Heart of Sicily

Want to arrive earlier? Ask us about our pre-tour extension.

Transfer to Castellammare del Golfo. (Based on 3 arrival times)

Upon your arrival at Palermo Airport, you will be greeted by your private driver, who will take you to your hotel in Castellammare del Golfo. After arriving at your accommodation (Oceanfront balcony rooms), you will have time to relax and unwind. Later that afternoon we will enjoy a Welcome Party and a specialty drink. We will end the evening with a walk to discover the main attraction of the town, its soul and lifestyle, the best places for traditional pastries, ice-cream, coffee, food, and handcraft shopping. Then you may explore this fascinating town on your own.

Included Meals: Hour D’oeuvres at Welcome Party

After a relaxing morning, we are off to explore with our private English tour guide Mazara del Vallo. This town was founded in the ninth century BC by the Phoenicians, then became part of the Magna Graecia, later by Romans and in 827 by the Arabs, under their rule the town became the second important city after Palermo (the capitol of Sicily). Today Mazara del Vallo has the largest fishing fleet in Italy and offers a mix of culture, history, art, and ethnicity. We will visit the Historic Kasbah Quarter in the town center, also the beautiful Piazza della Republica and Spanish Baroque Seminary and the fascinating, bustling fishing harbor. Back to Castellammare, your evening is at your leisure.

Included Meals: Breakfast

This morning we will leave early to visit Palermo the capitol of Sicily. We will meet with our private tour guide for a special sightseeing tour of Palermo to admire some of the UNESCO WORLD SITES Your stops will include Palermo Cathedral, Casa Professa, Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria (where the famous fashion show of Dolce and Gabbana was held), Chiesa Martorana, Mercato del Capo, Teatro Politeama, and Theatro Massimo, (second largest stages in Europe and the famed opera houses.) We will learn the city’s fascinating history and the many cultures. We will enter the Royal Palace and visit the jewel kept inside the 12th century Palatine Chapel featuring stunning, shimmering mosaics and ceilings covered in spectacular wooden panels carved and painted by Arab craftsmen. We will pass through streets filled with outdoor markets like Mercato Ballaro one of the most historical market of Palermo full of color and folklore. Here you may enjoy some typical Sicilian Street Food such as “Pane Ca Meusa”, “Panelle” and the famous “Arancini”. Back to Castellammare, this evening we will meet for dinner at this authentic local restaurant with a beautiful view of the marina, while we savor a delicious Sicilian multi course meal with local wines included.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Also today we will leave Castellammare to go for a Naturalistic Walk among vineyards, olive trees, and lemon groves to discover the curiosity of the Sicilian countryside. Next, we will head to the Gastronomic Laboratory with “Le Mani in Pasta” making Homemade Macaroni from scratch with the help of our local housewife. We will witness the slow preparation of the “Meat Sauce”. While that is cooking, we will visit the Wine Cellar on a guided tour to learn about ancient tools and modern methods, tasting of 2 wines from the vats, and the must from 2022. Next, we will have the pleasure to walk through the vineyard among the rows and Harvesting the Grapes then pressing in the press and drinking the grape juice, but also, we will press the grapes with our feet in the vats like in the old days.
The highlight of the day will be that our Lunch is our creation of the day, along with some typical specialties and some Sicilian wines. Back to Castellammare, your evening is at your leisure.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch