Volcanic beauty, ancient ruins & traditional cuisine in Sicily

The sparkling isle of Sicily will be your home for the next seven days; a land of beautiful architecture, mysterious coves and fiery volcanoes. Take a private transfer from the airport to your hotel, before meeting your fellow travellers and guide over welcome drinks. Come evening, head out with your group to explore the lively streets, lined with aperitivo bars and restaurants, and settle in one of our favourite spots to dine together on your first evening (we have lots to choose from) – buon appetito.

This morning, head straight into the beating heart of Palermo. Dive into the market stalls to pick up some fresh ingredients, which will be transformed into culinary delights in the home of a Palermo chef. Learn your caponata from your cannoli in a hands-on cooking class, before digging into a well-earned lunch with your group. The afternoon will see you drive over to the hilltop town of Monreale to explore its alleys and beautiful mosaic-adorned cathedral. After your light culture fix, head back to Palermo and experience the thrum of the city by night.

Say arrivederci to Palermo as we journey onwards to Taormina, a Roman hilltop town in the shadow of Mount Etna. Follow your guide through its twisting streets, until you reach the ancient Greek theatre, whose crumbling walls date back to the 3rd century. These ruins once held gladiator battles and chariot racing. Whilst they now host operas and film screenings, one thing remains the same: the incredible backdrop of Mount Etna. Channel your inner gladiator in the ancient arena, before heading back into town for dinner with your group.

Head over to the Alcantara Gorges this morning, where you’ll raft down its rivers through the ravines. Instead of using an actual raft, however, simply pretend your body is the raft as you glide effortlessly downstream. Float through rock pools and gullies framed with wildflowers, swimming and free-diving down a series of small waterfalls as you go. After an active morning, take the afternoon to relax in Taormina. Catch the cable car into the Old Town for dinner, or wander down to a nearby beach to catch some evening sun.

Jump into a convoy of jeeps and hit the road to Mount Etna, where you’ll venture off-piste into its lava fields and stony tracks. Equipped with helmets and torches, head underground to explore a lava cave hidden beneath the volcanic slopes. Back above ground, enjoy a light lunch in the sunshine paired with delicious wines at a local vineyard. Appetites sated, spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the ancient port city of Catania. With its vibrant markets, baroque cathedrals and medieval monasteries, Catania is a city brimming with heritage.

Today’s adventure will take you to Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting regal architecture and elegant streets. Destroyed by an earthquake in 1693, the city was rebuilt from the ruins into the baroque beauty you see today. Wander through the streets with your group, absorbing the architectural riches and historical detail surrounding you. Dive into one of the street cafes for platefuls of arancini or pasta alla norma – our recommendation – before heading down to the beach for a sun-soaked afternoon. As evening falls, gather with your group for a farewell feast back in Catania.

Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel, then it’s over to you to make your own way onwards. Want to see more of Italy? Perhaps a weekend in Venice & the Prosecco Hills could be your next destination.