2025 Hosted Tour of Sicily

Sicily 2025 Tour Dates
October 18 -25, 2025


 

Our Setting in Sicily































 

About the Villa

This top level luxury villa with extensive grounds, stunning views, a tennis court and spectacular infinity pool (weather permitting) occupies a stunningly panoramic position atop its own hill on Sicilys east coast. Uninterrupted 360-degree views take in the sparkling Ionian Sea to one side and the fertile flanks and lava peak of Mount Etna to the other. The views of this former aristocratic estate are further enhanced by the intense greens and citrus flashes of the villas grounds, which feature lemon groves, fruit orchards and vegetable gardens. The magnificence of Mother Nature is rivalled only by the spectacular 25-metre, south-facing heatable infinity pool, the like of which we have never seen, and the delightful interiors, which have been renovated and refurbished to exactingly high standards.

Inside: accommodation at our luxury villa is spread over three floors and comprises twelve spacious and supremely panoramic bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a succession of light, airy reception rooms, a professionally-equipped kitchen and a large dining room. Furnishings throughout have been chosen with quality, comfort and aesthetic appeal in mind. An elegant blend of authentic antique pieces, reclaimed furniture and original features hint at the villas mid-19th century noble origins. Calming colours and tasteful original art throughout are easy on the eye, while generously cushioned armchairs and sofas and king and queen-size beds ensure ample possibilities for repose and relaxation. The sumptuous bathrooms are designed for those who love to luxuriate and feature top-spec modern fittings and local marble and lava stone basins, showers and splashbacks. 

Ground floor: from the impressive entrance terrace one accesses a series of living areas (five in total), connected by wide arches and topped by high vaulted ceilings. These flow around an internal stairwell to the superbly equipped kitchen and voluminous dining area, which has won an architecture award for its subtle combination of industrial design (such as polished concrete floors and glass walls) and restored original features. Moving through to the ground floor wing, one comes to two bedrooms, a double and a double-twin both with en-suite shower rooms, private balconies and access to the gardens. An internal stairway leads down to the lower ground floor and another large double-twin bedroom with en-suite shower room with French windows opening onto the garden from where one can take in views of Etna. The lower ground floor is also home to a well-equipped gym/wellness room with changing facilities, fridge, guest bathroom, shower, steam room and direct access to the gardens and pool area. 

First floor: the first floor of the wing is home to two double bedrooms with en-suite shower rooms and double-twin with en-suite bathroom with shower and tub. On the first floor of the main house are four bedrooms: two doubles with en-suite shower rooms and access to a panoramic shared wrap-around balcony and two master suites (double-twins), each with its own luxurious en-suite bathroom with stand-alone tub and shower and access to a large shared terrace with stunning sea views. 

Second floor: the second floor of the main house has two more exquisitely furnished double-twin bedrooms with en-suite shower rooms, connected by an open-air patio.

Outside: the outside areas at the villa are abundant and offer many a panoramic terrace, a wide selection of al fresco dining areas, a large lawned garden and, via a magical set of steps that tunnel through an immense lava stone wall, the remarkable 25-metre long, L-shaped infinity pool. Suspended over the surrounding lemon groves, doing lengths in this pool is a unique experience: swim one way and you feel as if you're heading out to sea. Turn round and Mount Etna becomes your destination! Pool use weather dependent.  Surrounding all this and the splendid International Tennis Federation-sized clay tennis court are the luscious lemon groves, fruit orchards and vegetable gardens of the extensive grounds. The views, in case you needed reminding, are bewitching, no matter where you look!
 

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Service at Our Luxury Villa in Sicily

What you can expect

This luxury villa occupies a stunningly panoramic position atop its own hill on Sicilys east coast. Uninterrupted 360-degree views take in the sparkling Ionian Sea to one side and the fertile flanks and lava peak of Mount Etna to the other. The views of this former aristocratic estate are further enhanced by the intense greens and citrus flashes of the villas grounds, which feature lemon groves, fruit orchards and vegetable gardens. The magnificence of Mother Nature is rivalled only by the spectacular 25-metre, south-facing heatable infinity pool, the like of which we have never seen, and the delightful interiors, which have been renovated and refurbished to exactingly high standards.

