Tour Summary
Immerse yourself in unspoilt nature as you visit the Aeolian Islands, fascinating history and some of the most beautiful areas of Italy.
Mount Etna - Local tastings at Farmhouse - Taormina
MOUNT ETNA - Mount Etna is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, between the cities of Messina and Catania. It is one of the tallest active volcanoes in Europe, and the tallest peak in Italy south of the Alps. LOCAL TASTINGS AT FARMHOUSE - Indulge your love of food and wine on a tour of the Etna countryside, at a Farmhouse. TAORMINA - The ancient city of Taormina is completely walkable and attractive. Perched on a rocky headland high above the sea, see why historical Taormina has been the most popular tourist destination in Sicily for hundreds of years. The town is known for the Teatro Antico di Taormina, an ancient Greco-Roman theatre still used today. Near the theatre, cliffs drop to the sea forming coves with sandy beaches.
Cefalu - Tindari
CEFALU - For lots of people, the beautiful beach of Cefalu is one of the best beaches in Sicily. The town's main beach stretches 1,6km along the coast and offers a magnificent view of the old town and the impressive Rocca di Cefalù. Cefalù is known for its Norman cathedral, a 12th-century fortress-like structure with elaborate Byzantine mosaics and soaring twin towers. TINDARI - The ancient town of Tindari is found in north-eastern Sicily, on the northern coast. The monumental, relatively well-preserved, ruins of ancient Tyndari are a main attraction for visitors and excavations are continuing to reveal more parts of the city. Dating back as far as the end of the 4th Century, the 197-ft diameter Greek Theatre is a marvel of acoustic engineering and has hosted music, dance and theatre festivals over the last 70 years.
Madonie National Park
The Madonie Regional Natural Park is an Italian regional park located between Palermo and Cefalù and covers 39,972 acres. The park has six impressive mountains (over 1500 meters above sea level) and the reserve extends for 35000 hectares. As well as being a nature reserve, the park is an inhabited area with dozens of little villages and small towns, many of which trace their origins to medieval times. The park is also home to a number of castles and numerous ancient churches. The park is considered as a botanic paradise and the wildlife is characterised by the most important nesting birds and mammals which can be found on the island.
Palermo - Monreale - Monreale Cathedral
PALERMO - Palermo is Sicily's cultural, economic and tourism capital. It is a city rich in history, culture, art, music and food. It is the capital of the Italian island of Sicily. The 12th-century Palermo Cathedral houses royal tombs, while the huge neoclassical Teatro Massimo is known for opera performances. Busy markets include the central Ballarò street market and the Vucciria, near the port. MONREALE AND MONREALE CATHEDRAL - Monreale is a town in the City of Palermo. It is located on the slope of Monte Caputo, overlooking the very fertile valley called "La Conca d'oro", a production area of orange, olive and almond trees, the produce of which is exported in large quantities. Monreale Cathedral is a Catholic church in Monreale in the City of Palermo. One of the greatest existent examples of Norman architecture, it was begun in 1174 by William II of Sicily. The church is a national monument of Italy and one of the most important attractions of Sicily.
Aeolian Islands - Lipari - Vulcano
AEOLIAN ISLANDS - The Aeolian Islands are a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea north of Sicily, said to be named after Aeolus, the mythical ruler of the winds. There are seven significant islands: Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi and Panarea, and a set of minor islands and rocks. Stromboli is also famous for its black sand beaches and stunning sunsets. Panarea is the smallest and most exclusive island, with a luxurious vibe and upscale hotels. There are two active volcanoes – Stromboli and Vulcano. Thermal waters are on most of the islands. The volcanic activity has also left the islands with a very fertile soil that is beneficial in the growth of natural flora. LIPARI - Lipari Island is the largest of a chain of islands in a volcanic archipelago situated in between Vesuvius and Etna. As a result of its volcanic origin, the island is covered with pumice and obsidian. Pumice mining has become a large industry on Lipari, and the pale pumice from Lipari is shipped worldwide. VULCANO - Vulcano is a small volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, north of Sicily and located at the southernmost end of the seven Aeolian Islands. The island is known for its volcanic activity and contains several volcanic calderas, including one of the four active volcanoes in Italy that are not submarine. The English word "volcano", and its equivalent in several European languages, derives from the name of this island, which derives from the Roman belief that the tiny island was the chimney of Vulcan, the Roman God of Fire.
