This is a Chauffer Driven Fully Escorted Tour (in English) which distinguishes itself from other tours by the ample time it offers to enjoy the scenery, take photos and partake of the local atmosphere.
You will have opportunity to visit key locations, enjoy the ambience seen in the TV series, meet people who live and work in the Ragusa area and participate in the excitement of being on a ‘living’ film set.
What you will visit while on Tour:
- Punta Secca, Ragusa, Donnalucata, Modica, Donnafugata, Ragusa Ibla, Scicli
- The houses of Montalbano and Mafia Boss Balduccio Sinagra
- The trattoria “Don Calogero” where Montalbano often dines
- The Police Station of Montelusa
- The Church of San Giuseppe
- Main Street of Vigata and Duomo of San Giorgio
- Office of the Avv. Curo’
- The Marina and Police Station of Vigata
Tour begins and ends in Ragusa (pickup from other locations on request. Charges apply.)
Total cost $460.00 (two people)
1 Full Day
The tour can be extended to include multiple days.
For further information please download a detailed itinerary.
To BOOK this event download and read through the official itinerary then ring our office on 03 9350 3282 or email us at contact@echoesevents.com.
Parents – Join your children in a world full of wonder and adventure; feel young and vital and change your kid’s idea of “boring holidays with the parents”! Make your family holiday to Sicily a joy to remember! The Peter Pan Tour Collection includes a variety of Full Day and Half Day Tours/Excursions designed to delight children and families of all ages. Catering for all interests, our Tours blend enjoyment with learning and are guaranteed to hold your children’s attention and stimulate their imagination.
Full and Half Day Tours
Individual holidays, designed for families with children 7-16 years
Can be attached to another tour
To BOOK this event download and read through the official itinerary then ring our office on 03 9350 3282 or email us at contact@echoesevents.com.
Travelling by motorway along the Tyrrhenian coast we will embark from either Milazzo or Capo d’Orlando on a private boat and head towards Vulcano and Lipari, where we will begin our journey of discovery of the Aeolian Archipelago. The Aeolian Islands are unique for their extraordinary rock formations, volcanoes and for their history. We will travel via boat or Ferry from island to island.
Lipari the main island in the archipelago has many hot springs and fumaroles, evidence of its volcanic origin. The tour will also feature a guided tour of the Museo Eoliano which houses one of the most important collections of works from ancient Western civilizations including manuscripts, ceramics, paintings, sarcophagi, Greek masks of tragedy and comedy, and painted vases decorated with mythological and divine figures.
Vulcano, according to ancient mythology is the workplace of the god of ‘fire and blacksmiths’ Hephaestus. Vulcano consists of three old craters. The first between Monte Aria and Monte Saraceno has been extinct for centuries. The Gran Crater is still active although the last eruption occurred in 1890. The middle crater is now a natural reserve and you can walk to the top of this crater in less than an hour. Vulcanello the third crater is a promontory created about 2,000 years ago. There are bathing and mud baths available at the spas near Porto di Levante the landing place for the island near the Faro Nuovo (the new lighthouse). Lunch will be on Lipari in a typical local restaurant featuring local produce.
One Day
Our first stop is the charming and elegant city of Marsala the centre of Sicily’s and Italy’s largest wine–producing region. The city is rich in history dating back to 397 B.C. and was the first port of call for Garibaldi and his troops during the battle for the unification of Italy in 1860. Marsala takes its name from the dessert wine.
Mozia; The prosperous Phoenician city of Mozia was built on the island of San Pantello a short distance from Sicily across the Stagnone Lagoon. A natural reserve full of fish and bird life. A guided tour takes you around the island visiting the home of Joseph Whitaker the famous Marsala Wine Magnate who bought the island in the 19th century. The villa has been converted into a museum housing the statue of the ‘young man from Mozia’ discovered in 1998 by a local shepherd. Vineyards dot the island growing their own variety of Grillo (white grape) unique to Mozia. Cantina’s our now open for both wine tasting and the purchase of wine. (They will ship to Australia.) These cellar doors are small and run by locals.
Le Saline di Nubia; established over 300 years ago on the shores of the Stagnone Lagoon, the industry reached the height of its importance in the 19th century. The landscape is dominated by the huge Windmills that in the past were used for power in the production of sea salt. The salt flats do not cause pollution , use the force of the wind and the heat of the sun to produce salt, do not produce waste and reproduce the pre–existing natural environment of the lagoon. Housed in the old Windmill once used to power the salt production is the Museo delle Saline (Salt Marsh Museum). Well worth a look.
