• Transfer from Catania airport to the hotel

Private Transfer with english speaking driver from Catania airport to the selected hotel in Taormina area.

• Check-in

• City walking tour in Taormina and visit to the main Unesco heritage sites – Start at 10:00

• Catania City walking tour – Start at 9:00

• Tour 4×4 to Etna and Alcantara valley, visiting and Wine Tasting – Start at 09:00

Etna is a mysterious volcano and full of wonders. You can’t understand it if you don’t live it from within. That’s why an off-road tour is the best choice you can make, for your Sicilian holiday. A real adventure to discover one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

With an off-road vehicle we head towards the volcano.

Along the way we will cross one of the most beautiful landscapes of Sicily, a high level wine district dotted with ancient and suggestive hamlets and villages; you will understand a lot about the locals, the customs, the culture and you will certainly admire the contrasts offered by nature: the impressive play of colors of the black lava and the extraordinary Etna vegetation. You will pass by recent lava flows, centuries-old forests. Once at your destination, a walk will lead you to admire the landscape from the top of the surrounding craters.

A competent guide will accompany you during the tour and will make known the history of the volcano, its myths and how it has changed over time. The jeep will allow you to go on a dirt track through the pine forests and the ski areas, revealing every secret related to the unique and different flora and fauna that inhabit these environments.

And this is where the adventure becomes electrifying, because the most beautiful caves of the volcano will be discovered. Like a true speleologist, you will be equipped with helmets and torches to explore on foot, with the guide, these andrats created by the lava flows. Centuries ago, the people of Etna used the caves to collect and store ice. The proverbial granitas were born here!

After a traditional meal, the adventure continues, and will lead you to the Alcantara Gurne. This small lake with waterfalls was formed thousands of years ago on the north side of the volcano and derives from a lava flow. Along the way, you will cross the delightful mountain village of Castiglione di Sicilia, the pulsating center of one of the most famous wine regions in Sicily.

Once at your destination, you will descend to the bottom of the Gurne, wonderful and sparkling bodies of water . These rounded ponds were formed thousands of years ago after the erosive action of lava flows came into contact with water. You will have the opportunity to experience the wild and unspoiled nature, made of olive trees and local plants, away from the noise of the city and the crowds of tourists, and you will reach the pond of Venus , surrounded by basalt rocks, lush flora and shining waterfalls.

Then we will head to one of the wineries in the area to carry out a tasting of 3 local wines, accompanied by cheeses and cold cuts produced on site.

• Wine-Train Experience Tour along the Circumetnea – 9:00

The Train of the Wines of Etna is a unique way in the world to experience a unique place in the world. You will travel the slopes of Etna, the highest volcano in Europe, aboard the narrow-gauge railcar of the Circumetnea Railway. With the Wine Bus you will be led along the itineraries of the Etna Wine Route to discover the most beautiful wineries in the area and taste their wines. A dedicated guide will illustrate the places and cellars in English along the entire route. On the way back, the slow descent, with the sea on the horizon, will find you in love with the places, the atmosphere and the wine of Etna.

• Private Transfer from the selected hotel in Taormina area to the one in Ragusa or Siracusa

Private Transfer with english speaking driver from the hotel in Taormina area to the hotel in Ragusa or Siracusa with a stop to visit Ragusa or Siracusa according to the hotel selected

• Ragusa – Start at 11:00

Ragusa and the timeless Baroque; in the discovery of the towns of the province of Ragusa, the historical and artistic trend, as well as the architectural one, had a very strong Baroque component.

Just looking at the beauty of some monuments as a profane, such as the Cathedral of Ragusa with its immense inlaid rose windows, makes our visit more beautiful and interesting at every step .. and we have not yet become aware of the oldest and most singular part. , Ragusa Ibla.

Ibla is none other than the spearhead of the city of Ragusa, a bit its historic center, a bit a neighborhood, a bit a real daughter with its own distinct and characteristic identity. made of houses perched on houses, which all together rest on an immense rock. As if that weren’t enough, Ibla boasts, among other things, one of the most beautiful and ancient cathedrals in Sicily, the Cathedral of San Giorgio .

