Secret Sicily

Secret Sicily

Forget everything you think you know about Sicily! This 8-day Max 20 tour has been created to take you deep into the island's sun-drenched southeast, revealing a side most visitors never find. You’ll wander the jaw-dropping Baroque streets of Ispica, Scicli and Ragusa Ibla which are all UNESCO-listed gems rebuilt with extraordinary flair after a 17th-century earthquake. You’ll lunch at a farm cultivating over 150 rare herbs, sip wines poured by a third-generation family producer, and uncover the ancient Greek ruins of Akrai with an expert by your side. In Syracuse, you’ll explore a buzzing local market before hopping on a boat to glide around the magical island of Ortigia, with time for a dip if you wish to! You’ll taste the world-famous cold-pressed chocolate of Modica, stroll a centuries-old tuna fishing village, and lose yourselves in Noto's breathtaking Baroque boulevard. This is Sicily as it really is: authentic, unexpected, and completely unforgettable.

What's Included:

• Just You Holiday Director as your host & Specialist Local Guide
• Return flights from London
• 7 nights in a 4-star hotel
• A guaranteed twin or double room of your own
• 14 included meals: 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners including a welcome drink & farewell get-together
• Overseas transfers, other transportation & porterage

Highlights:

• Visit the beautiful towns of Ispica and Scicli
• Enjoy typical Sicilian lunch at a herb farm
• UNESCO World Heritage site of Ragusa Ibla
• Explore the ruined Greek city of Akri
• Lunch and wine tasting at a local winery
• Syracuse and historic Ortigia with boat cruise around the island
• Elegant Noto, and atmospheric Marzememi

Operator: Just You

Day 1: UK - Catania

Today you'll fly to Catania and then transfer to Marina Di Ragusa, on the south east coast of Sicily. The town has a lovely promenade along a sandy beach, and many bars and restaurants. Later today join your fellow travellers for a welcome drink and dinner this evening.

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. You'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 you'll stop at a unique destination that cultivates over 150 varieties of aromatic and medicinal plants. you'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 you'll enjoy a delicious authentic Sicilian lunch made using the fresh ingredients from the farm. Before returning to the hotel you'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.

Day 3: Ragusa Ibla

This morning you 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.

Day 4: Palazzolo Acriede

Today you'll discover the Greek city of Akrai, close to modern day Palazzolo Acreide. With a local expert as our guide you'll visit the ruins of this ancient fortress city, most impressive being the magnificent Greek theatre. Later you'll visit a local estate where the Catania family have been producing wine for three generations. Here you'll enjoy a delicious lunch of local specialities and a tasting of the wineries produce.

Day 5: Syracuse & Ortigia

Today you depart for the historical city of Syracuse. In the company of a local guide you'll explore a traditional market, followed by time at leisure for lunch. In the afternoon you'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.

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.

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. You'll continue to the fishing village of Marzamemi, looking out over the Ionian Sea. Historically famous as a tuna fishing port, you'll see the remains of a 'Tonnara' before there's free time to walk through the piazza and pretty seafront promenade. You'll dine together at a local restaurant in the piazza this evening.

Day 8: Catania - UK

Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.