Exploring Sicily Traveller Reviews

This was our sixth tour with Peter Sommer, which begins to sound like an addiction! People often ask us what was the highlight of the tour. However, we still cannot decide, as every day we were presented with extraordinary archaeological sites, often set in landscapes with amazing views, in terrain covered in wild flowers. As well as these field trips we visited notable churches and were able to see remains of ancient cultural items and even ships in well laid out museums. These experiences were interspersed with tempting meals featuring regional speciality dishes and a succession of local wines, some almost unknown outside Italy. What then of these daily highlights? Here are just six: walking among bronze-age rock-cut tombs and houses at Pantálica; entering through the florid Baroque portico of the Duomo, Syracusa’s ancient cathedral, to find ourselves surrounded by the huge pillars of the far older Greek temple of Athena; exploring the interior of the Villa Romana del Casale, a unique surviving imperial hunting lodge, with its astonishing mosaic floors, culminating in an amazing 60-metre long hunting scene; viewing the astonishing golden wall mozaics of the Norman cathedral of Monreale and the intricately carved capitals of its cloister; marvelling at the great Greek theatre at Taormina with its natural coastal backdrop; and, for contrast, hiking through the moon-like larva landscape of the upper slopes of Mt Etna. The list could go on and on! Among museum objects, the astonishing workmanship of the ornate ancient ceremonial silverware from the destroyed ancient city of Morgantina stood out. After seeing so many beautiful Greek cities that were destroyed in wars (sometimes multiple times), we were left with an abiding sense of the fragility and impermanence of human societies.

Despite our late arrival caused by airline delay, we were met at the airport and taken out to join the rest of the group for supper. The whole tour was managed by Paul Beston and Andrea Giardina with the usual calm efficiency and attention to detail which distinguishes Peter Sommer holidays. Paul brought to his guiding a wealth of unobtrusive scholarship and local knowledge based on careful and regularly updated reconnaissance and reading. Andrea communicated his passion for the land and culture of his beloved Sicily, pointing out many things we would otherwise have missed along the way. The combination of guided visits to sites, cities and selected museums helped us to build a composite picture of human cultures in Sicily from the Bronze age to the early modern period, with a particular focus on classical antiquity. Apposite quotations from ancient writers such as Thucidides and Cicero helped us to understand more of the life of the ancient city states and their eventual demise, through the eyes of contemporary observers. The selection of accommodation was always comfortable and especially appealing when staying in rural hotels surrounded by groves of fruit and olive trees. It would be hard to imagine a more enjoyable way to assimilate so much of the history of Sicily in such a short time.

A thirteen day circular tour of the island of Sicily and its many historic archaeological sites, museums, and architectural and natural landmarks, with expert guidance from a specialist in ancient history and an experienced local guide.

This is the second time we've booked with Peter Sommer, following an excellent trip to the Cyclades last year, and once again they came up trumps.

The tour exceeded all my expectations. The logistics were beautifully arranged. We never worried about a bag or a connection or an arrival time. The site selections were fantastic- we were treated to comprehensive tour of the most important sites of Grecian, Roman and early Christian Sicily. Our guide, Professor Olivier Henry delivered unmatched lectures. His lectures were thoughtful, challenging and very entertaining. Moreover, I discovered something else about Peter Sommers tours. They are a lot of fun. Our ground man Andrea Giardini loves Sicily and this shinned with the choices or restaurants and bistros at which we ate. Lunch and dinner were always wonderful and the addition to the tour of wine tastings, olive oil tasting and a chocolate tasting was inspired. Finally, on a Peter Sommers tour you travel with others who have a profound love of history. A day on a Peter Sommers tour ends with a beautiful dinner, good wine and rich conversation of the treasures viewed during the day.

