Luxury hotel holidays to Sicily

Luxury holidays to Sicily: luxury hotel holidays, touring holidays and special interest holidays

An Expressions tailor-made holiday in Sicily allows visitors to discover a unique and captivating island. The rich tapestry of Mediterranean history can be witnessed on the southerly island of Sicily, fascinating not only for its amazing blend of cultures including Greek, Arab, Byzantine and Norman and its architectural treasures which reflect these influences but also for its breath-taking scenery of coast, parched mountains and fertile groves of almonds, oranges, lemons and olives. The people are proud and independent, reserved but sincere and helpful. Traditions thrive to an extent that the atmosphere of Sicily is unrecognisable in the context of other parts of Italy further north. The towns and villages are contrasting with picture postcard scenes of mediaeval labyrinthine alleyways adorned by wrought-iron balconies and baskets of flowers or severe dilapidation punctuated by grand Baroque or austere Norman cathedrals and churches. Additionally, there are of course some of the most important sites of the ancient Greek world such as the temples at Agrigento, the theatre at Taormina and numerous relics at Siracusa, reputedly one of the most beautiful cities of the Greek world. High above the island looms Mount Etna, one of the largest volcanoes in the world and an awe-inspiring sight. Off the north coast of Sicily, the beautiful Aeolian Islands offer escape and remoteness, natural scenery and a startling light, a sleepy way of life and romantic isolation. A holiday in Sicily appeals for those who want typical rest and relaxation with cultural activities at hand, and for those who want to be more adventurous and experience more of this captivating island.

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

● Single centre or multi-centre
● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements to Italy and within Italy, combining flights, hire-car, rail, ferries and private transfers

Our special interest holidays to Sicily

● Wine tours for small groups
● Wine-tasting for individuals
● Food and wine holidays
● Cookery holidays for individuals and small groups
● Cultural tours for individuals
● Private guided sightseeing
● Art, history and heritage holidays
● Spa holidays
● Family holidays
● Island-hopping holidays

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

Highlights of Sicily

An ascent of Mount Etna, partly by car and then further on foot (guides available) through the luxuriant vegetation which includes oranges and lemons, bougainvillaea and poinsettias and then higher up the groves of walnuts, cherries, almonds, pistachios and vines. Palermo is known for its street markets, especially Vucciria and Ballaro, where traders and hawkers, pickpockets and shoppers converge amongst narrow streets and stalls of wares. See the traditional costumes and dialect of Piana degli Albanesi, where Albanians settled in the 15th Century. Revel in the splendid site of Taormina above the sea with views to Etna. Local crafts include cork, ceramics, honey, embroidery, raffia. Enjoy the calm and remoteness of the Aeolian Islands with their clear waters, beautiful scenery and peaceful way of life. Enjoy the gardens of the Villa Giulia in Palermo and the Public Gardens in Taormina.

Cultural highlights of Sicily

Palermo contains some of the greatest Arab-Norman buildings in existence - San Giovanni degli Eremiti, the Palazzo Reale with its striking Cappella Palatina and La Martorana. Monreale outside Palermo is the greatest work of Norman architecture in Sicily and contains beautiful 12th and 13th Century mosaics and cloisters. The Doric temples of the 5th Century BC in the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Cefalu has the `Portrait of a Man` by Antonello da Messina, dating from 1465 in its Museo Mandralisca.

Festivals in Sicily

Many Sicilian local festivals are linked to Saints’ Days. A few of the most well-known festivals generally include Carnival celebrations in Taormina and Acireale. Easter is celebrated especially in Trapani, Marsala and Piana degli Albanesi. Messina celebrates Ferragosto on the 15th August with a firework display over the Straits. The Sagra del Mandorlo in Fiore takes place in Agrigento in the first and second weeks of February to celebrate the almond blossom. Taormina Arte is a summer festival of music, cinema, ballet and theatre, held in the Greek theatre. The Palio dei Normanni takes place in Piazza Armeria in August.

Gastronomy in Sicily

The gastronomy of Sicily, like much of the culture of the island, has been heavily influenced by its history. Cuscus is a Sicilian version of couscous, and marzipan features heavily in sweets. Local produce includes citrus fruits, almonds, capers, olives, peppers and fish. Local specialities include Maccheroni con le sarde (pasta with sardines, fennel, raisins, pine nuts and saffron), Pesce spada (grilled sword fish), 'alla Siciliana' with capers, red peppers and herbs. Cassata is a popular dessert made with ricotta, candied fruit and pistachios and Cannoli are almond biscuits stuffed with ricotta. Sicily produces a variety of red and white wines including Corvo di Salaparuta and Etna, Marsala and Malvasia.

