Sicily Tours

'We're going to make you an offer you can't refuse'. Well, this used to be Mafia country, after all. In fact, Hollywood descended on this part of the world to film scenes for the Godfather trilogy, so this tour will take in two Sicilian mountain villages that made it onto the silver screen and to relive some of the the most famous scenes.

Europe's highest active volcano looms large over everyday life in Sicily. On this thrilling tour, you'll hop on a 4x4 off road Safari to explore some of the hardest-to-reach parts of the north slope of Mt Etna. You'll visit the Sartorius craters as well as lava fields and caves, and also drop into a winery for a tasting.You'll begin your adventure with both on-road and off-road exploration on a 4x4, visiting the impressive 2002 lava front, a testament to the volcano's power. Then, you'll traverse through the woods to reach the Sartorius craters of 1865.There's time for a walk amid the unique landscapes – at an altitude of 1,750 metres above sea level, you'll get some great close up views of the eerie volcanic surroundings. You'll round off with a short hop to visit a lava cave before ending the tour at a local winery. Here, sample some of their wines with a tasting session along with a selection of typical products of Etna. A great way to end a day of exploration.

If ancient cities, holy monuments and a touch of the macabre are your thing, then this two-in-one tour is a must. First up is UNESCO-listed Monreale Cathedral where you'll marvel at the architecture before a guide gives you the history of its pure-gold mosaics. You'll then stop by Palermo for a walking tour of some of the best-preserved historic landmarks in the world. After, you can take time to sip a cappuccino, browse the market, or grab some lunch in the famous Piazza Verdi.

Watching the sky light up with shades of orange and then burn out into darkness while standing atop a volcano is a special sensation. This drama-rich tour takes you to Mount Etna – a must-visit when in Sicily. You'll head to an altitude of almost 3,000 metres to catch the sunset and then relax over a traditional meal to round off your adventure. Ciccio, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘The volcano's name derives from the ancient Greek word “aitne”, meaning “I burn”. It's an appropriate name for Europe's most active volcano.' As part of a select group of no more than 19 guests, you'll go by minibus to Etna. As the terrain becomes rockier, we switch to a 4x4 vehicle. As we make our way to 2,900m above sea level – the highest point that's safely reachable – there'll be stops to take in the harsh, lunar landscape and the lava-smothered flanks of this towering mountain. Ciccio says, ‘You might wonder why so many people live on Etna's slopes. The answer is simple – volcanic soil is extremely fertile, and you'll see traditional crops like vines and citrus fruits, plus newcomers such as avocados and papaya growing here.'Make sure you're wearing comfortable walking shoes and warm layers – it gets cold at high altitude. After admiring the views from near the summit, an expert alpine guide will take you to a less exposed 2,500m, where you'll watch the sunset in a more comfortable location. Then on the way back, we'll stop at a chalet restaurant for a typical Sicilian dinner.

The past comes to life in Syracuse – a city packed with classical heritage as well as flamboyant Sicilian baroque architecture. You'll visit the Greek theatre, go into the Ear of Dionysius and explore Ortygia island, the heart of the old town and location of baroque gems such as the cathedral.

Mother Nature's two greatest gifts to eastern Sicily were the spectacular Alcantara Gorge and Europe's largest active volcano, Mt Etna. On this full day excursion, you'll discover these two natural wonders – paddling in the water of the gorge and climbing up to 2,900 metres in the volcano in a variety of transport modes.

Europe's highest volcano looms large over Sicily, so this family-friendly tour takes you as close to the top as you can. You'll be driven to Rifugio Sapienza, then swap to a cable car and 4x4 vehicle to reach the main crater at about 2,900m above sea level. The views and lunar landscape from here are nothing short of breathtaking.Nature trails, caves, woods, and lava flows typify the landscape that leads to the top of Mt Etna. And after pick-up from your hotel you'll be driven to about 1900m above sea level at Rifugio Sapienza on the south side of Etna, where you'll hop off the bus to unearth some more.On the way you'll learn all there is to know about Mt Etna and its explosive past. And don't worry – there'll be plenty of facts for the little ones to take in, too. Then, you'll get to see it all for yourself during some free time. Switch to a cable car and jump into an off-road vehicle that'll take you rumbling along to the main crater. You'll want your camera for this one.

For a taste of ‘la dolce vita', nothing quite hits the spot like an island-hopping cruise from one glamorous spot to the next. You'll discover three Aeolian gems, Panarea, Stromboli and Salina di Santa Maria, with free time to explore at your own pace. The grand finale comes in the form of glowing lava flows by night – it's quite a spectacle.

