Sicily in Slow Season

A 7-Night Retreat Between Etna, Taormina & The Sicilian Coast

April 4-11

Villa in Sicily

A slower, deeper side of Sicily.
Warm autumn light, volcanic vineyards, elegant coastal towns, long lunches, and the feeling of living in Sicily rather than simply visiting it.

Your private villa near Mount Etna becomes home for the entire week, allowing the retreat to unfold at a gentle rhythm with minimal transfers and plenty of time to truly relax.

Day 1 — Arrival & Sicilian Golden Light

Arrival: Private luxury pickup at Catania Airport.

Drive through citrus groves and lava stone villages as Mount Etna rises in the distance.

The Villa: Check into Villa Costa Etnea, your private luxury home for the week. Elegant suites, panoramic terraces, Mediterranean gardens, and views stretching toward the sea.

Afternoon: Relax by the pool with aperitivo and Sicilian bites as the sun begins to set behind Etna.

Dinner: Welcome dinner prepared by a private chef featuring handmade pasta, fresh seafood, local vegetables, volcanic wines, and traditional Sicilian recipes.

Day 2 — The Soul of Catania

Morning: Late breakfast before departing for a curated food and culture experience in Catania.

Experience: Slow-paced private food tour through the historic center and fish market. Discover Sicily through small family-run cafés, bakeries, salumerie, and pastry shops.

Tastings may include:
Arancini, cannoli, pistachio specialties, Sicilian cheeses, granita, fresh seafood, and traditional street food loved by locals.

Lunch: Relaxed multi-course lunch inside a historic trattoria.

Afternoon: Gentle exploration of baroque piazzas and lava-stone streets with time for espresso stops and shopping.

Dinner: Light dinner boards and Sicilian wines back at the villa.

Day 3 — Mount Etna & Volcanic Wines

Morning: Scenic drive through Etna villages and vineyards.

Experience: Private visit to a boutique Etna winery during harvest season. Learn how volcanic soil shapes Sicily’s most elegant wines.

Lunch: Vineyard lunch overlooking Mount Etna paired with mineral-driven Etna wines and seasonal Sicilian cuisine.

Afternoon: Panoramic exploration of Mount Etna at accessible viewpoints with no difficult walking required.

Return to the villa for relaxation.

Dinner: Slow dinner at the villa with local meats, seasonal vegetables, Sicilian olive oil, and wines from nearby estates.

Day 4 — Taormina, Ancient Theatre & Coastal Elegance

Morning: Departure for Taormina.

Visit the legendary Ancient Greek Theatre, one of Sicily’s most breathtaking historic sites, with panoramic views over the sea and Mount Etna.

Afterward, enjoy a relaxed stroll through Taormina’s elegant streets filled with artisan boutiques, cafés, hidden courtyards, and flowering balconies.

Lunch: Long seaside lunch overlooking the Ionian coast with fresh seafood and crisp Sicilian white wines.

Afternoon: Free time for shopping, granita, or simply enjoying the atmosphere of Taormina at a slow pace.

Dinner: Return to the villa for aperitivo at sunset and a relaxed evening together.

Day 5 — Ortigia & Sicilian Evenings

Morning: Slow breakfast and relaxed departure for Ortigia.

Explore the timeless beauty of Ortigia through its elegant piazzas, sea views, hidden alleys, artisan boutiques, and baroque architecture.

Lunch: Leisurely seafood lunch.

Afternoon: Free time to wander, shop, or sit at a café overlooking the sea.

Aperitivo: Sunset aperitivo in Ortigia with Sicilian wines and small local bites as the golden light reflects across the harbor.

Dinner: Return to the villa for a cozy dinner.

Day 6 — Sicilian Producers & Harvest Traditions

Morning: Visit a traditional countryside farm near Mount Etna producing artisanal Sicilian cheeses.

Possible experience at a local producer such as Caseificio-style family production or a small Etna-area dairy specializing in pecorino and ricotta traditions.

Meet the producers, learn traditional methods, and enjoy tastings of local cheeses, salumi, olive oil, bread, and preserves.

