EXPERIENCES IN
SIRACUSA
Boat trip to Ortigia Island and the Sea Caves
On this guided boat trip, you will set sail for the island of Ortigia and discover various places of natural and historical interest. You will depart from Ponte Umbertino and continue towards the Porto Piccolo of Syracuse. You will discover three sea caves, one of which has an unusual heart shape. As the trip continues towards Lungomare di Levante, you will see the ancient stone fortress of Castello Maniace and the natural spring of Aretusa. The return trip will take you along the Porto Grande seafront.
Street Food Tour with Local Guide in Ortigia
We'll start like true locals: with a refreshing Sicilian iced coffee. Then we'll head to the oldest bakery in town to try what I believe to be the best arancino in Syracuse, made fresh every morning. We'll stroll through quiet alleys, the fishermen's square and corners that most visitors never reach. At the market, you can taste capuliato, baked ricotta, pistachio salami, almond pastries, pistachio cream and – depending on the season – cherry tomatoes or prickly pears. Then we will meet my extended family of cheesemakers and enjoy ricotta, mozzarella and the best sandwich of your life. We will finish with a fresh fruit granita from the most traditional ice cream parlour in Ortigia.
Visit to the Pantalica Nature Reserve
This guided tour of the Pantalica Nature Reserve will give you the chance to discover a UNESCO World Heritage Site as you explore its necropolis and ruins. Starting from Ferla, you will visit the Sella di Filiporto and follow a mule track until you reach a Byzantine village. Here you will also see the Oratory of San Micidiario. You will also visit the Anaktoron and admire the ancient ruins. During the tour, you will have the opportunity to discover another entrance to the Nature Reserve, where you will visit a small village and the Church of the Crucifix. While enjoying the beauty of the place, your guide will tell you all about the different species of plants that grow in this area. Towards the end of the tour, you will also have the opportunity to take a dip in the waters of the Calcinara River.
Tour of Noto, Portopalo and Marzamemi from Syracuse
The first stop on the tour will be Noto, a beautiful Baroque city rich in important historical buildings, all constructed with local stone, which has a golden colour tending towards pink. You will enter through Porta Reale, the city gate, and then continue with a walk along the main street where the Cathedral of San Nicolò stands, whose construction began at the end of the 1600s. You will be fascinated by the most important building in the city, Palazzo Ducezio, the town hall, and Via Nicolaci, famous throughout the world for its Infiorata (flower festival). This will be followed by a visit to Portopalo di Capo Passero, a fishing village at the southernmost tip of Sicily, which offers spectacular sea views and acts as a watershed between the Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Marzamemi awaits you: you will reach the heart of the village to relax in the square overlooked by the Palazzo del Principe di Villadorata, built in 1752 in sandstone.
Guided tour of the Greek Theatre and Neapolis in Syracuse
Discover the wonders of the ancient city of Syracuse, one of the jewels of the ancient Mediterranean, with our guided tour. With our expert guide, you will immerse yourself in the history and myths surrounding Neapolis, the historic heart of Syracuse. Explore the Latomie, the enchanting Ear of Dionysius, and discover the secrets of the tyrant Dionysius and his intrigues. Continue your journey through the centuries at the Greek Theatre, where you can admire the Nymphaeum Fountain and enjoy a breathtaking view of the large harbour. The Altar of Hiero II awaits you as a majestic testimony to the glorious past of Syracuse. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Roman Amphitheatre, where our guide will reveal the secrets of gladiatorial games and the nuances of Syracuse under Roman rule. Prepare to be captivated by the magic of Syracuse, where every stone tells a story and every corner hides a secret.
Boat tour from Avola to the Correnti Islands with aperitif
Departure from Avola, heading south aboard our 8-meter dinghy with an expert skipper as our guide. We will enjoy numerous swims in the most characteristic coves and inlets along the coast, ending up at Isola delle Correnti, where the Sicilian Sea and the Ionian Sea meet. We will have the opportunity to see old tuna fisheries that are now in disuse, observe the islands of Vendicari and Capopassero up close, and approach the Vendicari Nature Reserve and Calamosche beach. We will have the opportunity to take lots of photos and swim safely in crystal clear waters. We will snorkel at the four Roman columns of Marzamemi at a depth of about 5 meters, an experience for everyone with fins, masks, and snorkels. There will be a stop for an aperitif with Sicilian sparkling wine, arancini, focaccia, fresh fruit, beer, and soft drinks. We will observe Castello Tafuri from the water and stop in Marzamemi for about 30 minutes to visit the village and buy souvenirs.
Trekking in Cavagrande del Cassibile
Walk along the most picturesque trail in this Nature Reserve, where you can see lush vegetation, a series of small waterfalls, and stunning, crystal-clear natural pools nestled in a deep canyon.
Tour of Syracuse and Ortigia in an Ape Calessino
You will begin your tour by exploring Syracuse, admiring the beautiful Piazza Santa Lucia, the Sanctuary, the Catacombs of San Giovanni and the War Memorial, from which you can admire the immense Syracuse coastline with a view of the island of Ortigia. Ortigia will be your next destination: here you can admire Piazza Duomo, Fonte Aretusa, Porta Marina, Castello Maniace, the Jewish quarter and the folkloric market. Your driver will tell you stories and secrets about the city and give you the opportunity to stop at the most important monuments and the best vantage points so you can capture these moments and relive the memories whenever you want.
Visit to the Puppet Museum in Syracuse and show
The Vaccaro brothers, famous puppeteers from Syracuse, will guide you on a journey to discover the secrets of the stage. You will also have the unique experience of operating the puppets and marionettes, becoming a puppeteer yourself for a day! You will hear tales of brave paladins and damsels who faced great challenges, tests of courage and heroic deeds among monstrous creatures and magic in order to defend their love. A completely new way to listen to the verses of chivalric poems, allowing you to experience the atmosphere of times gone by. You can also visit the museum, a place full of mystery, history and enchantment. At the end of the guided tour, you can watch a performance and listen to fabulous stories and poems about daring knights. Let yourself be carried away by stories of valiant knights, ladies and sorcerers, taken from ancient novels and poems from the Carolingian era, performed in the splendid setting of the puppet theatre in Syracuse.