Few cities capture the soul of Sicily quite like Syracuse. Once one of the greatest powers of the ancient Greek world – a rival to Athens and the birthplace of Archimedes – it wears almost three thousand years of history with effortless grace. Its beating heart is Ortigia, a tiny island connected to the mainland by bridges, where honey-coloured Baroque palaces line a maze of sun-warmed lanes. Wander to the magnificent Piazza del Duomo, sip an espresso beside the freshwater spring of the Fonte Aretusa, browse the buzzing morning market, and watch the sea sparkle on every side.
Beyond Ortigia lies the Neapolis Archaeological Park, home to one of the largest Greek theatres ever built and the extraordinary cave known as the Ear of Dionysius. And with the base so perfectly placed in Sicily's south-east, some of the island's greatest treasures are within easy reach – the smoking summit of Mount Etna, the cliff-top elegance of Taormina, and the golden Baroque towns of the Val di Noto. By night, Ortigia comes alive with candlelit trattorias and the gentle rhythm of the evening passeggiata. It's atmospheric, romantic and utterly unforgettable – the perfect introduction to Sicily.
For the second half of your holiday you'll move to Sicily's north-west coast and the VOI Florio Resort, a relaxed beachfront hotel in the Magaggiari area of Cinisi. It's superbly placed: just 10 km (around 10 minutes) from Palermo's Falcone-Borsellino Airport, about 1 km from the lively seaside town of Terrasini, and roughly 34 km – some 40 minutes – from the heart of Palermo. The resort sits right on a fine golden sandy beach, with two freshwater pools, a wellness centre and spa, Mediterranean gardens and restaurants and bars, plus the cafés, trattorias and promenade of Terrasini within easy walking or driving distance.
If Syracuse is about discovery – history, culture and atmospheric evenings – Cinisi is about winding down. This is the relaxing beach half of the trip, where mornings can be spent exploring Palermo, Monreale and Cefalù and afternoons given over to the pool, the beach or the spa. With half-board dining and the sea on your doorstep, it's the perfect way to unwind after the touring, and its position by the airport makes for an effortless final morning before you fly home. Two very different stays, one unforgettable island: the cultural buzz of the south-east, and the beachfront ease of the north-west.
Your Resort Managers
Lynsey Mackay
My name is Lynsey and I have huge passion for both winter and summer sports, having worked for Topflight for over 10 years in Austria, France, Andorra and Italy. As an avid skier and snowboarder, you'll find me making the most of slopes during the winter months and in the summer I swap my skis for sandals to enjoy all that Lake Garda has to offer. I couldn’t possibly choose which season I prefer, I’ve skied since I was 5 years old and I can never get enough but there’s also something really magical about the spending the summer on Lake Garda.
Direct Return Flights
Return flights are included in your Topflight package price. Topflight have made sure that you have the best flying times available with generous baggage allowance included.
Return Direct Transfers to Your Hotel
All of our package holidays include transfers straight to your chosen hotel, so no need to worry about local taxis or trains! Upgrade to private transfers for a small extra charge.
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Unlike many other tour operators in the market, Topflight is a 100% Irish family-owned and operated business. We’re proudly promoting local jobs and supporting the Irish economy from our offices on Jervis Street.
Trusted by Irish holiday-makers for over 50 years
We have been trusted by Irish holidaymakers for over 50 years! We know how important it is to get your holiday right first time. We never take our customers for granted and we work hard to ensure this trust is well placed.