Compare The Sicilian by Globus vs Grand Tour of Sicily by Viandando Luxury Travel
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 10 days | 14 days |
| Price From | $ 2,699 | $ 5,850 |
| Price Per Day | $ 270 | $ 418 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description | Trekked by more than half of humankind’s ancient world, modern day Sicily still offers off-the-beaten-path discoveries that reveal an undiscovered side of Italy. The Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, French, Germans, Spanish, Italians, and even the British have left an impression on this gorgeous island, and it shows in its diverse architecture, unique culture, and multinational cuisine. As you trace the sparkling coast from the flamboyant capital city of Palermo to the ultra-chic Taormina Riviera, you can expect stunning archaeological treasures, ancient works of art, and a warm welcome at every turn, and a cool gelato on every corner. Traditional granita, cannoli, Marsala wine, and a tasting at Dolceria Bonajuto, Sicily’s oldest chocolate factory, only sweeten the experience on this Undiscovered Tour of Sicily. |
On a privately guided trip that shows you Sicily’s astonishing beauty, explore the captivating city of Palermo with its amazing Arab – Norman architecture; enjoy a Food Tour in Palermo sampling different delicious local specialties; visit the Monreale Cathedral with its cycle of mosaics on a gold ground and its extraordinary cloister; explore the lovely medieval town of Erice and the truly unique landscape of the salt pans of Lo Stagnone ; sample a variety of local wines in western Sicily, home grown on the Planeta estate; explore the Greek ruins of Selinunte and Agrigento; discover Villa Romana del Casale a Unesco World Heritage Site due to its containing the most complex and large collection of Roman mosaics in the world; explore the fascinating baroque towns of Ragusa, Modica Noto and Syracuse; take a fun cooking class in Syracuse and learn all the secrets to prepare a delicious Sicilian menu; scale the heights of Mount Etna, Europe’s largest volcano; discover the beautiful Taormina and enjoy the breathtaking views from the city. |
Day 1: ARRIVE IN PALERMO, ITALY
Welcome to Palermo! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (Dinner)
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Day 2: PALERMO
Sicilian Specialties PALERMO Guided sightseeing includes the Church of Immacolata and a visit to the cathedral. Scenic drive to Monreale for a panoramic view of the Conca d’Oro and a visit to the Norman Cathedral. Enjoy [LF] lunch with Sicilian specialties panelle (chickpea fritters), arancini (stuffed rice balls), and cannoli (fried pastry rolls with sweet ricotta cheese). (Breakfast,Lunch)
LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Sicily’s love affair with food goes back a long way. Cooking traditions originating from the Greeks, Arabs, and Normans blend with those from Spain and North Africa resulting in a fabulous melting pot of flavours and unique dishes. Celebrate this feast of cultures with traditional specialties and sweet confections savouring some of the world-renowned delicacies.
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Day 3: PALERMO–ERICE–MARSALA–MAZARA DEL VALLO
Sweet & Salty Sicily ERICE Visit the hilltop town and sample almond biscuits and Marsala wine at the well-known Pasticceria Maria Grammatico.MARSALA Visit a salt mill en route to Mazara del Vallo. (Breakfast,Dinner) 99 mi / 160 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION Lagoons, salt pans and windmills can be found along the coastline near Marsala. Learn all about the production of salt when visiting one of the original salt mills.
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Day 4: MAZARA DEL VALLO–SCIACCA–AGRIGENTO
Timeless Temples MAZARA DEL VALLO Guided sightseeing includes the cathedral and a walk in the Old Town.SCIACCA Photo stop at the panoramic viewpoint.AGRIGENTO Take a guided walking tour at the Valley of Temples. (Breakfast,Dinner) 93 mi / 150 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHTANCIENT ARCHAEOLOGY The ruins of Akragas remain Sicily's most amazing archaeological site. The impressively well-preserved Tempio della Concordia sits in spectacular setting upon a ridge where it served as a beacon for homecoming sailors and today draws enthralled visitors to revel in the remarkable Valley of the Temples.
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Day 5: AGRIGENTO–PIAZZA ARMERINA–CALTAGIRONE–RAGUSA
Ancient Artistry in Sicily PIAZZA ARMERINA Take a guided visit to the Villa Romana del Casale with the largest and most complex collection of Roman mosaics in the world.CALTAGIRONE Orientation and free time to see the Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte en route to Ragusa. (Breakfast,Dinner) 130 mi / 210 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHTART & ARCHITECTURE Explore the extraordinary example of Roman power in one of the most luxurious villas of its kind in the Italian countryside. Marvel at the magnificently preserved mosaics that embellish the Villa Romana del Casale, designed and installed by African mosaic workers and the strength of the Roman influence and power throughout the Mediterranean region.
