Where to go in Sicily

It’s not the peak season, but it’s the best time to go. Here are suggestions of where to go

Autumn in Sicily awakens the senses completely.  The colors are richer. The food tastes better. The sunsets last longer. Conversations feel warmer. Life slows down just enough to remind you that living well is what you’re supposed to do…  

From glamorous Taormina and the majesty of Mount Etna  to the ancient grandeur of Agrigento, the vibrant soul of  Palermo, the golden elegance of Noto, and the  breathtaking coastlines of Scopello, Sicily offers travelers  an experience that is emotional, luxurious, authentic, and  unforgettable. Sicily in September just feels different. 

The  Mediterranean is at its most intimate and indulgent. 

Crowds thin, the heat softens and the island shifts into  harvest mode. Wine, olives, late tomatoes, figs.. and that  light… The gorgeous cinematic shades of autumn amber and gold where nature and luxury hospitality meet. Not peak season, but perfect season! 

Mornings in Sicily begin with the scent of espresso, citrus  blossoms and jasmine drifting through sunlit piazzas.  Afternoons unfold beside blue seas and vineyard-covered  hillsides. Evenings evolve into candlelit dinners,  extraordinary wines, and conversations that somehow  seem more satisfying…

MOUNT ETNA  

Europe’s tallest and most active volcano is one of the most  mesmerizing landscapes on earth. It’s alive. Smoke drifts  from its summit. Ancient lava flows cut dramatically across  the mountainside. Stand on Mount Etna and feel the  energy of Mother Nature. 

Jeep tour and hike with a private  guide to fully appreciate this breathtaking destination.

SANTA MARIA LA NAVE

Hidden among Etna’s volcanic landscape lies Santa Maria  La Nave, one of Europe’s most enchanting wine estates.  This is not a typical tasting room. Surrounded by ancient lava stone walls and dramatic mountain scenery,  Santa Maria La Nave invites guests into the secret of Sicilian winemaking. The volcanic terroir creates wines of  extraordinary elegance, and complexity — especially the  celebrated Nerello Mascalese varietals grown in Etna’s  fertile black soil. 

TAORMINA  

Perched dramatically on cliffs overlooking the sparkling  Ionian Sea, it is one of the Mediterranean’s most  enchanting towns. Elegant without feeling artificial and  fashionably touristy, with Italian warmth. 

Taormina is old world charm with new-world sophistication. Its winding pedestrian streets are lined with artisan boutiques, cafés, and hidden courtyards. At the center of  town sits the magnificent Teatro Antico di Taormina, the  ancient Greek theatre that possess one of the most  breathtaking views in Europe — a panorama stretching from the sea to the silhouette of Mount Etna. As the sun  sets, Taormina transforms and aperitivo culture and La Dolce  Vita takes over.

NOTO 

A Visually enchanting Baroque masterpiece in honey colored stone. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town  looks and feels like a film set with its elegant palaces,  sweeping staircases, ornate balconies and magnificent  churches carved from limestone that turn golden at  sunset. A favorite of European royalty and celebrities,  (Mick Jagger spent the covid lockdown here). At the center  of town stands the breathtaking Cattedrale di Noto  overlooking the city’s piazza. As evening arrives, join the  locals for a leisurely stroll through town while listening to  music as it drifts from nearby cafes.

RISTORANTE DUOMO

No journey through Sicily is complete without a pilgrimage  to Ristorante Duomo in Ragusa. Regarded as one of Italy’s great  dining experiences, Duomo transforms Sicilian cuisine into  art. Chef Ciccio Sultano elevates local ingredients into  unforgettable tastes that honor the island’s rich cultural  history. Fresh Mediterranean seafood, volcanic pistachios, fragrant citrus, handmade pasta, and ancient Sicilian  flavors come together in dishes that are both sophisticated  and deeply emotional. 

AGRIGENTO

Agrigento offers one of the Mediterranean’s most awe inspiring experiences: The Valley of the Temples. Massive  Greek temples stand majestically above the sea exactly as  then have for almost three thousand years. As the sun  sets, the Valley of the Temples becomes almost spiritual. Ancient ruins become suspended in time. It is one of the most moving archaeological sites in the world.  

The best way to experience the Valley of the Temples is to  see it is by special arrangement on an exclusive after  hours evening private tour, with your own archeologist  guide. Very Special! (I can help with that.)

PALERMO 

Sicily’s must see capital, it’s vibrant, exotic, colorful — a  city where Italian, Spanish, Norman and Arab influences  collide. Bustling open-air markets overflow with seafood, citrus, olives, cannoli, and sizzling street food. Grand  Baroque churches rise beside ancient palaces. Filled with urban bustle, Palermo is  unlike anywhere else in Italy and maybe Europe’s most  underrated city.

TONNARA DI SCOPELLO

Less than an hour from Palermo is Sicily’s extraordinary  seaside hideaway that sits beside crystalline turquoise  waters framed by towering sea stacks rising dramatically  from the Mediterranean. The scene feels impossibly  cinematic. Stone  buildings weathered by centuries overlook quiet coves  where the water glows sapphire and emerald. Fishing boats drift lazily offshore while the scent of wild herbs fill the warm air.  

Finish a perfect September in Sicily with an ultra exclusive experience where history, art and aristocratic charm blend together.

Enjoy a private tour and dinner with Italian Nobility at PALAZZO ALLIATA DI PIETRATAGLIATA . Built in 1473, this private  residence is currently the home of Princess Signoretta  Alliata and Prince Biagio Licata Baucina. Their ancestors  have lived here since the 1700s. A rare and special  glimpse into Sicily’s aristocratic past.  

PS  A unique program I developed is called “Visit Your Sicilian Roots”.  Today there are millions of Italian Americans in the US and several million are of Sicilian ancestry.  “Visit Your Sicilian Roots” is put together by our Sicilian Genealogists/Archaeologists/Travel Designers to discover and uncover family history and secrets with a visit to the actual places where ancestors lived, worked, raised families and died. This is an emotional and special journey combined with the breathtaking experience of enjoying the wonders of Sicily.

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