Ragusa

Nature & Adventure

Benefit from pick-up in Catania or Taormina, and then journey by air-conditioned vehicle on a locations tour of the TV series "Inspector Montalbano" in southeast Sicily. Discover the real locations of imaginary sites such as Mànnara, the town of Vigata where the TV drama was set and the small fishing village of Punta Secca where Montalbano lived in fictional Marinella. Get the chance to enjoy lunch at the Da Enzo a Mare restaurant, where many scenes from the series, adapted from the novels by Andrea Camilleri, were shot.

Experience Southeast Italy through the perspective of the popular Italian television series Inspector Montalbano. This tour visits the places of Inspector Montalbano, the series main character, in Punta Secca, Ragusa, and Scicli. Meet your guide in Catania and head to the quaint villa of Punta Secca. Visit the inspector's seafront house, Marinella. Continue on to Ragusa to explore the many alleyways of its historic center. Take note as you walk through the backdrop of many scenes in the series. Afterward, go to the town of Scicli. As you wander through its historic center admire the many Baroque buildings and churches featured in the series, including the town hall, which served as the location of the Vigata police station.

Marvel at beautiful landscapes, taste delicious Sicilian wine, and soak up a delightful Baroque atmosphere on a 3-hour tour in Ragusa. There is only one way to discover Ragusa and that is to cross it. In order to do so you need really comfortable shoes, a strong desire to get to know the place, a perfect visual memory to capture the beauties of this splendid land, and some space in your heart to bring back home the Sicilian hospitality and generosity. Recall in your memory the old Italian films where life ticks slowly by with no excitement, only with silent admiration: simple doorways and well decorated portals, gates and windows adorned with flowers, jutting balconies supported by grotesque masks, sumptuous decorations of churches, deformed simplicity of narrow steps, and small quiet alleyways.  Traditionally, the best way to serve this magnificent baroque atmosphere is Sicilian wine. Ragusa is a wine-connoisseurs’ paradise: red or white, but always intense, deep, and unexpectedly rich. The soil composition, lots of sunshine days, and healthy biodiversity make excellent conditions to maintain the antique wine tradition in Sicily. 

Day 1 After getting picked up at Catania Airport, enjoy a welcome aperitif in the company of your local guide in Catania. Afterward, enjoy a walking tour of the city during which you will see iconic landmarks such as the Duomo Square, The cathedral fi Saint Agatha, Roman Amphitheatre, and Bellini Park. Day 2 Start your day with a light trek on Europe's most active volcano, Mount Etna. After your trek, re-energize with a traditional Italian lunch at a family-run restaurant. You will also be able to sample some local wines from the Etna region. After lunch, enjoy some free time to explore the town of Taormina at your own pace before heading up to Castelmola, where you can sample the region's famous almond wine served with delicious biscuits. Finish the day by watching the breathtaking sunset in the village of Savoca, one of Italy's prettiest villages and the setting for the Godfather movie. Day 3 Today, enjoy a guided tour of the city of Syracuse, including a visit to the island of Ortigia. Here, admire landmarks such as the Cathedral of Saint Lucy, Caravaggio, Archimedes Square, and the Fountain of Aretusa. Afterward, move onto Neapolis Archaeological Park where you can admire the Latomie del Paradiso, Greek Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre, and  The Ear of Dionysius. Stop for lunch in the town of Noto, a baroque-style town with elegant churches and sprawling palaces. In the afternoon, enjoy a chocolate-making masterclass in the oldest chocolate factory in Sicily before heading to the picture-perfect town of Ragusa Ibla, where you will spend the night. Day 4 Start your day at the Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina, where one of the largest and richest collections of Roman mosaics in the world awaits you. Afterward, head to the Valley of Temples, where you will discover one of the greatest examples of Greater Greece's art and architecture. Enjoy some free time to explore this sprawling temple complex, with 7 ancient Greek temples. Day 5 In the morning, head to the coastal town of Marsala to sample the town's namesake wine. Learn how to differentiate this unique fortified wine by its amber color and unique scent. In the afternoon, head to the Trapani Salt Museum. Here, learn more about salt production methods in the area and admire a unique landscape dotted with over 100 mills, some of which are still in function. Finish the day with a stroll around the medieval town of Erice, a historic and charming town located in the Sicilian hills. Day 6 Today, you will be visiting the towns of Palermo and Monreale, both of which are famous for their Byzantine-style mosaics. In Palermo, visit the 12th-century cathedral and immerse yourself in the city's vibrant history and culture. In Monreale, admire the fine mosaics in the town's great Norman cathedral. Afterward, take in panoramic views of the surrounding valley, filled with orange, olive and almond trees. Day 7 Spend your last day in Sicily at the seaside town of Cefalu. Spend a few hours getting lost in a maze of tiny streets and ice-cream shops before heading Castelbuono, a picturesque village hidden in the Madonie Mountains. Get dropped off back at the airport at the end of your trip.