Enjoy an active vacation in Sicily taking time to see the island in all of its splendor as you explore the sweeping seascapes along the coastline by Zingaro natural reserve, the scenic island of Mothia by the salt pans on the eastern coast between Marsala and Trapani, and the historical towns and cities such as Erice, Syracuse and Agrigento - all by foot! In the company of a private Naturalist Driver-Guide, you'll have the best of both worlds as you explore various areas of this magical place at your own pace, while being regaled with the background of the archaeological sites or initiated into the culinary side of Sicilian life. Enjoy private cooking lessons, wine tastings and sampling some local delicacies as you make your way across the island, while staying in wonderfully authentic accommodations throughout.

Marsala is a seaport city located in the Province of Trapani in Sicily. It is best known as the source of Marsala wine. Little remains of the ancient Lilybaeum, though fragments of the city walls, squared stones, and some foundations of buildings between the walls and the sea are still visible.

Your personal Naturalist driver-guide and vehicle are at your disposal today.

Few places in the world can match Palermo's alluring mystique. Sicily's largest city is flanked by rocky peaks and straddles an azure sea along the rim of the Conca d'Oro and the Gulf of Palermo. At street level, the Sicilian capital is a busy and exciting metropolis that reflects 3,000 years of history as the Mediterranean's most important cultural crossroads. Its urban fabric is rich with baroque palaces from the Bourbon reign, mosaics, museums and colorful outdoor fish markets. Unlike any other, the city straddles past and present and north and south.

A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

Visit the Baglio Donna Franca winery and enjoy a sampling of the wines produced by the estate, matched with bread and local gourmet treats.

The Baglio Donna Franca (4*) hotel is a perfect example of the blend of oenology and luxury accommodation. The property manages to combine the local cultural, history and sense of tradition which are linked to Marsala wine which is the most prestigious among the other liquor wines. A baglio is a typical rural building in Sicily where wine is produced. Donna Franca, which is located in the depths of a real oasis, is one of the most striking Baglios that used to belong to the most important family that have made the Marsala wine so popular, The Florio’s. The property currently has 15 rooms and 1 suite and serves genuine Sicilian cuisine. Facilities include a wine bar, garden, swimming pool, children's playground, wine cellars, and a reading room.

Overnight at Baglio Donna Franca (4*).

Your personal Naturalist driver-guide and vehicle are at your disposal today.

Transfer to the Zingaro natural reserve this morning, a  paradise for nature and sea lovers. Created in 1980, the reserve features several well-maintained paths, six beaches and diverse flora and fauna.

Adventure through the guided nature paths within Zingaro Natural reserve and explore the Mediterranean landscape in the company of your Naturalist guide. The reserve has at least 39 species of birds that nest and mate, mainly birds of prey, including the peregrine falcon, the wind hover and the buzzard. The area also has a rich archaeological past, as in the spectacular Uzzo Grotto which was one of the first prehistoric settlements in Sicily.

Enjoy a picnic for your lunch today and take in the beautiful scenes of nature before you.

You will be transferred from the Zingaro natural Reserve to Erice, an enchanting hilltop town with an important historic site associated with fertility goddesses.

Stop at the world famous Pastry shop by Maria Grammatico to taste almond sweets, genovesi and nougat to match with Marsala wine.

Feel free to have dinner in one of the many restaurants in Erice if you feel like it, before you are returned back to your accommodation in Marsala.

Overnight at Baglio Donna Franca (4*).

Your personal Naturalist driver-guide and vehicle are at your disposal today.

In the middle of the salt pans you will see the small Island of Mothia, one of the most important Phoenician settlements in the Mediterranean region. Weather permitting, you will take boats to arrive on the island where you can enjoy a guided walking tour of Mothia in the company of your Natrualist guide.

This afternoon, you will visit the Florio Winery, an historical brand not only for Sicilian wine making, but also one of Italy’s great classical wines, and one of the leading and most popular wines in the world. You can visit the Museum of Agriculture and the ancient “Bottaia” before tasting some delicious Sicilian wines.

Overnight at Baglio Donna Franca (4*).

Your personal Naturalist driver-guide and vehicle are at your disposal today.

Explore one of Sicily's important local produce - oilve oil at the Becchina Estate today. Sixty acres of groves roll away behind high walls surrounding the estate, part of which were the hunting grounds of the Princes Aragona Pignatelli Cortez of Spain. Begin your visit at the Becchina olive mill and learn about the making of “Olio Verde”, luscious extra virgin olive oil.

Learn some local dishes under the guidance of the mistress of the estate beofre sitting down to a delicious meal in the relaxing surroundings of Casina Pignatelli. Experience exclusive tastes such as Castelvetrano’s unique whole wheat bread, called pane nero, drizzled with some fresh, deeply green and peppery Olio Verde Novello.Try Gianfranco’s green olive paste and hot & sweet chilly preserve on local cheese amongst a selection of homemade appetizers. End your meal with a green limoncello (digestive lemon liquor) or green mandarinetto (green mandarin liquor). 

In the afternoon, enjoy some time on your own to relax.

Overnight at Baglio Donna Franca (4*).

Agrigento is renowned as the site of the ancient Greek city of Akragas, one of the leading cities of Magna Graecia during the golden age of Ancient Greece. High in the historical center of the city, the Romanesque Gothic cathedral, built during the fourteenth century, still displays some of its medieval character, as does the thirteenth-century Church of San Nicola (St Nicholas). Unfortunately, the Saracen fortress believed to have stood at Agrigento has not stood the test of time. The Greek temples, theatres and ruins, and the archaeological museums, are located outside the city proper.

