is there a montalbano tour in sicily

Inspector Montalbano Full Day Tour from Siracusa

Private full day to discover some locations well-known as set of "il commissario montalbano" tv series. some of these sites belong to the unesco heritage..

Inspector Montalbano Full Day Tour from Siracusa Visit locations well-known as set of “Il Commissario Montalbano” TV series.

If you are a fond of the Inspector Montalbano, this is certainly the tour for you! Today you will discover the enchanting landscapes of the province of Ragusa, set of this famous Italian TV series, an aerea where the baroque architecture, the dense vegetation of olive and carob trees and the typical dry stone walls coexist!

We drive first to Punta Pisciotto (Sampieri) the place where rises the Fornace Penna, a monument of industrial archaeology located right on a golden sand beach. It was set of Montalbano serial in different episodes. Then onto Punta Secca , a sea-side village with an amazing view, place of the house of Montalbano facing the breathtaking beach where he swims every morning in the serial.

We will visit then Scicli ( that belongs to the UNESCO heritage list) a jewel of Baroque architecture. After a walk in this magnificent town, you will have the chance to visit the “Montalbano” police station (admission fee not included), today the cabinet of the Mayor. During the tour you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Donnafugata Castle (Admission fee not included), an imposing construction immersed in one of the most evocative carob woods in the province of Ragusa.

Later back to Siracusa.

This tour is operated with English speaking Driver. Licensed local guide is not included.

TOUR DETAILS & BOOKING INFORMATION

ADMISSION FEES : The price of this tour does not include Admission Fees.

TOUR CODE:  SRSDISC

• Category Day Tours , Day Tours from Siracusa , Private Day Tours From Siracusa , Private Day Tours in Sicily
• Location Scicli , Siracusa
• Grade Moderate
• Duration 7 Hours
• Category Day Tour
• Tour Type Private
• Season All Year
• Credit Card fees
• English speaking Driver
• Legal Invoice
• Vehicle with air conditioning
• Visit as per itinerary (independent without booking of guide)
• Admission fees
• Beverages and meals
• Gratuities and tips
• Licensed Tourist Guide

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Montalbano’s Sicily

South Eastern Sicily has been made famous by the filming of the Inspector Montalbano TV series, but its handsome architecture more than justifies this stardom. Our Montalbano’s Sicily tour is set among just such a landscape.

Scheduled dates for Montalbano’s Sicily

Tour features.

• Fully guided tour of South Eastern Sicily.
• Small group travel: maximum group size is 12 guests.
• Guaranteed departure dates
• UNESCO World heritage sites
• Accompanied by a Tour manager throughout your journey
• Tour cost includes entrance fees to main sites/museums
• Private 17-seater minibus
• Tour cost includes all hotel city taxes
• Guided tours of the Baroque towns of Noto and Ragusa Ibla
• Winery visit with wine tasting
• Guided tours of Scicli and Modica
• The locations of Inspector Montalbano
• A day at the seaside
• 2 nights in a charming small hotel in Noto (classic room)
• 3 nights in Modica (classic room)
• 2 nights in Scicli (classic room)
• all lunches/breakfasts
• all lunches and evening meals are included
• Arrival/Departure airport for this tour: Catania airport
• Transfers and pick-ups/drop-offs from/to the main airport of arrival on the day of arrival/departure of the tour are included
• Some walking involved – you should be able to walk a kilometre without difficulty.

At around 9pm on January 11th 1693 a ferocious earthquake struck the South Eastern corner of Sicily destroying almost everything in its path. We don’t know for sure how many people died, but the scarcity of buildings remaining from before this date point to a very catastrophic event indeed .

The rebuilding programme in the final years of the seventeenth century and the early years of the eighteenth was largely financed by the Church and coincided with the period we know as the counter-reformation. The architectural style which gave expression to this movement was known as the “Baroque” and is characterised by an effusion of decoration. With the light coloured local limestone and in the sparkling sunlight of Southern Sicily, the effect is magical.

