Luxury Sicily
Tours made for you

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

Ancient sites

Discover fascinating monuments

Mount Etna

Take an off-road adventure

Sublime cuisine

Sample incredible dishes

Quiet beaches

Spend lazy days on the coast

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.

Highlights

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

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

While away your time in the beauriful city of Taormina

Enjoy the frenetic energy of Palermo

Melania Siriu

Travel Designer

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.

Melania Siriu

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

Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo

Set high in the rocky hills on the east coast of the island, Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo has been delighting guests since 1863. Sweeping views across the sea and out to Mount Etna make this hotel a real jewel in Sicily’s crown. Each of the hotel’s 71 rooms and suites is decorated in Sicilian style, with white linens, Italian marble and rich wood. Your days get off to the perfect start as the sunlight streams in though your window, beckoning you outside. Start by stepping back in time and exploring the Greek theatre, a wonderfully preserved amphitheatre located next to the hotel. If it’s rest and relaxation you’re after, then the heated swimming pool surrounded by terraced gardens is a good place to start. Admiring the view is best done with a cocktail in hand and a crisp glass of the aptly named Etna Martini is the perfect refreshment as you drink in your surroundings. With the ocean’s bounty on its doorstep the hotel’s restaurant serves fresh seafood and Sicilian specialties to be enjoyed in the elegant dining room or on the terrace on a balmy summer’s evening. Italy is famed for its love of food and togetherness in the evenings the pool bar is transformed into a traditional trattoria complete with local dishes and live music. As darkness falls, you’ll be charmed by the twinkling lights of Cape Taormina and the Bay of Giardini Naxos. You won’t be short of things to do with an array of excursions and activities on offer. Jump in a Fiat 500 and channel your inner movie star with a Godfather tour of Savoca; walk through the vineyards and enjoy a tasting of the region’s wine; or take to the skies with a helicopter tour offering views of Mount Etna, the Aeolian Islands and the Agrigento Valley with its ancient Greek temples. Guests will also enjoy use of the private beach at sister hotel, Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea.

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.

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.

Sicily

Baglio Soria

On Sicily’s north-western tip, a little outside the historic port of Trapani, Baglio Soria is a wonderfully restored estate cooled by sea breezes. Surrounded by 110 hectares (27 acres) of vineyards and olive groves, the rustic farm buildings look out to the Aegadian Islands and old salt pans where birds such as flamingo flock. The 17th century buildings, set around a courtyard, house 11 spacious rooms, modern in their comfort but retaining their historic charm. There is also a rather lovely swimming pool, a restaurant celebrating Trapanese cuisine’s blend of cultural influences, a wine bar in which to indulge in the estate’s produce and a view point for some spectacular sun sets. Guests can learn all about Sicilian wine with expertly led tastings and vineyard tours. There are a range of culinary classes with the chef and excursions to nearby attractions or out to sea can also be arranged.

Taormina

San Domenico Palace

Housed in a 14th-century convent, you’ll find San Domenico Palace perched on a rocky promontory high above the Ionian Sea. Drink in astounding views of Mount Etna and the ancient Greek theatre. With the charming town of Taormina on your doorstep, the hotel is perfectly positioned for enjoying everything this part of Sicily has to offer. At the hotel’s signature Michelin-starred restaurant Principe Cerami embark on a culinary journey curated by award-winning chef Massimo Mantarro. The Etna-born chef presents quintessential Sicilian cuisine showcasing local ingredients and traditions. When you’re not out exploring the riches the region has to offer, unwind at the San Domenico Palace spa, or cool off in the clifftop infinity pool.

Trip Inspiration

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

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Grand Tour of Italy

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

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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

From

21 Day trip

Grand Tour of Italy

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

From

8 Day trip

The Charms of Southern Sicily

The coastal city of Taormina, Noto and the incredible Valley of the Temples

From

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Highlights

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Melania Siriu

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Luxury Sicily
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