You will leave by bus at 7:00 a.m. from the hotel to Milazzo. From there on by boat to the island of Lipari. Free time for visiting the old town. Sailing around the island we will admire the “Faraglioni” rocks, the “Horse Cave” and the pumice stone quarry. Arriving in Vulcano by boat you will have the chance to swim in the warm sulphureous sea water, enjoying the beach. Back to Taormina area (at around 7.00 pm).
 

In the morning departure to Agrigento and guided tour of the Valley of Temples, where you can admire the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Concorde, one of the best preserved doric temples in the whole greek world, the Temple of Ercules and the Temple of Castor and Pollux. Continuation to Piazza Armerina and guided tour of the Villa Romana del Casale, famous for the most beautiful collection of late-Roman mosaics. Back to Taormina area.

 

In the morning departure to Mt. Etna, the highest peak of Sicily and the most active volcano in Europe. The territory surrounding the vulcan constitutes the “Park of Etna”, one of the largest protected areas in Italy: You will be astonished about the great variety of vegetation and landscapes that we will meet along the way before arriving at the “ Silvestri Craters” (about 1.900 mt). From here on you will have the option to continue the excursion by cableway and jeep up to 3.000 meters (to be paid on site). Then stop at a local beekeeper to taste quality honey and have a wine tasting and to see how it is produced. In the afternoon visit of Taormina, situated on a plateau on the slopes of the steeply dropping Monte Tauro, dominating the Ionian coast from Capo Sant’Andrea to Capo Taormina. Possibility, to visit the Greek-Roman theatre, the 2nd largest classical theatre in Sicily. Back to Taormina area.

 

First stop in Catania, that lies on the slopes of the Etna, rich in baroque buildings; visit of the typical fish market and walking tour of the city centre. Proceed to Syracuse, one of the most interesting archaeological sites of the island, in which we will explore the historic centre in Ortigia Island, the most ancient nucleus of the city with its stunning Cathedral. continuation with the visit of the Archeological Park including the Roman Amphitheatre, the Greek Theatre, the Ear of Dionysus. Back to Taormina area.

 

The guests will be pick-up ped by our tour escort in the hotel and then transferred by public or private bus to Taormina city center. Here we will begin our “Walking Food Experience” through the narrow streets of the charming Taormina. Sicilian street food is different from province to province, and here – in the province of Messina – you will have the opportunity to taste some specialties that you don’t find in other places. Such as the “Focaccia”, one kind of pizza that is thicker than the Neapolitan pizza; it is seasoned with Sicilian cheese, tomatoes and a nice vegetable, the curly endive, with a slightly sour taste. Similar ingredients are in the “Pitone Messinese”, fried trousers, stuffed with tomato, tuma cheese, endive, anchovies. Their shape and composition is similar to that of Palermo trousers, but the filling is completely different and really to appreciate. The “Arancina” is a Sicilian street food specialty that you can find everywhere in Sicily, but in the eastern coast the shape is different: it is not a perfect “ball” but it has a peak (see picture on the right) and therefore it is also easier to bite... The taste is really an experience not to miss: the “arancina” is a ball of fried rice, filled with different ingredients; the basic filling can be ragout or mozzarella cheese + ham, but it is not difficult to find the version with mushrooms, spinaches and so on. After these tastes we will be for sure thirsty, therefore we stop in a bar to drink one “chinotto”, a soft drink flavoured with sour orange. Our food experience must end – of course – with a sweet; and in the province of Messina what it is better than a Granita ? Nothing else… especially in the warm days, cause it is a crushed-ice drink. The flavors are countless: the traditional ones are coffee with whipped cream, or lemon or – not to miss – Sicilian almonds.

 

Scour the hinterland and the coast with one excursion visiting two of the most important art cities of Sicily: Palermo and Cefalù, UNESCO sites from 2015 for their Arab-Norman itineraries. Palermo, located in the western side of Sicily, is the capital and preserves the most important Arab-Norman, Byzantine and Spanish monuments. Departure by bus with a tour leader on board. Upon arrival our local guide will start the tour walking through the Quattro Canti, the Church of the Martorana, Piazza Bellini, Piazza Pretoria, the Cathedral and all the historical center including a local touch with the typical market "Il Capo"; Alternatively, visit of Monreale, famous for its mosaics, facultative. Optional lunch extra at a restaurant downtown. After lunch, drive to Cefalu' on the north coast. Visit the old town and the famous Norman Cathedral with the Christ Pantocrator. Return via Messina in order to complete the ride along the coast without crossing inland.

 

Visiting the Capital of the "baroque", a World Heritage Site since 2002, admire the mosaics of an ancient Roman villa and discover the life of a fishing village in a single excursion. Departure by bus with a tour leader. Arrival at Noto and start a walking tour of the old town with its splendid baroque cathedral beautifully restored. Continue towards the archaeological site of the Villa of Tellaro to visit the wonderful mosaics of the fourth century. A.D. Continue to Marzamemi, a typical fishing village and free time for swimming and for shopping of typical products of tuna (tuna processing). Lunch optional extra.

 

In the morning departure to Mt. Etna, the highest peak of Sicily and the most active volcano in Europe. The territory surrounding the vulcan constitutes the “Park of Etna”, one of the largest protected areas in Italy: You will be astonished about the great variety of vegetation and landscapes that we will meet along the way before arriving at the “ Silvestri Craters” (about 1.900 mt). From here on you will have the option to continue the excursion by cableway and jeep up to 3.000 meters (to be paid on site). Back to Taormina area.