Pellegrino and Florio Wine Cellars; two of the largest producers of wine on the Island. The small and welcoming tasting rooms will tempt the pallet with grapes and wines unique to Sicily. Vincenzo Florio revolutionized the wine making industry on the island in 1882. The tour will include guided tours of the wine cellars. Some of the reserves date back to the late 1800’s.
Note: it is possible to add visits to olive oil plantations for ‘olive oil tastings’ if people so desire.
One Day
This megalithic site of Montalbano Elicona with it’s huge stones forming an ancient astronomic calendar was the place where as early as 3000 B.C. Druids celebrated the rites of fertility at the ‘Spring of Venus’ (source of the Elicona river). During the Summer Solstice (Northern Hemisphere) the alignment between the sun and the stones shows how the calendar actually works. A place with extraordinary energy and a beautiful landscape. We then return to Montalbano Elicona for a tour of this hilltop Medieval village.
One Day
Our journey takes us to the Western side of Sicily; a varied and wild coastline with a strong North African influence. Our first destination is the Riserva dello Zingaro a 1,600 hectare natural reserve sloping down to the sea. It is a paradise for raptors such as Bonelli’s eagles, Peregrine falcons and kites. We continue further into the park to visit Scopello – once an 18th century Fort this beautiful sea inlet is the site of the old ‘Tonnara’ where large quantities of tuna are still fished today using ancient methods.
Segesta: founded on the rolling green hills of the Castellammare del Golfo region by exiles from Troy and built in the 3rd century B.C. Its Doric Temple stands in splendid isolation on a hill facing Monte Barbaro. The city built above the temple on the top of the mountain has a Greek Theatre which continues to host ancient Greek plays to this very day.
Trapani and the famous Le Saline di Nubia (Salt Marshes of Nubia) where sea salt production has been active for over 300 years even if salt was mined here since Roman times. The landscape is dominated by huge Windmills that in the past were used to power machines for processing the salt. The Saline di Nubia are situated on the Stagnone Lagoon and house an interesting museum featuring old machinery and salt mining tools. This is a ‘must visit’.
Erice: this charming and mysterious medieval town is perched on top of Monte San Giuliano. From here view Castellammare del Golfo, the Egadi Islands and the picturesque coastline from Castello Pepoli and Castello di Venere, Erice’s magnificent Norman Castle. Walk around the streets visiting shopkeepers displaying their ‘Frazzata’ carpets hand–woven from colourful strips of cotton. An weaving craft unique to Erice.
One Day
As we make our way to Erice our first stopover is Castellammare del Golfo once an Arab fortress it became an important tuna–fishing centre in the Middle Ages. As we climb Monte San Giuliano to reach the hilltop town of Erice you are surround by amazing vista’s of the peninsula in every direction.
Erice perched on the very top of the mountain is laid out in a triangular formation and the town characterizes a medieval city, with high city walls, beautifully paved streets, stone houses with decorated doorways and small piazza’s. View the Gulf of Castellammare from the magnificent Norman Castle – Castello Pepoli e Venere now a 4 star hotel. Erice is home to many unique Arts and Crafts, wander the town streets visit the local artisan shops. Explore Erice’s Cathedral with its ceiling resembling layers of fine white lace.
One Day
We will visit beautiful Ragusa Ibla, Scicli also known as the ‘crib of the Normans’ and rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693 when the sale of religious relics was used to fund the building of palaces richly decorated with fantastic figures and Chiaromonte Gulfi also rebuilt after the same earthquake and still maintaining its Medieval architecture along with the villas of the 18th century country nobility. Many of these villas house fascinating museums. On request, there is an option within this tour to organize visits in Modica to local cheese and chocolate factories.
One Day
Our tour takes us to the two small centers in the province of Palermo: Castelbuono in the middle of the Madonie Park, where we visit the superb Ventimiglia Castle with frescoes from the 16th and 17th centuries.
At Christmas time locals offer visitors fragrant panettoni (Italian cake) and good Rosoli (a locally produced liqueur). Cefalu’ queen of the Tyrrhenian coast is a quaint fishing village on a peninsula just out of Palermo. From a distance Cefalu’ is easily recognized by its Norman Cathedral, one of Sicily’s major Norman monuments. Strolling the medieval streets, filled with local artisan shops, you will have the opportunity of enjoying wonderful coffee or ice–cream at any one of the many beachfront cafés.