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Day 6: RAGUSA. EXCURSION TO MODICA
Historic Streets & Sweets RAGUSA Guided walking tour includes the city’s oldest district, the Ibla, the 19th-century gardens of Giardini Iblei, and St. George Cathedral. Visit an authentic Carrettieri (Sicilian carts) workshop. Free time.MODICA Enjoy an orientation walk with a [LF] chocolate tasting at the famous Dolceria Bonajuto, Sicily’s oldest chocolate factory. Dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast,Dinner) 20 mi / 32 km
LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES For 150 years, the family tradition of chocolate making has been passed down through the generations of the Banajuto family in Modica. L’Antica Dolceria Bonajuto delights chocolate lovers with its traditional recipes and confections as it has done for more than a century.
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Day 7: RAGUSA–NOTO–SYRACUSE
World Stages NOTO Walk along Corso Vittorio Emanuele to admire San Nicolò Cathedral.SYRACUSE Guided visit to the Archaeological Park features the Greek Theatre and the Roman Amphitheatre. (Breakfast) 56 mi / 90 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT ARCHITECTURE & ARCHAEOLOGY Discover the extraordinary evidence of history found at Neapolis Archaeological Park of Siracusa. The stars of this show are the magnificent ancient ruins of the Greek Theatre and remarkable Roman Amphitheatre which are revered as one of the greatest archaeological sites in all of Italy.
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Day 8: SYRACUSE–CATANIA–TAORMINA RIVIERA
Coastal Treasures CATANIA Take an orientation walk with free time to browse in Piazza del Duomo and Via Etnea. Take a scenic drive en route to Taormina Riviera with free time this afternoon and evening. (Breakfast)75 mi / 120 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION Catania is an ancient port city on Sicily's east coast. It sits at the foot of Mt. Etna, Europe’s tallest volcano. The city's wide central square, Piazza del Duomo, features the whimsical Fontana dell 'Elefante statue and richly decorated St. Agata Cathedral. Nearby, La Pescheria weekday fish market is a rowdy spectacle surrounded by seafood restaurants.
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Day 9: TAORMINA RIVIERA EXCURSION TO SAVOCA
Frozen in Time SAVOCA Orientation walk followed by a [LF] Granita (semi-frozen drink), and brioche tasting at Bar Vitelli.TAORMINA RIVIERA Orientation walk and free time for lunch. Visit the Greek Theatre, followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast,Dinner) 43 mi / 70 km
LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Not quite the same as sorbet, the Sicilian invention of granita is Sicily’s take on frozen concoctions that varies with the delightful tastes of lemon, mandarin orange, jasmine, almond, mint, coffee, or berries. A frozen blend of Sicilian pistachios is also a tempting way to enjoy this traditional treat.
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Day 10: TAORMINA RIVIERA
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. The nearest airport is Catania. (Breakfast)
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Day 1: Arrival at Palermo Airport and Private Transfer to your Accommodation
Arrival at Palermo International airport and private transfer to your accommodation. Rest of the day at your leisure for resting and relaxing.
Day 2: Guided tour of Palermo
This morning enjoy a private guided tour of the amazing historical city center of Palermo and discover some of its great beauties as the Palace of the Normans which houses the superb Capella Palatina, a gorgeous, gleaming example of some of the world’s most beautiful Byzantine mosaics, the Cathedral with its Norman tombs and the jewel-encrusted crown of Catherine of Aragon, the red-domed San Giovanni degli Eremiti building and the Teatro Massimo. Lunch and afternoon at your leisure.
Day 3: Food Tour of Palermo
Enjoy our Palermo street food tour. A relaxing 4hr walk with a young licensed guide to enjoy the markets of Palermo city center and taste the best local street food. This tour has been designed with the specific purpose of giving travelers the chance to live a 100% Sicilian Experience…a tasty one! The uniqueness of Palermitan street food doesn’t simply lie in its variety and rich flavours, but also in the ability that every dish has to tell a historical chapter of the Sicilian capital. Vendors have been carefully selected based on the quality of food and the authenticity of the location. The summer tour goes through that tricky part of the city center where travelers need the help of a local expert to enjoy and understand better the Palermitan culture. Capo market gets a different dress if you see it with the eyes of a local. Vucciria market might simply look the ruin of an old elegant city center…unless you experience it with us!
Guided Tour of Monreale Cathedral
In the afternoon your driver will be taking you to Monreale where you will enjoy a guided visit of its world-renowned cathedral, a dazzling mixture of arab, Byzantine and Norman artistic styles framed by traditional Romanesque architecture. Return to Palermo and overnight stay.
Day 4: Leisure Time in Erice and Visit of the Saltpans
Following breakfast and check out, your private driver will take you to Erice, a wonderfully preserved medieval town offering the most breath-taking views. Lunch at your leisure. Next discover the scenic wonders of the Nature Reserve of Saline di Trapani e Paceco, across the picturesque coastal road with views on the windmills and the salt pans and piles. Stop at the dock with boats sailing to Motya, and enjoy a visit to the Ettore Infersa Salt Museum, where the traditional method of extraction and processing of the salt (still used today) is on show, or walk arround salt pans. Next continue to your accommodation, the Verdura Resort in Sciacca. Overnight stay.
