Spring in Secret Sicily 2027
June 10–19 · Max 12 Guests
Spring in Secret Sicily
Turning off-the-beaten path, in style.
Dates
April 10–19, 2027
Duration
10 Days · 9 Nights
with Palermo Prelude
April 6-10, 2027
Group Size
Max 12 Guests
Why this trip?
This tour is designed for travelers who want more than a checklist of famous sites.
Spring in Secret Sicily invites you to experience the island at a gentler, more intimate pace. With your home base in beautiful Siracusa, you’ll discover Eastern Sicily through its ancient sites, dramatic landscapes, vibrant food traditions, and the warmth of the people who make this place unforgettable.
This journey is designed to go beyond sightseeing. It offers a deeper encounter with Sicily through expert guidance, exceptional local cuisine, meaningful cultural exchange, and a carefully balanced rhythm of exploration and ease.
Begin your Sicilian journey with an optional four-day Palermo prelude, where layered history, lively markets, striking architecture, and the city’s unmistakable energy create a vivid introduction to the island before continuing east to Siracusa.
What sets us apart?
An intimate encounter with Sicily
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Siracusa & Ortigia
Wander UNESCO-listed Siracusa and the island of Ortigia, where ancient ruins, sea views, and atmospheric streets set the tone for the journey.
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Etna & Wine Country
Explore Mount Etna’s north slope, then taste the island through a memorable winery visit and lunch in the volcano’s rich landscape.
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Heritage Towns
Discover Morgantina, Aidone, Caltagirone, Scicli, and Modica — a route through Greek history, ceramics, baroque streets, and traditional craftsmanship.
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Nature, Food & Fiesta
Experience Vendicari and Ispica through wild landscapes, local specialties, a dairy visit, and a hands-on cooking lesson.
Your 10-day Journey
Every day is thoughtfully paced, rich in experience, spacious enough to breathe.
Here’s what awaits you.
Day 1
Saturday, April 10
CATANIA AIRPORT → SIRACUSA
Arrival & Welcome Dinner
Arrive in eastern Sicily and settle into your boutique hotel. In the evening, gather with the group for a welcome dinner, the first taste of Sicily’s warmth, hospitality, and regional cuisine.
Day 2
Sunday, April 11
SIRACUSA • ORTIGA
Ancient Siracusa
Discover Siracusa’s archaeological heritage with a guided visit to the Paolo Orsi Museum, then spend time exploring Ortigia’s historic streets, sea views, and layered beauty.
Day 3
Monday, April 12
ETNA NORTH SLOPE
Mount Etna and Wine
Head to the north slope of Mount Etna for a day of volcanic landscapes, crater views, and wine country scenery. Visit a cantina for tasting and lunch, then return for dinner at a countryside restaurant.
Day 4
Tuesday, April 13
SIRACUSA COASTLINE
E-Bike through
Start the day with an e-bike ride through Siracusa province. This day balances local flavor, personal exploration, and an active way to experience the Sicilian countryside.
Day 5
Wednesday, April 14
MORGANTINA • AIDONE
Wander Sicilian Towns
Travel inland for a deeper look at ancient Greek history at Morgantina and Aidone. After lunch, continue to Caltagirone, where ceramic traditions and Baroque character reveal another side of Sicily.
Day 6
Thursday, April 15
RAGUSA PROVINCE
A Day with the Locals
Spend the day in the village, where local life takes center stage. Meet residents, visit a dairy, enjoy a lunch of regional specialties, and take part in a hands-on cooking lesson of traditional dishes.
Day 7
Friday, April 16
ISPICA • VENDICARI
Sun, Ancient Gods & Farewell
Explore the hidden beauty of Ragusa Province with a walking tour of Ispica and lunch together. In the afternoon, enjoy a gentle hike through Vendicari Nature Preserve, for a change of pace amid coastal landscapes and birdlife.
Day 8
Saturday, April 17
CERDA
Artichoke Festival
Explore the town of Cerda, home of Sicily’s famous artichoke tradition, and take part in the festivities celebrating flavors and seasonal energy.
Day 9
Sunday, April 18
SICILI • MODICA
Coffee and Chocolate
Visit the baroque town of Scicli, then enjoy lunch at a family-run trattoria. Continue to Modica where chocolate, tradition, and architecture come together in one memorable final full day.
Day 10
Monday, April 19
SIRACUSA → CATANIA AIRPORT
The Secret Send-Off
Enjoy your final breakfast before checking out of your Siracusa hotel and transferring to Catania Airport. If time allows, savor one last quiet moment in Sicily before departure.
