Private Tour Of Syracuse, Ortigia And Noto

The trip was good—a nice route and a polite driver—though the car could have been larger and cleaner. It was great visiting the local market, having lunch there, and tasting fresh seafood; unfortunately, a visit to the Archaeological Park of Neapolis was not offered.

Manuel was a great tour guide! He was informative and very pleasant! We would recommend this tour! Great tour!

While Syracuse, Ortigia, and Noto are beautiful destinations, this tour unfortunately did not meet our expectations for a private guided experience. The tour began about 15 minutes late, and communication throughout the day was poor. Because our tour took place on an Italian holiday, traffic was much heavier than usual, resulting in significantly more time spent in the car than sightseeing. We felt that better planning for holiday conditions could have helped maximize our time at the destinations. There were also delays related to parking, and it appeared that parking arrangements had not been planned in advance. In addition, some attractions were closed due to the holiday, which came as a surprise and further limited the experience. We would have expected this to be known ahead of time and reflected in the itinerary. One of our biggest disappointments was the lack of guidance and information provided during the tour. We were expecting insights into the history, culture, and significance of the places we visited, but very little information was shared. Given the amount of time spent driving, there were also missed opportunities to discuss the region, explain the day’s itinerary, or ask about our interests so the experience could be tailored to us. We were also informed that the advertised transport van was unavailable and that the tour would instead take place in the guide’s personal vehicle. While we understand that unexpected issues can arise, this was not what we had booked or expected. Most concerning, however, was the driving. The driver frequently drove at speeds that felt excessive for the road conditions, and at times the driving felt unsafe. Rather than feeling relaxed and able to enjoy the scenery, we often felt uncomfortable during the long periods spent in the car. Overall, the tour lacked the organization, communication, and personalized guiding we expected from a private tour. While we enjoyed seeing Syracuse, Ortigia, and Noto, the quality of the tour itself did not justify the premium price

Fantastic tour loved Noto and the island Our tour guide Manuel was very knowledgable and kept us entertained the entire day ! Highly recommend it

Great experience with Gabriele. Siracusa and Noto were beautiful. The restaurant we stopped at for lunch was great as well. Our guide even had them make a special local pasta I had asked them about. Highly recommend.

Tour guide, Manuel, was basically just a driver to and from Noto and Siracusa. He told us virtually nothing about the history of the locations. Unable to answer any questions. He walked 10 meters ahead of us and would point out “this is a church “ “ this is a statue “. When we stopped at a gelateria he didn’t even notice, just kept walking. Had to text him to come back. Then he took us to the Siracusa Greek archeological site, where he dropped us off to tour it by ourselves. He said to meet him in one hour. Worthless to visit without a guide! No more Tripadvisor tours!

We loved our guide Gabriele. He was very personable and knowledgeable about the areas that he took us to. His car was clean, nice and comfortable. He showed us a lot of great sites and hidden gems in both Syracuse and Noto. I would highly recommend this if you want to get a feel for these areas.

Manuel was our driver. He was very helpful and accommodating with all our requests, spontaneous shifts in plans and very professional. The most important though was that he was very knowledgeable of the history of places visited giving us a lot of accurate information which you would normally only expect from a professional guide. Great tips also given for good food and drinks in the area. Really great experience - would recommend a private tour with Manuel.

Manuel was a lovely guy and was full of knowlege. We were picked up at our hotel on time. We would of loves a little more time in Ortigia as it was amazing.

We spent a very enjoyable day in Noto and Ortygia with Manuel, our tour guide for the day. He took us to some absolutely beautiful sites in Noto including the Cathedral, Theater and Town Hall. The Noto architecture is gorgeous! Then we spent a pleasant visit to Ortygia, visiting the amazing food market, their Cathedral and then a lovely walk along the water to the fortification at the end of the island. Manual shared the interesting local history and took care of our needs during the visit. Both Noto and Ortygia are worth a visit and Manuel is an excellent host!

For future tour goers, this is not a "tour" per se where you will be given much history behind the cities. This is basically a private driver situation to the 3 sites. Gabriele was very nice and offered some facts about some of the places. I just wouldn't call it a tour like the headline suggests. Nonetheless, he offered water, and gave us time in the cities. Siracusa is a dud and would advise people to skip and just see Ortigia as there is not much to Siracusa. I would also opt for a lunch spot on the water in Ortigia to take in the seaside views over the suggested restaurant.

We had a great tour with Manuel. He is very friendly, knowledgeable and polite. He gave us great tips in each place we visited. Highly recommend!

