Sicily Beach Vacations – Sicilian Escapade (13 days)

Walking tour of Palermo (including the food market) with wine tasting

Discover the iconic sights of Palermo on a guided tour with an expert guide. On this VIP tour, our local guide will meet you at your hotel before taking you on a journey of discovery through the most glorious parts of Palermo. As a part of this special experience, you will have the chance to see all of Palermo’s main attractions and stunning Baroque architecture, including Piazza Politeama, Teatro Massimo, the Quattro Canti, the Cathedral, the Martorana, Piazza Pretoria, the Palatine Chapel, the Norman Palace and the popular markets. During your relaxing walk, there will be plenty of time to ask your guide questions and learn more about the history of Palermo and its charming culture. As a special treat, our guide will take you around the historic markets of Palermo, including Mercato del Capo and Mercato di Ballarò, where you can taste authentic food tour of Sicily, such as pane con la meusa, panelle, crocchè, cannolo and granita. Panelle, in particular, is a local specialty popular in Sicily and difficult to find beyond Palermo. It is a delicious garbanzo fritter served in fresh bread – yum!

Overnight: Palermo

San Vito Lo Capo and the Zingaro Reserve

Let us treat you to a glorious day exploring part of the Zingaro Reserve, which is a beautiful park stretching 7 km between the charming village of Scopello and San Vito Lo Capo. It is well regarded for its dramatic backdrop and has sun-soaked cliffs that roll into the crystalline sea, creating a number of delightful pebble coves lapped by turquoise waters. As a part of the day, you will also visit San Vito Lo Capo, which is a magical village featuring a white sand beach decorated with palm trees and lush vegetation that is reminiscent of the Caribbean. San Vito Lo Capo is one of the most authentic corners of Sicily and is simply delightful to discover on your Sicily beaches tour.

Overnight: Palermo

Exclusive Boat tour to Favignana

Today you will discover the tranquil island of Favignana on a relaxing boat tour. The island lies off the coast of Trapani and is known for its idyllic landscape and rare sea life. The first stop on your boat tour of Favignana will be Cala Rossa, which may be the most famous bay in Favignana. Here, you can take a dip in the warm sea before the boat tour continues to Blue Marino, which is characterized by its deep-blue waters and mountainous background making it an excellent photo-stop. Moving forward, you will visit Cala Azzurra, where you will stop for a swim or snorkeling. Then, on what will surely be a highlight of your Favignana boat tour, you will visit the secret beach inside the Lovers’ Cave (Grotta degli Innamorati), which is a hidden treasure known by only a few locals. As a finale to your tour you will stop at Favignana’s port, where you will have time to visit the village or taste fresh Sicilian ice-cream or granita – the flavored ice dessert local to Sicily that you will have sampled on your Palermo food-tasting tour. Every region of Sicily boasts a slightly different variation on granita and it is essential to sample the different types!

Overnight: Palermo

Valley of the Temples tour

Why not immerse yourself in Sicily’s Greek past with a tour of Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples? Our VIP tour includes entry to the UNESCO-protected site, which is one of Sicily’s most important archaeological parks. It is a joy to discover if you have an interest in history or simply want to learn more about Sicily’s turbulent past and this tour experience allows you to see the sacred site with an expert guide.

As a part of your tour, you will see the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Herakles, the Temple of Zeus and the Sanctuary of Chtonian Deities (Temple of Castor and Pollux). During the tour, your guide will discuss the temples’ construction and tell you about their on-going preservation.

Overnight: Agrigento

Excursion to the Turkish Steps and Eraclea Minoa

Explore one of the most stunning natural sites in Sicily with a visit to the Turkish Steps (Scala dei Turchi). The steps sit on a rocky cliff on the coast of Realmonte just 15 minutes from the temples in Agrigento. It is one of the best spots to relax and take a break from sightseeing, as well as a glorious location to enjoy a swim in the sea. The Turkish Steps are a unique natural feature and arose due to the erosion of the white cliffs, creating a staircase that slopes into the blue waters of the Mediterranean. It is an amazing spot to take photographs and you can even dive from the cliffs into the sea! For something more relaxing, take a walk along the cliffs or simply lie out and take in the sun on this truly unique geological formation.

Overnight: Agrigento

Walking tour in Ragusa

Explore Ragusa with our local tour guide and discover the hidden treasures of one of the most picturesque towns in Sicily. Ragusa is a UNESCO-listed Baroque town in South-east Sicily and is the main filming location for the Sicilian detective drama Il Commissario Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano), a series that has done wonders for publicizing the beauty of this area. The best activity in Ragusa is simply wandering as its character-filled lanes hide a wealth of architectural treasures. The upper town is particularly delightful and well worth the climb, especially to take in the classic view over Ibla.

If you get a little tired and need a rest, we recommend taking a coffee at one of the cafes in the pretty sloping piazza in front of the Duomo. Another must is the wine-flavored ice-cream, which is served at gelaterias throughout the town.

