Sicily, Matera & Puglia 2027

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. Be sure to enjoy an evening stroll into Ragusa Ibla, the beautiful Old Town, with its striking Baroque architecture.

Ragusa - Modica - Piazza Armerina - Agrigento. After breakfast, we depart for Modica, a splendid Baroque town and part of the UNESCO-listed Val di Noto. The city enchants with elegant churches, historic palaces, and picturesque narrow streets winding up the hillside. We stop at the renowned Sabadì chocolate shop to taste their famous artisan chocolate before a lunch break at a traditional local restaurant. In the afternoon, we continue to Piazza Armerina to visit the Villa Romana del Casale, an archaeological treasure famed for its extraordinary Roman mosaics. We then transfer to Agrigento for dinner and overnight.

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 travel on to Palermo for the night, where you're free to enjoy dinner at leisure.

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 and spend the evening at leisure.

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

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. Enjoy a tour of the castle with a local guide, discover its extraordinary architecture and learn about its astronomical references.

Then we head to a traditional Masseria set in the heart of the Apulian countryside, where you'll enjoy a guided tasting of Alta Murgia extra virgin olive oil - one of the region's finest products - alongside local bread and artisan specialities. Lunch follows at the Masseria, with a menu celebrating the best of Apulian cuisine. In the afternoon, we continue to Trani, an elegant town perched on the Adriatic coast. Wander at your own pace along the seafront, through its sun-drenched squares and narrow historic streets, and admire the city's magnificent pale-stone cathedral, which appears to rise straight from the sea.

Bari - Matera - Bari. After breakfast, we transfer to Matera where we meet a 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.

There's free time to enjoy lunch 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 and spend the evening at leisure.

Bari - Polignano a Mare - Alberobello - Ostuni - Lecce. After breakfast we travel to Polignano a Mare, a breathtaking village clinging to the cliffs above the Adriatic. We'll take some time to wander the whitewashed lanes of the old town, soak up the views from the panoramic terraces and discover why this place has captured the hearts of so many visitors to Puglia.

Next, we continue to Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most distinctive towns in southern Italy. A local guide will lead us through the Rione Monti and Aia Piccola districts, where hundreds of traditional trulli - ancient dry-stone dwellings with their iconic conical roofs - line the streets in a scene unlike anywhere else on earth. It's a fascinating glimpse into a way of building, and a way of life, that has been passed down through the centuries. We'll have free time to find somewhere local for lunch before moving on.

In the afternoon, we head to Ostuni, the famous White City, whose gleaming hilltop streets have made it one of the most captivating destinations in the region. We'll meander through lime-washed alleys, under arches and past flower-filled squares, letting the unhurried atmosphere of this beautiful town work its magic. From here, we continue to Lecce and spend the evening at leisure.

Lecce - Otranto - Lecce. After breakfast, we set off for Otranto, the most easterly town in Italy and a place full of character and history. There's free time to stroll around the harbour, along the ancient Aragonese walls and explore the narrow streets of the old town, leading to the magnificent cathedral. The cathedral is home to the extraordinary Tree of Life mosaic, a breathtaking masterpiece of medieval art. Find somewhere to enjoy lunch before we head on to Lecce.

In the afternoon, we arrive in one of southern Italy's most beautiful cities. Known as the Florence of the South, Lecce is a showcase of exuberant Baroque architecture, and a local guide will bring it to life as we explore its theatrical piazzas, the ornate Basilica of Santa Croce, the Cathedral and the elegant palaces all carved from the warm, honey-coloured local stone. Along the way, we'll discover the city's remarkable tradition of papier-mache craftsmanship, and pause at a historic café to try the famous caffe leccese - iced coffee with almond milk, and a Lecce institution. Enjoy the final night at leisure in Lecce.

Lecce - Gallipoli - Lecce. After our final breakfast, we depart for Gallipoli, the ancient Kalèpolis, known as the beautiful city. Independently explore the historic centre which stands on a small island connected to the mainland by a 17th-century bridge. Wander through the narrow streets of the old town, admire the artisan workshops, the Baroque churches, the lively fishermen’s harbour and the small squares overlooking the sea.

We travel on to visit a renowned winery in Salento, where we enjoy a wine tasting experience, sampling a selection of local wines, including the prestigious Negroamaro and Primitivo, accompanied by local gastronomic specialities. Returning to Lecce, where arrangements end.