Sicily travel information

Sicily easily reached from the UK by air. We suggest the use of a hire car to fully explore and appreciate the island. For holidays to the Aeolian Islands, please see travel information below.

By air

Fly to Catania with direct flights from London Gatwick by British Airways on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from May and daily scheduled flights with Alitalia from London changing in Milan or Rome or by air to Palermo with daily scheduled flights with Alitalia from London changing in Milan or Rome. There are various possibilities for charter flights with departures from local airports. Please call us for details.

Car hire

We include a hire-car with our hotels on the mainland of Sicily except Palermo. However, if you are staying in Taormina you might not need the use of a car, so a transfer can be arranged for you instead. When driving around Sicily you do have to bear in mind the time it can take to travel from place to place.

Travel to the Aeolian Islands

Fly to Catania (as above). However, it is usually impossible to get further than Lipari the first day. We recommend that on the way there you break your journey in Taormina and then continue the next day. The return journey from the islands to Catania can be done in one day. To reach the islands you take a hydrofoil (summer timetable runs from June to September, before and after that the schedules are less frequent) from Milazzo on the Sicilian coast. Milazzo is about a 2 hour taxi ride from Catania airport. The hydrofoil timings are approximately as follows: Milazzo to Lipari - 1 hour, Milazzo to Panarea - 1 hour 45 minutes, Milazzo to Salina - 1 hour 45 minutes. In the summer months there is also a hydrofoil service from Naples to the islands with Stromboli being the closest with a journey time of about 4 hours. We do not include the cost of the taxi transfer or the hydrofoil tickets in the holiday prices - details are provided by us on request about the transfer arrangements.

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

● Single centre or multi-centre
● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements to Italy and within Italy, combining flights, hire-car, rail, ferries and private transfers

Our special interest holidays to Sicily

● Wine tours for small groups
● Wine-tasting for individuals
● Food and wine holidays
● Cookery holidays for individuals and small groups
● Cultural tours for individuals
● Private guided sightseeing
● Art, history and heritage holidays
● Spa holidays
● Family holidays
● Island-hopping holidays

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

Here you will find a map of Sicily showing the locations of the hotels that we offer

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

● Single centre or multi-centre
● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements to Italy and within Italy, combining flights, hire-car, rail, ferries and private transfers

Our special interest holidays to Sicily

● Wine tours for small groups
● Wine-tasting for individuals
● Food and wine holidays
● Cookery holidays for individuals and small groups
● Cultural tours for individuals
● Private guided sightseeing
● Art, history and heritage holidays
● Spa holidays
● Family holidays
● Island-hopping holidays

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

Cactus on the cliffs overlooking the emerald sea at Capo Vaticano in Calabria

NAPLES TO THE TOE OF ITALY AND SICILY FLY-DRIVE TOURING HOLIDAY

12-night fly-drive touring holiday from Naples to Taormina in Sicily, including stays in Sorrento, Maratea, Tropea and Taormina. From £3,695 per person.
Red and blue fishing boat on pebble beach on Lipari in the Sicilian Aeolian Islands

SICILY, THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS AND CAPRI TOUR

16-night touring holiday by air to Sicily staying in Taormina and then the Aeolian islands of Lipari and Salina, and then on to Capri in the Bay of Naples. Local transfers by car and boat. From £3,710 per person.
Pink flowers in foreground with town of Taormina and Mount Etna volcanic dome in background in Sicily

MICHAEL PORTILLO’S TRAIN JOURNEY TO SICILY RAIL TOUR

6-night holiday by train from London to Sicily with overnight stops in Lucerne in Switzerland, Milan and Naples before Taormina in Sicily. Return by air. From £2,780 per person.
Lanscape with gently sloping vineyards and dry hills in the distance in Sicily

WINE TOUR OF SICILY

7-night wine tour of Sicily for a small group accompanied by an experienced wine and food expert, staying in 4 different places, including visits and wine-tasting. From £3,980 per person.
Side of the Greek theatre in Taormina with umbrella pine tree and pink bougainvillaea in terraces of the town

