Participate in amazing hands-on workshops side by side with expert craftsmen

Take a step back in time immersing yourself into local traditions

Be delighted by sublime artisanal food 

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ARTS & CRAFTS

Traditions of Sicily

SHARED ITINERARY

LIMITED TO 6 GUESTS

WHEN

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WHAT

The multi-cultural legacy of Sicily’s history has clearly coloured the diversity of its craftsmanship. You will be impressed by traditional pottery and basketry techniques, refined Baroque engravings, folk music and dance, the magic of Teatro dei Pupi,  and, of course, amazing artisanal food.

ACTIVITIES

  • Teatro dei Pupi show and workshop

  • Visit at Olive Grove and oil tasting

  • Pottery, basketry and stonecutter workshops

  • Chocolate tasting

  • Private house cooking experience

  • Folk dance and frame drumming show

  • Visit at a traditional boatyard

  • Wine tasting at Etna winery

WHERE

This 8-days (7 nights) itinerary develops entirely in the East of Sicily, visiting the charming towns of Siracusa, Ragusa, Catania and Caltagirone (World Heritage sites), the fisherman’s village Aci Trezza, the Natural Marine Reserve Riviera  Ciclopi, the small mountain villages Palazzolo Acreide and Buscemi, concluding with a hike on Etna volcano

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DAY BY DAY ITINERARY 

Day 1 - Arrival in Sicily | meeting in Syracuse

You will meet your driver at Catania Airport and be transferred to Syracuse (a 45-minute drive). On your arrival you can have a first exploration walk of Ortygia, the old town of Syracuse set on an island. After the welcome meeting, you will have a dinner and spend the night on Ortygia island.



Day 2 - Ortygia guided walk | Teatro dei Pupi Show

After breakfast you will have a walking tour of Ortygia accompanied by your guide. The visit will conclude at the traditional fish market where you will have an informal lunch at one of the market stalls. In the afternoon you will attend the traditional puppets show at Teatro dei Pupi after which you will visit the workshop of Master Puparo, where the puppets are made. You will have a free evening and decide where to have dinner, as Syracuse has plenty of good restaurants.



Day 3 - Olive Oil Tasting | Palazzolo Acreide | Stonecutter workshop

A 30-minute transfer will lead you through the countryside of Syracuse to Canicattini Bagni, where you will be welcomed by Dario, with whom you will visit the olive groves and have a professional olive oil tasting. You will enjoy a light lunch under the porch, shared with his family. After, you will go to the nearby Baroque village of Palazzolo Acreide where you will check-in at your hotel. In the afternoon you will meet a Maestro Scalpellino, the Master Stonecutter whose mastery is inherited from the artists that carved Baroque motifs on the local white limestone, so distinctive of the Palazzi of this area.



Day 4 - Buscemi Paese Museo | Basketry Workshop

In the morning you will visit Buscemi, an antique mountain village where you will follow an ethnographic itinerary, led by the director of the museum who promoted it 30 years ago. The first eco-museum in Sicily where you will discover the traditional crafts in its original locations: the smith’s shop, the carpenter’s shop, the traditional weaving materials, the antique wine making room. An incredible cross section of Sicilian traditional arts & crafts. After lunch you will meet a local craftsman with whom you will learn traditional basketry techniques. Free evening at Palazzolo



Day 5 - Pottery workshop Caltagirone | Modica

In the morning you will leave Palazzolo Acreide to reach Caltagirone, the Sicilian capital of pottery. The Master Potter will welcome you to his workshop and offer you a course where you will model your own piece of ceramic. You will also learn about the history related to the local pottery tradition. After a lunch at a local Trattoria, your guide will accompany you in a visit of the town, filled with beautiful ceramics. In the afternoon you will resume your travel and arrive at Modica, where you will stay for the following 3 nights. For your dinner you will be spoilt for choice as Modica has plenty of good restaurants.



Day 6 - Guided visit Modica | Chocolate Tasting | Ragusa Carretto

In the morning you will visit fascinating Modica, with its stunning and magnificent Duomo di San Giorgio. The old town is divided into two parts, Modica Alta set on the ridge and Modica Bassa down in the valley. In between, the houses cling onto the steep slopes between the two parts of the city. During the visit you will stop at the oldest chocolate factory in Sicily, where you will have a delicious chocolate tasting. For lunch you will taste, in the local Rosticceria, Scacce and Pastizzi, typical of Modica. In the early afternoon you will discover charming Ragusa and Ragusa Ibla. In Ragusa you will visit two local artists who have recovered the traditional decoration of the Carretto Siciliano, the old ornate and coloured carts drawn by horses or donkeys. After, you will have a free evening in Ragusa Ibla.



Day 7 - Chiaramonte Gulfi home cooking

In the morning you will be transferred to Chiaramonte Gulfi where you will be welcomed in a private house. You will participate together with the women of the house in the preparation of a feast meal composed of a complete menu which you will then taste together with the family. After lunch you will go back to Modica where you will attend a folk dance and frame drumming workshop led by two musicians who have a very deep knowledge of Sicilian and south-Italian music. In the evening you will be free in Modica.



Day 8 - Catania | visit of Market | guided walk

In the morning you will leave the Hyblean area and will be transferred to Catania. You will visit ‘A Pescarìa, the incredibly bustling historic fish market. You will check-in at your hotel and have time for yourself. In the late afternoon your guide will accompany you in a tour of the town, visiting some local craftsmen workshops and curious places. Evening and night free in Catania



Day 9 - Boat tour Riviera Ciclopi | Aci Trezza | Boatyard| Catania

In the morning you will take a boat from Catania harbour and go sailing to Aci Trezza, an antique fisherman’s village. You will sail through the Riviera dei Ciclopi, where you will visit the marine reserve. There you can have a swim at one of the natural pools. Once at Aci Trezza you will visit a very special traditional boatyard, where boats are still handmade. You will enjoy a fish menu lunch with a gorgeous sea-view and then you will go back to Catania. In your free afternoon in Catania, you can do your shopping or sit at one of the cafés at piazza Duomo or Via Etnea. Free evening in Catania



Day 10 - Etna Hike | Wine tasting | Farewell Dinner in Catania

The last day will be a precious day of discovery of the Etna Volcano. Your nature guide will lead you on a hike, after which, you will enjoy a wine tasting at a special winery and lunch. You will go back to Catania. Have some free time before dinner and join the group to share a special last night together.



Day 11 - Good bye Sicily | Transfer to Catania Airport

According to the flight schedule, it is possible to organize an activity before the transfer to CT airport.



WHAT IS INCLUDED

  • Hand-selected unique boutique hotels 

 

  • English Speaking Local Licensed Guides and Cultural Experts. Naturalistic Guide for Hike.

 

  • Full Breakfasts Daily; Selected Meals Mentioned as per Itinerary, Including Beverage 

 

  • All Transfers, Trips and Excursions with Private Driver and Air-Conditioned Van (included Departure Airport Transfer)

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  • All Listed Activities, Visits, Workshops, Gastronomic Experiences, Winetasting, Boat Tour, Entrance Fees, City Taxes, Gratuities Except for Tour Leader

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  • Guaranteed Departure with Four Guests

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  • Emotional Sicily Welcome Pack 

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  • 24/7 Assistance

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED 

  • International roundtrip airfare

  • Transportation to the meeting point on first day

  • Meals and beverage not mentioned in the itinerary 

  • Hotel incidentals (room service, laundry service, bar tabs)

  • Travel insurance

Download Journey PDF

dates to be determined

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SHARED ITINERARY

LIMITED TO 6 GUESTS

Need more info

ARTS & CRAFTS

Traditions of Sicily

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