The Sicilian baroque is an icon in the area known as Val di Noto. After the devastating earthquake of 1693, these places were rebuilt with this style of decorations. Discover the rich of ghostly masks and elaborate stone carvings. First discover Noto, the capital of Sicilian baroque. Walk among the wonderful buildings of the Garden of Stone and admire the elegance and sinuosity of the architectural elements. The itinerary continues towards Modica, a city of ancient origins and with an excellent culinary tradition. Taste the different varieties of Modica chocolate, famous and known throughout the world. Ragusa Ibla completes the full immersion in the Baroque with its characteristic alleys, opulent buildings and Iblei gardens.

The first stop on this 8-hour tour is Noto, the Garden of Stone, noted for its Baroque heritage. After the massive 1693 earthquake, Noto was rebuilt on Meti Hill. The town’s origins date to the Early Bronze Age. Continue to Modica and visit the oldest chocolate factory in Sicily. The city also has a rich history and a wonderful architectural heritage. See the cathedrals of San Giorgio and San Pietro and the Palazzo Polara and Palazzo Napolino-Tommasi Rosso, among others. Ragusa was added to the UNESCO World Heritage in 2002 for its monuments of the late Baroque period. Visit examples of this style including its cathedrals and palaces.

Journey through the Sicilian baroque on a private day tour from Syracuse. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Ragusa Ibla, Modica, and Noto on walking tours. See the Duomo of San Giorgio, the Church of San Giorgio, the Church of San Pietro, and more. After pickup in Syracuse, make your first stop in the old Baroque city of Ragusa Ibla. Admire numerous 18th-century churches and buildings on which important sculptors and architects worked. Hear about the famous "Baroque of the Noto Valley." Next, discover another jewel of the Sicilian Baroque: Modica. Stroll through the town and admire its churches, noble palace facades, fountains, the Pizzo viewpoint, San Giorgio Church, San Pietro Church, and the ruins of the castle. From there, continue toward the capital of Baroque: Noto. Walk around the city and marvel at its historic palaces, churches, terraces, and stairways, all built with a local stone with a golden color. Visit the Porta Reale — the real city gate — and the Cathedral of San Nicolò. See the most important building in the town, the Palazzo Ducezio, before continuing on a few steps to the Via Nicolaci, famous throughout the world for its infiorata (flower carpets).

Arrive at the home of your expert host for a memorable private dining experience where you will taste authentic recipes treasured in family cookbooks passed down by real Italian mothers. During an exclusive cooking demonstration, feel the warmth of Italian hospitality as your host shares the secrets of her family cookbook while preparing the dishes right in front of you. Once the end result is ready, sit at an authentic Italian dining table and enjoy your 4-course seasonal menu including a starter, pasta, main course with side dish, and dessert.

Explore south-eastern Sicily on this full-day tour from Catania. Discover the sights of the tv show Inspector Montalbano, from the splendor of ancient Ragusa Ibla to the beautiful baroque towns of Scicli and Modica with the help of an audio guide. Begin your tour from the heart of Catania, the Duomo Square. Listen to your audio guide as you travel to your first stop: Punta Secca, a seaside hamlet in Santa Croce Camerina. Explore "a sicca," as the locals call it. Marvel at its stunning cliffs and catch a glimpse of its iconic lighthouse. Continue to Scicli, a beautiful baroque town in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Val di Noto, nestled in a cozy valley. Wander through the narrow streets, spotting churches and palaces featured in the tv show. Stop to marvel at Sant'Ignazio and Palazzo Favo. Return to the van, and drive to the ancient historical city of Ragusa Ibla. Discover Ragusa's 9 Baroque churches, including the stunning Cathedral of San Giorgio. Learn about this town's extraordinary history from your audio guide as you explore. Finish your tour with a stop in the baroque town of Modica. Catch a glimpse of the massive Castello dei Conti, and taste the famous Modica Chocolate, created from an ancient Aztec recipe.

