Villa Sant’Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Mare

We’ll take you to archaeological areas dating back to the 5th Century BC, including the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Altar of Hieron II and the Latomies of Paradise with the Ear of Dionysius. Then we’ll head to the historical centre: the small island of Ortigia, where sights such as the Temple of Apollo, the Cathedral and the Fountain of Arethusa with its famous papyrus plant await. • Duration: full day • Start time: 8am • Departing on Tuesday from Taormina • Operates year round • Group or private experience Good to know — Lunch and transfers are not included – guests will make their own way to the Taormina Bus Terminal. Entrance fees are at extra cost (free for EU citizens under 18 with proof of ID).

On this tour from Palermo, you will visit the ancient city of Agrigento. Built by the Greeks between 510 and 430 BC, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its archaeological sites. On arrival, you will be met by a guide for a tour of the Valley of the Temples, including Juno, Concordia, Hercules, Zeus, Castor and Pollux. After lunch (at own expense) return to Palermo.

Sicily has a pizza style all of its own; even if you’ve made pizza before, you’ll be in for a treat at this pizza-making class. First, you’ll learn the secret of how to make a great pizza sauce before creating ideas for fun toppings and baking your pizzas to perfection. Enjoy your pizza with a Bruschetta mix, washed down with a glass of delicious local wine. • Duration: half day • Start time: 10.30am • Departing daily from Port Messina Arch • Operates year round • Group experience Good to know — Transfers are not included – guests will make their own way to the Port Messina Arch.

• Duration: full day • Group experience

On this full day tour from Palermo, you will visit two of Sicily’s most popular attractions. Starting with Mount Etna, you will be taken up to 1,900 metres where there is time to do a small trek to see former lava flows or you can ascend further up to 2,900 metres to see the main area of craters. Next you will head to Taormina. Located on Sicily’s east coast and overlooking the Ionian Sea, this hilltop town has been a popular seaside resort since the 19th century. A local guide will show you the town’s main attractions before your return to Palermo.

Leave Palermo for a full day exploring what was once the largest city of the ancient world – Syracuse. You will be guided through archaeological sites dating back to the 5th century BC, including the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Altar of Hieron II, as well as the Latomies of Paradise featuring the Ear of Dionysius. Next visit Ortigia’s historic centre, a charming island featuring the city’s oldest attractions including the Temple of Apollo, the Cathedral, and the Fountain of Arethusa.

• Duration: full day • Start time: 6.15am • Departs: Thursday • Group experience

Explore Europe’s highest volcano on this private guided trekking and train ride adventure up towering Mount Etna. Mount Etna stands 3350 metres high and has been a designated UNESCO World Heritage site since 2013. Your trek will begin at Rifugio Sapienza, the guardhouse at the base of Mount Etna located 1900 metres above sea level. From here, you’ll head off on a soft trek to see the most recent lava flows and the now-extinct impressive Silvestri craters. Alternatively, there's the option to ascend to the main craters at 2900 metres above sea level. A tasting and light lunch at a local winery is also included. • Duration: full day • Start time: 9am • Departing daily • Operates April to October • Private experience Good to know — We strongly recommend warm clothing and suitable shoes.

• Duration: full day • Start time: 8.30am • Departs Monday to Saturday from Taormina • Group experience Good to know We strongly recommend warm clothing and suitable walking shoes. ​

• Duration: full day • Start time: 6.15am • Departs Saturday • Group experience Good to know Entrance fees to the sites are extra. We recommend suitable attire when visiting sacred sites.

Good to know Lunch and entrance fees at own expense

In Savoca, you can drink coffee in Bar Vitelli: the same bar where Michael Corleone asked Apollonia to marry him, then wander through the narrow streets to the church of Santa Lucia, where their wedding scene was filmed. While you’re here, it’s worth also visiting the Monastero dei Cappuccini to see the crypt that houses mummified bodies of Savoca’s monks and nobles. In the village of Forza d’Agrò, visit the beautiful little Basilica of Saint Peter and Paul. Within the narrow alleyways of this medieval centre, all is quiet and time seems to stand still. This is precisely the atmosphere that inspired Francis Ford Coppola to shoot some of the scenes for his iconic movie here, as daily life continues behind closed doors. • Duration: half day (morning or afternoon) • Departing daily  • Operates April to October • Private experience Good to know — Entrance fees are not included. You’ll have a private car and driver for a maximum of eight hours.