On the roots of the Leopard Series - Private Tour

ON THE ROOTS OF THE LEOPARD SERIES – PRIVATE TOUR OF SICILY – 10 DAYS

Tour of Sicily has announced a new Netflix’s new Italian slate is headlined by a high-end English-language series adaptation of “The Leopard,” the classic Sicily-set novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa. It’s a historical tapestry with elements comparable to “Downton Abbey” or “The Crown” and clear aspirations to make a global mark.

“The novel has some narrative threads involving family and sensuality that are unexplored and extremely timely,” said Eleonora Andreatta, known as Tinny, who heads Netflix’s Italian original series unit.

British director Tom Shankland, whose credits include Netflix’s true crime series “The Serpent,” will be the lead director on what is being described as a modern take on the Sicilian saga, which was famously adapted into a film (pictured) by Luchino Visconti and starring Claudia Cardinale, Alain Delon and Burt Lancaster. The film won the 1963 Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Published posthumously in 1958, “The Leopard” chronicles the changes in Sicilian life and society during the 19th century unification of Italy known as the Risorgimento. It became the top-selling novel in modern Italian literature of its day, translated into more than 40 different languages.

We are an inbound tour operator specialized in delivering one-of-a-kind holidays around the island committed to make you experience customized tours, food journeys and wine tastings in some of Sicily’s nicest places.

We simply can’t imagine a better way to immerse yourself in the life of Sicily without a company like us, to explore hidden corners and appreciate nuances while enjoying the benefits and enormous satisfaction of traveling under your own power.

Travel with Locals is, at its heart, a way of connecting more authentically with the world.

Our 100% Sicilian Local Expert Trip Designers, have crafted itineraries that blend walking, hiking, historica-archaeological-cultura sites, sauntering and meandering with a culinary story that entails cooking classes, meal experience in picnic style, personalized visits to local farms, tastings of local specialties, cheese factories, wine and olive oil tastings and of course, unforgettable meals.

Stroll, sip, and savor your way through this unforgettable trip experience and Start NOW and be in touch with us asking the day-by-day tour which is ground services only OR included of hotel accommodation.

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Tour Recap

7 nights – 8 days
Palermo (3 nights) Siracusa (2 nights) Taormina (2 nights)

1st day – Arrival in Palermo airport – Transfer to Palermo
2nd day – Palermo Half Day Walking Tour with Arancine and Street Food tastings
3th day – Cefalù and Monreale
4th day – Palermo to Siracusa (with stops to Agrigento and Piazza Armerina)
5th day – Syracusa, Ortigia and Noto
6th day – Siracusa to Taormina (with stop to the Etna Volcano) with lunch in winery
7th day – Taormina and Godfather Villages
8th day – Departure from Catania airport – Transfer from Taormina

TOUR CODE: LEOPARD

Category
Senza categoria
Days
8
Nights
7
Category
Multidays
Tour Type
Private Tour up to 6 people
Season
All Year

Day 1

Arrival in Palermo

Welcome to the warm, beautiful and pleasant island of Sicily!

Upon arrival at Palermo Airport (PMO) collect your luggage inside the customs area. Then transfer to your hotel.

This afternoon is at leisure to explore the town on your own.

Inclusions Today:
>Arrival Transfer with private vehicle and Italian speaking chauffeur

Day 2

Half Day Walking Tour with Arancine and Street Food tastings

Today we start with a walk into a lively open-air market, a place with strong Arab influences, resembling a souk, with picturesque stands of fresh fish, cheese, fruit and vegetables. During the tour you will have the opportunity to observe local people in their daily activities and to savor foods that real Sicilian people love to eat! A small tasting of typical street food is included, and we cannot skip the famous Arancine, a delicious, crispy, deep fried Sicilian balls of rice. They have a meat sauce and mozzarella cheese filling and crunchy breadcrumb coating.

The walking tour through the ancient center of Palermo is approx. 2,5 hours and you will visit several monuments including Piazza Pretoria, and the exterior of Cathedral.

The tour will finish at the Four Corner to permit to have the afternoon at leisure to explore Palermo on your own.

FYI: The main Opera House in Palermo, the Teatro Massimo is where Tanya and her new friends go to see a production of "Madame Butterfly." It is the biggest opera house in all of Italy and one of the largest in Europe. You can plan, during this afternoon, to attend a guided visit to the Palermo Opera House (read more>) or verify if your travel dates match with one of the Concert or Opera season at this amazing venue (read more>)

Inclusions Today:
>Half Day English Speaking Guide
>Street Food tastings included of Arancine

Not Included:
>Admission Fee
>Beverages
>Tips and Gratuities

Day 3

Cefalù and Monreale

Today we drive to Cefalù, a gorgeoius town located on the northern coast of Sicily and one of the major tourist attractions in the region. Built on a promontory dominated by a sheer cliff, Cefalù, still keeping its ancient print, has grown around the Cathedral wanted by Ruggero II. The Cathedral, began in 1131, is one of the most interesting medieval monuments of the island and boasts outstanding mosaics and a wonderful cloister. A large part of the town is pedestrian. Stroll through the medieval narrow street and admire the picturesque houses on the sea and the long beach of finest sand.

