Name: 2024 Catania & Beyond: Under the Volcano Shadow
Location: Catania, Metropolitan city of Catania, Italy

Viaggia - Discover Sicily

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3 reviews

Duration: 10 days

Group size: 6 - 12

2024 Catania & Beyond: Under the Volcano Shadow

Catania, Metropolitan city of Catania, Italy

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Viaggia - Discover Sicily

Email address verified

3 reviews

Duration: 10 days

Group size: 6 - 12

Tour Eastern Sicily with us, the best way to discover the history, cuisine and lifestyle of this region!

Our signature guided tour will take you on a journey through the most beautiful and enchanting places in the region, including Mount Etna, the ancient ruins of Taormina and the baroque towns in the Iblean Mountains. Chef Alessandro and Tour Curator Polina will reveal the secrets of this fascinating area while sharing with you great food, impressive historical sites and amazing beaches!

10 days, 9 nights

Small Group Tours of Max 12 People

Available Spring and Fall Sessions

"Our goal is to offer a luxurious experience while in the company and comfort of an Italian family friend. We will be dining altogether in a Sicilian villa a true Dolce Vita style, sharing laughter, joy and stories around the table."

Chef Alessandro Riccobono

What is it like touring with Viaggia?

You will be staying in a beautiful Sicilian villa in a strategic location during the whole trip, undertaking daily trips from there. You will unpack only once and you will be able to enjoy the benefits of the villa and surrounding area like a local.

All Itineraries include street food & market tours, cooking with Chef Alessandro in the villa, savouring fine dining dishes in Michelin star restaurants, visiting wineries & farms and enjoying all the bounty of what a Sicilian table can offer.

Chef Alessandro will be sharing his culinary knowledge along the way, creating context for an authentic experience. He will be also teaching you how to cook his favourite recipes, helping you bring Sicily back home with you.

There will also be time for discovering historical sights and the amazing art, architecture and museums of Sicily. We will be also visiting amazing blue beaches, mountain towns or simply relaxing by the pool.

You will have direct access to Tour Curator Polina at any time, enjoying an excellent balance of the planned itinerary and free time. Our private driver will provide professional transportation on daily basis and you will also benefit from the knowledge of all local experts on the island, from tour guides in the big cities to farm owners in the mountains.

Airport Transfers
On pre-designated dates for both arrival and departure
Accommodation
4 or 5 star accommodation: villa with a pool in a strategic location
Food
All Breakfasts, 8 Lunches and 6 Dinners (All but 6 meals, wine included). Excluding hard liquor
Wine & Non-Alc Drinks
Local wine and non-alcoholic drinks are included with all lunches and dinners.
Daily Transportation
Professional private driver & vehicle
Entrance Fees & Tickets
All entrances fees and tickets to museums, trips and entertainment
Snacks at the Villa
Both savoury and sweet snacks available at the villa every day
Gratuities
All gratuities for lunch and dinner while dining with us are included.
Guided Tours
Trips to major historic sites and museums, with licenced guides speaking English, including the Ancient Greek Theatre in Taormina, guided tour in Siracusa & climbing a church bell in Catania!
Visit to the Opera!
A live opera performance at Italian Opera Taormina'!
Michelin Star Dinner
A Tasting Menu dinner at a 1 Star Michelin Star Restaurant in the area
Street Food Tour
Guided Tour with Chef Alessandro through the markets and streets of Catania
Wine Tasting Experience
Trip to a local winery at the slopes of Mt Etna Volcano along with lunch and wine tasting.
Olive Oil Farm Visit
Fall Session only; substitute with Cheese Farm Experience if not available
Cheese Farm Visit
Trip to a local cheese farm; destination dependant on season and availability
Cooking Class
Fun and engaging cooking class with Chef Alessandro at our villa
Mount Etna Visit
Cable Car trip up the Mount Etna Volcano with view of the craters, Catania & the Ionian Sea
Boat Excursion
Afternoon boat trip around Siracusa, visiting
Beach Trip
Relaxing day at the beach club in Fontane Bianche!
Hosts
Hosted by Viaggia Discover Sicily's owner Chef Alessandro & Tour Curator Polina Pen

