Sicilian Experience Tour

Enjoy a tasty Sicilian breakfast and meet your local guide at the hotel for a unique experience aboard the iconic “Ape Calessino”. This small and coloured three-wheeled vehicle will take you along the heart of Palermo city centre for a beaten tracks trip to discover the hidden beauties of the Sicilian capital city! You will appreciate it both from the historical and the architectural point of view. You will be conquered by its majestic noble residences and its churches that reflect the kaleidoscope of cultures that have shaped Palermo over the centuries. Each building will whisper you its own story: from the ancient Punic walls to Baroque masterpieces, from Art Nouveau villas to the impressive Teatro Massimo, a symbol of the great opera tradition! But it is in visiting the main Cathedral, the Church of the Martorana and especially the marvellous Palatine Chapel that your journey through the centuries will reach its peak. As you will enter these sacred places, you will perceive how Byzantine, Arab and Latin craftsmen intertwined their knowledge under the enlightened leadership of Roger II, creating a work of art that is much more than just a church! At lunch, you will experience the tasty local street food, accompanied by an expert guide who will lead you through the most hidden alleys of the historic centre. You will taste typical specialities such as the “crostino” with ham and béchamel sauce, the famous “panelle e crocchè” (chickpea fritters and potatoes and mint croquettes); the highly sought-after rascatura and the renowned spleen sandwich which usually perfume the Vucciria barbecues. You will be told the local legends and stories while sipping your Sicilian wine, you will experience the city’s authentic atmosphere. For dinner, if you envy a romantic atmosphere we suggest you the exclusive location of Doba restaurant. It offers a terrace with a breathtaking view of the Teatro Massimo and a refined gastronomic menu to celebrate Sicilian cuisine in an atmosphere that blends elegance and history.

Breakfast at your hotel and set out to discover Monreale, where you will be greeted by the imposing Arab-Norman Cathedral, considered the eighth wonder of the world. Inside you will admire the golden mosaics and precious stones of the Cloister, a masterpiece of sculpture and inlay that enchants with its timeless harmony and beauty. After a free lunch, the tour will continue to the picturesque Cefalù, a medieval town overlooking the Mediterranean sea. We suggest you to visit the imposing Norman Cathedral and to stroll along the cobblestone streets of the historic centre to enjoy the local shops. Cefalù’s beaches, among the most beautiful in all of Sicily, enchant with their golden expanses characterized by fine sand and crystal-clear waters, offering an irresistible invitation to a rejuvenating break. Located within the Madonie Natural Park, Cefalù is also an ideal starting point for naturalistic explorations among hills and mountains. Back to Palermo and dinner on your own.

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, the day will begin with a visit to Erice, an enchanting medieval town embraced by ancient walls and characterized by cobblestone alleys and craft stores. Situated on top of Mount San Giuliano, Erice offers breathtaking views that extend to the sea, immersing you in a unique atmosphere. From here, the journey continues to the historic Florio Winery, a place steeped in tradition and majesty. The tour begins in front of the giant wooden vats, built in the late 19th century and still used today for the aging of the prized Marsala, a true symbol of the Sicilian wine soul. You’ll pass through the imposing barrel cellars, three fascinating 165-meter-long galleries interspersed with 104 imposing arches, with the beaten tuff floor lending an aura of ancient times. The magic continues in the refined tasting rooms, where an extraordinary sensory experience will take place: a tasting of fine wines in which each glass tells the story of this bountiful land, from the sweet, intense notes of Marsala to the fresher, more mineral flavours of Sicilian whites. Each sip will be accompanied by evocative explanations which will guide you on a journey through the scents, flavours and traditions of Sicily. After lunch, we suggest you to discover the lovely town of Marsala where art and architecture blend harmoniously with the intense colours of nature. As you stroll through its streets, you will admire the historic buildings, witnesses to a past rich in history, while your gaze loses itself in the vibrant hues of the surrounding landscape: the warm yellow of the tuff, the deep blue of the sea, the whiteness of the salt pans and the lush green of the vineyards. Overnight in Agrigento and dinner on your own.

Today’s journey takes you to the heart of ancient history, to Agrigento, with a guided tour in the legendary Valley of the Temples, a World Heritage Site. Surrounded by enchanting landscape and hills dotted with olive trees, this valley holds the remains of glorious Akragas, where the Temple of Juno, the perfectly preserved Temple of Concord and the mighty Temple of Hercules rise majestically, still defying time with their grandeur. Walking among these masterpieces of Doric architecture, one can feel the echo of a glorious past, when Akragas was a beacon of culture and beauty in the Mediterranean. It was in the late 18th century that the first European travellers revealed to the world the hidden treasure of Sicily, beginning a rediscovery that still fascinates to this day. You will proceed on towards the enchanting Ragusa Ibla, a timeless gem, you will lose yourself in the streets of the historic centre, the cradle of Sicilian Baroque as well as the backdrop of the famous TV series “Inspector Montalbano.” Ragusa Ibla is listed among the 44 Italian sites of UNESCO World Heritage: you will be ravished by its over fifty churches and many magnificent Baroque palaces. It will be impossible not to be captivated by the majestic Cathedral of San Giorgio, which dominates the beautiful Piazza del Duomo, the beating heart of the city. Finally, you will lose yourself in the romantic Ibleo Garden, the oldest garden in Ragusa, located at an altitude of 383 meters. From here, the view will take your breath away: a series of hills and valleys stretching to the horizon, framing a landscape of breathtaking beauty. Afterwards, you will head towards Modica for a free dinner.

