Hidden Sicily self-drive tour

Today, dive into the history of Palermo as you tour three of its most important structures — the glittering Capella Palatina, the magnificent Cattedrale di Palermo, and the ornate La Martorana church. In the afternoon, you will visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 12th-century Cattedrale di Monreale, filled with stunning Byzantine-Arab mosaics.

Today you will collect your hire car and head southwest to the dramatic 5th century temple ruins of Segesta. Explore the site at leisure before driving to meet your guide and explore the medieval stronghold of Erice. This steep mountaintop town gives way to amazing views. In Erice, you will explore the cobbled streets and visit Pasticceria of Maria Grammatico famed for its marzipan sweets. Afterwards, you will head to the coastal salt pans of Trapani where you will enjoy lunch.

Today you will enjoy a more leisurely pace with time to relax and enjoy the facilities at your hotel or further explore this southwest corner of Sicily. This afternoon you will head to the Donnafugata winery and indulge in a tasting of four wines. The estate has been producing wine for over 100 years and you will be able to tour the production area, cellar and bottling room.

This morning you will depart Marsala and head east to Agrigento. On route, you may wish to stop off at the Scala dei Turchi coastal rock formation and enjoy a stroll on the beach. Later today you will meet your guide at the Valley of the Temples which is home to a collection of classical Greek temples. Then you will head to your charming accommodation for the evening.

At leisure today to relax and enjoy your hotel facilities or further explore the surroundings. This afternoon you will enjoy a local cooking experience at your hotel where you will pick fresh product from their on-site farm and create traditional, delicious dishes.

Depart Agrigento and head to Piazza Armerina, home to the exquisitely preserved Villa Romana del Casale. You will tour the Roman estate and view its vibrant mosaics. Later today continue to the baroque southeast corner of Sicily and settle into your accommodation just outside of Noto. The 18th-century Villa Favorita is a picturesque estate with its own wine and olive oil production.

Corso Vittorio Emanuele is the principal walkway of Noto and is flanked by churches and palaces. You will explore the cobbled streets of Noto today with your guide and visit the Baroque cathedral in the heart of the city. Later today you may wish to relax or could delve deeper into the interesting history of this area and visit another Baroque town nearby such as Ragusa.

In ancient times, Syracuse was one of the most important cities in the Greek Empire, as evidenced by the wealth of Greek ruins still standing. You will meet your guide near the archaeological park. Here you can see the ancient Teatro Greco, where many famous Greek plays made their debut. Next, you return to the island of Ortigia, the historical heart of Syracuse. After visiting the Piazza del Duomo and exploring the winding streets, you finish in the lively marketplace for lunch. After your tour, you will head back to Noto.

Head to the summit of Europe's highest active volcano today. The base of Mount Etna is where you’ll begin your ascent. The journey to the summit involves a drive, a cable car, and finally an all-terrain vehicle. When you reach the summit, a resident mountain guide will take you on a short walk to view the craters and the dramatic landscapes beyond. Later today check into the stunning Donna Carmela Resort.

Not far from Zafferana Etnea, you’ll find the Riviera dei Ciclopi worth visiting. The Riviera dei Ciclopi gets its name from a series of rock formations, known as ‘ciclopi’, resting in the water along the eastern coast of Sicily. Legend has it that these rocks were hurled into the sea in anger by the Cyclops, hence their name, as Odysseus escaped from his lair. There are several quaint seaside villages you may wish to visit. Alternatively, you may wish to enjoy the grounds, amazing facilities and activities at your hotel. During your stay, it is possible to explore the estate’s extensive Mediterranean gardens.

Drive to the airport in Catania for your departing flight and return your hire car.