The Charms of Southern Sicily

Settled on a hill of the Monte Tauro, this pretty coastal town enjoys a prestigious position on the east of the island. As well as streets and squares lined with churches and beautiful old buildings, it is home to an impressive Greek amphitheatre that looks out over Taormina's two bays and out towards Calabria.

Taormina sits on the east coast of the island and has long been home to artists and intellectuals. It is also favoured by Hollywood stars who are charmed by its beauty and on this walking tour, you'll see why. The town is filled with pretty churches, a Norman cathedral, impressive clock tower and a main square which overlooks the Gulf of Messina. It is also home to the Palazzo Corvaja palace, which housed the first Sicilian parliament in the 15th century. A real highlight is the Greek theatre from where you will get stunning views of Taormina’s two bays and across to Calabria, with Mount Etna as a backdrop in the other direction. You'll also enjoy some time to go shopping and explore the streets at your leisure.

Enjoy an off-road excursion on a comfortable 4WD, and explore the area around the tallest active volcano in Europe with a vulcanologist as your guide. As you ascend to the summit at 2,000m, you'll pass through enchanting forests and experience a walk through tubular lava caves. Once you're at the top, you'll enjoy breathtaking views over the Ionian Sea and the vineyards and orchards that sprawl across the lower slopes. After soaking up the incredible and striking landscapes of Mount Etna, you'll enjoy lunch at a local winery. While here, you can sample the delicious wines that are produced on the fertile slopes of Etna.

Catania is an ancient port city on Sicily's east coast between the ionic sea and mount Etna. Catania is also known as 'the black city' because of the colour of its buildings, blackened by the soot and ashes of the volcano, whose eruptions have often damaged or even destroyed the city.

The beautiful town of Noto is a UNESCO World Heritage site, considered the capital of Sicilian baroque style. It is filled with pretty honey-coloured buildings and a main corso where you’ll find spectacular baroque palazzi and churches.

Discover the flavours and tastes of seasonal Sicilian cookery during a private cooking class. On arrival at Syracuse, you will be welcomed by your chef and begin with a visit to the historical market in Ortigia. This is an opportunity to taste local products and see the different seasonal fruits, vegetables and seafood. Choose and buy ingredients before making your way to your chef's kitchen which overlooks the port (or another place in the heart of Ortigia), for a hands-on cooking class that will teach you the secrets of Sicilan cooking.

The island of Ortigia is the historical heart of Siracusa, separated from the modern city by a narrow channel. At its centre is the Piazza del Duomo, home to a magnificent cathedral built on the site of the ancient Temple of Athena. On this square you’ll also find the baroque Palazzoo Beneventano and the church of Santa Lucia, the town’s patron saint.

Modica is a pretty historic town, with tiers of churches and palaces stacked up on the hill. Once you have arrived you will hop into a classic Italian Fiat 500 and spend an hour exploring the city, weaving in and out of the streets discovering its gems.

Modica is famous for its chocolate, made here in the same way it was made in Mexico by the Aztecs. You'll visit a local historical shop and try some of its delicious creations and receive a chocolate bar to take away.

Explore the beautiful baroque town of Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with stunning honey-coloured buildings. You'll wander through the cobbled streets exploring its palazzos and magnificent cathedral.

Just outside Agrigento lies the Valley of the Temples, one of the world’s most impressive archaeological sites. The temples are located along a ridge between the higher modern hilltop town of Agrigento and the sea. Between the town centre and the temples is a peaceful green vale where agriculture is interspersed with ruins and excavations.

Founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century BC, Agrigento became one of the leading cities in the Mediterranean. The area is home to the Valley of the Temples, one of the world’s most impressive and important archaeological sites. The temples are spread over 1,300 hectares of land and most are situated on rocky crests south of modern day Agrigento. The best preserved is the Concordia temple, one of the most impressive examples of a Greek Doric temple.