Siracusa, Ortigia and Noto
An exclusive tour in the fabulous Greek city of Syracuse, and Noto well known as the Capital of the Baroque
The tour that I propose will introduce you to two of the most beautiful Sicilian cities, Syracuse and Noto. Syracuse a splendid seafaring city with Greek origins, stretching into the sea with the island of Ortigia, in 2005 together with the Necropolis of Pantalica it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will let you discover the wonders of this city like the Greek theater and the Roman amphitheater, to finish our tour with a visit to the ear of Dionysius.
Only after enjoying an excellent lunch the tour will continue with a visit to Noto, a Baroque jewel, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, considered an open-air museum. Walking along the Corso Vittorio Emanuele you will be able to admire numerous palaces and churches that give it the nickname “stone garden
Catania
The black town
Let’s discover the second largest town in Sicily!
Founded by the Greeks in the 8th century BC on foot of the highest volcano in Europe, Catania is also called the Milan of the South thanks to its bustling economic activity.
Rebuilt after the terrible earthquake of 1693 in baroque style, Catania is also called the black town because of the common use of lava stone as a building material !
Godfather sites, Etna and Taormina
Sicily in the movies, landscapes, nature and history
This tour combines together the best you can visit in one day tour. Our first stop will be the medieval village called Savoca. Savoca it’s a beautiful village at approx 30 min from Giardini, it’s well known because Coppola used it as main location for the famous movie the Godfather, but the village moreover has some nice sites to visit (the 12th century limestone arch, the Pentefur Castle, the amazing view of the volcano Etna and more). Second destination it’s the volcano Etna, along the way we enjoy stunning views of the coast and the wineyards. Visiting some extint craters and having a walk around. Our 3rd stop is Taormina, the pearl of the ionian sea, one of the most beautiful town in Sicily.
Castelmola and Taormina
The Pearl of Sicily and its ancient Acropolis from Taormina
a wonderful day discovering beautiful places, lovely spots, resort of many writers, artists, movie stars and personalities in the past and still nowadays. First up to 530 mt to enjoy the atmosphere of Castelmola one of the most picturesque medieval villages in Sicily with stunning views on Mount Etna and the coast of mainland. Then we will take a nice walk through the Corso Umberto, the popular shopping road, and visit the most famous monument of Sicily, the Greek-Roman theatre. You will discover the best part of this little town in the narrow little streets, its beautiful public garden, the panoramic squares …
Palermo and Monreale
Visit Sicilian Capital with its many beauties and Monreale with their beautiful gothic Cathedrals
Palermo is not only Sicily’s Capital city, but maybe the most chaotic, vibrant and energetic place in Europe. Originally founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century b.C., Palermo has been Sicilian Capital since the Arab domination in 9th century. Arabs, Norman, French, Spanish. All these different nominations have left their print on the city. Today Palermo is a unique mix of styles, architecture and art. And these combination of styles has earned the city to be insert into the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
You will walk through its streets, wholly covered with sights, scents and flavors. Its moroccan-style Market “A’ Vucciria” with all the possible products at your disposal. With all of the incredible Arab-Norman churches and palaces, the city will leave you breathless.
Monreale an old Sicilian saying states: “Who goes to Palermo without visiting Monreale, parts as a donkey and returns as a pig”. When you enter the breathtaking Arab-Norman cathedral in Monreale, you will understand why. More than 6300 squared meters of dazzling Byzantine mosaics depicting biblical scenes on a gold background. You won’t see anything like it. This Cathedral has been designated as one of several buildings named in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tindari and Cefalù
You’ll have the opportunity to visit the monastery that hosts the “Black Madonna”, together with the amazing Cefalù.
The village of Tindari, perched on a rock high above the sea, is known worldwide for its Sanctuary of the Black Madonna. Today it is a place of pilgrimage: millions of devotes come every to worship this statue of a Black Madonna founded in the close waters of Marinello.
In this lovely fishing village of Cefalù we will soothe our senses. The centre is mostly famous for its marvellous Norman Cathedral. Not only art and churches, in Cefalù is quite satisfying to wander through the narrow streets lined by nice little boutiques.
Agrigento visit valley of the Temples and Scala dei Turchi
Discovering the Greek World in Agrigento and be stunned from the monumental Scala dei Turchi
The beautiful and impressive “Valley of the Temples“. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, you will see some of the best preserved Greek temples in the world.
Pindar, the Greek poet and writer, described it as “one of the most beautiful cities of those inhabited by mortals”. “Valle dei Templi” is famous for its well-preserved temples, seven in total. Temple of Concordia is one of the best preserved Greek temples in the world helping the site to gain the classic UNESCO world heritage award. In the site, you can also visit the remains of many other temples dedicated to various divinity like Juno, Hercules, Hephaestus and Athena. A few kilometers away from Agrigento you will find the “Scala dei Turchi”, literally “Turkish steps”. A dazzling white rock formation, rising from the clear blue sea like giant steps. Walking this gentle slope, high above the sea on your feet, will let you feel a unique experience.
The Scala is formed by marl, a sedimentary rock with a characteristic white color. It lies between two sandy beaches, and is accessed through a limestone rock formation in the shape of a staircase, hence the name.