After a typical Sicilian breakfast, the day will begin with a visit to Modica, one of the Baroque jewels of the Val di Noto, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city, rebuilt in Baroque style after the devastating 1693 earthquake, enchants with its palaces featuring sculpted façades, decorated balconies, and charming alleys leading to beautiful churches and the centuries-old theatre. However, Modica is also famous for a gastronomic treasure: its unique chocolate. During your visit, you will stop at Sabadì, a renowned chocolaterie of international fame, known for its certified I.G.P. chocolate and to be Presidio Slow Food. This chocolate retains a unique grainy texture that enhances the natural aromas of the raw ingredients. The tasting will be a sensory journey through the authentic flavours of Sicily, where ingredients such as nepitella (wild mint), orange blossom honey, Sicilian I.G.P. lemons, and Sicilian blood oranges blend with the chocolate, creating an unforgettable tasting experience. After a free lunch, you will visit the charming Orti di San Giorgio, a series of seven suspended gardens that climb the steps of the Church of San Giorgio, offering an extraordinary panoramic view of Modica! Finally, you will end the day with a pleasant stroll through the city’s picturesque streets, where Baroque art meets natural beauty. Free dinner.

Your tour proceeds today towards Syracuse to discover the largest and most fascinating Greek colony in Sicily, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tour will take you through the wonders of the Archaeological Park of Neapolis where you will explore, with your guide, the majestic Greek Theatre, the imposing Roman Amphitheatre, the mysterious Latomie del Paradiso, and the famous Ear of Dionysius, a cave shrouded in legends and ancient allure. You will then continue to the beautiful Ortigia, the historic heart of Syracuse, where your lunch will not be just a meal, but an authentic sensorial experience. In an intimate and welcoming atmosphere, you will enjoy a tasting of typical Sicilian products, featuring delicious platters of local cheeses, accompanied by artisanal cured meats, to discover the island’s most authentic flavours. In the afternoon, walking around Ortigia, you will admire the splendid Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece that harmoniously blends different eras and styles, built on the ruins of an ancient Greek temple. From Piazza Duomo, you will continue to the suggestive Fountain of Arethusa, an enchanting
freshwater spring surrounded by papyri that evokes myths and legends.To conlude the day we recommend dinner in Aci Trezza on the spectacular terrace of the Grand Hotel Faraglioni overlooking the beautiful Riviera dei Ciclopi. This corner of Sicily, with its characteristic rocks emerging from the sea, has inspired artists from all over the world and is now one of the most iconic and evocative landscapes on the island.

Get ready for a day of adventure! In the morning, you will depart from your hotel on a comfortable Land Rover Discovery jeep (6 seats plus driver), driven by experienced guides and heading towards Mount Etna, UNESCO World Heritage Site. At 3,369 metres, it is the highest active volcano in Europe. The off-road excursion will allow you to explore the most striking corners of the volcano, which can only be reached by jeep, up to about 2,000 metres. You will admire spectacular landscapes, among Etna villages, dirt paths and ancient lava flows now solidified. Here, the spectacle of the Bove Valley and the active craters will leave you breathless! Continuing on, you will wander through forests, exploring volcanic caves formed by cooling lava. The route will continue with an exciting trek in the Sartorius Mountains. All vehicles will be linked by radio, allowing passengers to listen to the guide’s explanations throughout the trek. After the excursion, you will be welcomed at a renowned winery on the slopes of Mount Etna, where a tasting of local wines awaits you, followed by a lunch that will enhance the typical products of the region. In the afternoon, the trip will continue with a visit to the striking Alcantara Gorge Park, where imposing 50-metre-high walls of basaltic prisms create a veritable canyon sculpted by the clear waters of the Alcantara River. Entering the gorges is like exploring the beating heart of the earth: you will walk past small lakes and crystal-clear waterfalls until you reach a hidden beach where a refreshing dip in the cool waters of the river awaits you. At the end of the day, after returning to the hotel, a tasting of the famous Sicilian granita with brioche awaits you, followed by a free dinner.

After breakfast, you will set off to discover Taormina, the pearl of the Ionian Sea, nestled between the sea and Mount Etna. Famous for its breathtaking scenery and its ancient monuments. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the impressive Greek Theatre, the ancient Cathedral and the Palazzo Corvaja. The Greek Theatre is the city’s most important monument, famous for its extraordinary scenic location. With majestic Mount Etna on one side and the beautiful Bay of Naxos on the other, it offers a breathtaking panorama, and on clear days, you can even see the Calabrian coastline. This theatre is the second largest on the island, after that of Syracuse. The niches behind the stage once housed decorative statues, and during Roman times it was adapted to host gladiator fights, thus bearing witness to the different historical periods in Taormina. After a free lunch in the picturesque streets of the town, the afternoon will be devoted to an unforgettable experience: a boat trip along the beautiful bay of Taormina. You will set sail from the Port of Giardini Naxos to sail through three of the most fascinating bays in the area: the spectacular Baia di Mazzarò, with its crystal-clear waters and beach framed by imposing rocks; the magical Baia dell’Isola Bella, a true natural jewel with its small island connected to the mainland by a thin tongue of sand; and finally the suggestive Baia delle Sirene, with its deep blue waters. During the excursion, there will be a stop to dive into the clear waters, where you can snorkel among coral-rich seabeds and starfish, exploring the hidden beauty of the underwater world. The experience will give you unforgettable emotions amidst sea, sun and dream landscapes. Free dinner at the end of the day.