Day 1
Day 1
Arrivals
AM & PM: Arrivals, pick up from airport and drive to Villa

2 PM - 4 PM: Settle in villa

4 PM -6 PM: Orientation session with Aperitivo!

6 pm - 8 PM: Stroll in village, free time

8 PM - 10 PM: Welcome Dinner at the Villa: Music, Drinks & Great Food
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DAY 2
DAY 2
CATANIA, STREET FOOD & SIGHTSEEING

8 AM - 9 AM: BREAKFAST IN VILLA

9 AM - 10 AM: Travel to Catania

10 AM - 12:00 PM: Tour the Catania Fish market & taste various Sicilian street food Delicacies; Lunch & Drinks at the market

12:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Sightseeing around Centro Storico di Catania, including climbing a church tower for best views of the city!

3:00 PM - 6 PM: Shopping time & more sightseeing in Catania. Free time on your own, we will provide you with a map and suggestions.

6 PM - 7 PM: Aperitivo in Catania!

7 PM - 9 PM: Pizza for dinner in Catania!

9 PM - 10 PM: Drive back to Villa
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DAY 3
DAY 3
WINE TASTING & ETNA VOLCANO CABLE CAR

8 AM - 9 AM: Breakfast in the villa
9 AM - 11 AM: Travel to Mount Etna
11 AM - 1 PM: Tour the winery of Tenuta Papale, Lunch and wine tasting at the winery
1 PM - 2 PM: Drive to Etna Cable Car
2 PM - 4 PM: Take the gondola up the volcano hill and enoy the spectacular views
4 pm: Drive back to Villa
5 PM - LATE: Free time for the evening
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DAY 4
DAY 4
TAORMINA, TEATRO GRECO, ISOLA BELLA & OPERA!

8 AM - 9 AM: Breakfast in villa

9 AM - 10 AM: Travel to Taormina

10 AM - 12:30 PM: Sightseeing, visit Teatro Greco

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Lunch in Taormina

2 PM - 6 PM: Take the cable car down to Isola Bella & enjoy the famous beach, visit the island museum

6 PM - 8 PM: Dinner with a view of Isola Bella

8 PM : Take the cable car up to Taormina

9 PM - 10 PM: Enjoy the Taormina Opera with a drink during the intermission

10 PM - 11 PM: Drive Back to the villa
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DAY 5
DAY 5
SIRACUSA, ORTIGIA & BOAT TOUR!

8 AM - 9 AM: Breakfast in villa

9 AM - 10 AM: Travel to Ortigia

10 AM - 12:30 PM: Sightseeing in Ortigia with an expert historical guide

12:30 PM - 2 PM: LUNCH - trying various local pasta for lunch

2 PM - 4:00 PM: Boat tour of Ortigia, Siracusa & nearby caves, opportunity to jump off the boat and enjoy the fresh blue waters!

5:00 PM: Drive back to Villa & Free Time
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DAY 6
DAY 6
BEACH DAY

8 AM - 9 AM: Breakfast in villa

9 AM - 10 AM: Travel to Fontane Bianche, one of the best beaches on the east coast

10 AM - 4 PM: Beach time & Free Time, enjoying the Beach Club, opportunity to roam the village & relax

4 PM: Drive back to villa

5 PM - 6 PM: Aperitivo with music at Villa

6 PM - 8 PM: Cooking Class with Chef Alessandro!

8 PM- 10 PM: Enjoying the food you made with Chef Alessandro!
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DAY 7
DAY 7
OLIVE OIL FARM VISIT, OLIVE OIL TASTING AT CANICATTINI BAGNI
8 AM - 9 AM: Breakfast in villa

