Tour of Sicily

Welcome to Catania, in Sicily! We will meet at the host hotel with our guide for a brief briefing, dinner on your own, and overnight stay at the hotel.

Our first stop is the UNESCO heritage site of Siracusa, where we'll explore the largest and most powerful Greek colony in Sicily: the Neapolis archaeological park. Our journey begins at the Greek theatre, the Roman amphitheatre, and continues with the paradise quarries and the famous Ear of Dionysius. We then move on to the historic centre of Ortigia, where we're captivated by the stunning Duomo square and its cathedral; on the horizon, the famous Aretusa Fountain. Next, we head to another UNESCO heritage site, Noto, to visit the baroque noble residence of Nicolaci Villadorata Palace. We end our day by reaching Ragusa for an overnight stay.

The morning is dedicated to discovering Ragusa Ibla, the cradle of Sicilian late Baroque: we visit the historic center, from the churches to the Iblean garden. We then move to Modica home of Sabadì, one of the most renowned chocolate factories that welcomes us for a tasting! We visit the scenic Palazzo Castro Polara Grimaldi and the gardens of San Giorgio. We continue towards Piazza Armerina where we visit the magnificent Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We end the day reaching Agrigento which hosts us for the night.

Our tour continues to Agrigento with a visit to the famous Valley of the Temples: from the Temple of Juno, to the Temple of Concord, to the Temple of Hercules. We say goodbye to Agrigento to reach the town of Marsala: we stroll through the streets of the center where ancient noble palaces, monuments, and imposing baroque-style churches are located. We are awaited by a guided tour inside the Florio wineries: after a tour through the wine cellars, we cannot miss a homemade wine tasting. We then move along the salt road to end our day in the Stagnone Islands Nature Reserve where the salt pans are the main attraction. In the evening, we reach Palermo for the overnight stay.

The morning is dedicated to discovering Monreale, where we visit the imposing Arab-Norman cathedral, known as the eighth wonder of the world, and the adjacent cloister. We continue towards Palermo: the city preserves monuments from the Arab-Norman period including the cathedral, the Martorana Church and the Palatine Chapel. Along the way, a delightful gastronomic surprise is planned at a historic focaccia bakery! Subsequently, we admire the magnificent Teatro Massimo and the Pretoria Square fountain, decorated with sixteenth-century sculptures and located on the edge of the ancient Kalsa district.

Our journey commences with a trip to the beautiful coastal town of Cefalù. We'll meander through the quaint streets of the historic center, and if you're interested, there's an opportunity to explore the renowned Mandralisca Museum.

Next, we'll continue our tour with a visit to the historic center of Catania, a city celebrated for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Baroque architecture. We won't miss a single point of interest: the ancient fish market, the stunning cathedral at Piazza del Duomo, the lava stone elephant - the city's symbol, Piazza Università, and the famous Monastero di S. Benedetto. And of course, we'll take a break at a charming downtown bar for a snack of granita and brioche!

This morning we set off to explore the Etna Park, the highest active volcano in Europe (11,000 ft) and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Following a trail on foot, we reach the Sapienza refuge and continue towards the Silvestri craters, now inactive volcanic cones. The view from up here extends all the way to the Aeolian Islands and Calabria: truly a unique spectacle! Next, we visit a beekeeping company: we discover the honey extraction lab, taste artisanal honey and typical products of the area.

We're heading to the enchanting Taormina where we'll explore the unmissable Greco-Roman theatre, offering breathtaking views over the Gulf of Naxos. We'll then have some free time to get lost in the medieval alleyways of the town center and indulge in some shopping, picking up some of the finest handcrafted products the island has to offer. Our day will wrap up with the stunning scenery of the Riviera of the Cyclops before we head back to Catania for the night.

We are enjoying these last moments in Catania. We say goodbye to our travel companions and our local guide. We also bid farewell to Sicily that has offered us unique excursions and unforgettable tastings. Check-out and we are ready to return. Goodbye Sicily!