Palermo (includes Monreale and Cefalù)

Giusy Nicoletti (giusinicol@virgilio.it) English, French.
Jackie Alio (aliojacqueline@yahoo.com) English* (also a historical author).
Francesca Lombardo (lofran07@libero.it) English, German.
Conchita Vecchio - interpreter and group leader (conchitavecchio@yahoo.com) English*.

Messina (includes Taormina)

Rosa Rizza (rosa_rizza@hotmail.com) English*.
Carmelo Guardione (carmeloguardione@yahoo.it) English, French, German.
Tommaso Pantè (tpante@gmail.com) English, Spanish.
Diana Mazza (trinacria2000@hotmail.com) English, German.

Agrigento

Ninfa Cacciatore (ninguide@yahoo.com) English.
Salvatore Macaluso (toulouse@hotmail.it) English.
Michael Gallo (mgallo@sicilytravel.net) English.

Siracusa

Rosa Rizza (rosa_rizza@hotmail.com) English*.
Diana Mazza (trinacria2000@hotmail.com) English, German.
Douglas Kenning (dkenning@sicilyonline.it English*.
Stephen Davies (luciadavies@virgilio.it English*.

Ragusa

Barbara Sudano (barbara.sudano@gmail.com) English.

Trapani (includes Segesta)

Saverio Renda (saverio_renda@virgilio.it) English.
Giusy Nicoletti (giusinicol@virgilio.it) English, French.

Enna (includes Piazza Armerina)

Roberta Alvano (roberta.alvano@alice.it) English, French.
Dino Cuttitta (cuttittad@interfree.it) English.

Catania

Diana Mazza (trinacria2000@hotmail.com) English, German.

How to Hire a Tour Guide:
- Whether you find the name of a guide on this list or another, determine which languages the guide speaks. If you actually speak to him/her you'll be able to get some idea about fluency in your language. The guides listed on this page all speak foreign languages well; sometimes the advantage of native ("mother-tongue") speakers is that, being from (for example), the United States or Japan, they better understand the culture, interests and "touring style" of foreigners (non-Italians) visiting Italy.
- Try, either via email correspondence or a telephone conversation, to get a feel for what there is to see; there are plenty of ideas on this site. A good tour guide will try to determine what you (or your tour group) want to see and do. For example, if your Sicilian visit has a culinary theme you'll want to see the street markets of Palermo or Catania.
- Inquire about rates and the guide's availability on a certain day. It's important that you feel comfortable with the guide you hire. If you get a guide's name from this page, mention that you found it on Best of Sicily.
- Guides are, by nature, specialists in a particular aspect of travel. If you require lodging, transportation or itinerary planning, the right service is a competent travel agent, tour operator or "travel concierge" with staff based at your destination. Several are listed on this page.
- Italians are too often inclined to rely almost exclusively on paper "credentials" rather than actual quality of service, and some travel professionals use "certifications" as a substitute for listening to, and then meeting, your needs as a traveler. Scheduling, for example, is important because your time in a certain destination may be limited and Sicily's historic and archeological sites have fickle open-hours, so concentrate on the practical elements of your visit.
- Rates may vary based on factors such as the season, but (speaking very generally) the cost of a guide service is typically slightly over 100 euros for a half-day (4-5 hours) and slightly more than 200 euros for a full-day (7-8 hours). As a point of reference, this is the minimum you should expect to pay. Tipping is always welcome, but especially appropriate with a "larger" group of at least six adults.
- Remember that even if the focus of your trip is primarily cultural and historical, you're coming to Sicily to have a good time. Enjoy your discovery of the world's most fascinating island!
- Dozens of travel agents and tour operators, and hundreds of "independent travelers," have found guides and travel-related services by consulting this page. Contact us to suggest a guide, indicating your name, address and daytime telephone number.
- The editors wish to acknowledge that this page was suggested by a travel agent's experience with tour guides in Italy. He brought to our attention the vast differences between great guides and mediocre ones.

Sicily Links