TAILOR MADE

Of Arabic influence Sicilian markets have always been e constant flow of foreigner, trades and goods from other European and African countries. Markets are those places where what is necessary for the daily life of its inhabitants is sold, and their location is conditioned by the possibility of an easy influx of products and goods. 

They are the result of multiple factors and heterogeneous interests, which induce people to spontaneously go to a given place in the city, to stock up on those items necessary for their livelihood.  At the market, the passage of time, months and seasons is marked by the “abbanniate-shouting to promote the product”, those of fishmongers for example: sardines in January, minnuli in February, bogue in March, mullet in April, tuna fish in May, swordfish in June and gradually until December with moray eels.

Palermo, capital city of the Sicilian region and fifth largest city in Italy, stands on a bay at the foot of Monte Pellegrino, a headland described by Goethe as the loveliest he had ever seen. A littlejewel full of history thanks to its multicultural environment, filled with fountains and gardens, a seat of culture and knowledge that still preserves some of the great Arab-Norman buildings erected between the 9 th and 12 th centuries, as well as numerous Baroque churches and oratories of more recent date. 

Every street and corner of the city evokes its background of invasions, in art and in architecture. Visit the Norman Cathedral, the Royal Palace and the astonishing Palatine Chapel with your expert private guide and discover the historical center, haracterized by the maze of streets where magnificent treasures are hidden.

We all remember Savoca and Forza d’Agrò, hillside villages in the province of Messina, as famous locations chosen by the American director Francis Ford Coppola, in 1971, to shoot the scenes of “The Godfather”, considered a milestone in the history of cinema.  

Most of the shooting of the first chapter of trilogy took place in New York: the scenes that in the film are set in Corleone were instead shot in Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, Graniti, Motta Camastra, and precisely Savoca and Forza d’Agrò. The locations were therefore chosen on the basis of a criterion of logistical convenience and historical-environmental characteristics: in fact, they immediately appeared suitable of immortalizing Coppola’s masterpiece, considered by many to be the most beautiful film of all time. In this context,  for script requirements, the inscription “Bar Vitelli” was created on the entrance door of the ancient Palazzo Trimarchi, which over time has become one of the major tourist attractions for Savoca.

These two bronze warriors are superb examples of the ancient Greek technique of casting a life-size of large bronze statue as one continuous piece by the “lost wax” method. They were unknown until 1972, when they were found in the sea bed off the coast of southern Italy in Calabria, near the village of Riace. 

Apparently they had been taken from Greece aboard a Roman ship, when they were swept overboard, probably by a sudden storm. Luckily for us, entombed for thousands of years in sea mud that protected them from salt water, and because they were made by the Greek’s new casting process, they were still in superb condition.

Sicily like you’ve never seen it before. With an experienced crew, in this VIP journey you’ll soar over the island of Sicily by helicopter, like a celebrity passing some of the most breathtaking sights, you’ll cruise over Etna Volcano enjoying a unique view of the activity inside the main crater, Taormina with its beautiful Greek-Roman Theater and the Aeolian islands, to be amazed at the views from this height that you could not enjoy them otherwise.

Explore Sicily and its beautiful coasts with the spectacular Mediterranean crystal blu water. With your private crew and expert skippers you will enjoy new panoramas and new islands every day. 

With a private chef on board you will enjoy eating Sicilian culinary specialties prepared for you. You will also experience archaeological sites and diverse art and architecture treasures of Sicily.

Mozia & Marsala founded by the Phoenicians, were among the most important settlements for their trading routes in the Mediterranean,  genial sailors and merchants who have contributed to the creation of the “Koiné” a Mediterranean cultural community, producing an intense exchange of manufactured articles, people and ideas. 

Centuries later a gentleman form England “Mr. Joseph Whitaker”  took  root on this island, starting the excavations that still today never cease to amaze us with the artifacts brought to light, one of which is: “The  Motya charioteer” , a marble statue dating from the ancient Greek classic period 470bc.

Sicily, land of  an overwhelming quantity of Castles & Noble Palaces as a strong testimony of medieval architecture,  built in strategic positions they dominate the surrounding valleys, often with mighty crenellated walls and lively internal decorations created on frescoed walls to recall the opulence of the noble families of the place. 

From the Imperial period of the Roman domination with the Roman Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina, to the Palazzo Valguarnera Ganci in Palermo XVIII century, from which Luchino Visconti drew inspiration for the setting of the ball in the film based on the homonymous novel, The Leopard of 1963, representing the lifestyle and the architecture of all the people that ruled this island.  

This experience is your opportunity to enjoy a day with private Chefs & Sommeliers that will give you a cookery class in a very special atmosphere, a Sicilian winery or even a private house, discovering the best of Sicily history, folklore and local food. You will learn secrets, skills and the knowledge that was passed from generations to Sicilian families, improved by our professional and passionate Chefs. 

