Sicily 

Agrigento & Piazza Armerina (Min 12 pax) EUR 60.00 Two civilizations, the Greek and the Roman in one excursion, visiting two antique cities of art, UNESCO World Heritage sites. Across Sicily by coach with Tour Leader and Local Guide services towards Agrigento, famous for its archaeological park called “Valley of the Temples” consisting of well-preserved temples built by the Greeks between 510 and 430 BC. Upon arrival, visit to the Valley of the Temples (Juno, Concordia, Hercules, Zeus, Castor and Pollux). Break for lunch (extra). Continue to Piazza Armerina, in the centre of Sicily for a visit to the well-known “Villa Romana del Casale” of about 3,500 square meters with its famous Roman mosaics dating back to the fourth century AD. Entrance fees to the sites extra. Return to Taormina is estimated around 7.30 pm. 

Operation day: Thursday Etna Basic Tour (Min 12 pax) Basic price EUR 60.00 Ascent to main Craters area included price EUR 110.00 Excursion to the volcano Etna, the highest in Europe with its 3,350 meters, UNESCO site since 2013. Departure by coach with Tour Leader and arrival at Etna's station of altitude 1.900 meters. Stop with the possibility of soft trekking to visit the most recent lava flows. Optional lunch or snack. Facultative ascent to the authorized crater zones at approximately 3,000 meters with the assistance of licensed Guides of the Italian Alpine Club; a stop to admire the eventual activity of the summit craters in a safety zone according to weather conditions. We strongly recommend warm clothing and suitable shoes. Return to Taormina is estimated around 4.00 pm 

Operation day: Monday - Saturday Etna Round & Alcantara (Min 12 pax) Basic price EUR 55.00 Ascent to main Craters area included price EUR 110.00 A full tour of Mount Etna, a UNESCO site since 2013, including the valleys and the slopes of the volcano with a Tour Leader. The excursion has, as first destination, the Alcantara Gorge with a short stopover. Possibility to walk along the riverbed by paying an extra ticket. The trip continues on board the “Circumetnea” a traditional train that winds around the foot of the volcano reaching up to Adrano in the south. By coach again, to reach “Rifugio Sapienza” at altitude 1,900 meters on the southern side. Stop with the opportunity of soft trekking. Lunch extra. Optional ascent by cable car up to 2,500 meters and continuing on board jeeps up to the authorized crater zones at approximately 3,000 meters with the assistance of licensed Guides of the Italian Alpine Club. Stop to admire the summit craters in the area of security. We strongly recommend warm clothing and suitable shoes. Return to Taormina is around 5.00 pm. 

Operation day: Wednesday - Friday Randazzo – Alcantara & Wine Tasting (Min 12 pax) price: EUR 55.00 Opportunity to visit the Alcantara Valley around Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe and to discover the local life and history of a town on the slopes of the volcano. Departure by coach with Tour Leader towards the Alcantara Gorges for a short stop (entrance extra). The tour will then proceed to Randazzo with a visit of the historical centre with the main Cathedral, all made in lava stone. Possibility to visit the typical Sunday market. Afterwards, wine tasting in a renowned winery accompanied by typical local products. Return in the early afternoon. 

Operation day: Sunday Etna Sunset (Min 12 pax) price: EUR 110.00 A unique occasion to admire the volcano Etna in the evocative atmosphere of the sunset. The volcano, perpetually active and UNESCO site since 2013, with its 3,350 meters, is the highest in Europe. Departure by coach with Tour Leader and, after a stop on the way to visit a village on the slope, arrival at Etna’s station of altitude 1.900 meters. Ascent to the authorized crater areas at approximately 3,000 meters escorted by licensed Guides of the Italian Alpine Club. Possibility to admire the sunset at a safe distance from the central crater. Stop until sunset and return at 1,900 m. Dinner in a typical restaurant is an optional extra. We strongly recommend warm clothing and suitable shoes. Departure time may vary according to sunset time. 

