Sicily Deluxe: Taormina to Siracusa

The Grand Hotel Atlantis Bay is an elegant 5-star property located 10km from Taormina in the idyllic Baia della Sirene (Mermaids Bay), offering guests a wonderful view of the Ionian sea. Tucked away in a secluded cove and built on a cliff along the seaside, each room has contemporary furnishings with marble bathrooms and offer a balcony or private terrace, overlooking the bay. The hotel also has an outdoor swimming pool, fitness area, spa and wellness area and restaurant. A funicular located near the hotel can reach access to the historic city centre.

On this small-group excursion, you will take an evening stroll with a professional guide and discover traditional Sicilian restaurants, delicious cuisine, and local wine. The best local chefs will prepare their masterpieces for you! Start this tour near the ancient Porta Messina gate at a typical bar and restaurant. The Porta Messina is an arched stone gateway. It's also where you can start strolling down Corso Umberto, the main walking street, and reach the viewpoint square of Piazza Aprile midway. Porta Messina is one among 2 of the once fortified town's portals, the other being Porta Catania that's around 800 meters on the southwestern end of the Corso. From Porta Messina, your tour continues to the best food spots serving pastries, wines, and family fish trattorias. Your local guide will also introduce you to exceptional local wines and explain the production process and share interesting facts and stories.

This private tour takes you to Mount Etna, the highest volcano still active in Europe, with a height of 3,345 meters. Arrive at Rifugio Sapienza at 1, 800 meters where you will have free time to visit the craters, the most famous being the "Silvestri Craters". On the way, you can admire the wonderful fauna and flora and the spectaculars lunar-like landscapes. Mount Etna is declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013 and Sicily's most beautiful attraction. Over the centuries, the volcano has created a place where nature, culture and history merge to create one of the most unique sites in the world. There is also the possibility to climb the volcano by cable car and or 4 X 4 vehicle up to 2, 800 meters.

Enjoy a unique small group experience of the with a visit to the Mount Etna region and a taste of local Sicilian fare. With a professional guide, you will learn interesting facts about Sicily's rich culture, traditions, art and cuisines. Foods such as oranges, lemon, almonds and olive trees are just a few examples of local regional agriculture. Located on the slopes of Mount Etna (1000 meters), you will visit a local winery and enjoy a tasting of local Etna wine along with various regional dishes such as cold appetizers, dried tomatoes, olive oil, bruschetta and salami. You can admire the Etna landscape. The culinary journey continues to a local farm where you will enjoy a gourmet menu consisting of local Etna wine, grilled vegetables, Sicilian pasta with pistachio, asparagus, black port sauce and a delicious ricotta cheese with marmalade. The island is famous not only for its wines but for liquors as well. Your final stop will be a tasting of these unique liquors.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

The 5-star Grand Hotel Minareto Resort & Villas is a seaside luxury resort located across the island of Ortygia. Only a short driving distance (10km) from the centre of Siracusa and Ortygia, the hotel's position is a perfect place to unwind and relax. Guests can enjoy a private sandy beach area, a cliffside solarium on rock terraces to enjoy breathtaking views of nature, a semi-Olympic infinity swimming pool, a whirlpool bath terrace, fitness and spa facilities and an oasis of gardens surrounding the property grounds to enjoy rest and relaxation. The property conveniently offers a restaurant available for breakfast, lunch and dinner, a pool bar and restaurant and lobby bar and free parking.

Discover the secrets of ancient Siracusa in a small group with a passionate tour guide. This program will take you to the authentic family tavernas, hidden among the winding streets and alleyway of Ortigia. Explore the charm and hospitality of traditional gastronomy and cooking. This tour combines wine and culinary experiences while learning about the most breathtaking monuments of the old city including the Piazza San Rocco, Piazza Duomo, Santa Lucia church, Piazza San Giuseppe, the Jewish district, Piazza Archimede, and many more treasures. During the excursion, you will stop at three different places to taste typical Sicilian appetizers and pastries accompanied by fragrant local wines and liquors.

Depart Siracusa for a full day excursion and discover two of the most attractive towns in southern Sicily for Baroque architecture. Ragusa and Modica (UNESCO Heritage) were destroyed by a terrible earthquake in 1693 which radically changed the topography of Sicily and as a result, all Sicilian cities were rebuilt according to the Baroque style. In Ragusa, you will visit the charming lower old town, Ragusa Ibla. Explore the historic city with its baroque buildings and medieval style. Then, continue to Modica, one of the area's UNESCO-listed Baroque towns. Modica is particularly famous for its chocolate and has a remarkable number of impressive churches, including two grand Baroque cathedrals.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.