At Sicily Art Tours, we are dedicated exclusively to Sicily, approaching the island not simply as a destination, but as a cultural landscape to be understood through its art, architecture and layered history.

Our journeys are conceived for a discerning and culturally engaged clientele, travellers who seek depth, meaning and intellectual enrichment rather than mass tourism. Each experience is carefully designed to balance elegance, authenticity and comfort, with a refined attention to detail.

We offer a limited selection of small group tours, bespoke itineraries and curated cultural experiences, developed in close collaboration with local artists, architects, scholars and chefs. Through these encounters, we aim to offer not just access, but insight, revealing Sicily in a way that is both intimate and intellectually rewarding.

Eolo & Serena

Sicily Art & Architecture Tours

Explore Sicily’s Rich Heritage: Tailored Journeys Through Art, Culture, and Timeless Beauty.

About Us

Serena Firera

Founder OF Sicily Art Tours

I was born in Sicily, and my connection to this island has always been both personal and profound. My background in psychology and publishing has shaped the way I look at places, not only through their beauty, but through the stories, memories, and human experiences they hold.

I founded Sicily Art Tours out of a desire to share a more meaningful way of discovering Sicily, one that goes beyond appearances and invites a deeper encounter with its art, its architecture, its traditions, and its people.

Each journey is something I curate with care and sensitivity, guided by a sense of authenticity and a quiet attention to detail. I work closely with scholars, artists, and local experts, creating experiences that are not only informative, but truly felt.

Eolo Paul Bottaro

CO-FOUNDER OF SICILY ART TOURS

I am an Australian artist of Italian-Sicilian descent. My parents left Sicily in the late 1960s, and although I was born and raised in Australia, Sicily has always been a significant presence in my life and artistic work, deeply inspired by the Italian Masters.

Over the past decade, I have traveled frequently between Australia and Sicily, where I have established both a studio and a home.

Throughout the years, I have explored Sicily deeply and extensively, yet this captivating island continues to surprise and inspire me. As the largest island in the Mediterranean and its geographical heart, Sicily boasts an unparalleled history, shaped by diverse cultures that have forged a uniquely rich artistic legacy.

Today, alongside my artistic practice, I lead small groups of art enthusiasts on intimate tours of Sicily’s artistic masterpieces three to four times a year.

Dedicated to Sicily

Sicily Travel Specialists offering curated cultural tours and bespoke itineraries

Sicily Private Tours

At Sicily Art Tours, we understand that everyone has their own way of exploring the world.

That’s why we specialize in creating bespoke tours in Sicily, offering personalized itineraries and experiences tailored to your interests.

Reach out to us, and together, we will craft a journey that is uniquely yours.

Sicily Small Group Tour

Explore Sicily with like-minded art enthusiasts on our small group tours.

With a maximum of 7 participants, our tours allow you to fully experience the island’s culture and delve deeper into its rich artistic heritage.

These tours combine connection, discovery, and a shared passion for art.

Photo Gallery

Discover the essence of Sicily: vibrant art, ancient ruins, local traditions, and breathtaking landscapes.

Our journeys capture authentic moments, revealing the island’s rich heritage and timeless beauty.

Reviews

What Our Guests Say: Authentic Experiences, Lasting Memories.

Every Review Matters: We are committed to delivering high-quality, tailor-made tours that capture the heart of Sicily.

Travellers rated our Services

Rated 5 out of 5

Average rating 5 / 5

      
   Sicily Art Tours
   16 Google reviews 
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   Sabina Robertson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have just returned from a wonderful, 10-day guided tour of Sicily. Serena Firera, founder of Sicily Art Tours and her husband Eolo Bottaro, Artist and Curator at Sicily Art Tours led the tour which focussed on art, culture, society and history of Sicily. Serena’s meticulous planning, booking high end beautiful accommodation and securing the services of professional, scholarly and engaging guides meant that we enjoyed and gained extraordinary insights into the rich Sicilian culture.
There were many highlights of the tour. Of note was our stay in a delightful hilltop town Polizzi Generosa. Eolo through his commissioned sculpture for the town, has developed strong friendships and community links. Such connections gave our Group opportunities to meet the community. It was a privilege.
The Tour was well paced. We had time to explore and time to relax in delightful surroundings. The attention and care that Serena and Eolo took with each of us on the Tour was quite simply outstanding.
In essence the tour was the best that I have experienced. If you are after a bespoke, finely curated tour that delivers on every level this tour company is for you.
  
