Sicily, Italy: An ultraluxe, insider tour of Sicily & the Aeolian Islands (11 days)

Your ultraluxe tour of Sicily begins with your arrival in Palermo where you will be greeted by your personal Blue Parallel host and taken by private transfer to your hotel on the water. Palermo is Sicily’s capital and is most known for its distinct and bustling atmosphere. Enjoy a brief walking tour of the main highlights of Palermo, and get the opportunity to see the stunning Baroque “Quattro Canti” (or “Four Corners”), the pedestrian Piazza Pretoria fountain (or the “Fountain of Shame”) and the Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele.

Following breakfast, you will be taken by private transfer to Monreale (approx. 20 min transfer) to see the famous Norman cathedral with your personal guide. Monreale is a famous cathedral known for its Norman architecture and for the vast Byzantine-style frescoes which cover the interior. Following Monreale, continue to a private estate in the heart of the Sicilian countryside (approx. 1.5 hour transfer) where you can enjoy a special lunch and wine tasting. The estate is a restored 18th century farm villa built by Sicilian aristocracy. This property contains almost 1,000 acres of vineyards and its highest elevation level reaches almost 3,000 ft above sea level. The area is characterized by intense greenery that stretches over several hundred acres through the Sicilian interior between Palermo and Caltanissetta to the Sclafani Bagni hills. Here the fruit matures more slowly, and a greater range of grapes can be found – it truly is a breathtaking sight to see! Afterwards, continue to your hotel in Agrigento where you can enjoy dinner with breathtaking views of the Valley of the Temples.

Following breakfast, your personal expert guide will take you to visit the astounding ruins of the Valley of the Temples. Enjoy a private tour of one of the most famous UNESCO attractions in Sicily. This splendid archaeological park consists of eight Greek temples built between 510 BC and 430 BC. Here you can find the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Heracles, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of Hephaestos, the Temple of Demeter, and the Temple of Asclepius.

Afterwards, continue by private transfer to the Scala dei Turchi, or “Stair of the Turks,” a rocky cliff on the coast of Realmonte. It is a dazzling white rocky cliff, rising 50 meters above sea level. Its gleaming color is eye-catching enough, but what makes it all the more remarkable is that it looks like a staircase carved by man, even though its shape is entirely natural. It was formed by marl, a sedimentary rock with a characteristic white color. It lies between two sandy beaches, and is accessed through a limestone rock formation in the shape of a staircase, hence the name. The latter part of the name derives from the frequent raids carried on by Moors.

In the evening, your guide will take you to one of the best restaurants in town.

In the morning, begin your journey via private transfer to the Val di Noto (the Noto Valley, also known as the Baroque Valley). Begin by visiting Ragusa, one of the most picturesque towns in Sicily, for a sightseeing tour on foot followed by a delicious lunch. Then, continue your journey through the Noto Valley and arrive in Modica where you can enjoy a private chocolate tasting in an iconic patisserie dating back to 1880. This desert shop still uses the original Aztec technique brought to Sicily by the Spaniards in the 16th century to create its delectable chocolates. Afterwards, continue to Noto where you will check-in to your hotel located in the city’s beautiful historic district before enjoying a traditional Sicilian dinner in town.

The following morning, depart on a private biking tour for the fishing village of Marzamemi with your personal guide. As you bike through the Sicilian countryside, take in the beautiful seaside views and agricultural farms situated around Marzamemi, a town established by the Moors in the 10th century and once known as “Marsà al-hamam” or Turtle Dove Bay. The town is famed for its artisanal fishing, and it produces a variety of seafood delicacies. Meander through the streets that wind in-and-out of the main plaza offering glimpses of the turquoise sea to the east and north.

Following lunch in Marzamemi’s main square, return to Noto for a sightseeing tour of the old city in the afternoon. In 1693, Noto was completely destroyed by an earthquake and was later rebuilt from scratch on a new site, about 10km from the old center. Intent on creating a new town based firmly on Baroque ideals, three architects, Labisi, Sinatra and Gagliardi contrived a city with a perfectly proportioned urban centre whose parallel lines provide myriad panoramas. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner in Noto before continuing to a private dessert tasting with a world-famous granita chef in the heart of the city.

Your personal host will take you via private transfer to Siracusa. Upon arrival, enjoy a walking tour of the highlights of Ortygia Island. Learn about Siracusa and Ortygia’s deep history, known for its varying architectural styles which encompass Greek and Roman remains, medieval Norman and Baroque buildings. In Ortygia, enjoy a private cooking demonstration by Chef Fiora Piccione in her apartment – a truly authentic experience. Relax in your luxury hotel in Taormina before an evening show at the Greek Theatre, one of the oldest theatres in the world. Built in the 3rd century BC, the theatre was remodeled by the Romans and later destroyed by the Moors and is a testament to Sicilian resilience.