SPLENDID SICILY: THE ISLAND OF SICILY FLY-DRIVE TOUR

12-night fly-drive touring holiday from Taormina to Palermo, staying at Taormina, Siracusa-Ortigia, Ragusa, Agrigento and Palermo. Choice of accommodation. From £2,830 per person.
Basket full of green and black Italian olives

WESTERN SICILY FOOD AND WINE HOLIDAY

6-night fly-drive food and wine two-centre luxury holiday to western Sicily for an authentic cookery and wine-tasting experience. Stay on two wine estates. From £2,200 per person.
Ornate, Baroque fountain with statues in Palermo

SICILY BY TRAIN HOLIDAY

11-night luxury rail holiday by from London to Sicily by train, with stops in Zurich in Switzerland, Florence and Naples before Taormina and Palermo in Sicily. The train goes on the ferry to Messina. Return by air from Palermo. From £3,490 per person.
Rounds of bread and bowls of grain on table

COOKERY HOLIDAY IN SICILY

4-night cookery holiday in Sicily with hands-on cookery lessons and time to explore nearby Ragusa and Modica. From £1,490 per person.
Baglio Oneto aerial shot of hotel showing hotel buildings, pool and surrounding Sicilian countrysode

PAINTING HOLIDAY IN SICILY

4-night fly-drive luxury holiday to Sicily for local painting tuition. From about £1,180 per person.
Verdura Resort evening with palm trees and swimming pool reflections

VERDURA RESORT Sciacca, Sicily

This is a superb, luxurious, 5-star beach resort with 168 rooms, 32 suites and three villa suites. Extensive activities and facilities for families and couples. Wide choice of rooms and dining.
Baglio Oneto

BAGLIO ONETO Marsala

A 5-star hotel on a wine estate amongst vineyards and olive groves in Marsala. An historic main residence with Sicilian-style bedrooms with balcony. Restaurant serves indoors and outside on a panoramic terrace in the summer.
Grand Hotel Timeo Taormina

BELMOND GRAND HOTEL TIMEO Taormina

A sumptuously furnished 5-star hotel with 71 elegant rooms and suites, enjoying views of Mount Etna from its terraced gardens and swimming pool. Choice of fine dining restaurants. Shuttle to beach.
Villa Sant Andrea Sicily aerial shot of beach and sun loungers umbrellas

BELMOND HOTEL VILLA SANT ANDREA Taormina Mare

An exclusive, secluded beach resort, this 5-star hotel has 71 rooms and suites, and has retained the charm of a private residence. Glamorous rooms, fine dining, Sicilian spa treatments.
Capofaro Hotel Sicily ocean view hotel buildings islands in distance

CAPOFARO MALVASIA AND RESORT Salina, Aeolian Islands

A boutique, Relais & Chateaux, 5-star hotel with 27 rooms amid Malvasia vines, on the verdant island of Salina. Rooms have private terrace with sea or garden view. Minimalist luxury.
Eremo della Giubiliana

EREMO DELLA GIUBILIANA Ragusa, Sicily

A boutique 5-star deluxe hotel set amidst a country estate not far from Ragusa, and with a history dating back to the 12th century. All manner of local excursions and authentic experiences can be arranged here.
Giardino di Costanza hotel Sicily

GIARDINO DI COSTANZA LUXURY RESORT Mazaro del Vallo, Sicily

This is a resort-hotel in the Sicilian countryside a few miles from the sea, 5-star with 91 rooms with balcony or terrace. There is a pool, spa and private beach with free shuttle in the summer months.
Grand hotel on waterfront in historic town of Ortigia

GRAND HOTEL DES ETRANGERS Siracusa, Sicily

This is a 5-star historic hotel with 68 rooms in the heart of Ortigia with views of the sea. It has a rooftop terrace, panoramic gourmet restaurant and many rooms with sea view.

