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Sicily Grand Tour: Food, Wine and Culture | 8 days

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Duration

8 Days • 7 Nights

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Tour Type

Boat Tours, City Tours, Cooking Classes, Culture and History, Food Tours, Private, Walking Tours, Wellness & Relax

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Group Size

Unlimited

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Languages

English, Italian

Overview

Sicily is a special island, a rich melting pot of culture and history, where ancient sites and enduring traditions exist alongside modern life in quite a unique way, and whose local cuisine is a delicious fusion of Mediterranean influences that have been passed down from generation to generation. It is an island of contrasts: excess and simplicity; wealth and modesty; magnificence and chaos. And we love it!
Our exclusive 8-day Sicily tour offers the best this unique island has to offer and you’ll visit not just the cities, but also some gems further along the coast.

Please consider that this program, the number of days, activities and services included, can be customized according with your needs and requests. Please contact us for further details and quotes.

At the end of this trip, if you’d like to continue your adventure in Italy we’d be happy to organize for you a once in a lifetime tour on the Amalfi Coast or Tuscany, Puglia, Rome, Venice. (other destinations also available on request). Please contact us for further information.

Prices are subject to change based on availability, travel dates, group size, and other tailor-made variables.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Discover Sicily, a melting pot of culture and history, where ancient sites and enduring traditions exist alongside modern life in quite a unique way, and whose local cuisine is a delicious fusion of Mediterranean influences that have been passed down from generation to generation.
  • Seven nights at our meticulously selected Hotels and Wine resort
  • Explore Sicily with the peace of mind of having everything perfectly organised for you by our team

Itinerary

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Day 1 | Catania: Ben Arrivati and Welcome Dinner
Day 1 | Catania: Ben Arrivati and Welcome Dinner

• Arrival transfer from Catania Airport to your boutique hotel.
• Arrival and check-in; relax and freshen up.
• Later in the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at the property: a tasting dinner celebrating local flavours, wine included.

Day 2 | Catania Food and Walking Tour
Day 2 | Catania Food and Walking Tour

• Breakfast is served
• After breakfast, meet your English-speaking guide for a Walking Tour of Catania. 
Catania is nestled on Sicily’s eastern coast beneath the imposing shadow of Mount Etna and is known for its rich history and youthful energy. Explore the city’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Baroque architecture and ancient ruins sit side by side. People in Catania love their food and here street food is an important part of the local gastronomic scene. As you wander through the historic center, you’ll see locals stop off to snack on the city’s famous arancine - deep fried rice balls, or the much-loved cipollina catanese a savoury pie stuffed with onion, tomato, mozzarella and cooked ham. Catania also has one of the most important fish markets in Sicily, so another favourite snack is a serving of fresh fried fish, washed down with a cold beer. Visit the Cathedral di Sant’Agata in Piazza Duomo which is also home to the striking Elephant Fountain. And not far away is the ancient amphitheater dating back to the 2nd century AD.
• Evening free and dinner on your own.

Day 3 | Excursion to Ortigia and Noto
Day 3 | Excursion to Ortigia and Noto

• Breakfast is served.
• Meet your driver for your excursion to the picturesque town of Ortigia. Ortigia, the historic center of Syracuse in Sicily, is a small island known for its well-preserved ancient and baroque architecture. Start at Ponte Umbertino, the bridge connecting Ortigia to mainland Syracuse
Piazza Pancali, and take in the view of the Temple of Apollo ruins (6th century BC), Sicily's oldest Doric temple. Walk through ancient narrow streets to Piazza Archimede featuring the ornate Fountain of Diana then on to Via Roma and Via Cavour with their elegant Baroque palazzi and traditional shops. Then, of course, there’s Piazza Duomo, one of Sicily's finest piazzas surrounded by honey-colored Baroque buildings.
• With your driver proceed to the town of Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Noto may be small, but it packs a punch with its stunning baroque architecture and beautifully restored historic center. Highlights include the ornate Noto Cathedral, the elegant Palazzo Nicolaci, and the charming Corso. Don’t miss a visit to Caffe’ Sicilia near the cathedral where Corrado Assenza, one of Italy’s greatest pastry chefs, transforms local almonds and pistachios into unforgettable dolci.
• Evening free and dinner on your own.

Day 4 | Excursion to Taormina and Mount Etna Winery
Day 4 | Excursion to Taormina and Mount Etna Winery

• Breakfast is served.
• Meet your driver for your excursion to the picturesque town of Taormina, perched on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea. The imposing Greek Theater which sits at the end of the town is a marvel of ancient engineering that still today hosts concerts and performances against a breathtaking backdrop of sea.
Once the capital of Byzantine Sicily, Taormina was subsequently conquered by the Arabs, then the Normans, and also fell under the rule of the Spanish and French. Here you’ll have free time to wander along the narrow streets, treat yourself to an artisan ice cream and visit the iconic Greek Theater. But most importantly, grab a seat at a street-side café and take a few moments to soak up the town's romantic atmosphere.
• Then head to a winery on Mount Etna. Etna is Europe's tallest active volcano, and as you drive up its slopes, you’ll be struck by the lunar-like landscapes and panoramic vistas stretching across the Sicilian countryside. And don’t forget to take some photo mementos while you’re there.
• At our Etna winery, you’ll enjoy a wine tasting at a vineyard nestled on the slopes of the volcano, and learn more about the important impact Etna’s fertile soil and climactic conditions have on local viticulture. Dinner is also included at the winery where dishes are based on the best local ingredients and designed to showcase the flavors of traditional Sicilian cuisine.

