We're thinking of going to Sicily this coming May with 2 older family members. For a number of reasons (age primarily) we're looking into guided tours. So far we've narrowed it down to two - Insight and Perillo. They're both 9 days but Insight offers a 3 day extension to Malta.

Has anyone ever taken either of these tours? Any opinions?

TIA,

Fran

Did you also look at Rick Steves? Here's a trip report of his tour in Sicily. The first few days are independent before she joins the tour.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ing-sicily.cfm

Rick Steve's tours are not for octogenarians. You have to be able to carry your luggage up 4 flights of stairs and stand for hours and sleep in the street. Well, maybe not sleep in the street, but the rest is verbatim off his web site.

When I said older I didn't mean people in their '30s. I meant in their '80s.

Rick exaggerates a bit, although you do need to be in reasonable shape. But a number of older people do go on his tours. You might find the tour feedback on his website interesting. (Thanks for the link to my TR, kybourbon!)

I would urge you to look at spending some time on your own as well as on the tour, nine days is really too short for all Sicily has to offer, and public transport can get you to places like Erice, which is a wonderful place to explore on your own.

This posting does not answer the question above, but is offered as an aid to those who prefer using public transportation rather than organized tours:

Ever dreamed of doing a full circle tour of Sicily, along the coastlines, AT YOUR OWN PACE AND SCHEDULE, and without being tied to a package tour?

It can certainly be done (it's quite easy), and you DON'T need to rent a car either. Here are some ideas of how to do it using public transportation exclusively:

From Palermo to Messina: you have the choice of the train or the bus. About three hours by either method. www.ferroviedellostato.com; bus alternate: www.saisautolinee.it. Get off at Milazzo for the Aeolian Islands.

From Messina to Siracusa: the train is the only efficient choice, as you would need to take three different buses and transfer in both Taormina and Catania. Under three hours by train.

From Siracusa to Gela: the train is faster than the bus. You pass through Avola, Noto, Rosolini, Ispica, Pozzallo (catamarans to Malta), Scicli, Modica, Ragusa, Comiso, and Vittoria. This is really out-of-the-way Sicily. Three and one half hours to Gela. Bus alternate: www.aziendasicilianatrasporti.it

From Gela (bus to Piazza Armerina, Enna and Palermo) to Agrigento: here you must take the bus (1 hour, 45 mins). Be aware that there is much more frequent service out of Licata (one hour to Agrigento), and NO SERVICE on Sunday. www.autolineesal.it

From Agrigento (bus or train to Palermo; bus to Caltanissetta and Catania) to Trapani: here you also must take the bus. Three and one-half to four hours to get all the way to Trapani, passing though Ribera, Sciacca, Castelvetrano (bus for Selinunte), Mazara del Vallo and Marsala. Only one bus on Sunday. www.autolineelumia.it

From Trapani (gateway to Egadi Islands, Erice, San Vito Lo Capo and Pantelleria Island) to Palermo: the bus (under two hours) is faster and much more frequent than the train. www.segesta.it (bus)

The whole trip can be done for 55.30 Euros per person, and takes about 16-17 hours (obviously not all in one day).

In case you're wondering, the circle trip can also be done in counterclockwise direction.

fsilverman,

Although I have not visited Sicily with either Insight or Perillo, I have taken several Insight tours (very satisfied) and have always heard good things about Perillo. In my view, Insight is an excellent option. Most folks on this site will encourage independent travel, but if you do not wish to drive or depend on public transportation, either of these tour companies should work well for you. I have considered that Insight tour of Sicily (was there once and want to return) but the dates have not worked out for me.

In any case, Sicily is a fabulous destination and, in my view, you will never regret your visit there.

We took a RS tour of Sicily a few years ago (our first) and
although we were in our mid-60s we were not the oldest by a
long chalk - there were folks in their 70s and 80s.

If something was too strenuous for these people an alternative
was suggested but on the whole they managed to keep up with the 'youngsters' without any trouble.


The hotels were all *** or higher and at no time were we
sleeping rough or hauling luggage up steep inclines; however,
everyone has to be in good condition and all the tours I've
read about require stamina. The constant changes alone can
be tiring.

We decided to take the RS tour b/c I was leery of making my
own arrangements there and driving with those wild Sicilians.
Of course we quickly realized Sicily just like the rest of
Italy and we could have done our own tour easily. However,
the excellence of the provided guides gave us a much greater
overview than I could have given reading from a guidebook.

Hi, you didn't mention your budget, but I took a fabulous tour of Sicily with www.martinrandall.com in April 2007 for twelve days. Our guide was a native of Rome and very knowledgeable about the island, but it was not an inexpensive option. The maximum number of participants is 22. Be careful of the heat, even in May. We experienced 90's in April, so I always carried a sun umbrella to the stunning archaeological sites to shield myself. My favorite spot was the Temple of Segesta - don't miss it!

Gariem -

Martinrandall is a little higher then we wanted to go. Insight is about $4,000 and Perillo is about $5,000 (with airfare). Martin Randall will be close to $7,000 with airfare and extras.

Thanks anyway.

http://www.bluestonesicily.com/

They are the best on the island!