Join us in the beautiful region of Eastern Sicily, dominated by the Etna Volcano that influenced myth, history and landscapes, for an intense and unforgettable experience!
The enchanting position on the sea, the vast historical, cultural, and archaeological heritage, the spectacular views of the Etna Volcano scenery and the flavorful food and wines, had always fascinated travelers that had visited the island through the centuries.
With small, intimate groups of a maximum of 16 people per tour, together we’ll discover what makes this region of Italy special, through curated programs.
Individual arrival in Catania, at the five star hotel Palazzo San Giorgio, where you’ll meet your Lilipans’ tour leader, Roscioli’s Sommelier and the other participants of the tour. We’ll enjoy together an aperitif served at the hotel’s terrace.
This day is dedicated to discover the highlights of colorful Catania, with our expert local guide and enjoy lunch at a characteristic Sicilian trattoria.
After lunch and a pleasant stroll, we’ll discover one of the most representative identity brands of the Sicilian culture, that was included by UNESCO as an intangible Heritage of Humanity: the workshop of the Opera dei Pupi and its incredible and touching history.
You will enjoy a little free time to relax or stroll, then in late afternoon we’ll visit the stunning Palazzo Biscari, where the owner will welcome us to discover the history of his aristocratic property located in front of our hotel.
Our day begins at the Winery chosen by Roscioli, Malopasso, located on east side of the volcano where vineyards are cultivated on earth of volcanic soil and terraced with small lava stone walls. You will stroll among their lovely property and have a tasting of their wines, along with Sicilian delicacies.
Afterwards, the day trip continues to the renowned Taormina!
You’ll spend your afternoon strolling in one of the most beautiful town in Sicily, with your local guide. Taormina rests on top of the Mount Tauro, it’s a natural platform overlooking the sea, a position that have earned this city the nickname of “Pearl of the Ionian Sea”. After having visited the splendid and panoramic Greek-Roman Theater, overlooking the sea we’ll enjoy a delicious “cannolo” tasting!
Then, a spectacular panorama will be seen in Aci Trezza, where looking out to sea from the port view there are a series of unusually lava shaped rocks protruding from the water, known as the Cyclopean Islands. There we’ll be delighted with an appetizing dinner with fish specialties.
Today we are going to discover with our local guide, another gem of south-east of Sicily included in the UNESCO sites; Siracusa and its incredible Archaeological Park of Neapolis and Ortigia peninsula, a-one square kilometer large island, which used to be the oldest nucleus of Syracuse, today connected to the rest of the city by two bridges. In Ortigia we’ll visit the colorful Food Market and you’ll enjoy tasting local dishes. After lunch we’ll continue our tour, visiting the stunning historic center of this ancient town, where you can spend some time shopping or strolling before heading to Catania for time and dinner at leisure
Let’s get off to another amazing day with a light hike on Europe’s largest active volcano, Mount Etna, affectionately called “A’ Muntagna”, “The Mountain”, by the Sicilians and another stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Your local guide and your private driver will meet you at the hotel and after a-one hour drive, the imposing area of Sartorious Craters we’ll reached. We recommend wearing comfortable hiking shoes, layered clothing, and trekking poles. We discourage the walk over Sartorius’ craters to people having walking issues, as an easier walk can be done, at the bottom, where beautiful birches grow and wonderful sceneries of the craters can be seen. Your tour leader and local guide will organize both walks.
After your experience on the volcano, your palate will be pleased with yummy “arancini” and a wine tasting at Valcerasa, for a visit of the vast vineyard and a wine tasting with delicious local products for lunch.
In the late afternoon we’ll be back to Catania and have time and dinner at leisure. The hotel has a beautiful SPA and shops will be open until 8h30 pm, so you can enjoy the rest of the day as you prefer.
