03/05/2023
Taste of Sicily and Mount Etna Tour!
Escape to Sicily and conquer Mount Etna, set sail on boat trips along the coast, and get a true taste of the island with a cooking lesson
This offer starts at just £899pp departs 17 Oct 2023
Seven nights in a Standard room at the Hotel Nike (or similar), Giardini Naxos, Sicily
Breakfast included
Cooking class with lunch and glass of wine included
Aeolian boat trip visiting Lipari and Vulcano Island included
Mount Etna tour included
Authentic Sicilian Cannoli tasting included
Taormina coast boat trip with aperitif included
Taste of Sicily and Mount Etna Tour
Escape to Sicily and conquer Mount Etna, set sail on boat trips along the coast, and get a true taste of the island with a cooking lesson - includes breakfast, excursions and all travel.
Itinerary
Day 1: London - Sicily
Welcome to Sicily! A land of myths, legends, enchanting locales and, above all, incredible cuisine. Upon arrival you’ll transfer to your seafront hotel in Giardini Naxos where you’ll be able to get the lay of the land, rid yourself of travelling fatigue with a refreshing swim, or just chill out in the sun.
Day 2: Giardini Naxos
Today's all about quality cuisine and learning the secrets of traditional Sicilian cooking. After a hearty breakfast at your hotel, you’ll meet a professional chef who'll teach you the tricks of the trade and guide you through how to prepare the finest Sicilian cuisine. You’ll make a four-course lunch (which you’ll be able to enjoy afterwards with a celebratory glass of wine) and learn the skills you'll need to take a taste of this extraordinary island home with you to wow your friends and family with. You’ll then have the afternoon to spend at your leisure.
Day 3: Boat trip to Aeolian islands
On day three you set sail from the port of Milazzo and embark on a thrilling day visiting two Aeolian islands. Your first port of call is Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian islands and a fertile land that’s been inhabited since Neolithic times; you’ll have a few hours to explore the old town before going to Castello, a fortified citadel, where among other things you’ll find the cathedral and prehistoric artefacts at the Aeolian Museum. Next up you’re going to the island Vulcano, where you can either enjoy an optional treatment in the pozza dei fanghi (the mud puddle), or simply chill out on the beach. Afterwards you’ll sail back to Sicily's mainland and return to the hotel.
Day 4: Mount Etna
No trip to Sicily is complete without visiting Mount Etna, which, as one of the world’s most active volcanoes, is almost constantly in a state of activity. An expert guide will give you plenty of information and history as you climb the volcano to 2,000 metres above sea level; at this stage you can either stay at this altitude and trek through one of the Paths of the Etna Park, or you can purchase the Etna high altitude option and continue to the volcano’s 3,000-metre peak. After a visit to a lava flow cave, you’ll descend and go to an organic production company in Zafferana, where you’ll taste local honey, oils and, most excitingly, wines.
Day 5: Catania
Today you have the option of visiting Catania, which in 2002 was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (optional tour)
On your return to Giardini Naxos, after a busy day exploring, you’ll get to taste one of Sicily’s sweeter culinary specialities – An authentic Sicilian Cannoli, a traditional dessert with a crispy pastry wrap stuffed with a creamy filling of ricotta and chocolate chips. (Included with this offer)!
Day 6: Boat trip along the coast of Taormina
It’s back on the seas again today, with another boat ride that sees you travel around the beautiful bays of Taormina and Giardini Naxos. You’ll visit popular caves such as the Blue Grotto in the Marine Park of Isola Bella (where you’ll be able to go snorkelling), the Cave of Lovers located in the Gulf of Giardini Naxos, and also the Coral Cave. You'll be kept hydrated with an aperitif and fuelled with fresh fruit. After a couple of hours, you’ll return to Giardini Naxos.
Day 7: Giardini Naxos
You’ll spend your last full day at your leisure.
Day 8: Sicily - London
After breakfast at the hotel it’s time to transfer to the airport and return home.
This offer includes:
- Seven nights in a Standard room at the Hotel Nike (or similar), Giardini Naxos, Sicily
- Breakfast included,
- Cooking class with lunch and glass of wine included
- Aeolian boat trip visiting Lipari and Vulcano Island included,
- Mount Etna tour included,
- Authentic Sicilian Cannoli tasting included,
- Taormina coast boat trip with aperitif included,
- Return flights are included from London Gatwick to Catania, Sicily
- One small under seat cabin bag (max 45 x 36 x 20 cm)
- One piece of hold luggage per person included (15 kg)
- Shared transfers included.
Giardini Naxos
Giardini Naxos is a popular town and resort situated just south of Taormina on the north-eastern coast of Sicily. It is typical resort town with the focus very much on the area around the beach but the town is pleasant and quite pretty with its attractively painted buildings and abundance of flowers and palm trees along the main street. It has a good selection of cafes and restaurants and accommodation.
Hotel Nike, Giardini Naxos
With a fantastic seafront position in Giardini Naxos, Hotel Nike is the perfect place to make your base and set out to explore the wonders of Sicily. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, but given the sun-soaked nature of the island it’s more than likely you’re going to spend most of your time positioned on the sun terrace, sipping crisp beers and bespoke cocktails from the bar. A bountiful buffet breakfast is served daily, with lashings of fresh coffee and juice, and come the evening you can gorge yourself on the traditional Italian cuisine from the restaurant’s set menu.