Overnight: Ragusa

Donnafugata Castle

If you visit Ragusa, Donnafugata Castle is a must. Largely the creation of 19th-century politician Baron Corrado Arezzo de Spuches, it is an intriguing mixture of architectural and landscaping styles and a fine example of the era’s eclecticism. As well as a stop at the castle, the tour includes a visit to the coast between Pozzallo and Scoglitti, which is known for its sandy beaches and natural vegetation. The area is particularly rich in freshwater reeds and acacia trees, making it reminiscent of Africa and something quite unique indeed!

Overnight: Ragusa

Syracuse walking tour

Enjoy a tour of the historical center of Siracusa with this walk around the ancient island of Ortigia. This tour experience begins at the ancient Greek Apollo Temple and leads you to Cathedral Square, which boasts beautiful limestone buildings and Baroque architecture. From here, you will visit the Arethusa Fountain, which is steeped in legend and mystery – your guide will tell you all about it, including the monument’s fascinating history. The tour then concludes with a visit to the Jewish Quarter and Archimedes Square, where you can admire the Fountain of Diana, which was built in a Neoclassical style and is one of the most recognizable landmarks of Ortigia.

Overnight: Syracuse

Naturalistic tour of Cavagrande

Cavagrande is a protected natural reserve in the province of Syracuse located in the south-east corner of Sicily. The reserve is known for having one of Europe’s biggest canyons, which is about 10 km long and 300 meters deep. The whole area is surrounded by greenery and is rich in ponds, natural pools and waterfalls, making it a tranquil space where you can relax. The area is also rich in wildlife and you can see rare birds, as well as tiny lizards. This day includes a beautiful road trip so you can take in the scenery before taking the footpath down to the Cassible River.

Overnight: Syracuse

Vendicari and Marzamemi

And now for an excursion to one of the most beautiful nature reserves in southern Italy! The Vendicari oasis is made up of well-kept paths and small lakes full of wildlife. Here, you can walk the stretch between the beaches at Calamosche and San Lorenzo and visit a tuna fishery with its typical old fishermen’s houses. The beach at Calamosche is a true paradise and was named the most beautiful beach in Italy in 2005 by the Blue Guide of Legambiente. The excursion includes Marzamemi, which is worth visiting at any time of the year, but really comes into its own in the high summer months. In July, it often hosts an international film festival, when films are projected directly on to the walls of the buildings surrounding the main square. This wonderful al fresco atmosphere continues all through August, when the open-air bars stay open into the evening. If relaxing on the beach is more your thing, look out for Porto Palo di Capo Passero – it’s easily the nicest beach in the area.

Overnight: Syracuse

Tour of Taormina, featuring the Greek Theater

Discover Taormina’s historic secrets and modern delights on a two-hour tour, featuring the Palazzo Corvaja, the Santa Caterina Church and Vicolo Stretto, which is the narrowest street in town. As a special addition to this Taormina tour, you will enjoy “skip the line” entry to the ancient Greek Theater, which boasts magnificent views of Mount Etna and Giardini Naxos. There is no better way to discover this unassuming city’s treasured attractions!

Overnight: Taormina

On 12th day you will see the Taormina boat cruise

This cruise is a must for those who want to discover the most inaccessible and concealed bays and caves in the area of Taormina. Treasured natural sites that you can visit on this Taormina cruise include the hidden Blue Grotto, which is a paradise for divers, or Mermaids Bay, which is steeped in legend. During the cruise, you can take in stunning views of Mount Etna and the Bay of Naxos as you sail toward Capo Sant’Alessio. Here, there is a dramatic Norman Castle, which was build on top of a hill overlooking the sea and the beautiful Bay of Mazzaro. As well as relaxing on the boat, there will be time to swim near the charming Isola Bella before the boat returns to Naxos harbor.

Overnight: Taormina

Tindari and Cefalú

This diverse excursion first takes you to Tindari, which is a small region protected by Greek walls and rich in Roman baths, complete with floor mosaics. Here, we recommend you visit the Greco-Roman Basilica, which was built around a series of arches, and the well-preserved theater, which dates back to the 4th century BC. In the summer months, the theater hosts shows and performances, when attendees can enjoy an unforgettable theatrical display with stunning views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

In the afternoon, you will visit Cefalú, which is considered one of the jewels of the Sicilian coast. It is dramatically situated on a headland under a great, rocky outcrop overlooking the Aeolian Islands. In fact, it is from these headlands that Cefalú takes its name as it is thought to derive from the Greek Kephale, meaning “head”. Cefalú’s narrow streets are full of character and lined with traditional Sicilian shops and restaurants. It also has a beautiful central square and a bustling fishing-village atmosphere, as well as some of the best of Sicily’s beaches making it quite unique!

Overnight: Taormina