An itinerary dedicated to Modica's main monuments, local traditions and Montalbano's places. A perfect guided tour to get to know Modica and its Baroque monuments. The guide will accompany you through the historic centre to discover magnificent architecture, curious local traditions and the places of Montalbano. A tour for those who want to get to know the spirit of the town and be guided by the tales of an expert and friendly guide. We will stroll through the charming alleys of baroque centre, discovering the churchs of Saint Peter and Saint George, the rock church of St Nicholas and beautiful noble palaces. Modica is famous for its Modica Chocolate, and at the end of your visit you can choose where to taste it.

Le Cesarine is Italy's first and finest network of home cooks. Since 2004, Le Cesarine have been sharing the joy of regional Italian cuisine with thousands of travellers from all over the world. If you want to uncover the secrets of Italian family recipes on your travels, Le Cesarine will share their wisdom, which has been passed down in their families for generations. Visit the local market with your Cesarina. Enjoy the atmosphere of an Italian local market and learn how to recognize the best produce from the land. When you return to your Cesarina’s home, attend a private cooking demo where your Cesarina will share the secret of her family cookbook while preparing one of the dishes right in front of you. Sit at an authentic Italian table and enjoy a four course seasonal menu including starter, pasta, main course with side dish, dessert. Drinks included are water, a selection of red and white wines from regional cellars, and coffee. Feel the warmth of Italian hospitality as you connect with local people.

Cook Italian food at a local home and learn how to make regional dishes that taste like the real deal. Taste the fruit of your labor accompanied by local wines. Discover the tricks of the trade, as they teach you to make three authentic local recipes. Enjoy putting your cooking skills to the test, and relax as your host will have all the necessary ingredients and utensils ready for you. Taste all the fantastic food you have prepared accompanied by a selection of local wines. Take home the knowledge of how to make real Italian food with this unique cooking class.

This experience includes a visit to the Baroque cities. The tour lasts 8 hours and includes transport only, you will have 1 hour plus to visit each city. You will meet your driver in Syracuse and begin the tour with a visit to the beautiful Baroque town of Noto. At the end of the visit, amidst breathtaking landscapes of large canyons, steep cliffs and wooded areas of olive and carob trees you will continue on to Ragusa Ibla where you will have free time to visit this beautiful town. As a last stop you will go to Modica where you can discover the chocolate workshops and do some shopping.

RAGUSA IBLA Ibla is a quaint leisurely place, a coffee or a Campari at the Cafe at the foot of the Duomo, one of the finest building in Sicily the work of Rosario Gagliardi, is a nice way to start. A walk down the slightly slopping Piazza and onto the main winding street takes you to the Giardino Ibleo. On the way a short stop to admire yet another of Gagliardi’s work, the small but elegant church of San Giuseppe. The Giardino Ibleo is a haven of peace and quite with an exquisite view of the valley below and beyond. Just outside the entrance to the garden is the gothic Portale San Giorgio, it is all that remains of the original church of San Giorgio, early XIII century, which was demolished in the 1693 earthquake MODICA Modica Bassa is the historic city centre, with the main street Corso Umberto I, lined with baroque churches and monasteries. Little wonder the city is referred to as La Citta’ delle Cento Chiese. Expensive brand shops and fine cafès intermingle with the churches to give an affluent air to the city centre. Modica is now best known for the Cioccolato di Modica or Cioccolata Modicana. The Spanish introduced the recipe which they got from the ancient Aztecs of Mexico. Chocolate shops welcome visitors; the Antica Dolceria Bonajuto is one well known chocolate factory shop. SCICLI It is well worth wandering around this quite little town, overlooked by a massive rock on which sits the unfinished church of San Matteo. Of the many palaces built by aristocratic families the one that stands out most is the Palazzo Benventano, just off the main Piazza, with its façade decorated with Saracen gargoyles. The church of Santa Maria la Nova, one of the many baroque churches in the town centre, houses Scicli’s best known icon, the Byzantine wooden statue of the Virgin Mary wielding a sword and riding a white stallion. The Chiarafura Caves Dwellings, dug out in the cliff in prehistory, saw the last residents leave as late as 1958.