Unforgettable Romantic Getaway Tour to Sicily

In the morning, the sounds of the marketplace return to life. Fishermen return from the open sea, eager to display their fresh catch to the public. The marble statues decorating the Baroque square of Quattro Canti glint in the morning light. At breakfast, the aroma of a rich and frothy cappuccino accompanies the sweet scent of millefoglie, an Italian interpretation of the French pastry Mille-feuille, a layered custard slice. You take your time enjoying your first breakfast in Sicily while overlooking the calm Tyrrhenian Sea.

Your private transfer meets you in the hotel lobby after your meal and escorts you to the base of the Mount Erice. A funicular ferries individuals to the plateau at 2,460 feet above sea level. The medieval town of Erice was erected in the 12th century over an ancient city with a similar name. The cobblestone streets wind along the historic buildings and underneath the Porta Trapani Gateway. The Castle of Venus was constructed over a classic temple dedicated to the Roman goddess.

A park shades the walkways at the far end of the plateau and contains decorated stone busts, along with an incredible view overlooking the hills and coastline. You make your way to Pasticceria Grammatico to savor a tasting of the bakery’s famous almond cookies and marzipan. The recipe is purely Sicilian, and the interior of the bakery fills with an indulgent sweet aroma. You order a small café and a cookie, and settle into the balance of the unforgettable flavors. In the evening, you settle into the comforts of a luxurious, secluded estate that also produces its private olive oil on the property.

In the morning, the aroma of citrus orchards spreads across the hillside. You can see the trees in the distance, gently swaying in the breeze. The blue sky stretches over the large boulder of San Vito lo Capo, towering over the sandy beaches. After breakfast, your private transfer leads you across the Sicilian hills to the edges of the contemporary city of Agrigento. Doric ruins pepper the valley and hills along an archeological site known as the Valley of the Temples. Olive groves and citrus trees grow near the creek bed.

Atop the hill, you notice the remarkably well-preserved Temple of Concordia. The structure was erected in the 5th century BC and covers an area of 125 feet by 55 feet. 13 magnificent columns run along the length of the temple, reaching a height of 22 feet. Tradition dictates that newlyweds who visit the temple will have a peaceful and happy marriage. Marble tiles once covered the roof. The temple was converted into a church, which accounts for the structure’s preserved facilities. Through the pillars, you can see elements of the nave.

Today you leave behind the town of Modica and the memories of the decadent chocolate you sampled during your time exploring the streets. Your private transfer leads you to Noto, a town celebrated for its beautiful Baroque center. Elegant churches and gilded places line the main avenue of Corso Vittorio Emanuele. The sunlight washes over the soft honey hues of the buildings. Much of the city was reconstructed after an earthquake in the late 17th century. Wrought iron balconies overlook the streets. Ivy and blossoming flowers decorate the gates. The Noto Cathedral, also known as La Chiesa Madre di San Nicolo, was erected in the 18th century. The yellow limestone reflects the modest sunlight. The church bell surmounts the left tower. A clock adorns the right tower. The central dome draws the attention of visitors and locals alike, acting as the central focus of the city’s skyline.

Syracuse is a timeless city that incorporates the ancient world with its contemporary lifestyle. Lush citrus orchards blossom alongside ancient Greek ruins. Café tables fill Baroque piazzas. Medieval walkways line the seaside wall. Syracuse was once the largest city in Classical antiquity, greater and more powerful than its contemporary of Athens. Markets burst with activity and the ancient spring feeding Fontana Aretusa continues to bubble around the freshly grown papyrus. The historical cobbled streets wind along the edges of the small islet of Ortygia. You find the Teatro Greco, the largest Greek theater in Sicily, able to hold up to 16,000 spectators. The structure was built into the natural slope of the hillside to allow for a greater number of rows overlooking the large stage. Masterworks of the Classical period were performed here, including the works of Sophocles and Euripides. There is something innately romantic about the ruins and their connection to a lavish past.

In the morning, you wake up to a fabulous view of the Ionian Sea. The water sparkles cobalt blue against the peach-colored stone of the city. You and your partner sip espresso on the balcony and ease into the morning. Your private transfer meets you in the lobby after breakfast and leads you closer to the staggering peak of Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. You arrive at a local vineyard celebrated for the unique flavors of their wine. The organic structure was built into the mountainside with traditional materials used to build homes and structures around Mount Etna for centuries. However, the design is strictly modern.

