Tailormade tour Sicily, the Aeolian Islands and Capri tour Italy

Upon arrival in Catania you are transferred by private car to the historic town of Taormina which will be your base for five nights. There is plenty to explore within the town itself, on the coast nearby or further into foothills of Mount Etna, visible from Taormina. The Teatro Antico di Taormina, the second largest ancient theatre in Sicily, is the source of much debate amongst the local residents, as to whether its origins are Greek or Roman. Taormina’s origins as a Greek Polis, however, point towards a Grecian beginning. The theatre comes alive throughout the summer with the ‘Taormina Arte’ festival, featuring cinema, theatre, ballet, and music performances. The gothic Badia Vecchia and the Palazzo Duca di S. Stefano are the perfect places to witness the Arabian and Norman influences on the town. The former used to be used as an abbey, and still contains subtle references to its religious past, while both were built to fortify the town’s defences. Nowhere in Taormina does its Arabian history become more apparent than in the intricately arched windows and stairways of the Palazzo Corvaja, built in the style of the first temple Abraham built in God’s name. The Corsa Umberto, the pedestrian-only street in the centre of the town, is the ideal place to buy Sicilian souvenirs, from the beautiful hand-made ceramics, the fine leather, and the Sicilian wines, to the wrought iron and wooden products. You may want the use of a hire-car for a day or two to explore the immediate area.

On the sixth day you are taken by private car to Milazzo on the north cost of Sicily, to catch the fast ferry to Lipari, which takes just under an hour. Lipari is one of the closest Aeolian Islands to Sicily and a good introduction to the islands. Lipari’s main port is a thriving and bustling area, with lots of character. During the three days that you have on Lipari, take time to explore the winding streets of this small Italian town, purchasing samples of the Malvasia wine and the local capers, perhaps in a harbour-side restaurant. The main historic attraction of Lipari is the Castello, large enough and intricate enough to be a citadel in itself. Some of the buildings inside house a museum. Lipari’s archaeological museum pays testament to Lipari’s connections with ancient Greece and Rome, with its selection of Greek vases, amphorae from wrecks, and models of Greek theatrical masks that were found in the tombs on the island. The Norman cloisters within the cathedral are particularly beautiful, with delicate animal carvings on the capitals of the columns. Whilst in the town centre, pick up some of the pumice that the island is so well-known for. Though the pumice is not mined for with the same intensity that it once was opportunities across the island still exist for visitors to collect some of their own from its source. The island’s obsidian is also highly sought after, used as it is to make knives. Take a hydrofoil to one of the other nearby Aeolian Islands, perhaps Filicuda or Panarea, or simply enjoy the sea air and warmth of this island in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

From Lipari you continue your journey by fast ferry to the more distant Aeolian island of Salina, arriving at the port of Santa Marina, with a crossing time of about 20 minutes. Salina is the second largest Aeolian island, after Lipari, and is striking with its stone streets, pebble beaches and two dormant volcanoes. The soil is fertile, and the island has lush vegetation with an abundance of olive groves, caper bushes, fig and citrus as well as the vines that have made the island famous. For an educational and cultural experience in Salina, consider visiting the Museo dell’Emigrazione Eoliana, or simply observe the monuments and architecture in the small towns and villages as you visit them. The Santuario della Madonna del Terzito is the site of the Feast of Assumption on the 15th August every year, which attracts residents from every one of the Aeolian Islands, making it a veritable pilgrimage point. For a relaxing few days taking in the sun, arrange transport to the Spaggia dello Scario, and walk the considerable distance down the cliffside to the beach. With a small café on hand, clear blue waters, and a clean pebbly beach, the Spaggia dello Scario makes a great stop-off point for an afternoon of secluded relaxation. Alternatively, head west from your hotel to Malfa, where the streets are skirted by palm trees, and the beach is guarded by sand dunes. Wander inland through the countryside, kept unusually green by the fresh water springs, to find out why Salina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Embark upon the hiking trails up either the Monte Fossa delli Fecci or Monte dei Porri volcanoes or stay on ground level to see the impressive rocky window land formation that hangs like an arch across the sea. In the towns and villages, the restaurants specialise in simple, home-style Italian food, particularly pasta, pizza, and seafood. Far removed from the major tourist spots in mainland Italy, the shops on Salina serve mainly the local needs, but there are local speciality cheeses, handmade clothes, lace, cashmere, wooden products, and pottery in one of the small shops.

You travel from Salina to Naples by hydrofoil, with a journey time of about 5 hrs and 35 mins, and then from Naples on to Capri, which takes about 45 minutes by hydrofoil. Capri is famous for its rugged cliffs that tumble into the azure sea, its chic boutiques and fine restaurants, and the Blue Grotto. It was also the place that the Emperor Tiberius chose to be his residence. To really experience the landscape of Capri take a boat trip on your first day around the island. Specific points of interest include the Faraglioni rocky outcrops to the east, most formidable when viewed from the sea, but also home to a particular species of blue lizard. On the west side of the island you will pass the small opening of the Grotta Azzurra, a cave accessible only by swimming or on very small boats, famous because the waters inside glow a luminous, iridescent blue. The effect is caused by the light that enters the cave through a subaqueous window, but still has something of a magical feel to it. Before you begin your tour of Capri on foot, purchase a pair of traditional Capri sandals sold at the Canfora shop, so you may walk across the island in the footwear worn by the likes of Sophia Loren. The Villa Jovis, on the most eastern point of Capri, perched dramatically on a sheer cliff edge, is the palace of Tiberius, now partially in ruins. The pattern of its walls is still intact, as is its grandeur and appeal. Visit the picturesque and peaceful Carthusian monastery of Certosa di San Giacomo, before appreciating the magnificent views of Il Faraglioni from the Belvedere di Tragara Punto. For more spectacular views, visit the Giardini Augusto, a series of beautiful terraced gardens containing exotic Capri plants that date back to the 1930s. Or, for more long, rambling walks along the Capri coastline, seek out the Via Krupp, that will take you to the Marina Piccola, and winds down the steep cliffside. The Sentiero dei Fortini is a path that links the many forts that once protected the island, at the end of which, you can rise high above Capri and witness its splendour from the sky on a cable car trip up the side of Monte Solaro. It is worth also visiting the Villa Malaparte, built on an eastern rocky outcrop, painted entirely red and built in an unusual modernist style. Back in Capri Town, make the most of the idyllic cafes on the famous Piazzetta, or browse and buy to your hearts content in the numerous luxury shops. Before your stay in Capri is over, be sure to try the Limoncello that Capri is famous for, the Capri white wines, and the Torta Caprese, a cake of almonds and dark chocolate. You have a total of five nights in Capri, which affords you plenty of time for exploring and relaxing at your hotel.

You are transferred from your hotel in Capri by car and hydrofoil and then car again in Naples to the airport for your return flight to London.