From the Greek temples of Agrigento to the baroque gold of Noto and the volcanic slopes of Etna, Sicily done properly
8 days
|From $4,800 pp
From the Greek temples of Agrigento to the baroque gold of Noto and the volcanic slopes of Etna, Sicily done properly
Sicily is not quite like anywhere else in Italy, or anywhere else on earth. The largest island in the Mediterranean has been fought over, settled, and shaped by Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and Spaniards, and every one of them left something behind.
The result is a culture of extraordinary depth and a landscape of almost implausible beauty, from the Valley of the Temples rising out of the Sicilian hillside to the baroque towns of the southeast that glow gold in the late afternoon light, from the chaotic brilliance of Palermo’s street markets to the clifftop glamour of Taormina with Etna smoking on the horizon.
Your driver meets you at Palermo Airport and transfers you to your hotel in the heart of the city. Palermo is a capital that takes a little time to reveal itself, and tonight is for settling in, a first walk through the old town as the evening comes alive.
Two days in one of the most architecturally extraordinary cities in Europe. Palermo’s Arab-Norman heritage is unlike anything on the Italian mainland, a product of the remarkable medieval kingdom that made Sicily a crossroads of Islamic, Byzantine, and Norman culture.
The Palatine Chapel, built by Roger II in the twelfth century and covered floor to ceiling in Byzantine mosaics, is one of the great interior spaces in the world. The Cathedral, the Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti with its distinctive red domes, and the Martorana are all within walking distance and all astonishing.
The second day belongs to the markets. The Ballarò and Vucciria are among the last great street food markets in Europe, chaotic and extraordinary and entirely un-curated for tourists. Sfincione, panelle, arancini eaten standing at a counter that has been there for generations.
A private transfer takes you southeast from Palermo to Agrigento, home to one of the most remarkable ancient sites in the world.
The Valley of the Temples is a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing some of the best-preserved Greek temples outside Greece itself, built in the fifth century BC when Sicily was part of Magna Graecia and Agrigento was one of the most powerful cities in the Mediterranean.
The Temple of Concordia, almost perfectly intact after two and a half thousand years, is a sight that stops people in their tracks.
Do Not Disturb arranges a private guided visit with an archaeologist who brings the history and the politics of ancient Sicily to life in ways the standard visit cannot. An overnight in Agrigento or the surrounding countryside.
East from Agrigento into the Val di Noto, a corner of Sicily that was almost entirely rebuilt after a catastrophic earthquake in 1693 and emerged as the most concentrated collection of baroque architecture in Europe.
Noto is the jewel, a town of honey-coloured stone that glows in the afternoon light with an intensity that feels almost theatrical. Ragusa Ibla, the medieval lower town of Ragusa, is similarly beautiful and rather less visited.
North from the baroque southeast to Taormina, the clifftop town that has been drawing travelers since the nineteenth century and shows no signs of losing its appeal. The setting is almost absurdly dramatic, a medieval town perched on a cliff above the Ionian Sea with Mount Etna rising behind it, snow-capped for much of the year and gently smoking at almost all times.
The Greek Theatre is the centrepiece, built in the third century BC and positioned to frame Etna perfectly in the background of the stage. It is one of the great views in Italy and worth the visit on its own terms. The town itself is small, walkable, and exceptionally well served by hotels and restaurants at the luxury end. Check into your property, take the afternoon to explore, and enjoy dinner with a view
A morning on Europe’s largest active volcano. Do Not Disturb arranges a private guided excursion onto the upper slopes of Etna, through landscapes of solidified lava, craters, and pine forests that exist nowhere else in Italy.
The guide brings the geology and the history of the mountain to life, including the extraordinary wines produced in the volcanic soil of the lower slopes, which have become some of the most sought-after in Italy over the past decade.
A tasting at one of the leading Etna wineries rounds off the morning before the afternoon returns you to Taormina for a final evening on the cliff.
A late checkout, a final coffee looking out over the sea, and your driver transfers you to Catania Airport for your onward flight.
Experience the Vatican as few ever do — in the calm of evening, guided by those who know its secrets best. This exclusive after-hours visit reveals the artistry and emotion behind the world’s most famous collection, offering time to pause, reflect, and truly see.
Step into Trastevere — the Rome locals keep for themselves. Wander ivy-lined streets with a private historian, meet artisans still shaping the city by hand, and pause for an unhurried meal in a hidden courtyard. A Do Not Disturb experience revealing the soul of Rome through ease and access.
Experience Rome’s culinary artistry in complete ease. From private gardens to hidden terraces, Roman Dining in Style is a Do Not Disturb moment where food, setting, and connection come together in perfect harmony.
Step beyond Rome’s busy streets into its quietest spaces. From Trastevere’s hidden courtyards to the grand gardens of Tivoli, The Roman Garden Escape is a Do Not Disturb experience designed for stillness, beauty, and time shared with those who matter most.
Step inside Rome’s greatest monument in rare quiet. The Colosseum, Unveiled is a Do Not Disturb experience that reveals the arena’s hidden layers — from its underground chambers to its silent grandeur — guided by those who know its stories best.
Step through the ruins that shaped the modern world. Walking Through Time: The Roman Forum Reimagined is a Do Not Disturb experience revealing where power, philosophy, and architecture first met — and how the story of civilization still echoes between these stones.
Step into Rome’s most enduring masterpiece. The Pantheon is a Do Not Disturb experience revealing the harmony between light, structure, and spirit — an encounter with timeless design that continues to define the modern world.
Step into the light and shadow of Caravaggio’s Rome. From hidden chapels to private collections, Caravaggio’s Rome is a Do Not Disturb experience that reveals the artist’s genius as it was meant to be seen — intimately, quietly, and in place.
See Rome through a modern lens. Modern Rome: Art, Design & Aperitivo is a Do Not Disturb experience revealing the city’s evolving creative spirit — from hidden studios and private galleries to an aperitivo shared above the skyline.
A private visit to Leonardo’s Last Supper offers a rare chance to see one of the Renaissance’s most important works in near silence. This moment reveals the mural’s true scale, its fragile beauty and the architectural harmony of Santa Maria delle Grazie, all without the rush of standard viewing slots.
A private tour of the Duomo di Milano reveals the cathedral’s immense architecture, centuries of craftsmanship and the quiet beauty of its terraces, all without the pace and crowds of standard visits. This is Milan’s most iconic landmark experienced with time, clarity and space to appreciate its details.
Experience a private gondola ride in Venice through peaceful canals. Avoid the crowds with a romantic, tailor-made tour led by expert gondoliers.
Tell us how you want to feel, we’ll take it from there.
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