See two of Sicily's star turns in just one trip – the spectacular Alcantara Gorge and Europe's largest active volcano, Mt Etna. On this full day excursion, you'll discover these two natural wonders – paddling in the water of the gorge and climbing up to a height of 1,900 metres on the famous mountain.

Mt. Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe and a true icon of Sicily. By coach, cable-car and minibus you‘ll ascend 2900 mts above sea level to the famous mountains main crater. What's more, on this full day experience, you‘ll get to visit one of Italy's most beautiful towns, Taormina.

The volcanic islands of Stromboli and Panarea are the stars of the show on this full day excursion. You'll explore these island beauties just off the coast of Sicily with plenty of free time to sightsee at your own pace and witness the famous active lava flow by night.

All vine-covered peaks, thick woodlands and tucked-away villages, the Madonie Mountains are a snapshot of rural Sicilian life. On this tour, you'll explore the medieval village of San Mauro Castelverde before feasting on a typical Sicilian dinner.

Two of Sicily's highlights are in the spotlight on this compelling tour. You'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valley of the Temples, to step back in time in amongst a captivating archaeological site, then head to one of the top ten most unique coastlines as named by TripAdvisor - Scala dei Turchi.First up will be one of the largest archaeological sites in the world, the immense Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. It packs in countless temples perched on a high ridge, all of which you'll see, including the ruins of the Temple of Zeus and Concordia Temple at the end of the Sacred Way. You'll be given headphones to hear your guide, too, so you'll not miss any details.Afterwards, you'll make your way to the bright white Scala dei Turchi, a natural limestone staircase that descends into the blue sea. You'll have time for a swim before heading back to the hotel.

Sicilians like to be direct. So when it came to naming the tiny islet of Isola Bella – it means ‘Beautiful Island' – there was only ever going to be one option. This morning cruise from Giardini-Naxos allows you to take in the amazing coastal views – with Mt Etna in the background – en route to Isola Bella.

This tour is Sicily wrapped up in one sweet package. And there's a couple of surprises thrown in, too. Kick things off with a scenic drive through Alcantara Valley and admire some of Sicily's famed panoramas. Then, you'll continue to Randazzo. Every Sunday is about one thing here – its local market, which you'll get free time to explore. Try your way through Sicilian vino at Vini Patria winery – where better than a picturesque vineyard overlooking Mt Etna.

Lipari and Vulcano are two good-looking Aeolian Islands. Visit both of these in one day, and you've got yourself a handsome trip ahead. First, it's the pastel-coloured waterfront buildings of Lipari before sailing over to Vulcano for its smoking peaks. A two-in-one of Sicily's best.It's an early morning start as you cast off to the largest of the UNESCO-listed Aeolian Islands, Lipari. As one of the oldest settlements in Europe, there's plenty to explore here. You'll have free time to see the top-notch museum, as well as its pleasant waterfront and historic citadel.Then, you'll glide over to the island of Vulcano, whose volcanic origins are clear to see – you'll soon spot fumes spouting from its crater. But you'll be here to take things easy. Find a spot for yourself on the black sand beach, spread out your towel here and enjoy a few hours topping up your tan before boarding the boat back.

Cefalu's elegant riviera is best admired far from the crowds, and what better than seeing it from the deck of a boat. This three-hour cruise is the perfect way to discover the Sicilian coastline and enjoy picturesque views that scream Bella Vita. During the journey, we'll stop off at secluded bays and coves where you can snorkel and swim. What's more, you can snack on fresh seasonal fruit and quench your thirst on unlimited soft drinks.

Cruising by the iconic Isola Bella with an aperitif in hand, you'll really take your holiday to the next level. And that's just the first part of the trip. Once you've admired the coastline, you'll be whisked further from the coast to the Isola Bella marine reserve. Here, we'll begin our search for dolphins - if we are lucky enough to spot a group, we will approach cautiously so we can observe them without disturbing them.

Make traditional Sicilian Pizza with a real 'pizzaiolo' - the Italian word for pizza chef. Learn the secrets of perfect pizza from an expert as you prepare the dough and the toppings for flash baking in a searing hot pizza oven. Take the skills and knowledge home with you to recreate authentic pizza whenever you like. You'll get a certificate and souvenir apron, too.

Renowned for its baroque-style architecture, imposing cathedrals and elegant palaces, Sicily is a sight to behold – and Noto is no exception. With a local guide in tow, you'll spend an afternoon walking around some of the city's highlights. Church of Santa Chiara, Palazzo Ducezio and the imposing San Nicolò Cathedral are all on the agenda, as well as a tasting of Sicilian products.