The town has been included in the Unesco World Heritage List , the setting it offers transmits a magic that stays on your skin!

• Modica – Start at 10:00

Ancient city of Greek origin and rebuilt after a devastating earthquake at the end of the seventeenth century, Modica stands in a very particular position on the confluence of two rivers which earned it the definition of “Italy’s most unique city after Venice” in the first edition of the Treccani encyclopedia . It is a sort of multi-layered city, with buildings growing on both sides of the hill that separates the two rivers, and two clearly distinct areas, Modica Alta and Modica Bassa. The symbolic image of the city are the houses leaning against each other, built using the natural cavities of the rock. These ancient buildings are now incorporated into the most modern buildings, creating a truly spectacular overall effect. Its splendid Baroque buildings have been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site, but a treasure of Modica perhaps even better known is its precious chocolate. Immortal are instead the poems of Salvatore Quasimodo, one of the greatest exponents of Italian Hermeticism who was born right here in Modica.

The center of Modica is a succession of elegant stairways, arcades, noble palaces, baroque churches: a marvel at every corner! The two main streets around which the center develops are Corso Umberto and Via Giarrantana, flanked by splendid buildings with a decadent charm. One of the attractions not to be missed in Modica is the magnificent Cathedral of San Giorgio1, a Rococo masterpiece placed at the top of a monumental staircase of 260 steps. Opulent and opulent, this church is a riot of stuccoes, decorations and works of art, both inside and out. No less beautiful is the Church of San Pietro2, located along the main street in the Lower Town and dominated by the Rocca del Castello dei Conti. For a dive into a more recent past, visit the Salvatore Quasimodo3 Birthplace Museum, the Nobel Prize-winning writer from Modica. In the museum rooms, furnished in the early twentieth century style, furniture and objects that belonged to the writer are exhibited; it is also possible to attend the projections of educational videos and the film of the Nobel Prize award ceremony. In the countryside around Modica you cannot fail to notice the dry stone walls built in the sixteenth century to delimit the plots of land of small landowners, which represent a piece of the territory’s history. The area is also very rich in suggestive quarries and natural caves. – https://www.sicilia.info/ragusa/modica/

In addition to the architectural beauties and the enchanting beaches in the surroundings, there is another sweet reason to visit Modica: this Sicilian town boasts an ancient tradition in the production of chocolate. Obtained with a particular cold processing that keeps the organoleptic properties of cocoa unaltered, Modica chocolate is one of the excellences of Italian confectionery production. To learn about the history of Modica chocolate, its ingredients and the stages of processing, visit the Chocolate Museum of Modica4. You will find on display an exceptional collection of documents that testify the ancient origins of this delight of the palate. Another unmissable stop on any food and wine tour of Sicily is the Antica Dolceria Bonajuto5, the oldest chocolate shop on the island: since 1880 it has been producing traditionally Modica and Sicilian chocolate by hand, but also delicious nougats, biscuits and sweets. In the summer months it is possible to participate in a guided tour that ends with a tasting of typical sweets. – https://www.sicilia.info/ragusa/modica/ 

• Noto – Start at 10:00

Just saying the name of Noto comes to mind the wonderful baroque palaces and the elegant churches that distinguish this splendid city of southern Sicily while few remember the incredible archaeological and historical attractions that can be visited a few kilometers from the urban center.

The territory of Noto offers an incredible historical-archaeological richness since it has been inhabited by man for over 4000 years, and every civilization that has crossed this region of Sicily has left behind the testimony of its culture and its history. From the Greek age to the Byzantines, from the Arab domination to the reign of the Bourbons, the historical sites of the territory of Noto are as beautiful as they are not very frequented and for this reason some are in a non-optimal state, but the landscape that can be admired in these areas are worth every effort to reach them.

The first stop on a trip to the Noto area is the site of Noto Antica ; the city that was destroyed by the earthquake of 1693 and after the evacuation of the population was rebuilt in the current city of Noto, leaving the previous structures as ghosts of a forgotten era.

