Self-guided cultural tour
7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
18.0Kg CO2e
As one of our Independent Tours, Sicily's Vino & Volcanoes encompasses the must-see sights and tastes of this spectacular Italian island. Explore at your own pace, taking time to savour the local delicacies and pausing to create those moments that last a lifetime. As the name suggests, this exclusive tour includes a local wine tasting, a boat tour from Ortigia Island, and a guided group walk on the flanks of mighty Mount Etna, the most active stratovolcano in the world.
Your island journey begins in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ragusa Ibla, an important city of the arts in Italy. The historic centre is brimming with architectural treasures dating back to the 17th century, with stunning churches and Baroque style mansions perched on their own hilltop. Your next stop is Noto, another Baroque beauty that's listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you'll enjoy your wine tasting at a local enoteca. During your two nights in Noto, you have time to discover its famous buildings, some of the finest examples of the Sicilian Baroque style, not to mention the city's famous frozen granita - perfectly refreshing on a summer's day!
Continue onwards to Syracuse, an exquisite coastal city where you'll stay for two nights on its small island of Ortigia. Wander the labyrinth of charming medieval streets, packed with history and an incredible local market bursting with colour, scents, and authentic Sicilian flavours - the ideal opportunity to sample homegrown produce. Here, we have arranged a 1hr boat tour to see the beautiful coastline from a different perspective.
Your Italian adventure concludes in the unmissable hilltop town of Taormina. Overlooking the beautiful bay below with Mount Etna commanding attention in the distance, Taormina is home to a remarkably well-preserved Greek Theatre from the 3rd century which we highly recommend visiting. Don't miss the small village of Castelmola, famous for its medieval castle, local almond wine, and panoramic views across Etna. From the coast, you can enjoy hidden coves and sandy beaches, rent kayaks, snorkels, or embark on a boat tour across the glistening Mediterranean.
No trip to Sicily would be complete without visiting Mount Etna; we have included a guided group tour to this iconic volcano (includes return transfers) where you'll benefit from insider knowledge as you explore Etna's craters and lava flows - the highlight of your Sicilian Tour.
Read more about this holiday in our Meet the Expert blog with Emily.
Arrive at your first hotel in the centre of old town Ragusa Ibla. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002, Ragusa Ibla is an important city of the arts in Italy with a legacy dating back thousands of years.
You stay at Hotel Barocco.
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A small and intimate hotel within a 19th century building, Hotel Barocco sits in the heart of Ragusa, just a 5 minute walk from Cattedrale di San Giorgio. Surrounded by Baroque architecture, the hotel provides spacious rooms and an onsite restaurant which is very popular with the locals. The Al Giardino restaurant serves traditional Sicilian and Ragusan cuisine alongside the firm favourite pizzeria.
Should this accommodation not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Take your time exploring Ragusa Ibla, adorned with architectural treasures including the Duomo di San Giorgio. The city of Ragusa is divided into two large districts: Ragusa Superiore and Ragusa Ibla of which the latter sits high on the hilltop, home to ruins of the old city. Wander the original medieval streets and historic centre, home to more than 50 churches and Baroque style mansions.
In the afternoon, you will be transferred from Ragusa Ibla to Noto, growing ever closer to the spectacular Sicilian coastline.
You stay at Palazzo Landolina.
Palazzo Landolina, Noto
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Set within an ancient noble palace next to the town hall of Noto, Landolina boasts a beautiful terrace and charming period rooms. Every morning an Italian breakfast awaits you, prepared with simple and genuine products.
Should this accommodation not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Noto is a Baroque beauty with much to offer its visitors. This sun-drenched corner of Sicily is home to the magnificent Church of San Domenico and the inspiring Fountain of Hercules. Enjoy an icy glass of granita or the famous ice cream as you amble along the cobbled streets with a new treasure discovered around every corner.
Here, we have arranged a wine tasting in a local enoteca with a sommelier. This includes 4 wines paired with 4 tasty Sicilian tapas.
Spend the morning exploring more of Noto before you're transferred to your next Sicilian destination - Syracuse. Your base is the small island of Ortigia, located in the historical centre of Syracuse. The old town of Ortigia is a labyrinth of charming medieval streets packed with over 2,500 years of history. The wider area of Syracuse is home to the spectacular Greek Theatre, the popular archaeological park and the mythological Ear of Dionysios, a cave with a peculiar shape resembling an ear with fantastic acoustics - the story goes that Dionysius used this cave to listen to the cries of his prisoners!
You stay at Gran Hotel Bretagna.
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The 3* Gran Hotel Bretagna is just a short stroll from the tree lined Porto Grande and the Temple of Apollo in Siracusa's Ortigia district. Housed in a historic building, it is traditional yet comfortable with Headwater customers being allocated the spacious deluxe rooms here. Please note that there is no lift at the Gran Hotel Bretagna.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
On the island of Ortigia, we recommend visiting the Temple of Apollo dating back to the 6th century, the Piazza Archimede and the Fountain of Diana, the Roman goddess. The Piazza Duomo is dominated by the fascinating Cathedral of Syracuse, built around the ancient Temple of Athena. Ortigia plays host to an incredible market where you'll be greeted with a feast of colours, scents, and authentic flavours of the island.
We have also arranged a morning boat tour from Ortigia Island (approx. 1hr) to see the beautiful coastline from a different perspective.
Head over to Taormina in the morning on our included transfer. Spectacularly perched on the side of the mountain, Taormina is an unmissable destination on Sicily. Your hotel is centrally located in the heart of the town, making it very easy to explore the pedestrianised centre.
Make your way to one of the best viewpoints in Taormina, the Piazza IX Aprile, home to a huge panoramic terrace overlooking the bay below and Mount Etna in the distance. Perhaps the most famous monument of Taormina is its Greek theatre dating from the 3rd century, yet remarkably well preserved. Another treasure is the tiny island of Isola Bella; accessible by cable car from the town centre, here you'll find beautiful coves and beaches where you can enjoy boat tours, kayaking and snorkelling should you wish.
Alternatively, catch the local bus up to the small village of Castelmola, famous for its ruined medieval castle and home to some of the best viewpoints of the valley and across Etna. The local speciality of the village is almond wine should you wish to try some.
You stay at Hotel Isabella.
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Just a few steps from the Greek-Roman Theatre in the heart of Taormina, Hotel Isabella has 30 well-equipped rooms overlooking the rooftops of the old town, the ancient Greek Theatre or the beautiful sea below. A shuttle bus connects guests daily (May - Sept) with their sister Hotel Caparena where you can enjoy the private pebbled beach and wellness centre.
Should this accommodation not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
What better way to end your trip to Sicily than venturing onto Mount Etna. It's the highest Mediterranean island mountain and the most active stratovolcano in the world. We have included a guided group tour of Mount Etna, where we explore the volcano's diverse and accessible range of features such as craters, lava flows and caves with an expert guide. The tour comprises of a short walk (2 hours) and lunch as well as transfers to/from your hotel in Taormina are included.
These tour only prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from NZ$697.
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
Self-guided cultural tour
7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
18.0Kg CO2e
