Sicily – Jewel box of the Mediterranean

01-08 June, 2023

• 01-08 June, 2023
• A small group tour for up to 8 guests
• Ladies only travelling in a spirit of friendship and fun
• In association with Doni Belau of girlsguidetoparis.com

Join us on a unique and exclusive tour of Sicily a veritable treasure chest of art, history, colour and culture. Fabulous food and wine and spectacular landscapes. This exceptional journey is led by Janet Simmonds, a friendly and competent Geographer and Art Historian with a Master’s degree from the University of Oxford. Janet lives in Venice and works all over Italy, when she’s not touring she writes about travel and has written numerous articles on Sicily. Janet speaks Italian, French and English. She always goes the extra mile to ensure that guests see the very best there is to see! You’ll end the tour firm friends. You might even feature in one of her articles – which are always kind and positive! Janet has recently been appointed Oxford University’s official itinerary creator in Italy.

Highlights:

• 8 days (7 nights) to discover beautiful Sicily.
• You’ll stay in just three superior town house properties
• A delightful blend of modern comfort combined with historic traditions.
• The warmest of welcomes is guaranteed.
• Discover the exquisite Baroque towns of Val di Noto
• Visit the filming locations of detective series Montalbano
• Enjoy pastries and cannoli (Sicily’s delicious crispy, brandy snap desserts), an absolute must to try!
• See traditional Sicilian carts (carriages) being restored and renovated.
• Visit a vineyard for an exclusive visit and wine tasting.
• Marvel at Greek Temples built in Sicily at the same time as the Parthenon, Athens
• Explore historic palaces in Palermo rich in history and art
• Enjoy a private palace visit and see the ballroom where Burt Lancaster danced when he was filming the movie ‘The Leopard’.
• The Leopard and other exceptional Italian Films…
• Sample wonderful local products; cheeses, honey, hams and succulent fruits.
• Dive into the street markets of Palermo where our own ‘Personal Jesus’ will introduce us to the street food and markets of this intoxicating city.
• Meet local Sicilian people who will share with you their history and culture.

Sicily is a rich tapestry just waiting to be discovered. The people are warm and friendly and the landscapes are exceptional. Janet recently wrote about Sicily in this article: Sicily – Jewel of the Mediterranean

Itinerary: 01-08 June, 2023

Day 1 – 1st June, Thursday – Catania – Ragusa Ibla

Our journey will start at Catania Airport, on Sicily’s eastern coast, where guests will be met by our driver and luxurious mini-coach. Giorgio, our friendly local driver and his son Filippo will drive us throughout the tour. We’ll start with a one hour transfer to Ragusa Ibla, a UNESCO world heritage town. Probably the most beautiful of the Sicilian Baroque hilltop towns. We are staying at a boutique hotel in the heart of the historic centre. Stay at Villa Laura Boutique Hotel Villa del Lauro Hotel

Every room is furnished in a funky combination of stylish retro and modern with a dash of Sicilian colour thrown in. There’s a cool terrace where we can enjoy aperitivi and conversation. There is time to relax, maybe take a nap and unpack before we meet for evening drinks on the terrace and a gentle stroll up to the wonderful cathedral. Here you feel as if you have stepped back in time. Tonight our ‘Welcome Dinner’ features home-made pasta, local salads and some spectacular Sicilian wines.

Day 2 – 2nd June, Friday – Ragusa Ibla – Montalbano – Scicli – Modica 

After a leisurely breakfast in the hotel, we’ll meet up in the lobby for a day exploring this magical corner of Sicily. Today is all about the Val di Noto, a valley of exceptional natural beauty. This area inspired the writer Andrea Camilleri to create and write the Montalbano Detective novels here. Montalbano is now probably the most popular detective TV series in the whole of Italy. Visits to Scicli, Punta Secca and Donnafugata will inspire and impress. Donnafugata literally means escaping or fleeing woman and the Palace of Donnafugata was used in the Montalbano novels and TV series as the home of an evil mafia boss! We’ll have a light lunch at a wonderful sandwich shop, that sells all types of delicious snacks including an amazing range of cannoli (Sicilian pastries). For more on Sicily in the Movies

This afternoon we are off to Modica to visit the oldest chocolate shop in Sicily. Here we’ll have the opportunity to try our hand at chocolate making. Of course there’s also the opportunity to buy chocolate too. O/N Villa Laura Boutique Hotel Villa del Lauro Hotel

Day 3 – 3rd June, Saturday – Ragusa Ibla

Today we will visit the fabulous Duomo of San Giorgio just minutes from our hotel. As you walk up the steps to the church marvel at the intricate Baroque architecture before your eyes. We will also explore the beautiful historic palaces that make up the old town.