In those days, Sicilian families were large and among the upper class many of the offspring would be expected to join the church – either as a priest or a nun – and their enrollment would be accompanied by a large dowry paid to the Church by the family and which would assure the patron’s place in heaven. As a result, the Church was by far the largest and richest landowner and not surprisingly the rebuilding programme was dominated by religious buildings: handsome churches, grand cathedrals and exapnsive monasteries.

Fortunately, it also coincided with the lives of some of Sicily’s finest and most visionary architects: Rosario Gagliardi, Vincenzo Sinatra, Andrea Palma and Giovanni Battista Vaccarini. These talented and prolific architects gave rise to a new urban landscape that has come to be the jewel of the Mediterranean.

The locations are beautiful in themselves (and merit a visit just for their own splendour) but to fans of the Commissario Montalbano TV series, they will have extra special resonances. Built with the local sandstone and limestone, in the predominantly baroque architectural style of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century, the towns in this area display pride and majesty.

Arrival in Catania

Transfer to our hotel in Noto. Evening meal and overnight in Noto.

Ancient Noto had once been the administrative centre of the whole South East of the island, but after its almost total destruction by the earthquake it was decided to build a new city 13km from the original site. The Noto we visit today, therefore is a fine example of an eighteenth century “new town”. Characterised by a homogenous architecture built from a gorgeous pink-tinted local limestone and organised on a straightforward grid-plan, the city is the perfect introduction to the Sicilian Baroque. There is a chance to visit the cathedral, Palazzo Ducezio, a delightful Garibaldi Theatre and several stunning smaller churches. Or just sit in the one of the many street cafe’s and enjoy the ice-cream.

Evening meal and overnight in Noto.

Ispica, Vendicari & Marzamemi

Departing from Noto we head south to the little visited but utterly charming Ispica with its delightful logia and stunning church – Santa Maria Maggiore. After visiting the town centre we go in search of the ancient Ispica – clustered in grottoes in the adjacent valley. After lunch we drive down the coast, stopping at Vendicari to see the flamingoes and then proceeding for Marzamemi with its intriguing tuna factory and beautifully photogenic piazza. We proceed to Modica where we stay the night.

Once known as the “Venice of the South”, Modica is characterised by two deep gorges which meet at a confluence in the town centre. Until the beginning of the twentieth century, these had been the beds of two fast flowing rivers, but after some catastrophic floods, the river was dammed further upstream and the water diverted elsewhere. Nowadays though, these two streets are the site of some charming street cafes and Modica’s other attraction: chocolate shops. We spend the full day in Modica. Evening meal and overnight in Modica.

Ragusa Ibla and Donnafugata

The central piazza in Ragusa Ibla provided the location for much of the filming of Inspector Montalbano but equally charming is the beautiful ‘park’ (or villa comunale as it is known in Italian) at the entrance to the town. We spend the morning strolling through its streets and perhaps savouring some of the famous ice cream from “Gelati Divini”. After lunch we head to the fine pastiche castle of Donnafugata – which in the Montalbano films was the residence of the local mafia boss. We then return to Modica. Evening meal and overnight in Modica.

Scicli was something of a backwater until the filming of Montalbano, but since the mayor’s office in the town hall was selected as the site of the Inspector’s office, it is now firmly on the visitor’s map. But its new popularity is entirely justified. We spend the day exploring this charming and interesting town. In particular, we visit the Municipio , the Farmacia , the Palazzo Fava and the church of Sacro Cuore di Gesù . Evening meal and overnight in Scicli.

Donnalucata

No trip to the South East of Sicily would be complete without a visit to the sea. And today we visit a couple of the coastal villages and there will be time too for a dip in the sea for those who have bought their bathing costumes. Evening meal and overnight in Scicli.

Transfers for departures as required.

