THE CHARMS OF EASTERN SICILY

Charming Taormina

On arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel in Taormina, where you'll meet your Kaoma Travel Tour Leader and fellow travellers for a welcome Italian cocktail and sensational view at one of the most celebrated Taormina bars.

Meals: D
Accommodation: Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo***** or similar.

A taste of Sicilian Dolce Vita

Buongiorno! Enjoy your Sicilian breakfast before meeting your guide at the lobby to depart for a walking tour of Taormina.

We'll stroll past chic boutiques in multicoloured alleys, tasting a lemon ‘’granita’’. We'll discover hidden gems and impressive monuments, small craft and antique shops before admiring from the Greek Theater the bay of Giardini Naxos and Mount Etna.

After lunch, we'll hop aboard an Ape Calessino for a Dolce Vita Tour of Sicily. We'll visit sites frequented by the Hollywood stars of yesteryear, including Casa Cuseni and Castelmola. The best way to finish the tour? A drink at ‘Wunderbar’, Tennessee Williams’ favourite watering hole.

At the sunset be ready for a very different evening. We'll sail along the coast, with the sundown reflecting through the waves. We'll pass through the Alcantara Estuary, the Recanati Bay and the Naxos Headland with the “Nike of Samothrace” statue. We'll stop at “Isola Bella” bay, near the lovely Blue Grotto, for an evening swim in the beautiful crystal-clear water. We'll order our favourite Sicilian pizza to the Captain and we'll enjoy the evening highlighted by typical Sicilian folk music eating our pizza under the stars.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo***** or similar.

A massive presence

Some places can be undoubtedly stated as the most enchanting of the earth, and if Mount Etna inside looks like hell, we can rightly say that, outside, it is the nearest thing to Paradise” (P. Brydone)

One of the many wonders of Sicily is certainly Mount Etna, the highest volcano in Europe. Its spectacular eruptions and its fiery lava flows, has always aroused the interest of scientists along with the curiosity of visitors from all over the world.

We'll enjoy a tailor-made Mount Etna tour before head to Alcantara Gorge. Here we'll can sample Etna’s bounty at local wineries and we'll explore atmospheric lava caverns, such as the Grotta del Corruccio.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo***** or similar.

Once upon a time in 734 BC..

Ciao Taormina!

After breakfast, we'll depart for Syracuse.

The city of Syracuse, on the southeast coast, is steeped in history dating back nearly 3,000 years. The city is one of the most noble and elegant from all over the Mediterranean Sea. More than any other city, Syracuse encapsulates Sicily's timeless beauty: Full of charm, history and natural landscape.

Once arrive in Syracuse, we'll start a walking tour to explore the tiny island of Ortygia: the historical heart of the city of Syracuse, isolated from the contemporary city by a narrow channel. Following a maze of alleys, we'll admire the architectural beauties of different historical periods: from the first prehistoric settlements, through the numerous remains of ancient Greek Byzantine and Norman.

We'll walk through the less beaten paths of the Jewish Quarter before jump in the colours of the local fish and fruit historical market. This is an opportunity to taste local products and see the different seasonal fruits, vegetables and seafood.

Driving to Noto admire the breathtaking landscapes of Noto valley and the unforgettable picturesque views of Sicilian countryside full of oranges and lemon plantations, olives and almond trees, and tomatoes plantations stretching up and down the hills.

We'll arrive in Noto in time for an "aperitivo" at sunset. We'll hear the thousands of birds in the lush trees while watching the sunset turn the buildings into a magical pinky gold, before returning to their natural creamy white.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Charming Hotel Seven Rooms Villadorata***** or similar.

The garden of stone

Wake up like royalty: frescoed ceilings, ornate tiles and high windows add a stately air to this honey-hued Baroque beauty. Enjoy your breakfast before a nice walk up and down Noto’s streets with its soft white stone, a characteristic of this town, worked to obtain harmonious forms.

We'll stop for a savor break: Caffé Sicilia has been dishing up some of the city’s tastiest gelati and cannoli since 1892.

Today, free afternoon and evening: Taste a Nero D'Avola, enjoy a cooking class or simply relax in your baroque room.

Meals: B,L
Accommodation: Charming Hotel Seven Rooms Villadorata***** or similar.

The Sicilian Caribbean

The best way to discover all the treasure hidden in this part of Sicily is by boat.

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the lobby to depart for a full-day private boat tour to discover the Sicilian South-East Coast.

From the Vendicari Reserve to the Island of Capo Passero, where the Ionian Sea meets the Mediterranean Sea. Admire the astonishing Roman Columns, dive into the clear water and sail around fascinating caves and the Forte Spagnolo.

We'll stop in Marzamemi, a fisherman village located in the deep south-east of Sicily. Arabs fixed on the map Marzamemi in the 10th century.

Arabs gave to the village its poetic name, Mars al-Hamam (Turtle Dove Bay) and built the original "tonnara". The village is made of many low-roofed little houses facing the sea made from local sandstone.

In Marzamemi you'll enjoy a lunch in a seafood restaurant tasting a famous local product, the red tuna bottarga (dried tuna roe) which is used to prepare a spaghetti recipe.

After lunch, we'll leave Marzamemi toward the southernmost point in Sicily, Portopalo di Capo Passero. An enchanting fishing village in which sea and wind meet in a friendly embrace.

We'll end the day with an excellent dining experience in a selected local restaurant.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Charming Hotel Seven Rooms Villadorata***** or similar.

The town of a hundred churches and the town with two souls

Modica, one of southern Sicily's most magical towns, is famous for chocolate. The chocolate of Modica is inspired by an ancient recipe brought by the Spanish, during their government of Sicily, directly from the Aztecs in America.

The chocolate is raw and it is not creamy, milky or sweet. It is realized in many unusual flavours like orange, cinnamon or chilli pepper. We'll see chocolatiers at work before enjoying a savour lunch.

Not far from Modica we'll explore Ragusa. We'll spend some time exploring the old town, seeing the Cathedral of San Giorgio and some fine examples of the town’s various architectural styles.

Driving to the hotel we'll admire the breathtaking Sicilian landscapes through rocky and dry countryside filled with canyons and grassy knolls. Once arrive you can relax walking through the vineyards or take a dip in the swimming pool in the Sicilian sun.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Wine Relais Feudi del Pisciotto ***** or similar.

“The City of Ceramics”

Enjoy a delicious breakfast spread of both sweet and savoury items, drawing from homemade products before departing for Caltagirone.

Caltagirone, home of ceramic artisans, is one of the most important in Sicily for the ceramic production. We'll see a pottery artisan at work and we'll learn about the method for creating a product with a unique and unique design.

Back to the Relais, relax in the wellness area, enjoy the panoramic swimming pool or be enchanted by the ancient story of an old wine-making plant, called “Palmento”.

End the day in a suggestive restaurant carved out between ancient beams and columns overlooking the spectacular barrel room below by way of a transparent crystal floor.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Wine Relais Feudi del Pisciotto ***** or similar.

Ciao Italia!

Transfer to the Catania International Airport for your return flight or you may choose to extend your holiday.

Meals: B