Sicily – Jewel box of the Mediterranean

01-10 October, 2024

• 01-10 October, 2024
• A small group tour for up to 8 guests
• Travelling in a spirit of friendship and fun

Join us on a unique and exclusive tour of Sicily a veritable treasure chest of art, history, colour and culture. Fabulous food and wine and spectacular landscapes. This exceptional journey is led by Janet Simmonds, a friendly and competent Geographer and Art Historian with a Master’s degree from the University of Oxford. Janet lives in Venice and works all over Italy, when she’s not touring she writes about travel and has written numerous articles on Sicily. Janet speaks Italian, French and English. She always goes the extra mile to ensure that guests see the very best there is to see! You’ll end the tour firm friends. You might even feature in one of her articles – which are always kind and positive! Janet has recently been appointed Oxford University’s official itinerary creator in Italy.

Highlights:

• 11 days (10 nights) to discover beautiful Sicily.
• You’ll stay in good quality, first class hotels.
• A delightful blend of modern comfort combined with historic traditions.
• The warmest of welcomes is guaranteed.
• Discover the exquisite Baroque towns of Val di Noto, Modica, Ragusa and Scicli
• Visit the filming locations of detective series Montalbano
• Enjoy pastries and cannoli (Sicily’s delicious crispy, brandy snap desserts), an absolute must to try!
• See traditional Sicilian carts (carriages) being restored and renovated.
• Visit a vineyard for an exclusive visit and wine tasting.
• Marvel at Greek Temples built in Sicily at the same time as the Parthenon, Athens
• Explore historic palaces in Palermo rich in history and art
• Enjoy a private palace visit and see the ballroom where Burt Lancaster danced when he was filming the movie ‘The Leopard’. If we are really lucky the Principessa will show us around.
• The Leopard and other exceptional Italian Films…
• Sample wonderful local products; cheeses, honey, hams and succulent fruits.
• Dive into the street markets of Palermo where our own ‘Personal Jesus’ will introduce us to the street food and markets of this intoxicating city.
• Meet local Sicilian people who will share with you their history and culture.

Sicily is a rich tapestry just waiting to be discovered. The people are warm and friendly and the landscapes are exceptional. Janet recently wrote about Sicily in this article: Sicily – Jewel of the Mediterranean

Itinerary: 01-10 October, 2024

Day 1 – 1st October, Tuesday – Catania – Siracusa

Our journey will start at Catania Airport, on Sicily’s eastern coast, where guests will be met by our driver and private saloon car, waiting to whisk you to nearby Siracusa. Once a Greek colony, the historic town of Siracusa is charming. Neighbouring Ortigia is an absolute delight. We’ll start the tour here with an overnight stay in this delightful seaside town. There is time to relax, maybe take a nap and unpack before we meet for evening drinks and then a Sicilian dinner.

Day 2 – 2nd October, Wednesday – Siracusa – Ragusa Ibla

After a morning to explore Siracusa and Ortigia we’ll head off through the Sicilian countryside to Ragusa Ibla. Giorgio, our friendly local driver and his son Filippo will drive us throughout the tour. We’ll start with a walking tour of Ragusa Ibla, a UNESCO world heritage town. Probably the most beautiful of the Sicilian Baroque hilltop towns. We are staying tonight at a boutique hotel – Villa Laura Boutique Hotel Villa del Lauro Hotel Every room is furnished in a funky combination of stylish retro and modern with a dash of Sicilian colour thrown in. Here you feel as if you have stepped back in time. We’ll visit Piazza Duomo and see the Basilica of San Giorgio. We will pop in to a traditional carriage restorer’s workshop and witness the artistry and passion passed from generation to generation. Traditional Sicilian carriages are restored with loving care. Ragusa has starred in many movies made in Sicily. For more on Sicily in the Movies

Day 3 – 3rd October, Thursday – Ragusa Ibla – Montalbano – Scicli – Modica 

After a leisurely breakfast in the hotel, we’ll meet up in the lobby for a day exploring this magical corner of Sicily. Today is all about the Val di Noto, a valley of exceptional natural beauty. This area inspired the writer Andrea Camilleri to create and write the Montalbano Detective novels here. Montalbano is now probably the most popular detective TV series in the whole of Italy. Visits to Scicli, Punta Secca and Donnafugata will inspire and impress. Donnafugata literally means escaping or fleeing woman and the Palace of Donnafugata was used in the Montalbano novels and TV series as the home of an evil mafia boss! We’ll have lunch on the beach at a friend’s seafood restaurant today. Followed by a quick swim or a paddle in the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

