Sicily luxury tailor made holiday

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

This journey through Western Sicily explores the island at a considered pace, with no internal flights and travel taking place overland within one region. Spending multiple nights in Palermo, the Marsala countryside and near Agrigento reduces the need to change accommodation frequently, giving travellers more time to explore each area.

Human powered transport is part of the experience. A guided e-bike ride along Palermo’s coastline, through Favorita Park and towards Capo Gallo Natural Reserve offers a more active way to explore the landscape, while walking tours in Palermo, Erice and the Valley of the Temples allow travellers to discover these places on foot.

Food is another way to connect with the region. Market visits, wine tastings, olive oil experiences and meals featuring seasonal Sicilian produce introduce travellers to local ingredients and agricultural traditions. Where locally sourced produce is used, these experiences can also help support regional producers.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

The itinerary includes visits to landscapes and heritage sites that are important to Sicily’s natural and cultural identity, including Capo Gallo Natural Reserve and the UNESCO listed Valley of the Temples. Guided visits offer opportunities to learn more about these places and the importance of preserving their natural and historical character.

The countryside stays provide a different perspective on Sicily, from the retreat near Marsala to the working agricultural landscape near Agrigento. The journey includes time to discover traditional olive cultivation and rural life, while the accommodation descriptions highlight an emphasis on nature, local character and a connection to the surrounding landscape.

Activities in coastal and protected areas are focused on exploring on foot or by e-bike, offering opportunities to appreciate Mediterranean landscapes and their biodiversity. Visitors should follow local guidance and stay on designated routes to help minimise disturbance to sensitive environments.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

This itinerary combines stays in historic properties and rural accommodation with experiences that introduce travellers to Western Sicily’s food, craft and agricultural traditions. The featured properties range from a historic palazzo in Palermo to countryside retreats, offering different perspectives on the island’s heritage and rural life.

In Palermo, a visit to Mercato del Capo introduces travellers to the city’s market culture and independent food vendors. Meetings with traditional craftspeople, including a Sicilian cart painter and a silversmith, offer insight into skills passed down through generations and the role of traditional craftsmanship in local culture.

Further west and south, wine tastings, olive oil experiences and meals featuring regional produce provide opportunities to discover Sicily’s agricultural heritage and locally made products. These experiences can direct spending towards local businesses and producers, depending on the services and products purchased.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

The itinerary includes private guiding, transfers and hospitality experiences across Western Sicily, creating opportunities to engage with people who know the region well. Visits to artisans, markets, wineries and an olive oil estate bring travellers into contact with local skills, food traditions and rural livelihoods.

The private format allows the pace and some practical arrangements to be adapted to travellers’ preferences and accessibility needs, where feasible. The journey is designed around respectful cultural exchange and offers a range of ways to discover Sicily beyond its best known sights.