Itinerary - Sicily 360°: from Mount Etna to the Southern Coast

Roundtrip flights are not included in the package, so you can choose from where and when you want to fly. Check-in to your hotel in Catania, put your backpack down and get ready to… eat! Cannoli, arancini… What shall we taste first?

Rise and shine, everyone! It’s time to head to the tallest active volcano in Europe: Mount Etna. It takes about an hour in the car to reach our destination. After that, you can put on your trekking boots and admire the variety of landscapes around you. Green vines and olive trees, as well as oaks and chestnuts, create a stark contrast with the black plains made of volcanic rocks. Once we reach the summit we will be greeted by the beautiful Ice Cave. As the name suggests, this volcanic cave is famous for its stalactites and the presence of ice, even during the hottest of summers! For lunch, we’ll stop at one of the typical mountain huts (rifugi), where you’ll also be able to shop for lovely souvenirs.

After lunch, we set off towards our second stop: Syracuse . The soundtrack for the trip is ready, right? We leave our trekking shoes at the hotel and wear our costumes! The boat excursion to Ortigia awaits us , where we will admire the first of the beautiful Sicilian sunsets, ready for an aperitif at sunset?

What a better way to start the day than with a stroll around Siracusa? We’ll head to the iconic Greek Theatre, one of the most visited places in all of Sicily. After that, it’s time to visit the Ear of Dionysus, a beautifully carved limestone cave, and the Roman Amphitheatre. Last stop is the Island of Ortigia, before heading to Noto for lunch. You’d better keep an empty stomach, because here we will be tasting delicious traditional dishes such as octopus with potatoes and pesto sauce, pasta with swordfish and aubergine or the famous seafood spaghetti “allo scoglio”. Yum!

After lunch it’s time to visit the beautiful seaside village of Marzamemi. This old and charming town is full of shops selling local artisans’ crafts. After a bit of shopping, let’s spend the afternoon relaxing in one of the many beach front bars. How about a delicious aperitivo? We’ll then head to Modica, where we’ll spend the night and get some rest before tomorrow’s adventures.

Today we’ll have plenty of time to visit Modica and stroll along its streets. Soak up the beautiful atmosphere and breathe in the history of this city. Narrow alleyways leading up to steep staircases: a beautiful baroque city in the south of Sicily. Another perk? Modica is famous for its…. chocolate! A tradition dating back almost 400 years, it’s surely nothing like what you have tasted before!

This afternoon we’ll head to Scicli, a town off the beaten track but definitely worth a visit. Its cave settlements and baroque architecture transport you right back in time. Scicli is also known for being the backdrop of an extremely famous Italian TV series, “Inspector Montalbano”, so we definitely don't want to miss this gem!

Picture this: blue skies, golden sand and crystal clear waters. Nope, it’s not a tropical island, it’s what you can expect from Marina di Ragusa! A short distance from the town is Playa Grande; this beach can be accessed with a short walk through unspoiled nature, but the view awaiting will be absolutely worth it. The bay is at the end of the Nature Reserve of the River Irminio; a great spot for a group snap! We’ll spend the evening in one of the many bars on the promenade in Marina di Ragusa, sipping cocktails and dancing the night away!

Another day brings more beautiful beaches to explore! Today we head to Scoglitti, a fishing village in the south of Sicily with a picturesque harbour, a lighthouse and the Lanterna Promenade. The beach here has all the facilities you may think of, but there are other smaller bays to discover around the area, such as Baia del Sole or Baia Dorica. If you fancy a change of scenery, the afternoon can be spent exploring Ibla and Ragusa, walking around the streets and soaking up the romantic atmosphere. Evenings here are just as magical; shops are open until late, so plenty of time to get your hands on some lovely handcrafted goodies!

It’s time to head back to Catania, so get comfy in the car. The journey will take a couple of hours so choose a road trip playlist and get singing!

Catania is an ancient port city at the foot of mount Etna, a true gem of Sicily’s east coast. Get lost in one of the many churches, squares and little alleyways, as you admire the wonderful architecture. A must stop is the Fera ‘O Luni, the old market in Carlo Alberto Square. This is just the spot for some last-minute shopping! Another great place to visit is the terrace on Sant’Agata Abbey, overlooking the city and offering a wonderful view. The right backdrop for another group snap… Say “Cheese!” Tonight’s farewell dinner will be a special celebration of all the adventures we have shared in the past week, in front of some amazing food…and a glass of wine, of course. Salute!

We have to say goodbye: see you on your next WeRoad adventure!