Cooking classes in Sicily

Sicily - Isola Bella Mini-cruise

Sicilians like to be direct. So when it came to naming the tiny islet of Isola Bella – it means ‘Beautiful Island' – there was only ever going to be one option. This morning cruise from Giardini-Naxos allows you to take in the amazing coastal views – with Mt Etna in the background – en route to Isola Bella.

Sicily - Pizza Cooking Class in Taormina

Make traditional Sicilian Pizza with a real 'pizzaiolo' - the Italian word for pizza chef. Learn the secrets of perfect pizza from an expert as you prepare the dough and the toppings for flash baking in a searing hot pizza oven. Take the skills and knowledge home with you to recreate authentic pizza whenever you like. You'll get a certificate and souvenir apron, too.

Sicily - Palermo and Monreale Cathedral Tour

If ancient cities, holy monuments and a touch of the macabre are your thing, then this two-in-one tour is a must. First up is UNESCO-listed Monreale Cathedral where you'll marvel at the architecture before a guide gives you the history of its pure-gold mosaics. You'll then stop by Palermo for a walking tour of some of the best-preserved historic landmarks in the world. After, you can take time to sip a cappuccino, browse the market, or grab some lunch in the famous Piazza Verdi.

Sicily - ​​​​​Taormina & Mount Etna 1900

Mt Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe and a true icon of Sicily. By coach, cable-car and minibus you‘ll ascend 1,900 mts above sea level to one of the famous mountains main craters. What's more, on this full day experience, you‘ll get to visit one of Italy's most beautiful towns, Taormina.

Sicily - ​​​​​Taormina & Mount Etna to 2900m

Mt. Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe and a true icon of Sicily. By coach, cable-car and minibus you‘ll ascend 2900 mts above sea level to the famous mountains main crater. What's more, on this full day experience, you‘ll get to visit one of Italy's most beautiful towns, Taormina.

Sicily - Sicily Godfather Tour

'We're going to make you an offer you can't refuse'. Well, this used to be Mafia country, after all. In fact, Hollywood descended on this part of the world to film scenes for the Godfather trilogy, so this tour will take in two Sicilian mountain villages that made it onto the silver screen and to relive some of the the most famous scenes.

Sicily - Lipari and Vulcano Boat Tour from Taormina

On this trip, you'll discover the best of the Aeolian Islands. A cluster of picturesque isles off Sicily's northeast coast, you'll visit the waterfront buildings of Lipari before sailing to Vulcano for its natural mud baths and smoking peaks.

Sicily - Etna 4x4 & Wine Tasting Tour

Europe's highest active volcano looms large over everyday life in Sicily. On this thrilling tour, you'll hop on a 4x4 off road Safari to explore some of the hardest-to-reach parts of the north slope of Mt Etna. You'll visit the Sartorius craters as well as lava fields and caves, and also drop into a winery for a tasting.You'll begin your adventure with both on-road and off-road exploration on a 4x4, visiting the impressive 2002 lava front, a testament to the volcano's power. Then, you'll traverse through the woods to reach the Sartorius craters of 1865.There's time for a walk amid the unique landscapes – at an altitude of 1,750 metres above sea level, you'll get some great close up views of the eerie volcanic surroundings. You'll round off with a short hop to visit a lava cave before ending the tour at a local winery. Here, sample some of their wines with a tasting session along with a selection of typical products of Etna. A great way to end a day of exploration.

Sicily - Mount Etna Sunset Tour with Sicilian Dinner

Watching the sky light up with shades of orange and then burn out into darkness while standing atop a volcano is a special sensation. This drama-rich tour takes you to Mount Etna – a must-visit when in Sicily. You'll head to an altitude of almost 3,000 metres to catch the sunset and then relax over a traditional meal to round off your adventure. Ciccio, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘The volcano's name derives from the ancient Greek word “aitne”, meaning “I burn”. It's an appropriate name for Europe's most active volcano.' As part of a select group of no more than 25 guests, you'll go by minibus to Etna. As the terrain becomes rockier, we switch to a 4x4 vehicle. As we make our way to 2,900m above sea level – the highest point that's safely reachable – there'll be stops to take in the harsh, lunar landscape and the lava-smothered flanks of this towering mountain. Ciccio says, ‘You might wonder why so many people live on Etna's slopes. The answer is simple – volcanic soil is extremely fertile, and you'll see traditional crops like vines and citrus fruits, plus newcomers such as avocados and papaya growing here.'Make sure you're wearing comfortable walking shoes and warm layers – it gets cold at high altitude. After admiring the views from near the summit, an expert alpine guide will take you to a less exposed 2,500m, where you'll watch the sunset in a more comfortable location. Then on the way back, we'll stop at a chalet restaurant for a typical Sicilian dinner.

Sicily - Alcantara Gorge & Mt Etna to 2900m

Mother Nature's two greatest gifts to eastern Sicily were the spectacular Alcantara Gorge and Europe's largest active volcano, Mt Etna. On this full day excursion, you'll discover these two natural wonders – paddling in the water of the gorge and climbing up to 2,900 metres in the volcano in a variety of transport modes.

