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From Rome to Sicily

11 days in Italy

Optional 3 day extension

Ancient theatre ruins framing a snow-capped volcano in Sicily on a Rome to Sicily student tour.
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OVERVIEW

Experience Italy beyond the mainland, moving from Rome’s icons to Sicily’s archaeological wonders

This tour connects Rome’s world-famous landmarks with the Mediterranean character and layered history of Sicily. Students begin in Rome with ancient icons. Then they travel south to Naples and cross the sea to Sicily, arriving in Palermo to explore cathedrals, palaces, and city life shaped by centuries of cultural crossroads. From Taormina’s ancient theater to Siracusa’s archaeological landscape, students see how Sicily expands the story of Italy beyond the mainland. The journey returns through Salerno and ends at Pompeii, where a guided visit through the preserved Roman streets brings the ancient world into sharp, unforgettable focus. By experiencing mainland Italy alongside Sicily, students develop a broader perspective on how place shapes culture, from art and architecture to food, language, and daily life.

Map of EF Educational Tours From Rome to Sicily tour

What you’ll do

Explore a sample itinerary

Day 1: Fly overnight to Italy

Due to national and/or religious holidays, some sites may be closed and your itinerary may be modified on the following dates in 2028: March 19, April 14-17, April 25, May 1, June 2, June 29. These dates fluctuate each year—please contact us for more information.

Board your international flight to Rome

Day 2: Rome

Meet your Tour Director at the destination airport

Day 3: Rome

Take a guided tour of Rome. With your expert local guide you will see:

  • Colosseum

  • Roman Forum

  • Capitoline Hill

Add this in-depth experience
Photography tour of Rome

Photography tour of Rome

Master the art of travel photography on a walking tour through Rome's most scenic streets. Join a professional photographer guide to learn essential techniques for lighting and composition while standing before iconic landmarks. Snap professional-quality images of the Eternal City, ensuring you return home with a stunning visual diary of your journey.

Day 4: Rome • Night ferry

  • Visit the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums

Enjoy time to explore St. Peter's Basilica on your own

Travel to Naples

Board a night ferry to Sicily

Day 5: Palermo • Taormina region

Take a guided tour of Palermo 

With your expert local guide you will:

  • See Palazzo dei Normanni and Cappella Palatina

  • Visit the Palermo Cathedral

  • Visit the Monreale Cathedral

Travel to the Taormina region

Day 6: Taormina region

Take a guided tour of Taormina.

With your expert local guide you will see:

  • Taormina Cathedral

  • Palazzo Corvaja

Visit the ancient theater of Taormina

Add this in-depth experience
Mount Etna

Mount Etna

Ascend Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano, on this breathtaking half-day excursion! Listen to commentary from your guide before enjoying free time to walk around the lava fields, take photos, and marvel at the views. Note: Comfortable walking shoes and a jacket are recommended.

Day 7: Taormina region • Siracusa

Take a day-trip to Siracusa

Take a guided excursion to Siracusa Archaeological Site

Day 8: Taormina region • Pizzo • Salerno

Travel to Messina

Return to mainland Italy via ferry

Travel to Pizzo

Take in Pizzo's stunning coastal view

Travel to Salerno

Day 9: Salerno

Add this in-depth experience
Amalfi Coast Day-Tour

Amalfi Coast Day-Tour

Drive along the winding roads of the stunningly beautiful Amalfi Coast. Today you will explore one of the Coast's iconic seaside villages. On your way back you'll stop at a local workshop to learn about the unique local agricultural traditions, yummy tastes included!

Day 10: Salerno • Pompeii • Rome

Take an excursion to Pompeii

Tour the ruins of Pompeii with an expert local guide

Travel to Rome

Day 11: Depart for home

Board your flight home from Rome

What makes this tour special?

