Authentic Sicily

You will be met at the airport for your private transfer to your hotel for the next 3 nights. Palermo's long history as a crossroads of civilizations means a constant buzz of influences. The sights, sounds, and smells of Arab markets next to grand Norman architecture, with a dash of modern Sicilian life thrown in for good measure, is a sensory overload in the best way possible. Take this first day to relax and unwind from your flight, or to explore the local neighborhood. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in the evening.

Palermo

Palermo

Palermo

Palermo Castle

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Grand Hotel et Des Palmes

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In the morning, your personal guide will meet you at the hotel for a full-day tour of Palermo. Take a walk around the old town center of Palermo with your guide and visit the main highlights, such as the Cathedral, the Four Corners, the curious Fountain of Shame and one of the Baroque oratories with stunning stucco decorations. Following this, there is a chance to discover the traditional street food in Palermo. Forget fancy restaurants, a Palermo street food tour is a flavor explosion through the heart of the city. You could try piping hot arancini, golden spheres of fried rice bursting with savory fillings. Alternatively tempt your taste buds with a panino con le panelle, a textural adventure featuring crispy chickpea fritters nestled in a sesame seed bun. Don't miss sfincione, a savory chickpea flour flatbread layered with tomato sauce, cheese, and maybe even anchovies for a salty surprise. Wash it all down with a cool glass of Sicilian lemonade as you wander the local markets. Finally, today’s tour takes you into the heart of Sicilian craftsmanship. Visit workshops where time-honored techniques are passed down through generations. Learn from Salvo, the "Puppet Maker of Capo Market," who creates marionettes from wood and metal. Salvatore continues the 19th-century tradition of crafting "coppola," the iconic Sicilian cap. In the evening, dinner will be hosted by a local, and together with your guide you spend the evening sharing food, stories and laughter!

* Not available on Sundays

Palermo Cathedral

Palermo market

Panelle Palermo Market

Puppet Maker Workshop

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Grand Hotel et Des Palmes

overnight

You will be collected in the morning from your hotel for a private guided tour of Castelbuono in the heart of the Madonie Mountains. Surrounded by forests of oak, chestnut, ash, and cherry trees, you visit the imposing 14th-century Ventimiglia Castle. Home to the Civic Museum, the castle houses archaeological finds and paintings. In the central Piazza Margherita, is the Matrice Vecchia church, adorned with Gothic frescoes and works of art from the 14th and 15th centuries. From here onward to see the Matrice Nuova, a 17th-18th century masterpiece showcasing a spectacular Medieval painted cross. Following this, there is a visit to a small local delicatessen, where you can taste the local cheeses and cured meats, then sample the panettone and Castelbuono’s ice-cream. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to stroll around and experience daily life in an authentic Sicilian town.

Castelbuono

Castelbuono

Castelbuono

Castelbuono bakery

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Grand Hotel et Des Palmes

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Sicily, for many travelers, is synonymous with the sea - a constant presence shaping landscapes from sand dunes to rugged cliffs. Picturesque villages and bustling cities hug the coastline, and Sicilians' lives are intertwined with the bounty and stories of the Mediterranean. In Sciacca, a seaside town overlooking Africa, Marisa and Paolo invite you into their beachfront home for a truly Sicilian experience. Surrounded by heirlooms and panoramic views, you'll join them in their overflowing kitchen, crafting traditional dishes with fresh local fish, farm-raised meat, and garden vegetables. Marisa and Paolo's endless anecdotes weave a tapestry of family and local history into the simple cuisine, creating a lunch or dinner that feels less like a meal and more like a connection. Sharing stories and plates, you'll leave feeling like you've known this welcoming couple for years, carrying a piece of authentic Sicily with you. Following this there will be a short walking tour through the historic heart of Sciacca and the seaside, before heading on to Agrigento, your next destination.

Sciacca

Sciacca Cathedral

Sciacca Cookery Class

Sicilian Cooking Class

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Hotel Villa Athena

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Today's tour offers a combination of history and gastronomy. You'll spend the morning exploring the ancient ruins of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, where you can see impressive Greek temples: the Temples of Juno, Concordia, Hera, and the Olympieion. These structures date back over 2,500 years and provide a glimpse into the powerful city of Akragas. En route to Syracuse, there is a stop at a local olive oil mill for a guided tour, learning about the production process from tree to bottle. Enjoy a lunch featuring regional specialties paired with the mill's Sicilian olive oil. Later you will transfer to Syracuse to your next hotel.

