Sicily
Showing 20 of 20 activities
Taormina Bay cruise in Sicily with an aperitif
Feel the warm, salty breeze on your skin as you sail away on a two-hour boat tour exploring the Sicilian coast. Glide through clear waters, past towering limestone hills and discover Taormina's hidden bays and caves – plus you can cool off with a swim and snorkel in one of them. Then listen to local tales about the area from your skipper as you relax with snacks and a refreshing aperitif, and soak up the awe-inspiring coastal views.
2 Hours
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.
8 Hours
Mount Etna and Taormina tour from Syracuse
Perched on a clifftop overlooking sweeping bays, Taormina is home to some of the best-preserved historic landmarks in the world. And on this tour, you'll not only see the famed ‘pearl of Sicily', but you'll also see the highest active volcano in Europe. Journey up to 1,900 metres for the grandstand views atop Mount Etna, before spending free time in Taormina and tasting the local Sicilian Arancino.
Flexible
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.
8 Hours
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.
8 Hours
Noto cultural half-day walking tour from Syracuse
Renowned for its baroque-style architecture, imposing cathedrals and elegant palaces, Sicily is a sight to behold – and Noto is no exception. With a local guide to show you around, you'll spend your time discovering some of the city's highlights on foot.
8 Hours
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.
8 Hours
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.
Flexible
Taormina Bay sunset cruise with aperitif
Hop aboard this sunset boat tour, casting off from Taormina Bay to Giardini Naxos. As you glide along this stretch of the Sicilian coast, you'll pass caves and bays while your expert skipper tells you tales of this place's history. Plus, if you're lucky, you might see playful dolphins out for a swim. As the sun sets behind Mount Etna, there's time for a refreshing dip near Isola Bella, before a small bite to eat on board.
2 Hours
Isola Bella mini-cruise
Sicilians like to be direct. So when it came to naming the tiny islet of Isola Bella – it means ‘Beautiful Island' – there was only ever going to be one option. This morning cruise from Giardini-Naxos allows you to take in the amazing coastal views – with Mt Etna in the background – en route to Isola Bella.
4 Hours
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.
2 Hours
Walking tour through Sicily’s Medieval town of Cefalu
This is your chance to get under the skin of Cefalu. The Medieval town knows how to draw a crowd, with pastel-painted houses lining a sweeping bay and a huge limestone cliff delivering a dramatic backdrop. But on this two-hour walking tour, your guide will spill the beans on what it's like to be a local here, living and breathing among the striking Arab-Norman architecture and winding alleyways. As well as seeing the big hitters, like the cathedral, the old bathhouse and the seafront promenade, you'll get insider tips on which trattoria's serve the best arancini and where the most authentic souvenirs can be snagged.
2 Hours
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.”Then, 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 lunch of seasonal Sicilian dishes, all prepared with local ingredients. Best of all, lunch is served with sweeping views of the Madonie hills and the surrounding Sicilian countryside.
8 Hours
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.
