Day 1: Arrival in Sicily
When you arrive at the airport, you will be met by a professional driver who will take care of your luggage and escort you to the vehicle to start your 7 day Sicily tour itinerary on a stress-free and comfortable note.
After arriving at your Catania-based accommodation and taking time to unpack your luggage and settle in, your guide will meet you in the afternoon for your guided tour of Catania city.
Catania Walking Tour
Catania is a city located on the eastern coast of the island of Sicily, Italy. It is a living city full of contrasts, where water and fire coexist, and where the white marbles and black lava of the city’s historic center create a unique visual landscape.
One of the main highlights of a tour of Catania is the city’s historic center, which is home to a number of important landmarks and cultural sites.
The Piazza del Duomo, in particular, is a must-see for visitors to Catania. This beautiful square is home to the Cathedral of Sant’Agata, a Baroque masterpiece that was built in the 18th century, as well as the iconic statue of “U Liotru”, the elephant depicted in the center of the square. This statue is a true symbol of Catania and is just one of the many timeless myths and legends that characterize the city.
Your guided walking tour will start in Piazza Stesicoro and take you through the winding streets of the historic city center and the elegant avenues of the 18th century. As you explore the different neighborhoods of Catania, you will discover the many facets of the city’s character.
You will then make your way to Piazza Dante, where you will have the opportunity to see the stunning Benedictine Monastery from the outside. The tour will continue on Via Crociferi, which is renowned for its four Baroque churches located in close proximity to each other.
Next, you will walk through Via Etnea, the main street of the city, and arrive at Piazza Università. The tour will conclude in Piazza Duomo, the heart of the city.
Day 2: Transfer to Taormina
Join your private chauffeur in the morning and make the scenic 40-minute drive to your accommodation in Taormina.
Taormina, located on the slopes of Monte Tauro, is often referred to as the “Pearl of the Mediterranean” due to its stunning beauty and rich history. The charming town is a delight to visit for its rich cultural heritage, romantic atmosphere, and opportunities for relaxation.
Every corner of Taormina is bursting with vibrant colors, welcoming locals, and the captivating magic that Sicily is known for. From the beautiful churches and streets to the colorful buildings, Taormina is a feast for the senses and a must-see destination for anyone visiting the region.
Guided Walking Tour of Taormina
Taormina has become famous around the world not only for its beautiful scenery and views of Etna sloping down into the turquoise sea, but also for the dolce vita of the extravagant and famous visitors who have been here. Many interesting artists, philosophers, and scientists, such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Friedrich Nietzsche, Gustav Klimt, Sigmund Freud, Albert Einstein, Truman Capote, and Greta Garbo, adored spending time in Taormina.
You can follow in their footsteps with our guide, who will show you the most beautiful corners and streets of the town, and help you uncover all of their most evocative secrets.
During this walk, you will visit the famous Ancient Greek Theatre, the beautiful Palazzo Corvaja, the Odeon – a small Roman theater, the church of Saint Catherine, Vicolo Stretto – the narrowest street in Taormina, Corso Umberto – the fashionable and charming main street, and Piazza IX Aprile – the main square with a magnificent view of the majestic profile of Etna and the coast of the Bay of Giardini Naxos stretching up the hill to the Greek Theater.
Private Taormina Theatre Tour
The Taormina Theatre is an ancient Greek amphitheater that was built in the 3rd century BC and is one of the best-preserved ancient theaters in the world.
During the tour, a knowledgeable guide will lead you through the amphitheater, explaining the history and architecture of the site and how it was used in ancient times. You will have the opportunity to explore the different levels of the theater, including the orchestra pit, the stage, and the seating area, and learn about the various cultural events and performances that took place here.
In addition to its historical and architectural significance, the Taormina Theatre is also known for its stunning location, which offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding mountains. As you tour the theater, you will be able to take in these breathtaking views and get a sense of the natural beauty of the region.
Cooking Class in Taormina: Arancini & Cannoli
Traditional Sicilian street foods are well-known and highly regarded for their delicious taste. However, the experience of having an experienced local chef teach you how to cook these dishes yourself adds an extra layer of satisfaction.
You will take part in a lesson on Sicilian Street Food in a restaurant tucked inside the ancient Greco-Roman walls surrounding the citadel of Taormina.
Sweet or savory? The choice is yours!
