Sicily Tour

We depart for Erice, a charming town on a hilltop overlooking the western coast of Sicily. Erice is a medieval town, with beautiful cobbled lanes. There is a long history here, starting with a population that pre-dated the Greeks. We visit the site of the Temple of Venus, now a Norman castle. The views from this point are stunning, looking out over the Egadi Islands where the traditional tuna fishing grounds are.

For lunch we enjoy the traditional dish for this part of Sicily, which some people are surprised to find out is couscous. This western end of Sicily was most influenced by the Arab rule and for many centuries their own take on couscous has been made here.

We have lunch in Erice, after which we continue on Segesta, where we have our first glimpse of the monuments that remain from when Sicily was part of Magna Grecia (the greater Greek empire).

Segesta boasts one of the most intact Greek-era Doric temples anywhere, and an excellent theatre, both from the 5th century B.C. In fact some performances continue to be held in this theatre during the summer.

We return to Palermo in the early evening.

MEALS INCLUDED:
Breakfast & Lunch (3 courses including wine)

Today we depart from Palermo and travel first to Agrigento, with its famous ‘Valley of the Temples’.

This UNESCO World Heritage site features the beautiful Temple of Concordia, one of the most photogenic spots in Sicily. We are shown around by an expert guide, who explains the phases of civilisation here, as well as the current discoveries that are being made.

Strolling through the archaeological area gives a sense of the gravitas of history, as well as a pleasant experience of continued traditions, surrounded by almond groves and olive trees.

For lunch we stop at a farm in the countryside, where we get an opportunity to taste good, wholesome rural Sicilian produce. Much of our lunch is grown right here on the farm. We enjoy a leisurely lunch in the courtyard of the farmhouse.

After lunch we continue on to our hotel near the town of Ragusa, arriving in the early evening.

MEALS INCLUDED:
Breakfast and Lunch (2-3 courses including wine)

We drive to the nearby town of Modica. While Modica is another of Sicily’s famed baroque towns, here we also have an ulterior motive, and that is chocolate. Modica is an important centre for chocolate making, and has its own distinctive style known as ‘cioccolato modicano’. This is made using a different production method to regular chocolate, based on Aztec techniques brought in during the period of Spanish rule. We have a tasting where you can appreciate the unique qualities of this chocolate. Later in the morning, we visit the Cava d’Ispica, a site where early civilisations of the area used to inhabit, and we can see many examples of these ancient populations.

We continue on to have lunch just outside Modica.

We work our way through a range of specialities from the Ragusa and Modica area.

Next we visit the town of Ragusa where we first spend some time together to look at specific elements of the baroque architecture that are a feature of Ragusa. In Ragusa you can’t help but be charmed by the elegant palazzos and the picturesque winding streets.
After looking at some specific points of interest together, we leave some time for you to wander around independently.

Ragusa is one of the best examples of the Sicilian baroque style, with ornate edifices and intricate detailing. Some of Sicily’s architectural gems are scattered through Ragusa. The buildings we see in this style were built from 1693 onwards and feature elegant balconies and balustrades.

We return to our hotel in the late afternoon.

MEALS INCLUDED:
Breakfast and Lunch (3 courses including wine)

Today we reach Siracusa, a treasure trove of ancient palazzi, a fascinating old centre, and many harbourside restaurants where good living comes first.

The old town of Siracusa is the island of Ortigia, the heart of Siracusa, with the remains of the ancient Greek city.

We first walk through the Ortigia markets. Here the particular speciality is seafood, with the fishing fleet heading out from the adjacent port and bringing the fresh catch here each morning – the huge swordfish are an impressive sight. It is in places like markets that you really get a good feel for the people and the lifestyle of Sicily.

We visit the Duomo (the main church), elegant and domineering in the beautiful central piazza. This church has an intriguing history, going right back to its origin as the Greek Temple of Athena. We still see the ancient Greek columns forming part of the structure of the current church.

Taking advantage of our coastal location, lunch is in a restaurant that specialises in the seafood of the area.

We spend some more time after lunch exploring more of Siracusa, with some free time built into the day to let you wander around independently.

MEALS INCLUDED:
Breakfast & Lunch (3 courses including wine)

We first visit the ancient theatre in Taormina, built first by the Greeks and enlarged by the Romans. This theatre continues to be a premier location for music and drama performances to this day.

The rest of the morning and lunchtime is free time in Taormina. Visiting Taormina is like visiting an elegant film set, such is the combination of spectacular views (over the sea and Mt Etna), beautiful old buildings, plus a touch of the ancient (both Greek and Roman). We take full advantage of all three aspects (the view, the town, the ancient ruins) as we enjoy our time here.

Located high on a hill, there is time available to take the cable car from Taormina down to the beach below the town, and the island Isola Bella. Around town, as well as the archaeological sites, there are numerous ceramic shops and cafes on the piazza.

We taste wines produced on the lower slopes of Mt Etna, benefiting from Etna’s unique microclimate and lava soils. Wine has been made in Sicily for over 2000 years, and the Etna region is one of the key quality wine areas. The predominant red grape is called Nerello – these wines are reminiscent of pinot noir – and the whites made from Carricante can be excellent.

We have a session cooking with a chef, where you take an active part in preparing a complete three course meal.

The dishes are typically Sicilian, a cuisine which has developed through the absorption of a myriad of influences through the ages. With today’s focus on Sicilian cooking, we have a local chef unlock some of the secrets and teach us the techniques used here. As well as this, we discuss the importance and provenance of the ingredients and produce used. Then we relax and eat!

MEALS INCLUDED:
Breakfast and Dinner (3 courses including wine)

By now you know the local barista by name – and he knows which coffee you order – but we must say ‘arrivederci’.

We organise transport for you to your departure point in Catania and bid you “buon viaggio”.

The tour finishes in Catania at 11 a.m.