 
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   BARBARA NELL 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Sicily Art Tours was everything I imagined and much more.
We booked the tour so we could fully immerse in the art, history and culture of Sicily.  As an artist,  I wanted to experience the most authentic version of every site oon the tour.
It was just divine! Serena and Eolo  delivered a warm, generous  and sensitive tour. Our companions also added to the experience as we enjoyed and processed each day's activities  together in the evenings.
While the tour is focused on art, it was also an unofficial food tour, as restaurants and cafes were carefully chosen to enhance our experience. Serena also looked after our dietary needs ( as we are gluten free), making sure we were catered for.
If you are looking for a unique experience,  staying in beautiful accommodation and moving at a comfortable pace ( most days started around 10 am) and connecting to the culture, not just skimming the surface, then this is the tour for you.
Our small group loved the variety of destinations that included some art making, as well as viewing. We also enjoyed the opportunity to connect with the locals in Polizzi Generosa and Modica. Expert guides were brought in the share the stories in every part of the itinerary.
I highly recommend Sicily Art Tours  for a life changing experience. (10 days)
  
 
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   RenaB 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. An Extraordinary Journey Through the Heart and Soul of Sicily

I recently had the privilege of taking a 12-day curated tour of Sicily with Sicily Art Tours, founded by Serena and Eolo, and it was unlike any travel experience I have had in my many years of exploring Europe. This was so much more than a sightseeing tour; it was an immersive journey into the heart, history, and soul of an extraordinary island.

Over 12 days, we explored 2,500 years of Sicilian history through its art, architecture, language, and traditions. From the magnificent ancient Greek temples and Roman ruins of Agrigento and Syracuse, to the breathtaking Byzantine mosaics of Palermo and Monreale, and the exquisite Baroque churches of Modica and Ragusa, every experience revealed another layer of Sicily’s remarkable and complex cultural heritage.

The pace of the tour was perfect. There was never a sense of rushing from one destination to the next or sacrificing meaningful experiences to keep to a rigid schedule. Our guides were local scholars, each bringing their own knowledge, perspective, and lived experience to the places we visited. Their insights brought history to life in ways that no guidebook ever could.

Another highlight was the exceptional choice of accommodations. Each hotel had its own distinctive character, history, and sense of place. The Sicilian House in Polizzi Generosa was a beautifully renovated private home filled with local art and Venetian chandeliers. In Ragusa Ibla, we stayed at the Hotel Antico Convento dei Cappuccini, a remarkable 17th-century former monastery. These were not simply places to sleep; they were integral to the experience of discovering Sicily.
Yet, some of my fondest memories are of the people we met along the way. Maria, the housekeeper at The Sicilian House, welcomed us with homemade bread for breakfast. Giovanni, a local ceramist, patiently guided us through decorating a traditional Sicilian tile. And Eolo, a talented artist himself, generously shared his studio and his work with us. These personal encounters gave the journey a warmth and authenticity that made it truly unforgettable.
What Serena and Eolo have created with Sicily Art Tours is something very special. We never felt like tourists checking destinations off a list. Instead, we felt like curious travelers being welcomed into a place, its history, its traditions, and the lives of its people. We came away with a deeper appreciation of an island that is beautiful, layered, and wonderfully complex.

As a Canadian of Italian heritage, this journey was especially meaningful to me. I wholeheartedly encourage anyone who wants to experience the real Sicily—not just its famous sights, but its art, culture, people, and spirit—to travel with Sicily Art Tours.

An exceptional experience that I will carry with me for a lifetime. Grazie, Serena and Eolo, for sharing the richness and beauty of your Sicily with us!
  
 
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   M McG 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Sicily art tours, Serena in particular took into consideration the various interests of my husband and I when developing our itinerary for Sicily. We are both architects and although we had a few ideas of what we wanted to see and do, Serena helped fill in the gaps, made great suggestions and ultimately provided us with a great experience all around. Since we were more interested architecture/gardens and art, the typical tours online were not providing us the options we were looking for. Serna provided and thoughtful tour experience that fitted our needs and our pace,  We highly recommend her itinerary planning services and hope to use her again in the future!
  
 
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   Yona Ahituv 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. such a lovely organiser, she is all we could wish for a memorable vacation. every event on every day went smoothly thaks to  Serena .  in every city our guides and drivers were very nice and ontime . couldn’t recoment any body better than Serena and sicily art tours 🌸
  
 
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   Izak Ahituv 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent tour "Made in Sicily" by real Sicilians.

Both Serena & Eolo have arranged , supervised all the steps of the tour , from the restaurants to the transporation.

The choice of restaurants , their location and the food was amazing.

All guides were real professionals .

Thank you very much SicilyArtTours for this amazing week.
  
 
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   Beri Koronyo 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We joined a 6-day trip organized by Sicily Art Tour as a private group in the last week of April. We must say that our program was perfectly prepared in every detail. From the moment we landed, everything was flawless—the drivers who welcomed us, the guides who joyfully showed us around Sicily, as well as the restaurant and hotel selections were all excellent.

