Arrive at Catania-Fontanarossa Airport and be whisked away in a private transfer along the dramatic Ionian coast to your luxury boutique hotel in Taormina—expect comfortable welcome refreshments and a brief orientation on the terrace overlooking Isola Bella. After checking in, take a gentle stroll along Corso Umberto to stretch your legs, pop into the historic Piazza IX Aprile for an espresso, and soak in the first panoramic views of the sea and Mount Etna.
Enjoy a leisurely, all-inclusive light lunch at your hotel or at the elegant Ristorante La Capinera, sampling fresh Sicilian seafood and a chilled local white wine from the Etna region. Spend the afternoon reclining at a private beach club on Mazzarò Bay or take the cable car down to Isola Bella for a swim in crystal-clear water and a short guided walk around the marine reserve.
Return to Taormina for a romantic sunset aperitivo at the Belvedere overlooking the gulf, followed by a specially arranged private table at a Michelin-recommended trattoria such as Otto Geleng or Ristorante Principe Cerami for a tasting menu featuring Etna wines and Sicilian desserts. Finish the night with a moonlit promenade along the Corso or a nightcap on your hotel terrace, listening to the distant silhouette of Mount Etna.
Wake slowly after last night’s terrace nightcap with a leisurely breakfast served on your hotel veranda, sampling freshly baked brioche, Sicilian citrus marmalade and locally roasted coffee. Mid-morning a private car takes you down to Mazzarò Bay where a reserved cabana awaits at the exclusive Lido La Pigna (or a similar luxury beach club) — spend the morning swimming in the Ionian, enjoying chilled Prosecco service and a guided snorkel around Isola Bella's marine reserve.
Return to Taormina for a late-lunch tasting menu at the hotel or at the refined Ristorante il Barcaiolo, then indulge in a couples' spa ritual at your hotel's wellness centre or at the nearby Myoka Spa, featuring a volcanic stone massage and Sicilian citrus body scrub inspired by Mount Etna's terroir. If you prefer a quieter pace, enjoy a shaded siesta followed by a private stroll through the public gardens (Giardini della Villa Comunale) with sweeping sea and Etna views.
For sunset, sip aperitivi at the panoramic Belvedere on Piazza IX Aprile before a romantic, candlelit dinner reserved at the Michelin-recommended Ristorante La Capinera or the intimate Trattoria Don Ciccio, where a seasonal tasting highlights local caponata, fresh seafood and a fine Etna rosso. End the night with a post-dinner passeggiata along Corso Umberto and a final gelato from Bam Bar, soaking up Taormina’s balmy evening atmosphere.
After a relaxed breakfast on your Taormina terrace, a private driver collects you for the short, scenic transfer up the slopes of Mount Etna to Rifugio Sapienza; here you’ll join a guided low-impact walking tour among ancient lava flows and craggy vistas, learning about the volcano’s geology and tasting locally foraged honey and pistachios. Pause at a panoramic viewpoint for photos of Etna’s cones and the Ionian Sea before continuing to a family-run Etna winery near Castiglione di Sicilia for an introductory tasting of Etna bianco and rosato amid terraced vineyards.
Enjoy a gourmet farm-to-table lunch at a vineyard agriturismo such as Tenuta delle Terre Nere or a similar estate, where plates of swordfish carpaccio, ricotta ravioli and grilled vegetables are paired with estate Etna wines while you overlook the lava-scarred slopes. After lunch take a private cellar tour and a tutored tasting of Etna rosso varieties, then wander the medieval lanes of Castiglione di Sicilia for gelato and a gentle exploration of the town’s Norman castle ruins and artisan shops.
Return to Taormina in time for a late-afternoon siesta or rooftop relaxation before a refined dinner back in town at Ristorante Principe Cerami or La Capinera, featuring the day’s inspirations—Etna wines, local saffron, and citrus-kissed desserts. For a romantic finish, arrange a private terrace aperitivo overlooking the lit-up bay and Mount Etna’s silhouette, exchanging stories of the day beneath the warm Sicilian sky.
After breakfast in Taormina, a private car escorts you along the sunlit south-eastern coast to Noto, where a local guide leads a slow-paced stroll down Corso Vittorio Emanuele to admire the honey-coloured Baroque facades of the Cathedral of San Nicolò and Palazzo Ducezio; pause for espresso and pistachio cannoli at Caffè Sicilia to take in the ornate balconies and the town’s cinematic light. Explore a few artisan shops for handcrafted ceramics and a quick visit to the elegant Church of San Carlo before continuing to the coast for the afternoon.
Drive a short way to the serene Vendicari Nature Reserve for a private, shaded walk to the Calamosche lagoon and the Torre Sveva watchtower, where you can swim in crystalline coves and spot migrating birds in peaceful surroundings; enjoy a beachside picnic of local cheeses, sun-ripened tomatoes, and chilled Etna white wine prepared by your concierge. If you prefer, visit the nearby fishing village of Marzamemi for an iced granita and a wander around the tiny piazza and old tonnara (tuna factory), soaking up the coastal atmosphere.
Return toward Noto as the light softens for a romantic aperitivo on a rooftop terrace overlooking the baroque skyline, followed by a candlelit dinner at a refined trattoria such as Ristorante Dammuso or Ristorante Manna, where seasonal seafood, caponata and a fine Nero d'Avola close the day. Finish with a moonlit passeggiata through Noto’s illuminated streets, sharing gelato or a digestivo while the warm stone glows under the Sicilian night.
