“Best of Italy”: Grand Tour of Sicily

Day 1 – Arrival at Catania Airport

Upon arrival in Catania, a private driver will pick you up at the airport and drive you to your hotel in Ortigia. Night in Ortigia

Day 2 – Ortigia

Today you will first be transferred to the Archaeological Park of Siracusa, the ancient Greek colony that outshined its master during the decline of the Greek empire. This vast park encompasses a treasure trove of ancient ruins, including the renowned Greek Theater, which dates back to the 5th century BC and is still used for performances today. In the afternoon, you will wander with your local guide through Ortigia, the “Old City” of Syracuse”, a charming and historic island boasting a tapestry of ancient ruins, narrow cobblestone streets, and stunning Baroque architecture. Night in Ortigia

Day 3 – Wine Tasting and Noto

Today you will head to the Noto countryside. En route, you will stop in a special wine estate where you will enjoy a food and wine pairing lunch. After lunch, you will make a stop in Noto – an amazing city built at the end of the 17th century after an earthquake destroyed Old Noto entirely – for a stroll in town and a granita before proceeding to your beautiful agriturismo nearby. Night outside Noto

Day 4 – Sicilian Cooking Class and Chocolate Making in Modica

Today you will tour the “Val di’ Noto,” a valley so beautiful and unique that it was declared a World Heritage site in 2002. We will first visit Modica, famous for its chocolate, where you will participate in a Sicilian cooking class followed by lunch. Afterwads, you will put your hands on preparing your own chocolate bar. Modica is the only place on earth where cold-worked chocolate is still produced using the ancient Aztec technique which preserves more nutrients and more flavors than modern chocolate-making methods. In the afternoon, you can wander the baroque jewel of Ragusa Iblea or decide to head back to your resort. Night outside Noto

Day 5 – Piazza Armerina

You will start your day with a lovely drive across scenic agrarian landscapes to Piazza Armerina and the Imperial Roman Villa of Casale. This ancient Roman hunting lodge and beauty spa was well known among the Who’s Who of the 4th century. You will have plenty of time to view the original mosaics that decorate the lodge’s former exercise rooms and baths. You will then be transferred to your hotel overlooking the Valley of Temples in Agrigento. Night at a resort near Agrigento

Day 6 – Agrigento

This morning you will visit the Ancient Valley of the Temples, one of the richest archaeological areas of the world, with your local guide. In the afternoon, you will head to your countryside resort near to Castelvetrano where you will stay for the next two nights.  Night near Castelvetrano

Day 7 – Selinunte & Castelvetrano Olive Oil Production

You will start the day with a visit to Selinunte, one of Europe’s largest archaeological parks, where you will be blown away by the ancient Greek ruins over the blue Mediterranean Sea. In the afternoon, after a nice lunch on the seaside, you will visit an olive oil production and taste the spectacular olive oil from the region. Night near Castelvetrano

Day 8 – Salt Pans Guided Walk and Marsala Wine Tasting

Today you will head to Marsala to visit its renowned salt pans. Upon arrival you will enjoy a guided walk through the salt pans followed by a salt tasting and light lunch. In the afternoon you will make a stop at one of the best producers of the local sweet and smooth Marsala wine. After a tasting of this incredible dessert wine, you will take in the local museum, which displays the remains of an awesome Phoenician ship. Night in Marsala

Day 9 – Full Day Boat Tour to Egadi Islands with lunch on board

This morning, you will board on a private boat and leave for a day trip between the islands of Favignana and Levanzo. The day will develop in a perfect mix of nature, fishermen’s life, and food. You will not only have the chance to swim in coves difficult to reach otherwise but you will also enjoy a fishing experience while relaxing on the boat and get to eat a meal cooked on board with the catch of day. You will head back to Marsala late afternoon. Night in Marsala

Day 10 – Erice & Couscous Making Demonstration with lunch

This morning you will drive to Erice, a delightful medieval village nestled on a 2,200-foot cliff. After a nice stroll through Erice’s narrow streets, you will enjoy a couscous making demonstration in an amazing place followed by a delicious lunch. You will also have the chance to sample the typical almond pastries from Erice, handmade in town carefully following the ancient tradition! In the afternoon, you will return to Marsala. Night in Marsala

Day 11 – Segesta and Borgo Parrini

Your first stop today is Segesta, renowned for its well-preserved Greek temple and theater and boasting archaeological treasures dating back to the 5th century BC. The majestic Doric temple, perched on a hill overlooking the surrounding landscape, is a testament to Segesta’s rich history and architectural genius. On your way to Palermo, you will have the chance to stop at Borgo Parrini, unknown to many and considered the most colorful village of Sicily. It is a beautiful artistic village, where you can admire painted walls depicting famous faces, including Frida Kahlo’s or inspiring quotes from visionaries like Pope John Paul II and Gandhi. As you take a walk through its flowery alleys and cobbled walkways, you’ll feel as if you’re surrounded by the modernism of the Catalan artist Antoni Gaudì. In the afternoon, you will reach Palermo, your final destination. Night in Palermo

Day 12 – Cefalù

Today you will be transferred to the charming town of Cafalù. You will visit Cefalu Cathedral to appreciate some of the best-preserved Byzantine mosaics in the world, as well as the spectacular stonework of Norman and Arab masons. You will have tome to explore town and its promenade and relax at some of the greatest beaches in Sicily. Night in Palermo

Day 13 – Monreale, Palermo, and gala lunch at a private palace

Today you will be transferrred to Monreale, just outside Palermo. Here you will see the mosaics of the Norman Cathedral which are among the most extraordinary in Italy. This amazing monument is a dazzling mixture of Arab, Byzantine and Norman artistic styles. Although part of the mosaics are currently under restoration, it is still worthy to go and visit this masterpiece. Mid morning, you will go back to Palermo where you will proceed with the visit of this unique city and its famous folklore local markets. At the end of the visit, you will enjoy a farewell private gala lunch at a very special palace overlooking the Cathedral of Palermo. You will have the afternoon on your own to relax. Night in Palermo

Day 14 – Departure from Palermo Airport

This morning you will be transferred to Palermo airport to catch your flight back home.

*The program of activities and excursions might be subject to changes due to weather conditions. In case, alternatives will be offered.

⇒ Airport transfers at arrival and departure

⇒ Accommodation in charming, carefully selected hotels

⇒ All breakfasts

⇒ All transportations with private driver as per itinerary

⇒ Full day tour of Siracusa/Ortigia with private guide

⇒ 1 wine tasting with lunch

⇒ 1 chocolate making class

⇒ 1 cooking class with lunch

⇒ Tour of Piazza Armerina (Villa del Casale) with private guide

⇒ Half day tour of Agrigento with private guide

⇒ Half day tour of Selinunte with private guide

⇒ 1 lunch on the seaside in Selinunte

⇒ 1 Olive Oil Tasting

⇒ Visit to Marsala salt pans

⇒ Salt tasting with light lunch

⇒ 1 marsala wine tasting

⇒ Full day boat trip to Egadi Islands with lunch onboard

⇒ 1 cous cous making demo in Erice with lunch

⇒ 1 almond pastries tasting

⇒ Tour of Palermo and Monreale with private guide

⇒ Gala lunch at private palace

⇒ All entrances as per itinerary

⇒ Professional consulting before and throughout the trip

Χ International flights (fly INTO CATANIA and OUT OF PALERMO)

Χ Travel and personal insurance

Χ Transfers and meals NOT mentioned

Χ Local taxes (if any)

Χ Personal expenses

Χ Tips to tour leader, driver and local guides

Χ All that is NOT mentioned in “Included”