Day 5 | Olive Oil Experience with light Lunch and Valley of Temples
Day 5 | Olive Oil Experience with light Lunch and Valley of Temples

• Breakfast is served.
• Depart for Agrigento with visit to an olive oil mill on the way.
• On the drive to Agrigento, you’ll see acres of olive groves lining the hillsides. Olive oil production is an integral part of the region’s heritage, with the climate and fertile soils of southern Sicily creating ideal conditions for growing olives that yield exceptional oil. During your visit, you will tour the mill, learning about the traditional methods of harvesting and pressing the olives, as well as modern techniques that preserve the oil’s unique qualities. The highlight of the experience is the olive oil tasting, where you’ll sample the rich, robust flavors of the oil, characterized by the fruity, peppery, and slightly bitter notes, typical of oils produced in this part of Italy. Features light lunch with local products.

• Proceed to Agrigento. The archaeological ruins of Agrigento, located in the Valley of the Temples, are among the most significant ancient Greek sites in the world. The valley is home to well-preserved temples, including the Temple of Concordia, which remains one of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples outside Greece. Visitors can explore other impressive structures such as the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Zeus, and the ancient city walls, all set against a striking backdrop of rolling hills and the Mediterranean Sea visible in the distance. The archeological park also has a Museum which offers deeper insight into the history and culture of ancient Akragas.
• Proceed to your property in Agrigento: check-in, relax and freshen up.
• Evening free and dinner on your own.


Day 6 | Visit Monreale, Arrival in Palermo
Day 6 | Visit Monreale, Arrival in Palermo

• Breakfast is served.
• Meet your driver for transfer to your Palermo property. On the way, stop off at the charming town of Monreale and visit the Unesco heritage site of the town’s cathedral. The Cathedral of Monreale, a masterpiece of Norman architecture, is renowned for its stunning golden mosaics that cover nearly the entire interior, depicting scenes from the Bible. Located just outside Palermo, this World Heritage Site is a remarkable blend of Arab, Byzantine, and Norman artistic influences, making it a must-see for visitors to Sicily.
• Free time in the town to grab a coffee or a quick bite to eat.
• Proceed to Palermo property: check-in, relax and freshen up.
• Evening free and dinner on your own.

Day 7 | Palermo Walking and Cultural Tour, Dinner
Day 7 | Palermo Walking and Cultural Tour, Dinner

• Breakfast is served.
• In the morning meet your English-speaking guide for a cultural walking tour of Palermo. 
The Duomo is a must see and with your guide you’ll discover the cathedral’s rooftop and the stunning views it offers over the city. Admire the imposing theater, Teatro Massimo, and visit two Unesco world heritage sites: the Palatine Chapel built in the12th century, a great examples of a social-cultural amalgamation between Western, Islamic and Byzantine cultures, and not far away, the ancient Church of Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio or Martorana.
Our guide will take you through the city’s vibrant markets, hidden alleyways, and out of the way piazzas to discover the tangle of streets in the historic center, where Norman, Arab, and Baroque influences somehow blend seamlessly to create a unique architectural landscape.
After your tour, enjoy a little free time: savor the flavors of Sicily, sit back and enjoy a drink and delicious local food.
• In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at our selected restaurant in Palermo: a tasting dinner celebrating local flavours, wine and water included.

Day 8 | Arrivederci and Departure Transfer
Day 8 | Arrivederci and Departure Transfer

• Breakfast is served.
• Departure and transfer to Palermo Airport.
Arrivederci Palermo!

Included/Excluded

  • 4 Nights in boutique Hotel in Catania center
  • 1 Nights in boutique property in Agrigento
  • 2 Nights in boutique property in the center of Palermo
  • Daily breakfast and maid service
  • 3 Dinners with wine/wine pairing
  • 1 Winery visit on Mount Etna, tastings and dinner included
  • Olive Oil Experience with light lunch
  • Guided Catania Food and Walking Tour
  • Guided Walking Tour of Palermo with English-speaking guide
  • Guided visit of Valley of Temples Agrigento
  • Excursion to Taormina
  • Excursion to Ortigia and Noto
  • Visit to the seaside town of Cefalù
  • Visit to the Monreale
  • Group arrival transfers from Catania Airport
  • Group departure transfer to Palermo Airport
  • Hot tips list: includes our recommended restaurants, what to see and buy, tipping information, important telephone, numbers, local customs etc.
  • Detailed day-to-day itinerary
  • Airfare
  • Wine and drinks are included in the meals only when explicitly mentioned in the itinerary
  • Tickets to access museums and other venues when not explicitly mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Travel/health insurance: each guest is responsible for organising their own travel/health insurance before the start of the trip
  • Anything not mention in “Included"

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