After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel in Taormina, a private transfer brings you to Ortigia where you'll begin with a guided walking tour of the island’s highlights — the Duomo di Siracusa with its Baroque façade built into a Greek temple, the atmospheric Piazza Duomo and the bustling Ortigia market where vendors sell fresh citrus, local cheeses and anchovies. Pause for a mid-morning espresso and a brioche at Caffè Sicilia or the waterfront Café del Duomo, then wander the narrow lanes to discover artisan shops and the Fountain of Arethusa with its sweet-water reeds.
Enjoy a relaxed seafood lunch at the elegant Ristorante Don Camillo or the waterside Trattoria La Foglia, sampling swordfish involtini and a chilled Etna bianco while watching fishing boats glide by the marina; afterwards take a private small-group visit to the nearby Parco Archeologico della Neapolis to admire the Greek Theatre and the Ear of Dionysius, linking Ortigia’s island charm with Syracuse’s ancient past. If you prefer gentle sea time, swap the archaeological stop for a short boat trip around Ortigia’s coastline, pausing for a swim in clear coves near the Plemmirio reserve.
As dusk falls, settle in for a romantic candlelit dinner at the Michelin-recommended Ristorante Il Principe or at the intimate Le Vin de L'assassin Bistrot, where a tasting menu highlights Sicilian sea bass, caponata and local Nero d'Avola; finish with a passeggiata along the Lungomare and an after-dinner granita or gelato from a beloved local gelateria. For a memorable finale, arrange a private terrace aperitivo overlooking Ortigia’s lit skyline or a moonlit stroll across the Maniace Castle waterfront, soaking in the island’s timeless romance.
Wake slowly with breakfast on your Ortigia hotel terrace before a private skipper collects you from the small marina for a leisurely morning cruise along Syracuse’s coastline. Glide past the Maniace fortress and disembark for a short swim in a sheltered cove near the Plemmirio Marine Protected Area, followed by a chilled Prosecco and a platter of local cheeses, olives and freshly sliced citrus prepared by your crew.
After a light seaside lunch on board—think grilled swordfish sandwiches and crisp Etna bianco—drop anchor at a secluded stretch of the Plemmirio reserve for snorkelling among bright fish and submarine rock formations, with snorkel gear and a brief guided introduction included. Later, the skipper can steer you to the tiny bays around Capo Murro di Porco for sunset-ready views, or make a calm return to Ortigia with time to freshen up before the evening.
As twilight falls, enjoy a romantic waterfront aperitivo at the elegant Ristorante Don Camillo or the Michelin-acclaimed Il Principe, savouring seafood crudi and a glass of Nero d'Avola while watching fishing boats bob in the harbour. Conclude the day with a moonlit passeggiata through Ortigia’s piazzas and the Fountain of Arethusa, stopping for a late gelato or a quiet digestivo on your hotel terrace to relive the sea-breeze memories.
After a relaxed breakfast in Ortigia, your private driver escorts you inland to the honey-coloured lanes of Ragusa Ibla, where a local guide leads a gentle walking tour through Giardino Ibleo, the Baroque piazzas and the ornate Duomo di San Giorgio — pause for a mid-morning espresso and a pistachio pastry at Caffè Hybleo. Stroll the quiet artisan streets to discover ceramic workshops and antique shops, connecting the baroque elegance of Noto and Ortigia to this softer, hilltop atmosphere.
Head into the surrounding countryside for a late lunch at a family-run agriturismo such as Tenuta San Michele or a boutique winery near Ragusa, where you’ll savour a tasting of Nero d’Avola and local olive oil paired with freshly made ricotta ravioli and slow-roasted lamb among shaded olive groves. If you prefer chocolate and history, take the short scenic drive to Modica to explore its steep streets and visit the famous Antica Dolceria Bonajuto for a demonstration and tasting of traditional Modican chocolate.
Return to Ragusa Ibla in time for a sunset aperitivo at a terrace bar overlooking the valley before a candlelit dinner at the intimate Duomo Restaurant or Ristorante Locanda Don Serafino, featuring refined Sicilian dishes and regional wines. End the night with a slow passeggiata beneath softly lit baroque façades and a final digestivo on a quiet piazza, savoring the warm glow that links this day to your coastal explorations.
After a final leisurely breakfast on Ortigia or at your Ragusa hotel, your private driver will collect you for the scenic transfer back toward Catania (or onward to Palermo if you’re extending); enjoy one last window-seat view of Sicily’s coastline and vine-covered hills as luggage is handled by your concierge. If time allows before check-in at Catania-Fontanarossa, stop in the bustling fish market of Catania for a quick stroll and to buy small culinary souvenirs—salt-packed swordfish, citrus preserves or a bottle of Etna olive oil—served with a final espresso at Caffè del Duomo.
For departures from Catania, your concierge can arrange a relaxed final lunch near the airport at a refined trattoria such as Trattoria del Cavaliere or a hotel lounge offering Sicilian specialties, with swift private transfer to the terminal and assistance through check-in. If you choose to extend to Palermo, the private transfer will deliver you along the coast with an optional stop in Cefalù for a sun-drenched paseo along the medieval streets and a last-minute shopping browse for ceramics and local lace before arriving in Palermo mid- to late-afternoon.
If you’re catching an evening flight from Catania, enjoy a calm pre-flight aperitivo and light antipasti at the airport lounge or your hotel before a smooth private transfer to departures; reflect on the trip’s highlights — Etna wines, Ortigia sunsets and Sicilian baroque — as you toast with a final glass of Nero d'Avola. For those continuing to Palermo, settle into your boutique hotel in the Kalsa or Politeama quarter and choose a relaxed farewell dinner at a celebrated Palermo osteria such as Osteria Ballarò or Ferro di Cavallo, savouring street-food-inspired classics and a nightcap beneath the city’s warm August skies.