9 AM - 12 PM: Pool Time, Free Time

12 PM - 1 PM: Travel to Canicattini Bagni

1 Pm - 4 PM: Olive Oil Tasting with Lunch at Azienda Mozzicato, tour of the property, including olive oil production & trees; If lucky we'll witness the olive harvest and extraction of olive oil

4 PM - 6 PM: Aperitivo with a view in the area

6 PM - Drive back to Villa

7 Pm - 8 PM - Pizza with Chef Alessandro! Try your best making a pizza!

*Tour may vary in Spring Session and we may visit a cheese farm instead on this day.
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DAY 8
DAY 8
MARZAMEMI & NOTO
8 AM - 9 AM: Breakfast in villa

9 AM - 11 AM: Travel to the charming fishing village of Marzamemi

11 Am - 2:30 PM: Sightseeing & Lunch in the village

3:00 PM : Drive to Noto

4 PM - 6 PM: Aperitivo in Noto

6 PM - Late: Free time in Noto: Sightseeing, enjoying the free museums, visit Netflix famous Cafe Sicilia, shopping, enjoying Noto at night. Note: dinner on your own in Noto.

10 PM: Pick up from Noto, drive to Villa
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DAY 9
DAY 9
RAGUSA, MODICA & MICHELIN STAR DINNER!
8 AM - 9 AM: Breakfast in villa

9 AM - 3 PM: Pool Time & Free time; Opportunity to pack for tomorrow's departure; Pasta Lunch at the villa

3 PM: Drive to Ragusa

4 PM - 6 PM: Sightseeing in Ragusa

6 PM - 8 PM: Drive to Modica, visit the chocolate shop, sightsee the main shopping street

8 PM - 10 PM - Dinner at Accursio Michelin Star Restaurant

10:30 PM - Drive back to Villa
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DAY 10
DAY 10
GOODBYES!
8 AM - 9 AM: Breakfast in Villa & Goodbyes!

9 AM - 11 AM: AIRPORT TRANSFER OR DROP-OFF in Catania
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Day 1

Arrivals

AM & PM: Arrivals, pick up from airport and drive to Villa

2 PM - 4 PM: Settle in villa

4 PM -6 PM: Orientation session with Aperitivo!

6 pm - 8 PM: Stroll in village, free time

8 PM - 10 PM: Welcome Dinner at the Villa: Music, Drinks & Great Food

Viaggia - Discover Sicily

3 reviews

VIAGGIA is a high-end travel experience that specializes in tours of the island of Sicily. From the bustling markets of Palermo to Michelin Star restaurants, our tours offer an unforgettable taste of this rich and vibrant land. We believe that food is not just about sustenance but about culture, history, and community and we work to create an unforgettable experience that will leave you with a deeper appreciation and understanding of Sicily's culinary heritage. Book now and experience the best of what the island has to offer!

Phenomenal trip- an 11!! Fabulous food, fantastic accomodations and interesting and varied side trips to experience different aspects of Sicily. Alessandro and Polina have outdone themselves. Highly recommend!!

By Janice T for 2024 PALERMO & BEYOND: ECLECTIC CROSSROADS on Oct 31, 2024

An absolutely beautiful experience of sights, tastes, music, and hospitality by our two hosts Alessandro and Polina. Our stay in Sicily was truly a memorable time with everything taken care of by them as soon as we got off the plane in Catania until the time it was ready to leave for home again. There were so many unexpected and wonderful surprises throughout our stay that went even beyond what they advertised and we look forward to staying with them again on another tour. We wish Alessandro and Polina all the best for themselves and their business. Ciao! C & D.

By Debra F for 2024 Catania & Beyond: Under the Volcano Shadow on Oct 11, 2024

It was a very good trip. The accommodation was excellent, a modern spacious villa with pool. The food was delicious and geared to introducing the favorite dishes and flavors of Sicily. The daily excursions provided opportunities to experience the history, art, architecture and landscape of the Island. Every effort was made to make our holiday one to remember.