SEPT 2024 SELF GUIDED TOUR OF SICILY & MALTA!

96017 Noto, Free municipal consortium of Syracuse, Italy

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Viaggia - Discover Sicily
  • Email address verified
2 reviews
Sep 17 - 28, 2024
Group size: 2 - 2
SEPT 2024 SELF GUIDED TOUR OF SICILY & MALTA!
96017 Noto, Free municipal consortium of Syracuse, Italy

Viaggia - Discover Sicily
  • Email address verified
2 reviews

Sep 17 - 28, 2024
Group size: 2 - 2

About this trip

Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through Sicily's vibrant culinary and classical arts legacy! 


From savoring delicious street food to Michelin Star, coupled with the beauty of the art and architecture of the island, you will feel inspired by the experience and bring home memories to cherish a lifetime. 

9 Days / 8 Nights

Our guided itinerary will take you on a journey through the most beautiful and enchanting places in the eastern part of the island, including Mount Etna, the ancient Greek Theatre of Taormina, the boutique island of Ortigia and the UNESCO heritage baroque towns in the Iblean Mountains - Noto, Modica & Ragusa.  You will also enjoy spectacular beaches, unparalleled views, great artisanal food, wine tasting experience and Michelin Star dining. 


LINKS TO SAVE ON YOUR GOOGLE MAPS

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Click on each link below. It takes you to a list on Google Maps. Best to do it on your phone directly.

2. Click SAVE. It populates the same list onto your profile on Google maps. 

3. There are comments to guide you but you can also add yours to make a plan.



TAORMINA/CATANIA LINKS:

Restaurants: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3UFrEZMxZELc2Gm3A?g_st=iw

Sightseeing: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5WLVfXtjov25tNyR7?g_st=iw

Shopping: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NbXEPg9dbNbvfkwZ6?g_st=iw

Parking: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8bW8vty9bFyuBsyn8


ORTIGIA LINKS:

Restaurants: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ee1gjb712SknWUbT7?g_st=iw

Sightseeing: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ETYSuCzkERTpdDhQ9?g_st=iw

Parking: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BsWanrUsctUA54bz8


NOTO & BAROQUE RIVIERA LINKS:

Restaurants: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LFZikyAwb1QPaXSeA?g_st=iw

Sightseeing: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Svxi1Q577dr3jNaL6?g_st=iw

Shopping: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1TFH3viaeJ12w8fQ6?g_st=iw

Parking near centre: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UqfysypzJYu2ywC4A


RAGUSA IBLA:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/2BCCKuvYHvW4Gavv8?g_st=iw


MODICA:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/HkeEPVmuhSTdbWc8A?g_st=iw


MARZAMEMI:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/6QDeiKAdgg15YHS48?g_st=iw


SCICLI

https://maps.app.goo.gl/mDyKYrWZsEe1Dznz7?g_st=iw

What’s included

  • CONCIERGE SERVICE
    Availability by phone 24/7 while you are in Sicily
  • PERSONALIZED ITINERARY
    Guidebook with photos, links, contact information, etc
  • CUSTOM DAILY ITINERARY
    Day-by-day detailed description and recommendation, including travel, parking, accommodation, viewpoints, events, etc
  • ACCOMMODATION RECOMMEND
    Several recommendations according to your budget (Inns, hotels, resorts, bed & breakfasts, agriturismi, villa rental, etc)
  • TRANSPORTATION RECOMMEND
    Either a private driver and/or a car rental company, including where to safely park
  • INFO FOR LOCAL EXPERTS
    Contacts for local guides - historical, Etna mountain hike, etc
  • RESTAURANT RECOMMEND
    From street food to farms and Michelin Star dining
  • ACTIVITIES RECOMMEND
    Recommendations for theater, opera, concerts, dance workshops, trekking, fishing, etc
  • COOKING CLASS RECOMMEND
    Cooking Class and culinary experiences recommendations
  • NATURE ACTIVITIES
    Hiking, trails, biking, etc
  • BOAT TOURS RECOMMEND
    Public and private boat tours recommendations, including snorkeling trips

What’s not included

  • TRAVEL INSURANCE
  • FLIGHTS
  • FOOD
  • ACCOMMODATION

Available Packages

2024 GRAND TOUR SELF GUIDED TOUR FOR 2

2024 SELF GUIDED TOUR FOR 2 - EASTERN SICILY BY VIAGGIA DISCOVER SICILY

C$500

Itinerary

DAY 1: TUESDAY, SEPT 17
ARRIVALS, TRANSFER & SETTLE IN HOTEL

DAILY SCHEDULE

8 PM: ARRIVAL

8 PM - 9 PM: CAR RENTAL

9 PM - 10 PM: DRIVE TO DELTA MARRIOTT HOTEL IN GIARDINI NAXOS

10 PM - 10:30 PM: CHECK IN & SETTLE

10:30 PM: DINNER


If you are tired, dine at the hotel restaurant on the terrace with lovely views. Otherwise, you will have to drive 3 mins to Toarmina and find your way to the centre and dine much later.

GETTING TO TAORMINA & PARKING:

From your hotel in Giardini Naxos, you will have to drive to Taormina, it's only a 5 min drive. Park at the public parking "Parcheggio Mazzaro", it's marked in the blue lines at bottom of the gondola, aka "Funivia Mazzaro Toarmina Salita"

You can purchase a ticket for the parking (about 7 euro for the evening) and for the Funivia/Gondola (return for 10 euro per person per day) from the automatic machines located inside the building at the parking. There are a few parking locations higher up the street, closer to the main pedestrian street of Taormina, but they are always full and you will most likely have to drive back.