Your personal Naturalist driver-guide and vehicle are at your disposal today.

This morning you will be transferred from your accommodation in Marsala to Agrigento.

Meet up with a local guide in Agrigento this morning. Visit the Valley of the Temples and the Archaeological Park of Agrigento on your guided walking tour. Along the “Sacred Way” you can admire the Temple of Hercules, the Temple of Concord, and the Temple of Juno. Finally, visit the wonderful Garden of Kolymbetra, an old water reservoir of the Greeks and the unknown Tempio of Volcano.

Enjoy a picnic lunch this afternoon.

In the afternoon, enjoy some time on your own to relax.

The 18th-century architecture of Hotel Domus Aurea (4*), of elegant Moorish gothic style, lends the final touch to a serene and harmonious landscape. Perched on top of a hill, overlooking the Valley of the Temples and Agrigento, with a sunny patio full of tropical plants and fresh water fountains, the hotel is a refined residence offering cosmopolitan hospitality. The twenty air-conditioned rooms are elegantly furnished with rich furnishings and fabrics, enhanced by paintings on the walls and two-tone marble flooring. Relax in the lush garden, enjoy a drink or a snack in the hotel bar, and take in the marvelous views of the surrounding landscape as you sit down to an Italian style breakfast on the covered patio or in the charming breakfast room.

Overnight at Hotel Domus Aurea (4*).

Your personal Naturalist driver-guide and vehicle are at your disposal today.

You will be transferred from Marsala to Sant'Angelo Muxaro today - some 20km north of Agrigento.

Meet up with your local guide for an archaeological walk through nature and the largest Tholos Tomb in Sicily. Afterwards, your walking tour will take on something of a culinary theme; surrounded on all sides by the genuine Sicilian atmosphere, you will get to taste some of the finest Sicilian specialties. Your guide will take you to a bakery to taste freshly baked bread with extra virgin olive oil and oregano, as well as some homemade cookies. The next stop is at a shepherd's house to taste soft pecorino cheese and fresh ricotta cheese (still warm!).  In the late morning you will have a fun cooking class in a typical private country house to learn how to prepare Sicilian bread and pizza (sfincione) with traditional typical ingredients such as pecorino cheese, olive oil and sardines. You can look forward to lunch with pizza and hot bread with olive oil and oregano!

Overnight at Hotel Domus Aurea (4*).

Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is in an almost constant state of activity. The fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture, with vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes of the mountain and the broad Plain of Catania to the south. Due to its history of recent activity and nearby population, Mount Etna has been designated a Decade Volcano by the United Nations.

Your personal Naturalist driver-guide and vehicle are at your disposal today.

Depart for Syracuse this morning - one of the highlights of any visit to Sicily.

The ideal way to view Syracuse is on foot, wandering slowly among the gold-tinted palaces, bell towers and its archaeological area. In the company of your private guide, you will visit the major archaeological sites, including the famous Greek Theater, “The Ear of Dionysius”. Then enjoy a walking tour on Ortigia Island to admire the architectural splendor of ancient medieval streets, baroque structures, and classic churches as the Duomo, built upon the old temple of Athena.

This afternoon you will be transferred from Syracuse to your accommodation by Mount Etna.

Enjoy dinner this evening in the Tenuta San Michele farmhouse which serves homemade Sicilian cooking, with fresh products chosen from the surrounding land. The menu, which changes every evening, offers a wide variety of antipasti, followed by a range of first courses, second courses and homemade desserts.

The Tenuta San Michele (3*) is an historical estate located on the slopes of Etna volcano. The Baron Scammacca del Murgo’s farm, is surrounded by beautiful vineyards and has a panoramic view of both Mt. Etna and the sea. The old stone farmhouse has been completely refurbished and offers rooms, aswell as apartments. All rooms have a bathroom, minibar, satellite tv and hairdryers. Guests also have access to the internet and use of the swimming pool (open from June to September).

Overnight at Tenuta San Michele (3*).

Your personal Naturalist driver-guide and vehicle are at your disposal today.

Today is dedicated to exploring Mount Etna volcano - the largest active volcano in Europe. The walk options are weather dependent and may include an exploration to the recent Black Mountain (Monte Nero) craters and the Bottoniera, or through the Linguaglossa pine forest, crossing a corridor of lava flow. Here you can go and visit the crater of 2001-2002 by cable-car (not included and weather dependent).

Meet with the owner of Tenuta San Michele, Pietro Scammacca, to visit the estate's winery and taste their best wines such as Etna Rosso, Etna Bianco and the extraordinary Murgo Brut.

Overnight at Tenuta San Michele (3*).

Your personal Naturalist driver-guide and vehicle are at your disposal today.

Enjoy a 4 hour walking tour of the historical centre of Taormina, famous for its Greek-Roman amphitheatre and its enchanting view of the Ionic sea and Mt Etna. Let your Guide know your particular interests and he/she will help you discover the city in a new way.

This afternoon you can admire the famous Cyclops Coast with Acitrezza, Acicastello and its Medieval Norman Castle built in 1076 on a prehistoric basalt lava terrace. As you gaze out over the Ionian Sea, admire the Rocks of the Cyclops, imposing, spiky shards of black lava that rise up from the water.

Overnight at Tenuta San Michele (3*).

Your personal Naturalist driver-guide and vehicle are at your disposal today.

After your breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to Catania airport in time for your onward departure. Arrivederci!

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport).