Small Group Highlights Tour of Sicily – 8 Days / Fixed Departures

Arrival to Catania airport and transfer to hotel in Taormina (1 hour)

Upon arrival at Catania airport be greeted by your private driver, who will bring you to your charming hotel in Taormina.
Have some relaxation in hotel and get ready for your first tour and meeting with a group.

Welcome Taormina Food & Wine Tour (2-3 hours)

On this sensory Taormina food and wine tour, taste the secrets of Sicilian cuisine that have been passed down through generations. Lose yourself amid the old town’s winding streets as you try authentic dishes in the charming trattorias and bars that dot its quaint piazzas.

Meet your gastronomic guide at Porta Messina, the grand gateway to Corso Umberto street. Step into a typical trattoria and savor fresh seafood delicacies perfectly paired with distinctive Sicilian white wines that showcase the island’s distinct terroir.
Here, uncover the stories behind each dish and the importance of seasonal ingredients in Sicilian cooking.

Your Taormina food and wine walking tour continues with a visit to a second food stop, where you’ll try a delicious selection of local specialties accompanied by remarkable red wines. Conclude your Taormina food and wine tour with a visit to Sicilian patisserie, where delicious pastries crafted with honey, almonds or other locally-grown fruits await.

Overnight in Taormina: Hotel Ariston 4* (Sea view room)

Taormina Walking Tour with Greek Theatre visit (2 hours)

Led by an acclaimed local guide, this Taormina tour is a journey through the ages. With its labyrinth of storied streets and romantic cliff-top setting, this is one of Sicily’s most romantic spots.

Start your tour at the iconic Greek Theatre. Perched on a hill overlooking the Ionian Sea and the majestic Mount Etna, this ancient arena was once the stage for Greek dramas and Roman gladiators. Next, fast forward to Medieval times at the Palazzo Corvaja and admire its distinct blend of Arab and Gothic architecture. Continue past the crumbling remains of a Roman amphitheater, before reaching the enchanting Old Town. Take in postcard-worthy sea views from Belvedere Square before passing through the majestic Catania Gate and ascending the grand stairway to Piazza Duomo.

Godfather vs Mafia tour with Pasta Lunch (5 – 6 hours)

On this gripping Godfather and Mafia tour in Sicily, join your knowledgeable local guide and step into the cinematic world of Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece. Uncover the real-life stories behind the iconic scenes as you explore some of Sicily’s most panoramic and antique villages.

Begin your Mafia tour in Forza d’Agrò, a picturesque village that cascades down a rugged hillside overlooking the Ionian Sea.
As you delve into its winding streets lined with time-worn stone buildings, your guide will tell you about the town’s starring role in The Godfather. Continue to Savoca, where you can visit the famous Bar Vitelli (optionally) before admiring the timeless beauty of the centuries-old Santa Lucia church – both landmarks where the blockbuster was filmed. Throughout your tour, your guide will share riveting stories about the Sicilian Mafia’s origins, its intricate power structure and the infamous clan wars that have shaped its enduring legacy. Conclude your tour in a charming local restaurant, where you’ll enjoy homecooked style pasta with a glass of local wine while taking in sun-soaked Sicilian views.

Overnight in Taormina: Hotel Ariston 4* (Sea view room)

On this Mount Etna tour with an expert local guide, you’ll journey to the summit of Europe’s tallest active volcano. Wander the otherworldly landscapes of this slumbering giant before tasting the exceptional wine that’s produced in its idyllic foothills. With its lunar-like craters, glowing lava fields, and sweeping views, this Mount Etna day trip will be the most oneof-a-kind experience on your tour of Sicily.

Begin your Mount Etna excursion driving through the sun-soaked Sicilian countryside, past rolling vineyards and sleepy olive groves. As you wind your way up the barren, ash-strewn mountain, your guide will share tales of the ancient mythology that has made this volcano so legendary throughout the ages. When you reach Rifugio Sapienza, at some 6,300 ft (1,900 mt) above sea level, start your walking on the out-of-this-world terrains of the Silvestri Craters. You can also take an optional cable car and 4×4 journey to the smoldering summit (2700/3000 mt) where ancient lava flows await.

