Top Sicily Culture - page 2

Visit some of the most beautiful parts of Western Sicily with this day trip from Palermo to Erice, Segesta, Nubia and the Trapani Salt Pans. Visit an archaeological excavation at Segesta. Take in the excellent views from the hilltop town of Erice. See how sea salt is still collected off the Sicilian coast at the Salt Pans of Trapani.

Spend a day exploring the ancient sights of the Valley of the Temples with this day trip from Palermo. Travel to Agrigento for a quick coffee break (own expense) before visiting the fascinating site for a 1-hour tour. See the temples of Hera, Concordia and Apollo. Take a midday break for lunch (own expense) before stopping at the archaeology museum for a 1-hour self-guided visit.

Sicily is home to some of the most spectacular Greek and Roman archaeological sites in Italy, but visiting on your own means navigating the island’s confusing rural roads. With this tour, reach Villa Romana Del Casale in Piazza Armerina and the Valley of Temples in Agrigento with a private driver for a stress-free jaunt through ancient history, taking in these remarkable ruins at your own pace.

Let someone else take care of driving and planning on this full-day tour to the castle of Caccamo and Cefalù from Palermo. After seeing the medieval houses and UNESCO-listed duomo in Cefalù, spend free time exploring at your own pace or shopping and having lunch (own expense). Then, head to the castle of Caccamo, one of the best-preserved medieval castles on the island in a pretty town at the foot of Mount San Calogero.

Sicily's street food is legendary, but only locals know the best spots for sampling specialties from arancini to granite. Take advantage of your time in Catania to sample street food delicacies on this foodie walking tour around the city. Visit the main piazza and the elegant Via dei Crociferi while learning about Catania’s classic cuisine and its place in Sicilian culture as you stroll. Sample treats at market stalls and bakeries, and then leave armed with tips for the best places to eat in town.

Skip the large tour groups in Sicily, and opt for an intimate, private day trip instead. With a private driver whose focus is your personal group, see ancient Greek and Roman ruins at Neapolis Archaeological Park in Syracuse, stroll through Ortigia's small streets to shop for Sicilian products, and discover UNESCO-listed baroque architecture in Noto. Even better: A hotel or port pickup and drop-off service is also covered.

Trek around Mount Etna on this tour with a small group and an expert trekking guide. Set off from Taormina to spend the day learning about the volcano's history, exploring craters and lava caves. Stop at a local chalet for an included snack and wine. Hotel or port pickup and drop-off can be arranged on request.

Discover the best of Taormina, all in one excursion—and enjoy a fully personalized sightseeing experience—on this private walking tour. Pick your own start time, meet your guide in the city center, and set off on foot. You can look forward to seeing landmarks like the Ancient Theatre of Taormina, strolling the Corso Umberto, admiring fountains and churches, and soaking in the dramatic views, all while learning about the city’s history.

Palermo’s old town is known for its splendid architecture and fabulous food scene. Experience both in a single tour with this foodie stroll that takes in the A-list sights plus the city’s liveliest market. Join your guide on a walk through the historic center to marvel at its sumptuous churches, palaces, and squares. Then head to the landmark Ballarò market, stopping for a number of tastings at the busy stalls.

Palermo is a fascinating city with almost 3,000 years of history. Explore its glorious past and delve into its vibrant present with this walking tour that takes in the city’s sumptuous churches and squares, as well as the bustling landmark markets where locals still shop today. Admire A-list sights like the Teatro Massimo, cathedral, and Piazza Pretorio and stroll down lively Via Vittorio Emanuele and through Mercato del Capo.

Beat the heat and the crowds with a morning tour of Mount Etna. Cover more ground by exploring on board a sturdy Jeep, views over the lunar landscapes in the Valle del Bove, and the flora and fauna of the thick woods blanketing the lower slopes. Cap off your tour with a tasting of local specialties including honey, wine, and liqueurs.

Skip the hassle of arranging transportation and meals with this all-inclusive Taormina and Castelmola day trip. Enjoy pickup at your hotel or port and private transport to Taormina, where you’ll stop for a guided walking tour through the old town to take in its most famous sights. Then continue on to the scenic village of Castelmola perched on the slopes above to sample Sicilian cannoli and arancini.