The tour operator was outstanding. We begin from the fact that Mr. Sommer and his team love history. The itinerary for the Sicily tour reflects this passion. The professionalism of the Sommer team was unmatched, from managing my booking through the pandemic lockdown to handling all the unexpected travel events that confront us in this post pandemic year. The choice of our guides also reflected the passion and professionalism of Mr. Sommer. Professor Henry (professor archeology) is brilliant and engaging scholar, or groundman Andrea Giardini, was knowledgeable with wide ranging interests ranging from the natural wonders of Sicily, to food and wine, to local customs and traditions. I felt secure on my tour. Our team was very well trained and very safety conscious. I will take another Peter Sommer tour.

Trip around Sicily viewing archaeological sites and tasting Sicilian cuisine and wines

We were looked after extremely well, guided carefully and with great information about all the sites we visited and food we ate.

Comprehensive small group archeological and gourmet tour of Sicily

Looked after all details of the tour extremely well, including going out of their way to help with a medical issue.

A fantastic holiday, the entertaining and knowledgeable guides made the history come alive and did an excellent job in explaining Sicily's complex past. The historical sites were all amazing and beautifully scenic with abundant wild flowers. All the accommodation was very good and the food everywhere was exceptional.

Excellent throughout. Everything was organised well and the guides were brilliant .

A wonderful opportunity to visit ancient archaeological sites with well informed guides who took us through over 2000 years of history, along with staying in amazing places and eating amazing food

Very professional and easy to deal with. The organisation was impressive with great attention to detail. The standard in everything was very high.

We spent two weeks exploring Greek, Roman, Norman, and Byzantine sites and learning about the many layers of culture in Sicily. The experience was fantastic! Our expert guides led us through Sicily's history, beginning with its pre-historic sites and taking us through subsequent layers of culture through Greek, Roman, Norman, Byzantine, and European conquests.

Peter Sommer. com has a great staff. Because it is a small organization, we knew who to contact as we were planning the trip. When Covid reared its ugly head again in the winter and we were contemplating cancelling, Peter himself called to talk to us about the situation. We are so glad we went. Tour guides were fantastic and the whole experience was very enjoyable.

Exploring Sicily was beautifully planned for the seriously curios traveler. We enjoyed historical and archeological experiences, enhanced by samplings of local foods and wines. Our lecturer Tony Spawforth was a true scholar who disseminated information with wit and charm. Our Sicilian guide Lucia was professionally organized and attuned to the needs of individual travelers, and as a bonus, was historically very knowledgeable. Our accommodations were lovely and cleverly chosen. We were inspired to continue study of Sicilian history. This was the best tour we’ve ever taken.

See above

This was my first time to Sicily. The travel experience exceeded my expectations. The guides, one local and one an historian, provided rich, informative and delightful narrative about this wonderful county, it’s people, and its culture. The depth of cultural appreciation and respect for traveler and the travel experience was reflected in the choice of guides and itinerary and accommodations. I have led many a tour group myself. I am aware of what goes into planning and delivering. Peter Sommer obviously has developed professional relationships and partners who share in the commitment to provide the best opportunity for exploring the culture and history of a place. Our group gelled wonderfully from the beginning. I think a reflection of the care we were provided and the level of excellence in all aspects of the trip. And it was fun! Our guides were not only professional and informed they were funny and spirited and caring. I not only gained insight and understanding about Sicily that reflects its character and soul but my experience in general with the guides and fellow travelers is one that is memorable and that I am grateful I did not miss. I will seek out Peter Sommer Travel again. My holiday experience was terrific.

Peter Sommer Travels provided a rich and thoughtful experience for exploring Sicily. The itinerary and accommodations were chosen with care. Travelers were given a wonderful and in depth introduction to Sicily and its history and excellent accommodations whether in beautiful country settings or urban. Hospitality and love of cultural place and people wove together to provide a travel experience that was educational, pleasurable, and reflected care for the country and care for the travelers. I highly recommend Peter Sommer Travel. You can trust them to design and deliver a travel experience that will be a highlight of a lifetime.