Journey · 10 days · 3 homes
Sicily: Palermo, the Baroque
south-east & Taormina in ten days
Three nights in Palermo, four in the Baroque towns of the Val di Noto, three between Taormina and Etna.
The idea
Sicily, from Arab-Norman Palermo to the Baroque and the volcano
Three thousand years of history on one island: Greek temples, Arab-Norman churches, a whole Baroque landscape rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake and an active volcano covered in vineyards. Ten days, three homes.
- 1Palermo 3 nights
- 2Noto 4 nights
- 3Taormina & Etna 3 nights
Day by day
10 days, 3 homes
For every stop: what to see and where to go, the dishes to try and where to eat them. Below, two or three of our homes in the area, with live rates for your nights.
Stop 1 · 3 nightsDays 1 – 3
Palermo, the Arab-Norman capital
Palermo is loud, generous and full of gold mosaics. The markets, the churches and the palazzi of the old nobility sit side by side in the four quarters of the historic centre.
What to see & where to go
- The Palatine Chapel in the Norman Palace
- Monreale Cathedral and its cloister, on the hill above the city
- The Martorana and San Cataldo, in Piazza Bellini
- The markets of Ballarò and the Vucciria
- Cefalù, its cathedral and its beach
- Mondello for a swim, in the afternoon
What to eat
- Arancine, the fried rice balls of Palermo
- Pane e panelle, chickpea fritters in a sesame roll
- Pasta con le sarde, with wild fennel, pine nuts and raisins
- Cassata and cannoli with sheep's-milk ricotta
Where to eat
- Antica Focacceria San Francesco, for arancine and pane con la milza
- Osteria dei Vespri, on Piazza Croce dei Vespri, for modern Sicilian cooking
- Cannoli at Pasticceria Cappello
Where you sleep
Palazzo Natoli Boutique HotelPalermo, historic centre
Rooms in an 18th-century palazzo a few steps from the cathedral.Why stay hereA historic palazzo in the heart of old Palermo, turned into a small boutique hotel.See the home
Rooms in an 18th-century palazzo a few steps from the cathedral.Why stay hereA historic palazzo in the heart of old Palermo, turned into a small boutique hotel.See the home
Villa del Gattopardo Suites & SpaPalermo
Period villa with garden and spa, a short taxi ride from the centre.Why stay hereA historic villa in Palermo with period interiors, an infinity pool and a spa.
Period villa with garden and spa, a short taxi ride from the centre.Why stay hereA historic villa in Palermo with period interiors, an infinity pool and a spa.
Stop 2 · 4 nightsDays 4 – 7
Val di Noto, the Baroque south-east
After the earthquake of 1693, the towns of the south-east were rebuilt in a single, theatrical Baroque style. Today they are a UNESCO site, surrounded by almond groves and dry-stone walls.