Your guide leads you through the vines, showing you the variations of grapes and the importance of the soil. The volcanic soil of the area is rich with minerals that then feed into the crop, ensuring a more flavorful product. After your tour, your guide leads you to the tasting room, where you have a unique view of the vineyard with the smoking summit of Mount Etna in the background. Your guide pours you a sample of the most celebrated wine of the vineyard. The color of the wine is pale yellow. You find an aroma of white flowers, green apple, and wild honey. Upon tasting the wine, you find delightful acidity and a crisp freshness upon your palate.

The olive trees surrounding the pool of your hotel provide a decadent aroma to the morning. The gardens overlook the lush foothills surrounding the historic farmhouse, providing a combination of luxury, beauty, and history. After breakfast, your guide leads you closer to the looming mountain landscape. The peak rises to a height of more than 10,990 feet above sea level, making it the tallest mountain south of the Alps. Clouds drift past the conical summit, revealing the impressive rugged top. You venture up to Rifugio Sapienza at an altitude of 6,309 feet.

A cable car travels to the upper reaches of the mountain, where you have the ability to visit one of four craters. The lush foothills shift to a dramatic lunar landscape. The grainy black ridges of the volcano’s higher limits come from historic lava flow and altitudinal changes. The Southeast Crater is a perfect black cone and remains one of the most active craters on the mountain. The formation juts out of the hillside in a noticeable fashion. Steam puffs out of the caldera. Trekking along the mountainous trails of Etna is a unique experience that you are glad to share with your partner.

After breakfast, your private transfer escorts you from the secluded, rich farmland around Etna to the cliff-side town of Taormina overlooking the Ionian Sea and the Bay of Naxos. Designer boutique shops line the main street leading to the medieval piazza in the heart of the city. The clock tower was erected in the 12th century and rebuilt in the 17th century. Its ancient foundations date back to the 4th century BC. You can stroll along the tiled pathways in the Public Garden. An array of Mediterranean hedges and flowerbeds decorate the seven acres of land.

Olive trees border the avenue. Pagoda-style towers with arabesque designs linger beneath the shading palm trees. The pumice-stone and brickwork have a tender allure, similar to a structure in a Romantic painting surrounded by an idyllic garden. The noblewoman who once owned the garden used the towers to study birds. The medieval mansion of Palazzo Ciampoli was erected in the 15th century and maintains its air of elegance. Lush trees and vivacious flowers decorate the stairway leading to the main entrance.

You and your partner wake up in the historical setting of your luxurious accommodation. The relaxed atmosphere seamlessly blends with the city’s elegant yet easygoing pace. The rooftop provides an unimpeded circular view of the Ionian Sea, stretching to the fabled peak of Mount Etna in the distance. After breakfast, the day is yours to delight in the splendors of Taormina. Relax at your hotel or stroll along the cobbled streets to the adjacent town on a fabulous walk along the seaside cliff. For a truly relaxing day, you make your way down to the narrow sandbar connecting the white beach underneath Taormina to the small rock-bound Isola Bella.

You can walk along the paths traveling along the perimeter of the island, which is also a natural reserve. The water glows a clear indigo. Locals and visitors lay out their tables and bask in the warm sunlight. The water laps quietly at the shore. The cable car travels from the edges of the beach to the cliff-top where the city is located. The gentle breeze cools you down. The water maintains a perfect, refreshing temperature. You can sink into the sea and relish the soft current moving you back and forth.

Today your private transfer escorts you to the port of Milazzo, where you board your hydrofoil to Salina. The Tyrrhenian Sea glistens in the sunlight and mists beneath the boat. The breeze carries the semi-sweet aroma of the sea. You reach Salina Island and find a verdant landscape, contrasting the volcanic terrain of the other Aeolian Islands. Wildflowers blossom bright yellow. Gorse bushes burst from the hillsides. You can see rows upon rows of vibrant grape vines carpeting the hills before reaching the coastal cliffs. The water breaks against the base of the rock face and splashes into the air.

