Sicilian Experiences

Valley of the Temples and Picnic at Kolymbetra Gardens guided by a professional archaeologist with the possibility of private transfer with a multilingual driver.

Discover the Valley of the Temples in a modern, fast and fun way, with an electric scooter making it completely eco-friendly. The tour offers an relaxing, ecological way to visit the entire Archaeological Area with an easy to drive scooter. The tour goes through the Valley of the Temples, following the sacred way, crossing the bridge to visit the Zeus temple. Also, there will be a chance to visit the countryside surrounded by almond and olive trees.

Riding a horse on a private tour, accompanied by rider guides, is an adventurous way to explore The Valley of the Temples. The path goes through an amazing bucolic landscape characterized by green olive and almond trees. You will be able to admire, among other wonders, the Kolymbetra Garden: a beautiful green piece of land full of seasonal fruits including citrus, carobs, pistachio nuts, mulberries, walnuts, pomegranates and bananas. Along the river and at the foot of some limestone cliffs, there are almond trees, olive trees, traditional vegetable gardens and Mediterranean scrub with myrtles and laurels. The journey will continue along the Temple of Hephaestus (Vulcan), the Temple of Heracles until you reach the Temple of Concordia, which is one of the best-preserved ancient temples. Your final destination will be the Temple of Juno, which is located on the top of the hill. You can also chose to have an optional picnic lunch at the Kolymbetra Garden.

Archeological Park for the Kids

Valley of the Temples – Greek myths and architecture . This family tour of the archaeological park with an activity book and activity bag allows the kids to admire the Greek architecture, to understand how the buildings where built and their original aspect. During the visit the kids will also discover the Greek myths related to that place (Hera and Zeus, Hercules, Zeus and the Giants, Demeter and Persefone…) and how the sanctuaries were used in the past. A fascinating journey through time.

One day with the archaeologist. Your family will spend half day with an archaeologist walking inside the archaeological area. Explaining to you the secrets of her job, showing the tools, the methods and the fields of an archaeologists job. Using a map and a compass you will discover the ancient city of Akragas and learn about the life in the 6^th and 5^th century B.C. The objects examined will help to understand the history. As a detective you get to search for the clues of the past, understanding the life of the ancient city of Akragas.

Archaeological Museum – Safari at the Museum. Visiting the archaeological museum can be an exciting safari. Looking carefully at pottery, clay figurines, coins and mosaics you can see real and fantastic animals, wild and domestic ones. Ancient Fashion. The focus of this family tour will be the ancient fashion. The attic pottery, the clay figurines and the status offer up a lot of images of ancient hairstyle and fashion. Observing them you get to understand a lot of things about the Greek time and at the end of the tour you can wear a Greek dress for a family photo!

An “arkeo kit ” for each child is provided including : activity book, map of the valley, crayons, rubber, pencil ,scissors, string, plastic folder.

With sea views and mountain landscapes, each lodge is uniquely designed and offers Sicilian relaxation and peaceful seclusion in this stunning part of eastern Sicily. The treetop Flora Lodge and spacious suites all offer views over either Mount Etna or the sea. This resort is a getaway for body and mind, with interiors bringing together design and sustainability together.

From the resort at Donna Carmela you can choose to hike, sail, quad bike or take Sicilian cookery classes locally and a visit to the nearby winery of Pietradolce on the northern slopes of Etna. In the summer you can enjoy the Radicepura Garden Festival.

Chef Piergiorgio brings the resorts garden produce direct to the table at La Cucina di Donna Carmela, where the menu pays homage to the Mediterranean sights and citrus scents. The wine cellar celebrates the finest locally produced wines from the region.

Donna Carmela has been nurtured for over half a century by the Faro family and today is run by independently minded and eco-conscious Mario Faro who says ” in every corner guests can see little details of Sicilian culture, from the plants to the interior design. Our focus is on the guests’ wellness.”

Donna Carmela Resort & Lodges is part of Small Luxury Hotels and guests booking through Halsall Travel receive complimentary breakfast and a $50 resort credit and upgrade subject to availability. Little perks to make you feel that little bit special.

Family Friendly – Fine Dining – Country House Hotel – Wine Experiences

Three world-class golf courses by Kyle Philips make Verdura the perfect all-year-round golf destination. There are six tennis courts; a 60m infinity pool; a soccer field; a fully-equipped gym; a wide-ranging sports and fitness offering; and running trails through olive and lemon groves. The resort’s restaurants and bars celebrate Sicilian cuisine with menus created from fresh organic ingredients complemented by a superb wine list. For a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, the 4,000 sqm Verdura Spa has four thalassotherapy pools, two saunas and one wide hamman, an extensive treatment menu and personalized well-being programs. This is a magical place in which to relax, revive and unwind.