Explore Europe’s largest active volcano on this day trip to Mt Etna from Taormina. Relax with transportation to the base station of Rifugio Sapienza and then take off through the foothills where you can hike at your leisure. Upgrade your ticket for a guided walking tour through the volcanic craters.

Enjoy a physical perspective of Sicily on a tour to Mt. Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe. Do a little trekking, check out an old crater and lava flow caves, and admire gorgeous views of the mountain and surrounding landscape at sunset. Plus, stop by a farm to taste local products like honey and wine. Hotel pickup in Catania is included.

Discover the Aeolian Archipelago on this day trip to the islands of Stromboli and Panarea from Taormina. Journey to each island by motorboat, exploring the local shops at your leisure or taking a cool dip in the sea. Afterward, cruise around Stromboli to see the island’s volcano. Keep your eyes peeled for the crater of Sciara del Fuoco, known to light up the sky with its jet-like eruptions.

Ortigia is known for its fascinating historic urban landscape, but the island also has a stunning coastline dotted with sea caves that can only be visited by boat. Navigate directly inside caves full of stalactites and stalagmites and take a dip in the turquoise waters on this mini cruise from Syracuse. Snap photos of the rocky cliffs and places of interest along the coast and learn about local history and culture from the skipper and guide.

Delve into ancient Roman and Greek history on a visit to both Neapolis Archaeological Park and Ortygia Island in Syracuse. Neapolis is home to some of Syracuse's most notable ruins, including a massive Greek amphitheater that is still used for performances during the summer months. Marvel at age-old quarries and a Roman amphitheater where gladiators fought each other to the death. Afterward, head over to Ortygia Island―a small island that serves as Syracuse's historic center―and nearby Noto, a stunning town filled with exquisite, photo-worthy baroque architecture.

While your ship is in port, see more of Sicily on a full-day to Taormina. Take a guided tour of this historical city, including a stroll along Corso Umberto, once an ancient Roman street, and a visit to the Greco-Roman Theater. Plus, admire views of Mt. Etna and Giardini-Naxos bay from Castelmola. Pickup and drop-off from the ports of Messina and Giardini Naxos are included.

Indulge all your senses on a walking tour of Palermo's rich street food traditions. Join a knowledgeable guide for a walk through the historic part of the city and its vibrant outdoor markets. Start at one of Palermo's puppet theaters and visit a street market, a street food shop, and landmarks in the historic center. Watch the lively scenes around you, observing what seems like another time.

The guided tour of the salt pans and the salt museum is something unique in the province of Trapani. It is a "mandatory" stop whether you are on holiday in the area or want to spend a day in the midst of nature, touching the sea and immersed in the history of salt. At the end of the tour it will also be possible to have an aperitif with a breathtaking view and/or dine at the restaurant.

The baroque cities of Noto, Modica, and Ragusa have been recognized by UNESCO for their lavish 17th-century churches and palaces. Visit all three in a single day with this driving tour from Catania. Skip the delays of public transportation with hotel pickup and transportation directly to each of these architectural gems. Explore at your own pace and cap off your day with a stop at a historic chocolate factory.

Having to decide what to see in Syracuse, this cannot be missing. It was 2008 when UNESCO registered the Opera dei Pupi among the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It was the first Italian heritage to be included on this list. For this reason, if you are wondering what to do in Sicily, one of the simplest answers is to attend such a show: an experience not to be missed. And thanks to SiciLife you can take a real journey into the art of puppeteers.

UNESCO–listed Syracuse, Ortigia Island, and Noto are three of eastern Sicily’s most beautiful coastal settlements, with a history dating back to the days of the ancient Greeks. This full-day tour takes you to all three sites in one day, with round-trip travel from Catania, Taormina, and surrounding areas included. Discover Roman ruins in Neapolis, and admire beautiful baroque architecture in Noto—with your guide on hand to bring Sicily’s history to life.

Step away from Palermo for a day to discover two of Sicily’s unsung attractions on the island’s west side. This day-long tour visits the medieval hill town of Erice where views cascade down to the sea, and the town of Marsala, famous for its sweet wine and salt plains. Lunch and wine are included mid-tour, and you’ll get the lowdown on the Sicilian towns from an attentive driver-guide.