One Day
At the foot of the Pellegrino Mountains, Palermo with its rich history of Art, Architecture, Museums and Gardens and the capital of the Island is a must for anyone visiting Sicily. A thriving metropolis with markets, buildings and monuments dating from the Norman period. Not far from Palermo is Monreale, a town dominated by the Cathedral of Monreale, the pinnacle of Arab–Norman art. It was founded in 1172 and is famous for its remarkable interior with magnificent gold mosaics representing episodes from the Old Testament. Next door to the Cathedral is the stunning Benedictine Monastery with 228 white marble twin columns with sculptured geometric motifs and scenes from the Bible carved into the columns. The Cathedral’s Piazza is a great place to enjoy a coffee and some of those famous Sicilian pastries.
One Day
Etna is not only famous for its majestic volcano, its lava flows produce very fertile soil. The slopes of this huge mountain produce some of Sicily’s finest wines including white, red and rose’. The region is under the Denomination di Origin Controlled, (DOC) which governs the specific region, boundaries, grapes and wine–making style in Sicily. Visiting selected Etna wineries you will sample not only great wine but varieties such as Grillo (white), Carricante (Catanese white), Nerello (strong red) only found in Sicily.
One Day
We begin our tour in the ‘Valley of the Temples’ founded in 581BC. A kilometer walk will take you through the main site where you will view the temples dedicated to the Olympian gods, Zeus, Heracles, Concord and Hera. The walk takes you through a beautiful natural reserve where you can stop for a cup of coffee along the way, finishing at a small beach cove where you can view the Stairs of the Turks. Within the tour (time permitting) there is an option to visit the city centre of Agrigento and the Vulcanetti di Macalube (little mud volcanoes). This natural active volcanic reserve features small mud volcanoes which erupt creating grayish mud and methane gas puffs.
One day
The Cataolo Falls, hidden among the Peloritiani Mountains, is like a natural sanctuary of great beauty. Tyndaris, one of the last Greek colonies on the island is a special place, noted for its mythology and legends, as an archeological site, but above all its landscape, characterized by three lakes: Verde, Marinello and Mergolo, providing a sanctuary for migrating birds.
A short distance away is the small medieval region of Piraino considered ‘a balcony to the Aeolian Islands’, which will leave you breathless. Our final destination for the day will be the tourist port of Portorosa so called because at sunset the surrounding sea turns pink with the light of the setting sun.
One Day
Enna famous as the ‘Belvedere Siciliano’, literally Sicily’s ‘Lookout’ occupies a magnificent position right in the centre of Sicily, at a height of 948 meters above sea level. There is a spectacular view of the town of Calascibetta at sunset. Enna has many interesting 14th and 17th century buildings and fortresses. Nine kilometers away is Lake Pergusa with its famous autodrome. We then continue on to a unique exhibition of original Sicilian Folk Art housed in the disused carriages of the old Railway Station at Villarosa.
One day
Our tour will take you to this famous centre for ceramics. Built between the Erei and Iblei hills Caltagirone’s public buildings and apartments all feature examples of the amazing ceramics which makes strolling around the town so enjoyable. World famous for ceramics production since the Middle Ages, the town’s stairway of Santa Maria del Monte has 142 steps with each step individually decorated with ceramic tiles. You will visit the workshops of local artisans and if you wish, purchase these unique ceramics. Just a few kilometers away is the Niscemi’s Cork Plantation with 3,000 hectares of natural reserve dominated by the Cork Oaks. Worth seeing.
One Day
Aircrafts: U L M (Ultra Light Motors) - One seat plus pilot - closed cabin-p92 echo or similar
Flight areas: Taormina, Valley of the Alcantara, Ionian Coast, Straight of Messina, Aeolian Islands.
Tourist Plane: 2 or 3 seats plus pilot Flight areas: all over Sicily (within the regulations set down by the aeronautical authorities) Helicopter: 1,2, or 5 seats in accordance with availability
Flight areas: all over Sicily (within the regulations set down by the aeronautical authorities) Description: Mt. Etna, archeological sites, castles, hilltop Sicilian towns, rivers, lakes, coastlines, forests, canyons and national parks
Approximately one/two hours for the Eastern side or 2/3 hours for the Western side plus transfers to the airport.
Dominated by its Norman Castle built by Rodger 1 in 1082 and perched on top of a sandstone cliff, Sperlinga offers panoramic views from the castle across this spectacular and rugged countryside. The eastern area containing cave dwellings home to the villagers in ancient times and now being converted into ‘weekenders’.
