Cefalù

Explore the wines of Sicily on a half-day tour of the picturesque Madonie Mountains, the 2nd natural reserve established on the island. You will go to the prettiest of all the hilltop towns and villages on a scenic tour to Castelbuono. Famous for the 14th-century Arab-Norman castle, built during the Hohenstaufen rule of southern Italy, the church is also home to the holy relic of Sant’ Anna. Take a stroll through the town center, with breathtaking views all the way. Next, visit the gold medal, award-winning Abbazia Sant’Anastasia winery to taste some of their selected organic wines, served with typical appetizers of the region. Take a tour of the wine cellar, and savor the oak smells of the handcrafted barriques (barrels).

Escape the hustle and bustle of Palermo city center on a half-day tour to Monreale and Cefalù. Marvel at a Norman cathedral on the slopes of Monte Caputo, and learn the Greek and Medieval history of one of Sicily’s most beautiful towns. Following a pick-up from your hotel or the port of Palermo, transfer to Monreale where you will have approximately 1-hour to tour the Duomo. An official audio guide is included to learn the history of the 12th-century building, considered one of the greatest landmarks of medieval ecclesiastical architecture in the south of Italy. Then, drive along the north coast of Sicily, on route to the beautiful town of Cefalù. Sit back and relax on the 1.5-hour journey, and on arrival go to the 12th-century Duomo. See traces of the Middle Ages at the Osterio Magno. Get panoramic views from the Porta Terra. Discover Greek and Arabic pottery in the Mandralisca Museum, and walk down some curving stone steps to a picturesque cluster of 16th-century wash basins at the Lavatoio.

Taormina town lies upon a hill (Monte Tauro) at 206 meters above sea level. This beautiful terrace, suspended between land and sea with Mount Etna behind it and thanks to the natural frame with its contrasts, monuments, beautiful alleys and cultural events hosted, attracts many tourists from all over the world. Dating back as far as 358 B.C., it is home to some of the most well-preserved buildings, medieval courtyards and historic landmarks in this corner of the world. Sip a cappuccino in the Piazza IX Aprile, browse the chic boutiques or check out the town’s star attraction – its ancient Greco-Roman theatre. Then, climb up to 1900 meters on Mount Etna, the most important Volcano in Europe and enjoy the peculiar lava landscape. Before you know it, you're standing on the pulsing and flaming heart of the island - Mount Etna.

Transfer to one of the most beautiful mountain villages in Madonie National Park on a 5-hour evening tour to San Mauro Castelverde, famous for its medieval churches and typical small squares. Feast your eyes on a landscape of mountains and sea. Go to ‘’Trattoria La Posada” in Karsa, a small hamlet of the village of San Mauro. Upon arrival, experience an authentic Sicilian welcome and feast on flavorsome Sicilian food. Discover the culinary secrets of chef Rosa, tasting dishes of organic foods produced in the surrounding farms. Listen to some typical Sicilian music until late at night as you dine.

Your tour will begin as you visit a local market with your Cesarina. There you will be able to enjoy the atmosphere of an Italian local market and learn how to recognize the best produce from the land. When you return to your Cesarina’s home, you will begin a private cooking demo where your Cesarina will share the secrets of her family cookbook while preparing one of the dishes right in front of you. You will then sit down at an authentic Italian table to enjoy a 4-course seasonal menu including a starter, pasta, a main course with a side dish, and dessert. Drinks included consist of water, a selection of red and white wines from regional cellars, and coffee. This is your opportunity to feel the warmth of Italian hospitality as you connect with local people.

Immerse yourself in a private dining experience at a local's home, enjoying an exclusive cooking show and tasting authentic recipes treasured in family cookbooks passed down by real Italian "Mammas". Feel the warmth of Italian hospitality as you connect with local people. You will enjoy a 4-course menu including a starter, pasta, a main course with a side dish, dessert, and drinks included (water, selection of red and white wines from regional cellars, and coffee).

Immerse yourself in a cooking class at a local home, learning the secrets of the most famous dishes of regional cuisine and taste the fruit of your labor accompanied by local wines. During the lesson, the cook will reveal the tricks of the trade for three authentic local recipes. Have fun putting your cooking skills to the test. You will have a workstation equipped with utensils and all the ingredients to make the dishes. Then, taste everything you have prepared accompanied by a selection of local wines. Instead of loading your suitcase with souvenirs, take home Italian cooking skills that will stay with you for life.

Here the architectures mix in Gothic, Norman and Baroque styles but it's the Moorish and Arabs who have left the strongest trace. They say that Palermo is hard to describe, it's a sensual, fascinating and chaotic city. It is one of those cities with its own atmosphere, a place of mystery where reality often outperforms the traveler's imagination.  The guide will explain some of the city's wonders and a stroll at your own pace will allow you to take in the flavors of this magnificent city. This tour is a walking tour through the main squares and street markets of the city center that allows travelers to sample the best Palermitan street food. Along the walk participants enter places hung out only by real Sicilians, such as bakeries and old inns. All places have been selected to offer travelers the most authentic street food. The group will be constituted with a maximum of ten participants in order to let people enjoy the walk. This tour isn't just for food! Itineraries are designed to offer travelers a complete overview on the history, arts, food and traditions of Palermo. Tour guides provide historical information on the monuments and churches visible along the walk and share with travelers the most intimate secrets of local cuisine and habits.    

Go food shopping like a local in Cefalù, enjoying the distinctive Italian market experience and learning how to recognize the best products by sight. Then immerse yourself in a cooking class at a local home, learning the secrets of the most famous dishes from the area's regional cuisine. At the end of your lesson, savor the fruits of your labor, washed down with local wines. During the lesson, learn the tricks of the trade for 3 authentic local recipes from your local chef guide and have fun putting your cooking skills to the test. You will have a workstation equipped with utensils and all the ingredients to make the dishes. Then, taste everything you have prepared, accompanied by a selection of red and white local wines. Instead of loading your suitcase with souvenirs, take home Italian cooking skills that will stay with you for life.

Meet your host and the rest of the group at the meeting point and drive to Castelbuono, a medieval village. The town develops around the castle of Ventimiglia, near a Byzantine hamlet called Ypsigro. Upon arrival, we join a small pastry shop to taste the famous Sicilian Panettone, a typical Christmas cake. Later onto Cefalù, a gorgeous town located on the northern coast of Sicily and one of the major tourist attractions in the region. Built on a promontory dominated by a sheer cliff, Cefalù, still keeping its ancient print, has grown around the Cathedral wanted by Ruggero II. Stroll through the medieval narrow street and admire the picturesque houses on the sea and the long beach of finest sand. At the end of the tour head back to Palermo.