Agrigento

Agrigento

Olives

Olive grove

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Grand Hotel Des Etrangers

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This morning there is an outing to discover the ancient city of Syracuse *(Siracusa in Italian / Saragusa in Sicilian)* with a visit to Neapolis and Ortigia. After meeting your guide at the Neapolis Archaeological park, you will have the opportunity to explore the impressive ruins of Neapolis, including the Greek Theater, the Roman amphitheater, the Altar of Hieron II, and the Ear of Dionysus, remnants of a once-powerful Greek city-state. Afterward, step back in time in Ortigia, an island with a history stretching back to the 14th century BC. Narrow streets lined with buildings bear witness to centuries of diverse cultures, from Greek and Roman to Norman and Baroque. Following this, your special host (locally known as the queen of the market) will show you around the local market, the hub of local life for centuries. She will introduce you to the local vendors as you walk through. The market is a maze of stalls offering everything from fresh produce and seafood to local cheeses, cured meats, and artisanal crafts. Following this, there is plenty of time to relax and enjoy an aperitif and a leisurely lunch with your host, within the setting of their early 20th century house overlooking the harbor. Later you return to Syracuse for your evening at leisure. before heading back to your hotel.

Greek Roman Theater

Ortigia

Ortigia Market

Fiora Meal at Home

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Grand Hotel Des Etrangers

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Today starts with a walking tour of Noto. Your guide will take you along the main street of lower Noto, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, to see the enchanting facades of the main churches, convents, and palaces built by the most important religious orders and aristocratic families. Then move onward to the upper part of the city along Via Corrado Nicolaci, which is renowned for the wonderful 18th-century sculpted balconies of the Nicolaci di Villadorata Palace. Meandering through the narrow streets, you return to the main road with the town’s most important monuments. Then, on to explore a local vineyard where Nero d'Avola grapes thrive, learning about traditional winemaking techniques, passed down through the generations. Here there is a guided tasting of different wines alongside a selection of local cuisine. The day concludes with a visit to the historic town of Modica, and its maze of narrow alleys, famous for its Baroque architecture and exquisite chocolate.

Noto Cathedral

Modica

Nero d'Avola Wine Tour

Vineyard visit

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Grand Hotel Des Etrangers

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Today’s tour is in the heart of Catania, where the city's distinctive Baroque architectural style, characterized by the gray volcanic stone alternated with white limestone has a striking effect. The combination of history is visible, with traces of architecture and monuments from the Greek, Roman, and Middle Ages. Lunch will be at a private historic garden on the slopes of Mount Etna, where rare sub-tropical plants integrate with the flora of Mediterranean woodland, giving birth to a unique, historic garden. The garden, created by a nobleman from Catania, hosts plants from all over the world, and it is now under the care of the Sicilian Region Cultural Heritage Department. Here, the current owners will show you around. The variety of lights and shadows around each corner, while surrounded by luxuriant plants and lava rocks, make it the perfect setting for an unforgettable lunch enjoying ancient recipes handed down through the generations. After lunch, you will be taken by private transfer to your hotel in Taormina.

Catania Cathedral

Catania

Catania

Lunch in Historic Garden

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Hotel Metropole Maison D'Hôtes

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You will be taken to meet your guide at Rifugio Citelli to hike the imposing Mount Etna in the unique Sartorius Mountains (1750 meters above sea level). You will be able to enjoy a 360-degree view over the top of Etna to Taormina, walking over the volcanic landscape, characterized by its rugged beauty and geological formations. To relax after your hike, there is a visit to a family-run Eco Farm on Mount Etna's magical slopes. At a beautifully restored farmhouse with panoramic views over the Ionian Sea, Diego and Cinzia, the passionate owners of this eco-conscious haven, will show you around the farm, organic orchards, and lush vineyards. They are passionate about sustainability, organic farming, circular economy initiatives, and alternative energy production and have turned this once-abandoned property, set amidst ancient volcanic stone terraces, into a thriving ecosystem. Local organic dishes will be served up for a family-style lunch, along with a glass or two of natural wine.

Mount Etna

Mount Etna

Eco Farm

Organic wine

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Hotel Metropole Maison D'Hôtes

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This morning there is a guided walking tour of Taormina, encompassing the town's historic center, narrow streets, and piazzas. Key points of interest include the Greek Theater, offering panoramic views of Mount Etna and the coastline, and Corso Umberto, the main thoroughfare lined with shops and cafes. Later there is another authentic opportunity to meet and eat with the locals, dining with grandmas in the medieval hill-top town of Motta Camastra. After a stroll through the ancient streets, the Sicilian grandmothers will be waiting to welcome you to their homes to taste their traditional food. Prepare to feast on authentic homemade pasta, aromatic sauces, and mouthwatering desserts, all lovingly crafted using age-old recipes passed down through generations. The atmosphere is always fun and lively, a perfect way to spend your last evening in Sicily.

Taormina

Greek Theater

Taormina Duomo

Pasta Making

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Hotel Metropole Maison D'Hôtes

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Your guide will advise you of collection time from your hotel for private transfer to the airport. We wish you safe travels and trust that you have enjoyed an authentic travel experience meeting the Sicilian locals.

Italy flag

Sicily State Flag

Olive Oil

Wine, bread, salami

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Hotel Metropole Maison D'Hôtes

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