Departure from USA – Arrival into Palermo

Welcome to Sicily! Morning arrival at Punta Raisi airport in Palermo. Meet your Driver and your Sicilian Tour manager. Transfer to your hotel. Afternoon is free. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)Accommodation in Palermo (3 nights)

This morning will be dedicated to a guided tour of the capital of Sicily, Palermo. A cosmopolitan city, where they live in harmony a mosaic of cultures which make the town a mystical and exotic at the same time. Our tour begins in the center with a visit to the Palace of the Normans and its superb Palatine Chapel, the Cathedral of Palermo, the Quattro Canti.

We will move then to Monreale, for a visit of the famous Benedictine Abbey, dating from the 12th century, which houses beautiful mosaics representing a complete cycle of the Old and New Testament, and the Cloister. The tour ends with a stop at a Sicilian Pastry to taste the real “Cannoli siciliani”

After breakfast  meet the guide and Enhance your Palermo Experience with a Private Walking Tour held by a Local Guide who knows Palermo as only some locals do: PALERMO STREET FOOD WALKING TOUR

Sample the best of Sicily’s street food during a 3- or 4-hour walking tour of Palermo. This small-group food tour, led by a local expert guide, explores the fascinating culinary world of Sicily’s capital. Visit the famous and bustling Vucciria and Mercato di Capo outdoor markets, tasting five different Sicilian treats along the way — including ‘panelle’ (chickpea fritters) and ‘arancine’ (deep-fried rice balls). Pass major Palermo monuments during the tour, like the imposing Teatro Massimo, and round out your tour with some local sweet wine and a seasonal dessert. Get in line at neighborhood bakeries, cafes and street food stalls to try a variety of famous Sicilian street snacks. Munch on chickpea fritters called panelle and deep-fried balls of rice stuffed with meat, vegetables and cheese called arancine as you collect stamps in your foodie passport. Sip on a sweet Sicilian wine to wash down your fried treats, and then head for a seasonal dessert. You may indulge in Sicily’s famous cannoli (deep-fried pastry cylinders filled with sweetened ricotta cheese), some gelato or a refreshing granita (a fruity slushy). – The guided tour lasts approx. 3 / 4 hours   

Afternoon at leisure

This morning depart to Taormina (Approx 4hours by bus)   This afternoon enjoy a walking guided tour: Taormina is a beautiful town situated on a rocky plateau with the Etna Volcano rising majestically in the background. The downtown centre represents a variety of historical periods, from the early Greek settlements and the Roman age, to the remains of Byzantine and Medieval constructions up to the 15th Century Catalan buildings and 17th Century Baroque churches and Palaces. Not to miss is a visit to the Greek Theatre, and a stroll down the main street "Corso Umberto" with its art and designers’ shops, Baroque churches and Palazzi.  The rest of your day is at leisure.  Dinner is on your own.  Overnight in Taormina.Accommodation in Taormina  (3 nights)

This morning after breakfast, join Chef Massimo in Taormina, as he leads you through a guided market tour in our Shop with the Chef Tour showcasing Sicily’s colorful foods. Visit the fruit and vegetable vendor to find out what’s in season and the fishmonger to choose the best fresh catch of the day in Taormina’s historic fish market. Pick up the ingredients for your hands-on cooking class while learning about the local in-season products and Massimo’s family recipe and traditions. After the market tour, everyone returns to the kitchen and start the cooking class, featuring Sicilian specialties. Each hands-on cooking class includes the preparation of a full Sicilian menu and typical Sicilian dessert.  Lunch follows featuring the foods prepared in class with local Sicilian wines and dessert

Mt Etna Volcano is one of the world's largest and most active volcanoes. It has been erupting since several million years. Mt Etna is one of the greatest and beautiful volcano adventure tour destinations in Sicily. This volcano has more than 400 craters, split all over the Catania county. To the ancient Greeks, Mount Etna was the realm of Vulcan, god of fire, and the home of the one-eyed monster known as the Cyclops. Mount Etna is a World Heritage Site. From 6,000 feet you can enjoy the best views, as you drive through the fertile slopes and villages that sit on ancient volcanic eruptions.Today we will pass by Zafferana Etnea, where we stop at a Honey Farm to witness the organic honey production process and taste the varieties of organic honey and many other products like Extra Vergin Olive Oil, Wine, liquors, Olives, dry tomatoes and much more.End your experience with a tasting and lunch at a local winery at the foot of the mountain: you can enjoy the aromas and flavors that our generous land offers us. After visiting the winery and the vineyard, you will taste a delicious lunch based on local products prepared according to tradition as well as 5 wines expertly paired with dishes.

Transfer to the airport of Catania for your flight home.