Western Sicily & the Aegadian Islands

Begin your holiday with included airport lounge access before your flight to Palermo. On arrival, a transfer will be waiting to take you to your elegant, Art Nouveau-style hotel in the city centre. In the evening, perhaps head out for an optional tour in a classic Ape Calessino for a food tasting tour with a local guide, giving you the opportunity to sample authentic Sicilian cuisine while experiencing the buzzing city of Palermo by night. 

After breakfast, venture out into the Sicilian capital, perhaps visit major landmarks such as the 12th-century Palermo Cathedral, the majestic Teatro Massimo (Italy’s largest and grandest opera house) and the ornate Norman Palace, which previously served as a royal residence and now houses Sicily’s regional government. Maybe visit the nearby hilltop town of Monreale, home to a resplendent cathedral featuring an eclectic mix of Norman, Arab and Byzantine architectural influences and some of the world’s most intricate mosaics. Together with several other prestigious structures in Palermo, Monreale and Cefalu, it forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site that showcases the island’s diverse cultural heritage.

This morning, you’ll leave Palermo behind, taking a private transfer towards the western port city of Trapani. Along the way, you’ll make a stop in the charming seaside town of Castellammare del Golfo (home to a medieval fortress and a sandy beach), and pass the tiny hamlet of Scopello, and the spectacular Zingaro Nature Reserve. This stretch of coastline is particularly scenic, with towering cliffs, craggy sea stacks, turquoise waters and footpaths winding among palms, cacti, olive trees, and an array of other Mediterranean flora. It’s a glorious setting for a stroll, keeping an eye out for bird species such as peregrine falcons and Bonelli’s eagles as you go. You’ll be spending the next two nights at an elegant Trapani spa hotel.

Stay: Palazzo Gatto Art Hotel and Spa, Trapani

Although often viewed as a gateway to the Aegadian Islands rather than a primary destination, there’s plenty to see and do in and around the city of Trapani. Accompanied by a guide, you’ll have time to explore its baroque churches and palaces, seafront promenade and windmill-dotted salt pans, where flamingoes can often be seen during spring and autumn. You’ll also visit the nearby hilltop village of Erice, whose 12th-century Norman castle, beautiful public gardens and maze of cobblestone streets make it a delight to explore at a leisurely pace. Later on, perhaps enjoy an authentic Sicilian dinner and wine tasting back at the hotel. 

Stay: Palazzo Gatto Art Hotel and Spa, Trapani

Today, you’ll be taken to the port to catch a ferry to Favignana, the largest of the Aegadian Islands – an archipelago of three main islands and two smaller islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Despite being just a few miles off the coast of Sicily, these islands have their own distinct feel about them, along with a plethora of gorgeous beaches and impressive sea caves. You’ll be staying in a beautifully renovated 19th-century rural ‘baglio’ (agricultural estate) a short distance from the main town on the island. Perhaps enjoy an afternoon boat tour offering the perfect introduction to Favignana’s picturesque coastline.

Stay: Mangia's Favignana Resort

Having familiarised yourself with Favignana, perhaps explore one of the other Aegadian Islands by boat today. The smallest of the three main islands, Levanzo, has just one tiny whitewashed village, excellent walking trails and secluded coves where you can swim in crystal clear water. The Genovese Cave, with its prehistoric rock art, is also well worth seeking out. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the archipelago’s abundant natural wonders. You will also have leisure time to enjoy your resort and its facilities.

Stay: Mangia's Favignana Resort

Board a ferry back to Sicily, where you’ll continue your journey along the west coast to Marsala, a city renowned for its baroque old town, atmospheric piazzas and world-famous, fortified dessert wine. It’s then time to slow things down a notch or two, as you arrive at a luxury hotel in the the historic centre of Marsala. You’d struggle to picture a more idyllic setting than this to spend the next couple of nights of your Sicilian adventure.

Stay: Grand Hotel Palace, Marsala

You have the whole day free to make the most of the hotel’s superb facilities. The beach is only a short stroll away, too, so you can always venture down to the power-soft sand for a sunbathing session or a dip in the sea. If you’d rather be out and about, there’s also the option of taking a trip to the ancient mountain village of Caltabellotta, one of the oldest and most dramatically situated settlements in Sicily. At nearly 1,000 metres above sea level, the panoramic views from here are quite magnificent. 

Stay: Grand Hotel Palace, Marsala

Your Sicilian adventure continues along the south coast, making stops at the historic fishing town of Mazara del Vallo, where North African influences run deep, particularly in the labyrinthine Kasbah district. Be sure to also check out the Norman-era Cathedral of the Holy Saviour and the grand central square, Piazza della Repubblica. Then your drive will continue along the coast to Scala dei Turchi – a gleaming white limestone and clay cliff that resembles a staircase sculpted by the wind and sea. Enjoy time on the beach before heading to your homely, boutique accommodation in the countryside just outside Agrigento. Set within a renovated 19th-century country mansion, it prides itself on warm hospitality, natural wellness treatments and organic, farm-to-table dining to create a truly authentic and relaxing rural Sicilian experience. 

Stay: Baglio Della Luna, Agrigento

Take a step back in time as you explore the Valley of the Temples on a guided tour. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed complex comprising eight temples and a necropolis, in a valley filled with olive and almond trees, is considered one of the best-preserved ancient Greek archaeological sites in the world. Spanning 1,300 hectares of ruins dating back to the sixth century BC, it offers a fascinating insight into Sicily’s distant past. Enjoy lunch at the Kolymbethra Garden, a green oasis in the Valley of the Temples where the fragrant scents of oranges and lemons swirl through the air. The afternoon is yours to spend at leisure, perhaps taking the opportunity to explore the historic centre of Agrigento. 

Stay: Baglio Della Luna, Agrigento

Today, you’ll cross from the south coast to the north coast, traversing Sicily’s mountainous interior en route to Cefalu. Framed by a 268-metre high cliff topped with the remains of a medieval castle, and fringed by a sandy beach that stretches for several kilometres along a crescent-shaped bay, it’s undoubtedly one of the most enticing towns on the Sicilian coast. Settle into your five-star boutique hotel, set among Mediterranean gardens overlooking the sea, just to the east of Cefalu town centre, where you’ll be based for the last two nights of your holiday. Kick back and relax at the beach, cool off in the outdoor pool, or pamper yourself at the spa. There’s even the option of renting SUPs and canoes, or joining in with a yoga session by the seafront. 

Stay: Baia del Capitano, Cefalu

As you marvel at the 12th-century Norman cathedral and meander through the maze of narrow, cobbled alleyways that carve through the old town, it’s difficult not to be captivated by Cefalu’s medieval ambience. Head out and visit the town’s most significant landmarks and learn all about its Greek, Arab and Norman heritage. Afterwards, you’ll have time to peruse the array of artisan shops, cafes, bars and gelaterias on offer, perhaps followed by an hour or two at the beach. If you’re up for the challenge, meanwhile, consider making the hike up to the top of the Rocca di Cefalu for fabulous views over the town from above. The Bastione Capo Marchiafava, meanwhile, is the best place to watch the sunset overlooking the sea. 

Stay: Baia del Capitano, Cefalu

Enjoy one last breakfast at the hotel before a private transfer back to Palermo Airport to catch your flight home.