Sicilian Cooking Lesson in Taormina

Mt Etna 4x4 and wine-tasting tour

Europe's highest active volcano looms large over everyday life in Sicily. On this thrilling tour, you'll hop on a 4x4 off-road Safari to explore some of the hardest-to-reach parts of the north slope of Mt Etna. Carmelo, one of our local expert guides, explains, “The 4x4 cars take routes that're planned around the health and safety of the local environment.” You'll visit the Sartorius Craters as well as lava fields and caves, and also drop into a winery for a tasting.You'll begin your adventure with both on-road and off-road exploration on a 4x4, visiting the impressive 2002 lava front, a testament to the volcano's power. Then, you'll traverse through the dense woodland to reach the Sartorius Craters, formed during Mt Etna's eruptive episode in 1865 that reshaped the northern slopes of the volcano. Along the way, you'll learn about what life is like living next to an active volcano, whilst witnessing the resilient vegetation that thrives in that environment.There's time for a walk amid the unique landscapes. At 1,750 metres above sea level, you'll get some great views of the sprawling volcanic surroundings. You'll round off with a short hop to visit a lava cave before ending the tour at a local winery. Here, you'll sample some of their wines during a tasting session along with a selection of typical products of Etna, like artisanal cheeses, locally grown olives and honey. A great way to end a day of exploration.

Guided Corleone mafia resistance tour with lunch

Corleone was once a town once infamous for its mafia ties, but today it is a beacon of resistance and justice. The panoramic drive through the mountains sets the stage for an enlightening day ahead. Vincenzo, one of our expert local guides says, “This fascinating, insightful tour is designed to educate and debunk Hollywood's glamorised portrayal of mafia life, offering instead a genuine glimpse into the courageous fight against organised crime. This is an important tour for our town." First up is The Godfather's House Museum, a grand 19th-century residence that takes you on a journey through time, exploring the birth of both the mafia and anti-mafia movements. Next, delve deeper into this complex history at the CIDMA Antimafia Museum, home to an extensive collection of documents and exhibits chronicling the dark past and brave resistance against the mafia. After a walking tour of Corleone's historic streets, you'll be whisked off to a local restaurant near the Royal Palace of Ficuzza for a classic Italian lunch, surrounded by natural beauty. Finally, sit back and relax on your return journey to Cefalù, taking with you a deeper understanding of Corleone's transformation from a mafia stronghold to a place that local people are proud to call home, a place with a future free from the clutches of organized crime.

Olive oil and cheese-tasting tour with Castelbuono visit

Learn how olive oil and cheese are made on this half-day tour through the villages of Sicily, with visits to an ancient olive mill, a family-run cheese factory, and the hilltop town of Castelbuono. Our expert local guide, Eleni, says "the olive oil tasting at Sant'Ambrogio lets you sample the different qualities of olive oil, while the cheese tasting at Caseificio San Nicolo lets you in on the secrets of traditional Sicilian cheese-making. Plus, Castelbuono is a great spot for relaxing and filling up your camera roll."Your first stop is at the old olive oil mill, for a tasting of this liquid gold with an expert who will explain all about the different types of oil – imagine a wine sommelier but for oil. Though the mill isn't in use anymore, it's been well-preserved by the owners so that you can take a tour and learn about traditional olive oil production.Next, you'll head over to Caseificio San Nicolo, a family-run cheese factory renowned for its selection of cheeses made from both goat and cow milk. You'll learn how they make the cheese and, of course, taste some, too. Then, you'll wrap up your tour with a visit to the town of Castelbuono, nestled in the Madonie Mountains. Here, you'll have some free time to wander through its Medieval streets, pop into local shops, and get a feel for an authentic Sicilian village – you'll be able to get some great photos here, too.

