Tour description
Flavors & Landscapes of Sicily
Flavors & Landscapes of Sicily is a thoughtfully curated private journey designed for travelers who want to experience Sicily through its food traditions, volcanic wines, and extraordinary cultural heritage. Moving at a relaxed, immersive pace, this itinerary connects Palermo’s historic markets, western Sicily’s family-run wineries, Mount Etna’s dramatic vineyards, and the timeless beauty of the Aeolian Islands.
Guided by knowledgeable local experts and supported by seamless private transfers, you’ll explore Sicily beyond the surface. Taste indigenous grape varieties shaped by sun and lava, walk through ancient Greek and Norman sites, and enjoy meaningful encounters with winemakers, chefs, and artisans who embody Sicily’s living traditions.
Handpicked boutique hotels, insider access, and region-specific experiences ensure a journey defined by authenticity, cultural depth, and human connection – ideal for curious travelers seeking a refined yet grounded way to discover Sicily.
DAY 1 ARRIVAL PALERMO
Welcome to Sicily & First Flavors
Upon arrival at Palermo Airport, you’ll be warmly greeted by your private chauffeur and transferred to your handpicked boutique hotel in Palermo’s historic center – an ideal base for discovering the city’s layered history and vibrant daily life.
Enjoy a leisurely afternoon, allowing time to rest after your long journey and perhaps a stroll through Palermo’s atmospheric streets, where Arab-Norman architecture, lively piazzas, and the scent of citrus and sea air set the tone for your stay.
In the evening, enjoy your first authentic Sicilian dinner at a carefully selected local restaurant. Seasonal ingredients, time-honored recipes, and subtle Arab-Norman influences offer a delicious introduction to Sicily’s rich culinary identity.
Tour in a Nutshell: Private airport transfer. Boutique accommodation in central Palermo.
DAY 2 PALERMO
History, Markets & Street-Food Culture
This morning, meet your private local guide for an in-depth walking tour of Palermo’s historic heart. As you explore Palermo Cathedral, Piazza Bellini, Quattro Canti, and Teatro Massimo, your guide will share with you the fascinating history of the city’s extraordinary blend of Norman, Arab, Spanish, and Baroque influences – shaped by centuries of conquest, trade, and cultural exchange.
The experience naturally flows into Palermo’s legendary street-food culture, an essential part of daily life here. At the vibrant Ballarò and Capo markets, enjoy a curated tasting of iconic specialties such as arancine, panelle, sfincione, local cheeses, and seasonal market bites. Along the way, learn how Sicily’s layered history is reflected in its bold, soulful flavors.
The afternoon is free to relax, visit a museum, or continue exploring at your own pace.
Tour in a Nutshell: Private Guided tour of Palermo. Overnight in Palermo.
DAY 3 MONREALE & ERICE
Norman Art, Family Wineries & Medieval Hill Towns
Depart Palermo with your private chauffeur and journey west into Sicily’s historic countryside. Your morning begins in Monreale, home to one of Europe’s most extraordinary Norman cathedrals. Inside, shimmering Byzantine mosaics narrate biblical stories in gold, while the peaceful cloister offers a moment of calm and reflection.
Continue into the rolling hills of western Sicily’s wine country for a private visit to one of our local favorites – a family-run, organically minded winery deeply rooted in the land. Walk among the vineyards, meet the people behind the wines, and enjoy a hearty Sicilian lunch paired with indigenous varietals such as Grillo, Catarratto, Nero d’Avola, and Perricone, each expressing the sun-drenched terroir of the region.
In the afternoon, explore Erice, a beautifully preserved medieval hill town perched high above the coast. Wander cobblestone streets, admire sweeping views over the salt pans and Egadi Islands, and stop at a traditional pastry shop renowned for its almond-based sweets.
Return to Palermo in the early evening.
Tour in a Nutshell: Chauffeured transfer. Private visit & tastings at a family run winery. Local Cuisine lunch paired with wines. Guided tour of the Valley of the Temples with entrance tickets included. Overnight in Palermo.
DAY 4 CEFALÙ & TRANSFER TO TAORMINA
Coastal Beauty & Timeless Seaside Life
This morning, travel east along Sicily’s scenic northern coastline, where mountains meet the sea. Stop in Cefalù, a beloved seaside town known for its relaxed pace and striking setting. Visit the impressive 12th-century Norman cathedral, with its fortress-like façade and luminous Byzantine mosaics, and enjoy time to wander the historic center, lined with medieval and Baroque architecture.
