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Experience Incredible Enna, Sicily The lake of Pozzillo, with volcano Etna in background

Small Group · Catania

Secrets of Sicily: Unesco Sites, Wineries, Food and Beaches

8 Days Sicily

The Overview

Overview

This is a totally private and exclusive tour of Sicily with an expert driver-guide that departs from Catania and includes many of Sicily's World Heritage sites like Siracusa, Mt. Etna and her wineries, Taormina and the Greek Amphitheater, Noto, Palermo, Monreale, Erice, Segesta and many, many more. Over the course of the week you will also visit extraordinary wineries and enjoy fine culinary experiences. 

Duration

8 days

7 nights

Starting From

EUR 3,600

Per person for two travelers

Tailored to your departure and group.

This is a totally private and exclusive tour of Sicily with an expert driver-guide, which departs from Catania and includes many of Sicily's World Heritage sites like Siracusa, Mt. Etna and her wineries, Taormina and the Greek Amphitheater, Noto, Palermo, Monreale, Erice, Segesta and many, many more. Over the course of the week you will also visit extraordinary wineries and enjoy fine culinary experiences.

Regions
Sicily
Tour Style
Small Group
Departs From
Catania
Meeting Point
Airport
Included Meals
Daily breakfast · 1 dinner · 1 lunch · 1 wine tasting
Day by day

Itinerary

Follow the route as you read. The map traces each day of the journey, moving with you from place to place.

Sicily

Chapter 1 · Days 1–8

Welcome to Sicily

Italy’s historic and cultural diversity is perfectly expressed in Sicily, an island rich in history and overflowing with scenic beauty. A visit to Taormina, 200 meters above sea level and looking down onto the Ionian Sea like a terrace, will deliver a calm to the soul, a must see while visiting this island.   From the breathtaking beauty and vantage point…

Explore Sicily
Day 1

Sicily, Catania

Arrive in Catania and Private Transfer to Siracusa - Welcome Dinner in Siracusa

  • Dinner
Arrive in Catania and Private Transfer to Siracusa - Welcome Dinner in Siracusa — photo 1 Arrive in Catania and Private Transfer to Siracusa - Welcome Dinner in Siracusa — photo 2 Arrive in Catania and Private Transfer to Siracusa - Welcome Dinner in Siracusa — photo 3 Arrive in Catania and Private Transfer to Siracusa - Welcome Dinner in Siracusa — photo 4 Arrive in Catania and Private Transfer to Siracusa - Welcome Dinner in Siracusa — photo 5

When you arrive at Catania airport, our local, English-speaking drivers will meet you and privately transfer you along the coast to the delightful and beautiful sea-port of Syracuse, which was once one of the most important cities in Sicily for the Greeks who first inhabited the area. 

Once at your hotel, check in and you will be free to explore the local area of Ortigia until 5pm when you will meet with the tour director and your traveling companions.  Depending on the weather, you may meet on the wonderful rooftop terrace, or in in the cooler hotel bar where you will have a chance to get to know each other over a typical aperitivo.

This evening, you will enjoy a welcome dinner together at a local restaurant, then return to the hotel. 

Overnight in Syracuse.

Where we meet Airport
Day 2

Sicily, Siracusa Sicily, Noto

Full Day tour of Siracusa and Noto

  • Breakfast
Full Day tour of Siracusa and Noto — photo 1 Full Day tour of Siracusa and Noto — photo 2 Full Day tour of Siracusa and Noto — photo 3 Full Day tour of Siracusa and Noto — photo 4 Full Day tour of Siracusa and Noto — photo 5

This morning, after a buffet breakfast at your hotel, your tour director will accompany you on an orientation walk around Syracuse, to see some of the beautiful architecture, famous sites and street markets piled high with delicious local products.   You will then make your way by luxury minibus to the Baroque town of Noto.   Noto and the other towns of the Noto Valley, together comprise one of Sicily's numerous UNESCO sites, thanks to the unique and beautiful architecture here, known as Sicilian Baroque.  

In the later afternoon we head back to Siracusa where you will be able to enjoy the archeological park in Siracusa and enjoy time for shopping and dinner at your leisure this evening. 

Day 3

Sicily, Taormina

Full Day tour of Taormina and Mt. Etna with Wine Tastings and Lunch

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Wine Tasting
Full Day tour of Taormina and Mt. Etna with Wine Tastings and Lunch — photo 1 Full Day tour of Taormina and Mt. Etna with Wine Tastings and Lunch — photo 2 Full Day tour of Taormina and Mt. Etna with Wine Tastings and Lunch — photo 3 Full Day tour of Taormina and Mt. Etna with Wine Tastings and Lunch — photo 4 Full Day tour of Taormina and Mt. Etna with Wine Tastings and Lunch — photo 5

This morning after breakfast we will be there at the hotel to meet you and take you up to the magnificent top of Mt. Etna where you will be able to view one of Europe's most active volcanoes.  Following our visit here, we head into the valley that is home ot some of Sicily's best wineries where you will enjoy multiple wine tastings at the Cambino or Villa Casa Grande wineries, which are outstanding wineries in the area - followed by a true Sicilian lunch - also with wine.

