Mount Etna North tour at 1,900 metres from Taormina

Castelbuono visit and Sicilian dinner in the Madonie Mountains

Swap Cefalu's buzzy seaside scene for the simple pleasures of hill-top towns and farm estates in the Madonie Mountains. The beaches and coastline blur into olive groves and rural valleys as your bus makes the scenic journey to Castelbuono in the late afternoon. Mirco, an expert local guide, explains the significance of the town, “Castelbuono has always been a crossroads between the mountains and the sea — which is why you'll see so many layers here, from Norman walls to Baroque churches, all wrapped into a living town.”You'll have around an hour and a half to wander the narrow stone streets, where every archway frames another impressive view of this Medieval town. Among the palazzos and historic churches, though, the crowning glory of Castelbuono has to be the 14th-century fortress, Castello dei Ventimiglia. It's now open as a museum, so as well as taking time to appreciate the slower pace of the town and perhaps grabbing a gelato, you can take a look around the castle's exhibits of timeworn treasures and contemporary art collection. Mirco adds, “The Ventimiglia family built this castle to control the mountain routes. Today, it tells a very different story – from ancient archaeology to modern Sicilian artists.”In the evening, you'll head to Tenuta Luogo Marcese, a rural, agritourism-style farm estate. Sit on the terracotta-tiled terrace and enjoy a relaxed three-course dinner of seasonal Sicilian dishes, all prepared with local ingredients. Best of all, dinner comes with views of the sun setting over the Madonie hills.

Mount Etna winery tour and tasting experience

You'll discover the subtle layers of Sicily's flavours with this relaxed wine-tasting experience on the scenic slopes of Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano. Expert guide, Mirco, explains, “On Etna, different lava flows sit side by side, so the soil, or terroir as it's known, can change over very short distances, and that shows up in the wine. That's why tasting here isn't about labels – it's about standing on the land, feeling the volcano under your feet, and recognising it in every sip.”As views of the seaside fade in the rear-view mirror, their replaced by endless rows of vines carpeting the countryside and staggering up the hillsides. In the heart of Sicily's volcanic wine region, you'll visit a winery, known as a cantina, where centuries-old traditions are not only respected, but very much still in action. Your expert guide will lead you through the cantina, teaching you about the history, volcanic soils, and traditional wine-making techniques that give Etna's wines their signature freshness, minerality, and aromatic flare.Then comes the best part, the tasting. With the volcano anchoring your view of the rolling landscape, you'll be served four premium local wines to taste. These are matched with local cheeses, cured meats and olives, giving you a truly authentic taste of Sicily. Paired with the relaxed atmosphere and warm hospitality, whether you choose the morning or afternoon visit, it's a moment to remember long after you finish your last glass.

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.

Full-day Syracuse guided 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.

Mount Etna 4x4 wine-tasting tour with local lunch

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 light lunch is also included with a typical rustic appetizer. A great way to end a day of exploration.

Palermo walking tour and Monreale Cathedral visit in Sicily

Sicily's beaches are some of the best in Europe, but there's more to this stylish island than its standout shorelines. Its history and architecture for example, in typical Italian fashion, are showstoppers in their own right. This tour shows off this side of Sicily by ticking off a pair of particularly pretty spots – the capital, Palermo, and the town of Monreale. One of our expert local guides, Rosaria, says “Palermo is the biggest city on the island, so you get to see Sicily's bustling side. But Monreale is a smaller mountain town, so you get to experience a nice mix of atmospheres while visiting some really incredible landmarks.”There's a visit to Palermo, where you'll follow your guide around the city's winding streets during a walking tour. Pretty public squares, temples, fountains – you'll see the lot during your laidback tour. There's some free time scheduled here, too, so you can branch off on your own for a bit.During the trip, you'll also stop in the town of Monreale, which is nestled on the slopes of Monte Caputo, a 764-metre-tall peak not far from Palermo. The town looks out over the Conca d'Oro Valley, which is known around Sicily for its orange, olive and almond groves – you'll be able to see them all from Monreale's vantage point. The star of the town is Monreale Cathedral, a 900-year-old temple that's decked out with bronze doors, a gold-painted interior and a Norman exterior. Entry to the cathedral is included, and your guide will tell you a bit about its history.

Full-day Valley of the Temples and Scala dei Turchi tour

Two of Sicily's highlights are in the spotlight on this full-day tour. You'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valley of the Temples, an archaeological site that's loaded with what's left of seven 2,500-year-old shrines, including the Temple of Concordia – it's ranked as one of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world. Afterwards, you'll head to one of the top ten most unique coastlines as named by TripAdvisor – Scala dei Turchi. Giuseppa, one of our expert local guides, says “the Valley of the Temples is landscaped with lots of flowering almond trees, another staple of Sicily, that will really add something extra to the photos you take here.”First up is one of the largest archaeological sites in the world, the immense Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. It packs in the remains of seven 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. The temples here are over 2,500 years old, so there are a lot of pages in the history books to uncover. You'll be given headphones to hear your guide, too, so you won't miss any details.Afterwards, you'll make your way to the bright white Scala dei Turchi, a natural limestone staircase that is dug into the cliffs and weaves its way down to the sea. You'll have some time to unwind and go for a swim before heading back to the hotel.

Taormina City by See Bus Ticket - Blue or Red Line

See the sights around Taormina with the freedom to hop-on and hop-off all day long with just one ticket. Travel between Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Isola Bella, Letojanni and Castelmola on both the Red and Blue Lines. There's a multilingual audio commentary, and the frequency is hourly for both lines. At the Castelmola stop, enjoy a complimentary tasting of almond wine.

Pizza cookery class in Giardini Naxos

Meet your professional pizza chef Maurizio for your 2-hour pizza making lesson. Learn the tricks of the trade from the real deal, a Sicilian Pizzaiolo in a local pizzeria. Chef Maurizio will explain the magic involved in turning simple ingredients into a mouthwatering pizza, and at the end of the session you will sit down to enjoy your pizza with a glass of local wine.

Mount Etna tour from Taormina

Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe and a true icon of Sicily. This is your chance to venture either 1,900 or 2,900 metres above sea level to check out the lunar-like landscapes of the volcano's craters.You'll be driven from Taormina up the slopes of Mount Etna, where – if you've chosen to go up to 2,900 metres – you'll continue further up the mountain to reach the main crater for a guided walk and some epic views. If you opt to stay at 1,900 metres, there's free time to explore the nature trails around the Silvestri Craters, along with souvenir shops, cafés and a small museum that tells the story of the mountain's past.Either way, you'll want your camera to catch shots of the snow-capped, steaming slopes of this giant.