Catania to the Vali di Noto region: Private day trip

Founded in pre-Roman times, Noto was decimated by an earthquake in 1693, and as such was completely rebuilt in a new position. Expertly planned on a modern grid, and built in the beautiful Baroque style, the city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historic urban plan and rich architecture. Of the city’s many beautiful churches, the Cathedral is without a doubt the most impressive. Visitors are given plenty of time to admire its elaborate Baroque facade as you work your way up the monumental staircase. The interior is an elegant white with pops of opulent ornamentation. Nicknamed ‘the stone garden’ for its many richly ornamented buildings, Noto’s beauty is best experienced by simply walking around, discovering its many fountains, plazas, and many hidden details.

Scicli is likely named after the Sicel tribe who founded the town around 300 BC. While the town flourished as a medieval trade center, its most notable era came in the late Baroque period when the town had to be rebuilt following a massive earthquake. Today, visitors can experience the town’s Baroque splendor with a walk through the largely car-free historic center. Of the town’s countless Baroque churches and palaces, the most most richly decorated is the Church of San Bartolomeo. But since the Baroque style permeates the entire town, not just the monuments, explorers are rewarded with beautiful details at every turn, particularly on the recently restored Via Mormina Pen, where sumptuous palaces are sidled alongside splendid churches.