ITALY: Sicily - Private Palaces & Gourmet Tour - 9 days
Discover Sicily , the island that boasts a rich 3,000-year history, flourishing under Greek, Roman, Arab and Norman rule. The many great empires that once ruled Sicily left behind wonderfully diverse architecture, from Greek to Roman to Byzantine, Arab-Norman which you will see in the palaces, squares and churches. Your tour will start in Palermo one of the great cities of Italy and one of the oldest cities of the Mediterranean, filled with many sightseeing treasures. Explore also Siracusa the most important of all the Greek cities of antiquity, filled with incomparable treasures from Greek ruins to Baroque Palaces and you will uncover the amazing Baroque cities of Ragusa and Noto.
During your tour you will have also the unique opportunity to visit some private Palaces that will give you an insight into the life of aristocratic families was in Sicily over the centuries. Along the way enjoy some of the best Sicilian food & wine.
Destinations: Sicily
Tour Grading Moderate
Tour Commences In: Palermo
Tour Concludes in: Taormina
Number of Days: 9 days / 8 nights
Accommodation: Luxury
Leaders: Expeceptional local Guide
Tour Style: Luxury Tour
Meals: Breakfast: 8: Lunches; 4: Dinner; 4:
Transportation: Chauffeur driver - Private Luxury vehicle
· A specially curated itinerary for Boutique Tours & Travel
· Explore Palermo, Monreale, Cefalù, Agrigento, Selinunte, Siracusa, Noto, Ragusa and Taormina
· Visit private Palaces in Palermo and Noto
· Visit Villa Romana del Casale home to the world’s largest collection of ancient Roman mosaics
· Explore the two largest archaeological areas of the Mediterranean
· Enjoy the breath-taking views in Taormina : the Greek Amphitheatre, the Naxos Bay and the impressive Etna Volcan
· Savour the flavours when you visit wineries and olive groves
· Taste the legendary delicious Sicilian cuisine and the unforgettable pastries
Day 1: Arrive Palermo
A warm welcome to Sicily. On your arrival at Falcone-Borsellino, Palermo airport you will be greeted by your bilingual driver for your private transfer to your hotel in the historic centre of Palermo, close to Teatro Politeama. Today is at your leisure and dinner on your own.
Day 2: Palermo & private Palace: (B)
Meet with your private guide at your hotel for a three-hour guided tour of Palermo, discover the magnificent highlights of historical Palermo, capital of ancient Sicily. You visit the Cathedral, Palazzo dei Normanni, Cappella Palatina, San Giovanni degli Eremiti. Colonized by the Phoenicians, Sicily boasts a rich 3,000 years of history, particularly flourishing under the Arab and Norman rule. The many great empires that once ruled Sicily's capital left behind wonderfully diverse architecture, from Roman to Byzantine to Arab-Norman, which we will view in the city's palaces, churches and crypts. You will also visit the city’s eclectic cathedral originally Norman, then Catalan Gothic, and in the 18th-century, transformed by baroque and neoclassical styles.
In the afternoon you will enjoy a unique experience reserved for you: welcomed by the owners, you will enter the walls of one of the city's most important historic residences for a guided tour. In the lavish halls, you can relive the life of Palermo’s aristocratic families who were guests at the Palace between the eighteenth and nineteenth century, up to the art nouveau period. Marvel at the library, the Red Room and finally you can admire the winter garden where the owners will entertain you for an aperitif, telling stories and anecdotes of the aristocracy.
Day 3: Monreale & Cefalù: (B)
Today you have a private full day excursion by car with you guide to Monreale and Cefalù. Monreale is famous for the Cathedral of XII century decorated with Byzantine mosaics, the figure of Christ Pantocrator and the Cloister. Then onto Cefalù, a small and picturesque town on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. it is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and keeps the Cathedral-Basilica erected by the first Norman King of Sicily Roger II, the Mandralisca Museum, and some remains of the Doric buildings "Temple of Diana" on the summit of the rock that dominated the town. Later return to Palermo.
Day 4: Agrigento & Selinunte: (B)
Today you travel in your private car and bilingual driver and guide from Palermo to Agrigento, almost the whole day is dedicated to the Greek temples: visiting the Valley of Temples of Agrigento and the Archaeological Park of Selinunte. These are the two largest archaeological areas of the Mediterranean.
Your accommodation will be in a 4 star Masseria surrounded by olive trees, producing extra virgin olive oil and featuring a breath-taking view over the Valley of Temples. Glorious.
