Sicily Classics & Ancient History School Trips & Tours
Until the 20th century, Sicily was the crossroads of the Mediterranean – Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Normans and Moors all passed through and left their mark. Our tailor-made itineraries, supported by an accompanying courier, will allow classics school trip pupils to compare the lifestyles and architectural styles of each of these civilisations. Contact us for more information on our trips to Sicily, or alternatively view the rest of our Italy school trips.
Prices start from£839pp
Price Shown includes
- 5 day package including 4 nights’ half board accommodation
- Return flights & overseas airport transfers
- Excursions to Palermo, Monreale, Segesta, Selinunte, Valley of the Temples of Agrigento, Piazza Armerina including the Villa Romana del Casale, Taormina and associated coach transportation
- Services of a Tour Escort throughout your visit
- Extensive group travel insurance
- 1 in 10 free place ratio
Price shown is based on 40 paying passengers departing from a London airport and is subject to availability.
On-tour support
On-tour support includes...
- Airport assistance during check-in, security and gate checks on your outbound flight from the UK
- Airport assistance when you arrive back at your UK airport when you book a coach transfer to take you home
- Services of a Tour Escort
Additional on-tour support available...
- Services of a Local Guide
Accommodation
Popular options in Sicily
5 day Sicily package includes
Sicily Day One
Morning: Arrive at Palermo Airport
Afternoon: Tour of city and check-in to accommodation
Evening: Evening meal
Overnight: Palermo
Sicily Day Two
Morning & afternoon: Full day guided excursion to Palermo and Monreale
Evening: Evening meal
Overnight: Palermo
Palermo
In this beautiful and historic capital the classical tradition can be followed in the mosaics of the Norman Palatine Chapel and the cathedral of Monreale made by Byzantine craftsmen. Visit the church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti and pay a visit to the Archaeological Museum with its intriguing Selinunte finds.
Sicily Day Three
Morning: Visit to Segesta
Afternoon: Visit to town of Selinunte
Evening: Evening meal
Overnight: Agrigento
Segesta
Take your group to one of the best preserved Greek archaeological sites. Examine the unfinished Greek temple alone on the hillside with its columns still unfluted and lifting bosses still in place. A well-preserved Hellenistic theatre is also here which can be reached via a short shuttle bus ride.
Selinunte
Selinunte has one of the earliest and one of the largest Greek temples. One temple has been helpfully reconstructed to enable students to visualise the site. The quarries at Rocca di Cusa provide evidence for how the stones for the temples were cut from the rock.
Sicily Day Four
Morning: Visit to the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento
Afternoon: Visit to Piazza Armerina including the Villa Romana del Casale.
Evening: Evening meal
Overnight: Giardini Naxos
Agrigento
Classicists can examine the remarkable Valley of the Temples. The Archaeological museum set among the remains of Roman and Hellenistic ruins contains one of the giant telamones from the temple of Zeus. A comfortable overnight base before continuing to Noto, Sicily’s ‘Baroque City’.
Piazza Armerina
Famous for its Roman mosaics in the Villa Romana del Casale, the town also has a range of significant architecture.
Giardini Naxos is a popular seaside resort with many churches and archaeological park where groups like to spend some free time.
Giardini Naxos
Giardini Naxos is a popular seaside resort with many churches and archaeological park where groups like to spend some free time.
Sicily Day Five
Morning & afternoon: Optional visit to Taormina before transferring to Catania airport for flight home
More popular visits available
Ortygia Island
Visit the Temple of Apollo and view the harbour where the Athenian fleet came to grief in 413BC. The cathedral, originally a temple to the goddess Athena, can also be visited and will show students how a sacred site has developed over time. The Arethusa Fountain is also a popular site for our groups to visit.
Syracusa
A city rich in Greek history where groups can enjoy a three-hour guided tour. See the archaeological park containing a large Greek theatre, a Roman amphitheatre and some of the ancient quarries where Athenian survivors of the Sicilian expedition were imprisoned. The Ear of Dionysius and Archimedes’ tomb can also be visited. A local guided tour option is available.
Taormina
A medieval town popular with tourists. Visit the Greek theatre reconstructed in the second century AD with its unforgettable view of Mount Etna.
Educational resources
Classical Resources Pack for Sicily
Your group will receive a copy of our exclusive Classical Studies educational resource pack for Sicily. These packs have been created by our Classics Advisor, Gill Greef, and focus on the classical relevance of all the key sites you’ll visit to really enhance your group’s tour and also act as a pre-visit planning aid.
Click here to view a sample
Transport
We can arrange for your group to fly from a range of UK airports and we’ll work with you to plan your route at the best value possible.
Flight
Giving you full support throughout
Before your tour
- Your own dedicated NST contact
- Bespoke tour itineraries
- Unrivalled local knowledge & expertise
- Curriculum linked visit programmes
- Great value for money - no hidden costs
- Free group leader inspection visits
- Risk assessment guidance
- Safety assured, transport, accommodation and visits
Whilst you're away
- Free educational resources
- Group-friendly accommodation
- Exceptional standards of coaching
- On-tour support from our reps on the ground
- Support & assistance from our specialists throughout your tour
- 24/7 support just a call away
- Extensive group travel insurance
On your return
- Priority rebooking services
- Rewarding your loyalty with our reward scheme
- You say, we listen - we're committed to continuously improving our tours
- School travel company of choice since 1967
Expert's comment
“For pupils of Greek architecture, Sicily offers some of the best preserved temples; for pupils of Greek and Ancient History the events of 413BC can be re-lived in a visit to Syracusa, and for pupils of Latin, nothing can compare to the mosaics of the villa at Piazza Armerina.”
Gill Greef, Classics Advisor