CNN’s Quest’s World of Wonder in Sicily: Behind the Scenes with Your Italy Fixer

When CNN’s Quest’s World of Wonder came to Sicily, Your Italy Fixer was proud to handle full production support on the ground. Based in the dynamic city of Catania, we coordinated a shoot that spanned volcanoes, coastlines, markets, forests and iconic cultural sites - all tailored for Richard Quest’s trademark energy and curiosity.

A major highlight was filming at the San Domenico Palace in Taormina, made famous by The White Lotus. Gaining access to this exclusive Four Seasons property was no small feat - Richard himself was amazed, noting that he'd tried and failed to film at other Four Seasons locations around the world. Our local knowledge and relationships opened doors that usually stay shut.

The shoot also included an unforgettable trek up Mount Etna, with exclusive access to cable cars and 4x4 vehicles, secured at no cost thanks to our contacts on the ground. We reached the summit in glorious weather - just in time for a surprise eruption, giving the crew a cinematic finale straight from nature’s script.

Back in Catania, we dove into the chaos of La Pescheria, the city’s famous fish market, and filmed a cannoli-making session with a local pasticcere. Richard was also gifted a stunning bespoke Testa di Moro from a traditional ceramics artist in Caltagirone - a personalised piece he proudly took home.

Other standout moments included Vespa rides and boat in Taormina, and a peaceful tree-hugging session in Etna National Park, inspired by the Japanese tradition of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing). Even Richard Quest embraced the calm.

There were challenges - tight schedules, protected filming zones, changeable weather - but Your Italy Fixer handled every detail, ensuring a smooth, story-rich shoot.

If you’re a global broadcaster filming in Italy, we’ll get you access where others can’t—and deliver a production experience that’s efficient, creative, and culturally tuned-in.

The Challenges Behind the Charm

No international shoot is without complications. From permits in protected zones and sudden weather changes on Etna, to tourist traffic in Taormina and power access in rural locations - we tackled it all. Our role was to solve problems before they became problems, so the CNN crew could focus on telling the story.

This episode of Quest’s World of Wonder was a celebration of Sicily’s contradictions: elegance and grit, myth and modernity, chaos and calm. And Your Italy Fixer was proud to help bring it to life - seamlessly.