Sicily tour with Randazzo Market and wine-tasting by Mount Etna

With the popularity of TV shows like White Lotus, Sicily has upped the ante as a must-see destination for set-jetters – that's people inspired by TV and film set locations to me and you. You'll find plenty of sights to capture for yourself on this full-day tour that takes in the town of Randazzo, just north of Mount Etna, and a winery where you'll get to taste the fruits of the volcanic landscape. Francesca, a local guide, says “I love the start of this tour, as we drive through one of Sicily's best kept secrets – the Alcantara Valley. You'll see hillside villages, gorges and the mountainous panoramas that Sicily is famed for.”The bustling town of Randazzo is your first stop, sitting on the north-west fringe of Etna National Park. It's one of the only towns to remain untouched by Etna's historic eruptions, so a lot of the classic Sicilian architecture of the churches and houses is still in its original form. Every Sunday is about one thing here – the local market, which you'll get free time to explore. Seek out regional specialities here, like sweet cannoli and local olives and mushrooms, or snack on arancini rice balls as your browse delicate ceramics on the stalls. Round off your experience with a trip to a top-tier vineyard for a tasting session on the slopes of Mount Etna. The volcanic soil is super fertile here and delivers crisp, citrusy whites and earthy, cherry reds. You can buy a few bottles to take home as a reminder of the taste of Sicily.

Mount Etna Tour to 2900m from Taormina

Europe's highest volcano looms large over Sicily, so this family-friendly tour takes you as close to the top as you can. You'll be driven to Rifugio Sapienza, then swap to a cable car and 4x4 vehicle to reach the main crater at about 2,900m above sea level. The views and lunar landscape from here are nothing short of breathtaking.Nature trails, caves, woods, and lava flows typify the landscape that leads to the top of Mt Etna. And after pick-up from your hotel you'll be driven to about 1900m above sea level at Rifugio Sapienza on the south side of Etna, where you'll hop off the bus to unearth some more.On the way you'll learn all there is to know about Mt Etna and its explosive past. And don't worry – there'll be plenty of facts for the little ones to take in, too. Then, you'll get to see it all for yourself during some free time. Switch to a cable car and jump into an off-road vehicle that'll take you rumbling along to the main crater. You'll want your camera for this one.

​​​​​Taormina & Mount Etna 1900

Mt Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe and a true icon of Sicily. By coach, cable-car and minibus you‘ll ascend 1,900 mts above sea level to one of the famous mountains main craters. What's more, on this full day experience, you‘ll get to visit one of Italy's most beautiful towns, Taormina.

Campofelice to Cefalu evening shuttle service in Sicily

Cefalu makes it into the Italian Tourism Council's list of ‘Most beautiful villages of Italy', so when you're less than 30 minutes away, there's no excuse not to check it out. This transfer service from Campofelice gives you a hassle-free three-hour evening visit to Cefalu. The small historic town pokes out from the northern coastline, with terracotta-topped, white-washed houses lining the bay. You'll be spoilt for choice on where to spend your evening, with a beach, a 13th-century cathedral, boutique shops and plenty of cafes and restaurants with traditional Sicilian flavours and views of the Mediterranean.

Pizza Cooking Class in Taormina

Make traditional Sicilian Pizza with a real 'pizzaiolo' - the Italian word for pizza chef. Learn the secrets of perfect pizza from an expert as you prepare the dough and the toppings for flash baking in a searing hot pizza oven. Take the skills and knowledge home with you to recreate authentic pizza whenever you like. You'll get a certificate and souvenir apron, too.

Panarea & Stromboli Boat Tour from Taormina

The volcanic islands of Stromboli and Panarea are the stars of the show on this full day excursion. You'll explore these island beauties just off the coast of Sicily with plenty of free time to sightsee at your own pace and witness the famous active lava flow by night.

Alcantara Gorge & Mt Etna to 2900m

Mother Nature's two greatest gifts to eastern Sicily were the spectacular Alcantara Gorge and Europe's largest active volcano, Mt Etna. On this full day excursion, you'll discover these two natural wonders – paddling in the water of the gorge and climbing up to 2,900 metres in the volcano in a variety of transport modes.