10 days luxury self drive tour of Sicily

Palermo

Day 1: Palermo

Private transfer from Palermo airport to your hotel
Car Transfer: Your driver will be waiting for you in Palermo airport at the arrival lounge. Your hotel is just forty-five minutes drive from the airport. Estimated travel time: 45 minutes


A foodie walking tour of Palermo
Excursion: Sicily's culinary culture is the result of 25 centuries of food traditions from the Greek, Roman, Arab and Norman times. The result is a delicious fusion, and Palermo is the ideal place to discover it! Your guide will meet you at the hotel for a 4 hour intense culinary and cultural experience. During the stroll we will see and experience Palermo highlights such as the Capo Market, one of the lively street markets, with its colorful stalls (here you will taste some typical famous street food, for example "panelle", "arancine" and "crocchè"), the Cathedral Square with the beautiful UNESCO Arab-Norman XII century Church, and the Ballarò Market which the largest and oldest - at more than 1,000 years old - street market in town! During the tour you will stop for several food tastings, some of them only for brave people (for instance the "pane 'ca meusa", the "stigghiola", the boiled octopus... ). Your food tour will conclude at the Santa Caterina Monastery with its Pastry Laboratory: it's time for a cannolo!


Discover Palermo by night: Sicilian Dolce Vita
Excursion: You may hardly be hungry after your Palermo food tour, but may like to have a walk to discover Palermo at night... and to digest! From your hotel, head to the Vucciria, one of the capital’s historic markets (you already visited it with your guide, and it's close to your hotel). At night the market square and the alleys are crowded with people drinking and celebrating. and it's a very nice and safe place to have a walk. Welcome to Sicily Dolce Vita!

Palermo

Day 2: Palermo

Discover the UNESCO jewels: Palermo and Monreale private guided tour
Excursion: A six hour tour to enjoy the best historical jewels of Palermo and Monreale. Close to Palermo, Monreale hosts one of the most amazing Sicilian Jewels: Monreale cathedral and its byzantine mosaics. The Cathedral of Monreale is one of the most beautiful churches in all of Sicily, a masterpiece of Byzantine art not to be missed, with its finest mosaics famous throughout the world and more than 1800 kg of pure gold used to tell the story of Christianity. Since July 2015 it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, along with the Arab-Norman Palermo circuit. Your private guide will meet you at your hotel and drive up to the beautiful UNESCO Medieval town of Monreale where you will admire the fabulous Cathedral full of Byzantine mosaics. On the way back, you will enjoy a spectacular view of Palermo seen from up above the hill. We will return to Palermo, park and visit the marvelous Palatine Chapel, built in the same period as the Cathedral of Monreale. Then, after a short break for lunch, you will visit the Cathedral of Palermo, the typical city center streets and finish by the famous "fountain of the shame".


Mondello beach: relax, aperitivo and dinner
Excursion: A short distance from Palermo, Mondello is Palermo's main beach. The setting is gorgeous and the sea is still warm enough to swim even in spring and in autumn. It's a perfect place to relax after your visits and to have an aperitivo or a fish dinner in one of the many beach restaurants.

Trapani

Day 3: Palermo - Trapani

Collect your rental car
Excursion: After your breakfast, and maybe a last stroll in Palermo, collect your rental car. The car rental agency is just 10 minutes from the hotel, ask the concierge to call a taxi for you, it's the quickest and most convenient way. We will provide you with: - Full insurance - Digital Roadmap (including App) - 24/7 remote support from local representative - a detailed guide about how to drive in Italy Depending on your country, you may need an international driving licence, we will assist to check it out.


