Anton & Giovanni's Adventures in Sicily - BBC

Experience the breathtaking sights, delicious cuisine and rich culture of Sicily with Strictly Come Dancing stars, Anton du Beke and Giovanni Pernice in their new three-part travel series, ‘Anton and Giovanni: Adventures in Sicily.’ As Giovanni guides Anton around his beloved home, the pair will explore everything from the stunning Mount Etna to charming old towns and, of course, the tantalising flavours of Sicilian cuisine.

Join them for an unforgettable Mediterranean adventure filled with sunshine, sea, and plenty of laughs. Don't miss this chance to discover the beauty of Sicily with the famous dancing duo.

Like the look of Anton and Giovanni’s Mediterranean adventure? Well, we’ve put together a selection of itineraries so you can follow in their two steps and discover the very best of Sicily.

Are you ready to discover the beautiful island of Sicily?

Watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer now.

Syracuse and Catania

The first episode of this captivating travel series is set in Syracuse and sees the dancing duo explore the Valley of the Temples, the remains of a huge Greek city, featuring some of the best examples of classical Greek architecture.

Anton and Giovanni then set sail to fish for octopus in Marzamemi, a seaside village that has been a fishing hub since the 10th century.

They also explore Porta Bianca to uncover the history of Syracuse before going to Ortygia to take part in the Feast of Assumption.

Catania is next on the itinerary, as they visit the annual Tango Festival. Giovanni moved here when he was 14 years old to further his dance career – why not pack your dancing shoes and have a go yourself? The festival runs from Friday 11th August to Wednesday 16th August 2023.

Where to stay?

Located in the heart of Syracuse, we recommend a stay at Grande Albergo Alfeo. This modern hotel boasts ancient surroundings and offers a great base from which to explore this historic city.

Taormina and Mount Etna

In the second episode, Anton and Giovanni try paddleboarding in the crystal-clear Ionian Sea and marvel at the mighty Mount Etna. If that wasn’t enough adrenaline and exploration, the pair wizz off on a zip wire ride across the island.

We recommend an excursion to the highest active volcano in Europe and a tour of the Alcantara Gorges, created by the burning lava from one of Mount Etna’s eruptions. This is the perfect way to explore this iconic volcanic landscape, with a backdrop of views of the Ionian Sea beyond.

Where to stay?

Enjoy exploring Taormina from the base of Hotel Villa Belvedere. This central hillside location offers unique views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. Relax by the swimming pool in the gardens or taste fresh flavours with an Italian al fresco lunch.

Recommended Itinerary

To experience the very best of Syracuse and Taormina, follow in the footsteps of Anton and Giovanni’s first two episodes with our eight-day tour of Syracuse and Taormina.

On arrival in Catania, guests can take the one-hour road trip along the coast to the ancient Greek city of Syracuse. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Syracuse boasts many archaeological wonders, in particular the Greek theatre dedicated to the famed Goddess Athena, for a real immersion into Greek history.

From Syracuse guests then travel to Taormina overlooking Isola Bella beach. Taormina’s mountain-side location offers an ideal base from which to explore the east coast of the island. Filled with many historical sites, including the Teatro Greco Roman amphitheatre which offers breathtaking views across the bay to Mount Etna.

Palermo

In the final episode of the series, the dancing duo travel to Giovanni’s hometown, the port city and capital of Palermo on the north-west coast. Also steeped in history, Palermo’s heritage is a mix of both Italian and Arabic influence. It is also home to Italy’s oldest opera house, the Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele which dates to the 19th century and provides the location for the final scenes of the iconic film The Godfather.

When visiting any part of Italy, you cannot leave without an authentic pasta-making lesson, so the pair try their hand at this tradition followed by a sleepover with ‘beer-brewing monks’ on the outskirts of the city.