Two Weeks Of Sicilian Luxury Travel

Doug Gollan

1 year ago

We stay with our friends at IC Bellagio again this week. Founded in 1999 by Andrea Grisdale, IC is short for Italian Connection, and the destination management company uses the team’s two decades of experience to create tailor-made Italian experiences for discerning clients. This week in our feature story, Senior Itinerary Designer Virna Fumagalli shares with us a great itinerary covering two weeks in Sicily.

The Itinerary

Day 1 – Palermo

On arrival at Palermo Airport where your driver will await you for your transfer to the hotel.

Check in to Hotel Villa Igiea where you have a room reserved for three nights. Located by a quaint marina north of Palermo, this former Englishman’s residence was reborn at the turn of the 20th century as a hotel with impeccable Art Deco style and an illustrious guest-list. Its Rocco Forte makeover mixes local craftsmanship with Sir Rocco style; the restaurant features creative Sicilian cuisine and a stylish sea-view pool offers stylish R&R after browsing Palermo’s Baroque gems.

Dive into Sicily’s unique food culture on an authentic street food tour by night. This evening you will be shown around the intricate dark alleys of the old town, from the Cala district to the busy nightlife of La Vucciria with its food market that comes to life at night. Immerse yourself in this unique atmosphere, enjoy a refreshing beer or sip the favorite local wine at a characteristic inn and taste some unique bites, such as the rare rascatura croquette as well as the most popular Palermo street food specialties, the panelle and crocché.

Day 2 – Palermo

Witness the multicultural mix in the architecture of Palermo and Monreale. Today’s tour takes you through the fascinating city of Palermo and then to nearby Monreale to witness the history that the diverse art, architecture and alleyways tell. After a walking tour of Palermo’s outdoor market and medieval center, enjoy a lunch of traditional Sicilian fare. The adventure continues by car to Monreale for a tour of the amazing cathedral with its Byzantine mosaics and magnificent cloister.

Day 3 – Palermo

Cycle along the coast of Palermo and inside the Favorita Park. Discover the historical, artistic, and natural beauties of Palermo on two wheels. Along the coastal route pass through the borgo of Arenella and head towards Mondello, a quaint seaside village with a charming beach and beautiful Art Nouveau villas. After cycling inside Capo Gallo natural reserve along a panoramic coastal road, keep pedaling through the Royal Favorita Park immersed in Mediterranean flora. You will also see the Chinese Palace before you return to Palermo center.

Enjoy an exclusive after-hours tour of Italy’s largest theater, Teatro Massimo. After Italy won its independence, the mayor of Palermo gave his city a theater that embodied the cultural and economic rebirth of the Belle Epoque. Join your guide to go behind the scenes of Italy’s largest theater, visiting the stage, the mysterious Echo Room and the horseshoe-shaped hall with five tiers of boxes. At the end of the tour, enjoy an aperitivo with your guide in one of the theater’s elegant halls.

Day 4 – Enroute to Agrigento

Check out of your hotel. Today’s transfer takes you from Palermo to Agrigento, stopping off at Planeta Winery for a special tasting and lunch. Today you will depart Palermo towards Agrigento and enroute stop at Planeta Winery in Sambuca (above) for a wine tasting and lunch. Your visit includes a walk in the vineyards and a tasting of four wines paired with a traditional Planeta family lunch.

Check in to Hotel Villa Athena (above) where you have a room reserved for three nights. So close to the Temple of Concordia you could almost touch it, this lovely 18th century villa turned hotel has 27 rooms and suites with dark wood floors, crisp white linens and mosaic-tiled bathrooms. Guests can enjoy the outdoor pool and well-manicured gardens as well as an eclectic mix of international and Sicilian cuisine at the refined Il Granaio di Ibla or the more casual Terrazza degli Dei overlooking the temples.

Day 5 – Agrigento

Explore with your guide the meandering streets of Agrigento’s old town. Meet your expert local guide in the Old Town to discover the city’s enduring traditions and intrigues of history as you visit its monasteries, churches and noble palaces. From elegant Via Atenea’s ornate Baroque and Norman architecture.

This evening you will have the great chance to get behind the scenes at the Valley of Temples and explore one of Magna Graecia’s best preserved temple complexes during an exclusive visit after opening hours. Enjoy hearing the amazing story these unique eight temples tell.

Day 6 – Sciacca

Embark on a unique journey through Sciacca’s ancient craftsmen’s district: let vibrant colors, captivating sounds, and tantalizing flavors guide you through this charming Sicilian town. Immerse yourself in Sciacca’s rich heritage of handicrafts, where colors, echoes of history, and skilled hands intertwine. This sensory journey promises to leave a lasting impression, inviting you to embrace Sciacca’s essence. Discover the story of a family which for generations has been dedicated to the processing of anchovies, whose lives are intertwined with the rhythm of the sea: with them you will learn how the fish is prepared, salted and preserved to allow you to taste Sicily through each anchovy fillet. Join them and generations of artisans on this unforgettable journey.

