Exclusive Editor’s Tips:

Most travelers pass through Messina en route to other corners of Sicily, but a day spent here is a day well spent. Start with a classic Sicilian breakfast—granita with whipped cream and brioche—at Pasticceria Irrera, a beloved institution since 1910. Stroll through the historic center to admire the Liberty-style architecture rebuilt after the devastating 1908 earthquake, and climb the Scalinata d’Arte, a staircase adorned with contemporary sculptures that leads to sweeping views from the Santuario di Santa Maria di Montalto. By noon, make your way to the Duomo, where Europe’s largest astronomical clock comes alive: perfectly synchronized figures parade to Schubert’s “Ave Maria” during a 12-minute show. A few blocks away, browse Opuntia for ceramics, jewelry, and books by local artisans, then end with a stop at Rosticceria Famulari for a piping-hot arancino.

Tour wineries and taste pistachios on the slopes of Mount Etna

Mount Etna may be one of the world’s most active volcanoes, but its fertile soils make it a haven for vineyards. Winemaking here has seen a revival over the past 40 years, and today Etna’s reds and whites rank among Sicily’s finest. Rent a car or hire a private driver to ascend the northern slope for a tour and tasting at Planeta’s Sciaranuova winery founded two decades ago by one of the island’s leading wine families and featured in season two of The White Lotus. Stay for lunch paired with their signature Nerello Mascalese, then continue 30 minutes west to Bronte, a village renowned for pistachio production. At Aricchigia, you can walk among pistachio groves, see how the nuts are processed, and sample artisanal treats like savory pistachio pesto and sweet pistachio cream — perfect edible souvenirs.

Cruise the Aeolian archipelago

Just off Sicily’s northeastern coast, the Aeolian Islands are a string of seven volcanic outposts steeped in myth — and named for Aeolus, the Greek god of the winds. In summer, ferries from Milazzo run often, and companies like ‘Tarnav organize full-day mini-cruises that let you sample a couple of the isles in one trip. Each has its own draw: Panarea lures jet-setters with chic boutiques and seaside lunches, Stromboli impresses with black-sand beaches and a smoking volcanic peak, while Lipari – the largest and closest – blends a lively harbor with history, from obsidian tools in the Archaeological Museum to the ancient acropolis above town.