Self-drive from Palermo to Trapani
Car Transfer: The road from Palermo to Trapani is easy and offers some great viewpoints were to stop, relax and enjoy the scenery. Don't miss the one vith the view on the coast, roughly forty minutes drive from Palermo. Estimated travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes to get to your hotel


Discover charming medieval Erice and its amazing views
Excursion: Erice is a gorgeous medieval village, perched on a rocky cliff at more than 750 meters above sea level. It offers a magnificent view of Trapani, the Aegadian Islands and San Vito Lo Capo. It’s one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Sicily. You can easily visit it on your own in a couple of hours. To discover Erice, start from Porta Trapani and walk through the alley streets and the squares, bordered by churches and palaces that, in open spaces, reveal majestic landscapes. Erice’s symbol is the Venus Castle (Castello di Venere), built by the Normans who used materials from the temple of Venus in Erice, from which the castle takes its name. The castle was surrounded by towers and beside them there is the Balio, a wonderful garden from which you enjoy an extraordinary panorama. Erice is famous for its numerous churches, indeed it was known as the city with a hundred churches. The ones not to be missed are the Church of San Martino, in Norman style, and the Church of Sant’Albertino degli Abbati, we will highlight the oldest, the Mother Church, dedicated to the cult of Santa Maria Assunta. If you don't want to drive, you can get there from Trapani with a very convenient cable car. A round trip costs 9€ and it takes around 10 minutes to arrive in the village. In Erice just follow the signposted walk to discover the must-sees. Of course, don't miss the castle on top of the cliff. Many restaurants, cafés, souvenir shops and sweet shops "pasticcerie" in the village. The most famous is Maria Grammatico’s, which offers marzipan sweets, cannoli and the complete range of Sicilian pastries. N.B. The old streets are steep, Erice village can be tiring if you are not in good shape!


Exclusive wine and local food tasting at Baglio Sorìa
Excursion: Wine tastings are a key activity at the Firriato Baglio Sorìa Resort & Wine Experience. They are an oeno-sensory journey into Sicilian excellence, a story made up of wine, work and Sicilian land. A flavoursome experience to experience Firriato estate wines, and attentive speakers presenting them and their terroirs of reference. This tasting will see you combine six wines—of which one will be a passito—with six different types of traditional, high quality, Sicilian produce. It is a journey of discovery into the scents and flavours of sunny Sicily, where the typical Sicilian produce from the land and sea meet their ideal wine. Organic Firriato extra-virgin olive oil will also be available to taste, a real treat for connoisseurs. Approximate duration (including a visit to the vineyard): 2 hours


Dinner at Baglio Soria
Excursion: Baglio Soria restaurant offers fantastic views and an exquisite cuisine, which takes inspiration from Trapani atypical cuisine. Here, a marriage is made between history and tradition, and the flavors of a chef who carefully and creatively enhances the local sea and land products, creating exclusive dishes that will delight you.

Marsala - San Vito Lo Capo - Trapani

Day 4: Trapani - Favignana

Day at leisure: ideas for day trips from Trapani
Excursion: Day at leisure to explore either the island of Favignana (1 hour away by hydrofoil), San Vito Lo Capo beach and cliffs (and the famous "riserva dello zingaro" regional park), Trapani historical town, the Marsala Salt Pans or to have a cooking lesson at your resort. In case you would prefer more guidance, we can organise private tours based on your interests.


San Vito Lo Capo: beaches, cliffs and cous cous
Excursion: Located one hour's drive from Trapani you will find one of the most beautiful beaches of mainland Sicily: San Vito lo Capo. San Vito lo Capo is renowned not just for its Caribbean-like sea, but also to be the main place to eat the famous Cous Cous alla Trapanese - a local fish adaptation of the Arab cous cous dish.


Trapani charming ancient town
Excursion: Trapani has the shape of a sickle - Drepanon in Greek - and an enviable geographic location: between the two seas, at the foot of Mount Erice, near the archaeological site of Selinunte, and in front of the Egadi Islands and the salt marshes. Walking through the old town, the signs of the passage of various civilisations over the centuries are immediately evident, and all left architectural, artistic and monumental evidences. It's a perfect hub to explore the region.


Marsala amazing salt pans
Excursion: Marsala salt pans are among the largest in Europe and are a really amazing place to visit, especially if you are travelling with kids. The Saline (salt pans) reserve extends between Trapani and Paceco and comprises a coastal strip of almost 1,000 hectares. Much of the reserve, consists of privately owned salt pans where salt is extracted according to traditional techniques in use for centuries. The many windmills and the scattered salt mounds make the landscape even more impressive. July to September are the best months to visit, but the salt pans can be accessed all year round. As the sun sets behind the Egadi Islands, the entire landscape gets colored in red, orange and yellow in contrast to the white of the salt, offering a magical and unforgettable view.


