Arrival in Catania and meet our tour leader. Transfer by car to Pietra d’Acqua Spa Resort, hotel of the Geocharme Small Luxury Collection, located in the baroque area of Sicily. Welcome with biologic products at zero distance: citrus nectar accompanied by olive oil tasting produced with Nocellara del Belice olives from Canalotto Farm (www.canalottofarm.com). Check-in and relax in your room, at the swimming pool or at the pool bar. Gourmet dinner in hotel and overnight.
After breakfast your tour leader will take you to Ragusa, baroque city belonging to the Unesco heritage, considered one of the most picturesque cities of Sicily. The town is split into two parts, and while the upper section offers some noteworthy architectural delights, it is the smaller Ragusa Ibla below that really draws visitors. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon transfer to Modica, also Unesco heritage, boasting fine architecture, charming views and historic alleys. Tasting of chocolate, local speciality of this area. Return to hotel, relax in your room, at the swimming pool or at the pool bar. Gourmet dinner in hotel and overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet our tour leader and transfer to Syracuse, once the most powerful city-state of the Greek world and capital of the Byzantine empire for a while. You will visit the Neapolis, the archaeological park, with a local guide. The site is located in the north-western part and hosts ancient remains such as the beautiful theatre dating back to the V century. After, you will reach Ortigia, admire its beauty and monuments (the Aretusa fountain, Apollo Temple, the Dome) and taste a granita (crushed ice flavoured with fresh fruit or nuts and sugar) accompanied by a traditional brioche (a soft, fragrant sweetbread). Free time for lunch. On the way back to the hotel, stop in Noto for a walk. We explore this small town on foot, wandering around the narrow streets. The striking architecture is a result of a major earthquake in 1693, in which the oldtown was almost destroyed. It was reconstructed with a design intended to be functional and harmonious. Return to hotel, relax in your room, at the swimming pool or at the pool bar. Gourmet dinner in hotel and overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet our tour leader and transfer to Scicli, the writer Elio Vittorini wrote of it as the most beautiful city of the world. You’ll go back to the past while visiting baroque churches, ancient palaces and old alleys. In Scicli you’ll recognise some of the locations of the tv series “Il Commissario Montalbano”, born from the pen of Andrea Camilleri. From here, you’ll be transferred to Ispica to admire the marvellous Loggiato del Sinatra and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. On the way to Ispica you can have a look at the Ragusan countryside with its dry-stone walls. You will also visit some seaside villages such as Donnalucata and Sampieri to visit the Fornace Penna, a monument of industrial archeology, called Mannera in the above mentioned tv series. Return to hotel, relax in your room, at the swimming pool or at the pool bar. Gourmet dinner in hotel and overnight.
Breakfast and time to relax before being transferred to Catania Airport and catch your flight home.