Watch a video of Damian Croft talking about Baroque architecture in Sicily:

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Montalbano' Filming Location & Best Baroque In Sicily - Departure From Taormina - Ragusa - With Reviews & Ratings

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Tour Information

Key Details

• Mobile Voucher Accepted
• Hotel pickup Available
• Free Cancellation
• Duration: 10 Hrs
• Language: English
• Departure Time : 6:50 AM
• Departure Details : Traveler pickup is offered Departure times: ELI HOTEL 6.50 BAIA TAORMINA 7.00 LET MARMISTA 7.05 LET 2° PASS A LIVELLO 7.07 LET DELLE PALME 7.09 LET BIVIO GALLODORO 7.11 LET AN.. read more Departure times: ELI HOTEL 6.50 BAIA TAORMINA 7.00 LET MARMISTA 7.05 LET 2° PASS A LIVELLO 7.07 LET DELLE PALME 7.09 LET BIVIO GALLODORO 7.11 LET ANTARES 7.15 CAPARENA 7.17 BAY PALACE 7.18 FUNIVIA 7.20 LA PLAGE 7.22 TAORMINA (BUS TERMINAL) 7.30 TOMBE BIZANTINE 7.32 CAPOTAORMINA 7.36 CORALLO- SULLA STRADA 7.40 SAN GIOVANNI 7.46 CAESAR PALACE 7.50 RECANATI 7.55 SPORTING BAIA 8.00 Return point: Returns to original departure point" />
• Return Details : Returns to original departure point
• Cancellation Policy : For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Tours booked using discount coupon codes will be non refundable.

Visit the filming locations of the popular Italian TV series Inspector Montalbano (or Commissario Montelbano in Italian) on this full-day tour, departing from either Taormina or Messina province. See the real-life settings of the series fictional town Vigata, and visit the beautiful Baroque plazas, churches, beaches and buildings of Ragusa Ibla, Punta Secca and Scicli , where some of the most popular episodes were shot. Enjoy commentary about Inspector Montalbano from a friendly guide throughout the day.

• Day trip (destination A to B)
• Informative, friendly and professional guide

Know More about this tour

Leave your Taormina or Messina province hotel in the early morning, and relax on your coach ride south to the authentic Sicilian town of Ragusa, the first stop on your Inspector Montalbano tour. Here youll visit Piazza Duomo, home to the Basilica of St George, a site that represents the main square of the shows fictional town of Vigata. Continue to Church of San Giuseppe, Palazzo Donnafugata and Circolo di Conversazione, where the episodes Gli Arancini di Montalbano and The Scent of the Night were filmed. After some free time to explore on your own, depart for the seaside town of Punta Secca, dubbed Marinella in the show. Visit Montalbano Commissioner's House and the sandy beaches where the main character likes to swim. Have time for lunch (own expense) and go for a dip in the Mediterranean if you wish. Just remember to bring your bathing suit! Continue onward to the small village of Scicli and enjoy a short walk through its lovely Baroque historical center, named Montelusa in the show. Visit Scicli Municipal Town Hall in Palazzo Municipio, and hear how the building was the set location for the Police Commissioners office and the Vigata police station. Here you can purchase a ticket to the mayor's real-life office (Stanza del Sindaco), used in the series as Montalbanos office. At the end of the day, relax on the drive back to your Taormina or Messina province hotel.

Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)

Professional guide

Air-conditioned vehicle

Food and drinks, unless specified

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking

If you plan to swim during your free time in Punta Secca, please bring a bathing suit and towel

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Traveler Reviews

disappointed with some of the places we visited. Got held up in rush hour at Catalina, stayed too long in the first place as when we got to Punta Secca (Montalbano's house) we were told we only had time for something to eat as we had to move on. A swim on the beach was advertised in the advert for the trip. this did not happen. I was determined to have a paddle but what a rush when this was meant to be the highlight of the trip. We then moved on to another location and spent far too long there as it was only the front of the police station there. Very disappointing, to go such a ling way for that! It needs to be reorganised to have more time in Punta Secca, Guide never mentioned the harbour shown in the opening credits, was more interested in telling us the history of Sicily.

An excellent day out- but a very long way, so if sitting in a bus isn't good for you, I wouldn't recommend it. Our guide, Christy, was brilliant- very informative and good fun. He didn't just tell us about Montalbano, but about the history, geography and agriculture of Sicily too. Ragusa was beautiful, and we had time to visit the duomo and have a drink. We spent lunchtime at Punta Secca, where the 'house' of Montalbano is, and had an enjoyable lunch at a cafe owned by one of the actors. His family were very hospitable. It was good to get to know our fellow travellers! Our visit to Scicli became rather damp as we hit a thunderstorm, but nevertheless we were able to go into the town hall and see the offices of the Commissario himself. Great fun. And yet another Sicilian wedding! It was a long day- we didn't return to Taormina until 8 o'clock. I wouldn't recommend doing trips back to back as we did- give yourselves a day off in between!

