Inspector Montalbano as well as the other Camilleri's characters are not imaginable in a non-Sicilian setting. Sicily with its ambiguities, its passions, its flavors, its winkning and mocking inhabitants is an inexhaustible source of inspiration for the writer from Porto Empedocle. There is a different Sicily used as a set in the TV episodes, a number of different locations clustered around Ragusa in the island's South East (Ibla, Scicli, Modica, Punta Secca and other seaside villages) and pieced together to create the fictional town seen in the TV films. A more gorgeous Sicily with breath-taking landscapes, Baroque churches and stunning views that has made millions of viewers in Italy and abroad fall in love with the area.
Highlights:
- Unique trails through an area rich in history and characterised by a huge cultural heritage
- Visit Ragusa and the baroque architecture , part of the UNESCO world heritage
- White sandy beaches and blue sea
Day 1: RagusaArrival in Catania. Pick up of rental car and you drive to Ragusa. Check in in hotel close to Ragusa Ibla set of Montalbano shooting. Dinner and overnight stay in Hotel*** in Ragusa. Meals ( D)
Day 2: Ragusa and Cava Misericordia hike ( 10 km ; 4h +/- 485m)In the morning nice walk through the Cava della Misericordia on the north of Ragusa. Following a small stream, you will explore the Ragusa countryside and the beautiful canyon crossed by the creek Ciaramito. In the afternoon, free visit of Ragusa city center with its baroque jewels. Overnight stay in Ragusa. Meals ( B)
Day 3: Castello di Donnafugata and Punta seccaIn the morning you drive to Donnafugata and its beautiful villa called castle. Set in rolling countryside among rocks and giant carob trees, the castle dates back to the mid-17th century.
Free time to visit the house and the lush garden. In the afternoon, stop in Punta Secca where is the "house"of Montalbano and where you can go for a nice walk on the seaside. Back to Ragusa. Overnight stay in Ragusa. Meals (B)
Day 4: Scicli and Vendicari Natural Reserve (3 h walk / +/- 0 m)In the morning you leave Ragusa and go to Scicli, a small town which city hall has been used as "commissariato" di Montalbano in the first episodes of the tv show. After Scicli, drive to the Vendicari Natural Reserve. The area is on the shore of the Ionian sea. The lakes inside the reservation welcomes migrating birds during spring and autumn. After a nice walk (and bath), you drive to Noto where you will stay in an Agriturismo close to the city. Overnight stay in the Noto area with dinner included. Meals (B-D)
Day 5: Cavagrande Canyon and Noto (3 h walk / + 300 m – 300 m)In the morning, you will go and explore one of the deepest canyons of Sicily. At the bottom of the gorge, a small stream flow down towards the sea. On his way, it has dug small "swimming pools" where you can take a fresh bath before the steep uphill . In the afternoon, you go to Noto for a free visit of the "garden of stones" as the city is called. It is a jewel of Barocco architecture. You then go back to your accommodation in the Noto area. Overnight stay in the Noto area with dinner included. Meals (B-D)
Day 6: Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica (4 h walk ; + 200 m – 200 m) and SyracuseIn the morning, you drive to Pantalica Reserve. The area is one of the largest necropolis in Europe with about 4000 tombs excavated in the high cliffs on the shore of the Anapo and Calcinara river. It sets on a magnificent high plateaux with plunging gorges. After the visit, you go to Syracuse and check in in your hotel. Free time to visit the historical city center, the island of Ortigia. Overnight stay in Syracuse. Meals (B)
Day 7: SyracuseAn entire day dedicated to the visit of the city that has been the capital of the Sicilian Greek empire and home of Archimede. Do not miss the incredible Duomo and the Aretusa Fountain. A visit to the Archeological area will allow you to explore the roman Amphitheatre and the Greek Theatre. Overnight stay in Syracuse. Meals (B)
Day 8: Departure
You drive to Catania airport where you drop off your rental car. End of services. Meals (B)
Note: B (Breakfast); L (lunch); D (dinner)
Accommodation : hotels and agriturismo with breakfast included
- 3 nights in hotel in Ragusa city center
- 2 nights in Agriturismo close to Noto with dinners included
- 2 nights in B&B or hotel in Syracuse city center
Included:
- Accommodations ensuite with breakfast included
- Rental car
- 5 dinners on days 4-5
- Maps, road book and hotline 24/24h in case of emergency
Not included:
- Lunches
- Dinners not included in the program
- Monuments and Museum entrance fees (Archeological park in Syracuse 10€)
- Beverage
- Tourist taxes
- Car Gasoil