You can even choose between two different lessons:
Cannoli Making
Our chef will teach you how to prepare the perfectly crisp outer shell used for cannoli, a typical Sicilian sweet. You will hand-make and cook this special dough the traditional way. You’ll also see how to prepare and fill the cannoli shell, using the traditional sweet ricotta cream pastry filling. At the end of the cooking lesson, you’ll get to taste the delicious Cannoli that you handmade!
Arancino Making
Making an Arancino is just like creating a work of art! Our Chef will guide you step by step, teaching you the basic preparation of the famous Sicilian arancino, from cooking the rice and filling the arancino to the final frying. You will delight in the fun of preparing many, many handmade arancini!
Lesson length: approx. 2/3 hours.
Day 3: Mount Etna Excursion by Cable Car
Join us on an unforgettable guided tour of Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe.
We will begin our journey by taking the Etna Cable Car, which will transport us to an altitude of 2,900m (Torre del Filosofo, or the Philosopher’s Tower) located behind the summit cones.
From here, with the help of our experienced guides, we will visit the eruptive cones from 2002. On clear days, the views from this vantage point are breathtaking, stretching from the Ionic Riviera to the interior of Sicily.
Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the wonders of Mount Etna up close and personal.
Day 4: Private Transfer to Noto via Siracusa
Join your chauffeur in the morning for the one-and-a-half-hour journey to Noto, stopping at the ancient Ionian ruins in Siracusa.
Tour of Ancient Siracusa
Travel back in time and explore more than 2,000 years of the city’s history.
Like many of Sicily’s coastal towns, Siracusa was once an ancient Greek settlement of the Magna Graecia era. Go back in time with your expert local guide and discover the city’s ancient relics, medieval monuments, and modern-day market.
Stroll through the island of Ortigia, which forms the historic heart of the medieval center, and visit the vast cathedral square with its 17th-century Duomo and ornate Baroque palaces. The nearby Fountain of Arethusa, fed by an underground spring, has snow-white ducks paddling under its leafy papyrus plants and stunning sea views.
Ortigia’s open-air market is the final stop, where fishmongers wield their knives, vendors loudly tout their towering piles of produce, and there are baskets heaped with spices, nuts, cheeses, and Sicilian specialties as far as the eye can see.
Then you will move to Siracusa’s Parco Archeologico della Neapolis, where you will visit the Teatro Greco, built in the 5th century B.C. and renovated in the 3rd century B.C. It is the most complete Greek theater remaining from the ancient world. For a great view, climb to the top of the seating area.
You will also visit the other Greek and Roman ruins in the archeological park, including the 2nd-century Anfiteatro Romano (Roman Amphitheater), the Ara di Ierone (Altar of Hieron), once used for animal sacrifices, and the Orecchio di Dionisio (Ear of Dionysius), an enormous ear-shaped entrance into a limestone cave that is well worth exploring.
Day 5: A Baroque Masterpiece: A Tour of Noto
Such is the town’s beauty that it has been awarded status as Cultural Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO.
A powerful earthquake completely destroyed the town in 1693, leading to Noto being rebuilt in a sumptuous Baroque style.
Stroll through the city with your private guide as you visit the grandiose flights of steps leading worshippers and tourists alike up to the ornately carved entrance doors of the churches, the roads open out into sweeping piazzas lined by palaces built in a stone of soft pink and golden yellow hues.
A tour of Noto might start from the main square, where to visit Palazzo Ducezio, Palazzo Vescovile, Palazzo Lanolina, the Church of San Domenico, and, of course, the town’s magnificent Cathedral, to name but a few of the many buildings worth visiting in Noto.
Tour of Marzamemi
Marzamemi is a charming seaside village known as one of Sicily’s prettiest seaside villages. It is located just a few kilometers up the coast from Italy’s southernmost point, in the deep southeast of Sicily.
Marzamemi gained recognition in the 10th century thanks to the Arab inhabitants who named the village “Mars al-hamam,” meaning Turtle Dove Bay, and constructed the original tonnara, a tuna processing plant that became one of the most important in Sicily.
While the tonnara is no longer in operation, Marzamemi remains an important center for artisanal fishing and processing. The village is known for producing a variety of delicious specialties, including canned tuna, dried tuna roe (bottarga), smoked swordfish, marinated anchovies, seafood pasta condiments, and tuna salamis.
The old center of Marzamemi, which dates back to the mid-18th century, is situated on a promontory and is organized around the picturesque Piazza Regina Margherita. On the south side of the square is the small fishing harbor with its colorful boats, and on the other sides are a series of charming buildings, including the Church of San Francesco di Paola, the tonnara, the prince’s palazzo, and rows of fisherman’s houses with their bright blue doors and red geraniums adding a splash of color to the scene. Narrow streets branch off from the main square, offering glimpses of the turquoise sea to the east and north.
