Highlights
Discover Sicily from a private luxury perspective. Let us bring you into historical houses, hard-to-get private palaces, as guests of the owners.
About the Palaces
Palermo, Palazzo Ajutamicristo which originally dates back to the late 15th century, has been continuously expanded and modified throughout the centuries.
The frescoed ballroom ceiling is particularly interesting. Representing "The Glory of the Virtuous Prince", painted by Giuseppe Crestadoro, it crowns a large room leading to the flowered terrace.
The Palazzo, listed as a National Monument and a part of the Italian Historic Houses Association, has a historical tradition for hosting important national and international events.
Palermo, Palazzo Valguarnera Gangi, known to most people for being the location of the famous ball scene in the film by Luchino Visconti's ’The Leopard’, is the most beautiful 18th century building in the city. Still owned by a direct discendent of the Valguarnera family, for over three centuries, the Palace continues to host distinguished guests including Queen Elizabeth, Edward VII, Richard Wagner.
Meticulously maintained and restored, the dazzling beauty of its rooms reflects the Princess' personal impeccable attention to every detail.
Catania, Palazzo Biscari is one of the oldest palaces in the city, a precious relic of the Sicilian Rococo past. Preliminary construction of the palace itself began in 1702 after the catastrophic earthquake of 1693 that destroyed half of Sicily. Its spectacular octagonal hall with its Rococo artwork is the highlight of this seven hundred room palace.
Siracusa, Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco. The building dates from the Middle Ages, now largerly rebuilt in the late 18th century. Built around an enclosed courtyard, it's a perfect example of Sicilian Baroque architecture with canted facades adorned with twin columns, angelic cherubs, and exquisite statuary - all highlighted by the architect's skillfull exploitation of natural lights and shadows in his work.
Programma
First day: Palermo, Night in Palermo
Arrive at the airport of Palermo, meeting with you tour escort and transfer to the hotel.
Guided walk through the historical centre: the refined cathedral, the enormous renaissance fountain of piazza Pretoria, Porta Nuova, built in honour of Charles V, the red Arabic bulge domes of the church of San Cataldo, the baroque church of Santa Caterina. In the mishmash of artistic styles you observe while walking you will find it difficult to fall in love with one single style.
Welcome dinner in a private house in a small historical residence.
Accommodation: 5-stars Hotel
Meals included: Dinner
Second day: Palermo, Night in Palermo
Early in the morning we will go to Ballarò, a colorful fruit and fish market, in the middle of which you will even find, hidden, a wonderful baroque church.
Then, we will have the rare opportunity to visit one of the most famous palaces in Palermo: Palazzo Valguarnera Gangi, where Visconti filmed the opulent ballroom scenes in his cinematic version of Tomasi di Lampedusa's The Leopard; we will be received by the Princess.
The city of the contrasts... tasting Sicilian street food.
Hidden among the narrow streets, the fifteenth century walls of Palazzo Abatellis guard the famous fresco of ‘The Triumph of Death’ by an anonymous that could be considered a Sicilian precursor of Guernica and other treasures as the Virgin Annunciate by Antonello da Messina.
Dinner by the fireplace in a wine bar and library.
Accommodation: 5-stars Hotel
Meals included: Dinner
Third day: Palermo, Monreale, Night in Palermo
In the morning we will go to Monreale and visit the Arab-Norman Cathedral, its Byzantine mosaic - the second largest on earth, after St Sofia in Istanbul - and the adjacent Benedictine cloister. Later, we will visit the Cappella Palatina. Despite its small size, this chapel on the first floor of the Royal Palace, dating from the mid-12th century, was considered by Guy de Maupassant “the most precious religious jewel ever sprung on a human mind and artists’ hands.”
Later we will be received by the Baronessa Calefati at Palazzo Ajutamicristo and lead through the rooms and the XV century loggia, "Cortile del Petrosino", which open out towards two ample courtyards, flush with exotic palms, oleanders and banana trees. This will be the place to have a tea or a coffee with Sicilian pastry.
In the afternoon you will have time for leisure. Dinner in an excellent restaurant tasting the traditional Sicilian cooking.
Accommodation: 5-stars Hotel
Meals included: Dinner
Forth day: Palermo, Catania, Biviere di Lentini, Night in Siracusa
Leaving Palermo we will lead towards Catania, the elegant and austere city under Mount Etna; with its large streets made of black lava stone, leading up the slopes of the mountain. We will have a guided visit of Palazzo Biscari with refreshment offered.
