captain hosted
  • 4- and 5-star hotels
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No obligation. No pressure.

9 Days / 8 NightsIsland pace
Sardinia + SicilyCore Journey
8–12 GuestsMax 16
4- & 5-Star HotelsCurated collection
Tour CaptainHosted throughout

Choose your Journey

Two Mediterranean editions. One island rhythm.

The 9-day Journey focuses on Sardinia and Sicily. The 12-day Journey carries the story onward to Santorini as a fully included Greek island finale.

Choose the 9-day Sardinia and Sicily Journey, or continue to Santorini on the 12-day edition.

Current edition

9-Day Journey

9 Days

Sardinia → Sicily

The core island Journey, ending in Taormina with Santorini available as an optional extension.

Current Journey
Santorini included

12-Day Journey

12 Days

Sardinia → Sicily → Santorini

Choose this edition when you want the Greek island finale fully included as Chapter 3.

The Mediterranean, without the rush

Two islands. One deeply personal Journey.

Sardinia opens with rugged coastlines, island traditions and time to exhale. Sicily follows with Taormina's ancient streets, Mt. Etna's volcanic wine country and the easy rhythm of the Ionian coast.

The scale stays small, the logistics stay hosted, and unscheduled time remains part of the experience.

Hosted travel should make the details feel lighter—and the destination feel more vivid.Now Journey design philosophy

Your Journey at a Glance

Two island chapters. An optional Greek finale.

Move through the route to see how Sardinia flows to Sicily, with Santorini shown honestly as an optional continuation.

Scroll through islandsSwipe through islands

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Why Now Journey

Hosted, not herded.

A dedicated Tour Captain, local English-speaking guides and nimble transportation keep the Journey personal without filling every hour.

True small group

Average groups of 8 to 12 guests, with a maximum of 16, preserve flexibility and personal attention.

Thoughtful pacing

Guided discoveries and hosted transitions are balanced with leisure time in Sardinia and Taormina.

Tour Captain Service

Your Tour Captain handles the practical details while local guides deepen the sense of place.

Journey Story

From rugged coast to volcanic soul.

The Journey unfolds as two distinct island chapters. Sardinia creates space; Sicily adds ancient layers, wine country and a luminous coastal finale.

Sardinian coastline and Mediterranean village
Chapter 01 · Sardinia

The islands begin with room to breathe.

Arrival care, a Discovery Walk and a welcome dinner ease you into Sardinia before guided exploring and two intentionally open afternoons.

Taormina on Sicily's Ionian coast
Chapter 02 · Sicily

Then the landscape turns volcanic.

Taormina's ancient theater, Mt. Etna's wine country, Savoca and generous coastal time bring greater texture without losing the Journey's measured pace.

Santorini caldera and whitewashed villages
Optional finale · Santorini

Continue only if the Greek light calls.

Santorini remains outside the 9-day core Journey. Add three nights when you want a Discovery Walk, wine country, leisure time and a farewell dinner in Greece.

Now, follow the island story day by day.

The Complete Itinerary

The functional heart of the Journey

The Complete Itinerary

Open one day at a time, or expand the complete 9-day sequence. Optional experiences are labeled clearly.

Chapter 1 · 4 nights

Sardinia

Turquoise water, rugged coastline, ancient island traditions and unscheduled time create the opening rhythm.

Mediterranean coastline in Sardinia
Day 1

Arrival, Discovery Walk & welcome dinner

A Now Journey representative greets you at Cagliari Airport (CAG) or, for select arrangements, Olbia Airport (OLB), then transfers you privately to your hotel. Settle in before a Discovery Walk and welcome dinner featuring Sardinian cuisine and local wines.

Arrival transfer · Welcome dinner
Day 2

Sardinia's villages, coast & island culture

Explore with local context through Sardinia's villages, coastline, ancient stories and living island traditions.

Guided exploring · Breakfast
Day 3

A Sardinian day at your pace

Enjoy resort leisure, the beach, pool or spa on an intentionally open day.

Optional: Sardinian cooking class, $165 per person. This experience is not included in the land price.

Breakfast · Leisure time
Day 4

Leisure & a Now Journey apericena

Spend another unhurried day in Sardinia, then gather for a hosted apericena with a toast and light bites.

Breakfast · Apericena

Chapter 2 · 4 nights

Sicily / Taormina

The hilltop town above the Ionian Sea brings Mt. Etna, ancient streets, Sicilian cuisine and a luminous coastal finale.

Taormina, Sicily above the Ionian Sea
Day 5

Fly to Sicily & arrive in Taormina

Fly from Sardinia to Sicily, continue to Taormina, then begin with a Discovery Walk and included dinner with premium beverages.