This afternoon we have to visit Modica and the oldest chocolate shop in Sicily. Here we’ll have the opportunity to try and buy some delicious chocolate. O/N Villa Laura Boutique Hotel Villa del Lauro Hotel

Day 4 – 4th October, Friday – Ragusa Ibla – Agrigento – Greek Temples – Marsala

After another fresh and delicious breakfast in our hotel we’ll head off today. We will be travelling west towards Agrigento and an exceptional group of classical temples, built on Italy’s south coast by the Greeks in the 5th century before Christ. These temples have been standing for 2500 years. The temple site is now a UNESCO world heritage site. It is possible to wander amongst the temples which are surrounded by a verdant green park. The park is home to a unique species of goat known as ‘Capra Girgentana’ they have curly horns and clearly thrive  in this beautiful and historic environment.

Lunch will be close to Agrigento in a rustic farmhouse  setting with salads and cheeses, quiches and desserts. After lunch we’ll travel west towards Italy’s west coast and the coastal town of Marsala.

Here we’ll stay in a comfortable agriturismo property with a garden and pool.

Day 5 – 5th October, Saturday – Marsala – Trapani – Erice – Marsala

The west coast of Sicily is famous for its sweet wines. Marsala wines were famous across Europe for centuries and may British families owned vineyards and cellars in this area. One of the most famous families was the Whitaker family – originally from north-west England. Many of the sweet, dessert wines were exported to Great Britain. We’ll do a fantastic wine tasting and wine cellar tour today.

Later we’ll visit the salt pans of Trapani. Many chefs regard Trapani salt as the finest in this part of the Mediterranean. It’s fascinating to see the salt pans and the windmills that pumped the water out of the ‘flats’ to enable the salt to evaporate.

WORK IN PROGRESS ……

rural interior to the coastal town of Cefalu. For the next two nights we are staying at a Boutique B & B just a short walk from Cefalu. There will be a relaxing, informal dinner tonight at our boutique Bed & Breakfast with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. Stay tonight: Alberi del Paradiso, Cefalu

Day 5 – 5th October, Saturday – Cefalu

Today’s the day for a joyful hike along the coast to the beautiful small city of Cefalu. Walking time about one hour. Drink in the fresh sea air as we walk through the Sicilian countryside to the medieval city of Cefalu. This is probably our favourite small city in Sicily. Narrow, stone streets, a superb cathedral and a fabulous array of shops and artisan studios await us. Here’s a little more on Cefalu – the smartest small town in Sicily

Inside the Cathedral there’s a 12th century mosaic of Christ ‘The Almighty’, created by the Normas when they invaded and took control of Sicily in the 1100s. There’s free time for lunch in Cefalu – there are numerous cafes, bars and small restaurants to choose from. We’ll explore the town centre, waterfront and the medieval laundry, where the washerwomen of the town worked and gossiped more than five hundred years ago. There’ll be a car service back to the hotel available in the late afternoon.

This evening a fish supper is organised at a tiny, family-run restaurant in the heart of the old town. Stay tonight: Alberi del Paradiso

Day 6 – 6th October, Sunday – Cefalu – Bagheria – Palermo

Travelling along Sicily’s north coast with the sea at our feet reminds us of the island’s maritime heritage. Many wealthy families in Sicily owned farms in the countryside and a palace or large house on the coast, usually in a town. Our first stop this morning is Bagheria, a seaside location popular with the wealthy Sicilians to build their summer houses. These elaborate historic homes are mostly empty now and open to the public as museums. We’ll be visiting a small, and almost unknown villa that was occupied by the last member of an aristocratic family until just five years ago. The house is filled with fabulous furniture, family photographs and incredible ladies gowns (from the last hundred years). We will have a private visit to this fairytale palace, with its overgrown garden, dusty corridors and romantic courtyard.

Our accommodation in Palermo is a stylish and contemporary palace located opposite the public gardens. It is a true Palermitano experience:  L’Hotellerie, Palermo

Day 7 – 7th October, Monday – Palermo

Palermo was the capital city of the Kingdom of Sicily for seven centuries. The city is an incredible mixture of different styles and influences. There are churches that look like mosques, with domed red roof tops and vast, sprawling, historic palaces. The Palazzo dei Normanni was the centre of the royal court and today is the home of the Sicilian Regional government. Part of Palermo’s UNESCO world heritage status are the incredible Arabo-Normano churches of the city. We’ll visit the Palazzo dei Normanni and the spectacular Cappella Palatina – a richly decorated chapel filled with mosaics.

