11-Day Private Sicily Tour: History, Food & Scenic Coastlines

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN PALERMO - MARSALA WINE TASTING

As your plane touches down at Palermo Airport, you’ll feel the sense of excitement and wonder. Prepare to embark on a Sicilian adventure curated to tempt your senses and fulfill your travel dreams. 🗺️ ✈️

Welcome to Palermo

Palermo, the jewel of the Mediterranean, is a city where history, culture, and cuisine come together, offering an authentic glimpse into the island’s diverse heritage. We are excited to begin our tour in the soul of Sicily. Located along the island’s northern coast, Palermo has a lively culinary scene as well as seaside views and an historic past.

Upon arrival at Palermo airport, your private driver will be awaiting you. Enjoy a relaxing personalized and direct transfer to your carefully selected 4-star wine cellar hotel in the Marsala-Trapani area.

After checking in to tour hotel, you’ll have a chance to visit the wine cave, enjoy a wine tasting and light dinner before you settle in for a restful night.

And don’t forget… while touring, you’ll wake up every morning to enjoy a lovely buffet breakfast served at your hotel! It’s the perfect way to start each day of adventure of your private Sicily tour.

Day 2: MARSALA - MOTHYA ISLAND - SALT MUSEUM - MARSALA

Begin your day with coffee and a delicious buffet breakfast at your hotel, fueling up for a day filled with scenic beauty and culture.

We will set off on a boat excursion from Marsala to the isle of Mothya, once part of the ancient confederation of Punic cities and today a small archaeological park and adjoining museum.

After returning by boat, we will visit the Salt Museum, where you’ll learn about the centuries-old traditions of sea salt production.

In the afternoon, we travel along the scenic “Salt Road,” passing the salt flats and windmills that define the coastline between Marsala and Trapani. Your journey continues uphill to Erice, a charming medieval hilltop town.

Once in Erice, enjoy free time to explore and visit its gothic Cathedral, enjoy breathtaking views over the Egadi Islands and the city of Trapani.

Today wraps up with a return to your hotel in Marsala. Dinner is at your leisure, offering a chance to savor the region’s rich culinary traditions before settling in for a restful night.

Day 3: MARSALA - SEGESTA - MONREALE - PALERMO

Greet today with a satisfying buffet breakfast served at your hotel. Today we will make our way toward Marsala and take in the scenic beauty of western Sicily!

Your adventure starts with an excursion to Segesta. After a short briefing, we’ll set out on an exciting buggy drive through the Sicilian countryside through orchards and vineyards! Take in the panoramic views of the Egadi Islands and the ancient temple of Segesta. Along the way, enjoy a tasting of fresh seasonal fruit.

Then we will proceed to Monreale for a relaxing afternoon. Situated on a hill just outside Palermo, this charming town boasts sweeping views and rich artistic heritage. Enjoy a light lunch before beginning a guided visit of the Cathedral, which showcases Moorish design and stunning mosaics depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. You’ll also explore the peaceful Benedictine Cloister, an exquisite example of Arab-Norman craftsmanship.

We will return to Palermo in the evening, where you can settle into your hotel and unwind after a full day. Dinner is at your leisure, offering a chance to sample the city’s culinary scene before enjoying a restful overnight stay. 

Day 4: PALERMO

Start your day with a healthy breakfast at the hotel, then get ready to lace up your walking shoes for a day ahead exploring Palermo!

After breakfast we will set out on a guided walking tour of the historical centre of Palermo, visiting the Mortorana church, Piazza Bellini, Piazza Pretoria, “I Quattro Canti di Citta” (the four corners). We’ll take a pleasant walk along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the ancient “Cassaro”, Piazza Bologni, the inside of the Cathedral and the outside of Norman Palace.

During our walking tour we will have a chance to stop for a street food lunch experience, enjoying some of the local specialties. As the walking tour concludes, you will have the afternoon free to rest or explore independently and enjoy a relaxing dinner on your own.

Get a peaceful night’s sleep at your comfortable Palermo hotel, resting your feet and reflecting on your day of history and exploration. We have a fun day planned tomorrow!

Day 5: PALERMO - CEFALU - PIAZZA ARMERINA AREA

Enjoy your breakfast and morning coffee at your hotel before setting out on your day’s tour to Cefalu.

A former fishing village, Cefalu is a charming coastal town where you’ll spend your morning enjoying a walk to the city centre and down its main street to reach the Arab-Norman Cathedral and medieval washhouse built into the rock.

Enjoy free time for exploring and grabbing lunch on your own before continuing on with the tour. You may want to visit the beach or take a seaside stroll. Cefalù is the perfect mix of history, culture and relaxation!

We will depart after lunch to the Piazza Armerina area, where you will settle into your accommodations in a agriresort in the Sicilian countryside. You’ll partake in an engaging cooking class and learn about the Sicilian traditions, then enjoy a meal that you have prepared! What could be better to take back home with you than memories and new recipes?

The evening is yours to enjoy settling in at your new accommodations or perhaps take a leisurely stroll before resting up for tomorrow’s adventures.

Day 7: PIAZZA ARMERINA - CATANIA

Begin the day with a delicious breakfast at your hotel, followed by a tour filled with all the things to tempt your senses – sight, taste and smell.

With a local guide, you will visit the famous Villa Romana del Casale, a well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage site of mosaics depicting mythological themes and hunting scenes. It is a sight to behold and a testament to the history of this incredible destination!

