Heart of Sicily
The Heart of Sicily tour is for those who don’t “do" a trip but for those who dream of immersing themselves in the culture of a place.
​
Highlights:
-
Delve deep into the historic charms of ancient cities like Palermo and Syracuse
-
Indulge in a private tasting of wine at one of the many vineyards on the slopes of Mount Etna
-
Stay in hand-picked accommodations
-
Glide through the winding roads of the countryside
11 DAYS & 10 NIGHTS
Starting from €4,995
DAY 1
Palermo
​
You’ve Arrived!
Meet your private driver and transfer to your hotel in the historic city center of Palermo. The approximate travel time is 30 minutes. Freshen up and enjoy some free time before the welcoming dinner where we will talk about the highlights of our upcoming journey and get acquainted with your travel companions.
DAY 2
Palermo
Start to get the feel of Sicily
Start your day with an appetizing breakfast before you embark on an E-bike tour of Palermo's Historical center with your private guide. You'll be enchanted by Palermo's traditional Sicilian Old Quarter, and baroque palaces, visiting the city's main sights, including the Norman section, Quattro Canti di Citta' (the Four Corners of the City), Palermo's extravagant baroque square and the 12th-century Cathedral of Palermo. A Street food lunch at Bar Massaro home of the best "arancino" in town. In the afternoon we will visit some of the landmarks seen in the morning such as La Martorana Church, part of Unesco World Heritage Site since 2015 and the Santa Caterina D'Alessandria Convent where you'll taste the best typical Sicilian pastry still made with the nun's original recipe. Take the rest of the day to wander the beautiful streets of Palermo and find the perfect restaurant that will capture your heart.
DAY 3
Palermo and Cefalù
The see breeze effect!
Today, with your private driver, you begin the journey with a pleasing coastal drive towards the beautiful seaside town of Cefalu' home of the famous Arab/Normann Cathedral. Once arrived, your private guide will take you through the maze of alleys that make Cefalu' so precious and visit the main historical sites. In the afternoon you may return to your hotel and enjoy some relaxing time by the pool or, you may stay in town and explore at your own pace. Finally we will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with a modern twist hidden in the alley's of the old town. After dinner, conclude your day at the hotel.
DAY 4
Cefalù, Gangi and Piazza Armerina
The marvelous road to the Heart
Rise and shine for your private driver is about to show you some amazing sites on the drive to Gangi, a medieval town curled upon the mountains. Now, as you head to the center of Sicily, is when you break away from the traditional tourist spots to truly explore the ancient beauty of the lesser known parts of Sicily. Upon arrival take some time to explore this fairytale town with your private guide and then enjoy a hearty meal of Sicilians country favorites in a local restaurant. In the afternoon your private driver will take you to Piazza Armerina. They say the journey is just as important as the destination and the breathtaking vistas of fields and villages and cows(!) along the way only affirms this. A noble summer mansion is our home and restaurant for the night. Be ready to taste a delicious homemade meal.
DAY 5
Villa Romana del Casale, Caltagirone and Ragusa
Kaleidoscopic Roman Mosaics
You'll be taken back in time when visiting the Unesco Heritage Site Villa Romana del Casale. A Roman holiday mansion that "puts on a show" revealing one of the richest, largest, and varied collections of Roman Mosaics in the world, the floors cover 3,500 sq mt (about 37,670 sq ft!) and are almost unique because of their excellent state of preservation due to the landslide and floods that covered the remains of the villa. After lunch in a nearby local restaurant we depart for Ragusa but along the way you will have a chance to explore Caltagirone with your private guide who will take you to visit the town and a local ceramic lab where you will learn the secrets of this ancient craft. Late afternoon you will depart for Ragusa and if you desire, while the hotel's staff takes care of your luggage, take some free time to peak at Ragusa by night or choose your local restaurant as you like it.
DAY 6
Ragusa, Noto and Ortigia
The early bird gets the worm!
