Sicilian Carousel 2025

Independent arrival at hotel in Catania. Welcome drink and dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Catania. (D)

After a buffet breakfast, depart to Syracuse. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Neapolis’. The visit of this archaeological area includes the famous Greek theatre; the Roman Amphitheatre; the ‘Latomie of Paradise’; and the ‘Dyionisios Ear’. Continue to the Island of Ortygia, the small baroque old city centre of Syracuse. Visit of the beautiful Cathedral, which is built upon the site of the Doric Temple of Minerva; the legendary Arethusa’s Fountain; and the Temple of Apollo.  Enjoy a “street food” light lunch in the centre of Ortigia. Afternoon at leisure to stroll through the streets of the centre and for shopping. Return to your hotel in Catania. Evening at your leisure to experience the city and its nightlife, and to dine in one of the typical restaurants in the city centre. Overnight in Catania. (B, L)

After a buffet breakfast, depart for a nice walk of Catania. Stroll through the city centre and visit the famous fish market “A PISCARIA”, one of the largest fish markets in Sicily. As old as the city itself, it’s a great way to experience the abundant fishing and seafood culture of Sicily, with a very special and authentic atmosphere. Depart to Ragusa, renowned for its cheese production; therefore, you will not miss a tasting of artisan cheeses and Sicilian specialties (light lunch). You will visit the enchanting historical centre ‘Ibla’, with its stunning baroque palaces and churches; together with the other seven cities in the Val di Noto, Ragusa is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Continue to the reserved hotel where you will have time at leisure to relax at the swimming pool or at the spa. Dinner at the hotel and overnight in Ragusa. (B, T/L, D)

After a buffet breakfast, departure to Agrigento, a hillside town famous for its magnificent ‘Valley of the Temples’, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit of the Valley, including the Temple of Concordia, which is in almost perfectly preserved condition, and the Temples of Juno and Heracles. Time at leisure for lunch. In the afternoon you will proceed to Marsala, a city on the western coast, famous for its production of sweet Sicilian wine. Arrival at Baglio Donna Franca, a perfectly restored nineteenth-century baglio, which rises in the Marsala countryside on the hills in front of the Stagnone Reserve and the Egadi Islands. The baglio was a property of Florio. Here you will have the opportunity to visit the cellar and learn all about winemaking. At the end of the tour, we will enjoy a wine tasting/light dinner at sunset. Overnight at the Wine Resort in Marsala. (B, T/D)

After a buffet breakfast, departure to Erice via the spectacular ‘Salt Route’, a road flanked by the salt pans, windmills, and the ‘salt houses’ where they still extract the sea salt as the Phoenicians once did. Arrival in Erice, placed on the top of a hill overlooking the city of Trapani and the Egadi Islands. Walk through its tiny and characteristic streets, the winding lanes, and inner courtyards, and stop for marzipan and biscuit tasting. Continue to Palermo, the capital of Sicily. Free time for lunch and then visit the Cathedral, one of the most important architectural monuments. Continue your visit by walking along Corso Vittorio Emanuele to reach ‘I Quattro Canti di Città’ Piazza Pretoria; Piazza Bellini; and visit the Church of Santa Caterina. Check in at the hotel and time at leisure for shopping and dinner. Overnight in Palermo. (B, T)

After a buffet breakfast depart to visit the town of Monreale, situated on a hill a few kilometres from Palermo in a panoramic position. Visit of the Cathedral, one of the most beautiful monuments in the world with its Moorish architecture, housing very fine mosaics representing a complete cycle of the Old and New Testaments in Arab-Norman style. Continue to Cefalù, a former fishing village, now a charming coastal town. Enjoy a walk to the city centre and down main street to reach the Arab-Norman Cathedral and the medieval washhouse built in the rock. Time at leisure to explore the town, shopping, and lunch on your own. Proceed to Taormina through the coastal road passing through Messina, from where we will have the chance to admire the beautiful scenery of the Strait of Messina. Get settled at your hotel and free time for dinner. Overnight in Taormina. (B)

After a buffet breakfast, excursion to Mount Etna, the highest active Volcano in Europe. Weather conditions permitting, across fascinating landscape with different types of vegetation; a mixture of citrus groves, vineyards, and fruit trees. You will reach a height of 1800 metres to visit the Sylvester Craters where you will enjoy a spectacular panoramic view over the Ionian Sea. Stop at a local winery on the eastern slopes of Etna and visit a prestigious cellar. You will have the opportunity to taste different local wines, accompanied by local cheese and cold cuts. In the afternoon, back to Taormina, the charming city called ‘the Pearl of the Ionian Sea". Enjoy time at leisure for shopping or walking through its tiny streets. Possibility to visit the Greek-Roman Theatre on your own, with its spectacular view of Giardini Naxos and Mount Etna. Free time for dinner and overnight in Taormina. (B, T)

After buffet breakfast, end of the tour. (B)