Reserve your own private departure with

Experi Logo

MOUNT ETNA & TAORMINA

"Sicily: three thousand years of human history condensed into a single island." - Elio Vittorini

4-12

Guest limits

8 / 7

Days / Nights

 $8,298

STARTING RATE PER PERSON
(MINIMUM 4)

Embark on a captivating journey to Mount Etna and Taormina, where Sicily’s ancient wonders, natural marvels, and distinctive wine and food are waiting to be discovered. As part of this weeklong program, immerse yourself in the island's rich culinary heritage, sampling traditional dishes paired with local wines. Explore Europe's tallest active volcano, Mount Etna, with its mineral rich soil and high altitude vineyards. And visit the baroque city of Catania and the picturesque hilltop city of Taormina. This travel program blends food, wine, and culture in an unforgettable Sicilian experience.

Get Started
Mount Etna 3 2
Taormina
Mount Etna2
Savoca e Forza DAgro 1
Taormina 1 1 1
Mount Etna1
iStock 1391028589
iStock 481510558
Greek Roman Theatre of Catania in Sicilia
Taormina
Savoca e Forza DAgro

"Mount Etna is not a mere mountain. It is a living testament to the Earth's fiery heart." - Giuseppe Mercalli, seismologist

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

  • Experi_LogoSymbol

    DAY 1. ARRIVAL CATANIA

    Land in Catania airport and transfer to accommodations on the slopes of Mount Etna with time to relax and unwind before an aperitivo and wine-paired welcome dinner

  • Experi_LogoSymbol

    DAY 2. ETNA DOC

    After a relaxing morning, visit one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries in Sicily for a tour, tasting, culinary class, and wine-paired dinner

  • Experi_LogoSymbol

    DAY 3. MOUNT ETNA

    Explore the unique geology and landscapes of Mount Etna with an expert guide followed by a traditional lunch in the highest alpine refuge on the mountain

  • Experi_LogoSymbol

    DAY 4. CATANIA

    Visit another family-run winery on the eastern slope of Mount Etna for a guided tasting and lunch followed a stop in Catania for a guided tour and free time

  • Experi_LogoSymbol

    DAY 5. TAORMINA

    Discover the fashionable resort town of Taormina with a guided walking tour followed by a traditional Sicilan pizza lunch and free time to explore 

  • Experi_LogoSymbol

    DAY 6. VILLA BRITANNIA

    Enjoy a morning hike with a local guide; in the afternoon, head to a villa overlooking the Ionian Sea for a hands on culinary class and wine-paired dinner

  • Experi_LogoSymbol

    DAY 7. SAVOCA & FORZA D’AGRÒ

    Visit two enchanting Sicilian villages made famous in the Godfather movies followed by lunch in a charming local restaurant in Forza d’Agrò; toast your journey with an evening gala dinner

  • Experi_LogoSymbol

    DAY 8. DEPARTURE CATANIA

    Transfer to Catania airport after breakfast for return flights

Accommodations

villa neri

Villa Neri

Set amidst olive groves and vineyards on the slopes of Mount Etna, this contemporary property constructed from Sicilian natural materials features a restaurant, bar, outdoor saltwater pool, wellness area, lush gardens, and complimentary bicycles. Rooms offer air conditioning, free WiFi, electric kettle, minibar, safe, bathrobe, slippers, toiletries, and hair dryer.

villa neri
ALBERGO VILLA BELVEDERE

Albergo Villa Belvedere

This charming villa situated in the clifftop town of Taormina is a 5 minute walk from the vibrant main street of Corso Umberto. Boasting views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna, the property is surrounded by terraced gardens and offers a summer outdoor pool, restaurant, bar, and gym. Rooms offer air conditioning, free WiFi, electric kettle, minibar, safe, bathrobe, slippers, toiletries, and hair dryer.

ALBERGO VILLA BELVEDERE

"Taormina is a jewel perched on a hill, overlooking the azure Mediterranean. Its beauty is simply breathtaking." - D. H. Lawrence, writer

Get Started

Fun Facts

Legend has it that Vulcan, the Roman god of fire, lived on Mount Etna

Vulcan used the volcano for metalworking, including the manufacturing of art, arms, iron, and armor. Vulcan was married to Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, and it is said that whenever Venus was unfaithful, a very angry Vulcan would beat the red-hot metal with such a force that sparks and smoke rose all the way up to the top of the mountain, resulting in a volcanic eruption.

Mount Etna is a hot spot for wines

Mount Etna is the highest Mediterranean island mountain and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The history of the volcano and its eruptions go back 500,000 years, and the eruptions have been documented for at least 2,700 years. As a result of the eruptions, the soil surrounding the volcano is extremely fertile, and a significant amount of Sicily’s agricultural products, including grapes and citrus fruits, are grown on its slopes. In combination with the different elevations, sun exposures, and proximity to the sea, the diversity of terroirs surrounding Mount Etna have produced a range of styles and expressions that have contributed to the growing popularity of wines from the region.

Wine has been made in Sicily for thousands of years

Sicily is the largest wine producing region in Italy with 98,000 hectares of vineyards, 65 indigenous grape varieties, and a number of international varieties. Records of winemaking on the island take us back to 1700 BC, but it has likely been part of the island lifestyle much longer. According to Greek mythology, Dionysus, the god of wine, planted its most prized vine on the island, establishing the first vineyard.

One of the best places to explore Greek ruins is Sicily

While we may think modern countries have always been within their current borders, that is often not the case. The civilization of the ancient Greeks was scattered throughout the eastern Mediterranean, occupying much of coastal Turkey and Southern Italy. One of the best archeological sites to discover Ancient Greece is the Valley of the Temples in Sicily. The Greek Theater of Taormina is another remarkably well-preserved site, which is still used for musical performances.

Details

Included

  • Accommodations during program dates, including all taxes and fees
  • All activities and private excursions described in the itinerary along with services of local guides, entrance fees, and private transportation
  • Meals as detailed in your itinerary, including pre-arranged drink pairings
  • Private airport transfers with porterage on the first and last scheduled days of the program

Not Included

  • Airfare to/from arrival and departure cities
  • Travel insurance
  • Additional alcoholic beverages beyond what has been arranged by Experi to pair with the included major meals
  • Gratuities for drivers, local guides, porters, and included meals

Travel Insurance

Learn more about travel insurance and how it can help you prepare for the unexpected at https://experi.com/travelinsurance/

Travel Terms & Conditions

View our complete terms and conditions here at https://experi.com/agreement.

Reservation process

Step 1:

Complete the form above indicating:

  • the number of travelers in your group
  • your preferred travel dates
  • the best way to reach you

Step 2:

We will contact you to discuss your preferences.

Step 3:

Based on our conversation, we will check availability, confirm pricing, and provide you with a detailed proposal.

Step 4:

To confirm the services and accommodations for your private departure, a non-refundable 50% deposit of the total trip fee is required.
Get Started

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How a Private Departure Works:

A Private Departure is a program that our destination specialists have meticulously crafted and curated to highlight the best of a particular destination. While we offer a few options to personalize your journey, the main framework of a Private Departure itinerary has been set. If you are seeking to make changes in the schedule or activities, a Custom Program may better suit your needs.

Destination-Specific Information - Sicily:

Food and wine enthusiasts as well as those interested in exploring natural wonders, immersing in history, and soaking up the culture and beauty of this Mediterranean crossroads will delight in a trip to Sicily 

Experi

P.O. Box 10576
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
USA

IATAN logo grayeota logo grayATTA Member

Connect

Contact

guestservices@experi.com
866.456.8825 Toll Free
206.905.4260 Main

Join our newsletter