Sicilian roadtrip

Upon your arrival at either Catania or Palermo airport, we'll take care of your car rental formalities before setting off to the Taormina area. Your hotel accommodation is arranged, leaving you with a free afternoon to discover the local area at your leisure. Your overnight stay will be in the Taormina area.

Start your day with a delightful breakfast at the hotel. Today, you have the exciting choice to explore Etna and Taormina. We recommend starting your morning with a drive to Mt. Etna, Sicily's highest peak and Europe's most active volcano. The journey will take you through the 'Park of Etna', one of Italy's largest protected areas. You'll be amazed by the diverse vegetation and landscapes we'll encounter before reaching the 'Silvestri Craters' (around 1,900 mt). From this point, you can opt to continue the adventure by jeep. We suggest a stopover at a local beekeeper's place to taste quality honey and wine, and learn about their production. In the afternoon, we'll visit Taormina, perched on a plateau on the slopes of the steeply dropping Monte Tauro, offering stunning views of the Ionian coast from Capo Sant’Andrea to Capo Taormina. You'll have the opportunity to visit the Greek-Roman theatre, Sicily's 2nd largest classical theatre. We'll then return to the hotel for a restful night in the Taormina area.

Start your day with a delightful breakfast at the hotel. Today, you have the freedom to explore Savoca, Forza D’Agrò, and Montalbano Elicona. We suggest you begin your journey at Forza D'Agrò, a captivating village perched on a hill with breathtaking views of Taormina and the Ionian sea. Discover the village's stunning vistas, the Durazzesco arch, and the church, which was the setting for one of the most romantic scenes in the Godfather’s movie - the wedding of Micheal Corleone. Next, head to Savoca, renowned for being the backdrop for some of the iconic scenes from the movie 'The Godfather', directed by Francis Ford Coppola. This is where Michael Corleone and Apollonia tied the knot. The famous Bar Vitelli, used in the film, is still standing. Continue your journey to the heart of Sicily, to the enchanting village of Montalbano Elicona, crowned as the most beautiful village in Italy in 2015. Navigate through a maze of small roads leading to the castle that overlooks the historic center. You'll be mesmerized by the stunning views of the lush vegetation. Take a brief tour of the town before heading to the Megaliths of Argimusco. Here, you can marvel at prehistoric megaliths while enjoying spectacular views of Mount Etna, the Aeolian Islands, the unique mountains Rocca Salvatesta and Montagna di Vernà, cape Tindari, cape Calavà, and cape Milazzo. Return to the hotel for a restful night in the Taormina area.

Embark on a journey to Catania after a hearty breakfast. Nestled on the slopes of Etna, this city is adorned with grand and opulent structures. We recommend exploring the traditional fish market (note: it's closed on Sundays) and taking a leisurely walk around the city center. The center, with its historic and quintessential baroque buildings, has been declared a World Heritage Site 'HUMANITY' by UNESCO, along with other towns in the Val di Noto. Post this, proceed to Syracuse, a captivating site on the island. Here, you can explore the Archaeological Park, renowned for its Roman amphitheater, the Greek theater, and the ear of Dionysius. Extend your exploration to the island of Ortigia, the city's oldest part, known for its narrow lanes, sea views, and the stunning square with its magnificent cathedral. Continue your journey to Ragusa. Check into your hotel and rest for the night.

Join us for breakfast at your hotel before we embark on a journey to explore the lesser-known side of Sicily. This region is renowned for its grandiose Baroque architecture, numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and its fame as the setting for the TV series 'Il Commissario Montalbano'. We suggest starting your exploration from the historic heart of Ragusa, 'Ibla'. This area is dotted with numerous Baroque churches and palaces, and its distinctive domes dominate the cityscape. Ragusa boasts 18 sites that have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Next, head to Modica, another UNESCO World Heritage city. Modica is famous for its delicious chocolate and stunning architecture. We recommend meandering through the ascending alleyways. Once you reach the top of the hill, you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the city. Our tour continues to Noto, a city that was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 2002. Walk under the famous Arco, stroll through the city center, and marvel at the magnificent aristocratic palaces with their ornately decorated balconies, the opulent churches brimming with decorations, the cathedral with its grand staircase, and the city theater, all built in the Baroque style. After a day of exploration, we'll return to the hotel in Ragusa aerea for a good night's sleep. We can't wait to share this adventure with you!

Start your day with a delightful breakfast at the hotel. Today, you have the freedom to explore the iconic locations from the TV series 'Il Commissario Montalbano'. We suggest a trip to Chiaramonte Gulfi, a charming old village known as the 'Balcony of Sicily' for its breathtaking panoramic views. Stroll through the quaint streets of the historic centre, visiting the stunning Santa Maria La Nova church and the Church of San Giovanni. Chiaramonte Gulfi is renowned for its exceptional extra virgin olive oil PDO and Nero d'Avola, Insolia or Cerasuolo DOCG wines. Next, we'll head to Vittoria, celebrated for its Cerasuolo wine. Here, wine enthusiasts can uncover the art of winemaking with our '7 lands for 7 wines' tour, starting among the vineyards of the farm. Conclude the tour with a tasting of 3 wines at the VALLE DELL'ACATE winery, paired with olives, 'ciappe di pomodoro' (dried tomatoes), and homemade naturally fermented bread. We'll then continue to the Punta Secca district of Santa Croce di Camerina for a brief stop to admire the city, beach, and the house of Commissario Montalbano. Our final stop is Scicli, a beautiful city known as 'VIGATA', the fictional name created by the writer, where the Vigata police station (Commissariato) is located. After a day full of exploration, we'll spend the night here.

Start your day with a delightful breakfast at the hotel. Today, you have the freedom to choose your adventure. You might opt to explore the renowned Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Here, you can marvel at the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Concordia (one of the most intact Doric temples in the entire Greek world), the Temple of Hercules, and the Temple of Castor and Pollux. Alternatively, we recommend a trip to Marzamemi, a charming seaside village known for its pastel hues and rich history of tuna fishing. Here, you can witness one of Sicily's most significant and best-preserved tuna traps. Following this, you could visit the Vendicari Nature Reserve, a haven for flamingos, herons, and storks during their migration to Africa. After a day filled with exploration, return to the comfort of your hotel in Syracuse for a restful night's sleep.

We'll start our day with a delightful breakfast at the hotel. Following that, we'll make our way to the airport. We'll conclude our journey by returning the car at the rental desk. Grazie e arrivederci!