Breakfast · Discovery Walk · Dinner
Day 6

Taormina & its Ancient Theater

Discover Taormina with a local guide, including its elegant streets, piazzas and Ancient Theater.

Guided sightseeing · Breakfast
Day 7

Mt. Etna wine country & Savoca

Explore volcanic wine country and Savoca with local flavors, Etna wines and context connected to the village's film history.

Wine-country experience · Breakfast
Day 8

Taormina at leisure

Enjoy Taormina and the coast at your own pace.

Optional: Mt. Etna discovery or a Sicilian culinary experience, $270 per person. These experiences are not included in the land price.

Breakfast · Leisure time
Day 9

Depart Taormina

Breakfast is included if your schedule allows. Guests may request an optional transfer to Catania Airport (CTA) for $79 per person, based on a minimum of two guests.

Breakfast, schedule permitting
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What's Included

The details are handled. The islands still feel yours.

Verified inclusions are organized by the part of the Journey they support. Separately priced airfare and optional experiences remain clearly identified.

Tour Captain / Hosting

Hosted throughout

  • Dedicated Now Journey Tour Captain
  • Local English-speaking guides
  • Discovery Walks in major chapters
Accommodations

8 hotel nights

  • 4 nights in Sardinia
  • 4 nights in Taormina
  • Daily breakfast, subject to departure timing
Dining / Experiences

Island flavor

  • Welcome dinner in Sardinia
  • Hosted Sardinian apericena
  • Included Taormina dinner
  • Mt. Etna wine-country experience
Transportation

Nimble logistics

  • Included Sardinia arrival transfer
  • Planned tour transfers
  • Luggage handling
  • Sardinia-to-Sicily airfare arranged and priced separately

Dates & Prices

Choose your island season.

Prices are per person in US dollars, based on two guests sharing a room. International airfare is not included. Solo supplement: $3,689. A non-refundable $700 per person deposit is required at booking and is transferable for up to two years from the trip start date.

2026 departures Future departures
2027 departures 9-Day Journey
August 30–September 10
$8,979
Per person, double occupancy
Hosted by Managing Director Mark StoryRequest this departure

On-tour airfare, clarified

Required on-tour airfare for the 9-day edition is listed separately from the land tour price at $520 per person for the Sardinia-to-Sicily flight. With the $700 per person deposit, the booking-due total is $1,220 per person.

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Your Home in the Islands

Stay close to the Journey.

The listed hotels are collection examples and may be replaced with similar hand-selected 4- and 5-star properties. The photography below presents each destination setting and is not a guarantee of a specific property.

Sardinian coastal setting
Regional setting

Sardinia

Forte Village Resort Hotel il Castello, Borgo Smeraldo Resort & Villas, Conrad Chia Resort Sardinia, Gabbiano Azzurro, La Villa del Re, 7Pines Resort or similar.

Taormina destination setting
Regional setting

Taormina

Hotel Metropole, NH Taormina, Excelsior Palace or similar, with four nights and daily breakfast in Sicily.

Santorini destination setting
Optional finale setting

Santorini

Katikies Santorini, Atrina Canava 1984 or similar for the 12-day edition or optional Santorini extension.

Room upgrades and view categories may be requested with a Trip Specialist where available. Hotel room assignments are typically made around 60 days before the Journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

A few things travelers ask first.

The distinction between the 9-day core Journey and the optional Santorini finale stays clear throughout.

Where does the Journey begin?

The Journey begins in Sardinia. Cagliari Airport (CAG) is the primary airport noted in the itinerary; Olbia (OLB) may also be used for select arrival arrangements.

Is Santorini included?

On the 9-day edition, Santorini is optional. On the 12-day edition, Santorini is included as Chapter 3.

Is the Sardinia-to-Sicily flight included?

The flight is part of the arranged on-tour logistics, but the airfare amount is listed separately from the land tour price.

How active is this Journey?

Expect relaxed but real walking through towns, historic streets, uneven surfaces and coastal settings. Most sightseeing is paced with time to pause.

What airport should I use at the end?

The 9-day edition ends in Taormina, with optional transfer to Catania Airport (CTA). The 12-day edition ends in Santorini, with optional transfer to Santorini Airport (JTR).

How many guests are on tour?

Average group size is 8 to 12 guests, with a maximum of 16.

Ready to begin?

Ready to let the islands set the pace?

Ask a Journey Designer to compare the 9- and 12-day editions, talk through Santorini, or help you choose the departure that best fits.

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No obligation. Just a conversation about your Journey.