Guided Corleone mafia resistance tour with lunch

Mount Etna Sunset Tour with Sicilian Dinner

Watching the sky light up with shades of orange and then burn out into darkness while standing atop a volcano is a special sensation. This drama-rich tour takes you to Mount Etna – a must-visit when in Sicily. You'll head to an altitude of almost 3,000 metres to catch the sunset and then relax over a traditional meal to round off your adventure. Ciccio, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘The volcano's name derives from the ancient Greek word “aitne”, meaning “I burn”. It's an appropriate name for Europe's most active volcano.' As part of a select group of no more than 25 guests, you'll go by minibus to Etna. As the terrain becomes rockier, we switch to a 4x4 vehicle. As we make our way to 2,900m above sea level – the highest point that's safely reachable – there'll be stops to take in the harsh, lunar landscape and the lava-smothered flanks of this towering mountain. Ciccio says, ‘You might wonder why so many people live on Etna's slopes. The answer is simple – volcanic soil is extremely fertile, and you'll see traditional crops like vines and citrus fruits, plus newcomers such as avocados and papaya growing here.'Make sure you're wearing comfortable walking shoes and warm layers – it gets cold at high altitude. After admiring the views from near the summit, an expert alpine guide will take you to a less exposed 2,500m, where you'll watch the sunset in a more comfortable location. Then on the way back, we'll stop at a chalet restaurant for a typical Sicilian dinner.

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.

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.

Sicily Godfather tour

'We're going to make you an offer you can't refuse'. Well, this used to be Mafia country, after all. In fact, Hollywood descended on this part of the world to film scenes for the Godfather trilogy, so this tour will take in two Sicilian mountain villages that made it onto the silver screen and to relive some of the the most famous scenes.

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. 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 woods to reach the Sartorius craters of 1865.There's time for a walk amid the unique landscapes – at an altitude of 1,750 metres above sea level, you'll get some great close up views of the eerie volcanic surroundings. You'll round off with a short hop to visit a lava cave before ending the tour at a local winery. Here, sample some of their wines with a tasting session along with a selection of typical products of Etna. A great way to end a day of exploration.

Syracusa Heritage Tour

The past comes to life in Syracuse – a city packed with classical heritage as well as flamboyant Sicilian baroque architecture. You'll visit the Greek theatre, go into the Ear of Dionysius and explore Ortygia island, the heart of the old town and location of baroque gems such as the cathedral.

Wine Tasting and Castelbuono Tour from Cefalù

Rugged, peaceful and not on the tourist trail, the Madonie Mountains are real back-to-nature stuff. Locals here have been living off the land for years, and they've been making wine since Roman times. Combine medieval villages, ancient wineries and local food on this half-day tasting tour.

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.

Dinner in the Madonie Mountains

All vine-covered peaks, thick woodlands and tucked-away villages, the Madonie Mountains are a snapshot of rural Sicilian life. On this tour, you'll explore the medieval village of San Mauro Castelverde before feasting on a typical Sicilian dinner.

Agrigento Temples & Scala dei Turchi Tour

Two of Sicily's highlights are in the spotlight on this compelling tour. You'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valley of the Temples, to step back in time in amongst a captivating archaeological site, then head to one of the top ten most unique coastlines as named by TripAdvisor - Scala dei Turchi.First up will be one of the largest archaeological sites in the world, the immense Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. It packs in countless temples perched on a high ridge, all of which you'll see, including the ruins of the Temple of Zeus and Concordia Temple at the end of the Sacred Way. You'll be given headphones to hear your guide, too, so you'll not miss any details.Afterwards, you'll make your way to the bright white Scala dei Turchi, a natural limestone staircase that descends into the blue sea. You'll have time for a swim before heading back to the hotel.