We will pop in to a traditional carriage restorer’s workshop and witness the artistry and passion passed from generation to generation. There’s also a chance to sample delicious locally-made chocolate – tasting is obligatory. Dinner this evening is on the beach at the fantastic Calamanca Ristorante.

Stay tonight at Villa Laura Boutique Hotel Villa del Lauro Hotel

Day 4 – 4th June, Sunday – Ragusa – Greek Temples – Cefalu

After another fresh and delicious breakfast in our hotel we’ll head off today. We will be travelling west towards Agrigento and an exceptional group of classical temples, built on Italy’s south coast by the Greeks in the 5th century before Christ. These temples have been standing for 2500 years. The temple site is now a UNESCO world heritage site. It is possible to wander amongst the temples which are surrounded by a verdant green park. The park is home to a unique species of goat known as ‘Capra Girgentana’ they have curly horns and clearly thrive  in this beautiful and historic environment.

Lunch will be close to Agrigento in a rustic farmhouse  setting with salads and cheeses, quiches and desserts. After lunch we’ll travel north through Italy’s rural interior to the coastal town of Cefalu. For the next two nights we are staying at a Boutique B & B just a short walk from Cefalu. There will be a relaxing, informal dinner tonight at our boutique Bed & Breakfast with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. Stay tonight: Alberi del Paradiso, Cefalu

Day 5 – 5th June, Monday – Cefalu

Today’s the day for a joyful hike along the coast to the beautiful small city of Cefalu. Walking time about one hour. Drink in the fresh sea air as we walk through the Sicilian countryside to the medieval city of Cefalu. This is probably our favourite small city in Sicily. Narrow, stone streets, a superb cathedral and a fabulous array of shops and artisan studios await us. Here’s a little more on Cefalu – the smartest small town in Sicily

Inside the Cathedral there’s a 12th century mosaic of Christ ‘The Almighty’, created by the Normas when they invaded and took control of Sicily in the 1100s. There’s free time for lunch in Cefalu – there are numerous cafes, bars and small restaurants to choose from. We’ll explore the town centre, waterfront and the medieval laundry, where the washerwomen of the town worked and gossiped more than five hundred years ago. There’ll be a car service back to the hotel available in the late afternoon.

This evening a fish supper is organised at a tiny, family-run restaurant in the heart of the old town. Stay tonight: Alberi del Paradiso

Day 6 – 6th June, Tuesday – Cefalu – Bagheria – Palermo

Travelling along Sicily’s north coast with the sea at our feet reminds us of the island’s maritime heritage. Many wealthy families in Sicily owned farms in the countryside and a palace or large house on the coast, usually in a town. Our first stop this morning is Bagheria, a seaside location popular with the wealthy Sicilians to build their summer houses. These elaborate historic homes are mostly empty now and open to the public as museums. We’ll be visiting a small, and almost unknown villa that was occupied by the last member of an aristocratic family until just five years ago. The house is filled with fabulous furniture, family photographs and incredible ladies gowns (from the last hundred years). We will have a private visit to this fairytale palace, with its overgrown garden, dusty corridors and romantic courtyard.

Our accommodation in Palermo is a stylish and contemporary palace located opposite the public gardens. It is a true Palermitano experience:  L’Hotellerie, Palermo

Day 7 – 7th June, Wednesday – Palermo

Palermo was the capital city of the Kingdom of Sicily for seven centuries. The city is an incredible mixture of different styles and influences. There are churches that look like mosques, with domed red roof tops and vast, sprawling, historic palaces. The Palazzo dei Normanni was the centre of the royal court and today is the home of the Sicilian Regional government. Part of Palermo’s UNESCO world heritage status are the incredible Arabo-Normano churches of the city. We’ll visit the Palazzo dei Normanni and the spectacular Cappella Palatina – a richly decorated chapel filled with mosaics.

