Silicy Tour 2026

Welcome to Palermo, with its many layers of civilizations and history. The city today is a colorful, living testimony to this cultural heritage. Our hotel is located right in the historic centre of town, so the vibrancy of this diverse city is all around you.

Starting the tour, we first look at a series of sights that provide an insight into both Palermo and Sicily. These include buildings featuring both Arab domes and Norman arches. This combination of styles is what is known as the ‘Arab-Norman architecture’ of Palermo, and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

We continue on past some of the well known points of interest – the Quattro Canti, the fountain Fontana Pretoria, before visiting a pasticceria that is based in a convent. The nuns follow the ancient recipes to create biscuits and pastries in a completely Sicilian style. We look at the old kitchen implements that were used for producing these sweet treats in the past, then try some for ourselves.

Fortified by this cake stop, we carry on to visit the Oratorio of Santa Cita. In this ‘oratorio’, a private chapel constructed in the 16th century, you will find sumptuous rococo stucco sculptures decorating the interior. The quality and detail of the sculptural elements are a wonderful surprise to many who visit here. This chapel really is a masterpiece of craftmanship.

Wandering back to the hotel, we take the opportunity to try some of the famous Palermo ‘street food’, sharing some arancini from one of the renowned producers in this area.

After a break back at our hotel, we head out in the evening to dine together, sharing a meal of Sicilian dishes where we start to discover the unique flavours on offer here: Mediterranean vegetables that combine with Arabic influences to create this unique cuisine, seafood fresh from the Tyrrhenian Sea, and distinctive local wines from grape varieties grown only in Sicily.

Meals included: Dinner (3 courses including wine)

Accommodation: Quintocanto Hotel (classic room) or the Hotel Piazza Borsa (executive room), Palermo

We start the morning with a walk through the Ballaro market. This market, the oldest in Palermo, has been operating here for 1000 years. It is in places like markets that you really get a good feel for the people and the lifestyle of Sicily – locals shopping for their food, the in-season fruit and vegetables stacked up, street sellers offering snacks, the calls of the stall holders.

Next we travel for a short distance to Monreale, where we visit the cathedral. It is said to be one of the finest Norman buildings in the world. Visiting this cathedral is like seeing civilisations from different eras displayed in front of you. They are represented by the golden mosaics, created by Arab craftsmen, commanded by medieval rulers, representing scenes with artistic virtuosity.

We have lunch together and then continue on to Segesta, where we have our first glimpse of the monuments that remain from when Sicily was part of Magna Grecia (the greater Greek empire).

Segesta boasts one of the most intact Greek-era Doric temples anywhere, and an excellent theatre, both from the 5th century B.C. In fact, some performances continue to be held in this theatre during the summer.

We return to Palermo in the early evening.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch (3 courses including wine)

Accommodation: Either the Quintocanto Hotel (classic room) or the Hotel Piazza Borsa (executive room), Palermo

Today we depart from Palermo and travel first to Agrigento, with its famous Valley of the Temples.
This UNESCO World Heritage site features the beautiful Temple of Concordia, one of the most photogenic spots in Sicily.

We are shown around by an expert guide, who explains to us the phases of civilisation here, as well as the current discoveries that are being made.

Strolling through the archaeological area gives a sense of the gravitas of history, as well as a pleasant experience of continued traditions, surrounded by almond groves and olive trees.

For lunch, we stop in at a well-presented countryside property, where we get an opportunity to taste good, wholesome rural Sicilian produce. We enjoy a leisurely lunch outdoors, overlooking the Agrigento temples area.

After lunch, we continue on to our hotel in Ragusa, arriving in the early evening.

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch (2–3 courses including wine)

Accommodation: Hotel San Giorgio Palace (classic room) or Hotel Antico Convento dei Cappuccini (classic room)

In the morning, we visit the nearby town of Modica. While Modica is another of Sicily’s famed baroque towns, we also have an ulterior motive—and that is chocolate. Modica is an important centre for chocolate making and has its own distinctive style known as cioccolato modicano. This is made using a different production method to regular chocolate, based on Aztec techniques brought in during the period of Spanish rule. We have a tasting where you can appreciate the unique qualities of this chocolate.

We continue on to have lunch just outside Ragusa, working our way through a range of specialities from the Ragusa and Modica area.

Next, we spend some time visiting the town of Ragusa together, where we look at specific elements of the baroque architecture that are a feature of the town. In Ragusa, you can’t help but be charmed by the elegant palazzos and the picturesque winding streets.

Ragusa is one of the best examples of the Sicilian baroque style, with ornate edifices and intricate detailing. Some of Sicily’s architectural gems are scattered throughout the town. The buildings we see in this style were built from 1693 onwards and feature elegant balconies and balustrades.

After looking at some points of interest together, we leave some time for you to wander around independently.

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch (3 courses including wine)

Accommodation: Hotel San Giorgio Palace (classic room) or Hotel Antico Convento dei Cappuccini (classic room)

Our first stop today is the Cava d’Ispica, a site once inhabited by early Greek civilisations. Here, we can see many remnants and examples of these ancient populations.

We then go on to visit Noto—one of the famed baroque towns of the area, particularly known for its carefully planned urban design, with long boulevards lined by imposing palazzos. Noto is another UNESCO-recognised town for Sicilian baroque, but it has a very different feel compared to Ragusa and Modica.

Continuing on, we reach Siracusa. This seaside town is a treasure trove of ancient palazzi, a fascinating old centre, and many harbourside restaurants where good living comes first. Taking advantage of our coastal location, lunch is enjoyed in a restaurant with views over the water.

In the afternoon, we leave some time for you to explore at your own pace. Our hotel provides easy access to the old town of Siracusa, the island of Ortigia. This is the heart of Siracusa, with remains of the ancient Greek city. In fact, you can still see ancient Greek columns forming part of the current church structure—dating back to when it was the Temple of Athena.

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch (3 courses including wine)

Accommodation: Grande Albergo Alfeo (standard room) or Grand Hotel Ortigia (classic room), Siracusa

Today we team up with a chef to cook together, creating a complete three course meal. The dishes are typically Sicilian, a cuisine which has developed through the absorption of a myriad of influences through the ages. With today’s focus on Sicilian cooking, our chef unlocks some of the secrets and teaches us the techniques used here. As well as this, we discuss the importance and provenance of the ingredients and produce used. Then we relax and eat!

We also taste wines produced on the lower slopes of Mt Etna, benefitting from Etna’s unique microclimate and lava soils. Wine has been made in Sicily for over 2000 years, and the Etna DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) region is one of the key quality wine areas. The predominant red grape is called Nerello – these wines are reminiscent of pinot noir – and the whites made from Carricante can be excellent.

Next we visit Taormina, with its combination of spectacular views (over the sea and Mt Etna), beautiful old buildings, plus a touch of the ancient (both Greek and Roman). We take full advantage of all three aspects (the view, the town, the ancient ruins) as we enjoy our time here. Around town, as well as the archaeological sites, there are numerous ceramics shops and cafes on the piazza.

We visit the ancient theatre. This was built first by the Greeks, and then enlarged by the Romans. This theatre continues to be a premier location for music and drama performances to this day.

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner (3 courses including wine)

Accommodation: Grande Albergo Alfeo (standard room) or the Grand Hotel Ortigia (classic room), Siracusa

By now you know the local barista by name – and he knows which coffee you order – but we must say ‘arrivederci’. We organise transport for you to your departure point in Catania and bid you “buon viaggio”.

The tour finishes in Catania at 11 a.m.

Meals included: Breakfast