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Sicily Itinerary: Romantic Island Getaway

  • Palermo, aeolian islands, taormina
  • 9 nights / 10 days, prices start from USD$9,500 per person

Lose yourselves in the magic of Sicily on this unforgettable romantic getaway. Begin in Palermo, a vibrant city where history whispers from its ancient architecture and delectable street food tempts your taste buds. Next, the Aeolian Islands are a volcanic archipelago where pristine beaches meet crystal-clear waters, perfect for romantic exploration and relaxation. Finally, Taormina awaits, a picturesque town perched on a cliffside, offering breathtaking views of Mount Etna and a charming atmosphere steeped in history. Savor delectable Sicilian cuisine, explore ancient ruins, and create memories that will last a lifetime on this romantic adventure.

Discover all our Italy luxury travel options here. 

Hillside villages atop crystal blue waters, Italy's wonders.

Top Highlights

  • Unwind in Palermo, exploring captivating history, from the Arab-Norman Cathedral to hidden puppet workshops.
  • Escape to Salina, a jewel-like Aeolian island. Go on a private boat ride around Panarea & Stromboli. Witness Stromboli's fiery display.
  • Relax at a vineyard resort, savor Malvasia wine.
  • Soar above the dramatic landscapes on a thrilling helicopter ride. Land in Taormina, a postcard-perfect town with a beautiful beach, historic theatre, and charming streets.
  • Embark on a guided 4x4 tour of Mount Etna, followed by a scenic hike offering breathtaking coastal views.

What’s Included

We design unforgettable and luxurious journeys just for you. Our bespoke trips include:
  • Double room accommodations
  • Breakfast at hotels
  • Private transfers
  • Private tours and experiences
  • Full support from your travel designer and on the ground

Itinerary

Arrive in Palermo

Palermo

Start your journey in Sicily’s beautiful capital Palermo. Experience enchanting history in a city that was conquered and loved by the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans and Spanish. You will stay in Palermo’s Art Nouveau hotel, Villa Igiea, which has recently reopened as a Rocco Forte property and become more charming than ever.

Enjoy the myriad experiences Palermo has to offer. Marvel at the Baroque buildings, such as the Casa Professa, as you explore the historic city. You can go to the Capo food market to taste the delicious street food of Palermo stopping at bakeries, street vendors and traditional inns. From the tiny streets of the Old Town to the quirky and quaint workshop of a traditional puppet maker, you’ll have truly one-of-a-kind experiences.

When in Palermo, make sure you partake in the city’s romantic ambiance by night, where you can enjoy classic aperitifs from bar to bar in the Old Town, followed by a dinner in one of the city’s many culinary gems.

 
Suggested Accommodation: Rocco Forte Villa Igiea

Rocco Forte Villa Igiea Italy Luxury Travel Europe GHardy Rocco Forte Villa Igiea Italy Luxury Travel Europe GHardy Rocco Forte Villa Igiea Italy Luxury Travel Europe GHardy

 

Salina Island

Ride on a private speedboat to Salina Island, one of the ‘seven sisters’ of the UNESCO-protected Aeolian Islands.  It is a Mediterranean paradise: stunning blue cobalt waters, active volcanoes to climb at sunset, fresh seafood, slow-food ‘presidia’ (food grown with traditional techniques) and the world-famous Malvasia wine.  Stay at Tasca d’Almerita’s wine resort set among the Malvasia vineyards with wonderful views of Panarea and Stromboli, two stunning Aeolian Islands.  Enjoy the pool, walk in the vineyards, taste superb wines and learn more about the local producers.

Enjoy a private boat excursion to see the striking natural wonders of Panarea and Stromboli.  Your captain can take the traditional wooden craft wherever you wish, allowing you to explore sea caves, natural swimming pools, and coves.  Stop in Panarea for a drink in the marina before going to Stromboli for a unique natural show: lava flowing from the crack of “Sciara di Fuoco”.  As you cruise back to Salina, savour a delicious meal made fresh by your on-board chef!

