We of Sicily Tour Associazione Culturale Non Profit of Siracusa are dedicated to cultural exchange (arts, history, hospitality, and language) between Italy and English-speaking peoples. We are Stephen and Lucia Davies, and Douglas Kenning. We also are Gemma, Antonio, Caroline, and others working to welcome you to Sicily

Stephen arrived here from London as an antique furniture dealer nearly thirty years ago and is now more Sicilian than the Sicilians.  He is fluent in Sicilian, is a notably smooth swimmer in the treacherous seas of Sicilian life and customs, and has a antique dealer's eye for the timeless Sicily of craftsmen, people who work with their hands and hearts.  An epicure of the first order, he is a master of Sicily's Michelin restaurants, out-of-the-way trattorie (where his name opens many doors), driving shortcuts, and local lore.

Lucia returned from England to the city her mother had left decades before, bringing Stephen and her parents with her.  She not only provides the beauty and charm, she is also our organiser, planner, and memory.  Her knowledge of Sicily is encyclopedic. She is one of the brightest lights of old Siracusa, known by everyone and loved by everyone.

Douglas is our historian and company founder. With his Ph.D., he came to his grandparents' island to live among the dust and echoes of ancient Syracuse.  His tours are so popular that he is invited every year to present lecture series and courses on the History and Culture of Sicily, the History of Italy, Greek Myth, Greek Drama, the Mafia, and other subjects related to the Mediterranean at universities in the San Francisco area (see bio).

Then there are all those whom we can call on to give additional expertise and delight to the tours, including Gemma, Carolyn, Lucia (2), Elizabetta, Alessia, Giuseppina, Mariano, Carmelo, and many others to whom we are grateful.

OUR BUSINESS HISTORY

We have been hosting visitors--individuals, couples, groups, school kids, university students, etc. formally for ten years (informally for a quarter century). Sicily Tour Associazione Culturale Non Profit, which is involved also in finding accommodation and other services to visitors, has been in existence in one form or another for over twenty years.

We began doing only private, personalized tours (couples, groups of friends, etc.), and though now we do small group tours (ave. 8~10 people), the individualized tour is still what we are known for.

OUR STYLE

We tell the stories of Sicily, ancient and modern, and the ancient wonders of Sicily are our focus.

But besides the incredible history and beauty of Sicily, we also love "la dolce vita" (the good life). We love kids, cats (OK, Lucia loves cats), and good food. We know the hidden local restaurant (Stephen is your man), the little shop that is selling just what you are looking for (Lucia's special skill), the best countryside for driving and picnics, the charming inn that the tour books have not found. (By the way, once you live somewhere, you realize how the writers of those guide books you buy often haven't a clue). Between the three of us, we have seventy years of traveling every road on this island, so let us know what you want and we'll go. Or you can just sit at a cafè in the old town and do nothing; we're experts at that too.

Among us, we can do it all: pick you up on arrival--give you the historical sites, scenery, culture, hotels, shops, restaurants, you want all across Sicily--and return you to the airport. Or if you want to do all the arranging yourself, we can just be your guides. You just let us know what you want.