Relaxed Sicilian Honeymoon: Taormina & Palermo - 7 Days

Highlights

• Prepare a multicourse Sicilian feast with a hands-on cooking class
• Cruise the coast of Taormina, including beautiful Isola Bella, by private boat
• Visit a winery on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna and taste their wines
• Eat your way across Palermo on a guided street food tour
• Take a relaxed day trip to Sciacca, a town famous for its ceramics and fishermen

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Catania, Transfer to Taormina, Cooking Class & Greek Theatre

Buongiorno and welcome to Sicily, the sunkissed island at the toe of Italy's boot! You'll land in Catania, where a private driver will be waiting to transfer you an hour north to Taormina, skirting around the active Mount Etna volcano en route. Taormina is a gorgeous Sicilian town that blends ancient sights with natural beauty. Check into your hotel, drop your bags, and refresh ahead of today's private cooking class. You'll meet a local chef at the market, where you'll shop for seasonal fruit, vegetables, and the freshest fish.

Then, enter the kitchen for a hands-on cooking class where you'll prepare a full Sicilian menu, complete with a traditional dessert. Finally, sit down for a late lunch paired with local wines. After, say ciao and venture over to the Greek Theatre of Taormina, a fascinating historical monument carved out of the hard rock of Mount Taurus in the third century BCE. From up here you'll be treated to incredible views over the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna, so feel free to stay for sunset and enjoy nature's show.

Day 2: Private Taormina Coast Boat Trip, "The Godfather" Movie Set Tour

This morning you'll board a two-hour private boat tour and set off to explore the Ionian Sea. You'll cruise around the beautiful bay and down to the unspoiled coast of Giardini Naxos. Enter the Isola Bella Taormina Marine Park and dive into the postcard-perfect turquoise waters or go snorkeling. Then, soak up the coastal scenery of eastern Sicily as you laze on the deck, snacking on fresh fruit. You'll pass the lovely Mazzarò Bay and Bay of the Sirens before returning to the pier at Taormina.

Later today, you'll discover the fascinating and turbulent history of Sicily's mafia while visiting the gorgeous Sicilian hilltop towns made famous by "The Godfather" films. Your tour starts in the village of Savoca, where some of the immortal scenes were filmed, and stops by the famous Bar Vitelli, which is still owned by the same family. Then, continue to Forza D'Agrò, where Al Pacino showed Diane Keaton the house where his father was born. The town overlooks the well-preserved castle of Capo Sant'Alessio. Stroll through the central piazza, then return to Taormina.

Day 3: Half-Day Mount Etna Wine Tasting

After seeing Mount Etna from afar, it's time to get up close and discover the fascinating landscape of this UNESCO World Heritage site on a winery tour. Yes, there's plenty of wine produced in the rich volcanic soil around Etna, and today you'll learn to recognize and taste the distinctive terroir. The Etna wine region curves around the eastern side of the volcano, rising from near-sea level to more than 3,940 feet (1,200 m). Here, the local producers are constantly experimenting higher and higher up the slopes, playing with the rich, blacker lava flow soils and extremely high altitudes.

You'll start with a guided walking tour of a local vineyard, learning about the relatively new foray into winemaking. After, discover the process behind Etna's exceptional wines, and finally sit down for an insightful wine tasting experience, accompanied by delicious local specialties. After, return to Taormina and enjoy free time in town or by the beach.

Day 4: Transfer to Palermo, Street Food Tour

This morning you'll trade Taormina for the atmospheric capital of Sicily, Palermo. A private driver will collect you for the three-hour drive, dropping you off at your hotel. Palermo is a lively and energetic city that blends Arab, Norman, and Baroque influences, which you can see in its food and architecture. The old streets, filled with grand palaces and historic monuments, are a sensory feast, and this afternoon you'll explore their sights, sounds, and flavors on a delicious street food tour.

Meet your local guide and get ready to snack your way through Palermo's back alley markets, modest bakeries, old bars, and food stalls. You'll start in Ballarò, the city's oldest open-air market reminiscent of Arab souks. Discover Sicily's unique culinary history while hunting for sweet and savory street snacks such as panelle (chickpea fritters) and arancini (deep-fried stuffed rice balls). Wash it all down with sweet Sicilian wine before digging into a seasonal dessert like cannoli (deep-fried pastries filled with sweetened ricotta cheese), gelato, or a refreshing granita (a fruity semi-frozen treat).

Day 5: Free Time at Mondello Beach, Palermo Wine Tour

Spend your morning relaxing by the clear turquoise waters and soft, white sands of Mondello Beach. Framed by Monte Pellegrino and Capo Gallo, the sands of this beach destination attract locals and tourists wishing to swim or sunbathe under the Mediterranean sun. In summer the beach is filled with colorful wooden cabins, deck chairs, and umbrellas. Wander the promenade beneath maritime pines and palm trees, and stop at local cafés or a gelateria for a break. Later, enjoy a seafood lunch by the water before returning to town.

This afternoon, you'll join a wine tour in the heart of Palermo, hopping between three different local wine bars. A knowledgeable Sicilian sommelier will be leading the way, navigating you through Kalsa, the old Arab neighborhood that's now popular with bars and small artisan stores. Your first stop is a toast with sparkling wine and fried snacks at a gorgeous location with rooftop views. Next, sit down for a full bouquet of red, white, and rosé Sicilian wines, each paired with a story about the producer and a delicious dish. Finally, taste a sweet local wine and say farewell to your host. 

Day 6: Self-Guided Trip to Sciacca

Rent a car this morning and travel from the north coast of Sicily to Sciacca, a historic fishing port on the southern coast. This authentic working-class town is famous for its ceramics, thermal baths, and one of the largest fishing fleets in Italy. Enjoy the scenery on the 90-minute drive south as you cross the island. Once in Sciacca, make your way along Corso Vittorio Emanuele to find stores selling colorful majolica plates and tiles—the perfect souvenir. After shopping, find a cozy trattoria for lunch or a seafood restaurant by the fishing port.

Then, it's time to dive into the ancient origins of Sciacca's thermal springs. This town was a thermal spa resort for the Greeks of ancient Selinunte, and it was in the ninth century that the Arabs formed the town and turned Sciacca into a thriving trade center between Sicily and North Africa. In the afternoon, you could visit Selinunte Archaeological Park, just outside town, or take advantage of your rental car and discover secluded beaches and coves along the coast. Later, return to Palermo and refresh for your final night out in Italy.

Day 7: Depart Palermo

Your romantic vacation in Sicily comes to an end today. After breakfast, drive to the airport in Palermo with enough time to return your rental car before your departing flight home or onward. Safe travels!

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