Favignana caribean sea and ancient Tonnare
Excursion: Favignana is one of the three islands of the Aegadian archipelago, along with Levanzo and Maretimo. You can get to Favignana by ferry from the port of Trapani. Once in Favignana, your best option to visit the island is to rent a bike. On foot, you wouldn’t be able to do much, apart from visiting the village and its surroundings. There are 2 historic buildings to see on the island: - The Palazzo Florio, housing the town hall - The famous tonnara, the old tuna product factory. Needless to say, the main attractions are the gorgeous beaches and coves, with spectacular turquoise water and white sand: Cala Rossa, Lido Burrone, Cala Azzurra, Cala Rotonda

Agrigento - Be amazed at the white cliff of Scala dei Turchi

Day 5: Agrigento

Self-drive from Trapani to Agrigento
Car Transfer: After breakfast and check out, drive towards Agrigento. It's a beautiful route, with many nice views of the sea and the Sicilian countryside. Estimated travel time: 3 hours


Be amazed at the white cliff of Scala dei Turchi
Excursion: When in Agrigento take a drive of just 15 minutes along the western coast to Scala dei Turchi. It's an enchanting white cliff on the deep blue water of the Mediterranean. Erosion has modelled this pure white stone in the shape of a staircase. That's why we call this place 'The Stair of Turks'. Popular legends tell of Turkish pirates landing in the small bay nearby, to make incursions in the near villages. Choose an early morning to go there and take the time to climb up to the top of the cliff. You will be walking in absolute beauty, between the deep blue of sea and the pure blue of sky.


Valley of the Temples and Kolymbetra Garden private walking tour
Excursion: Join your guide on a private tour to discover these perfectly preserved Greek Temples, dating back centuries B.C. The 'Valle dei Templi' (Valley of the Temples) is one of the most extensive, representative and best preserved archaeological sites of classical Greek civilization, granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1997. The archaeological area corresponds to the remains of the ancient Akragas, the original nucleus of modern Agrigento. Along a long rocky scarp, chosen as the southern limit of the town, are still sited the great Doric temples dedicated to the gods. Within the area of the ancient city there is also the Pietro Griffo Regional Archaeological Museum, which houses over 5,000 finds that illustrate the history of the territory from prehistory to the end of the Greco-Roman age. This is Sicily's most enthralling archaeological site, which encompasses the ruined ancient city of Akragas. The tour will show you the stunningly well-preserved Tempio della Concordia, the "Tempio di Hera", the "Tempio di Eracle", "Tempio di Zeus Olimpico" and the Sanctuary of the "Divinità Ctoniche". Then discover you will discover the lovely Kolymbetra Garden. About 2,500 years ago, the tyrant Theron had a system of tunnels and hypogea designed to feed this small valley with water. A century later it was buried and gave rise to a very fertile garden comparable to Eden. This area is now a precious example of Mediterranean maquis rich in citrus plants, pistachios, carob trees, nuts, mulberries and pomegranates. Your tour lasts around 3 hours.


Dinner at Villa Athena
Excursion: Don't miss the opportunity of eating at Villa Athena restaurant, in front of the most amazing landscapes you could dream of.

Siracusa

Day 6: Syracuse

Self-drive from Agrigento to Syracuse
Car Transfer: Try to have an early breakfast and drive to Siracusa, one of the highlights of your trip (so that you can spend more time there!) Estimated travel time: 3 hours


Discover 25 centuries of history on your Syracuse private tour
Excursion: Syracuse is an ancient town on the sea, which was of immense importance in the time of the ancient Greeks. It has a superb archaeological zone ("Neapolis") and a lovely historic center on the island of Ortigia. You will visit both in the afternoon, with your private guide. Visiting the Archeological Park, which is your first step, will be like going back in time. You will feel the atmosphere of ancient times thanks to important Greek and Roman monuments and stories of some interesting characters linked with this place. You will have a chance to sit on the steps of the Greek theatre and to enter the Ear of Dionysius, an impressive large cave made by the ancient Greeks. Your second step will be the Ortigia island (this is where your hotel is located), a magical place rich in history, art and traditions. Much of the island’s charm lies in wandering down narrow medieval lanes, past romantically-crumbling – or lovingly restored – Baroque palaces and churches. To head straight to Ortigia’s most attractive piazza, head for Via Cavour, a narrow thoroughfare lined with restaurants and souvenir shops. At its end lies Piazza Duomo, an elliptical open space lined with harmonious and impressive buildings. Don’t miss the cathedral, built around an ancient Greek temple! The tour in Siracusa lasts approximately 3.5 hours, with about 10-15 minutes to get from Neapolis to Ortigia (depending on the traffic).


