Arrival at the airport, transfer to the hotel in the Catania area (half-board)

We drive by jeep through the Etna area and visit lava tongues from different eras. Here we can admire a chapel that was saved from a volcanic eruption, roads and houses destroyed by lava, trees suffocated by lava, carbonized trees… We visit a lava tunnel, which we enter with protective helmets and walk into the cleared crater Sartorius. Afterwards we enjoy a wine tasting at a winery with a little snack. The afternoon is free. We will take you back to the city of Catania or to the hotel. In the evening you can make your own within the city Movida (Catania). If you stay in the city, our shuttle will take you back to the hotel in the evening.

Overnight stay in the hotel.

We drive to the market in Catania and shop to cook together. Afterwards we go to an old windmill, where we prepare a delicious lunch together with Alida. Alida is Dutch and has lived on the island for 50 years. Her husband is an artist and painter.

In the afternoon we return to the hotel for a typical Siesta. The late afternoon we dedicate to Taormina – we visit the Greek theatre here.

Afterwards: free leisure and free dinner in a restaurant in Taormina, e.g. at Villa Ducale, La Bottega del Formaggio, Pizzeria Le Tre Vie or Antipasteria Siciliana. Then a little “Taormina by Night”, and back to the hotel.

“Give me a fixed point where I can step and I move the earth!” – Archimedes. We immerse ourselves in the 2,500-year history of the Greeks in Sicily and visit the archaeological zone, Ortigia and the cathedral in Siracusa together with a local guide for half a day.

We continue in the afternoon to Marzamemi – a rather unknown village, but it is very romantic.

We stay in Siracusa.

With around 3600 square meters, they are one of the largest and most beautiful mosaics of the Roman period in Sicily: we start the day by visiting the Villa Romana el Casale, a UNESCO monument in Piazza Armerina.

We continue to Agrigento, where we take a look at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Valle die Templi: the most beautiful and best preserved Doric-Greek temple in the world. With an aperitif and a “light dinner” at the Giardino della Kolybetra with a view to the Temple Valley, we say goodbye to this day.

Overnight stay in the hotel.

Today we drive first to Cave di Casa. The ancient quarry can still be recognized very well, even after 2500 years. Here we find answers to the question of how Greek-Doric temple columns were created at that time.

We continue to Selinunte, the largest archaeological area in the world with many relics from the time of the Greeks.

A wine tasting and a snack in a Cantina in Marsala complete the day.

Overnight stay at the hotel

Frederick II, the “Crimson King”, is on the program today. “Crimson King” from the 70s tells in psychedelic form about the figure of the former king of Sicily. Today in Palermo we visit an Arab-Norman UNESCO World Heritage Site: Palazzo the Normans and Cappella Platina. Afterwards we go to the Cathedral of Palermo, to San Giovanni degli Eremtiti, Chiesa di San Cataldo, to the Arab market “Ballaré”, Chiesa della Magione, the roofless fish market Chiesa Bello Spasimo…

At lunchtime there is street food in Palermo.

In the afternoon we visit the cathedral in Monreale, also an Arab-Norman UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We end the evening at the Movida in Palermo, e.g. at the Berlin Café Pub, Birra e Basta, Bochum Mixology or Malox.

Overnight in Palermo or in the Palermo area. If you stay in the city, our shuttle will take you back to the hotel in the evening.

Palermo has many faces. And we look at them today: Palermo 4 Conti (Baroque), Palermo Chiesa del SS Salvatore (Baroque), Palermo Casa Professa (Sicilian Baroque with Marble Inlays), Palazzo Conte Federico, Palermo Teatro Massimo (Youth Style)…

The afternoon is free, and in the evening there is a dinner in a typical Fish Restaurant in Sicily.

Himera was a mixed Chalcidic-Doric colony that dates back to around 648 BC. BC of Zankle and the Myletids expelled from Syracuse on the north coast of Sicily. The place was the only ancient Greek colony on the north coast of Sicily. The great year of Himeras was 480 BC. Chr .: Called by the tyrant Terillos threatened by Theron von Akragas, the Carthaginians landed at Himera – supposedly in agreement with the Xerxes attacking in the east – but were crushed by Theron in league with Gelon from Syracuse. The remains of the victory temple can still be seen.

Continue to an idyllic farm in Scillato. Everything is organic and is cast with an ancient aqueduct, which is also very interesting to look at. There are many different fruits – and every month certain varieties are ripe for picking and eating directly – or to take them home.

• February/March : Almond + Orange Blossom, Oranges to eat
• March: Plum Blossom (Fuchsia) + Lemon Blossom + Apricot Blossom + Oranges + Lemons to eat
• April: Small almonds, edible with the whole zest (speciality) + oranges + lemons to eat
• May : Cherries to eat + apricots to eat
• June: Apricots for eating + plums + small pears + small apples
• September: Grape harvest + Lotus fruits + Figs + Cactus Figs + Nuts + Chestnuts
• October: Olive Harvest + Saffron Harvest + Lemons to Eat + Lotus Fruits + Nuts + Chestnuts
• November: Olive harvest + Oranges + Lemons to eat + Pomegranates

Today we go to the idyllic and unique Madonie Nature Park: birds and crickets indeed give a wonderful concert here! First we visit the village of Castelbuono, which is built around a castell. Here you can try the cakes “Manna” and “Mannettino”, which are typical for this area. Through cork oak forests we follow the famous mountain rally route “Targa Florio” to a rustic Sicilian farm.

Away from the usual tourist paths, we experience the production of ricotta with a shepherd in the mountains and spend relaxing hours with a delicious lunch with numerous typical Sicilian specialties at the “Gelso” (farm) of the Ventimiglia family. The boss is Claudio, a native of Sicilian, who, if he wishes, speaks german. But the real boss is Daniela (only Claudio doesn’t know), originally from Swabia, but at home in Castellana for over 20 years. Together they have 5 children of all ages. All together are bilingual.

The Ventimiglias also include Nonno Pepe. Nonno Pepe is responsible for growing vegetables and collecting all the wild herbs that are used to cook, and he is the good soul of the house.

With the “Gelso”, which the family has been running for about 10 years, she has fulfilled a dream of living in and above all with nature. Almost all vegetables and fruits as well as olives are grown here purely organically. Here exclusively Sicilian home cooking is enjoyed, many recipes are still based ob Nonna Giuseppina.

In the afternoon drive to Polizzi Generosa (birthplace of fashion icon Domenico Dolce), visit of the city and the former studio of Dolce & Gabbana – we look at the studio from the outside.

We finish our journey in a magical place: drive along the north coast to Milazzo and on to the plateau of Argimusco. This plateau has huge rocks that have unusual shapes of animals and human faces.

This place is called by many the “Sicilian Stonehenge” because of its charm and the beauty that emanates from its stones. This plateau has been used since ancient times for rites to worship the water and to observe the sky and to feel connected to it. We have a delicious and nice picnic there and say “Arrivederci” to Sicily.

Then we go for lunch in a “Salumeria” in Santa Domenica Vittoria and we will taste the delights of the Nebrodi Mountains; Ham and salami from the famous “Maialino dei Nebrodi” (Nebrodi piglet), sheep cheese, goat cheese, ricotta, olives, dried tomatoes, fresh bread, olive oil. A lot to take away, too, to enjoy the rustic Sicily later also at home.

Half board in the hotel

Transfer to Catania Airport and“Assabenedica Sicilia”