Family Sicily Multi-Activity Adventure

Family Sicily Multi-Activity Adventure

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8 Days From

$2170

Family Sicily Multi-Activity Adventure

8 Days Starting in Palermo and ending in Catania

Visiting: Palermo, Parco Avventura Madonie, Mount Etna, Linguaglossa, Alcantara River Park, Isola Bella, Taormina, Francavilla di Sicilia, Catania

Tour operator:

Explore!

Tour code:

FSI

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 20

Physical rating:

Moderate

Age range:

11-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Meat, Vegans

Tour operated in:

English
From: $2170

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Prepare for fun on our thrilling active family holiday to Sicily. From sea kayaking to snorkelling and climbing to archery, each day is a new adventure. Hike the slopes of Mount Etna, learn how to make gnocchi and spend a night sleeping in a tree tent - all while soaking up the azure waters of the Ionian Sea and sampling some of the best gelato in the world.

Mount Etna - Explore the lava fields and volcanic rock formations of Mount Etna on a walk up the volcano.

Palermo - Stay in Sicily's captivating capital and learn how to make pasta and gnocchi.

Madonie Adventure Park - Try out zip lines, tree climbing and archery and then stay in a tree tent.

Teen adventure - This tour has a minimum age of 11 years old.

Highlights

  • Weeklong multi-activity family holiday in Sicily

  • Tree tent stay, zip lines, climbing and archery at Madonie Adventure Park

  • Cook pasta and master gnocchi making in Sicily's capital, Palermo

Itinerary

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Day 1: Join Trip In Palermo

Location: Palermo

Accommodation: Hotel, San Paolo Palace

Accommodation Name: San Paolo Palace Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Our trip starts today in Palermo, Sicily's capital with a rich tapestry of Greek, Roman, Islamic and Byzantine culture all merging into a fascinating mix of architecture and customs.



Due to a number of flights arriving late today, our tour leader will meet you tomorrow morning (Day 2) at 8am for the welcome meeting. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Palermo at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Palermo's Falcone-Borsellino International Airport (PMO), which is around a 45-minute drive from the airport.



Please note that a full dinner is served up until 9pm. If you're arriving later than this, we can arrange for a cold platter to be provided.



If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to visit the Gothic Cathedral with its extensive mosaics and beautiful cloisters. To get away from the summer heat the Botanical gardens are also well worth a visit. The city centre is compact with a network of narrow streets and expansive piazzas with a great choice of places to eat. Palermo is well known for its colourful and bustling open-air markets with a wide range of food on offer from pane e panelle (a Sicilian sandwich stuffed with chickpeas) or a wholesome bowl of homemade, fresh spaghetti with sundried tomatoes, olives, capers and topped with breadcrumbs. Most restaurants also offer kids' menus.

Day 2: Full Day Exploring Palermo. Cookery Lesson Preparing Pasta And Gnocchi

Location: Palermo

Accommodation: Hotel, San Paolo Palace

Accommodation Name: San Paolo Palace Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overlooking the azure waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Palermo is one of Sicily's cultural and historic highlights, combining influences from the Greeks, Byzantines, and Romans. We'll spend the day exploring some of its treasures today, stopping off at the Piazza Marina to visit Villa Garibaldi - a small garden set amidst some of Palermo's best-known historic buildings.



This afternoon, we'll enjoy a cookery lesson, putting our culinary skills to the test to make pasta and gnocchi. At the end of the class, we'll eat what we've cooked - it's a great opportunity for the whole family to get involved!

Day 3: Madonie Adventure Park Including Zip Lines And Archery. Stay Overnight In Tree Tents

Location: Parco Avventura Madonie

Accommodation: Adventure Park Madonie

Accommodation Name: Adventure Park Madonie

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast this morning, we'll drive for two hours to the Madonie Adventure Park for a full day amongst the wooded landscapes near Petralia Sottana.



It'll be an action-packed day testing out all the park has to offer. You can choose to brave the assault course through the trees, with zip-lines, rope ladders and 'Tibetan bridges' or try your hand at archery, tree climbing and 'Power fan' (which involves free-falling from high platforms whilst attached to a safety harness).



Please note that throughout the trip you'll need to be well prepared for activities and wearing appropriate footwear. For today, we also recommend cycling gloves for the high-wire course. Refer to the equipment and clothing section for full details.