Day 5: Guided Visit of Selinunte and Wine Tasting and Lunch at Ulmo Winery
This morning your private driver will take you to Selinunte and enjoy a private guided tour of one of the largest and most impressive archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. Then continue to Sambuca di Sicilia to visit the Ulmo Estate, one of the most prestigious wineries of the entire Sicily. The visit will be followed by wine tasting and a light lunch. After lunch continue return to your accommodation and rest of the day for resting and relaxing.
Day 6: Transfer to Agrigento and Guided Tour of The Valle Dei Templi
Following breakfast and check out your private driver will take you to Agrigento where you will take a private guided tour of the famous Valle dei Templi which consists of eight temples built between about 510 BC and 430 BC. Overnight in Agrigento.
Day 7: Transfer to Ragusa Ibla with a Stop in Piazza Armerina
Following breakfast and check out your private driver will meet you at your hotel and take you to Piazza Armerina, most famous for the truly astonishing classical mosaics at the Villa Romana del Casale, a Unesco World Heritage Site due to its containing the most complex and large collection of Roman mosaics in the world – there are 3535 square metres of them. Enjoy a guided tour of this splendid site and then continue to Ragusa. Check into your accommodation and overnight stay.
Day 8: Guided Tour of Ragusa and Visit of The Aromi Farm
This morning your driver will take you to Ragusa Ibla and enjoy a guided visit of its amazing historic center and discover some of its treasures such as the Hyblean Gardens, the Basilica di San Giorgio and the Church of Santa Maria delle Scale, just to mention a few. Lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon visit “Gli Aromi Farm” where the owner Enrico will meet you. This farm cultivates autochthon plants and aromatic herbs. It also holds an important leadership position in sales and marketing, focusing on local species of the Sicilian coast and in particular of the Iblean area. The farm produces more than 120 different varieties of plants and herbs using old traditional methods of manual cultivation. You will sample the different varieties of herbs and see how they are used alongside other local products in Sicilian cooking for lunch. Overnight in Ragusa.
Day 9: Private Transfer to Siracusa with a Stop In Noto
Following breakfast and check out private chauffeured transfer to Siracusa. On your way there you will stop Noto and spend some time at your leisure in this amazing city considered to be the apotheosis of Baroque architecture. Continue to Siracusa and check into your accommodation. Lunch at your leisure.
Private Guided Tour Of Siracusa
After lunch enjoy a private guided visit of Siracusa’s archaeological park and then continue with a walk through its historical center for admiring the Fountain Arethusa, the Cathedral, the Archimede Square and the ruins of the Apollo’s temple.
Day 10: Private Guided Tour of Siracusa
After lunch enjoy a private guided visit of Siracusa’s archaeological park and then continue with a walk through its historical center for admiring the Fountain Arethusa, the Cathedral, the Archimede Square and the ruins of the Apollo’s temple.
Day 11: Full Day Tour of Mount Etna
Today visit the spectacular Mount Etna on a 4X4 vehicle. A Land Rover will get you far enough off the beaten track to see some fascinating aspects of this great volcano that the ordinary tourist won’t see, and the knowledgeable guide who will accompany you will give you some great insights. The tour also includes a visit to a winery of the area followed by wine tasting and a light lunch. Return to Siracusa and overnight stay.
Day 12: Private Transfer to Taormina
Following breakfast and check out your private driver will take you to Taormina, a chic resort town with gorgeous medieval churches, a stunning Greek theatre and amazing views over the Gulf of Naxos and Mount Etna. Check into your accommodation and rest of the day at your leisure for resting and relaxing.
Day 13: Godfather Tour
Today enjoy an introduction to the real Sicily, exploring the towns of Savoca and Forza D’Agrò with your English speaking driver. Depart for Fiumefreddo and visit the Castello degli Schiavi, the location where the movie “The Godfather” was filmed, with the owner Barone Platania. Then drive to Savoca, enjoy a walking tour of the town, admiring “The Godfather” set with the typical streets and the famous Bar Vitelli. You will take a walk on the panoramic promenade to the famous church of Sant’Nicolò or better called Santa Lucia which was used in “The Godfather” movie for the marriage of Michael Corleone and Apollonia Vitelli. A taste of lemon granita is a must! You then drive to the next charming medieval village of Forza D’Agrò, which is without a doubt one of the best examples of a typical village of the Province of Messina. It still conserves its medieval street layout and on all sides of the town you can behold the most incredible views. Finally, your journey finishes at the medieval village of Castelmola (just above Taormina) to take a pleasant walk in the town before returning to your hotel.
Day 14: Day at Your Leisure in Taormina
Day at your leisure in Taormina for resting and relaxing.
Day 15: Fly Back Home
Following breakfast check out and private transfer to Catania Airport to take your domestic flight back home.
