Sicily Countryside Week Tour

Type of travel: Private / Custom
Travel theme: Food&Wine; Luxury; Rural; Romantic
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Departure dates: Customizable
Arrival airport: Catania
Departure airport: Catania
Overnights: Etna slope; Syracuse countryside
Hotels: boutique countryside resorts
Min number of participants: 2
Contact us to customize your tour

DAY 1 ARRIVAL, TRANSFER AND FREE DAY
Upon arrival at Catania airport be greeted by your private driver, who will bring you to your charming boutique hotel located on Etna Slope. Have a relaxing day enjoying great local food, panoramic swimming pool and fragrance of Etna countryside.
Overnight on Etna slope: Monaci delle Terre Nere or Zash countryside boutique hotel

DAY 2 COOKING CLASS AND WINE TASTING IN ETNA WINERY
On this day cook together with a chef of one of the most famous family estate/winery located not far from your hotel. First of all enjoy a visit of estate, cellars and vineyards while sipping a glass of welcome prosecco. Delight a self-made lunch prepared by organic etna products and wine tasting being surrounded by lemon and olive trees. After foodie experience come back to your hotel where you can still enjoy a pool or optionally spa & wellness time. You can have a dinner in hotel or visit trattoria in the nearest village.
Overnight on Etna slope: Monaci delle Terre Nere or Zash countryside boutique hotel

DAY 3 TRIP TO TAORMINA, GOURMET WALKING TOUR & GREEK THEATRE VISIT
After breakfast enjoy a private trip to Taormina driving around 40 minutes from your hotel with your private driver. Upon arrival meet your friendly local guide and take an easy walk in Taormina city center to discover the main attractions of the town, it’s soul and lifestyle. Immerse in the most romantic greek ruin – Taormina Greek Theatre. While walking, have two gourmet stops with food and wine tastings and be surprised by traditional ceramic souvenir from the local artist in his workshop. After tour have a free time for shopping, hanging out on your own or discovering picturesque beaches of Taormina. Drop off to hotel, free evening and dinner.
Overnight on Etna slope: Monaci delle Terre Nere or Zash countryside boutique hotel

DAY 4 ETNA ASCENT UNTIL 1900/3000 MT AND LUNCH IN ETNA WINERY
On this day start your adventure with visit of Mt. Etna. Firstly you will reach the base camp Refuge Sapienza, located at 1,900 meters. See the marvelous extinct Silvestri craters and take souvenir pictures of the area. There is free time to walk on the old lava flows. Then continue ascent until 3000mt by cable car and Jeep to the main authorized craters area (optional). You will be accompanied by an English-speaking Alpine Guide. A 45-minutes visit in this lunar landscape is memorable.
After hiking continue your tour to another ancient Winery located on the slope of Etna famous for it’s unique vulcanic wines. After guided visit of estate and cellars enjoy wine tasting (at least 5 wines) with pairing cold appetizers and light lunch. Drop-off to your hotel and free evening.
Overnight on Etna slope: Monaci delle Terre Nere or Zash countryside boutique hotel

DAY 5 TRANSFER TO SYRACUSE’S COUNTRYSIDE HOTEL AND RELAX
It’s time to say goodgye to Etna and move to another picturesque Sicilian region. Romantic Syracuse, baroque Noto, mysterious Modica and Ragusa are waiting for you. But on this day just relax and enjoy your boutique accommodation in Syracuse’s countryside. Your lunch and dinner will be served in garden and include just local seasonal products.
Overnight in Syracuse’s countryside: Country house Villadorata or Dimora delle Balze

