Small Group Tour Of Sicily: Highlights

Upon arrival at Catania airport, be greeted by your driver, who will bring you to your charming hotel in Taormina.

In the evening, enjoy a Taormina food and wine tour. At 18.30, when it starts to cool down, meet your local guide in the city center and discover the ideal places to get a real taste of Taormina. Savour the delicious food, soak in its vibrant culture, and meet the people who keep so many wonderful food and wine traditions alive. Just follow your expert guide through the town and eat and drink like the locals. Your tour will finish at around 21:00 in the heart of Taormina, after which you can still enjoy the town at night.

Overnight in Taormina.

After breakfast, meet your “mafia” guide in front of your hotel at 10 am and start a half-day trip to the small antique villages Savoca and Forza d’Agro, located in the mountains. See the places where the most famous scenes of Godfather movies were filmed and where the love story of Michael and Apollonia started. Find out a few secrets from making the movie as well as true facts about the mafia. Enjoy a refreshing aperitif in the famous Sicilian bar Vitelli and enjoy a lunch of typical seasonal food on an extraordinary terrace. Afterwards, get dropped off at your hotel.

At 16.30 take an easy walk with your native local guide. He will reveal Taormina’s culture, architecture, natural and political history and tell stories about the Sicilian people and their traditions. Conquered by the Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Byzantines and Normans, Taormina boasts a rich and fascinating history and a robust mix of styles. Discover little streets and hidden corners that give Taormina a special charm. Visit the magnificent Greek Theatre and immerse yourself in the lifestyle of your first destination.

Overnight in Taormina.

Today, start your adventure at 10 am with a visit to Mount Etna. First reach the base camp Refuge Sapienza, located at 1900 meters. See the marvellous Silvestri craters and shoot some souvenir photos of the area. Then we will have free time to walk on the old lava flows. Continue the ascent (until 3000m) by cable car and Jeep to the main authorized craters area (optional). You will be accompanied by an English-speaking alpine guide. Your visit to this lunar landscape will last about 45-minutes and be very memorable!

After hiking, continue your tour to a famous winery located on the slope of Etna famous for its unique volcanic wines and organic food. After a guided visit of the estate and cellars, enjoy wine tasting (at least 5 wines) paired with cold appetizers and a light lunch. Drop-off at your hotel and free evening in sparkling Taormina.

Overnight in Taormina.

After breakfast at 10 am, meet your private driver in front of your hotel and head to magnificent Noto. Enjoy an easy walk with local guide in this UNESCO heritage town – a jewel of baroque. While walking, stop for a taste of famous Modica chocolate and extraordinary Sicilian ice cream.

After the tour, visit a family taverna for a fresh lunch. Then we will transfer you to your charming hotel in Syracuse. Enjoy this romantic town at night.

Overnight in Syracuse.

Meet your local guide in Siracusa city centre at 5pm for a 1.5-hour walking tour of Ortigia, Syracuse’s old town. Admire the majesty of the Apollo Temple before heading down Via Cavour, one of the most colorful streets in Ortigia, where local artists and aristocrats like to spend their evenings. On the way to the city’s Jewish district, see the Archimedes Fountain that was founded in the 3rd-century BC. When you reach Duomo Square, you’ll be at the heart of Ortigia. This is one of the most beautiful squares in all of Italy, and home of the stunning Duomo and the Church of Saint Lucy. Your knowledgeable guide will share stories about the lifestyle, traditions and habits of the local people. The charm of this town is unforgettable!

Enjoy a free afternoon and evening to explore Syracuse on your own. Overnight in Syracuse.

It’s time to say goodbye to Syracuse and move to Palermo, stopping at the ancient Valley of the Temples on the way. At 9 am your driver will pick you up from your hotel. After approximately two hours, you will reach the Temple Valley where your local guide will wait for you to enjoy a 2-hour guided visit of the extraordinary UNESCO heritage site.

After your visit, enjoy a fresh seasonal lunch in a local taverna and continue driving to Palermo hotel. Once there, take time to relax and have a free evening in the Sicilian capital.

Overnight in Palermo.

Today, sample the best of Sicilian street food during a 3-hour walking tour of Palermo. Meet the local guide at 10:30 in Palermo city centre. This food tour, led by a local expert guide, explores the fascinating culinary world of Sicily’s capital and includes visits to the famous and bustling Vucciria and Mercato del Capo outdoor markets, tasting five different Sicilian treats along the way — including panelle (chickpea fritters) and arancini (deep-fried rice balls). Pass through the authentic Palermitan low-income area and Palermo old town, while seeing most the important highlights and listening to the stories from your guide.

After tour, enjoy a free evening in Palermo. Overnight in Palermo.

Have breakfast in the hotel and transfer to Palermo airport according to your return flight details.