Halfway through Catania and Siracusa we will visit the beautiful "Biviere di Lentini" where the princess hosting us will tell about the myth of Cerere set in this exotic private garden.This Mediterranean garden has become something quite unique withan extraordinary collection of succulents,rich palms, blue Jacarandas, the sunny flowers of Parkinsonia and antique roses which embrace the Yucche.Time should come to a standstill to be able to fully appreciate and enjoy these intense moments of beauty and tranquility.Dinner and overnight in hotel in Siracusa.
Accommodation: 5-stars Hotel
Meals included: Dinner
Fifth day: Siracusa, Night in Siracusa
Today we will devote a full day to Siracusa. After breakfast in hotel, let’s have a walking in the historical center of Ortigia, you will see the Arethusa fountain, the Dome, Palazzo Bellomo, one legend after another. Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco, on the rectangular square of Syracuse, it lays in front of the Cathedral which was constructed by using the pillars of a temple as the four angles.
In the afternoon we will visit the Arcaeological area, the Greek Theatre and the Dionysus Ear.
Accommodation: 5-stars Hotel
Meals included: -
Sixth day: Noto, Ragusa Ibla, Night in Modica
Today we will lead towards Noto, time to admire this beautiful baroque town, one of the seven baroque towns part of world heritage defined by UNESCO. You will be flabbergasted by the honey yellow of the tuff stone in which they had been rebuilt. The Sicilian unique baroque style has imposed during a surge of rebuilding following the massive earthquake of 1693 in the Val di Noto area; it has a strong identity with its grinning grotesque masks and putti and a particular flamboyance. Definitely a jewel of architecture: Ragusa Ibla, with its medieval lanes, churches and palaces that are among the most beautiful late-Baroque buildings, decorated with burlesque masks and golden stone laces.
Accomodation in a charming hotel in Modica located in an aristocratic palace. We suggest to have dinner in the Michelin-star awarded restaurant of the hotel.
Accommodation: 5-stars Hotel
Meals included: -
Seventh day: Modica, Scicli, Donnafugata Castle, Night in Modica
The morning will be dedicated to Modica: as you walk along the streets you will first of all notice the steps, which are a characteristic of the town. Visit St. George Church, taste the famous chocolate: the history of modician chocolate dates back in the past, when Modica was related with Spain and consequently with the ancient civilization of Mexico, the Aztec.
Later, we will visit the Castle of Donnafugata. This remarkable castle is an example of eclecticism due to various interventions made by the owners. It is altogether an emblematic example of how aristocratic families were bound to the Sicilian countryside; they used to live in the residences for many months a year and, furthermore, these residences served as a place from which the farming of the lands was controlled. Farewell dinner.
Accommodation: 5-stars Hotel
Meals included: - Dinner
Eighth day: Leaving
After breakfast, transfer to Catania airport. This journey comes to an end, hope you enjoyed it.
Date & Quote
Year round - Quote: on request
Booking & Cancellation Policy
HOW TO BOOK
You can initiate a booking by sending an enquiry by e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephoning us directly 0039 091 583728, or sending an enquiry online at our website formwww.privatesicily.it . You will be contacted by a member of our staff within 48 hours (working days). We will send you a proposal and quote for the services required. Once we have receiced your written confirmation we will confirm all the service by issuing and sending via e-mail a pro-forma invoice. Please check this pro-forma invoice carefully as soon as you receive it and contact us immediately if there is any wrong information about you or the services confirmed.
GUARANTEED DEPARTURES
The tours marked as guaranteed departures will depart as scheduled with the minimum number of participants specified in each tour. We will confirm the tour 30 days before the scheduled day. We try to make every departure work and only cancel when absolutely necessary and we may decide to operate a tour with less than the normal minimum number of people.
If your tour is cancelled because the minimum size group is not met, you will have the option to either transfer to another tour or receive a full refund of the deposit paid.
PAYMENT
Usually to confirm your booking, we require a deposit of 30% of the total quote, and the balance is required 30 days before departure ; we will specify when different conditions apply in your pro-forma invoice.
CHANGES
Any changes to your confirmed booking, must be notified us in writing. Whilst we will endeavour to assist, we cannot guarantee we will be able to meet the requests. Changes in party size which result in a decrease in the overall cost of the booking will be treated as a partial cancellation and our normal cancellation charges will apply.
CANCELLATIONS
Any cancellation should be made in writing (by e-mail).
Following penalties (% of total invoice) will be applied for cancellations made:
If different conditions apply, they will be specified in the booking process.