Sicily, Matera & Puglia - 13 Days

Once you have arrived in Catania, make your way to your hotel. Private transfers can be arranged upon request. The rest of the day will be at your leisure to grab dinner or relax.

Please note: This is a multi-lingual tour, and guiding will be in Italian and Spanish as well as English.

Catania - Syracuse - Noto - Ragusa. This morning, we begin with breakfast at the hotel before departing for Syracuse, a city renowned for its rich history and culture. Our first stop is the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, where you may choose to explore the impressive Greek Theatre, one of the largest and best preserved in the world. You can also see the Roman Amphitheatre, walk through the Latomie of Paradise and view the striking Ear of Dionysius.

We then head to the island of Ortigia, the historic heart of Syracuse. As we walk through Ortigia, we visit Piazza Duomo, where you may choose to enter the Cathedral of Syracuse, built on the remains of a Greek temple. We continue towards the port to see the Fountain of Arethusa. You will have free time for lunch.

In the afternoon, we transfer to Noto, a fine example of Sicilian Baroque. As we explore the old town, we admire its elegant eighteenth century architecture. You will have free time to enjoy the city at your own pace.

Later, we transfer to Ragusa, where we will have dinner before your overnight stay at the hotel.

Ragusa - Modica - Piazza Armerina - Agrigento. After breakfast, we depart for Ragusa Ibla, renowned for its beautiful churches, baroque palaces and the picturesque Giardino Ible. With more than 50 churches and numerous historic buildings, the town reflects Sicily’s rich architectural heritage and is known as a filming location for the Italian series Il Commissario Montalbano.

We continue to Modica, where we visit the renowned Sabadì chocolate shop and taste its artisan chocolate, internationally awarded and certified IGP, as well as recognised by Slow Food.

We pause for lunch in a local restaurant before travelling to Piazza Armerina. In the afternoon, we visit the Villa Romana del Casale, where you may choose to enter and admire its extraordinary Roman mosaics, which offer a remarkable insight into life in ancient Rome.

Later, we transfer to Agrigento. Dinner will be at your leisure before your overnight stay at the hotel.

Agrigento - Marsala - Palermo. Today, we continue to the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO recognised jewel and one of the most important archaeological sites in Sicily. Here, you may choose to explore the remarkable remains of ancient Akragas and view the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Concord and the Temple of Hercules, outstanding examples of Greek architecture.

We then travel to the charming town of Marsala, known for the landing of Garibaldi. As we walk through the historic centre, we admire its noble palaces and baroque monuments before enjoying a guided tour of the Florio Cellars.

Our wine experience begins in front of the vast nineteenth century vats, still used in the refinement of Marsala wine. We explore the atmospheric cellars and conclude with a wine tasting accompanied by a light lunch featuring wines produced by the company.

Later, we visit the scenic Salt Road, where we view the islands of Stagnone and the historic salt pans, among the oldest in the world and still active today.

We then transfer to Palermo for hotel accommodation. You will have dinner at your leisure before your overnight stay.

Palermo - Monreale - Palermo. We depart after breakfast at the hotel for Monreale, where you may choose to enter the magnificent Arab Norman Cathedral, renowned for its splendid Byzantine mosaics. You may also choose to visit the majestic Monreale Cloister, a remarkable example of medieval art and architecture.

We then continue to Palermo, set on a bay beneath Mount Pellegrino. A city shaped by many civilisations, Palermo reflects a blend of architectural styles across the centuries. Here, you may choose to enter the Cathedral of Palermo, where Gothic, Baroque and Norman influences come together. You may also choose to visit the Martorana Church and the Cappella Palatina, admired for its striking golden mosaics.

We pause for a lunch break featuring local products before walking through the historic centre of Palermo. As we explore, we view the grand Teatro Massimo, one of the largest opera houses in Europe, and see the fountain in Pretoria Square, a Renaissance masterpiece at the heart of the city.

Palermo - Cefalù - Catania. After breakfast, we visit the charming seaside village of Cefalù, known for its impressive Norman Cathedral, whose majestic towers dominate the skyline. We explore the old town, wandering through its cobbled streets and enjoying its relaxed coastal atmosphere. You will have free time to continue exploring at your own pace, or opt to visit the renowned Mandralisca Museum, home to an important collection of art and archaeology.

We then pause for lunch in a local restaurant to enjoy the flavours of Sicilian cuisine before departing for Catania.