Half Day (is also available as a one day tour)
Departing from Giardini–Naxos and following the coastline of Taormina by night on the local ‘Lampare’ (fisherman’s boats lit by lamps) and the moonlight, we will talk of the sea, it’s legends, sailing and gastronomy surrounded by the sounds of the sea. Ending the evening with a delicious ‘spaghettata’.
3 - 4 hours at night (from June to September)
Minimum of 8 Maximum of 15
From Messina going up the Peloritani Mountains we will reach the woody crest of the San Rizzo Hills, where you view the spectacular Aeolian Islands, Mt Etna and the Strait of Messina. Home to the legend of Scilla and Cariddi the two seas become a river for 30 kilometers. It is here that the few remaining fisherman of the area hunt the Swordfish between April and May.
Half Day
A magical silence surrounds Morgantina, on the slopes of the Erei Mountains. A city still intact after 3.000 years. Many of the city’s precious archeological findings are housed in the Museum of Aidone.
In close proximity is the Norman castle, Castle of Gresti which dominates the Valley of Gornalunga and finally Villa del Casale at Piazza Amerina. Built in the 3rd and 4th century A.D., its extraordinary mosaics are the finest examples of there kind in the world. The Villa, through its mosaics in each room takes us on a journey through the daily lives of the nobility of the time and houses the famous ‘Bikini Girls’ in the Hall of the Female Gymnasts.
Half Day
The tour takes you through the beautiful little fishing towns of the Ionian coast, about 30 minutes drive from Catania.
AciCastello with its imposing Norman Fortress, built of lava stone overlooking the sea. Acitrezza, a fishing village which is a blend of mythology and natural beauty. ‘I Faraglioni’ the ‘mythological rocks’ flung by the Cyclop Polifemo against Ulysses. With its crystal – clear waters, this is a real sea–lover’s paradise, ideal for scuba diving or boat trips. In Summer, night tours are available by moonlight and the light of the ‘Lampare’ (typical Fisherman’s boats lit by lamps), finishing up at one of the many delicious ‘Seafood Trattorie’ along this beautiful coastline.
Acireale: famous for its carnival and ice–cream, it is worth a stroll through the City Centre with its Baroque architecture.
Santa Caterina: a fascinating town overlooking the sea, where on a summer night it is hard to distinguish the stars from the ‘Lampare’ (typical Fisherman’s boats lit by lamps),
The Roman Stairway: An old pathway that takes you back to another time with beautiful panoramic views of the Ionian coastline.
Half Day (also available for night or dawn tours)
Minimum of 2 Maximum of 6
Randazzo a Medieval city built from the lava stone of Mt Etna, is 765 meters above sea level. Randazzo is the town closest to the craters of Mt. Etna but has never been covered by lava as a result of an eruption. As we travel through this unique area with its rich volcanic soil we will visit some of the famous wine cellars (La Cantina’s) of the Etna region speak to the wine - makers, sample their fine vintages, concluding the tour at the wine exhibition at Castiglione di Sicilia. This exhibition is an on–going event showcasing the wines and wine–making style of the Etna region.
Half Day (Day tour available with an option to play a round of golf)
We visit the Alcantara Gorge a 20 meter (66 feet) deep ravine cut out of black basalt by the rushing waters of the Alcantara river. If the weather is good you can follow the gorge for about 150 meters up the river.
Half Day
We recommend good walking shoes, water, towel and (from May to October) swimming gear.
The tour takes us into the Mt. Etna National Park. Driving through the villages of Etna we climb this huge mountain into the middle of a lunar landscape, reaching a height of over 2000 meters above sea level.
There we walk along the Silvestri craters with their panoramic views of the Ionian coast. This guided tour involves transport by Car, Cable Car and 4 Wheel Drive to the top craters. English speaking expert Guides and Ranges accompany groups and individuals.
On request the tour can include a visit to the Lava Museum a must for young and old interested in understanding the workings of volcanoes.
Half Day
Good walking shoes, jumpers, anorak, hat and gloves recommended.
Take a stroll in the heart of this beautiful Baroque town.
Admire the:
Half Day (Also available for night or dawn tours)
Minimum of 2, Maximum of 6
Echoes There and Back tours are able to organize a personally guided tour of Palazzo Biscari, the home of the current Prince of Biscari if given a minimum of 48 hours notice.
Download the itinerary »Download a PDF version of this itinerary
Download the itinerary »Download a PDF version of this itinerary
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