Day 1 Catania
Make your own way to the hotel where your Holiday Director will meet you for your welcome meeting this evening. Meals included: D
Day 2 Ispica and Scicli
Following an earthquake in 1693 many towns in this area of Sicily were rebuilt in a flamboyant Baroque style, and Ispica is a fine example of this. We'll spend time in this beautiful town today, visiting the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and its pretty piazza enclosed by the elegant Loggiato del Sinatra. For lunch we'll stop at a unique destination that cultivates over 150 varieties of aromatic and medicinal plants. We'll enjoy a tour of the site, walking among endemic and rare plants, hearing about the world of herbs and their historical cultivation in this area. Afterwards we'll enjoy a delicious authentic Sicilian lunch made using the fresh ingredients from the farm. Before returning to the hotel we'll pay a visit to the town of Scicli, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and famous as the filming location of the Inspector Montalbano TV series. Meals included: B,L,D
Day 3 Ragusa Ibla
This morning we will travel to Ragusa Ibla, the historic centre of Ragusa and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The town is exceptionally scenic; it clings to the side of a gorge and features incredible Baroque architecture which you'll see as you explore the winding streets and stop in front of the beautiful Cathedral of San Giorgio. You'll have time at leisure for lunch before visiting Castello di Donnafugata, a gothic revival palace that once housed the Sicilian aristocracy. Meals included: B,D
Day 4 Palazzolo Acriede
Today we'll discover the Greek city of Akrai, close to modern day Palazzolo Acreide. With a local expert as our guide we'll visit the ruins of this ancient fortress city, most impressive being the magnificent Greek theatre. Later we'll visit a local estate where the Catania family have been producing wine for three generations. Here we'll enjoy a delicious lunch of local specialities and a tasting of the wineries produce. Meals included: B,L,D
Day 5 Syracuse & Ortigia
Today we depart for the historical city of Syracuse. In the company of a local guide we'll explore a traditional market, followed by time at leisure for lunch. In the afternoon we'll cross the bridges to the historical centre of Ortigia and join a boat tour of the entire island, offering views from the water of Palazzo Veneziano, the Spanish Walls and Castello Maniace. There will even be time for a swim if you wish! This evening you're free to dine at leisure at the hotel or in the town of Marina di Ragusa. Meals included: B
Day 6 Marina di Ragusa - free time
Today has been left free for you to enjoy time at leisure in the resort town of Marina di Ragusa. This peaceful town has a pretty promenade along its sandy beachfront, with lots of bars and restaurants to choose from. The heart of the town is the yacht-filled marina and the modern shops, cafes and restaurants surrounding it. Alternatively, you could join an optional excursion to the nearby town of Modica. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage site with a local guide and discover its historic charm and in particular its world famous chocolate. Modica chocolate is uniquely made using a cold press process which we'll discover on a visit to an artisan producer in the town. We'll also get to sample their produce. Meals included: B
Day 7 Noto and Marzamemi
Enjoy a morning at leisure in your the hotel with free time for lunch before departing on an afternoon excursion to Noto, the Sicilian capital of Baroque architecture. Your local guide will walk you through the town's main street, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, with its buildings cathedrals and palaces the main attraction. We'll continue to the fishing village of Marzamemi, looking out over the Ionian Sea. Historically famous as a tuna fishing port, we'll see the remains of a 'Tonnara' before there's free time to walk through the piazza and pretty seafront promenade. We'll dine together at a local restaurant in the piazza this evening. Meals included: B,D
