From Palermo to Mount Etna: A Grand Tour of Sicily

On your first full day in Sicily, we’ll arrange for you to explore the capital with a private guide. You’ll spend half a day taking in highlights such as the Abatellis Palace and its gallery of Sicilian art, Arab-Norman monuments like the Church of the Holy Spirit and the Norman Palace, the beautiful Sicilian Baroque Santa Caterina church, and finally the Capuchin catacombs. You’ll have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure. Wander the alleyways and squares of the old town, get lost in bustling markets as you sample Palermitan street food like frittula, panelle and arancina, or visit the archaeological museum with its splendid collection of Greek and Phoenician art. If you need any recommendations while you’re here, our Concierge are always on hand to help.

This morning, you’ll pick up your rental vehicle and drive to Marsala, which takes just under two hours. While this city is inextricably linked to its sweet wine, opportunities to visit wine cellars and sample this world-famous beverage aren’t the only thing on offer here. The Carthaginian then Saracen city of Marsala holds great significance in Italy’s history: this is where Giuseppe Garibaldi landed in 1860, annexing Sicily and creating a unified Kingdom of Italy. Between walks along the seafront, you can admire the superb Baroque Chiesa Madre, the picturesque old town and its two archaeological sites. We can also arrange for you to enjoy a candlelit dinner and tasting at the Martinez Winery, founded in 1866. You’ll spend two nights in this historic city in an old fortified farm surrounded by hills. When you’re not exploring, cool off in the swimming pool before enjoying dinner in the hotel’s shaded courtyard.

Today, you’ll hop back in your rental car and drive southeast to Agrigento. On the way, stop at the ancient spa town of Sciacca to take a dip in the thermal pools and enjoy beautiful beaches. More than just a spa town, Sciacca is also an important fishing port. Don’t miss the Castello Vecchio and the cathedral, which date from the 12th century, the 13th-century Santa Maria della Raccomandata, and the 14th-century Castello Nuovo. When you arrive in Agrigento, we’ll arrange for you to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Valley of the Temples with a private guide. This Greek colony was founded in the sixth century BCE, and became one of the Mediterranean world’s main cities. The remains of its magnificent Doric temples are testament to its significance and supremacy; at sunset, a walk amid the vestiges is particularly magical. You’ll spend the night in the heart of the Valley of the Temples in a hotel housed in an 18th-century building complete with a panoramic terrace where you can enjoy dinner with a view.

Your route continues south to the superb UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ragusa and its emblematic Sicilian Baroque monuments. You can break up this two-and-a-half-hour journey by taking in the views at the hilltop town of Enna and visiting the famous Villa Casale in Piazza Armerina to see stunning mosaics. If you like, we can arrange for a private tour of this exceptional Roman villa.

You’ll have today and tomorrow to spend enjoying everything Ragusa has to offer. Wander the streets of the old town, Ragusa Ibla, where you’ll find the elegant churches of San Giorgio and Santissime Anime del Purgatorio; explore Ragusa Superiore, the newer part of the town, with its cathedral of San Giovanni Battista, beautiful palaces and grand religious buildings. Every evening, return to your hotel for a meal of organic produce grown on site, or enjoy a tasting session in its medieval crypt.

You’ll drive east today and then along the coast to the Syracuse, once described by Cicero as the greatest and most beautiful Greek city. Along the way, you can stop at the towns of Modica and Noto, two jewels of Baroque architecture that were rebuilt after an earthquake in 1693. When you arrive in Syracuse, head to your accommodation on the island of Ortigia, the centre of the old city. Dinner at your hotel this evening will be a prepared with local seasonal ingredients.

The city of Syracuse is home to some exceptional remains from the ancient Greek and Roman eras. You’ll discover it today with a half-day private tour, set at your own pace and tailored to your desires. Most of Syracuse’s archaeological gems are concentrated on the island of Ortigia and in the Archaeological Park Neapolis, which boasts the largest Greek theatre in Sicily. Connected to the city by two bridges, Ortigia is an open-air museum where Greek, Norman, Aragonese and Baroque styles intermingle. At the island’s extreme point, take in the exceptional view over the bay of Syracuse.

Today, you’ll drive one hour and 15 minutes to your final destination on this grand tour of Sicily: Riposto. You’ll spend three nights here in contemporary yet inviting accommodation surrounded by orange and lemon trees and known for its delicious breakfasts of organic eggs, homemade cakes and fresh juice. After checking in, enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. Wander into town to find your bearings or simply kick back and relax at your hotel.

The port town of Riposto, on the Ionian coast, is an important trading post for wine, citrus fruits and olive oil; every day, its fishing boats return from early-morning trips armed with skipjack, conger eel and sea bass. This is a place to simply relax and move to the peaceful rhythm of Sicilian life. Visit the town’s monuments such as the 19th-century Basilica Matrice San Pietro or wander down to the waterfront to enjoy a Sicilian granita. If you find yourself lusting after something livelier, take a day trip into the charming city of Taormina. Riposto is located on the eastern slope of Mount Etna, so it’s also the perfect base for visiting one of the world’s most active volcanoes. If you like, we can arrange for you to take a private tour of the Etna vineyards in a Fiat 500.