 
Suggested Accommodation: Capofaro Locanda & Malvasia Resort, Relais & chateaux

Capofaro Locanda Malvasia Resort Italy Luxury Travel Europe GHardy Capofaro Locanda Malvasia Resort Italy Luxury Travel Europe GHardy Capofaro Locanda Malvasia Resort Italy Luxury Travel Europe GHardy

 

Taormina

To enhance your incredible adventure, why not embark on a thrilling helicopter ride over the Aeolian Islands and Mt Etna? You can fly above the islands of Vulcano and Lipari, enjoying unique views from lush pine forests to moon-like black lava deserts. After your thrilling aerial adventure, land in Taormina in style, the pinnacle of luxury and “la dolce vita” in Sicily. One of the most beloved Italian towns, it has a beautiful beach, a stunning Greek theatre, unique panoramas along with cute boutiques, cafés, and restaurants.

Here you will stay at the luxurious Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, enjoying old world elegance in this stunning property. While in Taormina, you can choose from a variety of activities to best suit your interests. Take a piece of Sicily home via traditional Italian cooking classes that offer delicious food and recipes you can take home! Explore Mt Etna up close with a guided 4×4 tour followed by a scenic hike with breathtaking views of the coast. Visit a premium winery and discover some of the finest and most unique wines in Italy.

Consider a day trip to the town of Noto, known as Sicily’s Baroque capital or the ‘Garden of Stone’. Noto is described as an ‘open-air museum’ by UNESCO, featuring stunning Baroque palaces and churches all along its main street that make you feel as though you’ve stepped on a movie set. Take it all in by scaling the bell tower of the majestic church: Chiesa di San Carlo al Corso.

Arrivederci Sicilia!

 
Suggested Accommodation: Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo

Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo Italy Luxury Travel Europe GHardy

Depart from Palermo

We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something just for you.

Hear it from our clients first

I had an absolutely incredible experience with GHardy Tours for my trip to Switzerland. From start to finish, everything was flawlessly organized and executed. The attention to detail was remarkable – from the seamless travel arrangements to the carefully selected accommodations that provided stunning views of the Alps. I can confidently say this was one of the best travel experiences I've ever had. I'm already looking forward to my next adventure with them!
Tamara Bahry / Toronto Canada
Thank you so much for arranging everything for our Italy trip. We had an amazing time without focusing on planning logistics. Your driver and guides are top of the line and mesmerized us with their in-depth knowledge. We cannot express our sincere gratitude with everything you have done for us. Thanks to you, we LOVED, LOVED, LOVED our experience in Italy!
Rob Romero / King City, Canada
The GHardy team planned the perfect family vacation to Italy for us! The hotels, private tours and excursions were all exceptional and exactly what we were hoping for! We didn’t have to stress over anything - we just showed up and there was always someone to meet us. We also took great comfort knowing if any issue did arise, the G/Hardy Tours team, as well as a 24/7 emergency contact on the ground in Italy were always a message or call away.
Kerri Torrey / Toronto, Ontario
Our family vacation to Greece, which included Athens, Crete, Santorini and Mykonos, was unforgettable! The accommodations were lovely and centrally located to maximize our time at all of the hot spot destinations. Our private guides were very informative with all of the history and culture that Greece has to offer. Various transportation needs were met through planes, boats and private transfers which made travel effortless from one destination to the next. Thank you GHardy Tours for putting together a remarkable experience for the whole family to enjoy and providing memories to last a lifetime.
Tammy and Jason / Toronto, Ontario

Why we are the top choice for your next luxury trip.

Our unique approach to planning transformative experiences ensures our clients gain more than just a vacation: they come away with a greater understanding of the world, their place in it, and how the journey has enriched their lives.

  • We prioritize personalized experiences tailored to guests’ wants and needs, from holiday getaways to educational trips and everything in between.
  • Travel is about more than just going from point A to point B. It's an experience; we're here to help you create the best possible one for you and your family or friends.
  • Taste. Indulge. Immerse. Each destination has unique flavours and dishes. Bespoke travel is the perfect way to indulge your senses.
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