From there, we depart to Catania, where we will  stop in a local winery and visit the Citrus Garden, where you’ll discover both the most well-known varieties and also the more unusual citrus fruits native to this region. You’ll have the opportunity to plant a citrus tree to commemorate your visit before ending with a buffet of seasonal delights and a toast in the Antico Palmetto, featuring Etna wines.

Your evening is free to relax in a beautiful manor house or centrally located and comfortable 4-star hotel. Enjoy dinner on your own and an evening stroll before your restful night’s sleep.

Day 7: ETNA - TAORMINA - CATANIA

Good morning! Today’s adventures begin after you’ve been served a lovely buffet breakfast at your hotel.

Our excursion today takes us on a scenic drive to Mount Etna, where your guided tour includes exploring the highest active volcano in Europe! We will ascend to 1800 meters to the Sylvester Craters and enjoy the spectacular scenery over the Ionian Sea. As we depart, we will enjoy a honey tasting on the way to our next destination, Taormina! 

Taormina is known as “the Pearl of the Ionian Sea”! Enjoy leisure time for shopping or strolling and time on your own. Taormina is endlessly fascinating with breathtaking views of Mount Etna, the ancient Greek theater, charming streets and timeless elegance.

After sightseeing for the afternoon in Taormina, we will return to your hotel in Catania. Dinner is at your leisure before returning to your hotel for the evening.

Day 8: CATANIA - SIRACUSA

After your morning coffee and buffet breakfast at your hotel, start your day with a laid-back walk through Catania’s famous fish market, “A Piscaria”; one of the liveliest and most authentic places in Sicily. Visiting the market isn’t just about buying seafood, it’s about experiencing Sicilian culture and it is the perfect spot to soak up the local flavor and see the city in action.

Along the way, you’ll enjoy a typical Sicilian street food lunch before continuing on to Siracusa! 🌯

Situated on Sicily’s southeastern coast, Siracusa is where ancient history meets seaside charm. With a blend of ancient ruins, elegant piazzas, and seaside views, Siracusa offers a captivating journey through time.

We’ll explore the Neapolis Archaeological Park, including:

• the famous Greek Theater
• the Roman Amphitheater
• the Latomie of Paradise
• the Ear of Dionysius

Later, we’ll stroll through Ortigia, the small baroque old city center of Siracusa before heading to your comfortable and centrally-located 4-star hotel in Siracusa. The evening is yours to explore and enjoy dinner on your own. 

Day 9: MODICA - RAGUSA - SIRACUSA

Today tempts your sense of taste!

After a delicious buffet breakfast served at your hotel, you will depart to Modica, the City of a Hundred Churches and the capital of Baroque. You’ll enjoy getting “lost” in the maze of alleyways and scenic viewpoints. Beyond scenery, there are shops, taverns, delicious restaurants and pastry shops to stop and browse. Modica is also the homeland of chocolate, so a tasting of the region’s famous chocolate can’t be missed!

We then proceed to Ragusa, where you’ll visit the enchanting historical centre of Ragusa, “Ibla“, with its stunning baroque palaces and churches. Stroll through the Giardini Iblei, a 19th century public garden, then visit the iconic baroque St. George Dome. We’ll stop in a local shop to taste the “Ragusano”, a cheese made exclusively in Ragusa and Siracusa and one of the oldest in Sicily.

After a day of tastes and sights, upon returning back to your hotel you will have the evening at your leisure for dinner on your own and a restful sleep.

DAY 10: SIRACUSA

Good morning! Today begins with coffee and a buffet breakfast served at your hotel. Afterward, you’ll enjoy breakfast and a full free day for relaxing or exploring on your own.

We can offer supplemental optional experiences such as a boat tour, cooking class, visit to a farm, olive oil tasting or full day or evening excursions. Enjoy sightseeing, soaking up the scenery and a restful overnight before tomorrow’s departure.

Day 11: DEPART CATANIA - Tour Concludes

After one final buffet breakfast, the tour concludes and we will transfer you to the Catania airport, with your heart filled with memories of a lifetime from Sicily.

As you say “ciao” to Sicily, we hope you will return! 🛫 It’s been a pleasure!

Departure Dates & Pricing 2026

Rate Per Person – 2026

🟦 Option A – 5★ Deluxe Resort (Hotel Il Minareto, Siracusa area)
🟩 Option B – 5★ City Hotel (Grand Hotel Ortigia, Ortigia Island)

DUS Supplement: On request

5-Star Hotel Options in Siracusa & Ortigia | Private Sicily Tour

This private Sicily tour offers two distinct 5-star hotel options in Siracusa and Ortigia, clearly marked in the pricing grid above for easy comparison.

🟦 Option A – Hotel Il Minareto (5★ Deluxe Resort, Siracusa Area)
Option A (🟦 in the pricing grid) is ideal if you prefer a seaside resort setting. Stay at Hotel Il Minareto, a 5-star deluxe property overlooking Ortigia. This option includes daily breakfast, two dinners at the hotel, and a round-trip taxi boat transfer to Ortigia, combining comfort with convenient access to the historic center.

🟩 Option B – Grand Hotel Ortigia (5★ Hotel, Ortigia Island)
Option B (🟩 in the pricing grid) places you directly in Ortigia, Siracusa’s historic core. Stay at the Grand Hotel Ortigia, a classic 5-star hotel offering daily breakfast and walkable access to Baroque landmarks, waterfront promenades, and local dining.

Both hotel options include private guides, private transfers, and curated sightseeing throughout Sicily, allowing you to choose the stay style that best fits your travel preferences.