After breakfast, we'll head out to Neapolis Archaeological Park in Syracuse. The Archaeological Park, along with the entire city, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. It is home to two of the most significant ancient archaeological sites from both Greek and Roman history, situated adjacent to one another in this park: the Greek Theatre and the Roman Amphitheater. They combine to make this one of the greatest archaeological sites in all of Italy.

The Greek Theatre is one of the most celebrated of all the ruins of Syracuse, which dates back to at least the 5th century BC. It is about 450 feet in diameter, making it the largest Greek theatre in Sicily. Its 59 rows of seating could hold as many as 15,000 spectators. This wonderfully preserved theater has remained in remarkable condition and appears today much as it did centuries ago. The theater was cut directly out of the limestone rock with the seats facing the sea providing a wonderful view, especially from the top tiers.

Nearby we'll see the ruins of the huge Roman Amphitheater, built in the 3rd century AD. It measures 459 feet by 390 feet and was used for gladiator fights.

Just outside of the Greek Theater is an area called the Latomia del Paradiso, or Paradise Quarry. This former limestone quarry is now a very green and peaceful tropical garden full of local and exotic plant species.  Walk the path through this beautiful area to a huge cave called the Ear of Dionysius. Legend has it that Dionysius, the ruler of ancient Syracuse would eavesdrop on the prisoners who were incarcerated here. The cave, which was carved out of the limestone hill, is shaped similar to a human ear and because of its shape, it has excellent acoustics, which allowed Dionysius the ability to eavesdrop. The cave measures 73 feet high and 213 feet deep. 

We’ll continue the tour on the island of Ortigia, the historical center of Syracuse. We’ll visit the Piazza Duomo, the main square of Syracuse, which features many beautiful Baroque buildings and ancient treasures.

We’ll finish with a delicious lunch at Fratelli Burgio, a Sicilian-style deli in the local market.

From here, we'll transfer to our home for the next three nights, Hotel Gutkowski.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Guided tour: Ortigia/Siracusa Archaeological Park

Hotel: Hotel Gutkowski, Siracusa

After breakfast, we'll leave for a tour of Noto, renowned for its spectacular Sicilian Baroque architecture. It is packed with opulent churches and palaces, all made of the local, compacted, honey-colored limestone rock. Curvaceous concave façades battle for supremacy next to their convex cousins. Grotesque masks, cherubs, curlicues, and puffed-up, wrought-iron goose-breasted balconies abound.

The Baroque architecture was very much a planned effort by the church to re-assert itself after the Reformation. It was their chance to demonstrate power and importance, which they did with great flair and artistry. Sicily was for centuries a very tolerant place where the cultures of the Greeks, Arabs, Jews, and Byzantines were blended. The Spanish came and destroyed all of that basically in the quest for Catholic power and presence.

Lunch at Anche Ali Angeli  - https://www.anchegliangeli.it/en/

You'll have free time to explore the galleries and attractions in the town. You might want to stop at the famous Caffe Sicilia, which has been producing delectable sweets since 1892!

At 4 p.m., we'll return to our hotel. 

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Guided tour: Noto

Hotel: Hotel Gutkowski, Siracusa

Ragusa has the refined elegance that characterises the late-baroque towns of the Val di Noto. It attracts visitors to its maze of narrow streets, where there are many churches and palaces to visit.

Together with seven other cities in the Val di Noto, Ragusa is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ragusa has two distinct areas: The lower and older town is called Ragusa Ibla; the upper town is called Ragusa Superiore. The two halves are separated by a deep ravine (Valle dei Ponti). Ragusa contains nine major churches and seven major palazzi, all Baroque.

Ragusa is known as the “City of Bridges” due to its three bridges that connect different parts of the city, all built between 1843 and 1964. The most famous bridges in Ragusa are Ponte Vecchio, Ponte Nuovo, and Ponte Papa Giovanni XXIII.

We will have Lunch outdoors at a delightful local trattoria. 

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Guided tour: Ragusa

Hotel: Hotel Gutkowski, Siracusa

After breakfast, we will transfer to the town of Agrigento, where we will be staying for the next three nights.

Our tour today is the magnificent medieval town Calascibetta.

Calascibetta is a precious example of an ancient medieval village built at the beginning of the year 1000.

The main square of Calascibetta, one of the largest squares in Sicily, is home to a marble fountain with bronze statues, one of which is an allegory of the city itself.

From the square you can see the Church Maria S.S. del Monte Carmelo. As you go up through the alleys of the “muntata” (the upper part of the village), you will come across the Church dedicated to St. John the Baptist, the first Orthodox church in the district of Enna.

