Boottocht Taormina Bay in Sicilië met een aperitief

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.

Sites & Bites: Catania city food tour with arancini and cannoli

This half-day tour takes you through the heart of Catania, hitting all the must-see spots. Start your adventure at Piazza Duomo, where you'll stop by Catania Cathedral – it's dedicated to the city's patron saint, St Agatha. Don't forget to snap a pic of the Elephant Fountain while you're here, too.Next up is the fish market for a nosey around the stalls, piled high with the freshest seafood. Then, it's off to the Greek-Roman Theatre, a slice of Catania's past nestled right in the city centre. This ancient site boasts two open-air theatres – the larger Roman theatre and the smaller, semicircular Odeon. Both were designed with seats rising along the hillside, making the most of the sea views.From here, you'll stroll along Via Etnea, a popular shopping street, but the real highlight is the view of Mount Etna as you head to Piazza Stesicoro. Your guide will tell you about the Roman Amphitheatre near here, before your final stop at O'Luni Market. This local favourite is packed with fresh produce, meats and cheeses, and you'll have some free time to pick up any Sicilian treats that catch your eye.Throughout the tour, you'll sample some of the city's tastiest street food. Crispy arancini, AKA deep-fried rice balls, are a must-try. They're usually stuffed with fillings like ragu, mozzarella, or mushrooms – perfect for a quick snack. And, let's not forget the creamy cannoli, a classic Sicilian dessert. These tube-shaped pastry shells are fried to perfection, giving them their signature crunch. Then, they're filled with sweet, creamy ricotta, often mixed with chocolate chips and sometimes candied fruit or pistachios.

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.

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.

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.

Evening transfer to Palermo from Cefalu

Hop aboard this transfer service and spend an evening in Palermo. Once you arrive, your guide will give you a quick orientation of the city, before sharing their favourite spots and recommendations. Then, you'll have three hours of free time in the Sicilian capital before your transfer back to your hotel – whether you fancy seeing the city's most iconic sights, sampling local dishes or soaking up the bustling atmosphere, there's something for everyone.You can head over to Vucciria Market, which comes alive with street food vendors, music, and dancing, offering a taste of local nightlife. Iconic squares like Piazza Rivoluzione and Piazza Sant'Anna buzz with activity, perfect for enjoying a drink and people-watching. The area around Teatro Massimo is filled with lively bars and cafés, making it a great spot to start your evening. For a more relaxed vibe, head to Mondello Beach and enjoy the serene seaside under the stars.

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.

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.

Transfer to Etnaland waterpark in Sicily

You'll be flying down the water flumes and splashing in the pool in no time with this slick transfer to Etnaland's waterpark, just south of the volcano's national park. The bus will pick you up between 8.00am and 8.50am, delivering you to the park for 10.30am, where you'll need to pay for your entrance separately. You can spend a full day at the Etnaland trying out the 18 slides and cruising down the lazy river. Then, at 5.00pm, when you're wrinkled and tired out, you'll be whisked back to your hotel.

Taormina Bay cruise with wine and liqueur-tasting in Sicily

The local wines and liqueurs of Sicily taste that much better when you're cruising the Mediterranean Sea. You'll start your boat trip hugging the coastline and exploring the bays and caves of Taormina and Giardini Naxos. There's time for a splash about or a snorkel in the warm waters before you climb back onboard where your savvy skipper will guide you through a tasting of locally produced wines and liqueurs. It's the perfect pairing with Sicilian coastal views.