Sicily - Mount Etna & Alcantara Gorge 1900 Mt

See two of Sicily's star turns in just one trip – the spectacular Alcantara Gorge and Europe's largest active volcano, Mt Etna. On this full day excursion, you'll discover these two natural wonders – paddling in the water of the gorge and climbing up to a height of 1,900 metres on the famous mountain.

Sicily - Syracusa Heritage Tour

The past comes to life in Syracuse – a city packed with classical heritage as well as flamboyant Sicilian baroque architecture. You'll visit the Greek theatre, go into the Ear of Dionysius and explore Ortygia island, the heart of the old town and location of baroque gems such as the cathedral.

Sicily - Panarea & Stromboli Boat Tour from Taormina

The volcanic islands of Stromboli and Panarea are the stars of the show on this full day excursion. You'll explore these island beauties just off the coast of Sicily with plenty of free time to sightsee at your own pace and witness the famous active lava flow by night.

Sicily - Discover Scuba with Taormina Diving Centre

Thanks to its mineral-rich volcanic landscape, Sicily's waters are full of life. And you'll get a chance to explore them on this half-day scuba diving trip. You'll sail to the nature reserve of Isola Bella. Mooring up in the Azurra and Grotta Del Giorno sea caves, you'll get to dive in to search for marine life.

Sicily - Mount Etna Tour to 1900m from Taormina

Mount Etna – the highest active volcano in Europe and a true icon of Sicily. This is your chance to venture 1900 metres above sea level to one of the famous mountains‘ main craters. Both kids and adults with be in awe of the lunar landscapes and incredible views, as your guide leads you on a journey of discovery with fascinating facts on Etna, past and present.Nature trails, caves, woods, and lava flows typify the landscape that leads to the top of Mt Etna. And after pick-up from your hotel you'll be driven 1900m above sea level to Rifugio Sapienza, on the south side of the mountain.On the way you'll learn all there is to know about Mt Etna and its explosive past. And don't worry – there'll be plenty of facts for the little ones to take in, too. Then, you'll get to see it all for yourself during some free time. You'll have about three hours to take in the views, head out towards the craters, or just admire the impressive landscape atop Europe's highest, active volcano.

Sicily - Sicilian Cooking Lesson in Taormina

The beautiful simplicity of Sicilian cuisine has made it one of the island's best attractions, right up there with Mt Etna, classical ruins and baroque architecture. This cookery class in Taormina is a chance to learn more about the island's cuisine, and sharpen your cooking skills at the same time.The fun begins at the local market, where you'll be given tips on how to shop for the best meat, fish and vegetables. Your guide will then take you on a short walk through the town, to a nearby restaurant. There, you'll enjoy a cooking lesson from an experienced local chef. He'll start by giving you a demonstration of how to prepare a Sicilian meal.Then, it's over to you to have a go at cooking it yourself. You'll get to judge your own culinary skills afterwards, as what you've prepared will be served for lunch. And what's more, you'll take home a branded apron and certificate alongside your new-found recipes.

Sicily - Dolphin Watching Cruise

Cruising by the iconic Isola Bella with an aperitif in hand, you'll really take your holiday to the next level. And that's just the first part of the trip. Once you've admired the coastline, you'll be whisked further from the coast to the Isola Bella marine reserve. Here, we'll begin our search for dolphins - if we are lucky enough to spot a group, we will approach cautiously so we can observe them without disturbing them.

Sicily - Cannoli Making Class in Taormina

Sicily is reknowned for its sweet treats and indulgent desserts - none more famous than Cannoli. Under the supervision and guidance of a professional chef, you'll learn how to make these typical ricotta-stuffed pastries and add a bit of extra sweetness to your trip. Take new skills home and make Cannoli whenever you feel like a taste of Sicily.

Sicily - Arancino Making Class in Taormina

The classic Sicilian arancino is a plump croquette of rice coated in breadcrumbs and served hot and crisp. There are a number of traditional fillings such as ragu, mushrooms, prosciutto or spinach - but the most popular in Sicily is a meat sauce with peas and mozzarella. Join a professional chef to learn the secrets of making these perfect little Sicilian snacks.

Sicily - Mount Etna Tour to 2900m from Taormina

Europe's highest volcano looms large over Sicily, so this family-friendly tour takes you as close to the top as you can. You'll be driven to Rifugio Sapienza, then swap to a cable car and 4x4 vehicle to reach the main crater at about 2,900m above sea level. The views and lunar landscape from here are nothing short of breathtaking.Nature trails, caves, woods, and lava flows typify the landscape that leads to the top of Mt Etna. And after pick-up from your hotel you'll be driven to about 1900m above sea level at Rifugio Sapienza on the south side of Etna, where you'll hop off the bus to unearth some more.On the way you'll learn all there is to know about Mt Etna and its explosive past. And don't worry – there'll be plenty of facts for the little ones to take in, too. Then, you'll get to see it all for yourself during some free time. Switch to a cable car and jump into an off-road vehicle that'll take you rumbling along to the main crater. You'll want your camera for this one.