Our journey starts when we rendezvous in Catania, either at your pre-trip hotel, train station or airport.  A short transfer along the Ionian Sea takes us into Siracusa, the most powerful & spectacular city in Italy before the age of the Roman Empire. According to legend, Greek settlers from Corinth founded Siracusa in 734 BC.  It was here where the legendary genius Archimedes used an array of mirrors to set a Roman fleet on fire.  Today Siracusa is a pleasant mix of late-Baroque and ancient classical architecture where colorful fishing boats lie in a little harbor as they have for thousands of years. The charm is endless; we enjoy the lively cafés within the ancient cobblestone piazzas and engage the exceptionally nice people for a stay to be remembered.

After settling in at our charming hotel, we invite you for an espresso to introduce your tour and answer any questions, then tour of the archaeological park, which features a Roman sacrificial altar, a fantastic Greek Theater and an Amphitheater carved from the rock.  Before dinner, we stroll through the island on which the ancient town was built and the site of the earliest Greek settlement.  We take you on a city walking tour through the pleasant labyrinth of alleyways past treasures from BC to the 18th century.

Lodgings: 2 nights in a small and cozy 3-star inn situated in the ancient part of Siracusa along the Ionian Sea and what was once the “Mastrarua”, the main street of the Middle Ages Spanish Siracusa.

The Oasi Naturale di Vendicari nature reserve consists of a narrow strip of marshy coastline and provides a rare completely protected habitat for migratory species as well as a large array of Mediterranean flora and fauna. This large stretch of swamp has evolved into a very unusual ecosystem, which continues to attract vast numbers of birds passing through the area during migration. Along our paths we find cushions of thyme and thorny burnet, prickly juniper and rosemary. We might also see grey heron, little egret, white and black stork; the greater flamingo might already be here as well.

After a delicious picnic lunch on the beach we transfer to the tiny baroque jewel of Noto.  Depending on the light, Noto’s takes on a honey or pink powder tint. Some call it a garden of stone, because the baroque opulence is blooming everywhere.  It is the result of a single, tragic event: the earthquake of 1693. The earthquake swallowed 45 towns and killed 60,000 people, yet also sparked a huge effort to rebuild. Nowadays most inhabitants of Noto make a living restoring churches and crumbling palaces. You could spend all day photographing the artistic walls of naked women flying through the air, fish tales spewing from the surface and dwarfs riding by on horseback.

One balcony is the seated bearded angels above the Pasticceria Costanzo. Only the insiders know what secrets these angels keep; such as jasmine blossom gelato, an ancient, Arabic specialty. As wonderful as this delicacy is we have to save room for the neighboring Café Sicilia of Corrado Assenza. He gave up a university teaching career in order to carry on the tradition of the Café. Just like Senore Costanzo, he too is internationally renowned as a gelato artist; honor his creamy creation which combines lemon and cinnamon. Or close your eyes for a moment over a fig granita.

After cream filled croissants and cappuccini we transfer to the Anapo Valley. Small roads wind through countryside villages that seem forgotten by time.  We arrive above the Anapo Canyon inhabited in prehistoric times until the middle ages. The burial grounds here were carved in steep rock walls and are the largest such complex of its kind in Sicily with over 5,000 tombs dating as far back as the second millennium BC. We follow a single-track trail past the tombs as well as the ancient homes at the base of the canyon. Accompanied by the fragrance of countless herbs, beautiful wildflowers and the murmur of the Anapo River we enjoy our walk within this seldom-explored reserve.  The wilderness, peace and charm are sure to make you wonder why not.

Today's highlight is the Villa Casale.  Discovered in the late 19th century by archaeologists who had uncovered a country estate that Roman Emperors used from as early as 286 AD and others continued to use until a 12th century mudslide covered it up and swallowed it from memory. The main feature of this 50 room estate is the superbly preserved quality mosaic floors that give one a glimpse of life in Roman times; the hunting scene & the women athletes in bikinis are two well-documented favorites of everyone who comes to visit. 
After our private tour we enjoy a second archaeological site.

