Grand Tour of Sicilia

D01: ARRIVAL IN CATANIA

The journey begins on Day 1 in Catania. After a private transfer, you will begin your visit to the city, admiring its unique "black buildings" crafted from lava stone and its stunning Baroque architecture in Piazza del Duomo and along Via Etnea.

02: ETNA

Day 2 is dedicated to an unforgettable excursion on Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. You will enjoy a soft trekking tour with an environmental guide, exploring its unique landscapes. Afterward, you will return to Catania for more sightseeing, dinner, and an overnight stay.

D03: CATANIA - TAORMINA - SIRACUSA

On Day 3, you will travel to the enchanting clifftop town of Taormina, exploring its medieval streets and visiting the famous Greek Theater. You may also visit Castelmola. In the late afternoon, the journey continues south to Syracuse, where you will have dinner and stay overnight.

D04: SIRACUSA

 Day 4 is dedicated entirely to Syracuse, the great ancient capital of Western civilization. You will wander through the old town of Ortigia, admiring the Baroque architecture and the iconic Duomo, a Christian structure supported by ancient Greek columns. You will then visit the Archaeological Park of Neapolis to see the Greek Theater and the Roman Amphitheater.

05: SIRACUSA - NOTO - SCICLI

Day 5 takes you from Syracuse into the heart of the Val di Noto. Your sightseeing begins in Noto, a Baroque masterpiece rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, with its main square featuring the Duomo and Palazzo Ducezio. You will continue to Scicli, another surprising Baroque gem, where you will enjoy a guided visit before dinner and an overnight stay.

06: SCICLI - MODICA - RAGUSA

Day 6 starts with a visit to Modica, a picturesque city renowned for its unique cold-processed chocolate. The journey continues to Ragusa, where you will explore the ancient Ibla (Ragusa's old name), a prime example of expressive and elegant Baroque artistry. The day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay in Ragusa, including a visit to a unique cave/cheese factory.

07: RAGUSA IBLA - RAGUSA CITY AND AREA 

Day 7 is spent exploring the Ragusa area, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its 50 churches, numerous historic palaces, and unique, often contradictory, landscapes. You will conduct your visits with a local guide, immersing yourselves in the realm of Baroque artistry and local traditions (including the area featured in the Inspector Montalbano series).

08: RAGUSA - PIAZZA ARMERINA - AGRIGENTO

On Day 8, you will head to Piazza Armerina to visit the unmissable Imperial Roman Villa, believed to have been Emperor Maximian Herculius's hunting residence, to marvel at its intricate and well-preserved Roman mosaics. Afterward, you will proceed to Agrigento to visit the breathtaking Valley of the Temples at sunset.

09: AGRIGENTO - MAZARA DEL VALLO - SELINUNTE - MARSALA

Day 9 begins with further exploration of Agrigento, soaking in the evocative atmosphere of the Valley of the Temples. The journey continues west, with a possible stop in Naro, before visiting Mazara del Vallo, an ancient Phoenician colony with a bustling fish market. You will then see Selinunte, a testament to ancient opulence, before arriving in Marsala to visit a prestigious winery for a tasting of the renowned Marsala liqueur, followed by an excellent dinner.

10: MARSALA - MOZIA - FAVIGNANA

Day 10 heads north to the salt pans of Marsala and the picturesque island of San Pantaleo, home to the ancient Phoenician city of Motya. After your visit, you will return to Marsala to take a 30-minute ferry crossing to the island of Favignana for check-in, dinner, and an overnight stay.

11: FAVIGNANA

Day 11 is dedicated to exploring the enchanting island of Favignana. You will have dinner and spend the night at the resort.

12: SEGESTA - ERICE - PALERMO

Day 12 starts with a return to the mainland and a drive north to visit Segesta, with its perfectly preserved Greek religious monument. You will then continue to Erice, a charming hamlet offering panoramic views of northwestern Sicily. You will arrive early in Palermo for a visit to the local Ballarò market before enjoying dinner and an overnight stay.

13: PALERMO

Day 13 is a full day exploring Palermo with a local guide, starting with the Norman Palace (Palazzo dei Normanni), followed by the spectacular Palatine Chapel (Cappella Palatina), the distinctive church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, and Palermo's Cathedral. Time permitting, you may visit the controversial Cappuccini Church and its catacombs.

14: PALERMO - MONREALE - CEFALU - CATANIA

The final day, Day 14, starts with a visit to the magnificent Monreale Cathedral, the most intense example of Norman-Arab architectural beauty on the journey. From there, you will continue to the stunning Cefalù, where you will spend the afternoon and enjoy a wonderful farewell dinner before arriving back in Catania late in the evening for your overnight stay and farewells to your tour leader.