Things to do in

Sicily

Ascend to the summit of the craters of Mount Etna, one of the most coveted excursions a hiker can make. Hike with guide, and marvel at the beauty and wonder of the highest active volcano in Europe, up to 3,000 meters. Depart from Sapienza Refuge in Nicolosi, and ascend 2,504 meters by cable car and begin your hike. You’ll hike 1.5 hours uphill, passing many craters, in particular toward the crater of the 2001 eruption and the moon-like landscape that marks out the area. During the hike you will take long pauses to take pictures and rest. You will then carry on exploring on your hike towards the Cisternazza and the Belvedere on the Valle del Bove, considered the best panoramic spot on Mount Etna on a dazzling volcanic depression dating back to 64000 years ago! Here you will take a break to cherish the surroundings, take a few pictures and simply admire the landscape as from up there you are able to see the coast from Taormina until Syracuse. From here you will reach the Barbagallo craters, up to 3,000 meters, the highest point allowed, and enjoy a privileged view on the summit craters and their constant emission of gases and water vapours. Then you will march back to 2500 mt and take the cable car back to the Rifugio Sapienza. Experience the incredible feeling of being on top of the world in this rocky, beautiful landscape with the giant sky above you.

Travel seamlessly between Palermo Airport and the city center with a convenient and reliable 1-way transfer. Avoid the hassle of negotiating public transport and enjoy an efficient airport shuttle service that departs frequently and regularly. Stow your luggage, relax, and admire the views of Palermo from your seat. Board a modern bus to leave your worries behind, and arrive on time at your destination at the airport, or in the city. Enjoy comfort on board with the cooling ventilation and high-speed WiFi on board. Moreover, pets are allowed as long as they are in boxes or cages of appropriate sizes and that do not bother other passengers. Blind and deaf people can travel with their guide dogs.

Pre-book your entry ticket to the Ancient Theater of Taormina and enjoy the added perk of skip-the-line entry privileges. Take a stirring journey through the archaeological ruins and enjoy the freedom to explore at your own pace. After the one of Syracusa, the Ancient Theater of Taormina is the largest building for shows in the Italian Peninsula. The archaeological site offers the opportunity to step back into the past as well as enjoy the views of the surrounding landscapes. The Greek building, built in a dominant position, dates back, by layout, to the III-II century B.C., but the monument you can admire today appears in the forms acquired in the roman imperial age under the emperor Trajan or Hadrian. It becomes an amphitheater under the emperor Caracalla and, in the same period, the orchestra was converted into an arena to host gladiator fights. After centuries of neglect, in 1465, part of the monument was used as a palace of residence of the Zumbo family.

A valid alternative to the summit craters is the 3,000m Etna excursion. You go up by cable car up to 2,500 meters, then by 4x4 up to 2800 meters. From here begins the path on foot up to 3000 meters. It will be possible to observe the summit craters, then we will stop on a lateral crater (barbagallo at about 3000 meters). You will admire the recent lava flows (1-December-2023) until you reach the inside of a lava channel. We will visit an effusive vent (2002 eruption) and from here we will descend along the sandbanks to the mound from where we will observe the Bove Valley, admiring, on fine days, a view that sweeps from the Ionian Riviera to the interior of Sicily. Duration: 4 hours walking / 5 hours total tour. Departures at 9.30 and 10.30, meeting time 45 minutes before departure (the departure at 10.30 is compatible for those arriving by bus AST from Catania). Meeting Point Shelter Alpine Guides Etna Sud, next to the Refuge Sapienza

Enjoy an adventurous day trip to Mount Etna, including free roundtrip transfers from Catania. Best of all, customize your tour according to your needs, choosing from either a private or small-group experience in a choice of languages. Explore the volcano’s ancient craters, a lava flow cave, and try some local products, while taking in some breathtaking panoramic views along the way. Start your day with a free pickup from your Catania accommodation in an air-conditioned minivan. Digest some fun facts about the volcano from your professional guide as you drive 2000 meters up. Hear about everything from the volcano’s natural resources, memorable landscapes, and flora, to lava flows that have swallowed roads and buildings in past spurts of activity. Once you reach 2000 meters up, take a guided walk around the ancient craters, recent lava flows, and other-worldly landscape. Rest easy as the trek is an easy one, suitable for both families with younger children and older family members. Enjoy the tasting of Sicilian "cantucci" biscuits and "zibibbo" wine. After a short break, head to your next stop — a lava flow cave. Using a helmet and flashlight, you’ll discover the cave’s origins and stand-out features in ample time with your guide. Your last stop is a panoramic viewpoint at Monte Pomiciaro, granting you unforgettable views and photo opportunities over the Valle del Bove, the volcano’s most important valley. If the sunset option is selected, take in breathtaking views of Etna during 'Golden Hour'. After your volcanic adventure, head back to Catania, where your tour will conclude.