In the afternoon, we head to Taormina, where you can visit the Greek Amphitheatre and enjoy time in Taormina for shopping and time at leisure before heading back to Siracusa.

Dinner at leisure in Siracusa and overnight. 

Day 4

Sicily, Agrigento

Piazza Armerina - Agrigento

  • Breakfast
Piazza Armerina - Agrigento — photo 1 Piazza Armerina - Agrigento — photo 2 Piazza Armerina - Agrigento — photo 3 Piazza Armerina - Agrigento — photo 4 Piazza Armerina - Agrigento — photo 5

This morning we depart Siracusa for Piazza Armerina, home to some of the most extensive Roman mosaics in Italy where you will enjoy a guided tour.   Following Piazza Amerina, we head to Agrigento where you will have time at leisure for dinner and overnight.

Day 5

Sicily, Mondello

Guided tour of the Valley of Temples in Agrigento - Mondello

  • Breakfast
Guided tour of the Valley of Temples in Agrigento - Mondello — photo 1 Guided tour of the Valley of Temples in Agrigento - Mondello — photo 2 Guided tour of the Valley of Temples in Agrigento - Mondello — photo 3 Guided tour of the Valley of Temples in Agrigento - Mondello — photo 4 Guided tour of the Valley of Temples in Agrigento - Mondello — photo 5

This morning after breakfast we will come to meet you to begin a guided tour of the magnificent Valley of Temples in Agrigento which was one of the most important sites for the Greeks in Sicily and still in great condition. 

Following Agrigento we head along the southern cape of Sicily, stopping in Marsala and along it's bay where they still harvest salt and it's an incredible area for photos. 

From here, we continue onto the great town of Mondello, one of the loveliest beach towns in Italy where you will be based for the next 3 nights to enjoy Palermo, Monreale, Erice, Segesta and much more! 

Overnight in Mondello. 

Day 6

Sicily, Palermo

Private Tour of Palermo and Monreale

  • Breakfast
Private Tour of Palermo and Monreale — photo 1 Private Tour of Palermo and Monreale — photo 2 Private Tour of Palermo and Monreale — photo 3 Private Tour of Palermo and Monreale — photo 4 Private Tour of Palermo and Monreale — photo 5

This morning after breakfast we depart the lovely Mondello resort for Sicily's largest and most important cities, Palermo, where you will have time to visit the incredible Opera house, cathedrals and wonderful piazzas filled with incredible statues.  

After our visit we head up to Monreale, one of the most beautiful monasteries in Sicily where you will continue your guided tour.

In the afternoon we return to beautiful Mondello for dinner at leisure and overnight. 

Day 7

Sicily, Erice

Erice - Segesta and the Zingaro Nature Reserve - Farewell Dinner in Mondello

  • Breakfast
Erice - Segesta and the Zingaro Nature Reserve - Farewell Dinner in Mondello — photo 1 Erice - Segesta and the Zingaro Nature Reserve - Farewell Dinner in Mondello — photo 2 Erice - Segesta and the Zingaro Nature Reserve - Farewell Dinner in Mondello — photo 3 Erice - Segesta and the Zingaro Nature Reserve - Farewell Dinner in Mondello — photo 4

This morning after breakfast we head up to the incredible town of Erice overlooking the spectacular valleys below 365 degrees.  Here, you will have time to enjoy the fantastic town by foot before we head to Segesta, which is one of the highest Greek Amphitheatre in the world, where you will enjoy a guided tour. 

Following Segesta we head over to the lovely town of Castellammare del Golfo, featured in the Oceans 12 films and many other famous films all over the world.

Here, you will have time to enjoy the beautiful Zingaro nature reserve home to the bluest of blue waters and lovely scenery where you will have time to enjoy the beach.

This evening, farewell dinner in Mondello. 

Day 8

Sicily

Private Transfer to Palermo Airport - Conclusion of Services

  • Breakfast
Private Transfer to Palermo Airport - Conclusion of Services — photo 1 Private Transfer to Palermo Airport - Conclusion of Services — photo 2 Private Transfer to Palermo Airport - Conclusion of Services — photo 3 Private Transfer to Palermo Airport - Conclusion of Services — photo 4 Private Transfer to Palermo Airport - Conclusion of Services — photo 5

This morning after breakfast at the beautiful Mondello resort, we will take you to the Palermo airport where it will be time to see Arrivaderci, Sicilia! 

