Design & Garden Tour of Sicily

(10 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Palermo, Agrigento & Piazza Armerina, Noto & environs, Taormina & Mount Etna

This private Sicily tour is perfect for anyone who loves design and gardens—the tour features the most interesting cultural highlights of this fascinating Mediterranean island.

Begin in Palermo, the vibrant capital of Sicily. One of Italy's great art and culinary cities, Palermo also has abundant gardens and green spaces. During private touring, explore Palermo’s cultural and culinary highlights, including lively food markets, favorite Sicilian specialty shops, private museums, and UNESCO sites such as the Norman Palace and Cappella Palatina. Also see the Orto Botanico di Palermo (Palermo Botanical Garden), one of the oldest and most important plant research gardens and facilities in the Mediterranean region. One morning, visit Villa Tasca, an opulent, 16th-century mansion surrounded by Romantic gardens, mature trees and citrus groves. One day, take a private excursion to the UNESCO-listed Monreale Cathedral, a masterpiece of Arab, Norman, and Byzantine art and architecture, to see its spectacular interiors, ornate cloister and small garden. Also see tile collections, palaces and other spectacular interiors in Palermo.

Next, you will be transferred to Agrigento to tour the Valley of the Temples, an outstanding archaeological site of well-preserved ancient Greek ruins that has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Enjoy a picnic lunch in a scenic spot among olive and citrus groves inside the archaeological zone. Spend a night at a luxury hotel with incredible views of the ruins.

En route to Noto, see the exquisite mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit Caltagirone, a town famous for ceramics.

Next, visit the UNESCO-inscribed Baroque town of Noto. During private touring, explore important architectural highlights, public and palace gardens, atmospheric backstreets, and renowned gelato and pastry shops. If desired, you might like to schedule your dates to coincide with the annual Infiorata di Noto flower festival, during which artists decorate the streets with mosaics made of flowers. Also explore the beautiful Vendicari Nature Reserve and the fishing town of Marzamemi. Also enjoy a tour of one of Noto’s most beautiful private palaces and its beautiful interiors.

Next, enjoy a private tour of Syracuse, one of the largest and most powerful cities in antiquity and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the historic city center on the island of Ortygia, including the fascinating cathedral and charming neighborhoods filled with elegant architecture, and see highlights such as the Greek theater, the Roman amphitheater and the cave known as the Ear of Dionysius. Also visit the renowned Giardino del Biviere, a fragrant Mediterranean paradise of roses, jasmine, citrus trees, succulents and palms.

Continue to spectacular Taormina, an ancient clifftop town overlooking the sea that has a Greek theater, beautiful gardens, bougainvillea-lined backstreets and upscale boutiques. One day, enjoy a private excursion to Mount Etna, an active volcano with fertile slopes that support vineyards, orchards and farms. Learn how Sicily’s unique climate, soil and history have shaped its beautiful landscapes while visiting top gardens, vineyards, olive and citrus groves and the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna.

There will also be free time to enjoy Taormina and its wonderful shops, restaurants, gardens, views, and leisure facilities at your luxurious resort overlooking the Bay of Naxos.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Palermo Private arrival transfer to luxury hotel for 3 nights. Afternoon private city touring Day 2 Palermo & Monreale Morning private garden and design touring. Afternoon private excursion to Monreale Cathedral Day 3 Palermo & environs Morning private excursion to Villa Tasca. Afternoon at leisure Day 4 Palermo – Agrigento Private transfer to hotel for 1 night, with tour of Valley of the Temples en route Day 5 Agrigento – Piazza Armerina – Noto Private transfer to hotel for 2 nights, with tour of Villa Romana del Casale and Caltagirone en route Day 6 Noto & environs Full-day private tour, including palace gardens, Vendicari Nature Reserve and Marzamemi Day 7 Noto – Syracuse – Taormina Private transfer to luxury hotel for 3 nights, with touring and lunch at Biviere Garden en route Day 8 Taormina & Mount Etna Private excursion, including lunch at local winery Day 9 Taormina Morning private tour, including public gardens. Afternoon at leisure Day 10 Taormina – Depart Catania Private airport transfer

Hotels

Palermo: Villa Igiea Agrigento: Villa Athena Noto: Seven Rooms Villadorata Taormina: Four Seasons San Domenico Palace or Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo

Cost

$27,330 Per person (based on double occupancy)