Tailormade tour Splendid Sicily: The Island of Sicily fly-drive tour Italy

Your flight arrives in Catania and then you are met and transferred by private car to Taormina. You may wish to revisit Catania on the way to Siracusa, to see the grand Piazza del Duomo with the flamboyant Fontana dell’Elefante at its centre, and the ornately decorated Catania Cathedral at its side. La Pescheria is a bustling weekday market that takes place in the square, selling the fresh fish caught on the coast, later to be served in one of the seafood restaurants that line the square. Taormina is primarily known for its rich and extensive history; its Teatro Antico di Taormina is the second largest amphitheatre in Sicily, harking back to Taormina’s origins as a Greek ‘polis,’ and therefore well worth a few hours’ visit. The Botanic Gardens of Villa Comunale are just a short walk from the hotel and offer a number of exotic and shady pathways for an afternoon stroll, as well as several intriguing structures that make up the villa complex. In the nearby Alcantara River Park, more such opportunities exist for you to delve deeper into the Sicilian landscape and climate. It is the Alcantara Gorges, however, that really give this Park its character, formed as they are of lava caves, waterfalls, and gently flowing creeks. Back in Taormina, trace the story of the town’s history through its eclectic architecture. The Gothic Badia Vecchia is the town’s former abbey, and its design has been heavily influenced by Arabian and Norman art, much like the Palazzo Duchi di Santo Stefano. The Palazzo Corvaja was part of the town’s reinforced defences and was built in the style of Abraham’s first temple in God’s name. Alternatively, the Palazzo Ciampoli exemplifies the town’s medieval history. For those searching for the perfect souvenir, we recommend using the Corso Uberto as a centre-point. The pedestrian-only town centre is lined with shops selling hand-made ceramics, fine leather, Sicilian wines, and wrought iron and wooden products. To visit Sicily and neglect the sea seems impossible; local businesses along the coast offer sports and activities such as wind-surfing, fishing, scuba-diving, snorkelling, canoeing, and sailing. After two busy days’ exploring historic Taormina, dine in one of the seafood restaurants in the central square.

Collect your hire-car in Taormina this morning and drive south passing Catania into the ancient port of Syracusa. Across three bridges and the heart of Syracusa’s original old town and port is Ortigia. This island holds all the many charms of Sicily and Syracusa condensed within its winding narrow streets. Its streets are lined with crumbling Baroque palaces and quaint churches, as well as small local businesses selling traditional hand-made wares. At the very centre of Ortigia is the simplistic, but elegant, Fontana di Artemide, decorated with carvings of the myth of the nymph of Aretusa. This is the ideal spot from which to begin. Bask in the majesty and scale of the ruined Temple of Apollo or admire the mosaic of the picturesque Chiesa di San Martino. View the intriguing sculpted faces that line the rooftop of the Palazzo Impellizzeri. Ortigia’s Duomo was once the Greek Temple of Athena, adorned by a gold-plated statue of Athena on its roof, but now retains only the chipped and bending Doric columns of the temples’ exterior. Inside, more of its original structure can be seen, along with displays of Saint’s bones in the chapel and a small shrine to Santa Lucia, the patron saint of Syracuse. In May and December, the statue of Santa Lucia is placed in front of the main altar in preparation for the two festivals in her name. To break up your day of exploration, have a light lunch or snack in the elliptical Piazza Duomo, or view the artworks displayed at the Galleria Regionale di Palazzo Bellomo. These works range from Byzantine columns and Norman marble, to wax sculptures and Sicilian painting. For something a little more unusual, head back to the Piazza Duomo and into the tunnels of the Ipogei di Piazza Duomo. These tunnels were used as refuges in World War Two but are believed to date back much further than this. Their exit takes you out onto the waterfront, where you might choose to take a boat ride to see Ortigia from the sea. Also hidden under the peaceful streets are the Jewish Ritual baths, still with fresh spring water coursing through them. A market on Via de Benedictis sells a range of Sicilian specialities, from almonds and pistachios, cheeses and snails, to lemons and oranges. The market outskirts sell a range of locally made clothes and crafts, but for wine, we would recommend the Via Cavour.

Still on the southern-most part of island, the next stop on this touring holiday is Ragusa. As you drive closer, the landscape begins to be scored by ravines. On a high plateau, sits Ragusa Superiore, the newest half of Ragusa, while on a hilltop, sits Ragusa Ibla, the redeveloped remains of the original town that was half-destroyed in the 1693 earthquake. This divide came about through the dedication of some residents to their idyllic original Ibla, while others built the newer half; both have thus been built or rebuilt in the Baroque style. The grandest and most detailed of these Baroque buildings is Ibla’s Duomo di San Giorgio. In addition to its remarkable exterior, so reverently embellished, this building contains some of the town’s most revered artworks. The Museo del Duomo pays testament to the beauty of the Ibla that existed before the earthquake, and displays a series of carvings, architectural drawings, and religious paintings that were part of the original cathedral and churches. Take a stroll in the beautifully maintained Giardino Ibleo, observing the relaxed and family-oriented Sicilian lifestyle as it unfolds before you. After exploring the old town, cross over at the Piazza della Repubblica into Ragusa Superiore. This newer part of town also has its own cathedral, the Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista, also built in the Baroque style in the 18th century. For those looking to really get to grips with the extensive history of the surrounding area, it is essential to visit the Museo Archeologico. Though this museum may prove a little difficult to find, it houses important relics found in nearby Greek tombs, among other interesting artefacts. In July and September, Ragusa Superiore plays host to the Estate Iblea, a vibrant festival of music, while in October, the streets come alive with the festival of street entertainment. To see more of the dynamic landscape around Ragusa, drive out to the Castello di Donnafugata. This grand pseudo-Gothic-Venetian villa acts as the centre-point for a series of country trails that wind their way over the rise and fall of the surrounding hills. As well as being a particularly beautiful building to behold, with its pink-hued walls and exotic arched windows, it has a number of fragrant gardens around which visitors can walk while admiring the scenic backdrop. Perhaps head out to Modica to the east to try the famous chocolate, or navigate the Cava d’Ispica, a verdant valley with tombs carved into the rocky sides.

