Photo by: Randy Ziegler
Location: Italy
PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

Italy Sicily Photo Tour with Jeff Hirsch

  • Limited to 12 participants to optimize your photographic experience
  • Palermo, Sicily’s capital is known for its art, music, food, and an array of majestic ancient mosaics in cathedrals, chapels, castles and palaces.
  • Greek temples of Segesta & Selinunte, which sits high on a plain above the Mediterranean.
  • Marsala and the saltpans of Saline.
  • Off the beaten path hill towns of the honey-gold baroque UNESCO world heritage site of Noto and charming hill town of
  • Photograph in Ortigia the finest least spoiled old town of Siracusa, with its resonances of light, stone, and sea.
  • Extend your stay and photograph the iconic Etna and the Northern coastal town of Cefalu, with the majestic Rocca as a backdrop.
Region

Europe

Destination

Italy

Dates

October 10-21, 2027

Duration

11 days

Available Post-Trip Extension

Mt. Etna and Cefalu

$To Be Announced

per person, double occupancy*

*U.S. dollars based upon minimum of 6 participants. We try to accommodate travelers who request single accommodations, as well as travelers who are looking for a roommate. If a single room is requested (subject to availability), or if we are unable to find a suitable roommate, there is a single room surcharge of $TBA.

Overview
Photos
Itinerary
Extension

Tour Overview

Together you will explore Sicily’s rich history, beauty, arts and culture. You will photograph and walk among some of the best-preserved Greek ruins in the world; Roman mosaics, baroque palaces, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites are steps away from our private transport. Hear the ancient myths on the sites where they happened, explore hilltop villages, enjoy Sicilian cuisine, and last but not least taste the Sicilian wine.

The...

Together you will explore Sicily’s rich history, beauty, arts and culture. You will photograph and walk among some of the best-preserved Greek ruins in the world; Roman mosaics, baroque palaces, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites are steps away from our private transport. Hear the ancient myths on the sites where they happened, explore hilltop villages, enjoy Sicilian cuisine, and last but not least taste the Sicilian wine.

The Strabo Photo Tour Collection is proud to announce a special tour to Sicily, led by accomplished photographer and instructor Jeff Hirsch. The trip consists of the historic city center of Palermo and the seaside villages of Catellammare and Scopello. Greek ruins of Selinunte rising above the coast of the Mediterranean and  Segesta. Marsala and the saltpans of Saline, the old quarter of Trapani are waiting for us. Lastly move on to the Southeast corner of Sicily with the ancient city center of Siracusa, Ortigia, the honey-gold baroque UNESCO world heritage site of Noto and charming hill town of Ragusa. Extend your stay with your photo leader to the Northern coastal town of Cefalu, photographing the famous Mt. Etna along the way.

We always welcome significant others and friends who are not photographers to share this rewarding experience overflowing with history, beauty, fun, and a chance to savor the flavors of this amazing region.  Guests are certain to enjoy this wonderful time and are welcome as an integral part of the workshop.

There are interesting aspects of Sicilian life waiting to be explored in every location. The trip’s leisurely pace will provide ample opportunity to wander through medieval hill towns, and feast on the renowned regional foods and wines. Jeff enjoys the structure of a well-organized workshop but with the freedom to stop along the way for any interesting photographic opportunities.  We will also need to remain flexible for changes in the weather. The accommodations that have been chosen for us combine simple elegance with excellent locations near your photographic opportunities.

Focus and pace of the trip

Each of the areas we will visit has something unique to offer. We will have time to explore them with our cameras without rushing. The trip is suitable for virtually every level of photographer with any special interest. Anyone who is reasonably fit and in good health should be able to participate easily. The majority of time will be spent walking in hill towns and amidst Greek & Roman ruins. As in all our tours we walk at a photographer’s pace. Some of the sites will be rocky, with uneven surfaces, or steps to reach a particular vantage point. Please call us at 607-423-2525 if you have any specific questions on fitness or health.

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Photo Leader

Jeff Hirsch

Tour Itinerary

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October 10: Home

Depart home today on your overnight flight to Palermo, Sicily. (meals on plane)

Please note If you are NOT doing the extension your airline schedule will be multi-city, flying into Palermo (PMO), and home from Catania (CTA). If you ARE doing the extension your airline schedule will be round trip Palermo.

October 11-13: Palermo

Arrive by early afternoon today and be transferred to your hotel. The city center of Palermo is approximately an hour away from the airport. Enjoy an afternoon walking tour of the incredible sites of old Palermo, including matchless gems like the Palatine Chapel and La Martorana. Photograph as you make your way to a lovely restaurant for your welcome dinner, followed by a photography session from a hotel terrace.

