A 10-day tour to explore the artistic, cultural and natural heritage of this magnificent island. From Palermo to Catania, a spectacular journey that will fill your memory with unforgettable images, flavors and perfumes.
Request a quote“Sicily is the country of the oranges, of the blossoming soil which perfume the air on spring… but make it a necessary land to see and unique in the world – from a side to another, this land can be defined a bizarre and divine museum of architecture”. – Guy de Maupassant – diary “Sicily” (1885)
An amazing grand tour exploring the artistic, cultural and natural heritage of this magnificent island: Sicily.
You will walk through the Sicilian past, starting from Palermo, whose millennial history created a remarkable artistic and architectonic heritage, like the monuments of the Arabian-Norman period, the gorgeous Chiesa della Martorana, synonymous of prosperity and charm of the Byzantine Middle Age, or the precious Capella Palatina. You will be enchanted by the beauty of Monreale while facing the imposing Arabian-Norman cathedral, known as the 8th wonder of the world whose cluster will leave you speechless. In addition, you will discover the romantic side of this city, walking by the seafront of Mondello while observing the seaside of Palermo embellished by the wonderful liberty style villas alternate with bars and local restaurants that offer the best pasta with sea urchin you’ve ever eaten.
Segesta will leave you astonished, especially Tempio Solitario – a refined Doric style example and well-known for being still well preserved – or the ancient Theatre of Segesta, partly excavated into a hilly rock. You will admire Erice and its small medieval hamlet up on the Monte San Giuliano, while exploring its charming little streets and the local craftsmanship shops. Then, you’ll fall in love with an unforgettable sunset descending on the salt pans of Trapani where the typical salt extraction is still flourishing as explained at the Museo del Sale built in an old millstone. Finally, you will enjoy the evocative landscape create by the Mothia Island, ancient Phoenician colony located in the center of the Stagnone.
Your tour will continue in the ancient Greek city of Selinunte surrounded by an evocative Mediterranean landscape that proudly shows its architectonic evidences of the Greek period in its large Parco Archeologico. While visiting Agrigento and the spectacular Valle dei Templi – an UNESCO world heritage – you might also explore the many small cities like Sciacca , Eraclea, Minoa, Porto Empedolcle. In Caltagirone, you will enjoy Piazza Armerina and the gorgeous Villa Romana del Casale, dated from the late roman imperial period and UNESCO heritage. This city, rich in clay, is internationally renowned for its handcrafted ceramic production which is still active, involving today hundreds of artisans. Finally, Ragusa Ibla – cradle of the late Sicilian baroque, will charm you with its fascinating churches and the Ibleo garden.
The tour will take you to the heart of the Sicilian baroque. You will discover Modica, chest of countless architectonic treasures of the baroque period and master of the chocolate art. You will have the chance of snooping around the ancient and precious recipes of the Modica chocolate at a local company, observing the different mouth-watering steps of its production. While exploring Noto, capital of the Sicilian baroque, called the stone garden, you will admire the stately homes like Palazzo Nicolaci. Then, after tickling your palate savoring the famous Sicilian granita, you can plunge into the most beautiful and ancient Greek colony – Syracuse and its wonderful archeological park of Neapolis. Otherwise, you can continue a relaxing walk toward Ortigia, with its splendid Cathedral and the famous Fontana di Aretusa.
The tour will continue in Catania, offering infinite attractions, from the historical “pescheria”, ancient fish market, to the scenographic Piazza del Duomo with the splendid Cathedral and the lava stone Elephant statue. You will enjoy the genuine baroque of Via dei Crociferi, where you can find the Monastery of S. Benedetto, well-known for Verga’s novel “The story of a songbird”. At the Riviera dei ciclopi (the cyclops’ coast) you’ll discover the marine village of Aci Castello, the Sicilian corner most painted by artists. This tour will take you to the most amazing natural place in Europe, guided by our experts that will show you the history, the geology and the botany of the highest volcano of the Eurasian plate. This journey will end in the charming Taormina with its distinctive landscape, the marine beauties, the historic monuments and its unforgettable sea-view with a privileged window on the Etna. Not to be missed the Greek-Roman Theater, the ancient Duomo and Palazzo Corvaja.
We selected hotel facilities able to offer all the comforts you need in order to end your days hugged by the warm Sicilian hospitality while still taking care of the luxurious details that make your nights even more precious.