Spectacular Sicily

After your flight lands at Falcone-Borsellino Airport, make your way to the hotel where our Local Insider – who will accompany you for the rest of the trip – will greet you and the rest of the group at 6pm. Enjoy welcome drinks; if you haven't already, you might want to try an Aperol spritz. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions about the trip over dinner at a local restaurant, and perhaps enjoy a couple more spritzes before heading to bed.

Activities included:

Welcome dinner

Begin your tour of Sicily by delving into Palermo’s past. Its history stretches back more than 2,700 years to the Phoenicians; since then, the Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Normans have all put their stamp on the city. You can get around on foot, strolling through squares and sampling street food as you discover more about the history, art and traditions of the city. After lunch, explore the gold-sand beaches around Palermo, before meeting your group for a cookery class. Under the watchful eye of a knowledgeable chef, you’ll prepare authentic Sicilian dishes that you can recreate when you get home.

Activities included:

Palermo walking tour
Sicilian cooking class

Trade the city streets of Palermo for the rugged scenery of the Madonie mountains on a winding road inland. You’ll stop off en route to walk along a Roman trail lined with centuries-old oak and maple trees that was originally used by traders to transport goods to the coast. If you’re lucky, you might spot a golden eagle. After a traditional lunch, continue to the coastal city of Cefalù, where you’ll check into your hotel. Don’t miss the Norman cathedral and the palace of Osterio Magno in Cefalù, before cooling off in the Mediterranean Sea.

Activities included:

Guided Madonie mountains hike

Today, hop on the hydrofoil ferry to the Aeolian islands, a group of 12 tiny land masses off the north coast of Sicily. You’ll stay on the largest, Lipari, where a row of pastel-coloured buildings frame the harbour. Eye up a nice spot for lunch before dropping your bags at the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace – wander around the ruined castle and cathedral, take a taxi to the thermal springs of San Calogero or unwind at the hotel where the outdoor pool beckons.

This morning, you’ll board the hydrofoil again to Panarea. Keep your eyes peeled for celebrities – Michael Douglas, Oprah Winfrey and Beyoncé have all holidayed on this exclusive island, keen for a taste of dolce far niente – delicious idleness. Stroll through labyrinthine streets, where pink bougainvillea blooms spill over whitewashed walls. Later, you'll sail to neighbouring Stromboli; the biggest draw on this island is the volcano, which has been active for 2,000 years. It's one of the most reliable places to see lava spewing from the core of the earth. Catch a last glimpse from the hydrofoil before you return to Lipari.

Activities included:

Stromboli and Panarea boat tour

Today is yours to explore Lipari at leisure – from the beaches overlooking azure water to centuries-old duomos and cute tavernas. Come lunchtime, why not wash down a bowl of pasta 'ncasciata with a glass of limoncello, and cool off afterwards with a dip in the Med? If you still have energy, there’s an optional choice to visit the island of Vulcano, where you can hike to the rim of a volcanic crater before visiting the geothermal baths. Slather yourself in hot, mineral-rich mud, then wash it off in the hot spring, where jets of steam from underground fumaroles provide a gentle massage.

Optional activities:

Vulcano tour

The hydrofoil will bring you back to the Sicilian mainland today, arriving in Milazzo. From here, you’ll continue to the main event of the day: a thrilling 4x4 tour across Mount Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe. Bounce over crusted lava fields, exploring Monti Silvestri, the Northeast Crater, the Voragine and more. After a light lunch at a local agriturismo, continue to your hotel in Syracuse. Spend the evening as you wish – kick back at the hotel or watch the sunset from nearby Castello Maniace.

Activities included:

Mount Etna 4x4 tour

Say goodbye to the coast and venture inland to the hillside villages of Noto, Ragusa and Modica. Few visitors make it here, so it’s a great opportunity to get off the beaten path. Rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1693, the villages form part of the Val di Noto Unesco World Heritage site, designated for its beautiful architecture. Countless churches and palaces were built from the local stone; their ornate detailing draws admiring looks to this day. Fans of Inspector Montalbano may recognise Ragusa and Modica as the filming locations. Make sure you grab a gelato in Noto – one of the best places for ice cream in the world.

Activities included:

Ragusa, Noto and Modica tour

Today’s tour of Syracuse promises to be a multisensory experience. Heaps of pistachios, almonds, sun-dried tomatoes, capers and blood-red oranges create a riot of colour in the lively Mercato di Ortigia. Throw in lots of shouting and gesticulating, not to mention the aromas of fresh bakes and herbs, and you can see why the market is as much a visitor attraction as it is a local shopping experience. All the produce on sale will offer a fascinating – and no doubt stomach-rumbling – insight into the rich food culture and history of Syracuse. Afterwards, you can while away a few hours in the old town before regrouping for a farewell dinner.

Activities included:

Ortigia walking tour
Market tour with tastings

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. You'll say a fond farewell to your new friends at around 11am, before returning home or continuing with your travels.