We continue our exploration in Caltagirone, one of Italy’s most important ceramic center. As we approach this ornate town where some of the earliest ceramic works were produced 4,000 years ago, it starts to make sense why it was so described the “Queen of the Mountains”. The facades of palaces and churches are tastefully decorated with colorful tiles and the splendor of the many Villas, palaces and churches that line the streets of this Arab, Muslim and Norman influenced town never ceases to be impressive.

We walk up the 140 tiled-steps of Santa Maria del Monte, to a street and a flight of steps richly decorated with hand-painted ceramic tiles. Then there’s enough time to look at some of the town’s artisan stores before we enjoy the serene atmosphere around sunset from the cathedral.

Thanks to Arab influences, Caltagirone features some of the tastiest pastries ever made. How about nougat of chickpea seeds, candied oranges and honey called cubbaita for desert? The next day we make our way to the fascinating Alcantara Gorge. The Gorge, which was formed from thousands of years of lava flow from Mt Etna is a natural wonderland that offers many unique experiences and ways to experience it. Gert ready to discover them...

Lodgings: Hotel: 4-start with views of Caltagirone & Friendly B&B at the base of Mt Etna

We rise fairly early to climb to the top of Europe's largest volcano, Etna. Some called it "the column which supports the sky" while others thought of it as "the Eye of the Cyclopes." A four-wheel drive & cable tram takes us through a moon-like landscape up to 9,388'. The enthusiast can walk up to this point, but the day is less tiring by driving it. The views are something else from up here.

Depending on the conditions we may be able to walk up to 10,965' and the spectacular view point of the gentle hills of Sicily's interior, the deep blue Ionian coast, the Aeolian islands with Stromboli Volcano fuming in the sea with the shores of mainland Calabria & Campania in the background. On an extremely clear day, one can even catch a glimpse of Africa. Our guide for this hike uncover the many mysteries of Etna and are able to answer any question regarding volcanoes. We leave Etna's summit via a panoramic trail of a surrealistic landscape along it's eastern face.

After lunch atop Etna a short transfer along the base of Etna takes us through the terraced hills of lemon groves that are sold in the Northern European markets and offers us the opportunity to stop at one of Sicily's fine wine producers for a tour and tasting. Then onward to Taormina

Lodgings: In the historic center of town; steps to town and overlooking the semitropical hills and the turquoise waters. 

Taormina is said to be the most beautiful city of Sicily where legend tells of how Neptune sunk a ship of Greek sailors. Only one man survived and because he could not believe how beautiful it is here, he decided to stay and founded the town of Taormina.
Before our optional walk we enjoy a private city tour of Taormina and visit the archaeological site of the Greek Theater. Set on the edge of town above the Sea with Mt Etna as a backdrop this is one of the most impressive sites in Italy.

After this tour you can choose to relax by the hotel pool or venture down to the beach and explore more of Taormina for the rest of the afternoon. Or we do offer a 2 hour walk through groves of lemon and orange trees past the many mansions and up to Castelmola where we soon amble through the small streets and stairways past houses boasting flower-filled balconies (there is a contest each year on who best decorates the façade with flowers), and explore the many Romanesque and Gothic treasures, then up to the castle for a magnificent view of the acropolis. WE can walk or bus back down to town.

Either option finds us in Taormina before sunset where we gather on the panoramic terrace high above the sea for a five-star view and a toast to the great week we’ve enjoyed on this splendid island.

Transportation Logistics

*Meeting your tour: 
Ideally you would fly into Catania a day early and we can suggest hotels to acclimate or if you arrive on the day of the tour we can meet you at airport. (We can suggest many options low cost airlines that fly into Catania from various cities in Europe.)

Overnight train to Catania (tour start) from Rome: ~11 hours 
(you would need to order a sleeper car no later than one day in advance)

Trains from Rome (Roma) Catania (tour start): ~11 hours
#793-Conca d’Oro-- Roma Termini -23:00--à arrival Catania Centrale ---09:07

* Departure times and track are known to change on a moments notice, thus verify before boarding