Mazzaro Sea Palace Sicily beach hotel in background out door dining area

GRAND HOTEL MAZZARO SEA PALACE Taormina Mare, Sicily

This 5-star grand hotel stands on the beach in Taormina Mare. Many rooms overlook the sea, there is a pool, spacious restaurant and it is a 2-minute walk to the funicular that takes you to historic Taormina.
Exterior of hotel from the sea looking out over the boats at night with hotel lights lit up

GRAND HOTEL ORTIGIA Siracusa, Sicily

A 5-star grand and historic hotel with a magnificent position on the harbour-front in historic Ortigia, the hotel dates from the 19th century. Traditionally furnished throughout and a highlight is the rooftop bar and restaurant.
Hotel Baglio Della Luna Sicily exterior hotel building patio outdoor seating

HOTEL BAGLIO DELLA LUNA Agrigento, Sicily

With just 23 rooms this boutique 4-star hotel enjoys views of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, from its garden, terrace and rooms. Historic residence with modern comforts. Restaurant serving local specialities.
View from the rooftop terrace of Hotel Plaza Opera looking over the plaza, with red rugs and dining tables set out beneath a white veranda and amongst potted plants

HOTEL PLAZA OPERA Palermo, Sicily

A boutique, design, 4-star hotel with 47 rooms furnished with locally-designed pieces and fabrics, enjoying a central location in the Liberty district of Palermo.

Hotel Principe di Villafranca entrance, hotel name, glass doors, lit up lobby

HOTEL PRINCIPE DI VILLAFRANCA Palermo, Sicily

A boutique, luxury 4-star hotel with 32 bedrooms, displaying modern art, located in the heart of the Liberty district of Palermo. Cosy and welcoming, modern and stylish.
Hotel Villa Belvedere Sicily aerial shot of pool and terrace sea mount etna in background

HOTEL VILLA BELVEDERE Taormina, Sicily

Delightful with 49 rooms, this 4-star luxury boutqiue hotel has views of Etna and the sea, and is a short walk to the centre of lively Taormina. Beautiful terraced gardens, pool and welcoming breakfast buffet.
Foresteria La Planeta Sicily pool by night

LA FORESTERIA PLANETA Menfi, Sicily

A small luxury 4-star hotel on a prestigious wine estate in southern Sicily. An authentic Sicilian experience. Wine-tasting, cooking, contemporary art. Cosy rooms and super food.
Bedroom with swimming pool at night

LOCANDA DON SERAFINO Ragusa

The Locanda Don Serafino is an historic, boutique hotel in Ragusa Ibla with a fine dining Michelin-starred restaurant with vaulted ceilings and rooms partially carved in the rock.
Palazzo Brunaccini Sicily hotel exterior white hotel building balconies

PALAZZO BRUNACCINI Palermo, Sicily

This is a treasure of a hotel, 4-star, boutique and with just 18 rooms, located in the centre of the city near the Ballaro food market. Rooms are individually furnished and the restaurant serves Sicilian cuisine produced by the owner-chef.
Palazzo Failla Sicily hotel exterior by night street lamp

PALAZZO FAILLA Modica, Sicily

An aristocratic Sicilian town mansion, now a 4-star hotel with just 10 rooms, in the heart of the Baroque town of Modica. Some rooms have frescoes and antique furniture.
The Ashbee Taormina hotel

THE ASHBEE Taormina, Sicily

The Ashbee is an historic but beautifully refurbished, luxury, boutique, 5-star hotel with stunning gardens and views in Taormina.
View of hotel exterior and pool infront with palm trees around and sun loungers

THERASIA RESORT AND SPA Vulcano, Aeolian Islands

This is a 5-star resort hotel with spa, Michelin-starred restaurant, 97 rooms with sea or volcano views, and candelit terraces for a romantic night-time setting. Great for long stays or island-hopping.
View of the hotel and its facilities at dawn showing a large pool in the ground with sun loungers around

VILLA ATHENA Agrigento, Sicily

A luxurious 5-star hotel with just 27 rooms and suites located in the archaeological park of the Valley of the Temples. Terrace restaurant and swimming pools with views of the Temple of Concordia.

Villa Igeia Palermo hotel by the sea

VILLA IGIEA Palermo, Sicily

Rocco Forte’s Villa Igiea in Palermo is a 5-star seaside meets city sanctuary. 100 rooms and suites with a fresh, Sicilian theme.

Villa Meligunis Sicily entrance iron gates patio bicycles potted plants hotel building

VILLA MELIGUNIS Lipari, Aeolian Islands

A charming 4-star boutique hotel in a seafront location. Views of the historic castello and the Mediterranean sea, delicious local cuisine and comfortable accommodation.