Sicilian Coastal Adventure
By Defne M · May 14, 2026 · 9 days · 35 places
SatMay 23
8:00 AM
Bari arrival to Lecce
Early landing, Polignano stop, optional Alberobello, Lecce overnight
- Route: land in Bari, make Polignano a Mare the main coastal stop, add Alberobello only if timing is easy, then sleep in Lecce.
- Must see: cliffs at Polignano a Mare and evening atmosphere in Lecce.
- Breakfast: focaccia barese.
- Snack: taralli or panzerotto.
- Main: ciceri e tria.
- Dessert: pasticciotto.
- Drink: caffè leccese or Negroamaro.
- Veg alt: orecchiette con cime di rapa, burrata, or grilled vegetables.
- Buy: olive oil or taralli.
- Souvenir: papier-mâché from Lecce.
SunMay 24
9:00 AM
Lecce morning to Matera
Easy Lecce start, then Matera for the Sassi at golden hour
- Route: easy start in Lecce, then drive to Matera and spend late afternoon and evening in the Sassi.
- Must see: the golden-hour glow over Matera.
- Breakfast: pasticciotto or Matera bread with jam.
- Snack: rustic bread, cheese, and local bites.
- Main: rustic pasta or lamb.
- Dessert: simple biscuits or almond pastries.
- Drink: Aglianico del Vulture.
- Veg alt: cavatelli with peperoni cruschi, bean dishes, local cheeses, or grilled vegetables with Pane di Matera.
- Buy: Pane di Matera or peperoni cruschi.
- Souvenir: small artisan ceramic.
MonMay 25
10:00 AM
Matera to Messina, Taormina coast, and Etna
Firriato Hospitality Cavanera Etnea Resort Wine Experience - Standard Double Room
Long transfer, Messina crossing, Isola Bella swim, Taormina views, Etna vineyard night
- Route: cross via Messina, make Isola Bella the main swim stop, add views at Taormina Ancient Theatre, then overnight near Mount Etna at Firriato Cavanera Etnea Resort & Wine Experience.
- Must see: Isola Bella and Taormina Ancient Theatre.
- Breakfast: quick cornetto.
- Snack: arancina.
- Main: pasta alla Norma or seafood pasta.
- Dessert: granita con brioche.
- Drink: Etna Bianco or almond granita.
- Veg alt: vegetarian arancina, caponata, local cheeses, olives, or pistachio and almond sweets.
- Buy: Etna wine.
- Souvenir: bottle of Etna Rosso or Etna Bianco.
TueMay 26
9:00 AM
Syracuse, Ortigia, and Noto
Historic waterfront day with one Baroque town before returning to Etna
- Route: focus on Syracuse with most of the day in Island of Ortigia, add Castello Maniace if energy is good, then finish with a stroll in Noto.
- Must see: Island of Ortigia and Noto.
- Breakfast: granita with brioche.
- Snack: arancino or fried seafood cone.
- Main: swordfish, tuna, or pasta with bottarga.
- Dessert: almond sweets, cannolo, or cassata.
- Drink: southeastern Sicilian white wine or almond milk.
- Veg alt: caponata, Norma-style pasta, tomato pasta, meat-free arancini, cheeses, and almond pastries.
- Buy: sea salt, almond products, or citrus preserves.
- Souvenir: Ortigia-style soap or perfume.
WedMay 27
10:00 AM
Cross-island transfer to Palermo
Leave Etna wine country and settle into Palermo with a light arrival day
- Route: keep this as a transfer day, drive to Palermo, check in, and use the evening for markets, pastries, and an easy old-town wander.
- Must see: the street-life and market atmosphere in Palermo.
- Breakfast: iris or brioche.
- Snack: panelle or sfincione.
- Main: pasta con le sarde or a seafood dish.
- Dessert: cannoli or cassata.
- Drink: Sicilian beer or fresh citrus juice.
- Veg alt: panelle, sfincione, caponata, pasta alla Norma, cheeses, and market vegetables.
- Buy: pistachio products, tuna products, or almond sweets.
- Souvenir: Sicilian ceramics.
ThuMay 28
9:00 AM
Palermo morning, Cefalù stop, Scilla overnight
One last Palermo taste, then Cefalù swim and old town before crossing to Calabria
- Route: leave Palermo, make Cefalù the main stop for swim + old town + lunch, then cross to Scilla for the night.
- Must see: Cefalù old town and the waterfront atmosphere in Scilla.
- Breakfast: Palermo pastry and coffee.
- Snack: granita or a simple panino in Cefalù.
- Main: seafood lunch in Cefalù and swordfish dinner in Scilla.
- Dessert: gelato or granita.
- Drink: chilled white wine or chinotto.
- Veg alt: caponata, grilled vegetables, pasta al pomodoro or Norma-style pasta, cheese plates, or vegetable antipasti.
- Buy: compact edible Sicily gift or small ceramic.
- Souvenir: the Chianalea atmosphere and a great waterfront meal.
FriMay 29
7:30 AM
Scilla to Naples via the Amalfi Coast
Early start, one real Amalfi stop, Sorrento pause, Naples arrival
- Route: leave Scilla early, make Amalfi the one real stop, treat Positano mainly as a viewpoint, pause briefly in Sorrento, then finish in Naples.
- Must see: Amalfi and its cathedral square, with Positano mainly for the view.
- Breakfast: cornetto.
- Snack: lemon pastry or fried seafood.
- Main: scialatielli ai frutti di mare.
- Dessert: delizia al limone.
- Drink: limoncello or fresh lemonade.
- Veg alt: gnocchi alla sorrentina, eggplant parmigiana, caprese, lemon desserts, or simple tomato pasta.
- Buy: limoncello or lemon products.
- Souvenir: Amalfi lemon products or Positano linen.
SatMay 30
9:00 AM
Pompeii day
Ruins first, then a relaxed finish back toward Naples
- Route: make Archaeological Park of Pompeii the clear focus, then keep the rest of the day light back toward Naples.
- Must see: Archaeological Park of Pompeii.
- Breakfast: cornetto and espresso.
- Snack: pizza al taglio or a panino.
- Main: simple pizza or pasta.
- Dessert: gelato.
- Drink: water, beer, or citrus soda.
- Veg alt: margherita pizza, caprese, grilled vegetables, mozzarella, or simple pasta.
- Buy: a good archaeology book or print.
- Souvenir: archaeology-themed museum item rather than generic stalls.
SunMay 31
10:00 AM
Naples history, food, and neighborhoods
Historic center, cathedral, chapel, pizza, pastries, and street life
- Route: keep this as your dedicated Naples day; start in the Historic Centre of Naples, include Naples Cathedral and Cappella Sansevero, then wander Quartieri Spagnoli.
- Must see: Historic Centre of Naples, Naples Cathedral, and Cappella Sansevero.
- Breakfast: sfogliatella or cornetto.
- Snack: cuoppo or frittatina di pasta.
- Main: pizza napoletana.
- Dessert: sfogliatella.
- Drink: Falanghina or sparkling water.
- Veg alt: margherita or marinara pizza, fried zucchini flowers, pasta al pomodoro, mozzarella, or vegetable antipasti.
- Buy: coffee, pantry goods, or packaged sweets.
- Souvenir: nativity craft or Naples coffee gift.
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