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Day 1: Arrival in Catania and onward to Palazzolo Acreide

Evening meal and overnight in an agriturismo near Palazzolo Acreide.

Time permitting, there will be the chance to visit the town of Palazzolo Acreide on arrival.

Day 2: Pantalica and Noto Antica

Evening meal and overnight in the agriturismo.

After breakfast we travel to the valley of Pantalica – home to a fascinating necropolis with over 5000 tombs dating from the 13th to the 7th centuries BC. We explore the famous “Anaktaron” (the supposed house of the one-time ruler of Pantalica) and discuss how this had once been a perfect natural fortress.

We then travel to Noto Antica for a rustic picnic.

After lunch, there will be time to explore Noto Antica. Those who have already visited the Baroque town of Noto will be awed by the difference. In Arab times it was the provincial capital of the Val di Noto – or the whole of the South of Sicily – but was completely destroyed by the 1693 and today only ruins remain. Nevertheless, it is today one of the most suggestive sites in the whole of Sicily.

In the late afternoon we return to our agriturismo.

Day 3: Caltagirone, Morgantina

Evening meal and overnight in a small, comfortable hotel in Petralia Sottana.

We depart from the agriturismo and take a drive through the lush Sicilian countryside towards Vizzini. There will be time to stop at the old leather workers factory and also to see the house where the 19th century Sicilian writer Giovanni Verga was born.

After a short stop we continue to Caltagirone, where there is a chance to visit the fascinating ceramic museum before strolling to the fabulous staircase of Santa Maria del Monte.

We continue our journey to have lunch near Piazza Armerina. Assuming that guests will already have visited it on a previous occasion, on this journey, we do not stop at the Villa del Casale, but continue on to Morgantina – a Hellenic town set in the valley beneath Aidone with fabulous view towards Mount Etna.

After visiting Morgantina, we drive to the mountain village of Petralia Sottana in the Madonie.

Day 4: Petralia Soprana and Gangi

Evening meal and overnight in a small, comfortable hotel in Petralia Sottana.

We start the day with a visit to Petralia Soprana, the only town in Sicily to have the “Bandiera Arancione” of the Touring Club Italiano – the award for an exceptional town. It contains some beautiful churches and boasts some breathtaking views of the interior of Sicily. After a picnic lunch we drive a short distance to Gangi.

In 2014, Gangi was voted one of the “the most beautiful towns” in Italy. Built over the peak of a hill, it looks from the distance something akin to a carapace and, in the early Spring, usually with the backdrop of the snow-covered peak of Etna. It is surely one of the most unforgettable sights in Sicily.

Day 5: Mussomeli, Monte Cammarata

Evening meal and overnight in a country hotel above Santo Stefano Quisquina.

We begin the day with an hour or so’s drive to Mussomeli through fields of ripening wheat and spring flowers. In Mussomeli we visit the Castello Manfredonico and one of the most iconic castles in Sicily. The castle seems almost to grow from the rock on which it is perched.

We continue to Monte Cammarata where we have a picnic amidst a spectacular setting before visiting the monastery where Saint Rosalia is said to have lived and continuing on to our evening accommodation – a stunning location set high in the Sicani Mountains.

Day 6: Palazzo Adriano, Piana degli Albanesi

Evening meal and overnight in Scopello.

In the morning we move on to Palazzo Adriano, where much of the film Nuovo Cinema Paradiso was filmed. Albanian in origin, with its wide cobbled streets and expansive central Piazza, this small town still exhibits an untouched air and it is easy to see why Giuseppe Tornatore chose it as the set for his masterpiece. There will be a chance too to visit the small Cinema Paradiso museum.

Another short drive through some stunning scenery brings us to the Bourbon hunting lodge of Ficuzza. After lunch at the hunting lodge we continue on to Piana degli Albanesi, home to another thriving Albanian community which still maintains its strong traditions. After visiting the museum, we continue on to Scopello.

Day 7: Scopello and the Parco dello Zingaro

Evening meal and overnight in Scopello.

On our final day in Scopello, there is a chance to either relax by the pool, or else take a walk in the nature reserve of the Zingaro Park.

Day 8: Departure

Drive to Palermo in time for flights.

Day 1: Sip cocktails on your first day in Palermo

Accommodation: Hotel Porta Felice

Activities Included: Welcome dinner

After your flight lands at Falcone-Borsellino Airport, make your way to the hotel where our Local Insider – who will accompany you for the rest of the trip – will greet you and the rest of the group at 6pm. Enjoy welcome drinks; if you haven't already, you might want to try an Aperol spritz. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions about the trip over dinner at a local restaurant, and perhaps enjoy a couple more spritzes before heading to bed.