Tonight, we'll stay in the forest. There are five tree tents within the trees set about six meters off the ground. The tents can accommodate three people each and there are another five tents positioned on platforms at ground level for those wanting to sleep nearer the forest floor. The area is illuminated at night and there are toilets close by.

Day 4: Full Day In Etna Land Water Theme Park

Location: Mount Etna

Accommodation: Hotel, D'Orange D'alcantara

Accommodation Name: Hotel Mareneve Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Pack your swimsuits, water shoes, sunscreen, and goggles today as we head to the island's largest water theme park. The award-winning water park boasts over 14 slides including; The Black Hole (guests are seated on a two-person dinghy that slides through a dark and twisting tunnel), Jungle Splash (using a 20-seater boat with a drop of 30 meters towards the splash zone below), Hydro and Dark Kamikaze slides (both with drops so steep your back doesn't touch the slide), Twin Twister (four slides linked together over 120 meters) and Rafting River with (a four-person dinghy that slides right into the pool). The Wave Pool, the largest in Europe, comes to life every hour for splashing fun.



You can take a break from the excitement by enjoying a relaxing float around the Lazy River or at the Blue Lagoon, an oasis of rocks and waterfalls, too. Plus there's a Hydro Pool where you can enjoy a hydro massage after the full-on fun of the past few days.



Please note that some attractions have height restrictions up to 1.4 metres high.

Day 5: Ascend The Slopes Of Mount Etna

Location: Linguaglossa

Accommodation: Hotel, D'Orange D'alcantara

Accommodation Name: Hotel Mareneve Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

One of the highlights of our week is our visit to the slopes of Mount Etna, the highest volcano in Europe (3,330 meters) and one of the largest in the world.



We'll drive up the mountain this morning, passing through citrus groves and beech woods to Linguaglossa Rovittello where we'll taste a selection of dairy products and salami. We'll continue to Curva Sparita which is where the lava flow of 2002/2003 engulfed a part of the old road to Mareneve before arriving in Piano Provenzana (1,800 metres) where there is the opportunity to view photographs of previous eruptions that have been taken by a local well-known photographer. We'll continue by foot along a path that goes up to the crater of the Northeast side of the volcano to an altitude of about 2,300 metres, stopping off at an old Bottoniera (numerous craters formed in 1923 including the longest one on the volcano) where we'll also stop for lunch. We'll continue the walk for around 90 minutes returning to Piano Provenzana where we'll meet our transport and visit a volcanic cave which is one of more than 200 caves in the area (1,750 metres). Afterwards, we'll return to our hotel by bus.

Day 6: Explore Alcantara Gorge. Afternoon Sea Kayak In Isole Ciclopi Marine Park

Location: Alcantara River Park

Accommodation: Hotel, D'Orange D'alcantara

Accommodation Name: Hotel Mareneve Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We'll spend today exploring the landscapes that lie along the Alcantara River. Carved from basalt rock, the gorge drops down over 50 meters, following the course of the river and providing us with some stunning but short walking trails. We'll hike up to the Terrace of Venus this morning, before continuing along the Gorge Trail to view the surreal monoliths of lava that lie strewn across the valley floor. Our walk will cover 2 kilometres/1.2 miles and take around one hour.



After lunch, we'll travel to Aci Castello where we'll sea kayak along a guided course exploring the protected marine park of Isole Ciclopi for a few hours, including a circumnavigation of the towering sea rocks of the Faraglioni di Actirezza. Life jackets, tuition and auto-draining two or three-seater kayaks are provided.

Day 7: Visit The Ancient Theatre At Taormina With Fine Views Of Mt Etna. Rib Boat To Isola Bella Marine Park For Snorkelling

Location: Isola Bella, Taormina

Accommodation: Hotel, D'Orange D'alcantara

Accommodation Name: Hotel Mareneve Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we'll travel the short distance to Taormina, Sicily's most famous resort. Once a haven for the likes of D. H Lawrence and Oscar Wilde, Taormina is still a popular tourist destination. After a walk around the beautiful town, with its pretty medieval churches and charming streets, it's easy to understand why. We'll visit the Greek Theatre with a local guide. The snow-capped Mount Etna acts as a spectacular backdrop to the remarkably preserved columned stage and it's easy to see why this is possibly the most famous view in all of Sicily - it makes for a superb photograph. After our tour, there's free time to walk amidst magnolia, hibiscus, and bougainvillea trees. We recommend taking a stroll down one of Taormina's side streets where you'll find quaint, local bars and restaurants for lunch that are less busy than in the centre.



