Top Sicily How to Get Around - page 4

Reaching Palermo from Taormina by public transportation can be time-consuming. Shave hours off your trip with this private transfer that includes pickup at your Taormina hotel or the Giardini Naxos port and drop-off at your final destination in Palermo. Leave the driving to a professional and relax on board an air-conditioned minivan with bottled water provided.

Visit some of the most beautiful parts of Western Sicily with this day trip from Palermo to Erice, Segesta, Nubia and the Trapani Salt Pans. Visit an archaeological excavation at Segesta. Take in the excellent views from the hilltop town of Erice. See how sea salt is still collected off the Sicilian coast at the Salt Pans of Trapani.

Mt. Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe and home to fertile vineyards and farms. With this tour, avoid the stress of navigating the winding roads on the mountain on your own and instead visit the dramatic Silvestri Craters and a farm on the slopes of Mt. Etna with a driver. End your experience with a tasting and lunch at a local winery at the foot of the mountain.

Discover the Aeolian Archipelago on this day trip to the islands of Stromboli and Panarea from Taormina. Journey to each island by motorboat, exploring the local shops at your leisure or taking a cool dip in the sea. Afterward, cruise around Stromboli to see the island’s volcano. Keep your eyes peeled for the crater of Sciara del Fuoco, known to light up the sky with its jet-like eruptions.

Visit the real-life locations in those iconic scenes from ‘The Godfather’ during this coach tour of filming locations from Taormina or the province of Messina. There is a Sicilian town called Corleone, but the movies weren’t filmed there. Instead, the towns of Savoca and Forzà d'Agrò set the scene. See the famous Bar Vitelli, among other places you’ll recognize from the films, while your guide tells stories about the movies and Sicily.

The Etna 2000 Morning jeep tour is designed to give everyone the chance to discover the most important places of Etna and to have a complete picture of its history, evolution and activity. We will begin the excursion from the lava flows that in past centuries destroyed the Etna villages and we will arrive at about 2000m above sea level at the ski and tourist resort of Mount Etna. Along the way, equipped with helmets and torches, we will visit a wonderful volcanic cave (lava tube), the famous Valle del Bove from a lookout and always accompanied by our passionate guides we will make a pleasant trek around the side craters, like the Silvestri Craters . In fact, there are over 300 extinct lateral craters on Mount Etna. The excursion is carried out on board our 4X4 jeeps with which we reach the various points of interest and throughout the journey our guides will provide you with all the information on Etna and in the end you will love it as we do

Get up close and personal with some of Sicily’s best-preserved ancient ruins—and learn all about Syracuse and its history from your guide—when you embark on this private walking tour of the Neapolis Archaeological Park (entrance own expense). Choose from morning or afternoon departure times, and enjoy several hours to explore. You’ll see the ruins of the Greek Theatre, the Altar of Hieron, the Ear of Dionysus cave, and more.

Leave the navigating to your driver and explore the history and architecture of Sicily with this full-day tour. See several popular landmarks in one day, including the Greek ruins of Agrigento and the Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina. This small group tour through the Valley of the Temples offers an intimate atmosphere.

Finding the best cannoli bakeries—pasticcerie—in Taormina can be a fun challenge, but it can also turn into fruitless trips between neighborhoods. With this tour, take the guesswork out and let a chef help you prepare cannoli from scratch, using traditional recipes starting with the crusty shell and ending with sweet ricotta cream. When you’re done, taste your creations and receive a “cannoli expert” certificate.

Many cooking classes in Italy focus on complex dishes that require solid kitchen skills. On this beginner-friendly experience, learn insider tips and tricks to mastering classical Italian pizza no matter what your skill level. Under the expert tutelage of a local pizzaiolo (pizza chef) instructor, you’ll make dough from scratch and top it with traditional ingredients. Pick up easy-to-learn tips and techniques, then sit down to savor your hard-earned Sicilian feast with soft drinks to accompany your meal.

Explore Mount Etna during the most dazzling time of day with this sunset Jeep tour. Set off in the afternoon to take in the Valle del Bove and lunar landscapes of the lava and ash fields on the slopes of Europe’s highest active volcano. Discover side craters and extinguished lava flows, don a helmet and headlamp to venture into a lava tube, and admire the bird's-eye view at sunset.

Spend time exploring the glorious Duomo of Monreale, Cathedral and Cloister and the Medieval town of Cefalù during this half-day trip from Palermo. Travel to Monreale for a 1-hour Duomo tour. Next, travel to charming Cefalù for a tour that includes the Duomo, Medieval lavatory, Mandralisca Museum and more.