Day 2: Delve into Palermo's fascinating past

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Porta Felice

Activities Included: Palermo walking tour, Sicilian cooking class

Begin your tour of Sicily by delving into Palermo’s past. Its history stretches back more than 2,700 years to the Phoenicians; since then, the Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Normans have all put their stamp on the city. You can get around on foot, strolling through squares and sampling street food as you discover more about the history, art and traditions of the city. After lunch, explore the gold-sand beaches around Palermo, before meeting your group for a cookery class. Under the watchful eye of a knowledgeable chef, you’ll prepare authentic Sicilian dishes that you can recreate when you get home.

Day 3: Hike in the Madonie mountains and marvel at the beauty of Cefalù

Accommodation: Artemis Hotel

Activities Included: Guided Madonie mountains hike

Trade the city streets of Palermo for the rugged scenery of the Madonie mountains on a winding road inland. You’ll stop off en route to walk along a Roman trail lined with centuries-old oak and maple trees that was originally used by traders to transport goods to the coast. If you’re lucky, you might spot a golden eagle. After a traditional lunch, continue to the coastal city of Cefalù, where you’ll check into your hotel. Don’t miss the Norman cathedral and the palace of Osterio Magno in Cefalù, before cooling off in the Mediterranean sea.

Day 4: Pack your bags for the Aeolian islands

Accommodation: Hotel Bougainville

Today, hop on the hydrofoil ferry to the Aeolian islands, a group of 12 tiny land masses off the north coast of Sicily. You’ll stay on the largest, Lipari, where a row of pastel-coloured buildings frame the harbour. Eye up a nice spot for lunch before dropping your bags at the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace – wander around the ruined castle and cathedral, take a taxi to the thermal springs of San Calogero or unwind at the hotel where the outdoor pool beckons.

Day 5: Visit the islands of Panarea and Stromboli

Accommodation: Hotel Bougainville

Activities Included: Stromboli and Panarea boat tour

This morning, you’ll board the hydrofoil again to Panarea. Keep your eyes peeled for celebrities – Michael Douglas, Oprah Winfrey and Beyoncé have all holidayed on this exclusive island, keen for a taste of dolce far niente – delicious idleness. Stroll through labyrinthine streets, where pink bougainvillea blooms spill over whitewashed walls. Later, you'll sail to neighbouring Stromboli; the biggest draw on this island is the volcano, which has been active for 2,000 years. It's one of the most reliable places to see lava spewing from the core of the earth. Catch a last glimpse from the hydrofoil before you return to Lipari.

Day 6: Explore the sulphurous island Vulcano and soak in hot springs

Accommodation: Hotel Bougainville

Optional Activities: Vulcano tour

Today is yours to explore Lipari at leisure – from the beaches overlooking azure water to centuries-old duomos and cute tavernas. Come lunchtime, why not wash down a bowl of pasta 'ncasciata with a glass of limoncello, and cool off afterwards with a dip in the Med? If you still have energy, there’s an optional choice to visit the island of Vulcano, where you can hike to the rim of a volcanic crater before visiting the geothermal baths. Slather yourself in hot, mineral-rich mud, then wash it off in the hot spring, where jets of steam from underground fumaroles provide a gentle massage.

Day 7: Go off-road on Mount Etna

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Villa Politi

Activities Included: Mount Etna 4x4 tour

The hydrofoil will bring you back to the Sicilian mainland today, arriving in Milazzo. From here, you’ll continue to the main event of the day: a thrilling 4x4 tour across Mount Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe. Bounce over crusted lava fields, exploring Monti Silvestri, the Northeast Crater, the Voragine and more. After a light lunch at a local agriturismo, continue to your hotel in Syracuse. Spend the evening as you wish – kick back at the hotel or watch the sunset from nearby Castello Maniace.

Day 8: Discover the baroque hill towns of Noto, Ragusa and Modica

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Villa Politi

Activities Included: Ragusa, Noto and Modica tour

Say goodbye to the coast and venture inland to the hillside villages of Noto, Ragusa and Modica. Few visitors make it here, so it’s a great opportunity to get off the beaten path. Rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1693, the villages form part of the Val di Noto Unesco World Heritage site, designated for its beautiful architecture. Countless churches and palaces were built from the local stone; their ornate detailing draws admiring looks to this day. Fans of Inspector Montalbano may recognise Ragusa and Modica as the filming locations. Make sure you grab a gelato in Noto – one of the best places for ice cream in the world.

Day 9: Explore the flavours of Syracuse

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Villa Politi

Today’s tour of Syracuse promises to be a multisensory experience. Heaps of pistachios, almonds, sun-dried tomatoes, capers and blood-red oranges create a riot of colour in the lively Mercato di Ortigia. Throw in lots of shouting and gesticulating, not to mention the aromas of fresh bakes and herbs, and you can see why the market is as much a visitor attraction as it is a local shopping experience. All the produce on sale will offer a fascinating – and no doubt stomach-rumbling – insight into the rich food culture and history of Syracuse. Afterwards, you can while away a few hours in the old town before regrouping for a farewell dinner.

Day 10: Departure day

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. You'll say a fond farewell to your new friends at around 11am, before returning home or continuing with your travels.