Cristi, our tour guide, was an excellent host and guide. He provided us with a huge amount of information on the tour itself and on the geography, history and architecture of the region and wider Sicily. We really enoyed this tour and would recommend it. Thanks again.

This is a great tour. It's a long day, but the scenery is stunning, and the locations fabulous, we even arrived in Ragusa as they were about to film the latest series, the man himself was there.....however, our guide did not appear to be very interested or informative about Montalbano. He was knowledgeable about architecture and churches, but imparted no knowledge or stories about the main reason for the tour, in fact in the entire 14 hour trip he probably made a couple of references. It was only because of pressure from those on the trip that there was any Montalbano element. when we arrived at the police station he tried to make us go and see another church, instead of the offices used for filming. If you are lucky, as some appear to be, you will get a guide who if not a fan, knows some info and stories...we were not, but had to fight to make it into the trip it should have been.

Disappointed with Viator, as I made it plain we were staying in Catania.. You could have booked us on that starting point. As it was we had to get up at 0500 and walk to the train station to get a train to Taormina for 0735. The tour took us to most of the sites and they met most of our expectations. However, the guide really was not prepared for the visit. He tried to be helpful but the customers were more aware of the Montalbano tales.We all felt that we were let down by the lack of information. On the way back Franco dropped us at Catania Train station and this largely made up for the lack of information. It was also disappointing to find out at the townhall they were filming near Montalbanos house that day and we could of seen it first hand!!!

Firstly, the location where we were due to meet the tour bus was incorrect. We were told to wait outside an Hotel but the bus stopped at a nearby bus stop which was round a bend and not visible from outside the hotel and it was only by the utmost luck that we caught the bus. Then, the blurb said we would see the Sinagras villa and Montelbano's office, neither of which we did. So it was disappointing but we got to see Marinella and bits of Vigataso it wasnt a total waste of time.

This tour was very good ! The guide was very informative about everything Sicilian !my only criticisms are even though you see a lot of montalbano sites ! Most of the talking is about Sicily in general ! We didn and #39;t get to see the mafia mansion and very long 12 hour tour but still worth it !

We went on the Inspector Montalbano tour last week, with great expection, and we werent dissapointed! The new minibus picked us up on time @ the bus station in Taormina. Our tour guide,Christy was brilliant, a mine of information about Sicily, and Montalbano. A great sense of humour! A very good driver took us to a number of locations including, Ragusa Ibla Vigata where we sampled the best Arranchini and red wine, then Punta Secca, where we saw Montalbanos villa and the lighthouse on the coast. Christy then took us for a light lunch in a cafe owned by one of the cast Enzo he played a prisoner in the series there were lots of photos of the cast in the cafe, it was one of the ladies from Finlands birthdays, so a few free carafes of red wine were consumed, resulting in a great jolly atmoshere! We continued to Modica, then the highlight of the tour culminated in us visiting Scicli, where the police station scenes are filmed. to our great surprise, they were filming some of the last ever series of Montalbano! Christy did the almost impossible, and took us to a great spot where we actually saw Luca Zingaretti, Montalbano coming down the steps! He proceeded to shake hands and have photos taken with a number of mostly assembled local people, but to our great surprise, he shook hands with both my husband and I, and the rest of our tour !!! It began to rain heavily, and he left in a rather nice car!We contined on our tour in a great state of shared excitement to Modica, and the drive back to Taormina. We still cant believe that we would actually have experienced such a wonderful day!

We really loved this tour. Inspector Montalbano series alerted us to the beauty of Sicily but this covered so much more. Christi the guide has read his reviews and introduced more about the series but his knowledge of Sicily and ability to impart it was excellent

Interesting tour which covered much more than Montalbano sites. Non-stop narrative from guide was great and a treat at lunch meeting one of cast.