The next day, head to Mount Etna for a beautiful 3-hour hike to the Silvestri craters on the north side of the volcano. Mount Etna is one of the world’s most active and highest volcanoes in Europe. The cone of the crater rises to 11,000 ft above sea level and has been designated a “Decade Volcano” by the United Nations and added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Your hike will begin near the Rifugio Sapienza on the north side of the mountain where the two extinguished Silvestri craters that appeared after an eruption in 1892 are located. Ascend to the observatory with a view of 9,000 ft high.

Later, enjoy a delicious lunch at a nearby vineyard, which includes a wine tasting tour. The mineral rich soil surrounding the Etna volcano produces some of Italy’s most interesting varieties. Etna’s wine producers are experimenting with vineyard sites further and further up the volcano’s slopes, to gauge the effects of the richer, blacker soils and increased altitude. Return to your hotel to relax and later explore the city’s highlights with your expert guide, including the Villa Comunale Gardens.

Following breakfast, you will be taken by private transfer to the helipad for your private helicopter flight to Salina Island, one of the seven Aeolian islands in the far south of Italy. Here you will be able to explore the volcanic landscape through breath-taking hikes and peaceful boating around the area. Salina is known for its raw scenic beauty with dramatic volcanic cliffs plunging into the sea, sleepy villages amidst verdant mountains, colorful fishing boats on pebbly beaches, hills covered in wild capers, and vines heavy with grapes for sweet malvasia wine. There are six volcanoes on the island, with Monte Fossa Delli Fecci and Monte dei Porri being the most important. and spend the rest of your afternoon at leisure. In the early evening, visit the village of Pollara (made famous by the movie Il Postino) and on the way stop to enjoy a spectacular sunset before heading to a recommended dinner at Il Cappero, an Azienda Agricola that grows all of its own vegetables on-site.

In the morning, take a private transfer to Pizzo Capo for a private hiking excursion at the center of the island. Start by exploring the high hills and valleys that make up the island of Salina. Discover the varying types of vegetation that develop into ever-green forests that are reminiscent of the Alps and as you reach the highest point of the volcano, Monte Fossa delle Felci, get a spectacular view of the mountainside of the island. The view encompasses varying depths of blue as the ocean changes across the bay and meets the sky in the horizon. Upon the conclusion of the hike, enjoy a well-deserved picnic lunch featuring delicacies from the nearby Alfredo Market and most notably the famed regional dish of Salina Island, Pane Cunzato. Blue Parallel will set up a private, white-cloth picnic with fine silverware and stemware on a natural table overlooking the coastline of Salina. As you enjoy your lunch, take in the crystal blue panoramic views of the ocean, overlooking the many surrounding islands and the lush vegetation of the surrounding peaks. After lunch, take a private transfer back to the hotel where you can relax at leisure.

Morning greeting by your personal expert guide for your trip to Panarea Island, Sicily’s trendiest island, frequented by Italian celebrities and socialites alike. On your private boat, navigate through Sicily’s azure waters and impressive volcanic formations as you take in the sun and visit secret swimming spots that are only accessible by boat. Later, head to Stromboli Island for your volcano excursion with your private expert guide. Stromboli is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, famous for its normally small, but regular explosions complete with glowing lava from several vents inside its summit crater. For this excursion, you will have two options to choose from depending on your activity level.

Option 1: Less Strenuous

Starting from St. Vincenzo’s square with your hiking guide, climb about 1,000 ft (300 meters) to the mid-point of the volcano. Afterwards, descend back to the shoreline and board your private boat and observe the sunset eruption from the sea. Watch the mouth of the volcano come to life with vibrant red and orange lava spewing out of its center. After sunset, return back to Salina Island for dinner.

Option 2: Strenuous

Enjoy exclusive access to “Old Route Trail” that is not open to the general public. With your volcano expert climb about 1,000 ft (300 meters) to the mid-point of the volcano. Continue on to the volcano’s summit, Pizzo Sopra La Fossa, at almost 3,000 ft (850 m) above sea level. Once at the summit, wait till sunset and watch the mouth of the volcano come to life with vibrant red and orange lava spewing out of its center. Afterwards, gear up in helmets and masks to descend down the volcano in darkness.

After the eruption, enjoy a recommended dinner at the best pizzeria on the island, Pizzeria da Giovanni. Afterwards, embark on your private boat back to Salina Island, and, later, take a private vehicle transfer to the hotel.

Following breakfast, greeting by your personal host and private transfer to Azienda Agricola Sapori Eoliani, a caper farm produced by Roberto Rossello near Pollara. Later, take a private transfer to the heliport for your helicopter ride to Catania where you will be taken to the airport for your international flight home. Alternatively, we can arrange for a ferry transfer back to Palermo or Milazzo.