The Best of Sicily

Day 1: Palermo

Welcome to Sicily! You’ll touch down in the bustling capital of Palermo where we begin our adventure. Your city-chic, boutique hotel is waiting and we have good news: it boasts the RAREST of privileges for Palermo’s centro - a pool. Which means you can select if you want to be a napper, swimmer or explorer before our Day 1 meet-up. Then, the magic hour arrives! You’ll connect with our group, Tour Guide and Photographer for introductions over aperitivo. After some nibbles and names, for our first dinner we’re headed to the gorgeous garden of a women-owned restaurant to indulge in your first few courses of Sicilian flavors. Free time awaits you after our delicious meal. We’ll point you in the right direction to immerse yourself in the vibrant nightlife or walk you back to the hotel to grab some z’s before tomorrow’s adventures.

Day 2: Palermo

We’re hitting the historic cobblestones this morning! Alongside our local tour guide Francesca, we’ll explore awe-inspiring UNESCO sites and be captivated by beautiful Baroque detailing. As we weave between the Cattedrale and piazzas, markets and cloisters the scope of Sicily’s culture and culinary traditions will begin to be revealed - not to mention the Sicilian sweet-tooth as we taste some delicacies along the way. We’ll enjoy lunch together before we give you the afternoon to pick-your-own-Palermo! You’ll receive some Stellavision suggestions to decide whether you’d like to climb through the roof of Santa Catarina for an incredible view, hit some shops, discover contemporary art housed in a restored Palazzo or any other number of exciting options. Your tour guide is on hand to direct you and help you set up your afternoon. After your adventures, we’ll meet back up to swap stories over a delectable dinner together.

Day 3: Siracusa

It’s time to depart Palermo to see more of Sicily; this morning we take off for the other side of the island in our private, air-conditioned bus. Every good road trip needs a pit stop and ours is pretty spectacular: we’ll be alighting at Villa Romana del Casale, a luxurious historic palazzo that boasts the most stunning mosaics in situ located anywhere in the Roman Empire. After lunch we’ll be headed the rest of the way to our Founder Zoe’s favorite spot in Sicily: the tiny island of Ortigia located within the city of Siracusa. If you can imagine a shabby chic beach town full of cool culture and ancient history… that’s Ortigia! We’ll check into our charming boutique hotel before our evening plans. You’ll get your bearings in this walkable city as we head to one of the coolest bars in town. Today’s aperitivo is in the courtyard of a crumbling piazza where craft cocktails and mocktails are whipped up. Then, it’s onto dinner at the show-room shop x restaurant of two women artists x restaurateurs.

Day 4: Siracusa

This morning we head out insieme (together!) for a special culinary-focused experience. Alongside Alessandra, our guide and chef, we’ll be shopping in Ortigia’s bustling marketplace. You’ll be able to sample the produce, seafood and sweets that are in season right now. Then, groceries in hand, we’re headed to Alessandra’s cooking school where you’re making lunch! Alessandra will take us through a lesson to create traditional Sicilian arancini and pasta dishes before you enjoy the fruits of your labor. After lunch we’re headed for a swim. This charmed town has several fabulously quirky spots to slip into the turquoise of the warm, Ionian Sea. Select from Ortigia’s famed swimming platform or pebble beach or if dry land is more your speed, there’s countless spots to explore on terra firma. This evening we’re having ‘family dinner’ at our hotel before a night-time passegiata through the main square for a late-night granita! (We’ll introduce you - think of her as gelato’s Sicilian sister.)

