Join us on a mythical odyssey around the Mediterranean’s most intriguing island and her fabled Aeolian archipelago. We’ll voyage from the ancient island of Ortygia to the green heart of Salina; walk among Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples and stand suspended above the pristine Roman mosaics of Villa Casale. From our base on sumptuous Salina, we’ll steep in the Tyrrhenian’s crystal seas, island hopping between Stromboli, Panarea, Alicudi & Filicudi. We’ll feast on the fruit of the caper flower and savor the nectar of the grape vine. We’ll summit Mt. Etna, home of Hephaestus, and sink into elegant Taormina, watching the sun fade over a sea sailed by Odysseus.

Iconic Places:
Some of the world’s best-preserved Greek temples, sun-washed Sicilian landscapes, and the volcanic beauty of the Aeolian Islands rising from the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Signature Experiences:
Learn the art of arancini in a hands-on cooking class, savor a farm-fresh caper lunch with local wines, and settle in for five enchanting nights in the Aeolian Islands.

Island Life & Sea Journeys:
Island-hop by private boat from Salina to Panarea, Stromboli, Lipari, and Vulcano—experiencing each island’s distinct rhythm, geology, and character.

Cultural & Storytelling Life:
Unwind into Sicily’s layered past through Mythological Happy Hours, where a classics expert brings ancient gods, heroes, and enduring myths vividly into the present.

Hidden Stories:
Volcanic landscapes, family-run farms, and everyday island traditions that reveal Sicily beyond its greatest hits.

Expert Guidance:
Led by trusted local guides and a classics scholar who illuminate Sicily and the Aeolian Islands through history, myth, food, and lived experience.

Our journey begins on the ancient isle of Ortygia-the historic heart of Syracuse-where we’ll gather around 6 p.m. at our hotel for a welcome reception, followed by a passegiatta (stroll) through the island to enjoy a dinner of exotic Sicilian delights.

From Catania’s Fontanarossa Airport, it is a quick, 60-minute bus or taxi ride to reach Syracuse.  We’ll meet at the hotel around 6 p.m.

Today we peel back layers of history on a guided tour of Ortygia and the Neapolis archeological park (film location of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny!). We’ll whisper in the Ear of Dionysius, explore newly opened caverns (in thanks to the filming of the movie), imagine ourselves as ancient Greeks enjoying a theatrical performance in the 2,500 year-old theater, and conclude our morning with a stroll through Ortygia’s historic center. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore Ortygia’s open air market, partake in the evening passegiatta along the yacht-filled promenade, and sample Ortygia’s delectable seafood offerings.

We bid Ortygia farewell and head west by private coach to the Roman hunting lodge of Villa Romana del Casale. This UNESCO World Heritage site boasts the most extensive and beautifully preserved collection of Roman mosaics in the world, offering a vivid glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the ancient Roman elite. Inspired by this opulence, we’ll indulge in a farm fresh lunch at a nearby agriturismo before we settle into our own country retreat set among thousand year-old olive trees where we’ll enjoy dinner al fresco.

We’ll devote today to la cucina Siciliana, savoring the olive oils made from our hosts’ farm, discovering the exotic and refreshing flavor combinations that comprise Sicilian cooking, and even donning our own chef aprons in the kitchen—be careful, we eat what we cook!  The rest of the day is yours to doze in the shade of the olive trees, soak in the pool, or start writing your own cookbook!  We will gather this evening for a happy hour and olive oil tasting before enjoying dinner together, family style

This morning we time travel to ancient Greek Arkagas, or Agrigento, one of the leading cities in the ancient Mediterranean. We devote our morning to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Valley of the Temples-one of the largest and best-preserved collection of Greek temples in the world. After lunch, we’ll follow in Odysseus’ wake as we set sail (or rather, hydrofoil) for Salina, the green gem of the Aeolian Islands. Tucking into our hotel in Malfa’s historic center, we will enjoy views of chic Panarea and smoky Stromboli as we toast to Aeolus from our panoramic patio.

Today we circle the island on a guided giro (tour) that will introduce us to Salina’s immigration history, take us to the island’s cinematic side in Il Postino’s Pollara, savor a farm fresh caper lunch and Malvasia wine tasting in Leni, linger on RInealla’s black sand beach, and set sail to explore Lingua’s salt pans. We’ll cap our tour with a refreshing granita before returning to Malfa. A happy hour overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea concludes our day together. The evening is yours to relish Malfa’s calm, contemplating Stromboli’s smoke from our infinity pool…perhaps with a passion fruit mojito in hand!

This morning we embark by private boat to glitzy Panarea and explosive Stromboli. We’ll linger along the way to swim in the effervescent waters of a submerged volcano and explore nature’s geologic artistry amid towering cliffs and hidden coves. We’ll enjoy free time to get lost in Panarea’s whitewashed wandering streets before heading to Stromboli, where we’ll explore black sand beaches and enjoy an aperitivo in the shadow of the active volcano. Our day concludes admiring the Sciara del Fuoco (live eruption) of Stromboli’s volcano at sunset over dinner together on our boat, sailing back to Salina under star studded skies.

Our odyssey continues, sailing to the archipelago’s largest and smelliest islands. We’ll bathe at the foot of Lipari’s chalky pumice quarry before proceeding to Marina Corta, where we’ll be free to explore its vibrant shops, restaurants, ruins, and museums. After lunch we continue to the sulphuric island of Vulcano with its unique moonscape, black sand beaches, and panoramic views. We return to Salina with a swim in the Piscina di Venere, where according to legend, the Goddess of Beauty came to swim before joining her husband Vulcan. The evening is yours to enjoy Malfa’s charming shops and gastronomy.

Enjoy a vacation from your vacation today, savoring Salina in whatever style you choose. Get your shopping on in Santa Marina Salina, lounge on the black sands of Rinella, explore the island’s winding roads on e-bike or scooter, swim at Malfa’s Scaria beach, summit Salina’s highest peak of Monte Fossa delle Felici, or enjoy la dolce far niente poolside. Want to top off all seven islands? Join an excursion to elegant Lipari or sulphurous Vulcano.

Today we bid our beloved archipelago assabinirica (until we meet again) and direct our attention to one of the world’s most storied mountains, Mt. Etna, or in Sicilian, A’ Mutagna (the mountain). We will explore this mythical land of Hephaestus and the great Cyclopes, with plenty of free time to circumnavigate a crater (or more) of your choosing. We end our day in elegant Taormina, where gardens, villas, and vistas seduce travel-weary adventurers

Perched on clifftops above the Ionian Sea, Taormina enchants with timeless charm and breathtaking views. We’ll begin with a guided tour through cobblestone streets lined with bougainvillea, explore the ancient Greek Theater, and enjoy granita with views of Mount Etna. The afternoon is yours—stroll elegant gardens, relax in posh cafés, hike to Castelmola, ride the cable car to Isola Bella, or channel your inner White Lotus on a scooter ride. Tonight, we’ll toast our final evening with a happy hour and farewell dinner.

Our journey together ends after breakfast.  Catania’s Fontanarossa Airport is a 45-minute shuttle or taxi ride away and we will help organize the transfer.  Whether you decide to add a few more days to your stay, or to continue your odyssey elsewhere in Europe, we will say “ni viremu prestu” (see you soon), for we know this won’t be our last detour together!