Combine the magic of the Sicilian countryside with beautiful Baroque towns. Indulge a few days in a less travelled corner of Sicily to savour the place slowly and catch its authentic essence.
Discover awe-inspiring scenery while hiking with your guide and bike across gentle hills filled with carob, almond and olive groves. Baroque buildings, a sun-baked countryside and a coastline with endless sandy beaches will be the backdrop of your holiday.
The ideal length of this itinerary is 4-5 days and you can combine it with any itinerary in Sicily. It’s perfect at the beginning of your trip if you need a few days to wind down, or in the middle of a classic circuit that takes you across Sicily from west to east to linger a few days in this beautiful area.
UPON ARRIVAL
Flying either into Catania or Comiso airport pick up your hire car and drive to the South-eastern countryside where you’ll be staying at the lovely Baglio Occhipinti Resort and Farm.
Our friend Fausta Occhipinti runs this refined countryhouse and produces extra virgin olive oil, fruits and vegetables, while her sister is the proud owner of the award-winning Arianna Occhipinti Winery.
A glass of Cerasuolo di Vittoria in hand, you’ll admire the stunning landscape around the farm before dining in the olive tree garden.
Good morning! Feel free to pick the oranges, mandarins and figs from the trees.
After a homemade breakfast and a dip in the pool head off to explore this quiet and authentic region filled with a wealth of historical, cultural and culinary attractions. Picture 8 Baroque towns built of honey coloured stone and bathed in golden light. This area was destroyed by a powerful earthquake in 1693 but rebuilt in a such a unique Sicilian version of the Baroque style that it earned the area the UNESCO world heritage patronage. Today your local guide will take you to Ragusa Ibla, a jewel of Baroque architecture, and through the old districts of Modica strolling up and down the maze of narrow alleys and stairways that connect the town.
BEACH TIME
Sicilian sun may be hot in summer so 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 let us reserve you a spot at an exclusive beach club or at a historical lido with a 50’s atmosphere and where you can lunch on sensational seafood dishes “pieds dans l’eau”. Back from a day at the beach go to Scicli for an almond milk in one of the bars with tables outside on the beautiful Via Mormino Penna.
On a breezy day we’ll arrange for a boat to be at your disposal for the day to sail along the southern coastline and disembark in Marzamemi, one of Sicily’s prettiest fishing villages.
CULINARY PARADISE
As this region is a culinary paradise, you’ll spend days sampling local specialties, from the stuffed-bread scacce at friendly little spots to one of the numerous trattorie or a splendid lunch at Accursio’s restaurant. Hidden away in the narrow streets of these small towns are 3 Michelin starred restaurants. We will arrange a private driver to take you to a fabulous dinner during your stay.
Tomorrow you’ll join the home chef in the organic garden to select the vegetables and cook some of the Occhipinti family’s wonderful recipes together. And in the afternoon you’ll head to honey-coloured Noto for a pleasant guided stroll. Here the architecture, the layout of the town and the light combine to create a spectacular ‘Baroque stage set’. On the main street filled with bars and cafès the most charming spot (and the best almond granita of your trip) is Caffè Sicilia, Corrado Assenza’s historic cafè.
On your way back you’ll stop at the Arianna Occhipinti Winery for an amazing tasting of her award-winning wines and tonight enjoy one more dinner in the convivial atmosphere of the Baglio.
HIKING & BIKING TRAILS
The next day you can take to the Hyblaean Mountains for a day hiking in natural reserves of incomparable beauty. Deep gorges have been excavated in the course of millenniums by the rivers forming little lakes where bathing is possible and most refreshing in summer. For those who prefer biking follow your guide on a slightly downhill slope to the coast, crossing ancient bridges and hills dotted with stone walls, carob, almond and olive trees.
And if you started daydreaming about a trip down here after watching the series of the detective Inspector Montalbano TV series, you’ll have a great time.
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-Dec
transport style
Self-drive
length
4-5 days
with WHOM
Couple/Family
where will you stay
Vittoria, Baglio Occhipinti
This itinerary has been designed with the charming Baglio Occhipinti as your homebase. A country house dating back to 1860 immersed in the Cerasuolo vineyards and producing extra virgin olive oil, fruits and vegetables. 10 rooms with lovely Sicilian tiles, an old palmento, a huge garden and a big living room to chat with the landlady while tasting the family’s excellent wines. There are also a few other handpicked properties in South-eastern Sicily that would be most suitable for this itinerary. From a luxury country resort with a contemporary twist set amidst olive groves to a luxury B&B in the most beautiful palazzo in Noto with original frescoes and exclusive Italian linen or luxury lodges scattered about in an olive and lemon tree grove, each of these properties reflects in its unique way the essence of this amazing corner of Sicily.
About CULTURAL DISCOVERY Way of Travel
This is all about diving into Sicily’s lifestyle with lots of immersive cultural experiences and time with the locals. Get ready to explore so many Sicilies.
"So many Sicilies, why? Because, over the centuries, Sicily has had the fate of being the hinge between the great Western culture and the temptations of the desert and the sun, between reason and magic, and between the mildness of sentiment and the heat of passion.” (G. Bufalino)
