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Savoring Sicily Self-Drive

Experience the unmatched luxury of driving through Sicily’s dramatic landscapes—from the sun-drenched volcanic slopes of Mount Etna to the sparkling cliffs of Taormina. Over 7 days, this private self-drive itinerary pairs superior vehicle comfort with five-star accommodations.  Bending windswept coasts with high level cuisine.  Discover beautiful cities and  scores of small towns from dramatic cliffside villages overlooking the Mediterranean to inland medieval settlements nestled in mountain ranges.

Highlights

  • 7-night luxury itinerary: Mount Etna Eco-Luxury Estate:
  • Optional Mount Etna Summit Excursion:
  • Fine Dining Experiences: Special candlelight dinners
  • Volcanic Wine Tasting
  • Hands-on Sicilian Cooking Class:
  • Convent Pastry Tasting in Erice:
  • Historic Cellar Tour at Cantine Florio
  • Alcantara Gorges, Marsala Salt Pans
  • Syracuse Archaeological Park & Ortigia, Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples
  • Itinerary - click for more

    Day 1: Arrival in Catania – Overnight in Mount Etna Upon arriving at Catania Airport, collect your luxury rental car and begin your 7-night culinary and cultural journey across Sicily. Drive directly to your 5-star hotel situated on the slopes of Mount Etna, checking into your room before spending the afternoon unwinding in the relaxing hotel SPA. Enjoy a tranquil evening at the estate, taking time to settle in before your upcoming coastal and volcanic explorations. Overnight at your hotel on Mount Etna.

    Day 2: Mount Etna, Wine Tasting & Taormina Start your morning with a fresh breakfast at the hotel before embarking on an excursion to Mount Etna, Europe’s highest and most active volcano. Drive through the scenic Park of Etna up to the Silvestri Craters at 1,900 meters, where you have the option to continue higher up to 3,000 meters via cable car or 4×4 jeep to admire the volcanic landscapes. Afterward, descend the slopes to visit a local winery for a 60-minute guided tour and wine tasting featuring unique volcanic vintages. In the afternoon, drive to the cliffside town of Taormina to explore its historic center, taking in the vistas over the Ionian coast and visiting the ancient Greek-Roman Theatre, Sicily’s second-largest classical theater. Conclude your day with an optional dinner at a fine restaurant in Taormina before returning to your hotel for the night.

    Day 3: Alcantara Gorges, Hilltop Villages & Culinary Experience After breakfast, spend the morning on a naturalistic excursion at the botanical and geological park of the Alcantara Gorges, famous for its dramatic basalt column canyons formed by ancient lava flows. You can explore the riverbed and its icy waters, or walk five minutes downstream along lush riverbanks lined with citrus orchards to find peaceful, uncrowded views. Later, take short drives to nearby hilltop villages like Castiglione di Sicilia—known for its wine shops and classification as one of Italy’s most beautiful villages—and Motta Camastra, which offers panoramic valley views and a trail leading to a historic Arab-Norman castle ruin. In the afternoon, take part in an optional Sicilian cooking class featuring a wine tasting paired with vintages produced by the Neri family, learning traditional regional recipes before spending the overnight at your hotel.

    Day 4: Syracuse, Noto & Candlelight Gourmet Dining Enjoy breakfast with views over Mount Etna before departing on a day excursion to Syracuse and Noto. Begin in Syracuse by touring the ancient Island of Ortigia, wandering its picturesque alleys to visit the grand Cathedral, and exploring the Archeological Park of Neapolis to see the Greek Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre, Ear of Dionysus, and Cave of the Cordari. Continue south to Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its Sicilian Baroque architecture, where you enter through the iconic town gate to walk past ornate aristocratic palaces, detailed churches, the town theater, and the imposing Cathedral with its famous staircase. Return to your 5-star hotel in the evening to enjoy a fantastic gourmet candlelight dinner in the restaurant before your overnight stay.

    Day 5: Agrigento, Kolymbethra Garden & Mazara del Vallo Following breakfast, take a drive west to Agrigento for a walking tour through the world-famous Valley of the Temples, where you can admire classical Greek architecture including the Temple of Juno, the well-preserved Doric Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Hercules, and the Temple of Castor and Pollux. Step into the adjacent Garden of Kolymbethra, an ancient agricultural basin filled with historic citrus orchards and archaeological ruins. Afterward, continue your drive along the southwestern coast to Mazara del Vallo, a town heavily influenced by its proximity to North Africa. Spend the afternoon exploring the ancient Norman walls, historic churches, and the Kasbah quarter, where vibrant ceramic tiles, majolica art, and street paintings reflect its Arabic-Norman heritage. Return to your hotel in the evening for a gourmet candlelight dinner and overnight stay.