Manuel was a wonderful guide, we had a great tour with him. On time, friendly, good driver and had helpful tips for the places we toured. Definitely recommend!

our driver gabriele was very knowledgeable about all the sights and the best places to eat too. traffic can be heavy so good to go with a local driver .

tour guide was switched night before. he drove us around and showed us the sites, not much story telling. we went to a random food spot where we were charged tourist prices.

This was the second tour we booked with Manuel after having such a great experience visiting Etna and Gambino winery with him. He recommended this tour as one of the best ways to see historical sites within a closer proximity to our base in Taormina. We loved the diversity of architecture we got to see in Syracuse, which had ruins of the Temple of Appolo, Greek Theater, Roman theater, and Baroque Duomo. Noto, destroyed by an earthquake, was rebuilt in all Baroque style. There were many different attractions you could pay to enter in Noto, and Manuel recommended the top ones to see the insides of churches as well as the incredible views from the top. Manuel scheduled the day to avoid the worst of the heat, and gave us ample chances to explore on our own and cool off with granita. Both cities were beautiful places to visit, highly recommended to anyone who loves history!

We had so much fun with Manuel, our tour operator, for the "Private and Guided Tour on Etna with Wine Tasting included", that we arranged this additional tour with him for later in the week. This tour is also highly recommended as we had a great experience with Manuel and it was amazing to see other important historic towns and sites in Sicily. Again, Manuel was prompt and the pick-up was easy, at our hotel in Taormina. It was hotter this day and there was a traffic accident. Since Manuel is a local, he was able to navigate an alternate route to save us some traffic time and still allow for the full tour experience. We headed first to the town of Noto. How beautiful the architecture and Baroque-style buildings. We toured the Cathedral and enjoyed delicious granita e brioche at Caffesicilia. According to Manuel, the best in Noto, and we couldn't have agreed more. After buying some local souvenirs, in my case pistachios and dried ginger, we headed to the island of Ortigia. A short hop across the bridge brought us to the quaint community along the water. We walked the short distance to the Duomo and saw some of the famous sites. We stopped for arancini, stuffed sausage and broccoli bread, and spritzs for a quick bite. Then, Manuel took us to the Parco Archeologico Neapolis. What a wonderful place to visit and experience both Roman and Greek historic ruins. The grottos were an enjoyable reprieve from the summer Syracuse heat. Finally we ended the day with a stop off at the Temple of Apollo. In classic italian style, families and friends passeggiata and enjoy gelato and espressos steps away from the ruins. Manuel drove us expertly and comfortably back to our hotel and we had to unfortunately bid him farewall as our Sicilian vacation was soon coming to an end. Thank you again Manuel for your hospitality, knowledge and kindness.

This was an excellent private tour to visit some of the best sites in South East Sicily Our guide and driver MANUEL was excellent from the start. The car was comfortable and had air con and manual was a considerate driver. On our particular trip he took us to Noto first so that we didn’t miss out on lunchtime closures. Noto was a wonderful surprise with amazing buildings and history that MNyal explained to us Next stop Syracuse and the historic park that we toured on our own. Great to see all the ancient caves and temples and especially the amphitheatre and views from the top. We could have spent longer but plenty of time to see main sites. We had lunch in Ortigia in a wonderful seafood restaurant recommended by Manuel that was mostly locals and the food was excellent Our walking tour of Ortigia was so interesting and Manuel shared a lot of the history as we toured round We can’t recommend the tour highly enough and Manuel was great company as our driver and guide

Great service provided by Manuel clean car , on time pick up great info and good places to go. nice day trip to Ortigia and Syacusea

