About this tour
This five-hour private tour scales Mount Etna to the Silvestri Craters at 2,000 metres, then descends into Sicily's wine country for an exclusive winery visit and four-course lunch paired with rare DOC wines. You'll start in Zafferana sampling twenty local honeys and volcanic oils, trek across otherworldly lava fields, explore centuries-old vineyards at one of Etna's top producers, and finish with an authentic Sicilian meal in the cellar itself. A personal guide fluent in English steers the whole experience from pickup in Taormina, Catania or Messina.
Highlights
- Walk across lunar-like volcanic soil at 2,000-metre elevation
- Twenty-honey and estate-oil tasting in Zafferana village
- Descend into ancient lava caves with safety helmets
- Private tour of family-run Murgo or Gambino winery
- Four-wine pairing lunch in the winery cellar
- Taste Etna DOC labels rarely exported beyond Sicily
What to expect
You'll be collected from your hotel in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle and driven to Zafferana for the morning's farm tasting—twenty honeys, oils, and local specialties made nearby. The drive up the volcano climbs steadily; the air cools and views widen. At Silvestri Craters, you leave the vehicle to walk the porous black landscape, peer into caverns, and absorb the scale of the mountain. After a chocolate break at Rifugio Sapienza, you head to the winery. Here a proprietor or knowledgeable staff member walks you through the vineyard terraces and production methods before leading you underground to the lunch table. Four wines arrive progressively with antipasti, pasta, mains, and dessert—all Sicilian, all paired deliberately.
Good to know
Wear sturdy walking shoes; the volcanic terrain is uneven and can be slippery. The altitude gain is moderate and suitable for most fitness levels. Bring sun protection and a light layer for the mountain. Helmets are provided for cave access. The itinerary is flexible—discuss preferences with your driver beforehand. Lunch is substantial; don't skip breakfast.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.