FYI: The beach where Meghann Fahy swims out to discover a body has Cefalù town with its magnificent Norman Cathedral and the mountain called Rocca di Cefalù in the background. The beach in the series appears to be close to the Four Season San Domenico Palace Hotel in Taormina, but in reality it is more than 200 kilometers between the hotel and the beach. In episode 6, Jack (Leo Woodall) and Haley Lu Richardson (Portia) goes to Cefalù. There are several beautiful shots of the fishermen’s houses at the old port, some major tourist attractions – like the 12th century Norman Cathedral – and drone shots of Cefalù town. Portia and Jack watch the fishermen’s houses as they talk about life at the breakwater.

This afternoon we then continue to Monreale to see the Arab-Norman art and architecture reached the pinnacle of its glory with the Dome. Launched in 1174 by William II, it represents the scenes from the Old and New Testaments all in golden mosaics.

Later we return to Palermo.

Inclusions Today:
>Full Day Private Vehicle and English speaking driver

Not Included:
>Tips and Gratuities
>Admission Fee
>Meals and Beverages
>Half Day English Speaking Guide to visit Cefalù
>English speaking guide to visit the Dome in Monreale

Day 4

From Palermo to Siracusa with stop at the Valley of the Temples and Roman Villa

Today we drive through the interior of Sicily to reach Agrigento to see the Valley of the Temples: two hours guided walking tour on the Valley of the Temples an important Unesco World Heritage site covers the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Hercules and the Temple of Zeus. Agrigento, according to legend, was founded by Daedalus and his son Icarus after they had fled from Crete “by air”. Historically, however, its origins date back to 582 B.C. when it was founded by Rhodian-Cretan colonist from the neighboring Gela who named their city Akragas after the nearby river. It rapidly increased in size, importance and military strength under Phalarides, the first tyrant, and later under Theron, who extended his way over northern Sicily as far as Himera.

This afternoon we then continue onto Piazza Armerina to enjoy the visit of the amazing Mosaics Floor at the Roman Villa of Casale, that belongs to the Unesco Heritage. Built on the 4th century AD, the Villa was later forgotten and only in the 20th century excavations revealed the whole building. It is the supreme example of a luxury Roman villa (about 3500 square meters of floor mosaics) and was probably the residence of a member of the upper class of the Roman Empire. The mosaics discovered here are celebrated among scholars of antiquity. The visit inside the Roman Villa will be done independently. Every room has information boards. Admission fee not included

Later onto Siracusa.

Inclusions Today:
>Full Day Private Vehicle and English speaking driver
>English Speaking Guide to visit the Valley of the Temples

Not Included:
>Tips and Gratuities
>Admission Fee
>Meals and Beverages
>English speaking guide to visit the Mosaics Floor at the Roman Villa

Day 5

Siracusa, Ortigia and Noto

Today visit this wonderful town with a professional guide who will lead you to the discovery of the most important beauties as well as the hidden treasures of Siracusa and Ortigia Island.

Transfer by taxi the Archaeological Park that highlights the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and, the Paradise Quarry. After we travel back to the Island of Ortigia by taxi to start the walking tour from the Aretusa Fountain, visit the incredible Dome of Siracusa built on top of a Greek Temple and today incorporated in a beautiful baroque church!!

Continuing the walk, the tour will end at Apollo Temples to permit you to get back independently to your accommodation.

This afternoon meet the driver and transfer to Noto. a wonderful Baroque town, where you will have time to wander and discover one of the most spectacular urban settlements. Situated in the south-eastern corner of Sicily, Noto is famous for its Baroque architecture, and since 2002 it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto'.

FYI: Before spending the night at the Villa Tasca Villa --located in Palermo-- Daphne and Harper explore the small town of Noto. The most important location – at least as far as "White Lotus" backdrops is concerned – are the stairs that lead down from Noto Cathedral into a central square. It's a great spot for Instagram-worthy photos, especially if you can get a few local men to look creepy in the background – just like in the scene from "White Lotus."

We then return to Siracusa.

