Top Sicily Wine, Beer & Spirits - page 3

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.

This immersive experience combines a visit to the charming medieval town of Castelmola with a tour of a local winery situated on the northern slopes of Europe’s highest active volcano. Your journey begins in Castelmola, renowned for its beauty and its recognition as one of Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages. In Castelmola, you’ll have the chance to sample the town’s signature almond wine and wander through the picturesque streets, enjoy breathtaking views, and visit artisan ceramic shops that showcase the town’s traditional crafts. Next, your tour will take you to the northern slopes of Mount Etna, where you’ll drive through the vineyards that thrive in the unique volcanic soil. During your visit to a local winery, you’ll learn about the process of growing vines on an active volcano. The highlight of the tour is a tasting of four exceptional Etna wines, each paired with a selection of the finest Sicilian products.

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.

Experience fine dining in the ancient city of Palermo. Meet your local chef and begin a 4-course immersion in authentic Sicilian cuisine. Eat a delicious dinner prepared by a local chef featuring the authentic flavors of the island. Enjoy fine local wine that perfectly complements the flavors of your meal and sit around the table with your friends and family during this special dinner experience.

Immerse yourself in The Godfather on a private tour with stops at the movie’s iconic film locations, from the Church of Santa Lucia to Bar Vitelli. In addition to navigating for you, your guide provides refreshments, entrance fees when necessary, and a wealth of stories often unheard by visitors. Upgrade to include lunch and/or dinner at a classic Sicilian seafood restaurant.

Complement your Taormina excursions with a dose of Italian culture when you attend this evening of opera. Talented singers will perform duets and arias from some of the most popular Italian-written operas, including La Traviata, Tosca, and La Bohème. Tickets also include a glass of Champagne, plus opportunities to admire photo-worthy views of the city from the theater's terrace.

Explore Europe's highest active volcano with this Jeep tour on Mount Etna. Join a nature guide and head up to about 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) to discover lava flows and extinct craters, plus take in the views over the Caldera del Valle del Bove. Then don a helmet and headlamp and venture into a lava tube to better to learn how lava flows are formed and cool.

Mount Etna may be famous for its volcanic landscapes, but the mountain's lower slopes are covered in lush vineyards where some of the island's best wines are produced. Explore Mount Etna's winemaking culture with this full-day tour packed with cellar visits and tastings. Kick off by sampling a variety of local labels in Castiglione di Sicilia, then continue on to visit two local wineries for tastings and lunch.

The best way to connect with any local culture is through food, and nowhere is this more true than Sicily. With this cooking class, shop for ingredients at the market in Taormina like a local before learning how to prepare a variety of traditional Sicilian dishes with Chef Massimo in his restaurant kitchen. Enjoy the fruits of our labors over lunch afterwards, served with two local wines.

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.

Skip the large tour groups in Sicily, and opt for an intimate, private day trip instead. With a private driver whose focus is your personal group, see ancient Greek and Roman ruins at Neapolis Archaeological Park in Syracuse, stroll through Ortigia's small streets to shop for Sicilian products, and discover UNESCO-listed baroque architecture in Noto. Even better: A hotel or port pickup and drop-off service is also covered.

See the stunning Aeolian Archipelago on this day trip to the islands of Vulcano and Lipari from Taormina. Take a motorboat across the turquoise waters to the UNESCO-listed chain of volcanic islands. Enjoy free time to explore, cooling off with a swim in the Tyrrhenian Sea or checking out the Lipari Archaeological Museum for a bit of island history. Your day concludes with transportation back to Taormina.

An experience to taste the excellent Sicilian wines now famous in the world with combinations of typical local products to enhance the flavor, all within historic cellars, in the middle of ancient barrels. a tour that involves all the senses, scents and flavors first in the cellar and the sight and sounds then with the boat tour of the lagoon of Mothia (natural reserve of the islands of the Stagnone di Marsala) thus immersing yourself in the ancient history of this land.

Mount Etna is one of the most striking natural features in Sicily, and with this tour, you can experience both its beauty and geology. Set off from Catania, stopping at an organic farm on the mountain slopes to sample honey, wine, olive oil, and other specialties. Afterward, continue up to the Valle del Bove.

Beat the heat during this full-day, small-group swimming and snorkeling cruise in Sicily. Enjoy a personalized experience limited to only 12 people. Small boats allow for easy get-down stops at a selection of postcard-perfect beaches. Swim and snorkel within coves in Zingaro Reserve, Cala Rossa, and Scopello, and enjoy free time for lunch in San Vito lo Capo.

The best way to learn about Italian wine is to go to its source, and with this tour, you can gain access to a local winery in Sambuca di Sicilia for a guided tour. Learn about the full process—from picking the grapes in the vineyards to producing and bottling the wine. Then, enjoy the highlight of the trip—a sommelier-guided tasting with wine, cheese, gourmet products, and extra virgin olive oil.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Catania has a lively food scene, but it takes an insider to guide you to the top spots for sweet and savory treats. Explore the city's markets and food shops on this street food tour through the old town led by a local foodie, sampling Sicilian favorites like artisan cheeses and cold cuts, olives, arancini, and more while soaking up the vibrant atmosphere. Along the way, you’ll uncover what makes Sicilian cuisine unique and discover some of Catania’s cultural highlights.

Visit a family rural winery in Agrigento area, where you'll taste local wines and meet the winemaker. Enjoy food and wine tasting with friends and family.

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.

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.