Day 5: Noto & Siracusa

The southeastern side of Sicily is not to be missed and today we’re making sure you don’t! We’ll depart Siracusa for a day-long excursion, first heading to the town of Marzamemi where we’ll explore what might be the the prettiest village in Sicily with our local guide. Marzamemi used to be an economic center dating back hundreds of years when fishing traps and the tonneria drove significant commerce in the region. After learning some history, we’re off for a delicious adventure: heading to an almond farm on the outskirts of Noto. Did you know that Sicilian almonds are the best in the world? And they come from this region specifically. Run by our friend Flavia who took over the family business (we love to see it!), you’ll be welcomed to her farm; see the trees, vines and hear her family’s story. Sample the freshest almond milk, cookies and of course - the nuts themselves! Over our homestyle lunch you’ll also taste the farm’s other bounty. Then, we’re headed into the town of Noto itself where we’ll stroll past the golden, Baroque buildings, hearing the history before we say arriverderci to our guide. From there, you’ll have the opportunity to explore a preserved historic palace, pop inside the Duomo and get a treat from one of the most important caffes in Italy (according to us AND Netflix.) By the time we head the short drive back to our home base of Ortigia, you will have sampled the best of the culture and culinary traditions of this part of the island. It’s going to be a delicious day! Dinner tonight is solo to give you the option between stocking up on Caffe Sicilia snacks, if there’s a restaurant in Ortigia you’re eager to try or if you just prefer to chill after our big day out. (So big we blew our word limit - scusa!)

Day 6: Agrigento

If you’re up early enough, you’ll be able to take a pre-departure dip or stroll past the sea; it’s time to say ciao to our stunning seaside sojourn - more exciting Sicilian adventures await! We have a bit of a drive so we want to ensure you can stretch your legs. For purely geographical reasons, you’ll be doing that at Enna’s Italian designer outlet stores. Sorry ‘bout it. Everything from Gucci to international high-street brands is shoppable but if you’re not in a consumer-mood, join our team for a leg stretch and snack sesh before we hop back onto the bus to complete our journey to Agrigento. We’re headed to one of the region’s most exceptional Masserias; a converted nineteenth-century settlement belonging to a noble Sicilian family. This spot is seriously good for anyone’s central nervous system. Before dinner you’ll have time to get lost in the palm trees and rolling hills, take a dip in the pool or read a book as the cicadas hum you a soundtrack. We’re feasting ‘at home’ tonight, with a delicious local dinner prepared by Chef.

Day 7: Agrigento

Today you will touch history as we head to take in one of the marvels of Sicily. The Valley of the Temples boasts the best-preserved Doric structures anywhere in the world. (Take that Greece!) From stories about gods and goddesses to what this archeological site teaches us about modern urban planning, the Valley of the Temples has about a millennium of stories to tell. Our guide Lorenzo is going to give us the short version! With our brains full up, it’s time to tend to our tummies and a delicious lunch awaits before we head 30 minutes up the road. Here you’ll encounter one of the most memorable beaches you’ve ever seen; an entire limestone ‘staircase’ rises out of the sea at the Scala dei Turchi. You can walk along the structure, high above the sea or pop on your swimsuit in order to dive right in. After a full day of Sicily, we’re headed back to the hotel for dinner under the stars.

Day 8: Menfi & Palermo

By the end of our trip, you’ll have swum your heart out. You’ll have sampled incredible regional wine. But we have one last mega treat in store. Departing our hotel this morning, we’re headed for Menfi. Here you’ll find one of the most pristine, blue-flag beaches in Sicily. Set back from this paradise is our private beach club, the fanciest in the region! We are going to spend the day here in high style, interrupting your swimming only for a wine tasting in the sand. In the shade of the boho beach club, we’ve organized a bespoke event where the sommelier of one of Sicily’s most beloved wineries is coming to you. You can order lunch to your lounger and seal in your Sicilian memories. By late afternoon we’ll be hitting the showers and then, the road.

With a drop-off point in central Palermo this evening, the tour will end. But from hotel recommendations and Stellavision rates to more tips to explore our hometown or beyond, we’re here to finesse your final day/s in Italy. Until next time, we’ll leave you with an effusive Italian goodbye: Ciao amici, ciao amori, tanti baci!!!