Inclusions Today:
>Half Day Guided visit to the Archaeological Park and Ortigia
>Taxi service from Ortigia to the Archaeological Park and return to Ortigia
>Half Day private vehicle and English speaking driver to visit Noto

Not Included:
>Admission Fee
>Meals and Beverages
>Tips and Gratuities

Day 6

From Siracusa to Taormina with stop to Etna Volcano with lunch in a winery

Begin the day with a visit to the lava-crusted slopes of Mt. Etna, which dominates the scenery and is the most active volcano in Europe! Ascend via cable car and jeep to reach the altitude of 9,000 feet; step carefully on the varied layers of lava which have solidified over the centuries. Learn about Etna's impact on the surrounding area and its unique geology.

Lunch in a winery with wine tastings.

FYI: What's a visit to Sicily without a visit to a local winery? While there are several options to choose from, the characters in "White Lotus" opted for a visit to the Planeta Sciaranuova Winery, located on the northern slope of Mount Etna. Here youcan take a tour of the winery, taste a variety of vintages, and have lunch, all with magnificent views of Mount Etna in the background. Of course, if you have limited budget, we can swap this winery with a different one, good quality as well, but with reasonable costs.

Then we drive on to Taormina.

FYI: Standing in for the White Lotus is the Four Seasons --San Domenico Palace Hotel, 5 star luxury -- located in Taormina. The San Domenico Palace Hotel is a converted 14th-century Benedctine convent offers 111 rooms and suites with five-star service and stunning views of the sea and Mount Etna. Every bit as glamorous as it looks in the TV show, the hotel has been playing host to the rich and famous for some 100 years including the likes of J.P Morgan Jr., Oscar Wilde, Ingrid Bergman, Elizabeth Taylor – and, of course, the cast of "White Lotus."

Inclusions Today:
>Full Day Private Vehicle and English speaking driver
>Independent visit of Etna volcano
>One lunch in a winery with wine tastings

Not Included:
>Etna ascent fee to the summit
>Tips and Gratuities

Day 7

Taormina and Godfather Villages

Today you will feel the magical, mythical atmosphere of this town that has enchanted visitors from all over the world for years and years. Settled on a hill of the Monte Tauro, Taormina dominates two grand, sweeping bays below and on the southern side. Taormina really seems to be born as a tourist resort since past times, when ancient people like the Sicels, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards choose it as their residential site because of its favourable position, mild climate and magic atmosphere. Guided visit to the ancient Greek Roman Theatre.

FYI: The ancient Greek theater in Taormina serves as a backdrop for an early episode of "White Lotus." It's also one of the most popular tourist attractions in Taormina, and the second largest theater of its kind on Sicily. Built during Greek times, but reconstructed by the Romans, the Theater can be visited all year long, but comes to life in the summer when it's used for outdoor plays, concerts, operas and ballets.

This afternoon we enjoy the scenes of The Godfather movie. From the coastal road, rich of villas, flowering gardens, and picturesque villages, leads to the historical artist town of Savoca. In a private house in the village Bar Vitelli houses a collection of local artisans’ tools and photographs taken when Francis Ford Coppola shot scenes of The Godfather II. Stroll along the village’s main street past Santa Lucia and San Michele churches for a short view over the valley.

Driving away, we’ll find Forza d’Agrò, a charming little village over-looking the Arab-Norman castle of Capo Sant’Alessio. In 1990, Al Pacino and Sophia Coppola shot scenes here for The Godfather III. From the main square, a lane meets the circular steps that ascend to the Gothic-Catalan portal in front of the Church of San Agostino.

FYI: With one visit to Castello degli Schiavi --visit to the Castello degli Schiavi is not cheap at all-- you can retrace the steps of characters from "White Lotus" and "The Godfather." In the latter, the estate serves as a hideaway for Michael Corleone and where his wife meets her untimely end. In "White Lotus" it's where the Di Grasso family stops for lunch on their "The Godfather" tour. In real life, the estate is not usually open to the public and there is no restaurant there, but private visits can be arranged. Vice-versa is very easy arranging a visit to teh Godfather villages such as Savoca andf Forza d'Agro and provided above.

IN ALTERNATIVE, we can swap the Half Day Godfather Tour with a Romantic Boat Tour to Isola Bella (read more>)

FYI: Isola Bella appears several times, and is the scene of Meghann and Ethan’s mysterious walk after Ethan says that something might have happened between his wife and Meghann’s husband.

Later return to Taormina.

Inclusions Today:
>Half Day Private Vehicle and English speaking driver
>Half Day English speaking guide to visit Taormina

Not Included:
>Tips and Gratuities

Day 8

Departure from Catania Airport

Time to say goodbye to Sicily!

Transfer to Catania Airport and departure to your next destination

Inclusions Today:
>Departure Transfer with private vehicle and Italian speaking chauffeur

Included