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CICERONI Travel

Sicily Ancient & Modern Traveller Reviews

Reviews of Sicily Ancient & Modern

Overall Holiday Rating
100%
Excellent 11
Good 0
Average 0
Poor 0
Terrible 0
Reviews Submitted: 11
Reviews Accepted: 11
Reviews Rejected: 0
11 reviews
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Sicily Ancient & Modern by William, 1 Nov 2017
Holiday Rating:

Excellent

The tour was well planned and conveyed expert information in a very accessible manner.. I feel I learnt a great deal about the history, art and architecture of Sicily in a relatively short time. I particularly enjoyed the inspections of private homes and the hospitality we received there.

The tour was well planned and conveyed expert information in a very accessible manner.. I feel I learnt a great deal about the history, art and architecture of Sicily in a relatively short time. I particularly enjoyed the inspections of private homes and the hospitality we received there.

Rating for tour operator:

This is my second tour with Ciceroni and I am looking forward to my next. I certainly recommend this company to others. Expert, well organised, friendly.

Sicily Ancient & Modern by Mrs H F 17, 25 Oct 2017
Holiday Rating:

Informative and enjoyable

it was an excellent tour covering three destinations in Sicily and allowing the group to encounter Greek, Roman, Byzantine,and Baroque art and architecture all in the space of 10 days

it was an excellent tour covering three destinations in Sicily and allowing the group to encounter Greek, Roman, Byzantine,and Baroque art and architecture all in the space of 10 days

Rating for tour operator:

Knowledgeable and efficient

Sicily Ancient & Modern by Tony B, 25 Oct 2017
Holiday Rating:

Excellent in every way

I was a member of a group of 23 visiting some of Sicily’s cultural, archeological and architectural attractions. We were guided by two experienced and knowledgeable leaders, staying in three centres over 10 days, in excellent hotels. The itinerary included Phoenician, Greek and Roman sites including Greek temples second only to the Parthenon, amazing Roman as well as Christian/Islamic mosaics and some incredible ancient artefacts in museums...

I was a member of a group of 23 visiting some of Sicily’s cultural, archeological and architectural attractions. We were guided by two experienced and knowledgeable leaders, staying in three centres over 10 days, in excellent hotels. The itinerary included Phoenician, Greek and Roman sites including Greek temples second only to the Parthenon, amazing Roman as well as Christian/Islamic mosaics and some incredible ancient artefacts in museums. The tour was well paced, with some free time almost each day, wonderful food and wine. A bonus was excellent weather. A memorable experience in every way and I have already booked with the same travel company for a tour in 2018.

Rating for tour operator:

A small company, specialising in cultural interests, with the co-owner leading many of them. The eye for detail was impressive, from booking right through to post-tour review. The travel arrangements were thorough, the information about the places visited superb and the day-to-day helpfulness (each day’s arrangements, ideas for eating when not provided and friendly after-hours moments) was first class.

Sicily Ancient & Modern by Mr R S 16, 18 Nov 2016
Holiday Rating:

An outstanding cultural experience

Our resident guide and leader was, as usual, outstanding and the local guides very informative. The administrative arrangements could not have ben bettered. A very varied and interesting tour which gave a telling insight into the history and culture of Sicily throughout it's long history, from early man to the present day.

Our resident guide and leader was, as usual, outstanding and the local guides very informative. The administrative arrangements could not have ben bettered. A very varied and interesting tour which gave a telling insight into the history and culture of Sicily throughout it's long history, from early man to the present day.

Rating for tour operator:

A very reliable and respected tour company which organises very high Quality cultural tours. The tour administration is particularly efficient.

Sicily Ancient & Modern by Susie, 14 Nov 2016
Holiday Rating:

Hugely informative and enjoyable 10 days looking at the treasures of Sicily

It was inspiring to be guided through some of the many wonderful sights of Sicily by Tom Duncan and James Hill of Ciceroni. It is a very big island to look at in 10 days but they gave us a fascinating selection of cities, cathedrals, oratorios, chapels, palaces, temples, ancient theatres, museums to look at. We stayed in Palermo, Agrigento and Syracusa. They took us to excellent restaurants; we dined in palazzios; we stayed in good hotels and ...

It was inspiring to be guided through some of the many wonderful sights of Sicily by Tom Duncan and James Hill of Ciceroni. It is a very big island to look at in 10 days but they gave us a fascinating selection of cities, cathedrals, oratorios, chapels, palaces, temples, ancient theatres, museums to look at. We stayed in Palermo, Agrigento and Syracusa. They took us to excellent restaurants; we dined in palazzios; we stayed in good hotels and we learnt a lot about Sicilian history. We were looked after extremely well and had some time to ourselves to gives our brains and feet a rest.

Rating for tour operator:

Ciceroni do everything to an extremely high standard. Tom Duncan and James Hill are both hugely knowedgable about Sicily and James is a fluent Italian speaker. They use the bus rides to give us a lot of information about the places we are about to visit, and also about the history of these places and contemporary life in Sicily so we returned home with a much clearer knowedge of the island, its people and its long and varied history. They are both very entertaining, which helps a lot and they take us to places that one couldn't get into on one's own account.

Sicily Ancient & Modern by Cary, 13 Nov 2016
Holiday Rating:

A fascinating visit to a beautiful island

This was a marvellous tour of the beautiful island of Sicily in the company of an excellent and knowledgeable lecturer. Good accommodation, good food and wine and good company made for a special holiday expertly organised. There was the added bonus of privileged access to private palaces. I could not have enjoyed it more.