DAY 6 TRIP TO MODICA AND RAGUSA WITH LUNCH
After breakfast start yout trip firstly to Ragusa driving around 1-1,5 hours with your private driver. Upon arrival meet your local guide and walk through the historical town of Ragusa Ibla that highlights the wide array of Baroque architecture in Sicily, including several stunning palaces and churches. After tour enjoy a light lunch with seasonal fresh products in a local family trattoria. After lunch have a short drive to Modica. Known worldwide for its distinctive chocolate and for being the birthplace of Salvatore Quasimodo, Nobel prize for literature, the city of Modica rises between two caves, on the riverbed of a watercourse buried in the last century. During the guided Walking Tour You will also have a stop to try delicious Modica chocolate. Drop off to hotel.
Overnight in Syracuse’s countryside: Country house Villadorata or Dimora delle Balze

DAY 7 TRIP TO SYRACUSE AND ORTIGIA FOOD&WINE WALKING TOUR
Be picked up in your hotel and drive to Syracuse old town, Ortigia, to start your 3-hours Food & Wine Walking tour, just as the day is cooling down. Admire the majesty of the Apollo Temple before heading down Via Cavour, one of the most colorful streets in Ortigia, where local artists and aristocrats like to spend their evenings. See the Archimede Fountain on the way to the city’s Jewish district that was founded in the 3rd century BC. During the walking tour taste fresh fish, typical Sicilian appetizers, homemade Sicilian pastries, fragrant Syracuse wine and liquors in three different food venues (fish restaurant, taverna, pastry bar). Eat and drink as locals do. During the tour your guide will also share with you a lot about history, culture, lifestyle and gastronomy of the area. Tour will finish at Duomo Square, the heart of Ortigia. This is one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, and home of the stunning Duomo and the Church of St. Lucy. Drop off to hotel.
Overnight in Syracuse’s countryside: Country house Villadorata or Dimora delle Balze

DAY 8 TRIP TO NOTO AND FAREWELL DINNER IN MARZAMEMI
When it starts to cool down Your driver will pick You up in Your hotel and bring You to magnificent Noto. After short driving You will reach the most beautiful Baroque town of Sicily. Meet Your local guide and enjoy the beauty of this UNESCO heritage walking around 1,5 hours. After the tour continue driving to small charming fish village Marzamemi where delicious seafood dinner will be served on the panoramic sea terrace. Drop off to your hotel.
Overnight in Syracuse’s countryside: Country house Villadorata or Dimora delle Balze

DAY 9 DEPARTURE
Breakfast and transfer to Catania airport

HOTELS:
4 nights on Etna slope: Monaci delle Terre Nere or Zash Boutique Hotel
4 nights in Syracuse’s countryside: Country House Villadorata or Dimora delle Balze

TRANSPORT:
Private driver for all transportation incl. airport transfers

MEAL:
9 breakfasts in hotel, 3 lunches and 2 dinner during activities
All other food and wine tastings mentioned in itinerary

ACTIVITIES:
Cooking class and Wine tasting in Etna winery
Trip to Taormina and Gourmet Walking Tour & Greek Theatre
Etna ascent until 1900/3000 mt and Etna Winery visit
Trip to Modica and Ragusa with Lunch
Trip to Syracuse and Ortigia Food&Wine Walking Tour
Trip to Noto and farewell dinner in Marzamemi

LOCAL LICENSED GUIDE FOR ALL ACTIVITIES

CERAMIC SOUVENIR

24 HOURS OF SUPPORT BEFORE AND DURING YOUR TRAVEL

RESTAURANT SUGGESTIONS AND RESERVATION

EXCLUSIONS:
Entrance fees to monuments
City tax to be paid in hotel
Lunches/dinners in hotel
Spa&Welness package (on request)

RISK FREE BOOKING/CANCELLATION POLICY:
5% deposit is required to secure the spot
Full refund until 30 days prior to arrival
Free rescheduling at any moment
Open dates options are available

For Private Groups of*:

2-3 guests: 3495 Euro pp
4-5 guests: 2895 Euro pp
6-8 guests: 2595 Euro pp
Extra discount is available for larger groups

* in 4 stars boutique countryside hotels.
Upgrade/downgrade is on request