Days Out

EXPLORING ETNA

At 3350m high, Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe. The Etna National Park is a protected natural area of about 30 km in diameter with an extremely rich and varied flora.

Besides the obvious excursion to the summit craters it is also possible to take trips into volcanic caves, over ancient lava flows, and through the Alcantara gorges.

You can also go horse or donkey riding, mountain biking and quad biking along the Etna trails.

WINE TOURISM

Piedimonte Etneo is within the Etna DOC wine-producing area, and is the site of the Etna wine train departure station. It is therefore very easy to visit the beautiful vineyards of Etna from here, along with some excellent wineries where tasting tours can be organised.

ARTS AND CULTURE

A succession of multiple civilisations has made Sicily a land rich in cultures and traditions. For example (to name just a few):

  • the ancient Greco-Roman Theatre of Taormina
  • Sicilian Baroque architecture (notably on this eastern side of the island, in the Val di Noto)
  • Sicilian puppets

Guided tours are available to Catania, Taormina, Randazzo, Castiglione, Savoca, Acireale and many other places of artistic and cultural interest in Sicily. Please ask us for more information on trusted guides and tour companies.

LOCAL TASTES AND FLAVOURS

Bronte pistachios, Etna cherries, olive oil made from the local nocellara dell’Etna olives, hand-chopped sausages, arancini, and cannoli with fresh ricotta are just some examples of local Sicilian gastronomic specialties. Please ask us for more details of our favourite guided food and wine tours.