MEDD

Sicilian cuisine, like all regional cooking in Italy, begins with fresh, seasonal ingredients, so this tour starts with a drive south to the town of Giarre and its bustling, colorful market. Follow your guide down the aisles lined with the morning’s catch, mounds of vegetables and fragrant fruit and herbs whose sellers supply many of the area’s restaurants and hotels. From here you’ll turn inland to the village of Zafferana Etnea, between the volcano and the sea.

Perched on mountain overlooking the sea, the ancient town of Taormina has been enchanting visitors since the 19th century. The excursion begins with the scenic drive from the coast to the elevator that will transports you up Monte Tauro to the center of the town. From there your guide will lead you along the cobblestone streets, sharing the history of the peoples and civilizations – the ancient Sicels, Greeks and Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Normans, among them – who have played a part here.

The mighty – and still very active -- volcano of Mt. Etna dominates Sicily’s eastern coast and has life here, as you’ll see passing through landscapes transformed by past eruptions on the drive the cable-car station on the southern slopes. In 15 minutes, you’ll be whisked up to 2,504 meters, where you’ll then transfer to four-wheel-drive vehicles whose expert drivers deftly navigate the rugged terrain up to 2,900 meters high. From here, the hiking adventure begins as you follow your guide along foot paths and narrow trails to the old lava flows that characterize the upper slopes.

Drive up from the coast to Castelmora, one of the most scenic villages in Sicily, perched high on a mountainside and crowned by the ruins of a castle. With your guide, stroll down the narrow medieval alleys that are rarely visited by non-Sicilians, soaking up the ambience and admiring its well-preserved churches and buildings. You’ll then drive to nearby Taormina, the resort town that has been a destination for well-heeled travelers since the 19th century. Enjoy a leisurely guided stroll through the medieval Old Town, stopping at key landmarks such as the 15th-century Corvaja Palace.

Sicily’s most famous and dramatic landmark, Mt. Etna, is best viewed from the area. It’s a short drive from the yacht to the helipad near Taormina where you’ll take to the skies for a thrilling aerial tour over the towering volcano. The helicopter will fly over the top, which stands at more than 3,300 meters. From above, you’ll have an unparalleled view of the many craters, some of which may be smoking, and the Valle del Bove, the horseshoe-shaped depression carved some 5 kilometers across and 1,000 meters deep into the volcano’s eastern flank.

From the Piazza Tasso, the vibrant main center of Sorrento, you will set off to discover the highlights of this resort town famous for narrow streets, artisan shops and dramatic history. You will visit the haunting, overgrown modern ruins of the nearby Valley of the Mills and explore the Basilica di Sant'Antonino, the final resting place for the patron saint of Sorrento. From the lovely courtyard of the San Francesco Cloister and the adjacent public gardens, admire picturesque views of Sorrento Bay.

Perched at the gateway to the renowned Amalfi Coast, Sorrento offers the perfect opportunity to explore scenic shorelines by kayak. Meet your guide at Marina Grande, a charming fishing village that sits at the base of the limestone cliffs on which the Old Town of Sorrento stands. From here, you will paddle your kayak along shores lined with ancient Greek walls, the remains of grand Roman villas, and historic nymphaea – grottoes where ornate shrines were dedicated to the nymphs. See the Roman villa of Agrippa Postumo and its 19-meter cave.

Sorrento is famous for its sweet, lemony limoncello liqueur. While a number of factories produce it, this excursion brings you to the leading facility that uses lemons exclusively from the heart of the Sorrentine peninsula. Only this variety of lemon earns the coveted IGP designation confirming origin and traditional production standards. Villa Massa has a history of limoncello production dating to 1890 and also makes orange, mandarin, citrus fruit, walnut and cream liqueurs.

After a scenic drive through the Sorrento hills, you will arrive at the quaint village of Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi and step into the Michelin-starred Ristorante Don Alfonso 1890 to begin a singular epicurean experience. You will enjoy an aperitif with canapés and a presentation of traditional Mediterranean recipes with a dash of Don Alfonso innovation. Then you will descend into the wine cellar housed in a pre-Roman tunnel. Over 25,000 superior bottles live here, and there is also an aging room for cheeses.

After an amazing drive along the scenic Amalfi Coast, you will reach Ravello, perched on a cliff overlooking the Gulf of Naples. Its cathedral, founded in 1086, contains medieval pulpits, Roman sarcophagi and Renaissance paintings. You will also visit Villa Rufolo, which inspired Wagner to create the magical garden of Klingsor for his opera Parsifal. Admire more breathtaking views of the rocky cliffs as you travel the coastline to gorgeous Positano.