Day 7 – Enroute to Siracusa

Check out of your hotel. Today explore Piazza Armerina as you transfer from Agrigento to Siracusa. Cruise through the Sicilian countryside, stopping in Piazza Armerina to visit Villa Romana Casale, one of the best-preserved examples of a Roman dwelling anywhere in the empire. After a light lunch of traditional Sicilian fare at a spot recommended by your driver, continue on to Siracusa.

Check in to Hotel Ortea Palace where you have a room reserved for three nights. Housed in a magnificent 1920s palace on the island of Ortigia, the Ortea Palace has 75 bright and spacious guestrooms, including swank bi-level suites with waterfront views. Incanto on the top floor or casual Il Cortile in the sun-filled atrium serve fine Sicilian food and wine, while the 5,000-ft2 spa offers chic R&R. Guests have Siracusa’s Baroque gems and celebrated archaeology within easy reach as well as Ortigia’s medieval alleys and bustling market.

Day 8 – Ortigia Island

Travel back in time and explore more than 2,000 years of Siracusa’s history. Join your expert local guide to discover the historic highlights and vibrant market of Siracusa. After exploring the Neapolis archeological park, visit the island of Ortigia with its 17th century cathedral and ornate Baroque palaces. The bustling open-air market is the final stop, with Sicilian specialties as far as the eye can see.

Day 9 – Pantalica

Today go off the beaten track for an amazing hike in the most impressive rocky necropolis of Pantalica (pictured above). Pantalica is an impressive nature reserve but also an important archeological site with 5,000 tombs excavated in the chalky rock dating back to the 20th century BC. Today guided by your expert, explore the plateau surrounded by deep gorges excavated throughout the course of millenniums by two rivers. The area offers views of incomparable beauty and great naturalistic aspects combined with a unique archeological site.

Day 10 – Enroute to Taormina

Check out of your hotel after breakfast. Discover the vibrant center of Sicily’s ‘second city’ on today’s transfer from Siracusa to Taormina. Enjoy a leisurely drive down the coast to Sicily’s second-largest urban area Catania and meet your guide in the city center to explore its highlights: the cathedral with its ornate chapels and elephant obelisk statue; the sights, sounds and smells of the local market where you will enjoy some tastings; and the rich history of the Roman ruins in Piazza Stesicoro.

Check in to Hotel Villa Sant’Andrea (above) where you have a room reserved for four nights. Originally built as a private residence in 1830, Villa Sant’Andrea offers 60 elegant guestrooms with old-world charm immersed in lush subtropical gardens. Guests can enjoy treatments at the spa, paddle-boarding at the beach club, poolside lounging and cruises on the vintage boat. Dining options abound, from smoothies and cocktails to poolside lunches, beach BBQs and the finest in Mediterranean cuisine at Oliviero.

Day 11 – Taormina

Visit the quaint Sicilian villages that featured in the iconic Godfather trilogy. Join your driver for a Godfather-focused tour of Eastern Sicily: Bar Vitelli in Savoca where Michael asked for Apollonia’s hand, the hilltop village Forza d’Agrò from the second and third films, and also Taormina where some scenes of the film were shot.

Discover the outskirts of Taormina and its most secret corners in a truly unique way…on board your very own Ape Calessino! An exciting tour awaits you today. Hop on board your classic Ape Calessino, an authentic masterpiece of Italian design and let yourself be carried away to admire, photograph and visit Taormina and its unique secret corners. With your local expert driver, wind through the tiny roads of this unique village admiring breathtaking views of Taormina Bay with the majestic Etna in the background. Last but not least, head to the little town of Castelmola to enjoy an almond-wine tasting in the central square like a true local. Experience la Dolce Vita at its best.

Day 12 – Mount Etna

Explore Europe’s highest active volcano in a four-wheel drive vehicle and taste traditional food and wine. Today’s tour takes you off Mt Etna’s beaten track in a four-wheel drive with your naturalist guide. Experience the volcano’s lunar landscapes, lush pine forests and devastating history, before heading into Etna DOC wine country. At a local, award-winning winery, you will indulge in the estate’s fascinating history, zero-km delicacies and award-winning wines.

Day 13

Learn to cook a traditional Sicilian meal in a typical home with your friendly chef! Today your local host will open the doors of her home for a full immersion into Sicilian culture. Meet Donatella, connoisseur of local traditions and chef for over 20 years, ready to guide you through the steps of the classic recipes in a cooking class and learn all the tips to prepare a typical menu of first course, a second course with a side dish and dessert. Once everything is ready, sit down with a glass of wine and enjoy your culinary creations.