Then around mid-day we’ll meet our own ‘Personal Jesus’ for a wonderful walking tour of the street markets of Palermo, where we’ll sample the delicious and varied street food of the Sicilians. This is an experience not to be missed. This is a lunch on-the-go with a difference. Sampling delicious delicacies whilst learning about the streets and history of Palermo. Street food tour of Palermo: Our own Personal Jesus We’ll head back to our hotel via the smallest bookshop I’ve ever visited. A charming and tiny selection of interesting and unique volumes. We’ll meet the owner and see the courtyards that make up the University of Palermo.

This evening we’ll head to Mondello for dinner on the beach. This is a favourite spot for the local Palermitani, we’ll eat at the stunning ‘Alle Terrazze’ Ristorante over-looking the Golfo di Mondello. www.alleterrazze.it Seafood is the speciality, but there’s every type of dish to choose from this evening. O/N L’Hotellerie, Palermo

Day 8 – 8th June, Thursday – Palermo – Departures

Today is the end of the trip – there will a private vehicle transfer service to Palermo Airport for guests flying out of Palermo. If you’d like to spend a few additional nights in Palermo just let us know – we’ll happily arrange it for you. Buon Viaggio! We hope to see you in Sicily again soon. 

Trip Notes:

• This is a small group tour – group size of 8-10 guests.
• Luxury Mercedes Minivans will be our transportation method
• We reserve the right to alter the itinerary based on weather or availability.
• We undertake to deliver the best possible experience for our guests.
• Dietary requirements can be accommodated – please let us know in advance.
• Guests wishing to stay on for a couple of days – before or after the trip can contact us to discuss their requirements. We’ll gladly arrange additional services.
• Contact us now for best available rates.
• To reserve a place on this fabulous ‘Sicilian Tour’ Contact: janet@grand-tourist.com
• Bookings taken before 1st December, 2022 will qualify for room upgrades in all hotels.

_{Fun and smiles in Palermo – exploring the street markets. www.educated-traveller.com}

Treasures of Sicily – June, 2023 – It’s looking promising for travellers………………..

What’s included:

• Breakfast is included daily
• 5 Lunches included – a light, 2-course meal, including a glass of wine.
• 7 Dinners included, 3-course meal with two glasses of wine per person.
• Teas and coffees with meals are included.
• There is no single room supplement

• Stay in boutique-style hotels, double room for single occupancy as follows:
• 01-04 June (3 nts): Ragusa Ibla – Villa Laura Boutique Hotel Villa del Lauro Hotel
• 04-06 June (2 nts): Cefalu – Alberi del Paradiso
• 06-08 June (2 nts): Palermo – L’Hotellerie, Palermo

• All sight-seeing as listed in itinerary
• Entrance fees and activities as listed in itinerary

• All transportation as listed in itinerary from arrival at Catania to departure from Palermo Airport
• All guiding services organised and co-ordinated by Janet Simmonds

What’s not included:

• Lunch is not included on Arrival Day and on Cefalu Day
• Round Trip Airfare or other transportation to arrive in Sicily is not included.
• Teas and coffees outside meal times are not included.
• Wines, beers and spirits in addition to those served with meals – not included.
• Travel insurance is mandatory and is not included.
• All trips subject to Grand Tourist ‘Terms and Conditions’ full details on request.

To get you in the mood for a trip to Sicily – I strongly recommend this superb historical novel by Stefania Auci – it is brilliant. Now available in English translation too!

• Updated: 28th July, 2020 / Updated: 10th April, 2021 / July, 2022
• Search www.educated-traveller.com #Sicily for numerous articles about Sicily written by me over the years! Happy travelling!

• This tour is operated and run by www.grand-tourist.com
• Janet Simmonds will be the guide
• We offer a tailor-made travel service in Italy, especially Venice, Veneto, Le Marche, Napoli, Campania, Basilicata, Sicily, Trieste and Dolomiti. Don’t hesitate to ask us for a tailor-made programme

The colours of Sicily have influenced so many artists and designers. From Dolce & Gabbana (below left) to the Baroque architects of the 18th century (centre) and romantic artists like Ettore Maria Bergler who painted atmospheric scenes of Sicily and Southern Italy 1850-1938 (right).

• 20th July 2022