The volcanic soil and the natural freshwater springs circumventing the island provide fertility to the landscape and intense flavor to all crops grown on Salina. The two peaks shaping the formation of the island are Monte dei Porri and Monte Fossa delle Felci, rising 2,821 feet and 3,156 feet above sea level respectively. You can indulge in the remote ambiance, relishing the feeling that the rest of the world is far away. Swim in the crystal clear waters. You can see the volcanic rocks on the seafloor nearly 30 feet below. Goats scale the green mountain slopes and graze on the windswept grass. For an unforgettable visit, you make your way to Granite da Alfredo, a small coffee shop known for its granite. The fresh and homemade Sicilian treat boasts 14 flavors, each one soothing, refreshing, and tasty. You can enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner underneath the plethora of shooting stars overtaking the night.

In the morning, you sip your semi-sweet cappuccino and enjoy breakfast overlooking the sea. The breeze carries the aroma of the water up from the misty break. The grass shines an emerald hue in the sunlight. After breakfast, you make your way by hydrofoil to the exclusive island of Panarea, known for its small size and fashionable visitors. Whitewashed streets decorate the town of San Pietro. Remnants of Mycenaean inhabitants date back to approximately 1,200 BC. Romans also settled the island during the height of the empire’s power.

Dolphins swim off shore and follow the wake of boats traveling along the water. You can see the volcanic peak of the Stromboli Island on the horizon. After you check into your lavish hotel, you can revel in the comforts of the island. Four pools are located on the property, each with a different view of the island’s stunning panorama. Each pool is also fed by a natural volcanic spring, which varies in temperature, allowing you and your partner to choose how hot you prefer the pool to be. After sunset, the stars fill up the sky.

In the morning, visitors to the island make their way to Zimmari Beach to dig their toes into the golden sand. The sunlight washes over the cobalt sea. The pathway is a rugged pebbled road, winding from the port to the shore. Boulders and pebbles separate the beach from the walkway. Rowboats pepper the boulders, waiting to be taken out to sea. After breakfast, the day is yours to explore Panarea or venture out on a spectacular day cruise along the Aeolian Islands, including five islets set off the eastern coast.

If you prefer to stay on Panarea, you can make your way to the secluded isthmus where you find the ancient Cala Junco reserve. The view overtakes the layers of blue water. You can see the summits of Lipari Island on the horizon. The tranquil sounds of lapping water brushing against the pebbled shoreline echoes off of the surrounding walls. Prehistoric ruins commemorating a Bronze Age village decorate the southern edge. You can dive into the water and enjoy a sheltered grotto just off the beach.

Today you make your way to the marina and board the hydrofoil, ready to take you back to the island of Sicily. The breeze once again catches the sea spray. The islands fade behind the horizon as the coastline of Sicily becomes more prominent. Your private transfer escorts you to the seaside town of Cefalu, located outside of Palermo. The honey and peach hues of the buildings shine against the cobalt waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Gold-sand beaches provide a buffer between the water and the city walls protecting the historic buildings from high tide. The director of the academy award winning foreign film Cinema Paradiso chose Cefalu as the film location for its undeniable beauty.

The large mountain of La Rocca looms over the town at 885 feet above sea level. Narrow cobblestone streets wind along cafes, through open public piazzas, and spill into the marina where fishing boats wade in the water. Fishers mend nets on the shoreline near the seafront promenade. The quiet atmosphere and embracing locals create a perfect setting for your final night in Sicily. The cathedral was erected in the 13th century and reflects the various influences of Sicilian history, from Greek to Arab, Norman to Spanish. Byzantine capitals support large arches. Mosaics seemingly burst from the walls, framed by a gold background.

In the morning, fishing boats set out on the sea with newly mended nets searching for the best catch of the day. Relics from the Middle Ages remain in the stone environment of the Lavatoio, the public laundry where women once gathered to rinse clothing. The staircase was shaped from lava stone and winds underneath wide arches to the basins. The water surplus would rush into the sea. At breakfast, you and your partner relish one last fresh espresso before your private transfer meets you in the hotel lobby and escorts you to Falcone-Borsellino Airport for your flight home, where the passion and romance continues.