Things to do in Sicily
1. The Valley of the Temples – Private Walking Tour
Colonists from Greece founded Akragas (known today as Agrigento) in the sixth century BC and it quickly became the greatest Greek city in the whole Mediterranean. The original power and grandeur of the ancient city still echo throughout the Valley of the Temples, most vividly in the seven magnificent Doric temples scattered about the site. This half-day tour takes you on a path through history, allowing you to plunge into a time in which Magna Grecia dominated this corner of Sicily.
2. Introduction to Mt. Etna
Mt. Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe and one of Italy’s most recent UNESCO World Heritage sites, is located between the enchanting cities of Catania and Messina on the spirited island of Sicily. This lively volcano has been erupting since 1500 BC, leaving the neighboring lands lush and particularly receptive to a culture of agricultural superiority. The land’s wine and food production continue to win the most prestigious Italian and international awards year after year.
3. Hiking on Mt. Etna
Explore the northern side of Europe’s most active volcano, Mt. Etna, on this guided hiking tour that ends in a delicious lunch and wine tasting. Choose between these two options:
- Hiking Tour with Transportation
- Hiking Tour without Transportation
4. Private Tour of Cefalù
Located on Sicily’s northwest coast, Cefalù is dramatically positioned between the sea and the Rocca, a steep limestone peak that rises behind the town. Cefalù’s medieval section is characterized by narrow, stone streets woven into an intricate web of alleys, steps, and arches. Right in the heart is the Duomo, a twelfth-century Norman cathedral whose elaborate façade is framed by two imposing towers; the dazzling, gold-ground mosaics inside the church are exceptional examples of the Byzantine style of the period.
5. Discovering Palermo’s Masterpieces
Besides its amenable climate, natural harbor enclosed by a blue sea, and outstanding cuisine, the city of Palermo boasts centuries of incredible history in which the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Saracens, Normans, Spanish, and the Kingdom of Naples all played a part.
6. Palermo Rediscovered: The Historic Quarter of Kalsa
Your half-day walking tour of Palermo begins in the oratories of San Domenico and Santa Cita, decorated with graceful stucco works by Giacomo Serpotta, an Italian sculptor famous for his exuberant stucco sculpture in the Rococo style.
7. Half-day Private Walking Tour of Syracuse
On this tour, you have two different options to explore Syracuse. One will allow you to visit the Archaeological Park and Museum, while the other one will take you to Ortigia, one of Sicily’s gems.
8. The Art of Sicilian Cooking
Less than 40 minutes from Siracusa lies the San Calogero farm estate, where your half-day cooking class will take place. The setting is a spa that overlooks a gorgeous garden; nearby, fragrant plants and colorful flowers will lead you to a relaxing saltwater pool surrounded by stone walls. The estate is essentially an oasis of nature’s finest, and there is only one rule for a visit to the San Calegro: you must drop all your worries at the front door and enjoy as you partake in a traditional Sicilian cooking class.
9. Cucina Siciliana
Not everyone has Sicilian roots… but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn to cook like a Sicilian chef! Monica Consoli invites you into her spacious home kitchen to learn how to cook the Sicilian way, infusing every dish with the essence of the sun and sea.
- Winery Visit & Tasting at the Tascante Estate
Approximately 3.5 hours (including transportation from/to Taormina)
In this tour and taste you will encounter the treasured Sicilian Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio grapes, the uniquely aromatic fruit used to produce red wines on the volcano, Mount Etna. The rich volcanic soils of Etna, combined with an altitude of up to 1,000 meters above sea level (some of the highest vineyards in Europe), produce wines of immense character and complexity without the excessive weight that characterizes other Sicilian red wines from lower altitudes.
- Shared Group Cooking Class at the Duchess of Palma’s Palace
The Sicilian culinary tradition reflects the island’s history of colonization. Sicily was subject to many invasions in the course of history and each invader brought along its own cuisine. Greek, Arab, Spanish, Norman, and French roots can be discovered in ingredients such as capers, almonds, olives, citrus, oregano, hard durum wheat, wild fennel, and sea salt, while many of the island’s wines are made with grape varietals found only in Sicily.
- The White Wines of the Alcamo Area: Full Day Tour from Palermo
Produced among the gorgeous vineyards on the northern coast of Sicily, the white wines of the Alcamo area are well known for being good quality, dry wines. This landscape, very close to the city of Palermo, is the perfect place for a total wine experience due to its viticultural history and tradition.
- Winery Visit and Lunch with Planeta
Founded in 1985 by three enthusiastic Sicilian family members, the Planeta winery began with the goal of expressing the beauty and diversity of climate, grapes, soil, and culture in Sicilian terroir. The Planeta family now holds a collection of six small estates throughout Sicily, each intensely focused on this goal and all of which have become internationally acclaimed. This excursion from Palermo will bring you to discover the beauty of the Planeta family’s first wine estate, Ulmo.
Contact Us
All tours can be tailor-made to suit your preferences, ensuring a personalized and unforgettable journey in Italy. To make an enquiry about this tour, call our Experts at 0208 973 2292 or fill out the request form below.