This tour makes it easier than ever to get up close and personal with Mt. Etna: Europe’s highest active volcano, and one of Sicily’s most visible landmarks. Journey to Rifugio Sapienza, at Etna’s base, before your trek; all equipment is included, and an add-on journey to its crater is available (own expense). Next, explore the volcano’s lava caves before stopping at an area farm for a sampling of local products.

Explore Mount Etna, the world's most active stratovolcano, on this small-group hiking tour from Catania. Ride up the mountain on a 4WD vehicle and take a moderate hike through Mount Etna's moon-like landscape in the Valley del Bove depression. Explore Etna's largest caldera, aka a large crater, and take in spectacular views of the Sicilian landscape and the Ionian Sea.

Skip the hassle of arranging transportation and meals with this all-inclusive Taormina and Castelmola day trip. Enjoy pickup at your hotel or port and private transport to Taormina, where you’ll stop for a guided walking tour through the old town to take in its most famous sights. Then continue on to the scenic village of Castelmola perched on the slopes above to sample Sicilian cannoli and arancini.

Discover Etna and the Alcantara Gorges! The perfect mix of adventure and refreshing relax! The excursion begins by SUV or minivan (up to 8 people), together with our experienced guides. Our first stop is an off-road trip to the 2002 eruption lava fron. Continuing along the Via Mareneve, in the middle of the Ragabo pine forest, we will arrive at the starting point of our trekking to the Monti Sartorius craters. We will continue on foot, starting at 1650 metres and arriving at an altitude of 1750 metres, an easy walk suitable for everyone. We will then explore a lava flow cave, the Grotta dei Ladroni, equipped with helmets and torches. We will stop at a local chalet or restaurant for lunch (included in the price: a first course, water and coffee/tea). After lunch, we will reach the characteristic Alcantara Gorges, also known as the Larderia Gorges. A refreshing and relaxing visit to a wonderful place. You can cool off in the Alcantara river in the middle of the canyon of the Gorges!

Go beyond restaurant dining and dig into Sicily's traditional cuisine on this exclusive chef-led cooking class in central Taormina. Join a professional Sicilian chef to purchase ingredients at the local market, then head back to the restaurant kitchen to get to work. Learn about the history of the regional cuisine as you prepare a 3-course meal from scratch, then sample your handiwork over lunch (served with wine).

Discover an excavated Roman villa and UNESCO-listed temples on this full-day tour of Villa Romana del Casale and the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. After leaving Palermo with your driver, you’ll travel to Piazza Armerina to explore the famous mosaic-embellished Roman villa. Then, continue to the Valley of the Temples to discover a world of Greek mythology, tyrannical rulers, and ruins—guide included.

Discover three different Sicilian wineries as you sample tasty regional reds, whites, and rosés. Driving in an air-conditioned car, cruise past picturesque villages, fruit orchards, and lava-made churches as you explore the fascinating region of Etna, known for its volcanic terroirs. Sip samples of the volcano-infused drink in family-run wineries, munching on local gastronomic delicacies, from cheeses to salami.

Observe dolphins in the Gulf of Catania safely and sustainably with this low-impact tour. Set off with a crew of specialized skippers and marine biologists to learn about the local dolphin population and watch them frolicking in the open waters off Sicily. This tour abides by the international agreement for the conservation of cetaceans and is certified as eco-friendly, so you’ll get close enough to snap photos without disturbing the animals.

Explore the historic center of Palermo and stop to taste carefully selected local delicacies. Expect to make several different stops over the course of your tour as you chat with your knowledgeable guide about Sicilian history and culture. Learn about the preparation of various dishes, the stories behind Palermo restaurants, and more.

Dedicate a day to two of Sicily’s must-discover towns: Messina and Taormina. After leaving Messina, you’ll travel to Taormina with a driver and a guide to seek out the viewpoints that sweep over both Mt. Etna and the coast, and hear the stories behind its historical piazzas. Back in Messina, monuments, churches, and the lookout point of Capo Peloro are among the highlights. A typical Sicilian treat of “cannoli” or “arancini” are extra perks.

Make the most of your shore excursion with this 4-hour tour of the historic seaside resort of Taormina from Messina. See the beautiful cathedral and spectacular Greek Theater. Enjoy views over the Ionian Sea and Giardini Naxos Bay. Admire Mt. Etna looming over everything. Get a brief tour of Messina before returning to your drop-off location.

Delve into ancient Roman and Greek history on a visit to both Neapolis Archaeological Park and Ortygia Island in Syracuse. Neapolis is home to some of Syracuse's most notable ruins, including a massive Greek amphitheater that is still used for performances during the summer months. Marvel at age-old quarries and a Roman amphitheater where gladiators fought each other to the death. Afterward, head over to Ortygia Island―a small island that serves as Syracuse's historic center―and nearby Noto, a stunning town filled with exquisite, photo-worthy baroque architecture.