Evening at leisure in Syracuse's amazing old city centre
Excursion: Ortigia, Syracuse's historical city center, is a fascinating place to spend your evening. There are many restaurants to choose from, either in the tiny city centre streets or on the Lungomare Alfeo, just a few steps from your hotel. Here you can taste local delicacies, including excellent seafood dishes.

Modica - Ragusa

Day 7: Syracuse - Ragusa

Off the beaten path: Cava d'Ispica and Modica full day tour
Excursion: Today you'll experience all the wonders of this area: nature, history, baroque... and chocolate! You will start by exploring Cava d'Ispica, a fascinating canyon which is home to prehistoric tombs, Paleo-christian catacombs, rocky churches and troglodyte dwellings that were inhabited from the Middle Ages to the 1950s. The tour will start from the Archaeological Park of Cava Ispica to reach the rocky dwelling of the Sicanian Castle together with the prehistoric necropolis of Calicantone. In the afternoon, you will go to Modica to visit its Baroque and late Medieval monuments and to taste the incredible sweetness of its fine chocolate.


Evening at leisure in surprising Ragusa
Excursion: Ragusa is a joy to wander around - its labyrinthine lanes weaving through rock-grey palazzi to open onto beautiful, sun-drenched piazzas. It's easy to get lost but you can never go too far wrong, and sooner or later you'll end up at Piazza Duomo, Ragusa's sublime central square. Ragusa Ibla is a UNESCO heritage site and is often used as a set for Italian and international movies and serials. You may consider to have there a light dinner to enjoy this wonderful town at night.

Taormina

Day 8: Taormina

Self-drive from Siracusa to Taormina
Car Transfer: After breakfast and check out, drive east towards Taormina, one of the highlights of your Sicilian trip. On your way, notice the huge silhouette of mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, and one of Sicily Landmarks. Estimated driving time: 1 hour 30 minutes.


Feel enchanted in beautiful Taormina, the pearl of Sicily
Excursion: The overwhelming feeling of being on such high ground, the breathtaking panoramas and the fusion of nature and art at its best have made Taormina an exclusive travel destination. A former Greek settlement, the city was then conquered by Romans and Byzantines and the splendor of that golden Era has lasted throughout the years. Here in fact, the beauty of the nature has been enhanced by human hands and culminated in the Greek Amphitheater which dominates the scenes. The vibrant center of the city is Piazza IX Aprile, beautifully adorned by the 17th century Sant Agostino and San Giuseppe's churches; once you cross Porta di Mezzo (literally “middle door”), you will enter the ancient part of the city where the Clock Tower was erected over 300 years ago. Taormina is not only a captivating historical site – it’s beautiful coastal line, its marine grottoes and faraglioni (rocks) have enchanted numerous generations and they are only a cable way ride away from the city centre.

Taormina

Day 9: Taormina

Day at leisure in and around Taormina: culture, gorges, volcanos and exquisite beaches
Excursion: Taormina beach is among the most beautiful in Sicily, and you will hardly refrain to indulge in the beautiful setting and dive into the crystal clear water. In case you aren't a beach lover, based on your mood and on weather conditions, there are plenty of things you can do from Taormina, such as climbing Mount Etna, trekking in the Alcantara gorges, visiting the beautiful city of Catania with its markets and amazing architecture, or exploring Mount Etna's vineyards.

Catania

Day 10: Catania-Fontanarossa Airport

Self-drive from Taormina to Catania airport
Car Transfer: After breakfast and check out, drive back to Catania. The airport is very close to the town. If you have time, consider visiting Catania (make sure you park your car in a safe parking). Estimated travel time: 1 hour
Breakfast included at hotel

Drop off your hire car
Excursion: Drop off your hire car at Catania airport.