Noto is one of the most famous cities in Sicily, known all over the world for its historic center where you can admire one of the most elegant and extraordinary results of Sicilian Baroque architecture. The beauty of this city in the province of Syracuse is a direct consequence of its millenary history which has seen the most diverse and varied cultures cross its streets and leave an indelible mark on its face and its traditions.

Noto is one of the most popular tourist destinations to admire its splendid churches, its elegant noble palaces and stroll through the streets of the historic center in a setting of extraordinary beauty.

To enter the historic center of Noto you cross the imposing Arc de Triomphe, built at the behest of Ferdinando di Borbone in 1838 and a metaphor of the city itself, bringing the figures of the tower, the dog and the pelican, strength, loyalty and sacrifice, the symbols of the virtues of the city of Noto. The portal is made of the same sandstone that characterizes the entire historic center and gives the structures a surprising brightness that multiplies at sunset until it appears like a golden hood covering the rock.

Beyond the arch opens Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the main street in the heart of Noto, where you can take a splendid walk up to Piazza dell’Immacolata and the wonderful church of San Francesco all’Immacolata, which has been clinging to the top for more than 300 years. of the monumental staircase.

This church was built after the great earthquake of 1693 that devastated the historic center but it was also an opportunity to rebuild the entire fabric of the city with an innovative urban project. San Francesco is the most shining example of this reconstruction, since the architects were able to work on a real blank canvas in order to create one of the most evocative churches in the city. The interior of the church, with its large and single nave, is a triumph of the Rococo style characterized by graceful decorations and magnificent frescoes.

Just beyond the Immaculate Conception, still on Corso Vittorio Emanuele, there is a small baroque jewel, the church of Santa Chiara, an oval structure that expresses the most delicate and refined side of Sicilian Baroque. The church was built in the mid-eighteenth century and was annexed to the nearby Benedictine monastery undergoing numerous changes over the centuries. Today the main entrance has been restored to its original position on via Pier Capponi and the 2006 restoration has brought it back to its original splendor.

Continuing further along the Corso we reach the symbol of Noto’s rebirth, the cathedral of San Nicolò, which in 1996 suffered serious damage due to the collapse of the central dome and only after a decade of restoration work. The cathedral is located on the top of the spectacular monumental staircase, rising almost 10 meters from the street level of the Corso, and its splendid facade follows the typology of the “two side towers”. Inside you can admire the large central nave, the pictorial cycles and the spectacular ark in wood and silver made by chisel in the sixteenth century.

On the other side of the Corso from the cathedral you can admire Palazzo Ducezio, the town hall building of Noto, designed by Noto Vincenzo Sinatra in 1746, one of the most important Sicilian architects of the eighteenth century. The palace has a spectacular portico rich in decorations, which bears the bas-relief of the commander Ducezio who founded the city of Noto, and a slightly smaller first floor, which was added during the twentieth century. Inside the palace you can admire the spectacular halls rich in gilded decorations, mirrors and the original Louis XV style furniture.

Continuing to via Corrado Nicolaci, where the incredible Infiorata festival takes place every year, you can admire the phantasmagoria of figures that covers the facade of Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata and its balconies. This noble palace is still inhabited by the descendants of the Nicolaci family and it is possible to visit the wonderful internal rooms, such as the spectacular ballroom and the magnificent frescoed rooms where the Noto Library is now housed.

The walk along the Corso leads up to the church of San Carlo al Corso with its spectacular curvilinear façade dominated by a splendid Baroque decoration. Inside this church it is possible to access the staircase of the bell tower which allows you to reach the panoramic platform on the top of it, from where you can admire a spectacular view over the entire historic center of Noto.

At the end of the course you arrive in front of the suggestive church of San Domenico and the Villetta, the garden with the beautiful fountain of Hercules, where you can stop to rest in the shade of the ancient trees and admire the facade of the elegant “Tina Di Theater”. Lorenzo ”, formerly known as the“ Vittorio Emanuele ”Theater or as“ La Scala in miniature of Noto, on the other side of the splendid Piazza XVI Maggio. At this point it is time to enter the narrow streets of the historic center to look for one of the legendary taverns of Noto where you can taste the best of Sicilian gastronomy.