Throughout the trip, Serena, whom we had the pleasure of meeting thanks to this journey, carefully monitored every moment from afar, ensuring everything ran smoothly and that we were fully satisfied.

One of the most unforgettable moments was the time we spent at Serena & Eolo’s lovely home.

I would highly recommend them for their professional and boutique service.
  
 
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   Murat Ada 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our Sicily trip was amazing thanks to Serena and her agency. Everything was perfectly organized, and her warmth and care made us feel truly welcome. She made the whole experience special and unforgettable. Highly recommended!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Dagmar Cyrulla 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was an amazing tour. We are so grateful to our hosts who allowed us an insight into Sicilian life and culture. Great value for money. We highly recommend Sicily Art Tours.
  
 
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   chrissy P 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was the most amazing tour. Everyday was a different experience. The accomodation was first class and the food was spectacular. Serena and Eolo are both excellent guides -  extremely knowledgeable about the art and the history of Sicily and took us to places only locals know about. They also designed our tour to include  things we were interested in seeing and doing - like beautiful beaches that aren’t on any one else’s itinerary. There is nothing quite like this small, intimate tour.

Sicily Art Tours arranged a tour to suit the needs and wants of the participants. Personal highlights from the tour included delving into the caves of Mt Etna, visitng the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento and last but definitely not least, seeing the mosaics of Monreale Duomo which was breathtakingly beautiful.

Having Sicilian locals as the Tour Leaders meant that accomodation and meals were authentic and typical to the area.

If you’re interested in a more personalised tour that incorporates some of your bucket list items, with Tour Leaders that are talented and well versed in art, history and culture, then Sicily Art Tours is the one for you. It was a once in a lifetime experience! Grazie dal mio cuore!

Thank you, Serena and Eolo, for the incredible tour of Sicily you arranged in June 2024. Your meticulously planned and insightful bespoke itinerary not only showcased your extensive knowledge of Sicily's rich history, culture, and art but also radiated your profound love, passion, and pride for your birthplace.

Whilst I truly loved all the places we visited, the professional and academic guides, and the lovely accommodation, one of the real highlights for me was the amazing food. There were just so many delicious delicacies to try, and I truly appreciated having two very passionate Sicilians ensuring that I tried foods specific to the town, city, or region we were in.

All in all, my trip to Sicily was nothing short of fabulous and awe-inspiring, and I will forever be grateful to Serena and Eolo for sharing their amazing knowledge, passion, time and empathy for their clients.

Wonderful memories of an unforgebable Art Tour!

Thanks to Eolo and Serena for their perfect organisation and for the passion they put into everything they do.

As I had dragged my wife along golfing in Ireland, Scotland and America I felt obligated to accompany her when she suggested we do Serena and Eolo’s Sicilian Art, Culture and Food Tour.

As I have an elementary knowledge of ancient history and less of art, my expectations for enjoying the tour were low. Although I was looking forward to the ‘food’ portion of the trip!

This supposition was smashed as I quickly became engrossed in the fascinating history of Sicily and how this was expressed through the art we viewed and places we visited. Because of Serena and her gallery curator’s knowledge: what for me could have been boring churches, statues, and ruins came alive as Byzantine, Greek and Arab history was intertwined into the story telling to turbo charge the experience.

My eyes were opened to a whole new world. Add to this authentic Sicilian accommodation, diverse and interesting fellow travelers, the variety of splendid meals (I loved the street food) plus the patience and charm of Serena and Eolo made this tour a life enhancing experience.

I found the passion and knowledge of Serena, Eolo and the art gallery curators proved to be a highlight of the trip. They gave both social and art historical context which afforded me a deeper understanding of the many exquisite paintings and sculptures.

The absolute highlight was to see so many Caravaggios in situ. I knew he had worked in Sicily but didn’t realise how many beautiful masterpieces he produced there. The whole of the art tour was a wonderful experience with stunning scenery, picturesque villages and authentically delicious Sicilian dining experiences.

Our stay at the Sicilian House in the village of Polizzi Generosa was my favorite part of the trip. What a gem that turned out to be. Prepared to be wowed by local knowledge, celebrity neighbours and art treasures! Selena and Eolo are the perfect tour leaders. Great knowledge and wonderful people.

Outstanding art tour of truly bountiful art resources. Tour leader Serena is engaging, informed, enthusiastic, and delightful and Eolo has better art qualifications than any driver in the history of art tours.

Together they provide a fascinating tour of a truly remarkable island. Grazie mille!

Get in Touch

For bookings and enquiries, feel free to reach out to us anytime. We aim to respond within 2 working days.

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"To have seen Italy withouth having seen Sicily is not have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything"

Goethe, after visiting the island in 1787.