An early morning tour with your private guide is a must that allows you to see Ragusa in its most glorious time, when the rising sun transforms the Cathedral and alleys in a golden light. Afterwards a rich and homemade brunch awaits you at the hotel. Mid morning you depart for "Castello di Donna Fugata", the summer residence of Baron Arezzo with its Mediterranean gardens and a small museum with the original clothing worn throughout the last two centuries by the Arezzo family and its descendants. Just outside the main entrance is what used to be the farmers' small village and, still to this day, there is the same house used by the cattle keepers to make delicious cheese from cows that are native to this area and yes, you get to pet them! You then depart for Siracusa in early afternoon and along the way you'll get a chance to see the baroque town of Noto with your local private guide to show you around and to lead you to the famous "Caffe' Sicilia" to taste their excellent cannolo and espresso. Late afternoon departure for Ortigia, Siracusa's historic city center and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure
DAY 7
Siracusa and Monte Etna
The white city
Ortigia is the most antique part of Siracusa, legend has it that the god of the sun, Apollo and the goddess of hunting, Artemis (identifiable with the goddess Diana) were born. According to Greek mythology, Leto, to escape the wrath of Hera, the betrayed wife of Zeus, sought a refuge where to give birth to the children she had from the ruler of the gods and identified him on a small island that wandered among the waves of the Aegean sea, Ortigia. After breakfast join your private guide and walk along the white paved streets of this beauty as she will give you more insights on all the landmarks. Have lunch in one of the many cafes you will come across during the visit and enjoy some shopping time in one of the many artisanal boutiques. In late afternoon you depart for your next adventure and conclude your day with a signature dinner at your next accommodation located at the foot of Mt. Etna.
DAY 8
Monte Etna
His Majesty Mt. Etna
Start off the day with a healthy breakfast and get started for a designed tour just for you: you could take a cooking class, or you can stay by the pool or you could take a 150 one wagon train and visit the countryside covered in vineyards of the tasty Etna grapes or you can enjoy a glass of wine at sunset licking over Sicily at 3000mt height on Mount Etna. The first is a cooking class hosted in the hotel's cooking school where you will cook and eat a typical Sicilian lunch menu. The pool is an easy one to imagine... For your taste buds maybe the train sounds best where after arriving at your destination a driver will pick you up and take you to some local wineries to have a food and wine experience. No matter how you choose to spend your day, a simple jaunt in the jeep will take you to 2800mt altitudes and after a brief walk you'll arrive on a terrace where the panoramic view of the sunset over eastern Sicily and the Aeolian islands, the explosions of the volcano behind you make it the best way to end your your magical day. Conclude your day at your Resort.
DAY 9
Taormina
The VIP's holiday Spot!
Today you salute an iconic town known worldwide for its beauty: Taormina. Your private guide will escort you through the history of the Greek Theater, the secrets of the alleyways and the trendy and artisanal shops that line the main street. Enjoy lunch in one of the cafes in the main piazza with a bird eye view overlooking the gulf of Catania and all the way to Siracusa. In the afternoon your private driver will take you back to your hotel where a Thank You aperitif will be waiting for you in the hotel's garden.
DAY 10
Catania Fontanarossa Airport
CIAO!
A private driver will take you to Catania's airport at a specific time. Depending on your flight you may either stay at the airport or we will be happy to organize a sightseeing tour of Catania.
Details
DATES
All our tours depart on Tuesdays and end on Thursdays
​
2023
Nov 21 - Nov 30
​
2024
April 9 - April 18
May 7 - May 16
June 18 - June 27
Sept 17 - Sept 26
Oct 15 - Oct 24
Nov 12 - Nov 21
INCLUDED
-
10 breakfasts
-
4 dinners
-
2 lunches
-
4 snacks or aperitif with food (on day 8 two of the experiences listed will be included)
-
Deluxe or superior accommodations
-
All park entry fees (unless noted)
-
All admission fees to historic sites
-
Experienced guides
-
Transportation during the trip, whether by bus, boat or other
NOT INCLUDED
Air and land transportation to and from the trip
Beverages other than water unless included in the meals
Non-scheduled visits and activities
The Heart of Sicily tour is for those who don’t “do" a trip but for those who dream of immersing themselves in the culture of a place.