Italy's nature and culture trip to Sicily

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Italy's nature trip to Sicily invites you to transform curiosity into a tailor-made journey that connects you to living history, dramatic landscapes, and genuine local traditions.

Design a personalized experience with expert local guides, savor authentic meals in family-run homes, and move at your own pace to create lasting memories.

Ready to craft your Sicily story? Let us create a custom Italy trip that reflects your passions and travel style.

Italy's nature trip to Sicily highlights

  • Sunrise on Mount Etna: Customize a private hike up Mount Etna for volcanic landscapes and panoramic views.
  • Coastal charm of Taormina: Stroll ancient streets and dramatic clifftop beaches in Taormina with a local guide.
  • Ancient history at Agrigento's temples: Explore the Valley of the Temples with tailored access, uncovering millennia-old ruins and intimate stories.
  • Syracuse and Ortigia's living heritage: Wander Ortigia’s baroque lanes and seaside markets on a private itinerary.
  • Farm-to-table Sicilian flavors: Enjoy tailor-made culinary experiences, from family-run wineries to seaside fishermen.
DayMorningAfternoonEvening
Day 1Arrival in Catania; private transfer to city center; check-in near Piazza del DuomoSelf-guided walking tour of Baroque streets; visit La Pescheria, marketsOptional guided hike on Mount Etna; dinner with pasta alla Norma
Day 2Private walking tour of Catania: St. Agatha Cathedral, Ursino Castle, Teatro RomanoVisit Bellini sites, Fish Market, Via Etnea, Chiesa San BenedettoView Mt. Etna plume; explore local cuisine
Day 3Pick up rental car; drive to TaorminaWalking tour: Corso Umberto I, Chiesa di San Giuseppe, Palazzo Corvaja, Bay of Naxos viewsAncient Theater visit with skip-the-line access
Day 4Transfer to Syracuse and Ortigia IslandGuided walking tour: Temple of Apollo, Piazza Archimede, Fountain of DianaVisit San Filippo Apostolo crypt and Cathedral at Piazza Duomo
Day 5Hands-on private cooking class with local chefLearn Sicilian recipes; cook with fresh ingredientsEnjoy the dishes you've prepared with your host
Day 6Private tour of Noto: San Nicolò Cathedral, Palazzo DucezioExplore Modica and Ragusa: San Giorgio, chocolate tasting, Ragusa Ibla and SuperioreScenic drive and relax in local accommodations
Day 7Visit Marzamemi fishing village: alleys, markets, food traditionsFree time for lunch and explorationSunset boat tour with aperitif through marine reserve
Day 8Drive to Agrigento via Villa Romana del CasalePrivate guided tour of Roman mosaics and architectureEvening at leisure in Agrigento
Day 9Private tour of Valley of the Temples: Juno, Concordia, Heracles, Castor & PolluxCoastal walk and flexible pacing with local guideSunset views and local dinner
Day 10Free beach day: picnic, swim, or visit Eraclea Minoa and San LeoneOptional visits to Porto Empedocle or Maddalusa CoastRelaxed seaside evening
Day 11Private boat tour to Grotte di Scopello: caves, Faraglioni, cliff viewsSwim and snorkel in marine reservePhotography and sunset along the coast
Day 12Marsala salt pans: guided salt harvesting experienceLearn traditional methods and join the harvestReturn to Castellammare del Golfo
Day 13Drive to Palermo; meet private guideWalking tour: Quattro Canti, Palazzo Reale, Duomo, Marina SquareStreet food tasting: panelle, cazzilli
Day 14Day trip to Monreale: Cathedral and mosaicsExplore coastal Cefalù: medieval streets, artisan shops, beachSeaside dinner and relax in Palermo
Day 15Final stroll or espresso by the seaPrivate transfer to the airportDeparture – Arrivederci Italia!

Places you'll visit

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Catania
CataniaThe Ionian coast
Agrigento
AgrigentoThe southern coast and the interior
Syracuse
SyracuseSyracuse
Castellammare del Golfo
Castellammare del GolfoCastellammare del Golfo.
Palermo
Palermo
Day01

Day 1: Arrival in Catania

Your private transfer delivers you to central Catania for a stay near Piazza del Duomo, the Elephant Fountain, and Catania Cathedral, ideal for a relaxed walking tour of Baroque streets.

Savor pasta alla Norma at La Pescheria, explore lively markets, and choose a guided hike on Mount Etna to discover volcanic landscapes.

Catania, Sicily
Day02

Day 2: Catania city tour

Enjoy a private walking tour in Catania. A friendly local guide shares stories of history, culture, and gastronomy as you explore charming streets and alleys.

See the Cathedral of St. Agatha, Ursino Castle, and the ancient Teatro Romano. Discover links to composer Vincenzo Bellini, stroll the bustling Fish Market and Via Etnea, admire Chiesa San Benedetto, and watch Mt. Etna's plume while learning how eruptions and earthquakes shaped the city.

Catania Market, Sicily
Day03

Day 3: Taormina walking tour

Pick up your rental car and begin the next leg of your Italy travel with a walking tour of Taormina. Start at Porta Messina, stroll Corso Umberto I, and visit Chiesa di Santa Caterina, Chiesa di San Giuseppe, the Duomo and Palazzo Corvaja to experience authentic history, architecture, and local flavors.

Enjoy panoramic views over the Bay of Naxos and Mt. Etna. Your guide provides skip-the-line tickets to the ancient Greco-Roman Theater for unforgettable photo moments and living history.

Taormina, Sicily
Day04

Day 4: Syracuse and Ortigia Island walking tour

Explore Ortigia Island and Syracuse on a walking tour that brings Sicily's layers of history alive. Wander past the 6th-century BC Temple of Apollo, stroll cobblestones to Piazza Archimede, and admire the Fountain of Diana, where myth meets art, a highlight of your Italy itinerary.

