Sicily for All Ages

Palermo, Sicily

Arrive Palermo, Italy

Arrive in Palermo, Sicily's lively capital. With a long history of determined independence from mainland Italy's political forces, Sicilians are justly proud of their state-within-a-state, and Palermo is its beating heart. Weave through the city center, walking through the prominent Royal Opera House, famous for its magnificent neoclassical Art Nouveau architecture and excellent acoustics.

Palermo, Sicily

Palermo | Timeless and Eclectic Heritage

Delve into Palermo's varied cultural influences alongside your expert guide, learning about the historic center's iconic landmarks. Starting with the Teatro Massimo opera house, head to Quattro Canti, the Baroque crossroads also known as Theater of the Sun. Discover Palermo Cathedral's blend of architectural styles, reflecting centuries of transformation. Continue to La Martorana, where breathtaking Byzantine mosaics, shimmering gold details and vivid biblical imagery showcase the region's Arab-Norman heritage.A range of curated adventures are yours to choose from. Adults step inside the aristocratic Palazzo Gangi for a rare visit with Princess Carine Vanni Calvello Mantegna di Gangi. Wander through the extravagant salons, frescoed ceilings and elegant interiors while listening to the legacies of Sicily's noble past and savoring local sweets. Meanwhile, teens and young adults explore Palermo with a local photojournalist, capturing the city's vibrant streets, colorful markets and everyday moments, then entering a traditional darkroom studio to transform their favorite image into a black-and-white print. Heroic tales and ancient legends come to life for kids at an Opera di Pupi with handcrafted marionettes. They become junior puppeteers while learning this artform's cherished secrets. Later, the whole family gathers at Monreale Cathedral for exclusive after-hours access. Built in the 12th century, the cathedral impresses travellers of any age with breathtaking Norman golden mosaics that cover nearly every inch of wall space - its centerpiece image of Christ alone is 23 feet wide.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast

Palermo, Sicily

Palermo | Sicilian Gastronomy, Celebrated Art and Aristocratic Traditions

Immerse yourself in culinary and artistic traditions at the dynamic Ballaro Market, where Palermo's rich gastronomic heritage comes alive. Absorb the enticing aromas of fresh seafood, meats, produce and regional delicacies such as crispy panelle served in a sesame roll, arancini and crocche. Continue to a nearby palazzo, exploring its elegant halls before encountering celebrated artist Renato Guttuso's La Vucciria, a colorful, vibrant painting paying homage to Ballaro Market. Conclude the day with a private dining experience at Palazzo Francavilla, a majestic 18th-century noble residence with opulent, frescoed interiors. Revealing Palermo's authentic spirit and timeless elegance, this intimate dining experience blends centuries-old stories of Palermo's aristocratic past with a bespoke menu, inspired by Sicily's finest local ingredients and culinary traditions.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner

Palermo, Sicily

Selinunte | The Ancient Past Revealed

From Palermo, venture south across Sicily's rugged, mountainous countryside to Selinunte, Sicily's largest archaeological site. Discover the region's magnificent Doric temples and sweeping Mediterranean views that bring the island's ancient Greek past to life. Visit an olive estate for a guided tasting of local olive oils, followed by an authentic Sicilian lunch surrounded by the picturesque countryside. Continue to the southwest coast, arriving in the hill-top perched city of Agrigento, known for its well-preserved Greek archaeological sites. Your hotel is the only one adjoining the archaeological park, making for great views and easy access back and forth.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Agrigento

Agrigento | Archeological Deep Dive

Discover the Diodoros Project, which has restored traditional agriculture surrounding the Valley of the Temples. While overlooking the panoramic countryside, enjoy a welcome aperitif as your guide teaches you how local producers are preserving the region's cultural and natural legacy. Savor a farm-to-table lunch made from ingredients grown within the archaeological park and sip thoughtfully paired local wines. Delve deeper into the regeneration project alongside one of the concessionaires, discovering how local farmers are reconnecting with ancient traditions by using conscientious, sustainable agricultural practices. Conclude your experience by sampling local pistachio, almond or vineyard-based delicacies. Teens and young adults then descend beneath the Valley of the Temples to explore the remarkable Kolymbethra Hypogeum, an ancient Greek underground aqueduct. Following their expert guide through subterranean tunnels, they uncover the ingenious fifth-century engineering that once supplied water to Akragas before emerging into the lush Kolymbethra Garden. Meanwhile, kids discover the fascinating process of excavation with a professional archaeologist. By taking part in a simulated archaeological dig, children learn how archaeologists uncover, study and carefully preserve ancient artefacts.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Taormina