Then around mid-day we’ll meet our own ‘Personal Jesus’ for a wonderful walking tour of the street markets of Palermo, where we’ll sample the delicious and varied street food of the Sicilians. This is an experience not to be missed. This is a lunch on-the-go with a difference. Sampling delicious delicacies whilst learning about the streets and history of Palermo. Street food tour of Palermo: Our own Personal Jesus We’ll head back to our hotel via the smallest bookshop I’ve ever visited. A charming and tiny selection of interesting and unique volumes. We’ll meet the owner and see the courtyards that make up the University of Palermo.

This evening we’ll head to The Ambasciatori for dinner on the roof terrace. This is a favourite spot for the local Palermitani, we’ll eat with a stunning view of the old town. O/N L’Hotellerie, Palermo

Day 8 – 8th October, Tuesday – Palermo – Etna – Taormina

Today we head east to the fabled resort town of Taormina. But first we’ll enjoy a drive up the slopes of Mount Etna, Italy’s most active volcano. Tonight relax in the charming town of Taormina. The views of Etna from the town are spectacular.

Day 09 – 9th October, Wednesday – Taormina

This is the last day of our trip, there’s time for shopping, strolling and even a visit to the Greek Theatre. Nearer the time we’ll let you know what concerts are taking place and we can try to get tickets for our group. If you’d like to spend a few additional nights in Taormina just let us know – we’ll happily arrange it for you.

Day 10 – 10th October, Thursday – Departures

There will a private vehicle transfer service to Catania Airport for guests flying out today. If you’d like to spend a few additional nights in Sicily just let us know – we’ll happily arrange it for you.

Buon Viaggio! We hope to see you in Sicily again soon. 

Trip Notes:

• This is a small group tour – group size of 8-10 guests.
• Luxury Mercedes Minivans will be our transportation method
• We reserve the right to alter the itinerary based on weather or availability.
• We undertake to deliver the best possible experience for our guests.
• Dietary requirements can be accommodated – please let us know in advance.
• Guests wishing to stay on for a couple of days – before or after the trip can contact us to discuss their requirements. We’ll gladly arrange additional services.
• Contact us now for best available rates.
• To reserve a place on this fabulous ‘Sicilian Tour’ Contact: janet@grand-tourist.com
• Happy travels!

_{Fun and smiles in Palermo – exploring the street markets. www.greyhoundtrainers.com}

Treasures of Sicily – October, 2024 – It’s looking promising for travellers………………..

What’s included:

• Breakfast is included daily
• 3 Lunches included – a light, 2-course meal, including a glass of wine.
• 5 Dinners included, 3-course meal with two glasses of wine per person.
• Teas and coffees with meals are included.
• There is no single room supplement

• Stay in boutique-style hotels, double room for single occupancy as follows:
• Ragusa Ibla – Villa del Lauro Hotel
• Cefalu – Alberi del Paradiso
• Palermo – L’Hotellerie, Palermo
• Taormina – Villa Belvedere, Taormina

Prices start at:

• Euros € 7200 pp / double room for single use
• Euros € 8400 pp / superior double room
• Euros € 6200 pp / in shared twin room per person
• All sight-seeing as listed in itinerary
• Entrance fees and activities as listed in itinerary
• Meals included – All breakfasts, 4 x lunches and 6 x dinners
• Pasta or pizza making class included.

• All transportation as listed in itinerary from arrival to departure
• All guiding services organised and co-ordinated by Janet Simmonds

What’s not included:

• Round Trip Airfare or other transportation to arrive in Sicily is not included.
• Teas and coffees outside meal times are not included.
• Wines, beers and spirits in addition to those served with meals – not included.
• Travel insurance is mandatory and is not included.
• All trips subject to Grand Tourist ‘Terms and Conditions’ full details on request.

To get you in the mood for a trip to Sicily – I strongly recommend this superb historical novel by Stefania Auci – it is brilliant. Now available in English translation too!

Search www.greyhoundtrainers.com #Sicily for numerous articles about Sicily written by me over the years! Happy travelling!

• This tour is operated and run by www.grand-tourist.com
• Janet Simmonds will be the guide
• We offer a tailor-made travel service in Italy, especially Venice, Veneto, Le Marche, Napoli, Campania, Basilicata, Sicily, Trieste and Dolomiti. Don’t hesitate to ask us for a tailor-made programme

The colours of Sicily have influenced so many artists and designers. From Dolce & Gabbana (below left) to the Baroque architects of the 18th century (centre) and romantic artists like Ettore Maria Bergler who painted atmospheric scenes of Sicily and Southern Italy 1850-1938 (right).

• 10th April 2024