After breakfast and check out, we’ll depart to another UNESCO Heritage region: the Val di Noto. We’ll be delighted in Modica having a fantastic immersion in the story of the renowned “Modica’s chocolate” that you’ll taste at Bonajuto’s
Following lunch, we continue to the fascinating Ragusa Ibla, where after the check in in the lovely 4 star “Hotel A.D.1768” and a little relax, we’ll meet our private local guide for an evening walking tour of the town, ending at the workshop of the traditional Sicilian carts, that are representing a wonderful example of local Sicilian culture. There you’ll listen to an incredible story of Art, Passion and Tenacity, thanks to which, Biagio and Damiano have been preserving the fascinating and almost disappeared art of “Carretti Siciliani”.
A tasty dinner will be served in a local restaurant near our hotel.
Wine, wine and more wine today!
After breakfast we’ll head to the fertile area of Vittoria to visit the famous Arianna Occhipinti’s wine estate and there we’ll taste wine paired with “pane & olio”, bread and olive oil, produced in her farm. The lunch break will be done nearby, at the lovely “Baglio Occhipinti” surrounded by olive trees, vineyards and orange groves. We’ll continue our afternoon by visiting the wine producer COS, famous for having bravely recovered the ancient use of only amphoras for some of their wines, since 2007. In the evening, after our return to Ragusa Ibla, we’ll be guests in the splendid patrician Palazzo Arezzo di Trifiletti. where the baron’s son, Mr. Domenico Arezzo di Trifiletti, will lead the visit in his family’s palace and offer an aperitif accompanied by Ragusano cheese DOP and Dried Sausage of the Nebrodi. Dinner at leisure
Today we are heading back to Catania after breakfast and check out. Our first stop on the way will be at Cava d’Ispica to visit an authentic 18th century water mill that is still in operation and its small museum.
Afterwards, our local guide, will show us the beautiful city of Noto, which names the “Noto Valley”, another extraordinary UNESCO site. Noto was almost entirely destroyed by a devastating earthquake in 1693, and entirely rebuilt becoming a true jewel of the Sicilian Baroque.
After the walking tour and free time for lunch at leisure in the lively historic centre, we’ll continue to another favorite Roscioli’s wineries, Marabino, in the Noto countryside, for a visit of the property and a wine tasting.
In the late afternoon we’ll be back in Catania and check in at “Hotel Palazzo San Giorgio”. This is going to be our last night in Sicily, therefore we are going to have a lovely Goodbye dinner all together in a typical “Osteria” in the historic center of Catania.
After checking out, your Lilipans ‘assistant will help you in your departure procedures.
Arrivederci!
*Small changes to the itinerary are possible, beyond our control.
**Private transfer from airport to hotel and RT can be arranged upon request – we can make you a quotation depending on your arrival-departure times to/from Sicily
***Lilipans Tour is not liable in any way for any activities that the client decides to undertake independently during their stay, which are not expressly indicated in the proposed itinerary.
This tour involves a certain amount of walking, sometimes on unpaved venues, such us vineyards, archaeological sites, and so on, with potential accessibility barriers
For all international travel, US citizen’s passports must be valid for at least six months after the end of their stay in Italy, and have at least three blank visa pages. It is your responsibility to confirm that your travel documents meet the entry and exit requirements for the full duration of your trip.
In order to participate in our tours, Travel Insurance taken out in your country of residence is highly recommended.
Please note that there will be additional charges for any service performed longer than the projected hours.
In order to participate in our tours, Travel Insurance taken out in your country of residence is highly recommended.
We are not responsible for any fees or changes you may become liable for relating to the airlines or other transportation not provided by us.
For all international travel, US citizen’s passports must be valid for at least six months after the end of their stay in Italy, and have at least three blank visa pages. It is your responsibility to confirm that your travel documents meet the entry and exit requirements for the full duration of your trip.
All cancellation requests must be in writing and are valid from the day we receive the request.
Cancellations:
**There are no exceptions to our cancellation policy.
Beautiful Western Sicily