Piazza Armerina | Sicily's Roman Heritage

Journey from Agrigento to Taormina with a stop in Piazza Armerina, a charming hilltop town amid the lush countryside. With your local guide, explore UNESCO-listed Villa Romana del Casale, one of the finest examples of imperial Roman architecture. Remarkably preserved mosaics reveal stories of mythology and everyday ancient sophistication. Learn traditional montage techniques with a hands-on workshop, experimenting with colorful tiles to create your own unique keepsake. Continue through the scenic landscapes toward Taormina, where you settle in for the night.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast

Taormina

Taormina | Cultural Legacies, Sicilian Cooking

Discover Taormina's timeless beauty with a guided exploration of Teatro Antico, a Greco-Roman landmark. Wander through the ancient theater's grand arches and grandiose stage, taking in its breathtaking views of Mount Etna and the Mediterranean Sea. Continue with a cooking class with a local chef, learning the traditional preparation of arancini, an iconic Sicilian dish, from filling to golden crust. Visit Casa Cuseni to explore the UNESCO-listed boutique hotel's stunning residential rooms, rare art collections and cultural legacies. Young explorers discover Sicily's centuries-old crafts at a traditional Taormina ceramic bottega. A local artisan teaches them about the symbolism behind the Sicilian pigna, a terracotta pinecone representing prosperity and good fortune. After sampling a Sicilian aperitivo, they listen to local stories while crafting their own pigna keepsake. After separate excursions, finish your day as a family in the charming hilltop village of Castelmola, admiring spectacular panoramas of the Ionian Sea.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast

Taormina

Taormina | Volcanic Adventures on Mount Etna

Head to Sicily's east coast to embark on an off-road, private 4x4 journey through Mount Etna's dramatic landscapes. Set out toward the smoldering slopes of Europe's highest active volcano, crossing rugged terrain and ancient lava flows. A professional photographer captures action shots and aerial footage as you venture through Etna North and the Valle del Bove. After a wine-paired lunch, gain rare access to a restricted area of Mount Etna with your expert guide. Visit a recent lava flow, where the raw textures of the partially solidified rock reveal the geological forces that continue to shape Sicily. Adults continue to a renowned winery on Etna's slopes, where the volcanic soil influences every aspect of grape production, to sample Etna's distinctively flavored wines. Meanwhile, teens and young adults embark on an active adventure across Mount Etna's dramatic volcanic landscape. Working as a team equipped with maps, they follow clues, discover hidden checkpoints and strategize to complete their orienteering mission. Younger children get to venture into a lava tube cave, learning how Etna's unique landscapes were formed before climbing Etna's volcanic slopes on a rugged Unimog.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Taormina

Taormina | Coastal Yacht Cruise

Board a private yacht, sailing on crystal-clear waters and passing by Sicily's dramatic cliffs and volcanic shores. Cruising toward Aci Trezza, view the iconic Faraglioni of Lipari. Once active volcanoes, legend has it that these rock formations are the stones that Cyclops Polyphemus cast during Odysseus's escape.Glide through the Cyclopes Isles, making the connection between Sicily's volcanic terrains, Greek mythology and maritime heritage.Adults sip a curated selection of Sicilian wines presented by a professional sommelier while taking in legendary landscapes and the fresh Mediterranean Sea breeze, while teens and young adults embark on a thrilling sea adventure by hopping on an underwater scooter. Gliding across the surface or dipping below the sea, young explorers discover Sicily's hidden coves and subaquatic marine life. Children, meanwhile, snorkel through Sicily's colorful marine world, spotting vibrant fish and beautiful sea plants.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Taormina

Depart Taormina, Italy

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast