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    Luxury Sicily
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    Discover the wonders of Sicily with our private, tailor-made tours

    A cultural crossroads

    Sitting off the toe of Italy’s boot, Sicily has long been a melting pot of Mediterranean culture, a ruggedly beautiful island surrounded by sparkling seas.

    Sicily’s long history has seen it at the heart of great civilizations and often under foreign rule. Of the ancients, the Greeks loved Sicily most and left a monumental mark on the island, almost as great as the island itself made on classical culture. The great cities of Syracuse, home to Archimedes, Selinunte and Agrigento are still strewn with vast ruins and towering doric temples. The iconic amphitheatre at Taormina overlooks sea and smoking Mount Etna, as impressive a view now as it was two millennia ago.

    Next came waves of Romans, Byzantines, Moors, Normans, Spanish and Bourbons, each adding to the identity of Sicily, from golden cathedrals, imposing castles and Baroque palazzos, to the islanders’ generous hospitality and rich cuisine. Even with Italy unified under today’s Republic and a tough twentieth century, Sicily proudly retains its own distinct culture.

    When Goethe wrote ‘to have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is not to have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything’, he was not far off the mark, but truly seeing Sicily would take many months. As well as the great Greek ruins, beautifully Baroque Noto, Ragusa and Modica all deserve time to be explored, as does seaside Cefalù and lofty Erice. After re-emerging from years of poverty, Sicily’s two biggest cities can each captivate for days, Palermo as a cultural centre and Catania with a heady nightlife at the foot of Mount Etna.

    And that’s before exploring the glorious interior, a hinterland home to sublime mountainscapes and a rural patchwork of gently crumbling villages, sleepy olive groves and basking vineyards. There’s also miles of quiet beaches and dozens of off shore islands.

    From our experts

    Experiences picked by our destination specialists

    Wander Noto, Ragusa and Syracuse

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    Get lost wandering through the streets of the impossibly pretty cities of Noto, Ragusa and Syracuse

    Hunt for the best cannoli in Sicily

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    Sample Sicily’s incredible cuisine and enjoying finding your favourite place for cannoli

    Spend an afternoon city sightseeing

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    While away your time in the beauriful city of Taormina

    Feel the energy of Palermo

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    Enjoy the frenetic energy of Palermo

    A word from one of our experts

    Sicily has it all: natural reserves, a live volcano and secluded islands for adventurous types; stunning panoramic spots for photographers and romantics; and Greek temples and baroque architecture for history lovers. Plus, everyone agrees on Sicilian cuisine – simply irresistible.

    Murray Mitchell headshot
    Murray Mitchell

    Senior Travel Designer

    Luxury accommodation in Sicily

    There are many incredible places to stay in Sicily. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

    Sicily

    Villa Athena
    The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento is one of the world’s most impressive and important archaeological sites. Villa Athena is located within the UNESCO World Heritage site just 200m from the Temple of Concodia. The temples are spread over 1,300 hectares of land, the remains of the ancient Akragas, founded in 582 BC and one of the largest Greek cities on the Mediterranean. With such a magnificent backdrop, the Villa Athena is one of the best locations to view these spectacular temples. With just 27 rooms and suites, the hotel has an intimate feel and prides itself on its true sense of Sicilian hospitality. The 18th-century architecture has been lovingly preserved so the hotel maintains its charm while offers guests all the services and amenities associated with a luxury boutique hotel. Rooms are decorated with a soft, neutral colour scheme and come with views out across the olive groves or of the temples themselves. Serving traditional Sicilian cuisine, the restaurant features a terrace, from which you can see the temples of Concorida and Juno. There is also an open-air bar for sunset drinks. A spa is located in an ancient building used for storing wheat and olive and is built around a Greek cistern. Here, guests can relax and unwind in the perfumed showers, Jacuzzi or steam bath. There is also an outdoor pool and beautiful gardens to explore. As well as discovering the temples, it is well worth exploring the town of Agrigento itself with its pretty streets and churches.
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    Sicily

    Monaci delle Terre Nere
    For those after a slice of Sicilian countryside bliss, the historic Monaci delle Terre Nere estate on the slopes of Mount Etna is just the ticket. Here it’s all about dialling back the pace and taking time to fully appreciate your natural surroundings. The estate dates back to the 19th century, and within its 46 hectares you’ll find ancient cherry, peach and apricot trees growing as well as organic vegetables for the kitchen and vines for producing their own wine. Monaci delle Terre Nere consists of the main building and various outbuildings where you’ll find the 27 guestrooms. Within the old stables and former wine press are beautifully decorated rooms and suites which combine traditional materials, such as lava stone and chestnutwood, with contemporary Italian furnishings for a old-meets-new feel. All the rooms are unique and offer views of the estate and Mount Etna or the Mediterranean Sea. Throughout the estate you’ll find original pieces of artwork and colourful ceramics from  nearby Caltagirone and Santo Stefano di Camastra. TVs have intentionally been omitted from the rooms, and guests are instead encouraged to take the time to appreciate the sights, sounds and scents of the estate. The restaurant, Locanda Nerello, is set on the terrace during the summer and offers gorgeous views out across the sea. Bread, pasta and pastries are made at the on-site bakery every day and much of the organic produce comes from their own garden. The hotel is committed to the Slow Food Movement and as such you can expect the menu to be a real celebration of local, seasonal produce. The Convivium Bar is the perfect place for an aperitif and their drinks list includes lovely concoctions made from fruits and herbs grown on the estate. Within the grounds of the estate is a swimming pool and during your stay here you can also enjoy bike rides, horse riding, yoga, indulge in a massage and even watch a film under the starry night sky.
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    Why book with Jacada?

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    Personalised design

    We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

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    Authentic experiences

    Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

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    Responsible travel

    Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

    Trip Inspiration

    Get inspired with our Sicily example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

    Whatever you want from your Sicily tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Grand Tour of Italy

    21-Day Trip

    Grand Tour of Italy

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    21-Day Trip

    Grand Tour of Italy

    Discover the true must-sees of Italy, exploring its history, food, natural beauty and architecture
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    The Charms of Southern Sicily

    8-Day Trip

    The Charms of Southern Sicily

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    8-Day Trip

    The Charms of Southern Sicily

    The coastal city of Taormina, Noto and the incredible Valley of the Temples
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    Ready to plan your adventure?

    Whatever you want from your Sicily tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

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    Meet your Europe team

    When to visit Sicily

    The best time to visit Sicily is in the late spring and autumn months. April to June or September to October bring beautiful, mild days. The summer months (July-August) are fine for those seeking high temperatures, but the region can get very busy.

    Peak Season

    May - Sept

    History

    April - May, Sept - Oct

    Coast Trips

    April - Nov

    When Is the Best Time to Go to Italy?

    When Is the Best Time to Go to Italy?

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    Plan your trip to Sicily

    Whatever you want from your adventure to Sicily, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Start planning

    Your trip, your story

    We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

    Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.

    Where would you like to travel?
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