Lunch: Rustic farm lunch featuring hyper-local seasonal ingredients and traditional Sicilian countryside dishes.

Afternoon: Continue to a nearby Etna winery during harvest season for a more intimate wine experience among the vineyards and cellars.

Dinner: Relaxed evening back at the villa with wines from the day’s visit.

Day 7 — Olive Oil, Antiques & The Sicilian Farewell

Morning: Private olive oil tasting experience at a local producer near the villa. Discover the traditions behind Sicilian extra virgin olive oil and taste different harvest styles paired with fresh bread and local products.

Afterward, visit a historic antique and artisan shop near the Etna villages, where Sicily’s layered history comes alive through ceramics, vintage furniture, textiles, and collected treasures.

Lunch: Long farewell lunch inspired by traditional Sicilian family gatherings.

Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the villa, pool, and final moments together.

Dinner: Grand Farewell Dinner with private chef. A candlelit evening celebrating the flavors of Sicily — volcanic wines, seafood, citrus, pistachio, handmade pasta, olive oil, and the connections created throughout the week.

Day 8 — A Gentle Arrivederci

Morning: One final Sicilian breakfast overlooking Mount Etna and the sea.

Transfer: Private luxury transfer back to Catania Airport.

You leave Sicily slowly, carrying its warmth, flavors, and rhythm with you long after the journey ends.

What’s Included

• 7 nights at Villa Costa Etnea, a private luxury villa between Mount Etna and the Sicilian coast
• Private airport transfers from and to Catania Airport
• Elegant en-suite accommodations with private bathroom
• Daily breakfasts at the villa
• All lunches and all dinners included throughout the retreat
• Welcome Dinner with private chef featuring traditional Sicilian cuisine and volcanic wines
• Curated food experience in Catania including tastings of local specialties and street food traditions
• Private Etna wine tasting experiences and vineyard visits during harvest season
• Visit to Mount Etna with accessible panoramic stops and cultural exploration
• Visit to Taormina including the Ancient Theatre
• Visit to Ortigia and Sicily’s eastern coastline
• Private Sicilian cooking and culinary experiences
• Visit to local artisanal producers including cheese, olive oil, salumi, and countryside traditions
• Grand Farewell Dinner with private chef at the villa
• All ground transportation during the retreat
• Small intimate group experience designed for comfort, relaxation, and authentic connection

What’s Not Included

• Flights to and from Sicily
• Travel insurance (mandatory)
• Personal expenses and shopping
• Additional alcoholic beverages outside included tastings and meals
• Optional spa treatments, massages, or wellness services
• Independent activities not included in the itinerary
  
• Gratuities for drivers, guides, or staff

The Details

Dates: April 4-11 2027

Group Size: Small intimate group

Vibe: Relaxed luxury, authentic Sicily, slow travel, incredible food, volcanic wines, and meaningful connection.

This retreat is designed for travelers who want to experience Sicily deeply — not through rushed sightseeing, but through atmosphere, flavors, people, and the rhythm of everyday Sicilian life.

Booking Information

Your place in Sicily is waiting.

Once your reservation is confirmed, you will receive all retreat details along with access to our private guest WhatsApp group where the journey begins long before arrival.

Whether you are traveling solo or with friends, every detail is designed so you can simply arrive, slow down, and experience Sicily at its most authentic and beautiful.

Our retreats are intentionally designed around small, family-run businesses, local producers, and authentic seasonal experiences. Because of this, we reserve the right to make adjustments to the itinerary when necessary in order to provide the best possible experience.

Activities, restaurants, wineries, or experiences may occasionally be substituted with equal or higher-quality alternatives based on seasonality, weather conditions, local availability, or operational needs.

The order of activities and days may also change throughout the week to ensure the smoothest and most enjoyable experience for the group.

A final confirmed itinerary will be shared with all guests approximately 30 days prior to the retreat start date.

Please note: Regardless of your chosen installment plan, the total remaining balance must be paid in full at least 30 days prior to the retreat start date.