After your volcanic expedition, descend to a vine-draped winery where a local winemaker will share the secrets of the distinct viticulture that thrives in Sicily. Finish your private Mount Etna tour with wine tasting and an organic lunch overlooking idyllic vineyards.

Overnight in Taormina: Hotel Ariston 4* (Sea view room)

Join your knowledgeable Sicilian guide and unravel two of Sicily’s best-kept secrets on this spectacular tour to Noto and Marzamemi. From Noto’s baroque elegance to Marzamemi’s coastal charm, you’ll explore UNESCOlisted architecture, enjoy Sicilian cuisine by the sea, and learn more about the island’s regal past.

Begin in Noto, entering through the grand Royal Gate to Corso Vittorio Emanuele. In Piazza Municipio, admire the imposing cathedral and Palazzo Nicolaci’s ornate balconies adorned with fascinating sculptures of mythical beings. Your guide will reveal the stories behind these architectural marvels and explain Noto’s significance in Sicily’s Val di Noto region.

Continue to the picturesque fishing village of Marzamemi where you’ll enjoy a fresh seafood lunch by the waterfront, before exploring the colorful fishermen’s houses and the historic tonnara (tuna factory). Your tour culminates at the charming Piazza Regina Margherita. After Tour be transferred to your hotel in Syracuse.

Overnight in Syracuse: Hotel Livingston 4* or similar

Peel back the layers of Sicilian history on this exciting walking tour around Ortigia, Siracusa’s spellbinding old town.
From ancient Greek temples to Baroque cathedrals, your expert guide will reveal the checkered history behind the city’s treasured landmarks.

Begin your tour at the storied ruins of the Apollo Temple, stretching back to the 6th century BC. Wander down the enchanting Via Cavour, Ortigia’s thriving heart, to the ornate Archimede Fountain, before delving into the winding streets of the mysterious Jewish Quarter.

Your journey continues with a visit to the elegant Duomo Square. Siracusa’s UNESCO World Heritage Site is an extraordinary blend of Byzantine and Norman architecture. Continue to enchanting Arethusa Fountain, a papyrusfringed
natural spring overlooking the sea.

Overnight in Syracuse: Hotel Livingston 4* or similar

On this historic Agrigento tour, walk in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks at Sicily’s Valley of the Temples.
Your expert guide will lead you through one of the world’s most significant archaeological sites, where crumbling temples offer an extraordinary glimpse into the island’s layered past.

Begin at the Temple of Concordia, a remarkably well-preserved structure that rivals Athens’ Parthenon. As you stroll through olive groves and almond orchards, unravel the fascinating history of the Temple of Juno, before delving into the valley’s oldest remnants: the time-worn columns of the Temple of Heracles.

Your journey through the ages concludes with an exquisite lunch at a traditional trattoria. After tour be transferred to your hotel in Palermo.

Overnight in Palermo: Hotel Politeama 4* or similar

On this exciting Palermo city tour, join your esteemed local guide and uncover the Sicilian capital’s layered history, magnificent architecture, and sun-soaked piazzas. Caught between Monte Pellegrino and the glistening Tyrrhenian Sea, the one-of-a-kind culture, art, and cuisine make Palermo an unmissable stop on your tour of Sicily.

Pass the iconic Palermo Cathedral, an imposing Gothic landmark with Corinthian columns, intricate frescoes, and storied tombs. Continue to the elegant Baroque facades of Quattro Canti, a timeless piazza graced by ornate sculptures of the Spanish kings who once ruled Sicily. Just steps away, the Renaissance splendor of the Pretoria Fountain awaits. After tour continue walking on the winding alleys and lively chatter of food market, where you can taste quintessential Sicilian cuisine, such as sfincione pizza and cannoli pastry.

Overnight in Palermo: Hotel Politeama 4* or similar