Sun-Soaked Sicily: A Family Road Trip Across Italy’s Idyllic Island

The Sicilian capital is home to many treasures that can be enjoyed on foot, from old-fashioned palaces, to bell towers and shaded squares. Today, you’ll discover Palermo in the company of a private guide during a tour specially designed for families, with architectural wonders blended with fun activities to keep young travellers entertained. Highlights include UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Palatine Chapel and the cathedral; colourful market stalls; the murals of the old town and the tropical gardens. Be sure to check out a pupi show too. The Sicilian puppets occupy an important place in the culture of the island and performances are packed with crazy characters, sword fights and monsters, which are sure to enthral audiences of all ages. Other must-sees include the catacombs; the collections of the Abatellis Palace; Mondello beach; and the markets of Vucciria, Il Capo or Ballaro.

After a hearty hotel breakfast, collect your rental car and drive for two-and-a-half-hours to Trapani, stopping en route at Zingaro Nature Reserve. The first protected park in Sicily, it stretches between the villages of San Vito Lo Capo and Scopello, and a five-mile path runs along the coast, promising superb sea views and plenty of opportunities to spot local fauna and flora. The main trail is dotted with small paths leading to pretty, secluded coves. The reserve is also home to several small museums set up in shepherd's huts, immersing you in the history of Zingaro. In Scopello, be sure to lay down your beach towels on Tonnara’s beautiful beach, before continuing the drive and checking-in for three nights in the pedestrianised area of old Trapani. Your suite is fully equipped to ensure comfort and autonomy, but if you don’t feel like cooking, there’s an excellent on-site restaurant serving Sicilian favourites.

For the next two days, you’ll have the chance to explore the charming coastal city of Trapani and its beautiful surroundings. Don’t miss a trip to Cala Rossa and Cala del Bue Marino, two idyllic coves bathed in turquoise waters, and inject some history into your trip while visiting the ruins of Selinunte, the theatre and temple of Segesta, or the archaeological site of Motyé. For something a little different, we can arrange a pesto-making workshop at a farm near Trapani. The first step is to gather the ingredients from the olive grove and the vegetable garden, harvesting them according to the season. Then comes the long-awaited preparation of pesto alla trapanese, a delicious sauce made with fresh basil, almonds, garlic and tomatoes. Tradition dictates that all the ingredients are ground into a fragrant paste using a pestle and mortar. The vibrant pesto is then eaten immediately, served with bruschetta or pasta. Active families may also wish to hop aboard a dinghy for an exciting trip to Favignana Island.

It takes around two-and-a-half hours to drive to Agrigento, where you’ll spend one night in an 18th-century watchtower overlooking the Valley of the Temples which comes with a Mediterranean garden planted with olive and lemon trees for nature lovers, and a hot tub and a solarium for hedonists. To continue the immersion, the restaurant serves delicious dishes using the best ingredients of the Sicilian terroir. Be sure to use your tickets to the Valley of the Temples, a stunning archaeological site featuring well-preserved ancient Greek temples.

Syracuse is a pleasant two-and-a-half-hour drive from Agrigento. The road is dotted with excellent detours, most notably the superb UNESCO World Heritage site of Ragusa, as well as Modica and Noto. After the journey, check-in for three nights in a characterful 19th-century farmhouse a few miles outside the city. Boasting beautiful gardens and a swimming pool, children can enjoy safely splashing around while the grown-ups relax. Enjoy a blissful treatment at the spa while the little ones play ping-pong or table football then come together at the restaurant, savouring sophisticated Sicilian cuisine. A particularly nice touch is the local orchards which ensure a delicious supply of fresh juices every morning.

Spend the day exploring the delightful waterfront city of Syracuse, wandering the medieval streets, enjoying coffee and ice cream in the piazzas and admiring the sea views which encircle the isle of Ortigia, the oldest part of the city. Founded by the ancient Greeks, Syracuse was where Plato first flirted with politics, hoping to influence the city’s ruler, Dionysius the Younger. Ultimately unsuccessful and even briefly imprisoned, he returned to Greece and founded The Academy. Syracuse went on to become a powerful city-state and a cultural centre, ruled by tyrants and later by the Roman Empire. Today, it’s an UNESCO World Heritage site attracting travellers young and old with its impressive Greek theatre and Roman amphitheatre.

After soaking up the island’s man-made sights, consider a little trip to sample Sicily’s natural beauty. The Cavagrande del Cassibile is known for its splendid canyon, the deepest in Europe, and a series of crystal-clear waterfalls with large natural terraces warmed by the sun’s rays. Visitors can hike down the canyon and swim in the lakes, surrounded by breath-taking scenery. Meanwhile, Vendicari Reserve, south of Noto, will delight water babies with its beautiful wild beaches. Alternatively, play apprentice archaeologists on the island of Ortigia, led by a private guide.

Take the two-hour road to the north-east of the island, checking in for three nights on the outskirts of Randazzo, in an old farmhouse on the slopes of Etna. Your property for the night combines comfort and refinement with a sublime natural setting. The garden and pool are playgrounds for all generations and as a final flourish, the restaurant serves delicious local cuisine freshly sourced from the property’s organic vegetable garden.

Get set for a day of discovery. In the company of an expert guide, start by exploring the villages on the eastern side of Mount Etna. Then, above the orchards of lemon and orange trees, enter the forest, where larch, birch, beech, poplar, oak and chestnut trees provide welcome shade. Higher still, you’ll reach the area of crevices and craters, before exploring an enormous lava tunnel. The kiddos will love learning about the volcano’s history and geology, before collecting volcanic rocks as souvenirs.

The nearby town of Taormina makes for a great day trip, and it would be a shame to visit Sicily and not wander its charming little streets. The town is perched on a hilltop overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, offering stunning views of the coastline and Mount Etna. Start by exploring the ancient Greek theatre, which dates to the third century BC and is still used for performances today. Visit the local craft shops and stop for a gelato or a coffee at one of the many cafes. Don’t miss the beautiful Piazza IX Aprile and the stunning cathedral, which features impressive Baroque architecture and intricate mosaics.