Enjoy an early morning photography walk with Jeff, followed by breakfast. Meet your local guide and continue with the sights and sounds of Palermo, capturing photo opportunities at the Capo Market, Palermo Cathedral, Cappella Palatina and Arab district of La Kalsa. Take a day trip by private coach to the beautiful coastal towns of Castellamare and Scopello in the Northwest corner of Sicily. Home to beautiful idyllic beaches, with one of the islands most perfect views. Overnight Palermo. Overnights Palermo (D; B; B)

October 14-15: Marsala

Depart Palermo after breakfast and photograph the beautiful temple at the Segesta archeological site. Continue on to the old quarter of Marsala for the next two evenings. Late this afternoon reach the salt flats and romantic windmills of far western Sicily, taking in the story of the lagoon, the flamingos if migrating through, and the color & shadow of the salt flats in the setting sun.

You will have a day trip from Marsala with photography in Trapani and Erice. You will tour the ancient mountaintop town founded by Aphrodite and ruled by Hercules, where a cult of sex once flourished. Erice is a walled medieval town sitting 750 m above sea level. Photograph in the maze of streets and with good weather views of the coastline below. There will be an early evening photography walk with Jeff. Overnight Marsala (B, L; B, D)

October 16: Selinunte - Agrigento

Depart Marsala early this morning, arriving at Selinunte when they open. To the Greeks it was Selinos, today it is one of the most impressive and captivating archaeological sites in the world. Capture the varied temples and ruins with the softness of the sprinkled wildflower blooms. The site sits on a high plain overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, adding a richness to your photographs. After lunch there will be additional photography stops, one of which will be the white cliffs, or Scala dei Turchi (Stair of the Turks) outside Agrigento. Continue on to your hotel for the evening in Agrigento. Overnight Agrigento (B)

October 17-18: Ragusa Ibla-Noto

Have a leisurely breakfast this morning and move on with your local guide to charming hill towns. Drive out into the country for either a picnic lunch or lunch at a dairy farm that will treat us to produce of the farm. You will visit the charming town of Modica where chocolate is made in the traditional Aztec way brought to us by the Spaniards, and Scicli, a lovely town with narrow streets to wander photographing the beautiful architecture. You will overnight in overnight Ragusa Ibla, one of the most picturesque towns of Sicily. (B, L; B, L)

October 19-20: Siracusa, Ortigia

There will be another photo shoot early this morning with Jeff, returning to the hotel for breakfast. Continue your journey east and make your way to Noto, a UNESCO world heritage site of honey-gold baroque. Then on to Ortigia and Siracusa. There will be photo opportunities in the ancient city center. Siracusa, is the ancient Greek superpower of Syracuse. Ortigia is the finest least spoiled old town, with its resonances of light, stone, and sea. Enjoy photographing the narrow lanes of this historical city.

The next day enjoy a leisurely breakfast, followed by another walking tour with Jeff and your cultural guide in this amazing city. Photograph amidst the Jewish quarter and Arethusa fountain. Overnight Siracusa (B, D; B, L)

October 21: Home-or-Mt. Etna-Cefalu

Depart Siracusa this morning in time to reach the Catania Airport, where you will start your journey home or continue on to a magical place. (group transfer time to be announced).

Post-Trip Extension

Extension Name

Mt. Etna and Cefalu

Price

$To Be Announced*

Dates

October 21-22, 2027

Duration

1 days

* Based upon minimum of 4 participants. Single room surcharge is $TBA.


Extend your stay with your photo leader to the Northern coastal town of Cefalu, photographing the famous Mt. Etna along the way.

Sicily Photo Tour Tom & Cree Bol Cefalu Sicily photo tour Eileen Muldoon Sicily photo tour
October 21-22: Catania-Mt. Etna-Cefalu

Please note Those on extension will issue their tickets round trip Palermo (PMO). Those that are extending your stay with your photo leader will drive north to Taormina to photograph Mt. Etna in all its glory and enjoy views of the volcano over lunch. Continue on to the very photogenic Cefalu coastal town. Cefalu is known for beautiful sunsets, beaches, the towering Norman Cathedral, and the rock formation or Rocca that forms a massive backdrop for the village. Enjoy another full day here photographing the historic old town, you will note influences from the Byzantine period, but also Arab, Spanish and finally Italian. Those that enjoy a good hike, there is a trail going up the Rocca for views of the city below. The Temple of Diana ruins are also on the Rocca. (B, L; B)

October 23: Cefalu-Palermo Airport

After another photo walk this morning return to the hotel for breakfast. Enjoy photography stops en-route to either Monreale for the Cathedral and Cloisters, or the less traveled Castlebuonno just south of Cefalu, set in ancient ash and chestnut forests. Continue on arriving at your hotel for the evening close to the airport. (B) Overnight PMO airport hotel.

October 24: Airport-Home

The hotel can arrange taxi today, returning you to the airport in time for your flight out.

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