Tour Itinerary
Mount Etna - Local tastings at Farmhouse - Taormina
MOUNT ETNA - Mount Etna is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, between the cities of Messina and Catania. It is one of the tallest active volcanoes in Europe, and the tallest peak in Italy south of the Alps. LOCAL TASTINGS AT FARMHOUSE - Indulge your love of food and wine on a tour of the Etna countryside, at a Farmhouse. TAORMINA - The ancient city of Taormina is completely walkable and attractive. Perched on a rocky headland high above the sea, see why historical Taormina has been the most popular tourist destination in Sicily for hundreds of years. The town is known for the Teatro Antico di Taormina, an ancient Greco-Roman theatre still used today. Near the theatre, cliffs drop to the sea forming coves with sandy beaches.
Cefalu - Tindari
CEFALU - For lots of people, the beautiful beach of Cefalu is one of the best beaches in Sicily. The town's main beach stretches 1,6km along the coast and offers a magnificent view of the old town and the impressive Rocca di Cefalù. Cefalù is known for its Norman cathedral, a 12th-century fortress-like structure with elaborate Byzantine mosaics and soaring twin towers. TINDARI - The ancient town of Tindari is found in north-eastern Sicily, on the northern coast. The monumental, relatively well-preserved, ruins of ancient Tyndari are a main attraction for visitors and excavations are continuing to reveal more parts of the city. Dating back as far as the end of the 4th Century, the 197-ft diameter Greek Theatre is a marvel of acoustic engineering and has hosted music, dance and theatre festivals over the last 70 years.
Madonie National Park
The Madonie Regional Natural Park is an Italian regional park located between Palermo and Cefalù and covers 39,972 acres. The park has six impressive mountains (over 1500 meters above sea level) and the reserve extends for 35000 hectares. As well as being a nature reserve, the park is an inhabited area with dozens of little villages and small towns, many of which trace their origins to medieval times. The park is also home to a number of castles and numerous ancient churches. The park is considered as a botanic paradise and the wildlife is characterised by the most important nesting birds and mammals which can be found on the island.
Palermo - Monreale - Monreale Cathedral
PALERMO - Palermo is Sicily's cultural, economic and tourism capital. It is a city rich in history, culture, art, music and food. It is the capital of the Italian island of Sicily. The 12th-century Palermo Cathedral houses royal tombs, while the huge neoclassical Teatro Massimo is known for opera performances. Busy markets include the central Ballarò street market and the Vucciria, near the port. MONREALE AND MONREALE CATHEDRAL - Monreale is a town in the City of Palermo. It is located on the slope of Monte Caputo, overlooking the very fertile valley called "La Conca d'oro", a production area of orange, olive and almond trees, the produce of which is exported in large quantities. Monreale Cathedral is a Catholic church in Monreale in the City of Palermo. One of the greatest existent examples of Norman architecture, it was begun in 1174 by William II of Sicily. The church is a national monument of Italy and one of the most important attractions of Sicily.
Aeolian Islands - Lipari - Vulcano
AEOLIAN ISLANDS - The Aeolian Islands are a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea north of Sicily, said to be named after Aeolus, the mythical ruler of the winds. There are seven significant islands: Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi and Panarea, and a set of minor islands and rocks. Stromboli is also famous for its black sand beaches and stunning sunsets. Panarea is the smallest and most exclusive island, with a luxurious vibe and upscale hotels. There are two active volcanoes – Stromboli and Vulcano. Thermal waters are on most of the islands. The volcanic activity has also left the islands with a very fertile soil that is beneficial in the growth of natural flora. LIPARI - Lipari Island is the largest of a chain of islands in a volcanic archipelago situated in between Vesuvius and Etna. As a result of its volcanic origin, the island is covered with pumice and obsidian. Pumice mining has become a large industry on Lipari, and the pale pumice from Lipari is shipped worldwide. VULCANO - Vulcano is a small volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, north of Sicily and located at the southernmost end of the seven Aeolian Islands. The island is known for its volcanic activity and contains several volcanic calderas, including one of the four active volcanoes in Italy that are not submarine. The English word "volcano", and its equivalent in several European languages, derives from the name of this island, which derives from the Roman belief that the tiny island was the chimney of Vulcan, the Roman God of Fire.
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