The best of Sicily: cultural and archaeological tour
Etna, Siracusa, Noto, Agrigento, Taormina, Palermo and more
Discover the charm of a land that has seen the rising and setting of the largest populations of the Mediterranean with an eleven day tour which inculde all the highlights.
Immersed in the Mediterranean sea, crossroads of peoples and cultures, Sicily seems to balance millennia of invasions with its charming nature. Let yourself go and you will discover a land with an unique personality, originated by a mosaic of civilizations and traditions, made of folklore, flavours and scents. With this tour you will have the opportunity to visit - at your own pace - the most beautiful places of the island, to lose yourself between its streets, while recalling centuries of history and stories, surrounded by the aroma of its almonds and its majestic architecture.
Note: It is possible to start the tour from Palermo, inverting the holiday steps.
IF YOU NEED ONLY THE TRANSPORT, WE CAN GIVE YOU A PRICE FOR A LUXURY MERCEDES VEHICLE (SEDAN / VAN) WITH AN ENGLISH SPEAKING DRIVER OR DRIVER GUIDE. ASK HERE FOR IT
- Overnights
- Transport by luxury vehicles
- English speaking fully licensed Driver/Guide*
- Excursions and tastings
- Some dinners
*IMPORTANT: in Italy, the fully licensed Driver/Guide is authorized to explain in the archeological parks, museums, churches
Our eleven days long journey surrounded by the charms of Sicily will start today. After your arrival in Catania (airport or port), we will move towards the very nice wine resort in Mount Etna area. After checking in, we will enjoy a dinner with a wine tasting in order to rest and gather some energy before the excursions planned for the following days.
* Note: According to the time of arrival you can try to squeeze in a brief visit to Catania.
** Note: It is possible to start the tour from Palermo, inverting the holiday steps.
During this day we will get to know the true Queen of eastern Sicily, who is called by the natives as a muntagna (The mountain): the volcano Etna.
Right after breakfast we will begin our journey headed to the Rifugio Sapienza (Sapienza Refuge, at elevation of 1800 m) stopping in front of the Crateri Silvestri.
Here we will do some shopping among the characteristic lodges of the area; later on we will be able to savour some lunch.
Throughout the afternoon we will reach Taormina; there, walking along Corso Umberto, we will visit the beautiful Greek theater, Palazzo Corvaja and the Odeon, without missing the chanche to stop and appreciate the magnificent seascape.
At the end of the day we will arrive in Siracusa , where we will spend the night.
Siracusa and Ortigia will today guide us onto a journey in the discovery of the ancient Greek world.
We will start the day wandering among the stalls of the peculiar Ortigia's market, an authentic and original temple of traditions and folklore. The path will lead us ot the Tempio di Apollo (Temple of Apollo), Piazza Archimede (Archimede's Square), Piazza Duomo and the famous Fontana Aretusea (Fountain of Arethusa).
Siracusa will disclose itself to its wholly during a visit to the Catacombe di San Giovanni (Catacombs of Saint John) and the Neapolis archaeological park where, among its renowed theater and the impressive Orecchio di Dionisio (Ear of Dionysus), we will be able to relive the glorious days of this ancient Greek colony.
* Note: As an overnight option to the a 4 star hotel we offer a stay at a great B & B.
The main attraction of the day will be Noto, Baroque's masterwork and World Heritage Site since 2002.
The city will disclose itself in the full splendor of its reconstruction, happened after the devastating earthquake in 1693: from Chiesa di Santa Chiara (St. Clare Church) to the Cattedrale di San Nicola (St. Nicholas Cathedral) up to the main monuments of the old town center.
Our other destination for the day will be the southernmost tip of Sicily: the ancient fishing villages of Marzamemi and Portopalo. Here we will visit the oldest almadraba in Europe and have the possibility to taste a full range of products derived from tuna, as well as the popular cherry tomatoes of the area.
Next stop will be your accommodation in Noto.
Our day will begin by recalling the atmospheres of Visconti's Gattopardo (The Leopard) strolling down the corridors of Donnafugata's castle: room after room down to the famous castle's labyrinth, we will relive the glories of the Sicilian aristocracy.
We will then move over to Ragusa Ibla, where we will visit Piazza Duomo, the Hyblaean gardens, St. George's portal, St. Joseph's Church and Piazza Pola. In the afternoon we will get to know Modica, the city of Salvatore Quasimodo, well known for the outstanding chocolate production that you will taste during the day. Among the main points of interest we will visit the Chiesa di San Giorgio (Church of St. George), the Chiesa di San Pietro (Church of St. Peter) and the Chiesa di Maria di Bethlem (Church of Mary of Bethlem).
After that tour we will head back to our accommodation in Noto to spend the night.