Day 6: Modica & Ragusa Day Excursion
Explore two of the most fascinating destinations in Sicily on this driver-guided full-day excursion.
Modica & Its Chocolate
Located in the Val di Noto region of Sicily, Modica is divided into two parts, “higher” Modica and “lower” Modica, which are connected by numerous flights of steps.
The houses and palaces in the town seem to be stacked on top of each other as they rise from the bottom of the gorge. The town is also home to several magnificent churches with inspiring domes, bell towers, and intricate facades, which stand out among the red-tiled roofs.
Modica has a rich history of chocolate-making dating back 400 years. As a result of its time as a part of the Spanish kingdom, Sicily was often among the first places to receive new foodstuffs from South America, including cacao.
Today, Modica is known for its unique granulated chocolate that is made using Aztec methods and recipes and is often flavored with chili pepper, cinnamon, or vanilla. Chocolate shops are abundant in the town, and it is sometimes possible for visitors to watch the “chocolatiers” at work.
Quite simply, tasting Modica chocolate is a must for any chocolate lover.
The Two Souls of Ragusa
Your next destination is one of the most fascinating towns in Sicily, Ragusa.
Join us on a walking tour through the two sides of Ragusa, a town located in the Val di Noto region of Sicily. We will start in “upper” Ragusa, also known as Ragusa Ibla, which is home to the historic center of the town and is characterized by its stunning Baroque architecture. We will wander through the narrow streets and take in the views of the stunning churches and palaces, including the Duomo di San Giorgio and the Palazzo della Signoria.
Next, we will visit “lower” Ragusa, also known as Ragusa Superiore, which is the more modern part of the town. Here, we will explore the main square, Piazza della Repubblica, and visit notable buildings such as the Church of San Giovanni Battista and the Palazzo Cosentini.
Throughout the tour, our expert guide will provide insight into the history and culture of Ragusa and its fascinating past. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover the dual personality of this enchanting town.
Day 7: Private driver from Noto to Agrigento
Your last day begins with a 2.5-hour chauffeured journey to Agrigento.
Valley of The Temples
As one of Italy’s premier destinations, it is easy to overlook the fact that Sicily was once a thriving Greek colony.
The Valle dei Templi, located near the western Sicilian town of Agrigento, is home to some of the best-preserved Greek ruins in the world. The site comprises seven temples, most of which date back to the 5th century B.C.
The best-preserved temple is the Tempio della Concordia (Temple of Concordia), and the oldest is the Tempio di Ercole (Temple of Hercules) from the 6th century B.C. Visitors can spend a few hours exploring the archaeological zone.
Join us on a guided tour to discover one of the best-preserved relics of Sicily’s ‘Magna Graecia’ period. As English author and historian Douglas Sladen once said, “If you want to understand ancient Greece, come to Sicily.”
Our expert local guide will provide insight into this fascinating period of history and lead you through the well-preserved ruins. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the rich history and cultural influences of the island.
You will have the opportunity to explore the stories told by the eight temples in the Valle dei Templi.
From the almost entirely intact Temple of Concordia to the Temple of Hera, which suffered damage in a medieval earthquake, and from the Temple of Juno in its hilltop position to the unfortunate Temple of Zeus, which was dismantled by greedy builders over the centuries for its stones, each temple has its own unique history.
Our expert guide will provide insight and context for these fascinating ruins, allowing you to fully appreciate the rich history and cultural influences of the ancient Greeks in Sicily.
Guided Tour of Agrigento & The Archeological Museum
The historic center of Agrigento, also known as Kerkent (by the Arabs), Gergent (by the Normans), and Girgenti (until 1927), is located on the hill of Girgenti.
As you wander through the streets and alleys of old town Girgenti, you will discover charming corners and significant monuments that reflect the town’s multi-cultural past and complex history, including the Arab maze of streets and courtyards, the Norman palaces and churches, and the Baroque architecture of Spanish derivation.
The ideal starting point for a visit to the historic center of Girgenti, also known as the old town, is Piazza Vadalà, home to a monument dedicated to the philosopher Empedocles. From there, we will enter the old town through Porta di Ponte (Bridge’s Gate) and follow Via Atenea, the long and winding main street that runs through the lower part of the old town from west to east. Along or near this street, you will find several churches and buildings of interest that are worth exploring.