I had the privilege of joining Manuel's private tour of Ortigia and Noto, and I must say it was an experience beyond compare. From start to finish, Manuel proved himself to be an exceptional guide, providing us with a genuine and credible exploration of these remarkable Sicilian cities. From the moment we met, Manuel's passion for the history and culture of Ortigia and Noto was palpable. As an American traveler, I was fascinated by his in-depth knowledge and ability to bring the stories of these places to life. His genuine enthusiasm made the entire tour engaging and captivating. We began our adventure in Ortigia, a historic gem surrounded by the sea. With Manuel's expert guidance, we discovered hidden corners and unique architectural details. His detailed explanations and fascinating stories immersed us fully in the ambiance of this ancient city. I was captivated by his tales of Ortigia's rich past and the enduring cultural traditions that still thrive in its social fabric. Next, we ventured to Noto, renowned for its stunning Baroque style. Manuel led us through the labyrinthine streets and squares of Noto, unveiling the incredible palaces and churches that showcase the grandeur of the era. His comprehensive knowledge and keen eye for detail allowed us to appreciate the intricate beauty and significance of each architectural masterpiece. Throughout the tour, Manuel's professionalism and credibility were evident. He effortlessly navigated the cities, sharing insightful anecdotes and historical context that enriched our understanding. His warm and approachable demeanor fostered a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere for the entire group. In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Manuel's private tour of Ortigia and Noto to fellow American travelers. His expertise, genuine passion, and credible storytelling ensured an unforgettable and authentic experience. Exploring the enchanting cities under Manuel's guidance was a true highlight of my journey. Thank you, Manuel, for providing such an exceptional and credible tour through these captivating Sicilian destinations.

Me and my husband booked this wonderful private tour. We found ourselves very well, our driver first took us to visit Noto (and it was really a very beautiful city, many elegant buildings, many flowers.) After that we went to Syracuse and I was mesmerized by so much architectural beauty. My husband has also bought some fantastic gadgets. Manuel was really kind, polite and took us to visit the cities even with the sultry heat. I truly recommend to everyone. We will be back that's for sure.

We booked a private tour of Noto, Syracuse and Ortigia with a pickup in Taormina. The day before, the pickup location was changed to Catania, over an hour away. I called and they fixed it. Our “guide” showed up on time. His car was a Saab and was comfortable but tight since we were 4 adults. The info provided said the car would have wifi and that waters would be provided. No wifi or water offered during the entire very hot day. Our driver, Manuel, was quiet and offered little to no information. He basically drove us to Noto and walked us down the street - there is the church, here is a museum. We had to decide whether to go in and he offered very minimal insight, information or guidance. Between Noto and Ortigia we planned our own walking tour of Ortigia. He dropped us off and told us to text him when we were ready to be picked up some hours later and drove us back to Taormina. We paid a lot for this “tour” but instead just had a driver.

Had the best time with our tour guide, Gabrielle, super attentive and knowedgeble of the 3 sites we visited Had a great sense of what we need it to see. Had great tips for our stay in the coming days and was an all around great day with great food and great conversation

Noto was fantastic. Visiting the Palazzo Castelluccio is an experience not to be missed. We should have more time to spend in Ortigia-Syracuse. Our driver Manuel was excellent, very friendly and extremely cooperative. However, the quality of transport/mini van was miserable: no suspension, everything in the car was noisy, the outfitting was worse than a cargo van. This was the worse quality of transport we have ever experienced with VIATOR!

Absolutely loved this tour!!! Manuel was so kind, good driver, took us everywhere we wanted to go and knew the best spots to specifically see in each place. Loved this tour. Would highly recommend.

We had an awesome day with Manuele. We saw some lovely sights, ate delicious food, and enjoyed an excellent shopping experience. I highly recommend this tour!

Manuel was a great driver and guide. He gave us plenty of time to explore on our own and was prompt and very professional at all times. Excellent!

Manuel was very helpful and accommodating to our needs. He recommend perfect places to eat. We had a long journey and he accommodated our needs and interests. Siracusa, ortigia and Moto are magical. Great tour

The visit was just awesome, I'm really glad we chose it, the baroque architecture just give out a different and magic vibe, hard to be described. What I liked most? Definitely hard to tell, everything was amazing, Fonte Aretusa is something very particular, this fountain just in front of the sea makes you wanna wish to stay there for hours just looking at all the fishes and the geese. We had lunch at Burgio, a place recommended by our guide where we tasted various local products such as cheeses, sundried tomatoes, hams and everything was delicious so I recommend to go there too, it's just in front of a market outside, very traditional and nice.

Everything was great! Me and my wife have been picked up on time (actually I think he arrived even earlier) by Manuel, a very kind and professional driver who also took time to talk about the history of Sicily and the various dominations, we visited the archeological site which was stunning and way bigger than the one in Giardini Naxos, then we went to stroll around the whole island of Ortigia, the real center of Siracusa, I think it's a nice choice to go around with a guide since we never felt "lost", even for a moment. After that we went to Noto, to visit one of the most beautiful Cathedrals we've ever seen. Couldn't gone any better than this, I strongly recommend this tourx thank you again Manuel!!!