Private Guides

We will have the pleasure to be accompanied by local English speaking guides for most of our day trips.  They are highly educated in art, archetecture and you will learn about the Sicilian towns, ancient ruins, Sicilian people & culture.  A truly unique experience.


The staff

The staff at our villa, including caretaker, housekeeper, maids and Sicilian cook, will ensure you never have to lift a finger during your stay. The maids will service your rooms on a daily basis and change your linen and towels mid-week, the caretaker will ensure the correct functioning of the house and pool  (usage weather permitting) and the cook will be on hand to prepare delicious meals.

Activities

Below are some of the great experiences we can easily do from our base.  5 - 6 activities will be chosen for our week.  You will receive a full listing once the villa is booked.  
 

•   Journey to the biggest active volcano peak, Mount Etna via 4X4s followed by tour/tasting or cooking class at a local winery.

•   Wine tastings at prominent wineries.   Benanti, based at their family home in a charming village on the flanks of Mr. Etna and touted as the father of the new era of Etna quality wines.  Another famous winery, Planeta where we will visit their newest winery, Feudo di Mezzo and the historic vineyard where we will enjoy a tasting and lunch

•   Day trip to Siracua, a 2,700 year old city near the sea touted by the Greek world.  We'll enjoy a private guided visit archaeological museum, main park of Neapolis to name a few.  Onto the island of Ortygia and the Apollo Temple, the famed Arethusa fountain & Baroque Piazza del Duomo.  Delicious lunch at the famous market.

•   Day trip to Taormina, guided by an archaeologist offering insights into Tarominas outstanding historical, architectural & cultural heritage, which made it a compulsory stop on the Grand Tour. Lunch with a famous Piazzaiolo with demonstration and enjoy their woodfired pizzas. 

•    Cooking & Food Tasting. There are a variety of cooking and food tasting opportunities in local markets in Catania & Ortygia. 

•   Relax at our luxury villa and enjoy all it and the grounds have to offer. 

Pricing: 2025

I am still finalizing the budget but estimated per person rate will be 6000 - 7000 euros/person double occupancy excluding airfare.  No Single Supplement.  Floorplans and bedroom categories will be sent to all guests for bedroom selection & assignment.   Doubles and Twin beds are available.  Deposit of $3000/person will reserve your spot.  Fully refundable if cancelled due to low occupancy by Designing Italy LLC.  Please note pricing in euros & will be converted at market rate.

The week will include all breakfasts and dinners and most lunches during excursions and of course Sicilian wine with lunch & dinner.  Transfers, excursions, wine tastings and cooking class(s) and tipping for local guides, drivers & housekeeping included. 

Conditions:  It is important you are in good physical condition.  There will be moderate to active walking and standing.  This is an adults only week offering.  Note the villa location may change based on availability but will be of equal value.  Villas are in high demand so early registration is important to secure our villa.   Please see registration form for all terms and conditions. Travel Insurance is mandatory and to be booked by each individual prior to travel.

* Villa photos and descriptions are by

http://designingitaly.com/form.php?id=2

Looking forward to welcoming you in Sicily!

Guest Testimonial from previous Sicily hosted week:
 

Dear Ginger,
We have been meaning to drop you a heartfelt note of thanks for the wonderful job you did in curating Sicily for us! As we reviewed the many interesting and informative sights and experiences, we realize that you must have been planning these many outings for months in order for them to go off without a hitch, as they did! It was a masterful production, and we enjoyed all of it!

From the villa, which was gorgeous and gracious, to the many tours of historic sites, to the thoughtful stops along the way for caffe and gelati, we thought the trip was well paced and curated. The remarkable mix of food, wine and history came alive for us, and we appreciated the skill of the tour guides, especially Alexandra. Pizza making was a hoot, arancini with Silvo was fun despite no common language, and the pasta-making session at Bernanti was terrific. The meal at Planeta was top-notch, but really, the food at the villa was beyond our expectations almost every night!

We want to thank you for being the endlessly gracious host of this trip.

It was great fun traveling with you.  Thanks again for a wonderful time!
Anne