Location of parking: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ANzKvXsSCo75RbYL8

Location of gondola: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Qg3NL3wr7c3SRhYa6


DINNER OPTIONS:


List of all the restaurants in Taormina: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3UFrEZMxZELc2Gm3A?g_st=iw

- Eat the Best Pizza at La Napoletana Ristorante in the centre of Taormina.

- For best views of Isola Bella, (without breaking the bank!), also walking distance from the parking and no need to take the gondola, but away from the centre - "Ristorante Da Giovanni". They make great spaghetti vongole! 

- For ice-cream & granita - Bam Bar

- The coolest cocktail bar to go out at night: Morgana Lounge Bar, it's so colorful and fun, great dj sets, great cocktails, lots

- Best Street Food & Bakery - for lunch on the go or just a snack, try Sicilian Arancino & other local delicacies at Rosticceria da Cristina

- Best value for money Michelin Star restaurant in Taormina - La Capinera. You will have to drive to get there, it's just on the outskirts, but it is half price what the overpriced ones charge in the centre of town. If you are close to Catania or Mt Etna, go to Zash Ristorante.

- Great traditional Sicilian trattorias for everyday lunch & dinner - Trattoria da Nino, Malvasia, Tischi Toschi

- Aperitivo in Taormina with amazing views at Villa Sant'Andrea at the Belmond Hotel


SIGHTSEEING IN TAORMINA

List of things to do: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5WLVfXtjov25tNyR7?g_st=iw

  • Teatro Greco - 12 euro pp entrance, must visit! Go to the cafe bar on top and enjoy drinks with views fit for the gods!
  • Villa Communale di Taormina
  • Isola Bella & Museum - enter the island/museum to explore lovely views, 3 euro/pp
  • Piazza IX Aprile
  • Porta Catania
  • Belvedere di Via Pirandello
  • Alessandro Florio Atelier Puto Amor
  • Chiessa Madonna della Rocca
  • Palazzo Corvaja
  • Toarmina Castle
  • Santiero dei Saraceni
  • Salita dei Saraceni
  • Italian Opera Toarmina
  • Panorama Taormina
  • Castello di Mola
  • Cable Car locations - to go up and down from the parking

BEACH CLUB & VISITING ISOLA BELLA

Warning: beach clubs in Taormina near Isola Bella are overcrowded and overpriced. They charge about 100 euro for 2 chairs and an umbrella and do not offer any services. You will have to go fetch your own drinks. Your beach club at the hotel is a way better option.

Note: the beach is rocky, with everything from pebbles to boulders. It is very difficult to go in the water without special shoes.


ISOLA BELLA & MUSEUM 

If you feel like going down and then up some steep stairs, please visit Isola Bella. You don’t need to stay at a beach club, unless you would like to spend the day there. It is a gorgeous park with a museum inside of a former private residence. You will have to park at the same parking lot and then walk there. Bring a bathing suit. 

Please note: it's super rocky, from small pebbles to big boulders. It is not the most comfortable to swim, entering and exiting the water is a challenge. But entering the island and visiting the museum is a great walk with lovely views.


SHOPPING IN TOARMINA/CATANIA AREA:

List of locations: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NbXEPg9dbNbvfkwZ6?g_st=iw


Brands on the main street of Taormina: Dior, Louis Vuitton, Loro Piana, Max Mara, Tom Ford, Zegna 

Coolest Concept Store in Taormina: Feliciotto Concept 

Leather in Taormina: Cuoieria Fiorentina, Mara's handmade (artisanal)

Sicilian- Inspired Cool Clothing and Souvenirs: Siculamente

Sicilia Outlet Village - it is a convenient hour drive on the highway from your hotel in Taormina. It is all high-end and mid-range brands. It is brand new and very high-end, with restaurants and well manicured landscape

Mall Centro Commerciale Centro Sicilia in Misterbianco, near Catania. About 30 min drive from your hotel. They have Primark, H&M as well as some mid-range Italian brands. 

Your Organizer


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Viaggia - Discover Sicily
2 reviews
VIAGGIA is a high-end travel experience that specializes in tours of the island of Sicily. From the bustling markets of Palermo to Michelin Star restaurants, our tours offer an unforgettable taste of this rich and vibrant land. We believe that food is not just about sustenance but about culture, history, and community and we work to create an unforgettable experience that will leave you with a deeper appreciation and understanding of Sicily's culinary heritage. ​ Book now and experience the best of what the island has to offer!

Reviews

An absolutely beautiful experience of sights, tastes, music, and hospitality by our two hosts Alessandro and Polina. Our stay in Sicily was truly a memorable time with everything taken care of by them as soon as we got off the plane in Catania until the time it was ready to leave for home again. There were so many unexpected and wonderful surprises throughout our stay that went even beyond what they advertised and we look forward to staying with them again on another tour. We wish Alessandro and Polina all the best for themselves and their business. Ciao! C & D.
By Debra F for 2024 Catania & Beyond: Under the Volcano Shadow on Oct 11, 2024
It was a very good trip. The accommodation was excellent, a modern spacious villa with pool. The food was delicious and geared to introducing the favorite dishes and flavors of Sicily. The daily excursions provided opportunities to experience the history, art, architecture and landscape of the Island. Every effort was made to make our holiday one to remember.
By Diane R for 2024 Catania & Beyond: Under the Volcano Shadow on Jun 20, 2024
Thank you, Diane! It means a lot to us! We are so glad that you enjoyed the trip!
By Viaggia - Discover Sicily on Jun 21, 2024
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