Operation day: Tuesday - Thursday Siracusa (Min 12 pax) price: EUR 55.00 Excursion by coach with Tour Leader on board towards Syracuse, one of the most ancient Greek colonies in Sicily, heritage of humanity and UNESCO site. Upon arrival, meeting up with the Local Guide to visit the Archaeological Area of the V century B.C. with the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Altar of Hieron II and the Latomies of Paradise with the Ear of Dionysius. After that, a visit to the historical center of the island of Ortigia, with the Temple of Apollo, the Cathedral, an important Baroque church built on an ancient temple, the Hypogeum and the Fountain of Arethusa with the famous papyrus plant. Free time for shopping or optional lunch in the typical restaurants of the “Foro Italico”. Entrance fees extra. We recommend suitable attire when visiting sacred sites. Return to Taormina is scheduled around 6.00 pm. 

Operation day: Tuesday – Friday   Palermo & Cefalu (Min 12 pax) price: EUR 65.00 A one day tour to explore the Sicilian hinterland and the Tyrrhenian coast by visiting two of the most important cities of art in Sicily and UNESCO sites for their Arab-Norman itineraries. Palermo preserves the most important Arab-Norman, Byzantine and Spanish monuments. Departure by coach with Tour Leader and on arrival in Palermo, meeting up with the Local Guide. Walking tour passing by the Quattro Canti, the Martorana church, Piazza Bellini, Piazza Pretoria, the Cathedral and through the historical centre. Visit of the typical local market “Capo”. In alternative to the tour of Palermo, an individual and facultative visit to Monreale. After lunch (extra), departure to Cefalù. Visit of the historical centre and the Norman Cathedral with the famous mosaic of Christ Pantocrator. Return via Messina. Entrance fees extra. We recommend suitable attire when visiting sacred sites. Return to Taormina is around 7.30 pm. 

Operation day: Saturday Boat Tour Isola Bella (Min 12 pax) price: EUR 45.00 Departure from the Giardini Naxos port, navigation along the bays of Giardini-Naxos and Taormina with several stops with the possibility of swimming and snorkelling inside the natural reserve of Isola Bella. Visit of the “Grotta Azzurra”, a famous cave with a special play of light. Stop for about an hour, with possibility of guided snorkelling, sunbathing on the solarium and enjoying soft drinks, Prosecco, fruit and various snacks. The itinerary may vary according to the marine weather conditions and the decisions of the skipper. 

Operation day: Every Day   Cooking Class & Visit of Taormina’s Market (Min 1 pax) price: EUR 95.00 A pleasant morning in Taormina learning to prepare delicious Sicilian recipes with the support of a master Chef. After cooking, everyone will taste the creations over a cheerful lunch. The activity starts with a guided tour of the market of Taormina to buy the various ingredients with the relative explanations. Back at the restaurant the Chef will explain the recipes in program during a coffee break and then proceed to the preparation and the cooking of the food. The hand-made pasta represents the highlight of the activity.  At the end, all participants are invited to the table for the typical festivity lunch with the tasting of local wines described by the wine steward. Each participant will receive a certificate and an autographed apron as a souvenir of this special day. 

Operation day: Every day excluding Sunday Pizza Making Class (Min 1 pax) price: EUR 65.00 The course includes demonstration and preparation by the participants of classic pizza dough and the one with whole wheat flour for bread. The highlights of the class will be rolling out and stretching your pizza dough, learning the secrets to a great pizza sauce, creating ideas for fun pizza toppings, baking pizzas to perfection. All participants will enjoy their pizzas with a complete meal including Bruschetta mix, mineral water, soft drinks and local wine. Each participant will receive a certificate and an apron as a souvenir of this special experience. 

Operation day: Every day Arancino Making Class (Min 1 pax) price: EUR 70.00 During this course, discover the Sicilian Arancini, the most famous and delicious street food in Sicily, a true symbol of Sicilian gastronomy. Learn to prepare Sicilian Arancini, starting from the secrets and techniques for a perfect shape, for then preparing the filling and the crispy crust, ending with the final cooking. 

Operation day: Every day Cannolo Making Class (Min 1 pax) price: EUR 55.00 During this course you will learn how to prepare an excellence of Sicilian gastronomy: the cannolo, the most traditional of all Sicilian desserts. Our chef will teach you how to prepare the crunchy shell which you will knead with your own hands, then fry the dough and prepare the sweet cream to fill it. At the end of the course, you will taste the real Sicilian cannolo you prepared, comfortably seated at the table. 

 

Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate add on.