We’ve been picked up in time by our driver in his spotless and nice car, first we went to Siracusa, the archeological park was from another world and the island of Ortigia one of the most charming places we’ve ever seen. Afterwards we reached Noto, where Manuel guided us around. It was everything well organized, I would definitely recommend the tour to anyone.

La grotte surnommée l’oreille de Dionisos et découverte des restes du temple d’Appollon. Visite du centre historique

Beautiful east coast of Sicily, I visited from Catania to MARZAPENI, Ortigia is wonderful as well as Ragusa Isla., AND KNOWN town with its charm

Beautiful excursion to discover Syracuse, a magical place that left me with wonderful feelings and memories thank you so much for the fantastic experience!

Syracuse and Noto in my opinion two unmissable stops for those visiting Sicily, I am extremely satisfied with the Service, all organized by textbook and we also had free time after visiting the most important places. Thank you again!!

Los sitios visitados Noto, Siracusa y Ortigia además de ser bellos están llenos de historia. Los paisajes son hermosos, y la arquitectura de los sitios es maravillosa. Me sorprendieron los los restos arqueológicos del Templo de Apolo. Ortigia es una ciudad con vida!!! Gracias a nuestro guía y conductor comimos delicioso en una "Saumería" la comida local. EL guía Manuelle, fue súper puntual al recogernos en el hotel y muy responsable al conducir y muy educado y resolvía nuestras dudas.

We visited Syracuse and Noto with Luca, a very kind and friendly driver who allowed us to thoroughly discover these cities and see the most suggestive places, the car was comfortable and clean and the tour organized really well. For lunch he recommended a typical restaurant on the island of Ortigia with fresh local products, an experience not to be missed if you visit Sicily.

My husband and I decided to give ourselves a special relaxing day all to ourselves and we decided to do this fantastic tour of Syracuse, Ortigia and Noto. Manuel was very kind, helpful and nice .. we visited lovely places and rich in history , We spent a wonderful day and pampered by our guide , it was what we wanted . Highly recommended!!

Beautiful full visit from start to finish. The guide came to pick us up on time and took us to visit the archaeological park, the wonderful island of Ortigia and finally the Baroque city of Noto. Manuel was very friendly and all the time at our disposal. Highly recommended. We'll go back for more hikes with him

My girlfriend and I visited Syracuse with this company, it was pleasant from start to finish and fortunately the day was fantastic, not even a cloud. We were not pressed for time to spend in the places and this is something we appreciate very much and that allowed us to relax, I highly recommend it!

Great Service, we spent a really nice day, the Cathedral of Syracuse and the Cathedral of Noto are magnificent places where you look up and you can not help but be amazed, not to mention the sea surrounding the island of Ortigia, just fantastic...!!!

We visited Syracuse and Noto with Manuel who allowed us to learn about the history of the cities and took us around the most characteristic places. We were particularly struck by the Fonte Aretusa where we saw for the first time the papyrus plant, something really rare! For lunch we ate the delicious "bread cunzato"! A wonderful experience! See you next :)

Spectacular experience with enchanting places and views, punctuality in departure and maximum comfort offered by the great Manuel who like a good captain guided us and "pampered" throughout the route. Super recommended experience with impeccable driving! Nice, nice!

I just got back from the tour in Syracuse and I couldn't be more excited! The baroque architecture is fantastic and Manuel is really nice and professional, next stop on Mount Etna, always with him. Thank you so much!!!

A great and I must if I can afford an unmissable experience if you come to eastern Sicily beyond the most famous and famous Taormina and Etna of which we pleasantly visited together with the same driver of this tour, the tour begins by visiting the Neapolis, Greek archaeological site of ancient history, where you can visit the ancient theater and the great cavern called ear of Dionysius, after about an hour we move to Ortigia, in the heart of the historic center where you can visit the cathedral of Santa Lucia, one of the greatest examples of Sicilian Baroque style, Piazza Archimede with the fountain of Diana and no less important the Arethusa spring, the tour ends by visiting the city of Noto, capital of Baroque Sicily, tasting an exquisite and original mandarin granita, typical of this place, really fantastic tour with the guide really prepared and dynamic for every request, thanks for everything

Really unforgettable tour. Highly professional staff and prepared for any explanation or to meet our every need. I'll see you soon.

We visited lovely places, our cicero, driver (excellent driver) turned out to be very good, kind, nice helpful and competent, managed to meet our expectations and also our demands... We're definitely going on more tours together See you soon Manuel!!!

The tour is organized very well, the car was comfortable and clean and our guide knowledgeable and helpful. Recommended!!!