Our visit begins in the historic centre, distinguished by its late Baroque style and the use of dark lava stone from Mount Etna. We cross Duomo Square, the heart of the city, where we visit the Cathedral of Sant’Agata and view the famous Elephant of lava stone, the symbol of Catania. We continue towards University Square and walk along Via dei Crociferi, the centre of Baroque architecture in the city, where you may choose to visit the Monastery of San Benedetto, a grand and historic Baroque complex.

During our time in Catania, we enjoy a tasting of the traditional Sicilian granita served with brioche.

Catania - Taormina - Catania. This morning, we begin with a short visit to Catania’s historic and lively fish market, known as the pescheria.

We then depart for an excursion to Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe at 3,350 metres. Its striking lunar landscape offers a unique and memorable experience. Upon reaching Rifugio Sapienza, we see the Crateri Silvestri, two craters inactive since 1888. During our time here, we taste artisanal honey and other local products.

Our journey continues to Taormina, celebrated for its natural beauty and historic charm. We enjoy lunch in a restaurant in the old town, sampling local specialities, before you may choose to visit the magnificent Greco-Roman Theatre, which offers sweeping views of the sea and Mount Etna.

You will then have free time to explore Taormina at your own pace, browse local craft shops or simply relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Later, we return to Catania, where you will have dinner at your leisure before your overnight stay at the hotel.

Catania - Bari. After breakfast, you will have free time in Catania before our private transfer to Catania Airport for our included flight to Bari.

Upon arrival in Bari, a private transfer will take you directly to your hotel.

The rest of the day is at leisure to discover the city independently before dinner at the hotel.

Bari - Castel del Monte - Trani - Bari. We depart to visit Castel del Monte, a thirteenth century fortress built by Frederick II, renowned for its distinctive octagonal design and blend of architectural styles. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it remains one of Italy’s most intriguing and iconic monuments. You may choose to enter and explore the fortress.

We then stop for lunch at a traditional farmhouse, where we enjoy a regional gastronomic experience, before continuing to Trani, an elegant cultural centre on the Adriatic Sea. As we explore the historic centre, we visit the Cathedral of San Nicola Pellegrino, the striking symbol of the city set close to the waterfront. Later, we return to the hotel.

Bari - Matera - Bari. After breakfast, we transfer to Matera where we meet our local guide to begin a guided tour of the city. Matera is renowned for its Sassi district, the ancient urban area where houses, caves and labyrinths are carved directly into the rock. As we explore the Sassi, we discover a city shaped by a complex history and a striking fusion of landscapes and cultures. Matera is also known as a filming location for major productions, including The Passion of the Christ, directed by Mel Gibson.

You will have lunch at your leisure before we continue with a guided tour of Bari, the capital of Apulia and historically an important gateway to the East. In the lively old town, we visit the Basilica of San Nicola and view its eighteenth-century crypt. We also visit the Cathedral of San Sabino and continue to the Norman Swabian Castle, which you may choose to enter.

In the evening, we return to the hotel where we enjoy dinner before our overnight stay.

Bari - Polignano a Mare - Alberobello - Ostuni - Lecce. Today, we depart for Polignano a Mare, known as the capital of ice cream and the birthplace of the singer Domenico Modugno, to whom a statue is dedicated. We explore the charming old town, perched on cliffs above the sea.

We then continue to Alberobello, a symbolic town of central Apulia. You will have free time for lunch before we visit the unique historic centre, composed entirely of trulli. You may choose to enter the Trullo Sovrano, declared a national monument in 1923 and the only trullo with an upper floor.

Our journey continues to Ostuni, known as the White City. As we explore, we admire its whitewashed houses and panoramic viewpoints.

Later, we continue to Lecce for hotel check in. We enjoy dinner at the hotel before our overnight stay.

Lecce - Otranto - Lecce. This morning, we depart for Otranto, the easternmost town in Italy, where we enjoy a guided tour. You may choose to enter the Aragonese Castle and the magnificent Cathedral, renowned for its mosaic floor depicting the Tree of Life.

We then return to Lecce before our afternoon guided tour of the city, a symbol of Apulian Baroque. As we explore the historic centre, you may choose to enter the Church of Santa Croce. We also stop at a traditional papier mâché workshop and taste an iced coffee with almond milk.

We return to the hotel, where we enjoy dinner before our overnight stay.

Lecce - Gallipoli - Lecce. After our final breakfast, we depart for Gallipoli, the ancient Kalèpolis, known as the beautiful city.

As we explore the historic centre, you may choose to enter the Cathedral of Sant Agata and the Church of the Purità, and visit the ancient underground oil mill dating from the seventeenth century. We also enjoy a wine tasting at a historic winery.

Later, we return to Lecce, where you will make your way to the airport for your onward flight.