SPECTACULAR SICILY

After your flight lands at Falcone-Borsellino Airport (PMO), make your way to the hotel where our Local Insider – who will accompany you for the rest of the trip – will greet you and the rest of the group at 6pm. Enjoy welcome drinks – we recommend starting with an Aperol spritz – and get to know the group over dinner at a local restaurant, and perhaps even a couple more spritzes before bed.

Begin your tour of Sicily by exploring Palermo’s past. Its history stretches back over 2,700 years to the Phoenicians; since then, the Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Normans have added their own stamp on the place. You’ll sightsee on foot, strolling through squares and sampling street food as you discover more about the city’s history, art and traditions. After lunch, explore the soft-sand beaches around Palermo, before coming together as a group for a cookery class. Under the watchful eye of a knowledgeable chef, you’ll prepare dinner: authentic Sicilian dishes that you’ll certainly want to recreate once you get home.

Trade the city streets of Palermo for the rugged scenery of the Madonie mountains. Taking a winding road inland, you’ll stop off to walk on a Roman trail lined with centuries-old oak and maple trees. It was originally used by traders to get their goods to the coast. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a golden eagle. After a traditional lunch, continue on to the coastal city of Cefalù, where you’ll check in to the Kalura Hotel. Don’t miss Cefalù’s Norman cathedral and the palace of Osterio Magno, before cooling off in the crystalline Mediterranean sea.

Today, hop on the hydrofoil ferry to the Aeolian Islands, a group of 12 tiny land masses off the north coast of Sicily. You’ll stay on the largest, Lipari, where a string of pastel-hued buildings frame the harbour. Eye up a lunch spot before dropping your bags at the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Take a peek inside the ruined castle and cathedral. Alternatively, you may prefer to visit the thermal springs of San Calogero by taxi. Unwind back at the hotel where the outdoor pool beckons.

This morning, you’ll board the hydrofoil again to Panarea. Keep your eyes peeled for celebrities – Michael Douglas, Oprah Winfrey and Beyoncé have all holidayed on this exclusive island, keen for a taste of dolce far niente (delicious idleness). Stroll through labyrinthine streets, where pink bougainvillea blooms spill over whitewashed walls. Later, sail to neighbouring Stromboli. The volcanic island’s biggest draw is its active crater, which has continuously erupted for 2,000 years. It's one of the most reliable places to see lava spewing from the earth’s core. Snatch one last glimpse from the hydrofoil as you return to Lipari.

Today, explore Lipari at leisure. This island is packed full of beaches overlooking azure water, centuries-old duomos, and cute tavernas. Wash down a bowl of pasta 'ncasciata with a glass of limoncello come lunchtime. Afterwards, cool off with a dip in the Mediterranean. Feeling like you’ve got extra energy? There’s an optional choice to visit Vulcano. Hike to the crater rim before descending to the island’s famous geothermal baths. Slather yourself in hot, mineral-rich mud, then wash it off in the hot spring, where jets of steam from underground fumaroles provide a gentle massage.

Jet back across on the hydrofoil to Milazzo before continuing to the idyllic town of Taormina. A guided walking tour will focus on its highlights: Greek and Roman theatres, a maze of medieval streets and sublime views of Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano. This is a tantalising pre-show to the main event: a thrilling 4x4 jeep tour across the volcano itself. Bounce over crusted lava fields, exploring Monti Silvestri, the Northeast Crater, the Voragine, and more. After a light lunch at a local agriturismo, continue to your hotel in Siracusa.

Say goodbye to the coast and venture inland to the hillside villages of Noto, Ragusa and Modica. Few visitors make it here, but to miss them would be a pity. Rebuilt after a devastating 1693 earthquake, they form part of the Val di Noto Unesco World Heritage Site, designated for its beautiful architecture. Countless churches and palaces were built from the local stone; their ornate detailing draws admiring looks to this day. Fans of Inspector Montalbano may recognise Ragusa and Modica as the filming location. Make sure you grab a gelato in Noto - it’s world famous for it.

Today’s tour of Siracusa promises to be a multi-sensory experience. In the lively Mercato di Ortigia, heaps of pistachios, almonds, sun-dried tomatoes, capers and blood-red oranges create a riot of colour. Throw in lots of shouting and gesticulating, not to mention the aromas that assault your nostrils, and you can see why the market is as much a visitor attraction as it is a local shopping destination. Using the produce as a framework, your guide will teach you about Siracusa’s rich cultural heritage. Afterwards, while away a few hours in its historic old town before regrouping for a farewell dinner.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. It’s time to pack your bags, swap addresses with new friends and say farewell to Sicily – for now, at least. Alternatively, extend your stay in Italy!