Learn about the origins of all the products used during the cooking class and the meaning behind each dish, related to all the different dominations and influences left from the people that came to Sicily in the past centuries. An experience that will let you savor the best flavors of our country and leave you with a great knowledge of the Sicilian cuisine.

Enjoy a full-day excursion in Cefalù , located about 70 kilometers far from Palermo within the Park of Madonie mountains, where you can explore , the old fisherman's quarter and see the magnificent Cathedral and the Rocca.  Its large and golden sandy beach, as well as its charming center, with a marked medieval imprinting – narrow winding alleys of cobblestone leading to panoramic balconies overlooking rocky cliffs and the Tyrrhenian Sea, hiding plenty of stunning treasures, such as the public laundry, also known as “Medieval laundry”, that can be accessed through a lava-stone staircase under Martino Palace, as well as other beautiful palaces from the Renaissance such as Palazzo Piraino, the Bishops Palace and the Seminary.

After continue to Castelbuono, a particular and unique village.  Due to its privileged position and long history, it is a place where art and nature meet. It is especially famous for the castle which its name derives, the “good castle”, which was built by the noble Ventimiglia family in the 14th century. It is also very well-known for the Manna, a solidified sugary sap that flows from incisions made on the trunk of ash trees, that grow  particularly in  the areas around Castelbuono. Then, you can taste an original “Panettone”, an Italian  traditional Christmas cake and a very tasty Sicilian pastry.

Explore Taormina on foot , the most  beautiful town in Sicily  an hold hilltop town full of history and culture,  perched on a cliff overlooking the Ionian sea. Visit the Greek Theatre that was originally built by the Greeks and rebuilt later by the Romans, overlooking the surrounding countryside and Mt Etna, views from the Amphitheatre are spectacular. Later drive to Castelmola, a real natural terrace built around the ruins of a Norman castle . A tiny hamlet with even more sensational views, best enjoyed with a glass of local almond wine from  a very strange local café: the Bar Turrisi. The magazine Focus included it among the “seven most special places in the world”. Inside everything is in the shape of a phallus. It is a strange and embarrassing place for someone a happy landing place!

Sicily has always been one of the regions in Italy with the oldest wine-growing tradition since the Phoenician era , however, it was the Greeks who introduced advanced viticulture and the sapling technique that we still use today to grow our vineyards. 

In the 1700s, during the Viceroys government,  one of the most highly prized wine was born, Marsala,  followed by a vast selection and competitive wines today exported in most countries of the world. We will show some of the most prestigious wineries in Sicily and give the opportunity to taste some of our best wines. 

A full day experience nearby Palermo, in the area between Bagheria, Aspra and Porticello. A short drive from Palermo to the main fishing port/fish market of the metropolitan city area of Porticello where to embark on a boat tour along to coast passing by the charming coves and grottoes of the village of S. Elia, Capo Zafferano and Arco azzurro in Mongerbino. Our boat is definitely comfortable but small and agile in order to admire as closest as possible all the highlights of the area. Later on move to the village of Aspra where people has always lived on fishing and fish canning/preserving industry: can you imagine one the main local surnames is actually Sardina (Anchovy)? A visit to the tiny but amazing Anchovy Museum accompanied by the folk entertainment by the founder Michelangelo Balistreri will also be the chance to taste their organic preserved fish products. To complete the day a visit to the mysterious Villa Palagonia in Bagheria awaits you. This is a patrician villa built from 1715 by the architect Tommaso Napoli and is one of the earliest examples of Sicilian Baroque. Its popularity comes mainly from the statues of monsters with human faces that decorate its garden and its wall and earned it the nickname of "The Villa of Monsters". This series of grotesques, created from 1749 by Francesco Ferdinando II Gravina, Prince of Palagonia, aroused the curiosity of the travellers of the Grand Tour during the 18th and 19th centuries, such as Patrick Brydone and W. Goethe, the artist Jean-Pierre Houël or Alexandre Dumas, prior to fascinate surrealists like André Breton or contemporary authors like the painter Renato Guttuso from Bagheria itself. (8 hours, boat tour, driver) 

A full day tour with a visit to the Norman town of Cefalù and Zabbra Manna farm in Pollina. Your tour commences with a privately guided visit to Cefalù, located along the coast not far from Palermo, to see the stunning Cathedral set in the charming net of medieval alleys of this seaside town.  In 1131, Roger II, first Norman king of Sicily, started the construction of the Cathedral to fulfill his vow to the Saviour after his shipwreck along this coast. The result is a fabulous and fascinating fusion of architectural styles, artistic traditions and religious symbolism which characterize the Arab Norman achitecture. A scenic drive along the coast and then through the Madonie mountains will later lead you to Manna di Zabbra Farm.  Here manna doesn’t fall from the sky but flows from the ash trees, a typical crop of Castelbuono and Pollina. A visit led by the farmer Valerio to the ash tree groves with explanation of the production tecnique will be followed by a tasting and a lunch including the farm's organic food. (8 hours, driver and guide in Cefalù).

