Gastronomic:
Wine tasting:
All there is to know about Sicily’s prized and unique wines. Be carried away in the story of one of the many wineries in the famous Etna Doc wine country, but to only. Let us guide you to discover the most amazing wine around the island. Indulge in some ancient estate’s history, there are endless possibilities for customizable wine tastings experience that we can offer you.
Cooking class in Taormina:
In this culinary experience you will learn how to cook exquisite Sicilian specialties, tasting your own creations and served with excellent local wine.
Cannoli class in Taormina:
The perfect experience to discover a true Sicilian sweet recipe: Cannoli! Guided by the expert pastry chef you will learn all the secrets behind the most famous and iconic Sicilian dessert.
Pizza Class:
Learning how to prepare the signature of the Italian culture La Pizza. In a typical local pizzeria guided by an expert pizza chef you will have the opportunity to learn all the secrets of the pizza.
Maccheroni class:
Prepare yourself to knead the ancient flours and work them to create our “maccarruni”, a typical Sicilian pasta. The fruit of your work will then be shared at lunch, in the characteristic atmosphere of the Sicilian families.
Cultural tours:
Discovering Taormina:
discover with your expert local guide the “Pearl of Sicily” that with its history and breath-taking views has delighted visitors over the centuries, from the Greek colonialist to the artists such a Wagner, Picasso and Capote just to mention some that have drew inspiration here. The unique multicultural mix of Sicily collected in one city, from the Greek theatre trough Arab-Norman palaces to the baroque cathedral and the 19th century botanic garden.
A perfect one day in Syracuse:
travel back in time to discover more than 2000 years of history in the city of Syracuse; Syracuse was once for the Greek the perfect settlement of the Magna Grecia, just to mention Archimede was born here… From the little island of Ortigia with its hidden tresures such as the fountain of Arethusa to the majestic Neapolis archaeological park your travel back in time is set to start.
Between Syracuse and Noto:
Noto, a jewel of Sicilian Baroque, Unesco heritage. It is considered an “open air museum”. Here we will visit its main street coming from the “Porta Reale”, admire the many palaces and churches, be delighted at the end with a granita tasting at Caffè Sicilia of the famous pastry chef Corrado Assenza (hint chef’s table on Netflix). Your daily experience to visit the two most import cities in Eastern Sicily is set to be done
The beauty of Catania:
discover the contrasts who characterized the Sicily’s second-largest city, from the chaotic and frenetic city centre to the peaceful gardens and piazzas. Catania shows its beauty with the Baroques style of the palaces and churches. The majestic cathedral with its Cupola, the celebrated elephant and obelisk statue in the main square; last but not least a treat for all the senses the local fish market a kaleidoscopic journey that you will remember.
The hidden treasures of Ragusa and Modica:
on this daily experience discover first the historic centre of Ibla, it offers a glimpse of Sicily that is now difficult to find… Walking through the streets to Piazza Duomo is like a diving into the past… Admire the portal of S. Giorgio, the beautiful Iblei gardens, piazza Pola with the beautiful facade of S. Joseph and Piazza Duomo. After a short drive you will reach Modica a town that lies between two quarries of an ancient riverbed. This Baroque pearl is known not only for its architecture, but also for having given birth to Salvatore Quasimodo, Nobel laureate for Poetry. The most interesting monuments are the churches of St. George, St. Peter and Mary of Bethlem. Taste the famous chocolate and local products.
Piazza armerina and its Imperial Villa Romana del casale:
listed as an UNESCO world heritage centre the complex is a supreme example of a late-imperial Roman luxury villa. Located in the picturesque valley of the river Gela on the slopes of Mount Mangone, the Villa Romana del Casale, built in the 4th century AD and decorated with enchanting mosaics considered to be the most beautiful and best preserved of their kind. The history of the Villa Romana del Casale begins around 320-350 AD, inhabited also during the Arab era, the villa was partially destroyed by the Normans and later almost completely covered by an avalanche of mud from Mount Mangone. The discovery of the villa is due to the archaeologist Gino Vinicio Gentili, who conducted excavations in the 1950s.
Akragas aka the Valley of Temples in Agrigento:
One of the largest archaeological sites in the world, the Valley of the Temples lies on the rocky ridge bordering the plateau to the south on which ancient Akragas once stood: declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Valley of the Temples is world-famous for its imposing Doric temples, one of the most significant testimonies of Greek culture and art. The Greek temples, symbols of the city of Agrigento for centuries, are universally recognised as the most fascinating and majestic testimony that Magna Graecia bequeathed to Sicily and the whole of Italy.
Palermo and its surroundings:
Palermo is a city teeming with churches, monuments and priceless works of art, animated by noisy working-class neighbourhoods adjoining sumptuous aristocratic buildings. Icing on the cake is the pleasant climate in all seasons, stunning sea view and a evocative culinary tradition. A city of Phoenician origins, then ruled by the Romans, the Arabs, the Normans and the Swabians, it displays evidence of its glorious past everywhere you look. Arab and Norman styles merged with Baroque and Art Nouveau in a mix of rare beauty, to be admired with both surprise and wonder. Among the largest in Europe, its colours, scents and flavours overpower the senses and animate the streets. Decadent and sumptuous, ancient and contemporary, authentic yet bewitching watch out, Palermo will get under your skin!