Take in the view from Piazzale Angelo, found along the path that leads to the tower. It is one of the most enchanting panoramic views of the Sicilian hinterland.

The Regia Cappella Palatina (Royal Palatine Chapel) is the Mother Church. It rises above the ruins of Marco Castle, an ancient Arab fortress whose traces are visible in the floor of the church. It was built by Pietro II of Aragon who named it “Cappella Palatina.”

It was the military base of the army of Ruggero d’Altavilla during the siege of Enna. Today only one tower remains, the bell tower of the church of San Pietro. The Cappella Palatina is the oldest building in the town.

In medieval times, Calascibetta was home to a large Jewish community. The Jewish quarter, called ‘Iudia‘ in the local dialect, gives its name to Via Giudea.

In Via Carcere there are caves carved into the rock that were used as the town’s prison in medieval times. These grottos are dramatic evidence of the first settlements in Calascibetta.

After the tour, we'll enjoy a special cheese tasting lunch

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Hotel: Alba Palace, Favara Sicily 

Today we will tour the famous  archaeological site, the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, one of the most outstanding examples of ancient Greek art and architecture of Magna Graecia, and is one of the main attractions of Sicily.

Since 1997, the entire area has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The archaeological and landscape park is the largest archaeological park in Europe.

The Valley includes remains of seven temples, all in. Doric style.

We will visit all of them, including the Temple of Concordia, which is ranked amongst the most notable edifices of the Greek civilization existing today, due to its good state of preservation.

Lunch at Casa Barbadoro 

History and archaeology meet the smells, scents and flavors of the ancient land of Sicily. Visitors can choose within a variety of food and wine experiences to discover Diodoros products.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Guided tour: Valley of the Temples

Hotel: Alba Palace 

This morning we will transfer to Catania to Tenuta San Michele , our home for the next three nights. 

We'll make a guided visit Villa Romana del Casale, a large and elaborate Roman villa or palace located about 3 km from the town of Piazza Armerina, Sicily. Excavations have revealed Roman mosaics which are the richest, largest and most varied collection that remains, for which the site was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, The villa and its artwork date to the early 4th century AD.

The mosaic and opus sectile floors cover some 3,500 m2 and are almost unique in their excellent state of preservation due to the landslide and floods that covered the remains.

Although less well-known, an extraordinary collection of frescoes covered not only the interior rooms, but also the exterior walls.

Meals included:  Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Tenuta San Michele 

Today, we will have a full-day guided tour to Mount Etna, an active volcano situated in a large national park. At 10,902 feet, it is the highest point in Sicily. Etna is still an active volcano, but apart from ash, rarely causes problems.

(Wear sneakers and bring a light jacket)

At 9:30 a.m., your driver will pick you up at your hotel and drive to Mount Etna. During this up-close look at Her Majesty Mount Etna, your guide will show you the volcanic lunar landscape of the tallest active volcano in Europe. You will see the extinct craters and learn about the soil fertility she provides. 

On a walk up to the crater rims, your guide will explain Etna's history, geology, mythology and more.

Afterwards, we will visit our guide's home for a delightful lunch with live music!

At 3:30 p.m., we'll return to the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Tenuta San Michele 

Today we'll visit Taormina, a spectacular hilltop town on the east coast of Sicily. Cliffs drop to the sea forming coves with sandy beaches, and a narrow stretch of sand connects to Isola Bella, a tiny island and nature reserve.

The historic center is given over to pedestrians who wander among the high-quality shops and cafes and with restaurants serving aromatic foods.

We will tour the famous Teatro Antico di Taormina, an ancient Greco-­Roman theater still used today. Built in the third century BC, the theater could hold 10,000 spectators. Today, the theatre is used as a venue for an annual arts festival.

We'll return to the hotel at 4 p.m.

Farewell Dinner at Murgo:

The Murgo Company was founded in 1860 when Senator Luigi Gravina gave the Scammacca family about 30 hectares of vineyard on Etna where, today, the San Michele Estate stands.

More than a hundred years later, but on the same land, Baron Emanuele Scammacca del Murgo begins the process of converting the estate into the modern Tenuta San Michele farm which represents the heart of our business.

Today on Etna, Sicily and Lazio we produce wine, oil, citrus fruits, vegetables, etc … and we offer tastings, hospitality and cultural events in these family businesses:

Meals included: Breakfast, farewell dinner 

Hotel: Tenuta San Michele