Tour overview

This 8-day holiday explores the Baroque towns, wine and volcanic landscapes of south-east Sicily at your own pace. It is self-guided, with private car transfers between hotels, luggage moved for you and a local agent on call. You stay seven nights in charming three- and four-star hotels, with breakfast daily and lunch on Etna.

You begin in the UNESCO-listed old town of Ragusa Ibla, then stay in a noble palace in Noto, another Baroque gem, where a local sommelier pairs four Sicilian wines with tapas.

Read more

In Syracuse you explore the island of Ortigia, with its Temple of Apollo and Greek heritage, and take a boat trip around the coast. You finish in hilltop Taormina, with a guided group tour of Mount Etna to see craters, lava flows and caves.

The physical rating is low. This holiday suits independent travellers who enjoy food, wine and history.

Trip highlights

  • Ragusa Ibla (Day 2)
  • A sommelier wine tasting in Noto (Day 3)
  • Ortigia Island (Day 5)
  • A boat trip from Syracuse (Day 5)
  • Taormina (Day 6)
  • A guided Mount Etna tour (Day 7)

Your route

6 stops from Ragusa Ibla to Taormina

8-day route: Ragusa Ibla – Noto – Syracuse – Ortigia – Taormina – Mount Etna
  1. Ragusa Ibla Day 1
  2. Noto Days 2–3
  3. Syracuse Days 4–5
  4. Taormina Days 6–7
  5. Mount Etna Day 7
  6. Taormina Day 8

Why choose this tour

Sicily's Baroque towns and Etna without a group. Private transfers and characterful hotels.

Best suited to

  • Independent travellers
  • Couples
  • Food and wine lovers
  • History lovers
The old town of Ragusa Ibla on its hilltop

Day-by-day itinerary

8 days from Ragusa Ibla, Italy to Taormina, Italy

  1. Day 1 · Ragusa Ibla Ragusa Ibla

    Arrive in Sicily.

    Hotel
    Hotel Barocco
  2. Day 2 · Ragusa Ibla, Noto Noto

    Baroque towns.

    Hotel
    Palazzo Landolina
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Noto Noto

    A wine tasting.

    Hotel
    Palazzo Landolina
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Noto, Syracuse Syracuse

    To the coast.

    Hotel
    Hotel Gran Bretagna
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Ortigia Ortigia

    A boat trip.

    Hotel
    Hotel Gran Bretagna
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Taormina Taormina

    A hilltop town.

    Hotel
    Hotel Isabella
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Mount Etna Mount Etna

    The volcano.

    Hotel
    Hotel Isabella
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  8. Day 8 · Taormina Taormina

    The holiday ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
The Baroque rooftops of Noto from above

Where you stay

  • Ragusa Ibla (1 night) Hotel Barocco
  • Noto (2 nights) Palazzo Landolina
  • Syracuse (2 nights) Hotel Gran Bretagna
  • Taormina (2 nights) Hotel Isabella

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 7 nights in 3- and 4-star hotels
  • Meals 7 breakfasts and 1 lunch
  • Private car transfers and luggage transfers
  • Wine tasting with a sommelier in Noto
  • Boat tour from Ortigia
  • Guided Mount Etna tour with transfers
  • Local agent support

Not included

  • Flights
  • Meals not included 5 lunches and 7 dinners
  • Airport transfers
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
The coast of Ortigia and its stone walls

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want a guide throughout
  • You want a group
  • You want most meals included
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–8 · Lunch: Day 7 · Dinner: none included
The sea walls of Ortigia in Syracuse

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £1,599 per person, twin share, tour only. 202 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Is there a guide?

No, this is a self-guided holiday with route notes, a navigation app and local support on call.

Do I need a visa for Italy?

No, UK citizens can visit Italy visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180. Check gov.uk for the latest EU entry rules before you travel.

How do I travel between hotels?

By private car transfer, with your luggage taken care of.

How active is the Etna tour?

A short, easy walk among craters, lava flows and caves with an expert guide.

Which meals are included?

Breakfast every day and lunch on the Etna tour.

When can I start?

On almost any day through the season.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary
From £1,599
See dates & prices