Eastern Sicily with Baroque Exploration | 7 Day Small Group Tour 2027
Pair Syracuse and Etna with three nights in Ragusa, discovering baroque towns, Modica chocolate and the fishing village of Marzamemi after the small-group touring days.
Tour Essentials
Daily breakfasts, Syracuse lunch with wine, Etna wine and Modica chocolate tastings
Why we've chosen this tour
After the shared Syracuse and Etna days, the Ragusa base gives Modica, Noto and Marzamemi room to stand on their own. For travellers comparing cultural tours of Sicily, we particularly like the single hotel change and the contrast between guided discovery and a more individual extension through the southeast.
Is this tour for you?
A good choice for travellers interested in architecture, food traditions and exploring towns on foot. The opening small-group section is capped at 20, followed by a private-style extension with vehicle arrangements on days 4–6 and a local guide in Modica.
Not sure? Call us on 03 9824 0898 — we'll tell you honestly whether this tour is the right fit.
Tour Details
The baroque towns of southeastern Sicily reward time on foot: stairways lead between church façades in Modica, pale stone gives Noto its distinctive glow, and the lanes of Ragusa Ibla invite a slower look. This seven-day journey gives those places their own place in the holiday, following an opening small-group exploration of Syracuse and Etna.
Three nights in Catania provide a base for Ortigia, Neapolis Archaeological Park and an Etna winery visit, with time in Taormina along the way. The journey then changes character. Move to Ragusa for three nights and continue through the southeast with private vehicle arrangements rather than a full escorted group programme.
A ride on Ragusa Ibla’s Baroque Train introduces the town, a local guide helps bring Modica into focus, and its chocolate tradition adds a taste of local life. Noto and the coastal village of Marzamemi complete the route, with independent time for cafés, artisan shops and lunch by the sea. Two hotel bases keep the practical side simple while allowing the eastern and southeastern landscapes to feel distinct.
Inclusions
- Six nights in selected hotels: three in Catania and three in Ragusa
- Welcome drink in Catania on day 1
- Breakfast daily
- Syracuse street-food lunch including a glass of wine
- Etna winery visit and wine tasting with local cheeses, cured meats and regional specialities
- Touring transport on days 2–3 by coach or minivan, according to group size
- English-speaking tour escort on days 1–3 when group size qualifies; adapted driver/local-guide arrangements for smaller departures
- Local guide in Syracuse
- The listed Neapolis Archaeological Park, Syracuse cathedral and Silvestri Craters admission package
- Audio headsets on days 2–3 for groups of more than ten
- Car or minivan arrangements for the private-style extension on days 4–6
- Local guide in Modica
- Baroque Train ride in Ragusa Ibla
- Chocolate tasting in Modica
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive In Catania
Make your own way to your Catania hotel and settle in before meeting your tour leader and fellow travellers for a welcome drink in the late afternoon. The first evening is free: choose a restaurant, take an independent stroll or simply enjoy a quiet start to the journey. Dinner and airport transfers are additional. Overnight in Catania.
Day 2 – Syracuse, Ortigia & Sicilian Street Food
Travel to Syracuse, where a local guide introduces the ancient city at Neapolis Archaeological Park, including the Greek Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre, Ear of Dionysius and Latomia del Paradiso. Continue to Ortigia for its cathedral, built around an ancient temple, the Arethusa Fountain and the Temple of Apollo. A street-food lunch with a glass of wine brings the day back to Sicily’s living traditions. There is time to explore Ortigia independently before returning to Catania. Dinner is at your own expense.
Day 3 – Etna, A Winery & Taormina
Travel onto Mount Etna through volcanic landscapes, reaching approximately 1,800 metres to explore the Silvestri Craters when conditions permit. At an Etna winery, enjoy a cellar visit and guided tasting of Etna DOC wines accompanied by cheeses, cured meats and local specialities. Continue to Taormina for independent time along Corso Umberto, in the artisan shops or on one of the town’s panoramic terraces. Return to Catania for your third night, with dinner at your own expense.
Day 4 – From Catania To Ragusa Ibla
Leave Catania for the southeast and begin the private-style extension of your journey. In Ragusa Ibla, take the Baroque Train for an introduction to the town’s setting and architecture, then explore its lanes and the area around the Cathedral of San Giorgio on foot. There is time to browse small shops or stop at a café before settling into your Ragusa hotel for three nights. Vehicle arrangements are included; meals are at your own expense.