World war II Itinerary in eastern Sicily:
Operation Husky:
the Allied invasion of Sicily:
The Anglo-American invasion and capture of Sicily was a vital stepping-stone for the campaign in Italy, and the traces of this crucial moment of the past will be fallow in this itinerary. The city of Messina with its bunkers alongside the coast to defend the Stretto di Messina and the Museum of 900 inside a bunker itself to retrace the moment of the military campaign. Catania to visit the headquarter of General Montgomery, the famous historical Museum of the landing in Sicily in 1943, and all the traditional Sicilian culture of the “black city” built with the lava stone of the Mount Etna. Walking through the old town full of roman and baroque monuments, your guide will tell you everything about the period of the Second World War in Italy, and especially in Sicily, from beginning of the war to the Allies landings and the armistice of Cassibile and at last the Commonwealth Cemetery and ponte primo sole where Montgomery was stucked for 2 weeks because of the strong germany and italy defense.
Wild adventures:
Sicily has also wildish territories where you can do some wild adventures, here for you a list of the activities for an unforgettable adventure
- Etna north with a 4X4 Jeep
- Body rafting in the Alcanatra Gorges.
- Quad adventure on the Etna area.
- Trekking in the Alcantara river.
- Trekking in the North side of the Etna.
Sea and Sky:
Boat tours:
choose your ship, from a typical sicilian gozzo to a catamaran to discover the gulf of Taormina. The blue glow of the Grotta Azzurra, the craggy outcrops of the Isola Bella WWF natural reserve and the peculiar Coves of Mazzarò. All you need to enjoy Taormina from the sea point of view.
Helicopter experience Etna & Taormina:
Admire the beauty of the Volcano Etna from a unique point of view. Discover the surrounding areas and see form the sky them from the sky the island Sicily.
Paragliding in Taormina:
if you are looking for a thrill this is going to be the perfect choice; along with a qualified tandem paraglider pilot you will leave on an experience of true freedom, not to the mention the singular point of view that your eyes will admire.
All about Mount Etna:
The Mount Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe but is also a vast land with its surroundings that offers to its visitors a multitude of activities of all kinds.
Several types of hiking along the Mount Etna Park can be done nature trails, between woods and verdant orchards, up to the highest altitudes with fascinating views of lunar landscapes, centuries-old lava flows, active caves and steam vents that revealing the uniqueness of this natural oasis.
On the south side of the Etna once arrived at Rifugio Sapienza (1900 m) the highest point accessible by car you can either venture on foot to visit the Crateri Silvestri from the massive eruption of 1892 or reach the 3000 m and the somital craters through the cable (to the 2500 m) and after with off road vehicle and the assistance of licensed guides.
On the north side with is starting point Piano Provenzana at an altitude of 1,810 meters there are various treks, from the buttonhole of the craters of the 2002 eruption to the wonderful birches forest of Timparossa.
Also, an off road adventure with a Jeep can serve the purpose to discover the Etna; from the lunar landscape of the Monti Sartorius craters to the lush Ragabo pine forest discover the most wild essence of Etna.
Do not leave the Etna area without having tried the etna wines. In one of the many awarded wineries of the area you will be delighted by this unique types of wines along with local delicacies.
Cinema atmosphere:
The Godfather:
discover the location of this masterpiece of the cinema, from the quaint village of Savoca where you will live again several iconic scene: the one set in The Bar Vitelli (Trimarchi Palace), where Michael Corleone asked Apollonia’s father her hand in marriage and informed him that his name was Michael Corleone, and that “some people would pay a of lot money for that information, but then your daughter would lose a father, instead of gaining a husband.” After the Church of St. Nicholas where Michael and Apollonia were married kneeling in the doorway. Had some time free to discover Savoca which is also a typical medieval village in Sicily, inserted in the circuit of the most beautiful villages in Italy since 2008. Second stop Forza d’Agrò a charming medieval town with spectacular views of the coast, also used as a location for filming another scene of the trilogy: the church where young Vito Andolini (later Vito Corleone) escaped Don Ciccio’s men by hiding in a basket on a donkey’s back. Last stop will immerge in the atmosphere of the Godfather part 1: the scene of the death of Apolonnia. Reach the “Castello degli schiavi” built between 1750 and 1756, owned by the Platania family, nowadays the owner will guide you around the property, pointing out the famous rooms that were captured in the movies.
The white lotus:
for the second seasons of his praised tv show, Mike White has decided to settle the story in Sicily, Taormina. The white Lotus resort is the “San Domenico Palace Four Seasons hotel”. Travel through the same street of the character of the tv show. From the main street Corso Umberto to the convent of Madonna della Rocca, passing through the enchanted Isola Bella, immerge yourself in the iconic atmosphere of the white lotus.