Day 5: Piazza Armerina & Siracusa: (B/L)
This morning you will be travelling from the Masseria by car and English speaking driver to Piazza Armerina where you will meet your guide for the visit of Villa Romana del Casale. The ruins of Villa Romana del Casale are home to the world’s largest collection of ancient Roman mosaics. These incredible designs date from the fourth century and were stunningly preserved by a 12th century landslide before being unearthed in the 19thcentury. On the way from Piazza Armerina to Siracusa, stop and visit a winery, enjoy wine tasting and light lunch including local specialties. Then transfer to Siracusa. Your accommodation will be a charming hotel in Ortigia, the historic centre of Siracusa, with sea view room. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 6: Siracusa: (B)
Today meet your guide at the hotel for a half day guided visit of this wonderful city. South-eastern Sicily is one of the centres of ancient Western civilization. It is a sightseeing mecca filled with glorious, evocative ruins. Of all the Greek cities of antiquity that flourished on the coast of Sicily, Siracusa (Syracuse) was the most important, a formidable competitor of Athens. In its heyday, it dared take on Carthage and even Rome. Colonists from Corinth founded Siracusa on the Ionian Sea in about 735 B.C. You will first visit the historic centre of Ortigia with its Baroque Palaces, the Dome and the main square. ( Piazza Duomo ) Then the Archaeological Park “Neapolis”: the Greek Theatre, the Altar of Hieron II, the “Ear of Dionysius” Grotto, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Latomie .
Tour of the best gastronomic shops and pastry shops in Siracusa and tasting of local specialties
Optional activity
Cooking class to learn the secrets of Sicilian cuisine
Day 7: Noto & Private Palace, Ragusa & Modica: (B)
Pick up from your hotel and travel by car and English speaking driver to Noto (one of the most important Baroque towns of Sicily, UNESCO World Heritage Site) Meet with your private guide and visit a private Palace which represent the expression of the striking Baroque of Noto. The Palace, which was built in 1730, has ninety rooms, frescoed vaulted ceilings and eighteenth-century paintings. For a long time it was the residence of the Princes of Villadorata.
In Noto, not to be missed is a wonderful Caffè with some of the best pastries in Italy, it’s a unique experience !
Then onto Ragusa, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, an amazing Baroque town for a guided walking tour. One of the most fascinating towns in Sicily, Ragusa dates almost entirely from 1693. Indeed, it was in this year that Ragusa, along with other cities Noto, Modica, Scicli and Catania, was razed to the ground by a terrible earthquake that hit most of the eastern side of Sicily. Public opinion on where to rebuild the town was divided, and so a compromise was made. The wealthier, more aristocratic citizens built a new town in a different site, now Ragusa “Superiore”, while the other half of the population decided to rebuild on the original site, on a ridge at the bottom of a gorge, now Ragusa Ibla.
Continue onto the Baroque town of Modica, famous for its chocolate that produced with the ancient Aztec method learned by Spanish. Visit the most ancient chocolate factory in Sicily for a chocolate tasting. Return to Siracusa .
Day 8: Taormina: (B)
Travel by private car driver to Taormina, accommodation at a hotel with sea view room, swimming pool, free shuttle service to the centre of Taormina. Stop and visit a superb winery on the slopes of Mt Etna, enjoy wine tasting and light lunch in beautiful idyllic surrounds.
Time at leisure you may wish to visit of the Greek-Roman Theatre of the historic centre and of the several historic noble Palaces.
Optional activity
Excursion to Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe
Day 9: Departure Sicily: (B)
This morning your bespoke private tour concludes after breakfast.
At your leisure before transferring in a private car to Catania airport for your onward or homebound journey.
Depending on your departure itinerary, you may have time for some last-minute sightseeing and shopping. We are able to organise a private guide to accompany you. Some guests may wish to stay another day or more. Please don’t hesitate to contact Boutique Tours & Travel for further travel arrangements.
Our specially curated itineraries are carefully planned and well thought out to ensure you are rewarded with the best experiences. The magic of travelling in private tours allows us to cater for spontaneity and sometimes we often find some wonderful surprises along the way and it can be these unplanned occurrences that are the most memorable. The rich tapestry of experiences and the characters you meet along the way will make this guided private tour something special and one you will remember for a lifetime.
Please Contact Us for further information.
Flexibility
The itinerary may be flexible, sometimes due to weather or sometimes for sites or events which guests may wish to see. If there is something not included in this suggested itinerary that you would like to do or see, please contact us to discuss if it is possible.
A specially curated itinerary for Boutique Journeys
Exclusive and private airport arrival and departure transfers for all guests
Luxury & boutique hotel accommodation
Internet access where available
Meals as per Itinerary: "B" Breakfast", “L” for Lunch
Private services of bilingual professional guide and driver
Concierge services throughout tour
Luxury private air-conditioned vehicles as per the itinerary
Admission fees to sites as per the itinerary
Full day private guided visit in Palermo
Half day private guided visit of the Valley of Temples
Half day private guided visit in Siracusa
Half day private guided visit in Piazza Armerina- Villa Romana del Casale,
Full day private guided visit of Noto, Ragusa and Modica
Visit two wineries with tastings and light lunch
Visit of the chocolate factory and tasting in Modica
Private visit of the historic palaces in Palermo and Noto.
All porterage, tipping and gratuities except to professional guide.
Bottled water whilst touring in vehicle.
City taxes to be paid at the hotels
Tickets for
Selinunte,
Agrigento Temples Valley
Archaelogical Park in Siracusa
Villa Romana in Piazza Armerina
Sites in Palermo and Monreale
Tickets can be organised separately prior to your journey.