    Day 6: Marsala Salt Pans, Erice, Segesta & Florio Wine Cellars After breakfast, drive along the western coast to visit the historic Salt Museum of Marsala and view the coastal salt pans where sea salt is evaporated in shallow sunlit basins. Continue up to the medieval hilltop town of Erice to walk its cobblestone lanes, view the 12th-century Castle of Venus, visit the Matrice Church, and relax in the panoramic Balio Garden. While in Erice, stop at Maria Grammatico’s famous pastry shop for a tasting of traditional convent sweets, including handcrafted almond pastries, amaretti, and torroni. Next, drive to the archaeological site of Segesta to view its magnificent Doric temple set high in the countryside. Finish your daily tour in Marsala with a private visit and tasting at the historic Cantine Florio, touring the aromatic oak-barrel cellars to learn about traditional production and maturation processes while sampling their signature wines. Return to your hotel for your final overnight stay.

    Day 7: Palermo Monreale & Marsala Begin your final full day with breakfast at your hotel before taking time to explore any remaining coastal or countryside highlights at your own pace.  Visit Palemro & Monreale. Suggested itinearary.  Start the tour with Monreale, a beautifultown on the slopes of Monte Caputo overlooking Palermo. Monreale was named after the numerous citrus groves that once lined the fertilevalley of La Conca d’Oro. Walk to Monreale Cathedral, which is considered one of the most beautiful Norman buildings in the world. Beforecontinuing our visit to Palermo historical centre we will have a stop foran arancina tasting. The tour continues to Palermo, where you can admire the Teatro Massimo, the third largest theatre in Europe, also famous in The Godfather for the murder of Al Pacino’s daughte. Visit rhe famous ‘u Capo’ market”. Walk to ‘I Quattro canti’ and short time for shopping. Return to the hotel. Unwind in the evening with a final dinner before packing for your journey home.

    Day 8: Departure from Sicily Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out and driving your rental car back to the airport. Complete your vehicle return formalities prior to boarding your departure flight home, bringing your luxury Sicilian road trip to a close.

Included

  • 4 Nights 5* Etna hotel  3 Nights 5* Mazara del Vallo
  • Breakfst Daily
  • Etna Gourmet candlelight dinner 3 courses menu drinks excluded  drinks not included  wine tasting in Etna winery
  • Mazara del Vallo Gourmet candlelight dinner in hotel Mazara , at the Aqua Madre restaurant, with a three-course menu chosen from our à la carte menu . Beverages not included
  • Wine Tasting in Marsala:Tour of Cantine Florio in Marsala with 3 types of wine. Cantine Florio is a winery that embodies tradition and is a championin in fortified wine, Marsala
  • In Palermo Arancina tasting during the street food in the market
  • Daily access to the SPA
  • Parking can be requested
  • Category D car a nd “PLATINUM insurance” included

Not Included

  • International Air Travel
  • Meals and Beverages during included meals unless listed as included in the itnerary
  • Tips and extras of a personal nature  Porterage service
  • City Tourist Tax paid locally
  • Entrance to monuments and archaeological where not mentioned
  • Items of personal nature and Items not listed in the inclusions
  • One Way Drop Fees for Rental Car

Hotels or Similar

  • Etna : Villa Neri Etna resort or Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton
  • Mazara del Vallo: Almar Giardino di Costanz

2027 Rates Starting From

Rates Valid 11 Apr-15 Oct
$2390 pp based on double

Notes:
Rental vehicle one way drop fees may apply. Each rental day is a fraction of 24 hours, the vehicle must bereturned on time or within the next 59 minutes to avoud extra costs
Supplements: It is possible to add join in city tours.
Platinum insurance, the amount of the deductible will not be charged. The “Platinum” package clears the deductibles provided for all damages,partial, attempted and total theft, including windows, tyres, damage to the roof, damage to the lower part of the vehicle. Damage to the interior and damage caused by vandalism, riots, etc. are excluded
Hotel name reconfirmed 30 days prior to departure: In case of problems the indicated hotels may be replaced with similar category located in the same area of city for towns to a nearby town up to 30 Km distance, where will be possible to realize the program. Incase of hotels fully booked we confirm the booking in a middle-classhotel

 


The CAD ($) rate is indicative of Euro price and subject to change.
Price per person in CAD $ Dollars.

 


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