• Siracusa and Ortigia – Start at 15:00

• Boat Tour Avola, Marzamemi and Portopalo – Start at 09:00

Navigation from Avola to Portopalo di Capo Passero.

During the coastal navigation we will sail in the following locations: Avola, Calabernardo, Noto, Eloro, Marianelli, Pizzuta, Calamosche, Tonnara and the island of Vendicari, San Lorenzo, Marzamemi and Portopalo.

On the way there is the possibility to admire: 4 traps, 2 islands, the Roman columns, reserves, fortresses and majestic cliffs, beaches with the most varied colors and caves hidden by the blue of the sea. Several swimming stops will be made where the sea is more crystalline and if possible, in front of the 3 Roman columns lying on the seabed at about 7 meters deep, all fins and masks will be provided for snorkeling.

It is foreseen the landing in Marzamemi to visit the seaside village with the possibility of stopping in some restaurant; aperitif under the Tafuri Castle.

• Marzamemi – Start at 11:30

• Private Transfer from Ragusa – Siracusa hotel to Hotel in Valle dei Templi

Private Transfer with english speaking driver from to the hotel in Ragusa or Siracusa to Villa Athena Hotel in Valle dei Templi, with a stop for the visit at Scala dei Turchi.

• Scala dei Turchi and Valley of the Temples – Start at 11:00

Start with a photo op at the dramatic Scala dei Turchi coastline and than enjoy free time, with an amazing sunset, to explore the Greek ruins in the Valle dei Templi

Scala dei Turchi di Realmonte is one of the most popular tourist destinations for both Italian and foreign audiences who visit the Valley of the Temples, known for its beauty forged by waves and wind over millions of years and for having been the set for many famous films. with its white marl walls.

The Scala dei Turchi takes its name from the Saracen pirates, improperly called Turks by the local populations (as the Arab people were called by convention), who in the 1500s used to land on the particular rock formation to plunder the villages of the coast such as the current Realmonte.

The wall made of steps, hence the name “staircase”, made it easy to land from the sea for pirate actions, in a point sheltered from the winds and probably also not very controlled.

Discovering the Valley of the Temples , one of the largest, most representative and best preserved archaeological sites of classical Greek civilization, included in the 1998 UNESCO World Heritage List.

The archaeological area corresponds to the remains of ancient Akragas , the original nucleus of modern Agrigento : on a rocky ridge, which delimits the plateau on which the classical settlement stood to the south, the imposing remains of Doric temples dedicated to the Hellenic divinities emerge.

Archaeological area among the most beautiful in Italy, as well as the largest in the world, the Valley of the Temples is located in Agrigento, Sicily, and is truly a magical place.

Characterized by an excellent state of conservation, and by important Doric temples of the Hellenic period , it is visited every year by tourists from all over the world. It corresponds to the ancient Akragas, the original monumental nucleus of the city of Agrigento. And it is a regional archaeological park, the first in the country to have a sustainability report , which certifies not only its social and cultural commitment but also its commitment to the environment.

• Private Transfer from Villa Athena Hotel to Mazara del Vallo

Private Transfer with english speaking driver from Villa Athena Hotel in valle dei Templi to Baglio Oneto Resort & Wines with a stop for the visit of Mazara del Vallo.

• Mazara del Vallo – 10:00

What makes the village fascinating is the typical Islamic quarter, called Casbah. Today Mazara embodies centuries of history thanks to the numerous monuments that evoke the different cultures that have characterized the territory. The country is also one of the most important and well-known fishing ports in the Mediterranean and its cuisine, among those of the region, is one of the most varied, due to the different influences of the peoples who have characterized the territory.

The village of Mazara del Vallo overlooks the Mediterranean Sea, in the province of Trapani and is about 200 km from the coast of Tunisia. What makes the village fascinating is its urban layout, since a typical Islamic neighborhood, called Casbah , is enclosed within the walls.
The neighborhood, of Arab origin, has many houses that recall the typical style of the time and is crossed by a fair number of small tunnels. The Casbah is inhabited by a Tunisian community which helps to keep intact the style of the past, with majolica and other decorative elements on the facades of the houses.