Your trusted Tour Leader…
Allison Scola
EXPERIENCE SICILY’S OWNER AND CURATOR
Allison has spent more than a decade building bridges between Americans and the island she loves. Before founding Experience Sicily, she spent nearly 20 years in marketing and communications, and as a performing artist — she brings that storyteller’s eye to every tour she leads, peeling back Sicily’s layers to reveal what the guidebooks always miss: the human warmth, the ancient rhythms, the feeling of a place alive with its own particular genius.
Named an expert at the 2019 New York Times Travel Show, Allison is also the creator of the legendary Cannoli Crawl. She limits every group to 12 guests so everyone moves through Sicily with flexibility and ease.
What’s included?
EXPERIENCES
- Guided cultural visits and experiences, including Siracusa, Mount Etna, Morgantina, Aidone, Caltagirone, Scicli, Modica, and Vendicari.
- Culinary experiences including winery tasting with lunch, local trattoria meals, farmhouse dining, dairy specialties, and a hands-on cooking lesson.
- Meaningful access to local life, traditions, and community-based experiences curated by Experience Sicily.
MEALS & STAY
- 9 nights accommodation in a boutique hotel
- All breakfasts (9 total)
- 4 included lunches
- 4 included dinners
- Welcome aperitivo & drinks at group dinners
LOGISTICS
- All ground transportation & private drivers
- All entrance fees & activity costs
- Fully escorted
- Small group (max 12 guests)
- Most gratuities for included services
Not included:
International flights, travel insurance,
6 independent meals, personal spending
No doubts or worries…
Frequently Asked Questions
How physically demanding is the trip?
We rate this as moderately active. There will be walking on uneven ancient cobblestones, a boat excursion, and a hike in nature. Still, we rate it as “soft adventure.” If you can walk for two to three hours comfortably, you will be perfectly able to enjoy every experience. Our mission is to have you feel refreshed from your time in Sicily.
Is this trip for solo travelers?
Solo travelers make up a significant part of every Soul-stice group! They always tell us it was one of the best decisions they made. The intimate group size and the shared experiences create genuine connection very quickly. You will not feel alone.
What are the accommodations like?
We stay in carefully chosen boutique hotels and agriturismi that reflect the character and beauty of each location. Comfortable, charming, and with plenty of atmosphere — not generic chains. Rooms are typically private doubles or singles (supplements apply for single travelers).
What if I have dietary restrictions?
Sicilian cuisine is wonderfully flexible! There’s an abundance of extraordinary vegetarian, gluten-flexible, and allergen-conscious dishes rooted in the island’s traditions. Please let us know your needs when you book and we’ll ensure every included meal works beautifully for you.
Is travel insurance required?
We strongly encourage all guests to purchase comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation, interruption, and medical coverage. Travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We’re happy to recommend providers if you need guidance.
What others are saying
From past Secret Sicily trips
“Our time in Sicily with Allison was magical. The tour was incredibly well-planned and executed, and we didn’t have a single bad day. As a family, we always appreciated how Allison made our young daughter feel included in the group’s activities and took her needs into consideration, and she had a terrific time on the tours and excursions. She swam in the Mediterranean and Ionian seas, lit candles in 14th Century churches, learned Italian, and most of all made new friends in ways she never had before.
The local guides were informative and generous with their knowledge, and we felt welcome as members of the family in Licodia Eubea. On our last night the town came out to teach us to make pasta and have a dance party!
On a more personal note, Allison helped us find members of our extended family in a nearby town from which my husband’s grandfather emigrated. Connecting with that heritage meant the world to us and now we have an entire world where we feel at home. This trip was life-changing. I highly recommend it for families or for anyone wanting to discover this wonderful part of the world. We will be returning as soon as we can!”
— Allison
“If you’re planning to visit Sicily and are looking for a tour operator with experience, extensive knowledge and passion for her mother country. You have come to the right place. We have traveled extensively over the years and worked with some of the best travel tour operators. Allison of Experience Sicily is at the top of the list. We just returned from an amazing trip and its because of Allison and her expertise that it was a trip that will remain in our memory as one of our best.
We ate great food, swam in the Mediterranean and Ionian seas, visited ancient cities, sampled Sicilian wines, learned to make pasta and a had a history lesson along the way. Allison, not only has a love of Sicily, but her extensive knowledge of this beautiful island and her attention to every little detail, made us feel like family. Learning the history of this island has given us a deeper appreciation of its people and our family’s heritage. I would highly recommend , that if you are planning a trip to Sicily and want to learn about its people, its culture and its history, you travel with Allison. No one will give the the experiences that she will. ”
— Andrew and Lila
Spring in Secret Sicily
Space is intentionally limited. If you feel the pull, trust it, and reach out to hold your place before the list closes.