What to see & where to go
- Noto Cathedral and Palazzo Nicolaci
- Ragusa Ibla and the Duomo di San Giorgio
- Modica, between the upper and lower town
- Ortigia, the island heart of Siracusa, and the Greek Theatre
- The Vendicari nature reserve and its beaches
- Marzamemi, a fishing village on the tip of the island
What to eat
- Almond granita with a warm brioche for breakfast
- Cioccolato di Modica, cold-worked and grainy
- Scacce ragusane, folded bread filled with tomato and cheese
- Nero d'Avola and Moscato di Noto
Where to eat
- Caffè Sicilia in Noto: Corrado Assenza's granita and cassata
- Antica Dolceria Bonajuto in Modica, for cold-worked chocolate
- The Ortigia market in Siracusa and the sandwiches at Caseificio Borderi
Where you sleep
Seven Rooms VilladorataNoto
Seven rooms in the Nicolaci palazzo, on the Baroque Corso.Why stay hereSeven rooms in a Baroque palazzo in the centre of Noto, the capital of Sicilian Baroque.See the home
Seven rooms in the Nicolaci palazzo, on the Baroque Corso.Why stay hereSeven rooms in a Baroque palazzo in the centre of Noto, the capital of Sicilian Baroque.See the home
Locanda Don SerafinoRagusa Ibla
Historic inn in the old town, with a starred restaurant.Why stay hereA 19th-century building in Ragusa Ibla, steps from San Giorgio, linked to a Michelin-starred restaurant.See the home
Historic inn in the old town, with a starred restaurant.Why stay hereA 19th-century building in Ragusa Ibla, steps from San Giorgio, linked to a Michelin-starred restaurant.See the home
Eremo della GiubilianaRagusa countryside
Fortified farm from the 15th century, pool among carob trees.Why stay hereA historic masseria in the countryside near Ragusa, with cookery classes and tastings on site.See the home
Fortified farm from the 15th century, pool among carob trees.Why stay hereA historic masseria in the countryside near Ragusa, with cookery classes and tastings on site.See the home
Ortea PalaceSyracuse, Ortigia
Palazzo of the 1920s on the island, restored as a hotel.Why stay hereA Liberty-style palazzo on the island of Ortigia, with an indoor pool: Siracusa at your door.See the home
Palazzo of the 1920s on the island, restored as a hotel.Why stay hereA Liberty-style palazzo on the island of Ortigia, with an indoor pool: Siracusa at your door.See the home
Stop 3 · 3 nightsDays 8 – 10
Taormina and Etna
Taormina sits on a terrace high above the sea with Etna smoking behind it. Spend the mornings in the town, the afternoons on the volcano's slopes, where some of Italy's most interesting wines are made.
What to see & where to go
- The Greek Theatre of Taormina, with Etna in the background
- Corso Umberto and the gardens of Villa Comunale
- Castelmola, above Taormina
- The Silvestri craters and the upper slopes of Etna, with a guide
- A tasting in an Etna winery on the north slope
- Isola Bella and the Alcantara gorges
What to eat
- Pasta alla Norma, with aubergine and salted ricotta
- Pistachio from Bronte, in pesto, granita and pastries
- Cannoli filled to order
- Etna Rosso and Etna Bianco from the volcano's slopes
Where to eat
- Granita and brioche at Bam Bar in Taormina
- La Capinera, on the sea below Taormina
- Lunch among the vines at an Etna estate
Where you sleep
Hotel Villa SchulerTaormina
Family-run villa from 1905 with a garden over the sea, in the centre.Why stay hereRun by the same family since 1905, with a terraced botanical garden facing Etna and the Bay of Naxos.See the home
Family-run villa from 1905 with a garden over the sea, in the centre.Why stay hereRun by the same family since 1905, with a terraced botanical garden facing Etna and the Bay of Naxos.See the home
Castello di San MarcoCalatabiano
17th-century castle with park and pool, between Taormina and the sea.Why stay hereA 17th-century castle in 4 hectares of parkland, with a private beach below Taormina.See the home
17th-century castle with park and pool, between Taormina and the sea.Why stay hereA 17th-century castle in 4 hectares of parkland, with a private beach below Taormina.See the home
Zash Country Boutique Hotel & SpaRiposto, Etna slopes
Wine estate under the volcano, ten minutes from the coast.Why stay hereA historic palmento, the old wine press, among the citrus groves of Etna, with spa and pool.See the home
Wine estate under the volcano, ten minutes from the coast.Why stay hereA historic palmento, the old wine press, among the citrus groves of Etna, with spa and pool.See the home
Plan it yourself, with help
Ask our assistant
This itinerary is a starting point. Tell the assistant your dates and constraints and it re-plans the stops on our homes, then checks the rooms.
- We only have a week: which stop do we cut?
- Same route in reverse, landing in Catania?
- Check the three homes for arrival on October 3
It answers in English, knows every home in our collection and can check live rates and book for you, in the chat. It does not know your budget or dates until you tell it.