Thanks to its geographical position, Mazara del Vallo acquired its maximum splendor in June 827, with the landing by the Arabs who praised it for the beauty of the buildings, the economic and port prosperity and the prosperity of the gardens.
With the rule of the Normans in 1072, Mazara del Vallo was enriched with churches, convents and monasteries, becoming the seat of the Bishopric in 1093.

• Marsala and Mozia – 09:00

• Erice and tasting of the Famous Sicilian Cannolo by Maria Grammatico – 10:00

Perched on the top of the mountain of the same name, the medieval village of Erice stands out from its 750 meters, enjoying an exceptional panoramic view overlooking the Gulf of Trapani and the Egadi islands on one side and the Valderice valley on the other, embracing the countryside of the Sicilian hinterland. Small and incredibly authentic, Erice is a maze of cobbled streets that flow between churches, squares and ancient courtyards and that invites its visitors to discover.

Wandering among its typical climbs and descents, from Erice you can see truly unforgettable stretches of the Mediterranean and admire some of the most beautiful sunsets in Sicily. A village with a unique atmosphere, with ancient roots that have their origins in myth and imbue the walls of Erice with legend. Slowly exploring this charming village with an always fresh air can give you moments to remember forever.

The village of Erice is an ancient nucleus in which stone is the master, finding itself everywhere in the architecture of the town. In the walls of the houses, in the historic buildings, in the defensive walls that surround the village, the ancient stone blocks are motionless witnesses of the populations who have lived and prospered here: Phoenicians, Normans, Arabs and Romans, there are many cultures that have left the their traces in the streets of the village.

Pastry Maria Grammatico:

`Maria Grammatico’s pastry shop is a cheerful place. When the afternoon sun enters from the rear window, it illuminates the stained glass windows of the ancient wardrobes, glides over the stacks of pastries, warms the tourists, seated at the marble tables, intent on tasting a biscuit with figs or a slice of tart. ”

After having been at the San Carlo Convent for 15 years and having made the conventual pastry art her own she decides to open a small shop in which to revive all the knowledge acquired through the apprenticeship starting from “only three kilos of almonds”, a trifle.

There, in that small laboratory, in that small shop, helped by her brothers and her mother, Mrs. Maria Grammatico experiments, invents, creates and, over time, her name and her small laboratory are gradually associated with the Erice pastry tradition. and Trapani.

Sweet tastings in Erice, at the Maria Grammatico pastry shop. There are three unique occasions to try Sicilian pastry. Enjoy all the traditional Ericina desserts made with love and passion

• Trapani – 15:00

Trapani is often ignored by tourists, who simply consider it a transit destination to reach other famous tourist destinations in western Sicily, but the city is instead a small jewel to be discovered. Seen from above, the city of Trapani has a curious sickle shape that almost seems to cut the sea. It was once the heart of the maritime trade routes that linked Carthage to Venice, while today the busy port of Trapani is a bustle of tourists heading to the Egadi islands, mainland Italy or Tunisia. To immerse yourself in the characteristic atmosphere of this elegant city, full of baroque palaces and beautiful churches, enter the maze of narrow streets of the historic center and then move on to get some fresh air on the romantic waterfront. The surroundings of Trapani are just as fascinating: rolling hills await you and the unusual and suggestive view of the salt pans, expanses of salt like white desert dunes.

• Private Transfer  to the selected hotel in Palermo

Private Transfer with english speaking driver from Baglio Oneto Resort & Wine to the selected hotel in Palermo with a stop to visit Monreale.

• Monreale – 10:30

The municipality of Monreale is located less than ten kilometers from Palermo and rises in urban continuity with the Sicilian capital, even if it is placed in an elevated position with respect to the latter and the plain of the Conca d’Oro. The city of Monreale is famous all over the world and in 2015 even Unesco recognized its artistic and architectural importance: its famous cathedral is one of the places of historical and cultural interest of the site called “Arab-Norman Palermo and the cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale ”.

The city of Monreale is one of the most sought after tourist destinations by travelers visiting the beautiful northern Sicily; visiting the major attractions requires at least an entire day to fully appreciate a truly beautiful place in the heart of Trinacria.