Discover Palermo, the chief town of Sicily, on an open-top, hop-on hop-off bus tour! Start from the terminal outside the Politeama Theater, cruise past the Massimo Theatre, and continue towards Piazza Quattro Canti and the nearby Vucciria Market. The tour continues towards the botanical gardens, passing near Palazzo Steri. After a quick glance of the central station, you'll find yourself in the vicinity of the Royal Palace, the Flea Market, and the Cathedral. Then return to the terminal along the ancient via Roma. The second route takes you to the beautiful villas of Palermo. Starting from the terminal outside the Politeama Theatre, admire the gorgeous English Garden and then continue towards Villa Malfitano and the wonderful Zisa Castle. The tour passes near the Mercato del Capo and the Massimo Theatre, towards the port, and then returns to the terminal in Politeama Square.

Take a stirring journey through the archaeological ruins at Agrigento with a skip-the-line entry to the Valley of the Temples. Immortalize your visit with Pemcards -- a digital photo that you can send as a real postcard to anywhere in the world.Discover the immense artistic and archaeological heritage of Sicily as you explore the site which extends over approximately 1,300 hectares. Learn about a millenary history that began in the 6th-century BC with the foundation of the ancient Greek colony of Akragas.See the terraced levels of the site that used to be a center of the public life of the ancient Greco-Romans and marvel at the aqueducts. Walkthrough the core of the archaeological site of Agrigento, passing magnificent temples such as the Temple to Zeus, Tempio della Concordia, and Tempio di Eracle.Lastly, admire the gymnasium, an ancient location for athletic, educational, and recreational activities.

Departure at 9:30 AM from Trapani port. First stop will be in Favignana around 10:20 AM. Here you will have free time, you can enjoy the visit in the Favignana centre and take the advantage of doing shopping, or visiting museums like the Ex Stabilimento Florio, but also spend the time on the beach. We depart from Favignana at 12:30 PM and we start our journey trough the cost, we will visit the most beautiful and suggestive "calette" such as Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra, here you will have the time to swim and have a lunch (included). The we will depart to reach Levanzo, where you will have free time to visit the fishing village. From Levanzo we will visit by boat Cala Fredda e Cala Minnola, and we will have a second stops to swim. We will arrive to Trapani around 5:30 PM.

Ride the cable car up Mount Etna and enjoy a tour at the bottom of the summit craters. Explore the area in a 4x4 bus designed to manage the terrain. Step out of the bus to learn about the volcano on a short walking tour with your guide. Validate your ticket at the "Priority pass" ticket office which is located at the entrance of the "Funivia dell'Etna" station. Your adventure begins at an altitude of approximately 6,300 feet (1.900 m) at the “Funivia dell’Etna” departure station. Reach the upper station at approximately 8,200 feet above sea level (2.500 m). In case of strong wind, your ascent will be carried out by the 4x4 buses. Once reaching the upper station, board a special 4x4 bus to reach the maximum summit height area allowed (approximately 9,500 feet/2.900 m). Continue your experience with an alpine-volcano guide to check out the surrounding area. Together with your guide appreciate the enchanted scenery at the bottom of the Central Crater that, with conditions of full visibility, allows you to get lost in the view of a large part of eastern Sicily. In case of snow, your ascent will be carried out with special tracked vehicles (snowcat). After spending about 30 minutes exploring, return to the cable car station and make your way back down the volcano with your roundtrip ticket. Please note that the ticket office is currently undergoing renovations, so priority entrance may not be guaranteed.

Depart from Palermo and discover the colors of the sea that cannot be missed during a trip to Sicily. Leave from the main pick-up points in Palermo (optional bus transfer) and arrive in Castellammare del Golfo, a bit like a small pearl of sailors from where the cruise departs. The boat leaves Castellammare port at 9:30 AM. You will first discover the famous caves that rise right out of the sea and where the captain comes over to see them. Resuming navigation, we enter the 7 km-long Zingaro Reserve where beaches and coves alternate and where you will meet the most beautiful beach called "Cala Uzzo". Cala Uzzo is the largest bay, the most beautiful, and the place richest in fish due to the fishing bans in the reserve, therefore a perfect place for snorkeling lovers. Continuing the navigation at 11:30 AM the boat docks in San Vito Lo Capo where you will have 4 hours of free time to visit it. San Vito is a very small town: the boat mooring, the famous beach, and the center are very close on foot (7 min). Here you can find the most beautiful beach in the area with white sand and Caribbean color of the sea. In the center, you can eat the typical "cous cous" which will make you relive the Arab culture that characterized the town in the past. Or you can taste the typical "hot-cold" ice cream. Above all, walking through the narrow streets with their scents and colors is an experience not to be missed. Free time in San Vito Lo Capo is from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM. When you get back on board, on the way back you will be enchanted at the sight of the famous "Faraglioni of Scopello" exclusive place that invites you to come back and where to do many bath with a breathtaking view. Return to the Port of Castellammare at 5.30 PM and arrive in Palermo at 6.30 PM. During the day you can choose to buy a typical light snack on board: "Pane Cunsato", fruit, water, wine. The cost of round trip transfer from Palermo to Castellammare is € 29,00 per person. This rate will not be applied if you come by your own means.