Luxury Sicily Tours & Vacations

What to do in the Sicily

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  Climb Mt Etna

  Locally known as ‘Mongibello’, Mount Etna towers above the Ionian Coast of Sicily. It’s the most active volcano in Europe, with near-continuous low-level eruption, and is ripe for exploration. The 3,357m peak can be hiked in a variety of ways, from half-day trips which utilize a cable car to get at least one way, or multi-day camping adventures, all departing from the Rifugio Sapienza visitor center on the volcano’s southern flank. Make sure to bring good quality footwear for the trails, and an extra jacket as you’ll be above the clouds for much of the hike. 

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  Taste Sicilian Wines

  A bonus of Sicily’s volcanicity is that all that rich, fertile soil makes for some truly wonderful wines. With over 100,000 hectares in active cultivation, Sicily is one of the largest wine-producing regions in Italy and has a wine history going back some 6,000 years. Indigenous reds Nero D’Avola, Frappato, and Nerello Mascalese typically produce deep-colored, juicy, and fruit wines; Catarratto, Carricate, Grillo, and Inzolia (white) produce soft and dry whites. Malvasia, produced across on the idyllic Aeolian islands, is a beautifully sweet white dessert wine. 

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  Eat, eat, eat

  Great wine demands great food pairings…and Sicily certainly does not disappoint. With its kaleidoscopic history, and a setting on the edge of Europe, Africa, and the Ancient World, Sicilian cuisine is a mish-mash of influences and flavors, quite like anything else on the planet. Make sure to sample deep-flavored pasta all norma or caponata, delicate pastries (cannoli!), Arab-influenced couscous or cassata, fine meats and cheeses, granita, arancini, and some of the best ice cream on the planet. Dive into fabulous restaurants and cafes island-wide, or enjoy street food tours in Catania or Palermo – an absolute must. 

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  Marvel at historic treasures

  Sicily’s history is truly unique. Over time the island has fallen under the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, Vikings, Normans, and Aragonese…to name a few. Graceful Baroque architecture sits in the shadow of date and palm trees; medieval alleys give way to airy palazzos or bubbling souk-like markets. The island is littered with historical marvels, from Greco-Roman amphitheaters to the towering ruins of Agrigento, and gorgeous churches, cathedrals, and palaces found on seemingly every corner. The only way to get to grips with Sicilian history is to join an expert guide and discover it for yourself.

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  Escape to the Aeolian Islands

  Sitting off the northern coast of Sicily, the Aeolian Islands are a group of seven volcanic outcrops which offer idyllic escapes amongst breathless scenery. The closest island is Vulcano, home to spewing Fossa di Vulcano, black sand beaches, and mud baths. Continue on to the glitzy, chic Lipari, or one island further to the staggeringly beautiful island of Salina, backdrop for Il Postino. By the time you reach far off Filicudi or Alicudi you’ll feel like you’ve reached the end of the world. On the horizon at all times is the gently smoldering Stromboli, nicknamed the ‘Lighthouse of the Mediterranean’.