Arrive at Catania and collect your car at the airport and drive to Syracuse. Visit Ortigia, pausing at the temple of Apollo, the Duomo and the Fonte Aretusa.

Enjoy a morning visit to the Pantalica Natural Reserve. Pantalica, known in ancient times as Hybla, has been inhabited since the end of the Bronze Age. More than 5,000 temples and caves dot the walls of the nearby quarry, forming five necropoli. In the afternoon visit the Archaeological Park of Syracuse, whose Greek theatre is a masterpiece of architecture.

Excursion to the Cava Grande del Cassibile (big quarry of Cassibile), one of the quarries of the Iblei mounts; a lot of tombs form the necropolis, and this is really a wonderful and amazing place. Later continue towards Noto, jewel of the Sicilian Baroque and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Don’t miss the fascinating and mysterious ruins of Noto Antica, destroyed by an earthquake in 1693. You will walk between the ruins and the river, a wonderful route which will enchant you.

Later continue to Palazzolo Acreide whose position allowed it to dominate communication between the cities of the southern coast. The gates of the Annunziata or the Chiesa di San Paolo afford excellent examples of Sicilian Baroque. Visit the Akrai; also of interest is the Museum of Farming Life, and the picturesque Teatro Antico.

Spend a morning in the Vendicari Reserve. In this marvellous area you can spot over 200 species of bird, including the pink flamingo (which often nests here). Admire the lakes, and unspoilt beaches, discovering both the ancient tower and the lagoon area known as the Pantani di Vendicari.

Carry on to Porto Palo di Capo Passero, a small town bathed by an emerald seas and immersed in unspoilt countryside. Then go on to Isola delle Correnti, a small, roundish, rocky island connected to dry land by a slim rock causeway; the colours of the sea and the sounds of the wind recall nearby Africa.

Then Ragusa Hibla, whose name derives from Hibla (Lower Ragusa), the most ancient part of the city. Over its long history it has seen domination by the Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans, and has endured five centuries of Byzantine, Islamic and Norman occupation. It is a city rich in beautiful churches and palaces bearing baroque doorways, belltowers, facades, ceramics and reliefs.

Explore the Cava d’Ispica, a long, deep ravine of natural limestone, among the most captivating, and perhaps the most famous, in Sicily. Of interest are the remains of the village of Capanne and its necropolis, as well as the Grotta dei Santi and the Grotta della Signora.

Visit Modica, a visually rich city which alternates between winding mediaeval alleyways and broad streets embellished with sumptuous 17th century buildings.

The day begins with Scicli, a city of Arab origin whose churches and palaces are of particular note to lovers of baroque. Then go towards Modica, a visually rich city which alternates winding mediaeval alleyways and broad streets embellished with sumptuous 17th century buildings. Finally reach Catania, your nightstop.

Time permitting, make a brief visit to Catania centre, seeing the Via Crociferi, the Pescheria and fish market, Piazza Duomo, the Castello Ursino, the Roman theatre (and adjacent Odeon) and, last but not least, the amphitheatre, are all worth a visit.