Embark on a self-catered holiday to Sicily with your family, plan your day and enjoy your own corner of shade poolside. Home to 50 miles of unspoilt coastline, hiking trails, the sweetest tomatoes from Pachino, almonds, tuna delicacies and regional specialties to wash down with Cerasuolo di Vittoria, South-east Sicily is an amazing region to uncover with us.
DOWN TO SICILY’S SOUTH EAST
Flying either into Comiso or Catania airport, pick up your hire car and drive to Sicily’s southernmost region. A quiet and authentic region filled with a wealth of cultural and culinary attractions, this area had been destroyed by an incredible earthquake in 1693 and rebuilt in a such unique Sicilian version of the Baroque style that earned the area the UNESCO world heritage patronage.
Picture 8 Baroque towns built of honey coloured stone and lit by a golden light, surrounded by a pristine countryside on one side and kilometres of coastline on the other.
YOUR VILLA
Your home in South-East Sicily will be a brand new two-bedroom villa with a private pool and a jacuzzi on the roof to unwind at sunset. From a fully equipped kitchen to try your hands at pasta alla norma with the best tomatoes in Sicily and big sun-kissed aubergines, to 230 sqm of garden to chill out in your own corner of shade poolside or sunbathe on the sun loungers as much as you want, your villa features all the amenities for the most relaxing holiday for you and your family.
The closest village, Marina di Ragusa, is 1.2 km away while the beautiful towns of Ragusa, Modica and Scicli are within 20-30 minute drive.
BEACH TIME
Children will love their pool but be sure to make the most of the 50 miles of unspoilt coastline, pristinebeaches and sand dunes of the South-east. Head to Vendicari Nature Reserve to unwind on wild and uncrowded beaches or on a lazy day drive just 5 minutes to the historical Lido Azzurro da Serafino. Founded in 1953, this beach club has the same 50’s atmosphere and you’ll have the chance to lunch on sensational seafood dishes “pieds dans l’eau”.
On a breezy day we’ll arrange a boat a disposal to sail along the south coastline and disembark in Marzamemi for a granita in one of Sicily’s prettiest fishing villages.
After a day at the beach, nothing beats a stroll through the historic districts of Ragusa Ibla, Modica and Scicli. Sit in Ibla’s main piazza for an ice cream or along the canal in Scicli for an aperitif, or go for an early pizza dinner at a delightful bar amidst unexpected gardens on the steps of Modica Cathedral.
FAMILY DAYS OUT
There are some very good reasons around here to force yourself out of the villa and to give up the beach for a few hours and they won’t make the children regret it either.
Head off to Modica for an exciting treasure hunt. The earthquake that destroyed the city in 1693 also buried an old secret codex belonging to the county of Modica thatyour children will have to find while they adventure up and down the hills of Modica. Games, riddles, and challenges to delve into the history of the city before stepping into a private home for a fun class and learn how to make the typical Modicano chocolate.
Choose the day when your guide will take you for a very special breakfast at the dairy. Yes, ricotta must be made in the morning and every morning in the Ragusa countryside the milk from reared in the wild Modican cows, goes into the pot to make ricotta. It takes about an hour of cooking over a wood fire and the ricotta begins to flake, rising to the surface and ready to eat, sweet and fragrant.
Kids can try their hands at making provola before moving to an ancient watermill to cook together pasta and pizza.
Tonight treat yourself to a long-lasting tasting menu at a Michelin restaurant (there are three of them in the area! these small towns are a real gourmet paradise) while the kids are enjoying their evening with our babysitter.
Don’t miss the chance of taking unique hikes combining archaeology and nature. You’ll explore with our expert guide natural reserves with deep gorges excavated in the course of millenniums by the rivers forming little lakes where bathing is possible and wonderful in summer.
Or take a spectacular circle route across the Hyblaean Mountains, a limestone plateau cut by numerous river valleys called “cave”. The cave has an immense network of trails made of stairs, dirt roads, mule tracks and passages between farms. Our trail is a treasure trove of historical and archaeological cave structures in a lush Mediterranean vegetation. The caves dating back to the Bronze age, were inhabited through Greek, Roman and the Middle Ages right through to the 1950’s. You’ll break for sweets and coffee at our guide’s own house, a refuge right in the hearth of the valley.
SIRACUSA, THE CITY OF ARCHIMEDES
On day 8 after checking out from your villa, head to Siracusa for a final few days in a country boutique hotel just outside the town. A stop along the way in Noto is not to be missed, and while you’re at it, sit down for a granita at an outdoor table at the legendary Cafe Sicilia.
Tomorrow devote a day to the beautiful Siracusa. One of Italy’s most beautiful towns, much of the city’s charm is wandering aimlessly through its tiny streets and by chance discover unique views on the sea at the end of a narrow alley.
You’ll be met by our guide for a private tour to explore the city of Archimedes and of the Greek mythology. From the brilliant inventions of the ancient genius and scientist to the charming myth of Arethusa and Alpheus, your visit will include the huge Archaeological park of the Neapolis where your guide will tell more charming legends maybe about the tyrant Dionysius who used the cave called Ear of Dionysius as a prison for political dissidents, and thanks to the perfect acoustics of the cave he could ear the plans and secrets of his captives.
From one legend to another you arrive at Ortigia’s vibrant and colorful food market. Here you’ll taste all manner of delicacies and have the catch of the day cooked right in front of you for lunch, while for one evening in town we’d be happy to reserve a table at our favorite trattoria.
As your time in Siracusa comes to an end, a wonderful final day awaits you. Sail out with our captain along the south coastline of Siracusa and swim in the emerald-coloured waters of Plemmiro.
Tomorrow enjoy one more Sicilian breakfast before driving yourself to Catania Airport and catching your flight back home.
The present itinerary and the suggested accommodation are just examples to give you an idea of what your customised trip may look like. Get in touch to design together your very own trip to Sicily.
when to go
Apr-Oct
transport style
Self-drive
length
10 nights
with WHOM
Family
where will you stay
DON SERAFINO VILLAS
Owners of well-known Locanda Don Serafino & maître de maison of the Michelin restaurant of the same name lauched their brand new two-bedroom villas with private pool and jacuzzi last year. Our favorite one features: 75 sqm in internal area and 470 sqm outdoor area and garden - private pool - 1 double bed bedroom with ensuite bathroom and 1 twin bed bedroom with external bathroom. The closest village, Marina di Ragusa, is 1.2 km away while the beautiful towns of Ragusa, Modica and Scicli are within 20-30 minute drive. Comiso airport is 33 km / 40 min away while Catania airport is at 120 km / 90 min.
DONNA CORALY COUNTRY BOUTIQUE HOTEL
Set amidst an orange grove, the ancient Sicilian farming estate hosting Donna Coraly is a place where history has been made as the armistice between Italy and the Allies was signed right here on September 3, 1943. Your Superior Suite features a double room with king-size bed and a second bedroom with a sofa, a private furnished garden, tiles from Caltagirone and precious fabrics matching perfectly with contemporary art works.
About FAMILY Way of Travel
Splashing in a turquoise sea in the morning and finding potsherds on a archaeological trek amidst Greek temples in the afternoon should get the whole crew on board. Still in doubt? add a couple of active volcanoes as giant playgrounds.
Two more reasons, a serious one: you’ll be in expert hands who have been dozens of times with their families to all these places. A less serious one: no one more than Sicilians “love The Family”!