This afternoon, we'll drive to Naxos to pick up snorkelling gear. Heading out into the Mediterranean on a rib boat, we'll visit the Isola Bella Marine Park and snorkel in two spots, the Blue Cave Bay and Isola Bella South Side. Snorkelling equipment is provided including fins, mask, snorkel, wet suit and life jacket.

Day 8: Trip Ends In Linguaglossa

Location: Francavilla di Sicilia, Catania

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in the village of Linguaglossa.



There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Linguaglossa at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Catania Airport (CTA), which is around a 1 hour and 15-minute drive from our hotel.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

  • All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)

  • Fully Guided

  • Meals – Breakfast Only

  • 7 dinners

What's Not Included

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • Country Entry Visas

Why Book this Tour

This is an epic adventure with lots going on and activities a plenty - from spending the day in a water park that boasts a kamikaze slide to staying in a tree tent - this is no ordinary holiday. We will be mountain biking, walking through gorges, sea kayaking, snorkelling and walking on the slopes of Mount Etna plus trying out pizza making - a great adventure for all the family and for any capability.

Meals

Breakfasts: 7
Dinners: 7

Videos

Check out our Q&As

  • I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?

    It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.

  • Should I get travel insurance?

    Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.

  • Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?

    Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.

  • What is the accommodation like?

    We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.

  • Do I need to be very fit to book with you?

    All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o

  • Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel

    It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.

Reviews of this operator

Feefo Rated Customer  

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02-Nov-2021

' Excellent trip with a mixture of easy riding days, mixed with great scenary ' The trip was excellently organised by the group leader. The accommodation was very good throughout the trip. The bikes were ideal for this trip.

Gemma Jackson  

Peru Encompassed - spectacular trip

02-Jan-2023

I booked for my husband and I to go on the Peru Encompassed trip with the 3 day Amazon extension trip tagged on the end, we also booked to go to Lima few days early to get over the jetlag and see something of Lima before setting off on the group trip. Everything was booked for us by Explore! with seamless ease and without any hitches. This was the first time I had booked onto an organised trip so I was a bit concerned it might not be for us. How wrong I was. We were a group of 9, ranging from 30s to 60s, and a mixture of couples and singles and different nationalities. As a group we gelled really well and chose to spend most of our free time together which made the trip great fun. As for the trip itself, it surpassed all expectations. The Peru Encompassed trip was superb. I don't think any other country offers so much culture, wildlife, specular scenery and amazing food, all of which we experienced in abundance on the trip. We had a local tour guide for the whole trip who was fantastic and then expert guides joined us on different legs of the journey. We learned so much as a result. The highlights for me were visiting the local market in Arequipa with our guide and sampling lots of different fruit and street foods, the day on Lake Titicaca and of course Machu Picchu itself. We booked an additional trip to go back ourselves the second morning which was great as we could do a different route around the ruins and get different views from the afternoon before. Our final highlight was the additional 3 day trip to the Amazon staying at the Hacienda Conception. The lodges were immersed in the jungle which was wonderful if noisy! the food was fab and the daily trips provided were excellent. It was a great relaxing way to end the trip although it did rain quite a bit. Both my husband and I said our trip to Peru was one of the best trips we have ever done.

Trustpilot
Ms D Brown  

Excellent company

07-Dec-2022

Excellent company, there are so many trips, you really get looked after. Everything is dealt with by your Tour Leader, all logistics are taken care of and usually things go smoothly, I only use explore because I know what to expect each time, that makes me happy, with a stress free holiday

Trustpilot
Stephen  

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08-Nov-2021

Very well organised tour. Brilliant Tour Leader who went out of her way to make sure everyone was happy and enjoyed the trip. The Azores are an incredible location with amazing scenery and good food.

Barbara in Beckenham  

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05-Nov-2021

' Steina was a great guide - full of information made the trip so interesting ' Everything was just perfect - just as I had hoped - except the Northern lights were a no show!

1 Select your preferred date

Saturday - Saturday

Jul 26, 2025 - Aug 02, 2025
$2170

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Explore! allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 70 days before the start of the tour.

  • Low Deposit

    Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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