OVERVIEW

Sample a thoughtful selection of wines at Cantine Gulino, a family-run estate that produces wines from grapes that were once nearly extinct. As an introduction to the wine-making, you will follow the guide through the vineyards where historical grape varieties such as Albanello and Moscato di Siracusa flourish. The latter is one of the oldest grape varieties found in Italy. You will also learn about Cantine Gulino’s wine production step by step and how the process has changed since 1793, when the family started making wine. Be sure to notice the ancient grape-pressing millstone that pre-dates the family’s wine endeavors. After the tour, you will enjoy a tasting of wines that will be chosen that day. They may include a Insolia, persistent taste with floral hint, a ruby-red blend made from Nero d’Avola grapes and a golden-yellow Moscato dessert wine. The wines will be paired with Sicilian delicacies.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour the winery Cantine Gulino, which the same family has owned since 1793.
• Walk through vineyards where grapes that were once nearly extinct now flourish.
• Sample some of most distinctive wines paired with Sicilian delicacies.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Gain a historical insight into the town of Noto, which was almost entirely rebuilt in a late Baroque style following a devastating earthquake in 1693. Seven other towns in eastern Sicily were also reconstructed, and UNESCO has recognized them collectively as a World Heritage site for their architecture. They feature distinctive innovations in town planning and urban building, as you will discover while walking through Noto, the most visited of the towns. The honey-hued limestone used in many of its buildings seems to radiate in the sunlight, giving the entire city a soothing glow. Architectural highlights include the church of San Domenico, especially its decorative façade, interior frescoes and complex wrought-iron work. The cathedral is also well worth noting, as it has been brought back to its former glory after its cupola collapsed in a 1996 earthquake. During free time, you might browse the shops on Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the main avenue.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Enjoy an enlightening walking tour of Noto, a town noted for its late Baroque architecture.
• Notice the innovative town planning that contributed to Noto being named a World Heritage site.
• Behold Baroque-style gems such as the church of San Domenico and Noto’s cathedral.
• Spend free time browsing the boutiques along the main avenue.

Delve into the fascinating history of eastern Sicily by browsing the Neapolis archaeological park in Siracusa and the old town of Ortygia. The Roman amphitheater in the park was buried for centuries until excavated in the 1800s. Although the amphitheater is certainly the centerpiece of the park, there will be plenty more to explore there, including the largest altar from antiquity, an impressive Greek theater and a series of caverns that once served as a prison. The Ear of Dionysus cavern features extraordinary acoustics that greatly amplify even the slightest sound. You will discover even more about the local history after crossing the bridge to the island of Ortygia. The Temple of Apollo there dates to the 6th century BC, and its imposing size is evident despite being in ruins. You will also see a wealth of more recent architectural gems, including 15th-century palaces and a Baroque-style cathedral built over the remains of a Doric temple.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Meander through the extraordinary ruins of an archaeological park in Siracusa.
• See the oldest Doric temple in Western Europe on the island of Ortygia.
• Gain a historical understanding of eastern Sicily through architecture that spans the centuries.

OVERVIEW

Meander through the predominately baroque town of Noto before settling in for a traditional Sicilian meal in a restaurant along a large, leafy plaza. Following the devastating 1693 earthquake, Noto was almost entirely rebuilt in the baroque style of the time. Its 17th-century architecture and innovative urban planning are so spectacular and well-preserved that UNESCO declared Noto a World Heritage site. You can’t help but notice that the honey-hued limestone used in many of the buildings seems to radiant in the sunlight, giving the entire city a soothing glow. The church of San Domenico is especially outstanding because of its decorative façade and complex wrought-iron work. Not far away, you will find Noto’s cathedral, which suffered damage in the earthquake of 1996, but was soon restored. Your lunch will be pure Sicilian with an emphasis on Noto specialties such as bruschetta with Pachino tomatoes.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage site noted for its baroque architecture.
• Notice the innovative urban planning that also distinguishes Noto.
• Dine on Sicilian cuisine full of ingredients that are unique to the area.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

This excursion is for guests that use a cane/walker, have limited mobility issues or for companions of those guest that have booked mobility equipment tour.

Those guests that are fully dependent on their mobility device please book: SIR_A2 ACCESSIBLE Mobility Equipment- Heart of Siracusa and Maniace Castle.

Tour includes step-free routes, shorter distances and no stairs. Accessible restrooms with wide doors for wheelchairs are present along the tour route. Vehicles are adapted with an access ramp (or lift where available) to accommodate a limited number of wheelchairs and/or mobility scooters. Guides are not allowed to push wheelchairs; therefore, guests needing special assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied.

Gain a historical perspective of Siracusa through its magnificent cathedral and castle and get a candid glimpse of daily life by browsing a vibrant open-air market. Founded by the Greeks in the 8th century BC, Siracusa – or Syracuse as it is more commonly known – flourished long after the Romans conquered it centuries later. As you will discover, touring the interior of the Siracusa Cathedral is like following an architectural timeline, as you will see parts of a Greek temple and renovations from the Byzantine and Norman times. You will then proceed to the open-air Ortygia Market, whose stalls are laden with every imaginable Sicilian delicacy. The vendors may offer samples or you may prefer to purchase a favorite item to snack on later. Not far away, you will find the 11th-century Maniace Castle, which housed the royal families centuries ago. It is named for a Byzantine general that liberated Siracusa and fortified the port.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Delve into the fascinating history of Siracusa, which was founded in the 8th century BC.
• Recognize the many architectural styles in the often-renovated Siracusa Cathedral.
• Browse the Ortygia Market and enjoy whatever delicacies the vendors may offer.
• Visit the Maniace Castle, a 13th-century fortress built on the waterfront.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.

OVERVIEW

This excursion is for guests who are fully dependent on their mobility device. You will be required to supply your own wheelchair/scooter. Your mobility equipment (manual or electric) must not exceed the following dimensions: W 35", L 39", H 59".

Those guests that are companions, use a cane or walker, or have limited mobility issues must book the companion tour code: SIR_A1 ACCESSIBLE Companion: Heart of Siracusa and Maniace Castle.

Tour includes step-free routes, shorter distances and no stairs. Accessible restrooms with wide doors for wheelchairs are present along the tour route. Vehicles are adapted with an access ramp (or lift where available) to accommodate a limited number of wheelchairs and/or mobility scooters. Guides are not allowed to push wheelchairs; therefore, guests needing special assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied.

Gain a historical perspective of Siracusa through its magnificent cathedral and castle and get a candid glimpse of daily life by browsing a vibrant open-air market. Founded by the Greeks in the 8th century BC, Siracusa – or Syracuse as it is more commonly known – flourished long after the Romans conquered it centuries later. As you will discover, touring the interior of the Siracusa Cathedral is like following an architectural timeline, as you will see parts of a Greek temple and renovations from the Byzantine and Norman times. You will then proceed to the open-air Ortygia Market, whose stalls are laden with every imaginable Sicilian delicacy. The vendors may offer samples or you may prefer to purchase a favorite item to snack on later. Not far away, you will find the 11th-century Maniace Castle, which housed the royal families centuries ago. It is named for a Byzantine general that liberated Siracusa and fortified the port.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Delve into the fascinating history of Siracusa, which was founded in the 8th century BC.
• Recognize the many architectural styles in the often-renovated Siracusa Cathedral.
• Browse the Ortygia Market and enjoy whatever delicacies the vendors may offer.
• Visit the Maniace Castle, a 13th-century fortress built on the waterfront.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.