Reach your boutique hotel in lively Syracuse, a coastal city ideal for day trips along the Eastern side of Sicily (from Taormina to Marzamemi and inland to Modica and Ragusa). There are lively fresh markets, buzzy trattorias, and many experiences to try. Spend 6 memorable days (5 nights) among pretty seaside towns, un-touristic villages and nature. The trip can be tailor made towards relaxation or active exploration. Experiences/Extras can be added to enrich the holidays with special memories. Here is a first proposal to start!
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Pick up at the airport and reach your 4* hotel in Syracuse (45’). When you are ready, begin your tour through Syracuse, full of life and culture that was once the most powerful city of the entire Greek civilization, in Unesco Heritage Site since 2005. Be lost in the city's magnificent labyrinth of tiny streets and discover the history left behind by Greeks, Romans, Turks, Arabs, Normans, Spanish and French that ruled the area in the last 3000 years.
Take a taxi (10’) to Neapolis Archaeological site, once a walled city founded in the 7th century BC by the Greeks, renowned for its wealth, art, architecture, and culture. Marvel at its magnificent greek theater, the Temple of Apollo, and the Roman amphitheater, a testament to the city’s rich history. You can explore on your own or with a guide (extra).Free afternoon to enjoy shopping, a cooking class or a boat tour to admire the coast at sunset.
Private car for a full day tour - Pick up at the hotel and reach the Vendicari Natural Park (30’), where you can explore on your own the protected wetlands, discover an abundance of birdlife and (if lucky) observe the endangered loggerhead turtles and flamingos. Then, move on to visit the picturesque fishing village of Marzamemi with a stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea. Finally, end your journey with a visit to Noto, a baroque village with cobbled streets, ornate churches and palazzos, in the UNESCO World Heritage Site List.
Private car for a full day tour - Pick up at the hotel and reach Ragusa Ibla (1h20) and walk through the narrow, winding streets, admiring the stunning architecture, San Giuseppe church, and aristocratic palaces. Then, reach Modica, visit the San Giorgio Cathedral, and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the city with its perfectly preserved monuments. Visit a popular patisserie to discover how chocolate is made and to taste the best ‘cannolo’ of your life.
Private car for a full day tour - Pick up at the hotel and reach Piano Provenzana on Mount Etna (1h30), the highest active volcano in Europe to hike with a guide or explore by 4x4 bus the awe-inspiring natural landscape that you won't find anywhere else. Stop to Alcantara gorge for a quick swim before moving to hilltop Taormina, a VIP coastal town boasting stunning views of the gorgeous Ionian Sea. Take a stroll through the town’s cobblestone streets and admire the architecture and colorful shops.
Pick up at the hotel and transfer to the airport, stopping on your way for a last lemon granita with sea-view, if your flight schedule would allow.
Hi Barbara - On behalf of my wife and I, I want to thank you for planning an incredible honeymoon for us. We had the absolute time of our lives and could not have done it without you. Here are just a few pictures that we took to commemorate the trip but every part of the trip from start to finish was an absolute dream. We are already thinking about planning our next trip so we will certainly stay in touch! If you are ever in New York please feel free to reach out for recommendations we would be happy to help.
Hi Barbara! We are sitting down having lunch before our tour of Pompei and wanted to tell you how much we are enjoying our trip so far.The hotel in Rome was perfectly located and such a lovely spot! Our first dinner in Rome was at Restaurant MonteCarlo was really good and we loved our tour with Edwardo. Julia and Clara’s fav spot was the trevi fountain. We lucked out at the Pantheon and got a really good tour guide (and skipped the lines). We managed to get to the basillica without much of a wait (about 30 min - maybe less).I am so happy that you recommended Herculeum. So impressive! We are having pizza every meal and loving it!
Hello Barbara! Now that we have settled in at home, I wanted to once again thank you for your help in planning an amazing trip to Italy. We had the absolute best time and only wish we could have stayed longer. Everyone we met along the way could not have been nicer. We felt like we were among lifelong friends! We did get to travel to to meet my ancestors’ family and visit the home where my great-grandfather lived-it was amazing! We actually met a woman from our hometown who moved back to Italy 25 years ago! She graduated from high school with my husband’s brother!! What a coincidence! Anyhow, thank you again for all of your help in planning an amazing trip! It could not have been more perfect. Here are a few pictures from our reunion with my Italian family