Day 5 – Modica’s Baroque Streets & Chocolate
Travel to Modica, where stairways connect the upper and lower town and elaborate church façades rise above the streets. A local guide accompanies the visit, including the setting of the Cathedral of San Giorgio, before a tasting introduces Modica’s distinctive chocolate tradition. Allow time to browse artisan shops and discover local products. Return to your hotel, with lunch, the afternoon and dinner at leisure. Overnight in Ragusa.
Day 6 – Noto & The Fishing Village Of Marzamemi
Discover Noto’s golden-stone centre, taking in the Cathedral of San Nicolò, baroque palaces and decorated balconies. There is time for independent exploring among cafés and artisan shops. Continue to Marzamemi, whose waterfront and central square recall its tuna-fishing heritage. Walk through the village and choose somewhere for lunch at your own expense, perhaps trying local seafood. Return to your Ragusa hotel, with dinner independently and a final overnight stay.
Day 7 – Depart Ragusa
Breakfast marks the end of the tour in Ragusa. Departure transfers, including onward travel to Catania airport, are additional and can be quoted on request.
Tour Highlights
- Discover Syracuse, Neapolis Archaeological Park and Ortigia with a local guide
- Enjoy a street-food lunch with wine and an Etna winery tasting
- Visit Taormina during the opening group section
- Ride the Baroque Train in Ragusa Ibla
- Explore Modica with a local guide and taste its traditional chocolate
- Discover Noto’s baroque architecture and Marzamemi’s fishing-village atmosphere
Accommodation
Stay three nights in Catania and three in Ragusa, changing hotels only once. The Catania selection combines a four-star boutique option with a five-star alternative, while the Ragusa selection is four-star. The hotels below are planned or similar; final allocation and the precise property are confirmed when booking.
- Catania: Katane Palace Hotel — 3 nights
- Catania: Palazzo San Giorgio — alternative
- Ragusa: San Giorgio Palace Hotel — 3 nights
- Ragusa: Hotel De Stefano — alternative
Tour Notes
Physical Requirements
Comfortable walking shoes and reasonable mobility are recommended for historic streets, steps and uneven archaeological ground. The Etna visit reaches approximately 1,800 metres, where the weather can be cooler and the ground rough underfoot. Please discuss mobility requirements before booking. Visits around Ragusa, Modica and Noto involve slopes and stairways.
2027 Tour Prices
Prices are in Australian dollars, per person, sharing a twin or double room. The single-room supplement is additional for a traveller occupying their own room. Triple-room prices are available on request.
| Wednesday Departures (2027) | Twin / Double | Single-Room Supplement |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Apr; 25 Aug; 6 Oct; 13 Oct; 20 Oct | $3,599 | $899 |
| 5 May; 12 May; 19 May; 26 May; 2 Jun; 9 Jun; 16 Jun; 1 Sep; 8 Sep; 15 Sep; 22 Sep; 29 Sep | $3,699 | $899 |
The listed Neapolis Archaeological Park, Syracuse cathedral and Silvestri Craters admission package is included in the tour price. It is not charged as an additional entrance-ticket supplement. Other admissions and optional visits are extra unless specifically confirmed as included.
How The Journey Works
The opening days combine shared touring with a group of up to 20 guests. The extension then follows the arrangements described in the itinerary, with more independent time. These are mixed-format journeys rather than fully private tours or continuously escorted holidays.
Group size affects the touring vehicle and escort arrangements. Smaller departures may travel by minivan with an English-speaking driver and local-guide services at the main sites instead of a dedicated tour escort. Your final arrangements will be confirmed before departure.
The first three days use the escorted group arrangements. Days 4–6 use the private-style extension vehicle arrangements, with a local guide in Modica; other later visits include independent time.
The route ends after breakfast in Ragusa. Airport transfers are not included and should be arranged separately, allowing sufficient time for the journey to Catania airport.
The Etna visit and the order of sightseeing may change with weather or local operating conditions. Other monument admissions beyond the specified included package are extra.
Exclusions
- Arrival and departure airport transfers, unless separately arranged
- Lunches, dinners and drinks other than those specifically listed as included
- Admissions other than the included Neapolis, Syracuse cathedral and Silvestri Craters package
- Hotel city taxes, payable directly at the hotels
- Flights, travel insurance, personal expenses and optional activities
Cancellations
For information related to cancellations and any associated costs, please refer to our Terms & Conditions. The applicable cancellation conditions will be confirmed with your booking.
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