The history of Monreale is long and cloaked in legend. In fact, it is said that William I, Norman king of Sicily, after a hunt he fell asleep under a carob tree. In a dream the Madonna appeared to him and showed him the place where a treasure was hidden with which he should have built his church, called Santa Maria Nuova. The town of Monreale rises right next to its cathedral; its “community” is one of the first examples of a multi-ethnic society, characterized by the presence of Arabs, Byzantines, Normans, Spaniards where each group has given its contribution, also to the architectural development of the city.

• San Vito Lo Capo – 14:00

An obligatory stop during a holiday in western Sicily is San Vito Lo Capo, a pretty town nestled between the iconic promontory of Monte Monaco on one side and the rocky Piana dell’Egitarso on the other. This ancient seaside village is one of the entry points to the wonderful Zingaro Nature Reserve, with its paradisiacal hiking trails and beaches. Nature is undoubtedly one of the most attractive elements of the area but also the buildings of man, such as the ancient tonnara, the Moorish chapel or the romantic Bourbon lighthouse, will fascinate you with their suggestions of distant times and a deep bond between man and the sea.

• Ape-Tour in Palermo – Start at 15:00

A unique and original way to get to know the historic center of Palermo. Thanks to their small size, the Ape Calesse can easily access the historic center, giving you unique moments. The ape-calesse, four-wheeled vehicle is driven by a local and licensed driver.

History, Architecture, but also a dip in the real city life, between the famous Markets and the most famous street food in the world.

• Palermo Street Food – 19:00

That in Palermo, and in Sicily, you eat well, is certainly no mystery. The regional capital of the island is in fact known in every part of the globe for some gastronomic specialties of absolute excellence. Among which it is absolutely necessary to remember the Caponata, the pasta with sardines, the arancini, the sarde a beccafico, the cannoli and the cassata. Dishes that once tasted become practically indispensable not only for the locals, but also for those coming from outside.

In addition to these very famous typical dishes, Palermo also excels in a very particular type of cuisine. Or in Street Food, street food. To underline this, with all the authority of the case, was Forbes. The US magazine, in fact, has published the ranking drawn up by VirtualTourist, which has placed the Sicilian regional capital in fifth place in its special ranking dedicated to this sector. First city ever in Europe. To precede it only Bangkok, Singapore, Menang and Marrakesh.

In Palermo, where visitors are won over by the extraordinary variety of Sicilian street food. If the arancine and cannoli represent the most famous specialties, we should also remember the bread with the spleen, the sfincione or the panelle, just to mention a few. Generously dispensed from a large number of kiosks and open-air markets, where often the excess, in this case of calories to be swallowed, represents a sort of welcome rule.

• Cefalù – Start at 10:00

Cefalù is one of the most fascinating and loved seaside villages in Sicily, located in a more than strategic position thanks to its proximity to the sea but, at the same time, to its proximity to the Madonie Park, to which it belongs. The coexistence of sea and mountains creates a unique and inimitable context, which makes the location particularly popular for family holidays, groups of friends or for a romantic getaway.

Symbol of the town, in addition to the colorful port and teeming with activity, is the Cathedral of Cefalù, which stands out and dominates among the narrow streets with a medieval taste: the building is cloaked in legends and mysteries, but to discover them it is necessary to start from the very origins of Cefalù .

The first traces of civilization in the area of Cefalù date back to prehistoric times, and then gradually intensified between Greeks, Syracusans and Romans: it will however be in the Byzantine and Arab times that the first concrete traces of the town’s urban planning will be shown, with the creation of battlements, fortresses and water tanks.

The turning point for Cefalù will take place with the arrival of the Normans, who conquered the area with Ruggero I. Of great importance for the town, however, will be Ruggero II who, in addition to creating the Kingdom of Sicily, started the construction of the current Cathedral. According to legend, the basilica was supposed to be a tribute to the Most Holy Savior for having saved Roger II himself from a tragedy at sea, but later big doubts arose about it, due to the structure with a military rather than spiritual inspiration.

• Private Transfer from selected hotel in Palermo to the airport of Palermo

Private Transfer with english speaking driver from the selected hotel in Palermo to Palermo Airport.

CONTACT US