Explore three beautiful places in Sicily on a full-day self-guided tour starting in the center of Catania. Travel to Mount Etna, known as the highest active volcano in Europe. Experience the natural beauty of Isola Bella and visit the medieval hill town of Taormina. Reach 2000 meters and walk on the old craters while admiring citrus groves, vineyards, and birch woods. Take the cable car, easily accessible from the stop point to get a unique perspective of the site (cable car tickets are not included). Move on to Isola Bella, a nature reserve with enchanting shades of color on the seabed that is a favorite destination for many travelers before heading to Taormina. From the Greek Theatre in Taormina, experience the spectacular view of the turquoise sea from the coast of Calabria, the city of Syracuse, and the steaming summit of Etna. Have free time to wander and explore Taormina before returning to Catania.

Day 1 After getting picked up at Catania Airport, enjoy a welcome aperitif in the company of your local guide in Catania. Afterward, enjoy a walking tour of the city during which you will see iconic landmarks such as the Duomo Square, The cathedral fi Saint Agatha, Roman Amphitheatre, and Bellini Park. Day 2 Start your day with a light trek on Europe's most active volcano, Mount Etna. After your trek, re-energize with a traditional Italian lunch at a family-run restaurant. You will also be able to sample some local wines from the Etna region. After lunch, enjoy some free time to explore the town of Taormina at your own pace before heading up to Castelmola, where you can sample the region's famous almond wine served with delicious biscuits. Finish the day by watching the breathtaking sunset in the village of Savoca, one of Italy's prettiest villages and the setting for the Godfather movie. Day 3 Today, enjoy a guided tour of the city of Syracuse, including a visit to the island of Ortigia. Here, admire landmarks such as the Cathedral of Saint Lucy, Caravaggio, Archimedes Square, and the Fountain of Aretusa. Afterward, move onto Neapolis Archaeological Park where you can admire the Latomie del Paradiso, Greek Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre, and  The Ear of Dionysius. Stop for lunch in the town of Noto, a baroque-style town with elegant churches and sprawling palaces. In the afternoon, enjoy a chocolate-making masterclass in the oldest chocolate factory in Sicily before heading to the picture-perfect town of Ragusa Ibla, where you will spend the night. Day 4 Start your day at the Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina, where one of the largest and richest collections of Roman mosaics in the world awaits you. Afterward, head to the Valley of Temples, where you will discover one of the greatest examples of Greater Greece's art and architecture. Enjoy some free time to explore this sprawling temple complex, with 7 ancient Greek temples. Day 5 In the morning, head to the coastal town of Marsala to sample the town's namesake wine. Learn how to differentiate this unique fortified wine by its amber color and unique scent. In the afternoon, head to the Trapani Salt Museum. Here, learn more about salt production methods in the area and admire a unique landscape dotted with over 100 mills, some of which are still in function. Finish the day with a stroll around the medieval town of Erice, a historic and charming town located in the Sicilian hills. Day 6 Today, you will be visiting the towns of Palermo and Monreale, both of which are famous for their Byzantine-style mosaics. In Palermo, visit the 12th-century cathedral and immerse yourself in the city's vibrant history and culture. In Monreale, admire the fine mosaics in the town's great Norman cathedral. Afterward, take in panoramic views of the surrounding valley, filled with orange, olive and almond trees. Day 7 Spend your last day in Sicily at the seaside town of Cefalu. Spend a few hours getting lost in a maze of tiny streets and ice-cream shops before heading Castelbuono, a picturesque village hidden in the Madonie Mountains. Get dropped off back at the airport at the end of your trip.

Depart comfortably from Catania and watch the landscape change as you ascend, passing through typical Etna village. You’ll make a few stops for photos but the most impressive is yet to come. You’ll be introduced to your guide at the Rifugio La Sapienza, which stands at an eye-watering 1,910 metres above sea level and it’s here you’ll swap the van for a cable car. That will take you up to 2,500 metres, where you’ll get off in a completely different world! You’ve still got quite a way to go when you alight the cable car. Start climbing towards the creator of the 2001 eruption and the moonscape that marks out the area. This crater was the result of one of the strongest eruptions of this millennium. Your hike will carry on towards the viewpoint on the Valle del Bove, considered the best panoramic spot on Mount Etna. It stands on a dazzling volcanic depression which dates back 64,000 years at an altitude of 2,750 metres! Once you’re up at Valle del Bove, you’ll get a refreshing and relaxing break to take in where you are and appreciate the beauty of your surroundings. Take some pictures or simple admire the landscape - you can see the coast from Taormina to Syracuse. From here, you have a view of the summit craters too, which constantly emit gases and water vapours. Then, it’s another hour-long trek through a spellbinding landscape before you round off your trip to the top with a visit to a lava cave. Then, it’s back down to Rifugio La Sapienza, where you’ll be treated to lunch and tastings of local products.