Descend into the crypt of the Church of San Filippo Apostolo alla Giudecca, a surprising wartime relic, then relax in the resplendent Piazza Duomo and enter the Cathedral, a masterpiece blending medieval, Baroque, and classical influences.

Ortigia, Sicily
Day05

Day 5: Private cooking class in Sicily

Spend your fifth day in Sicily with a private, hands-on cooking class in a local's home. This experience teaches authentic Sicilian techniques and family recipes using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Enjoy stories about culinary traditions, cook alongside a resident chef, then gather to taste the dishes you prepared.

Cooking Class
Day06

Day 6: Private tour of Noto, Modica and Ragusa

Enjoy a private, tailored exploration of Noto, Modica, and Ragusa, celebrated as the Baroque Cities of the Val di Noto UNESCO World Heritage site. Experience intimate guided walks and local encounters.

In Noto, admire the Cathedral of San Nicolò and the elegant Palazzo Ducezio around Piazza Municipio. In Modica, climb the dramatic hills to the Cathedral of San Giorgio and sample its Aztec-inspired chocolate.

In Ragusa wander Ragusa Ibla's winding streets and discover Ragusa Superiore's neoclassical charm.

Noto, Sicily
Day07

Day 7: Marzamemi and sunset boat tour

Marzamemi is a charming Sicilian fishing village where azure waters meet sunlit white houses. Explore narrow alleys, centuries-old tunny nets, and ancient vessel ruins that tell a fishing heritage since the 1600s.

Savor local food: seafood specialties like red tuna bottarga paired with sun-ripened Pachino tomatoes and seaside taverns that bring authentic flavor to your Italy trip.

Enhance the day with a sunset boat tour through nearby marine reserves, admiring crystal clear water and dramatic light. Finish with an aperitif aboard as twilight paints the coast.

Marzamemi, Sicily
Day08

Day 8: Drive to Agrigento and Villa Romana del Casale

Drive to Agrigento, a picturesque city in southern Sicily. Along the way, pause at Villa Romana del Casale, one of the world’s finest Roman archaeological sites.

Enjoy a private guided tour through the villa’s grand halls to admire remarkably preserved mosaics that bring Roman life, mythology, and daily rituals to life.

Agrigento, Sicily
Day09

Day 9: Private tour of the Valley of the Temples

Explore Agrigento's UNESCO World Heritage Valley of the Temples with a private local guide. Enjoy insider insights, flexible pacing, and stunning coastal views as you walk among ancient ruins.

Start with a short hike to the Temple of Juno for expansive Mediterranean vistas. Stroll downhill to the Temple of Concordia, the best preserved. See the Valley's oldest, the Temple of Heracles, then end at the iconic four columns of the Temple of Castor and Pollux for unforgettable photos.

Valley of the Temples, Sicily
Day10

Day 10: Free day at Sicily's coast

Relax on Sicily's stunning coast. Choose a private beach picnic, swim in crystal waters, or stroll among archaeological ruins at Eraclea Minoa framed by pine forest and Capo Bianco.

Catch a local bus to the lively San Leone for seaside cafes and people watching. Explore Porto Empedocle with over 5 km of golden sand and fully equipped lidos.

Unwind at Maddalusa Coast where turquoise shallows and soft sand invite barefoot relaxation and gentle swims.

Agrigento, Sicily
Day11

Day 11: Boat tour of the Grotte di Scopello

Set sail on a private boat tour of the Grotte di Scopello, gliding past the dramatic Faraglioni and along Sicily's sunlit cliffs.

Explore hidden coves and sea caves as light plays on turquoise waters, ideal for photography and local history glimpses. Enjoy stops for swimming and snorkeling among vibrant marine life.

Scopello, Sicily
Day12

Day 12: Marsala salt pans and Castellammare del Golfo

Arrive at the stunning salt pans of Marsala, an hour from Castellammare del Golfo. A local guide outfits you in traditional salt worker attire with a wide-brim hat and explains the centuries-old techniques and history behind Marsala salt production.

Join the harvest with gloves, boots, and a wooden rake to gather glistening salt crystals under the Sicilian sun. This experience connects you to local craft, landscape, and culture for lasting memories.

Salt Pans
Day13

Day 13: Palermo private walking tour and street food

Drive to Palermo and meet your guide for a private walking tour of Sicily's capital. Stroll past Quattro Canti, the Palazzo Reale, the 12th-century Duomo, and Marina Square, soaking in layers of history and architecture.

Your guide will point out the best spots for lunch and local snacks like panelle and cazzilli, allowing you to pick exactly what to taste.

Palermo, Sicily
Day14

Day 14: Private day trip to Monreale and Cefalù

Travel from Palermo to Monreale, famous for its Norman cathedral. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage mosaics that cover the interior, a stunning display of color and biblical scenes, and enjoy time to learn about local history and architecture.

Continue to coastal Cefalù to wander narrow medieval streets, browse artisan shops and cafes, and visit the imposing Cefalù Cathedral overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Relax along the harbor and sandy beach for a perfect blend of culture and seaside calm.

Cefalù, Sicily
Day15

Day 15: Transfer to the airport, arrivederci Italia!

Your final morning in Sicily invites one last stroll through sunlit alleys or a seaside espresso as you absorb island views. This tailor-made Italy trip includes a private driver who will transfer you to the airport with time to spare, ensuring a relaxed departure.

Leave with lasting memories of Sicilian culture, landscapes, and flavors, and the confidence that your personalized travel arrangements handled every detail. Arrivederci, Italia!

Departure Flight