A full day experience with a boat tour around Isola bella and Savoca village. Drive to the port of Giardini Naxos where to embark on an exciting boat tour along the coast of Taormina. Stops at the lava flows of Alcantara river mouth, the bay of Naxos, the amazing Isola Bella, the smallest naural reserve in Sicily, with chance to stroll there on your own. Sail up to Capo S. Alessio, the view on board swells from Etna to Calabria in continental Italy! A soft lunch will be served on board. In the afternoon a short drive along the coast will lead you to Savoca where to wander on your own. This small village owes its fame above all to the film “The Godfather” which has transformed the “Bar Vitelli” into a very famous place: it is located at the entrance of the village where you can admire filming memories and where you can enjoy a delicious lemon granita. The church of S. Nicolò was the set of the wedding between Al Pacino and the Sicilian "Apollonia".  Aside from cinema, Savoca boasts stunning views along the coast and the Strait of Messina. (8 hours, driver).

A full day tour with a visit to Tenuta Rasocolmo a winery and Messina city. A nice drive along the eastern coast of Sicily and over the strait of Messina leads you to northern coast  where Rasocolmo estate lies among the vineyards in front of the Aeolian Islands. Restoring what was once his family farm, in 2004, Francesco Giostra Reitano renovated the abandoned estate of over 10 hectares. Though it had been left to the elements, it is now converted into a beautiful and luxurious winery on the promontory of Capo Rasocolmo. The vineyard, cultivated exclusively in DOC Faro, extends over an area of three hectares. Francesco will host you in the renovated ancient stone farmhouse for a private visit including a tasting of four wines and a light lunch. In the afternoon move to Messina city for the privately guided visit at Regional Museum, a modern building hosting art masterpieces including two Caravaggio paintings as well as remains of the architecture of the city destroyed by the earthquake in 1908. Brief stop at the Duomo to admire the Astronomical Clock of the bell tower, considered one of the biggest and most complex worldwide (8 hours, driver and local guide in Messina).

A full day tour with a visit to Noto and a local farm. Your goal today is Val di Noto, the geographical area of south east Sicily, was once described by an unknown author as a "pure joy… a perfect marriage of colour and light found nowhere else on earth." Your full-day excursion takes in the dramatic, honey-coloured, Baroque facades so typical of the area. The architectural treasures of this region is matched by the culinary wealth of its cuisine based on unique local crops; this land of sensual delights is a heaven for those looking to indulge the senses. First stop is at a local farm immersed in the tranquil countryside of Noto, today managed by the young Concetto who inherited the family enterprise. Here he raises autochthonous sheep (Comisana and Noticiana breeds), makes sheep cheese and farms almonds, lemons and carobs. He will personally introduce you to his farm, visiting animals, fields and providing a delicious light lunch including all of his seasonal specialties. Later on move to the lovely town of Noto for a privately guided visit including the splendid Cathedral, renowned for the beauty of its architecture, opulent marble altars and recently-added frescoes. The entire town has been reconstructed 10 kms away from the original site after the devasting earthquake of 1693 in a unique architectural style defined Sicilian late-Baroque (8 hours, driver and local guide in Noto).

A full day tour with truffle hunt at Feudo Bauly and visit to ancient Akrai. An amazing experience tour on the Hiblaean plateau. Bauly Fief is a noble property dating back to 1300, the residence also belonged to the Baron Gabriele Judica, the one who started the excavations of the Greek Theater at ancient Akrai. The estate boasts a private wood where you are invited to join an exciting private truffle hunt and to see their breeding farm of black pigs. A lunch including the estate organic products will be served. In the afternoon a short drive leads you to the archaeological site of ancient Akrai. It was among the first colonies of Syracuse founded by Corinthian colonists on the peak of a hill, difficult to attack and at the time of its construction an ideal point for watching the surrounding territory. Baron Judica undertook the first archaeological excavations of the archaic city in the early 19th century which revealed a small but well reconstructed theatre. There are also two stone quarries known as Intagliata and Intagliatella that were used as catacombs and dwellings in the late Antiquity. On the flat area above Intagliata are the foundation stones of the Aphrodision, the temple of Aphrodite, erected in the mid-6th century BC. (8 hours, driver).

Driving out from Noto, towards the southeast Tip of the Island, a very intimate archaeological site will be the hidden gem of today.The Roman Villa del Tellaro was discovered in the 70's. Underneath a traditional sicilian farm, an hidden treasure of well preserved mosaics from the later Roman Empire will be part of a guided tour. Beside the more famous Unesco Heritage of Piazza Armerina, Villa del Tellaro offers a unique opportunity in this part of the Island. 
After a lunch in a nearby farm, continue to Syracuse for a walking tour of Ortygia, first foundation of one of the most important cities of the greater Greece. A great example of Greek style in some case melted to Baroque architecture, moreover the mithology constantly evoked in every story about this magic place.