Top Sicily How to Get Around - page 4

Learn about the history of underground Catania and the fascinating stories of the sites you are walking on, on this private guided tour. Visit hidden places, usually inaccessible to tourists or hard to find. In the company of a passionate archaeologist as a guide, the rocks come to life and reveal their history.

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.

Spend a day exploring the ancient sights of the Valley of the Temples with this day trip from Palermo. Travel to Agrigento for a quick coffee break (own expense) before visiting the fascinating site for a 1-hour tour. See the temples of Hera, Concordia and Apollo. Take a midday break for lunch (own expense) before stopping at the archaeology museum for a 1-hour self-guided visit.

Located on the island of Sicily, Mt Etna is the tallest active volcano in Europe. Explore the different aspects of the dynamic mountain on this active tour from Catania which includes hiking up to the inner craters and (safely) entering a lava cave. See ancient lava flows, learn about the geological history of the volcano, and admire panoramic views of eastern Sicily.

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.

See two of northern Sicily’s most characterful destinations when you embark on this private tour from Palermo. In the morning, your guide picks you up from your accommodation; board an air-conditioned minivan and head to the medieval village of Castelbuono, located in the Madonie Mountains. See the Castle of Ventimiglia and visit a local pastry shop before continuing to Cefalù, home to a UNESCO-listed cathedral and impeccable seaside views.

Discover more of Sicily as you take a tour of Giardini Naxos, Taormina, and Castelmola on this full-day tour from Catania. See where the Greeks first landed on the island, enjoy panoramic views, and explore Castelmola with its medieval castle and alleys. Admire the medieval architecture of Taormina and the setting of “The White Lotus".

Explore Europe’s largest active volcano on this day trip to Mt Etna from Taormina. Relax with transportation to the base station of Rifugio Sapienza and then take off through the foothills where you can hike at your leisure. Upgrade your ticket for a guided walking tour through the volcanic craters.

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.

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.

UNESCO–listed Syracuse, Ortigia Island, and Noto are three of eastern Sicily’s most beautiful coastal settlements, with a history dating back to the days of the ancient Greeks. This full-day tour takes you to all three sites in one day, with round-trip travel from Catania, Taormina, and surrounding areas included. Discover Roman ruins in Neapolis, and admire beautiful baroque architecture in Noto—with your guide on hand to bring Sicily’s history to life.

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).

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.

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.

Maximize your time in Palermo with this sightseeing tour, which showcases the best of the city and the surrounding region. Visit the hillside town of Monreale, known for its Norman cathedral and 12th-century mosaics, explore Palermo’s historic center, and enjoy beach time at the seaside resort of Mondello. Your professional driver provides basic historical information but is not an authorized guide and cannot escort inside monuments.

The volcanic landscapes around Mt. Etna draw travelers from far and wide. This adventurous full-day tour from Taormina includes a visit to the Parco dell’Etna for a guided exploration of a lava cave and a trek to 6,500 feet (2,000 meters) above sea level near Rifugio Sapienza, where you can admire Etna’s stunning volcanic scenery. Plus, delve deep into the Alcantara Gorges—home to lava formations shaped over millions of years.

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.

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.

Sicily’s romantic atmosphere and unconventional history have seduced visitors for millennia but are easy to miss in the bustle of modern travel. This private walking tour immerses you in rustic hill towns and the history of the Sicilian Mafia—including visits to filming sites of The Godfather movie—and the anti-Mafia fight. Includes round-trip transport from anywhere in Taormina.

Head from Catania to three of Sicily’s top destinations during this full-day, attraction-packed guided tour. Travel comfortably by air-conditioned minivan. Highlights include the Neapolis archaeological park in Syracuse (admission tickets purchased separately), a visit to the Greek and Baroque-influenced island of Ortigia, and a stop in picturesque, UNESCO-listed Noto.

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.

Syracuse and Noto are two of Sicily’s top baroque cities, but reaching them with public transport can be a hassle. Skip the train and bus with this small-group tour that includes transportation and a light lunch with local products during your visit to Ortigia. Head straight to Syracuse to explore the Neapolis Archaeological Park and Ortigia old town at your own pace, then visit Noto to marvel at the UNESCO-listed architecture.

Discover the origins of The Godfather and see one of Sicily's great religious sites during this day-long tour. Taking in sites linked to real-life mafia events and sites based on the Francis Ford Coppola movies, the tour gives you the lowdown on Sicily’s gangster history. In the village of Corleone, visit the historic center and the Anti-Mafia Museum (own expense). After checking out the Bosco della Ficuzza Nature Reserve, visit Monreale, a Cathedral overlooking Palermo with famed golden mosaics.

Let someone else take care of driving and planning on this full-day tour to the castle of Caccamo and Cefalù from Palermo. After seeing the medieval houses and UNESCO-listed duomo in Cefalù, spend free time exploring at your own pace or shopping and having lunch (own expense). Then, head to the castle of Caccamo, one of the best-preserved medieval castles on the island in a pretty town at the foot of Mount San Calogero.