Lunch is enjoyed at a local restaurant overlooking the sea, where fresh seafood and classic Sicilian flavors shine.
For travelers wishing to slow the pace, Cefalù can be extended with a stay at a boutique seafront hotel, offering refined design, a serene pool, and direct access to crystal-clear coves.
Continue onward to Taormina, Sicily’s iconic cliffside town, famed for its ancient ruins, panoramic terraces, and elegant Corso Umberto. After checking into your boutique hotel, enjoy a relaxed evening taking in the views over the Ionian Sea.
Tour in a Nutshell: Chauffeured transfer. Entrance tickets to the Norman Cathedral. Local Cuisine lunch. Overnight at a boutique hotel in Taormina.
DAY 5 TAORMINA
Ancient Theater & Eastern Sicilian Flavors
Today, meet your expert private guide for an immersive tour of Taormina’s historic center. The highlight is the spectacular Greek Theatre, dramatically set above the sea with Mount Etna rising in the distance – one of the most breathtaking archaeological sites in Italy.
After the tour, enjoy a relaxed lunch with panoramic views, featuring regional dishes and wines from eastern Sicily, celebrated for their freshness, balance, and subtle volcanic minerality.
The afternoon is yours to explore Taormina’s boutiques, lush gardens, and scenic viewpoints at your own rhythm.
Tour in a Nutshell: Private Guided tour of Taormina with entrance tickets included. Local Cuisine lunch. Overnight in Taormina.
DAY 6 MOUNT ETNA
Volcanic Landscapes & Boutique Wineries
Journey today into one of Italy’s most compelling wine regions: Mount Etna. Accompanied by an expert mountain guide, you will explore Etna National Park by off-road vehicle, walking among ancient lava flows, extinct craters, and forests shaped by the volcano’s powerful and ever-changing landscape.
Later, you will visit a boutique Etna winery on the volcano’s northern or eastern slopes. Enjoy a private tasting of Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, and Carricante – grapes uniquely adapted to volcanic soils – followed by a gourmet winery lunch showcasing local ingredients and Etna’s distinctive terroir.
Return to Taormina in the late afternoon.
Tour in a Nutshell: Private full-day Etna 4×4 tour, guided trekking, winery visit, volcanic wine tasting & lunch. Overnight Taormina.
DAY 7 THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS
Island Life, Sea Views & Volcanic Beauty
This morning, your private driver transfers you to Milazzo, where you’ll board a fast ferry to the Aeolian Islands, a UNESCO-listed volcanic archipelago.
Depending on your preference, you can explore Lipari, with its lively historic center, archaeological museum, and scenic coastline, or Vulcano, known for its black-sand beaches and dramatic volcanic terrain. Both islands offer a striking contrast to mainland Sicily, shaped by the rhythms of the sea and volcanic earth.
For those seeking a slower pace, we recommend an optional extension on Salina, celebrated for its Malvasia wines, caper farms, quiet villages, and crystal-clear waters. Private boat excursions or ferry trips to Panarea or Stromboli can easily be arranged.
Tour in a Nutshell: Chauffeured transfer. Retur Ferry Tickets. Overnight in Taormina.
DAY 8 LEISURE IN TAORMINA
Sea, Style & Farewell Flavors
Enjoy your final full day at leisure. You may choose to relax at your boutique hotel, browse Taormina’s elegant shops, or embark on a private boat excursion along the Bay of Taormina and the Isola Bella Marine Park.
In the evening, enjoy a farewell Sicilian dinner, celebrating the journey with refined regional cuisine and a final selection of local wines.
Tour in a Nutshell: Leisure day in Taormina with personalized recommendations. Optional: Private boat excursion. Farewill Dinner paired with wines. Overnight Taormina.
DAY 9 DEPARTURE CATANIA
Departure from Catania
Your private chauffeur will transfer you to Catania Airport for departure. You return home with lasting memories of Sicily’s extraordinary landscapes, flavors and warm hospitality – experienced through thoughtful curation, local expertise, and genuine human connection.
Tour in a Nutshell: Chauffeured transfer to the airport.
Tour quotation
Flavors & Landscapes of Sicily Tour Details
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