The details

Inclusions & Exclusions

What's Included

  • 24-hour emergency service
  • Accommodation in Centrally Located, Four Star Hotels
  • Detailed explanation of sites
  • Dinners where indicated with wine included
  • Excellent Photo Opportunities
  • Internet at All Hotels
  • Local English speaking Driver Guide
  • Transportation in luxury vehicle
  • Wine and Olive Oil Tastings
  • Winery Visits

What's Not Included

  • Gratuities of any type
  • Meals not mentioned in the program
  • Personal Expenses or Extras at hotels
  • Travel Insurance
Your rooms

Where You'll Stay

Hotels are subject to availability and may be replaced with a property of similar standard.

Livingston Hotel

Livingston Hotel

Sicily, Siracusa

Hotel Livingston is an elegant and refined located in Ortigia, historical center of Syracuse. Thanks to its excellent position on the sea, you can adm...

Discover Property
In their words

Traveler Reviews

Emily and David Davison Travelled with us

My husband and I just took a two week trip to Italy that was planned for us by Eleanor Kinchin-Smith. It was a fantastic trip and we could not have been more thrilled. We worked together with Ele to let her know about our interests and our style of travel. She planned the perfect trip with excellent private guides at all of our sites, professional drivers and lovely hotels. We arrived in Italy with all of our train and ferry reservations made by Ele, with tickets in hand. She was in touch with us daily throughout our trip to make sure that things were going smoothly. She was able to make a few changes to our itinerary as needed. We look forward to working with Ele again on our next trip and have put her in touch with another family member to help plan their trip as well.

Ron and Deb Crosby Travelled with us

Dear Guiseppe and Jesse,

We just returned from our most wonderful vacation to Italy and wanted to first thank you for putting together such a wonderful trip, and second to provide some feedback for the future.

Hotels

1. Hotel Sovestro in San Gimignano was wonderful. The staff were very friendly and helpful and made the first portion of our journey very stress free. They made us feel like we were part of their family. I would recommend it to anyone and would specifically ask for it if we were to make a return visit.

2. Hotel La Baia in Monterosso was nice and it's location was very good especially for us older folks humping luggage from/to the train station.

3. Hotel Lucchesi in Florence- what can I say expect FANTASTIC. The rooftop view at sunset is well worth it. Again very friendly and helpful staff. Would recommend it to everyone.

Wine Tour

Money well spent. We had a great time overall. The driver Mario was OUTSTANDING. He had lots of local knowledge as well as about winemaking. USE HIM AGAIN!!!

The various wineries we visited on tour:

Altesino- fantastic and they were not cheap on their pouring. Great experience.

Azienda Agricola Patrizia Cencion Sloaria- Again a great tour by one of the owner's daughters. We felt like we were the only thing on their mind although there were other customers there. A great way to complete the day.

Again we had a fantastic time and are very appreciative of everything you booked for us. We wish you continued success and if our travels should bring us back to Italy, we know who to call.

Leon and Michele Travelled with us

The trip was great we appreciate all the hard work you and your team invested to make our experience a once in a lifetime trip. We appreciate all the attention to the details in particular Giuseppe spending the time and the focus with us on the road and as we were exploring your great country.

Bob & Sandy Travelled with us

Jesse & Giuseppe,

Sandy and I have been looking through my slides of our trip to Southern Italy. We had such a good time with you and Giuseppe that we wanted to let you know again. You were the best guides ever.

Where you are

Location

Italy Catania

Catania and beyond

8 days through Italy, with every stop chosen by the people who live here.

Where we meet

Airport

Where it starts

Catania

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Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a private tour, or will we join a group?

Private. You travel with your own guide and driver, and the only people on the itinerary are the ones you bring with you. Nothing is shared with strangers, and the pace of each day is yours to set.

Can the itinerary be changed to suit us?

Yes. What you see here is a starting point, not a fixed departure. Tell us how long you have, what you love and what you would rather skip, and we will reshape it around you. A slower morning, an extra night somewhere you fell for, a different region entirely.

How do we start planning?

Send us a note using the form on this page, or call us on 1-866-779-2565. A travel specialist replies within one business day, usually with a few questions of their own. There is no cost and no obligation in asking.

Are the hotels shown the ones we will stay in?

Usually, yes. Hotels are subject to availability, and if one is full on your dates we will replace it with a property of a similar standard and tell you before you book. Never a surprise on arrival.

When should we book?

The earlier the better, particularly for travel between May and September, when the best small hotels and the guides worth having are taken first. That said, we have put together beautiful trips at short notice, so ask and we will tell you honestly what is still possible for your dates.

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