Opened as a hotel in 1900, Villa Igiea became a fabled year-round sanctuary for royalty and the Hollywood elite. Built by visionary Sicilian architect Ernesto Basile for the family Florio, the historical Villa is the epitome of Palermo’s Liberty movement and undoubtedly the most distinguished of the era. Before its grand opening in Summer 2020, this majestic listed palazzo will undergo an extensive refurbishment at the hands of Rocco Forte Hotels’ Director of Design, Olga Polizzi. Working in collaboration with Paolo Moschino of Nicholas Haslam Studios, Olga will ensure the hotel surpasses its former glory preserving its exquisite period features and show-stopping Basile room while enhancing its appeal with her signature heritage design.

Just off Taormina’s main street, the Corso Umberto, the hotel is an easy walk to the charming shops and restaurants of the old town. One of the world’s most legendary hotels, San Domenico Palace invites guests to embark on an epic journey into history. With origins dating back to 1374, this classic Dominican convent was expanded in 1896 to become a hotel, featuring a new building designed in Liberty style (the Italian take on Art Nouveau). For more than a century, San Domenico Palace has welcomed the world’s most illustrious guests – from Oscar Wilde and King Edward VIII to Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren. Now, as Four Seasons, this iconic hotel begins a new era, delivering the highest standards of personalised service. Spread across two historic buildings, the hotel boasts a wide range of 111 accommodations divided between the Ancient Convent and the Grand Hotel Wing. The Hotel is home to three exciting restaurants and bars helmed by the award-winning Executive Chef Massimo Mantarro and his team. Venues include Principe Cerami, the signature fine-dining restaurant where guests will be invited to embark on a culinary journey. Set in a garden filled with jasmine and hibiscus trees, the infinity-edge pool blends with the deep blue waters of the Ionian Sea and invites guests to unwind as the cicadas sing. Sophisticated, subtle and calm, the Four Seasons Spa incorporates modern design elements that are influenced by warm colour tones and features an indoor pool.

People from all over Europe wanted to see the panoramas for themselves. Well over a hundred years later, Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina’s breathtaking vistas and unique charm continue to enchant. Make your way up the rugged cliffs on which the hotel is perched and a sense of enchantment soon takes over. You may be right in the heart of Taormina but you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled upon your very own hideaway. The magic grows when you lay eyes on the lovely entrance, swathed in bougainvillea. Soak up the sun by the pool or stroll through acres of lush garden graced with tropical palms and wild flowers. Are you a fine-dining lover? Take your seat at Otto Geleng Restaurant, one of Sicily’s most exclusive Michelin-star restaurants, and ignite your taste buds with exquisite Mediterranean dishes by Chef Roberto Toro served in a unique setting that evokes an ancient Sicilian villa. There’s no better place to take in the dramatic sunset than the Literary Terrace. The panoramas need to be seen to be believed: Truman Capote enjoyed them so much that he stayed for two years; D. H. Lawrence wrote Lady Chatterley’s Lover here. Each time you gaze out across medieval Taormina and the coast of Sicily, it’s like seeing the world anew. With clusters of terracotta roofs giving way to shimmering blue sea and dramatic Mount Etna looming on the horizon, views here are a transcendent experience.

A stay at Villa Sant’Andrea, A Belmond Hotel feels like reconnecting with long lost friends. It preserves the personality of an elegant private residence: you’ll be greeted with cool homemade lemonade when you arrive, and alfresco breakfasts offer a bounty of hand-picked local fruit. It’s these little details that will help you sink into a world of calm, as soothing as the sound of the ocean. Balconies are bejeweled with bright geraniums, and lush terraced gardens lead down to the picturesque pebbled beach. Set apart from the private beach, there’s also an exclusive stretch housing six luxury cabanas. With sun-loungers and shaded sofas, they make lovely little hideaways. Should you prefer your water a little warmer, the heated infinity pool is irresistible. Enjoy the sweeping sea views as the sun sinks below the horizon. Come evening, make the most of the surroundings by dining on the terrace. Or ask to arrange a private dinner on the beach—musicians will sail across the bay just to serenade you. Restaurant Oliviero serves regional dishes that allow local ingredients to shine. Chef Aniello grills freshly caught seafood—swordfish and sardines are always a favorite. The sommelier knows the perfect wines to pair them with. Don’t leave, of course, without trying Sicilian pastries. The cannoli—a local delicacy made with sheep’s milk ricotta—are little mouthfuls of heaven. After dinner, head to the open-air bar, where DJs set a vibrant scene. With the sea lapping at the shore, there’s no dance floor quite like it. Cocktail in hand, dance the night away as the stars twinkle overhead.