The town of Agrigento is famous for the breadth of its history. Originally named Akragas by the Greeks, the Agrigento of today began as one of the richest colonies of Magna Graecia. Roman rule renamed it Agrigentum, and after a short Arabic rule, its name was Italianised by Mussolini in 1927. The most popular attraction of the area is the Valley of the Temples, one of the world’s most important archaeological sites. The valley is punctuated by seven breath-taking temples. The Temple of Concorde is believed to be one of the most perfect temples in the world and still stands in its entirety. The other temples have suffered more harshly under the hand of time. The Temple of the Olympian Zeus, for example, despite being the largest of the known Doric temples, was dealt a great deal of damage during an earthquake. Its design was unusual due to the 38 huge statues of Atlas that stood atop a wall that joined the bases of the columns together. One of these statues can be seen in the Museo Archeologico Regionale, along with pottery from Athens, artefacts from the necropolis at Montelusa, and more remains excavated from nearby temples. The Temple of Hercules, named thus by the Romans as its original name was lost, is circular, and stairways once existed taking visitors up into the roof to view the frieze depicting the myth of Hercules. Within the town of Agrigento, however, a great deal of its important heritage remains. The cathedral was built on the site of the original Acropolis, and therefore maintains its unparalleled and dramatic positioning within Agrigento. Recent renovations attempted to return the Baroque building back to its medieval roots, but, within, the wooden ceiling dating back to 1518 remains. A tour of this cathedral will also reveal a small gothic chapel containing a silver shrine, and the ornate balcony that opens out of the bell tower. The 12th century Church of San Biagio was built next to the oldest place of worship in Agrigento: the rock shrines of Demeter and Persephone. These shrines are believed to date back as far as the 7th century BC, long before the Greeks established Akragas. You may also wish to visit the Santo Spirito Monastery, or view the golden façade of the 18th century Church of San Lorenzo, with its twisting columns and white doorway. Inside, the church displays some original 17th century stuccoes carved by Giacomo Serpotta. The diverse landscape of Sicily really comes into its own at the Scala dei Turchi. These white cliffs are dramatically stepped, due to their being formed of sedimentary rocks, and these ethereal landforms were once a great advantage to Turkish invaders.

Drop off your hire-car on arrival in Palermo. As Sicily’s regional capital, Palermo’s charms extend worldwide. Famed, in part, for its street-food, these last few days in Sicily are the perfect opportunity to sample the best of Sicilian cuisine. The evening stalls that line many of the streets offer specialities such as pane e panelle, a chickpea-based fritter, and the traditional arancini. For the best selection of street food in a marvellous location, head to the Antica Focacceria San Francesco. If the Sicilian wine has thus far escaped your grasp, visit one of Palermo’s many wineries. Look out for famous wines such as Marsala, either amber, golden, or ruby in hue, the strong Zibibbo wine with Medieval origins, the amber Malvasia white wine particularly prominent on the Aeolian Islands, and Nero d’Avola, Sicily’s more popular non-fortified red wine. Most of the famous Sicilian wines are fortified, making them very well-suited as a dessert wine or aperitif. As the theme for this tour has focused upon the history of this beautiful island, it is important to take the time to see that which Palermo has to offer. The Arab-Norman cathedral is exceptionally eclectic in design, built originally in the 12th century, but gaining a portico in the 15th century and a dome in the 18th century. The finished building, therefore, is one of many secrets and delights. Its Neoclassical interior is subsequently a surprise. The crypt, tombs, treasury and roof can be visited only by paying a small fee, but the views over the town and of the building’s architecture from the roof are well worth the price. The Palazzo dei Normanni offers a valuable insight into the Norman influence on Palermo’s architecture, and contains a series of beautiful Byzantine mosaics. The Piazza Bellini is a good point from which to begin tracking down Palermo’s many churches, two of which are on this square. Look out for red Arabic domes, intricate mosaics, and lavish gold interiors on your travels, and ensure that, if you visit no other church, you see the La Martorana. A more macabre side to Palermo is captured in the Convento dei Cappuccini. Not for the feint-hearted, the walls of these catacombs are lined with elegantly dressed corpses, made available for the relatives to visit their deceased.

Depending on the flight time, continue sightseeing in Palermo before being collected from your hotel by a private car which takes you to the airport and your flight back to London.