Explore the magic of Sicily, from the cliffside charm of Taormina to the lively streets of Palermo, the island’s capital

Explore the magic of Sicily, from the cliffside charm of Taormina to the lively streets of Palermo, the island’s capital

Walk among ancient theaters, echoing quarries, and centuries‑old ruins at the Siracusa Archaeological Site

Walk among ancient theaters, echoing quarries, and centuries‑old ruins at the Siracusa Archaeological Site

Step into Pompeii, where daily life was paused in place when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD

Step into Pompeii, where daily life was paused in place when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD

All of our tours are powered by our proven EF Method

Learn more

Your experience includes

Airfare & transportation
Hotels
Regional-style meals
Guided sightseeing
Entrances
Full-time Tour Director
Expert Local Guides
Personalized Learning Support
Continuous Support
Worldwide Presence

Travelers save when you lead this tour before October 1, 2027

See 2027 pricing

Unlock your lowest price

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Payment plan options

Pay over time interest-free or pay all at once

Fundraising

Every traveler receives a no-fee donation page

Global Citizen Scholarship

Every year EF awards $100,000 to student travelers

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Frequently asked questions

Let’s unpack that

We’ll connect you with your personal Tour Consultant—someone who works with other teachers in your area and specializes in planning EF tours. They’ll walk you through this itinerary (along with other tours in our portfolio that match your curriculum or catch your eye), explain student pricing, and show you just how easy it is to partner with EF.

Once you decide to lead a tour, your Tour Consultant will help you get school administrators on board, students excited, and families ready to enroll. You’ll host an informational meeting to kick off the enrollment period, and we’ll provide everything you need—from a digital presentation to printed handouts, parent resources, and more.

You’ll have a dedicated Tour Director who will guide your group from the moment you land in your first destination until your final goodbye. They:

  • Take all the same transportation and stay in the same hotels as your group

  • Speak the local language (but lead the tour in English!)

  • Support you 24/7 as your right hand

  • Offer deep cultural context to help students feel connected to their destination

  • Handle all the logistics, so you don’t have to

  • Are the secret ingredient that makes your tour truly shine

Yes! You earn a free spot on tour as soon as six paying travelers enroll. For every additional six paying travelers, you earn another free spot for an adult chaperone of your choosing. For example, if 30 students sign up, that’s four free chaperone spots in addition to yours.

All travelers on international EF tours must have a valid passport. When it comes to documentation, every traveler and destination is different, so once your group starts enrolling, we’ll help direct you and your families to relevant resources.
 
Passports should have at least three blank pages and be valid for at least six months after your return date.

EF has set the standard for travel-based learning for over 60 years. Not only do our educational tours amplify the lessons you’re already exploring in your classroom, but they also help build more empathy, open-mindedness, confidence, and cross-cultural understanding.
 
Our educational philosophy, the EF Method, is built into every itinerary, so your students are immersed in a continuous journey of engaging, hands-on learning in real-world situations from the moment they step off the plane.

Yes! Plan to explore each destination primarily on foot, so be sure to pack your comfiest sneakers. You’ll have time to rest on the bus while traveling between cities and activities. If any travelers need accommodations, just let your EF Travel Team know in advance.

Every hotel your group stays in is required to meet EF’s rigorous standards for quality, safety, and cleanliness. (We have an entire team dedicated to ensuring that!) However, it’s important to remember that international hotels designed for student travel may feel a little different from what students are familiar with. For example, some hotels may not have an elevator. Rooms will have multiple single beds or shared double beds, and every room will have a private bathroom.

You’ll receive more detailed meal information closer to your tour, but here’s an overview of what to expect:

  • Daily breakfast is served continental-style at your hotel.

  • Most tours include daily group dinners, which take place at local restaurants (or your hotel) and feature a mix of familiar favorites and local dishes from a set menu.

  • Lunches are usually not included, but this varies by itinerary. If lunch isn’t included, this is the perfect opportunity for students to explore local markets and discover their new favorite food.

Travelers will share allergy or dietary information with EF after signing up, and we’ll help make the necessary accommodations.

We’re here to help! Start a live one-on-one chat with a team member.

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