This was a marvellous tour of the beautiful island of Sicily in the company of an excellent and knowledgeable lecturer. Good accommodation, good food and wine and good company made for a special holiday expertly organised. There was the added bonus of privileged access to private palaces. I could not have enjoyed it more.

Rating for tour operator:

Our tour operator was efficient and at all times courteous. Any query was dealt with speedily and there were no pressing buttons in order to reach people. The lecturers spoke well and were on top of their subjects. I cannot recommend them more highly and will certainly travel with them again.

Sicily Ancient & Modern by Ricardo, 7 Nov 2016
Holiday Rating:

Attention to every detail if needed.

Ciceroni arranged a succession of wonderful places in Sicily for us to visit, always accompanied by our two superb Ciceroni guides. We had an emergency medical problem (GRRR!)and they showed their excellence by helping us resolve it totally satisfactorily without any delay or fuss. That is what you want when it really matters.

Ciceroni arranged a succession of wonderful places in Sicily for us to visit, always accompanied by our two superb Ciceroni guides. We had an emergency medical problem (GRRR!)and they showed their excellence by helping us resolve it totally satisfactorily without any delay or fuss. That is what you want when it really matters.

Rating for tour operator:

Our third holiday with Ciceroni. They remain our first choice for cultural hoidays.

Sicily Ancient & Modern by Lara, 12 May 2014
Holiday Rating:

Complex Crossroads: Sicily Ancient and Modern

A ten day tour of Sicily staying in Palermo, Agrigento and Syracuse. We learned about the settlers from the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Normans and present day citizens. We saw Greek Temples, Roman Villas, Norman Churches and palaces with magnificent Byzantine mosaics and Baroque buildings and remarkable Palazzos.. A group of 26 like minded people whose company we enjoyed during the day and at group lunches and evening meals. We also ...

A ten day tour of Sicily staying in Palermo, Agrigento and Syracuse. We learned about the settlers from the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Normans and present day citizens. We saw Greek Temples, Roman Villas, Norman Churches and palaces with magnificent Byzantine mosaics and Baroque buildings and remarkable Palazzos.. A group of 26 like minded people whose company we enjoyed during the day and at group lunches and evening meals. We also had time to explore on our own and find hidden away trattorias and wonderful ice-creams!

Rating for tour operator:

Ciceroni is an extremely professional company run by Tom Duncan and his talented team. I cannot recommend Tom more highly for his extraordinary knowledge of all the places that we visited and the history of the region. The Tour manager, James Hill, got us from place to place seamlessly and if there were problems we were not aware of any

Sicily Ancient & Modern by JERM, 8 May 2014
Holiday Rating:

Sicily Ancient and Modern Crossroads

Once again an excellent cultural tour of 9 days with some 22 clients covering all the major historic sites in Sicily by coach . Stayed in 3 high standard hotels across the Island, and had very safe driver. Guided tours every day of very high intellectual quality either by good local guides of by tour leader Dr Duncan who is an art historian ably assisted by his resident tour manager who lives in Italy and commented on modern Italy. Most meals ...

Once again an excellent cultural tour of 9 days with some 22 clients covering all the major historic sites in Sicily by coach . Stayed in 3 high standard hotels across the Island, and had very safe driver. Guided tours every day of very high intellectual quality either by good local guides of by tour leader Dr Duncan who is an art historian ably assisted by his resident tour manager who lives in Italy and commented on modern Italy. Most meals were included, except some lunches and 2 dinners, and all were in carefully selected restaurants of consistently high standard. One of the best of several holidays I have had with Ciceroni Travel.

Rating for tour operator:

Ciceroni Travel is a small specialist company providing top quality art history tours across Europe, Middle East,North Africa and USA. Most are led by Dr Tom Duncan , a very experienced art historian, or by other carefully chosen lecturers of high calibre. The groups are usually 22 - 25 clients and Ciceroni lecturers use latest wireless headset technology which enables clients to walk around sites while hearing commentary clearly and also ensures no disturbance for groups. All administrative arrangements are very efficiently handled by Stephen Brooks and his staff at Ciceroni.

Sicily Ancient & Modern by Bangorian, 7 May 2014
Holiday Rating:

Excellent food for the mind and body combined with the guides' witty and informative expertise made for a stunning ten days.

We stayed in three equally well-appointed hotels in Sicily - in Palermo, Agrigento and Syracuse in order to explore the island's historical and cultural gems from Doric temples to Christian cathedrals - and one in Syracuse that included both. The sun sparkled and so did the cathedrals' mosaics. Those in the Roman Villa were impressive, but the hordes of tourists - unfortunately there were two Bank Holidays during our stay -slightly impaired ...

We stayed in three equally well-appointed hotels in Sicily - in Palermo, Agrigento and Syracuse in order to explore the island's historical and cultural gems from Doric temples to Christian cathedrals - and one in Syracuse that included both. The sun sparkled and so did the cathedrals' mosaics. Those in the Roman Villa were impressive, but the hordes of tourists - unfortunately there were two Bank Holidays during our stay -slightly impaired one's vision and appreciation. As ever, on Ciceroni Tours, the private, uncluttered visits and really excellent meals in superb restaurants provided many highlights. In such good company it was easy to make friends with convivial members of the tour party.

Rating for tour operator:

The fact that this was my ninth Ciceroni tour testifies to my appreciation of the expertise of its leaders, generously and wittily shared with us in talks given both on our coach and in front of the cultural artefacts we'd come to see. The intellectual and culinary stimulation was superb.