Golden Week in Sicily 2027
September 19-27 · Max 12 Guests · Exclusively for Women
Golden Week in Sicily
A Luxurious Journey through Sicily for women
Dates
September 19–27, 2027
Duration
9 Days · 8 Nights
Group Size
Max 12 Guests
Why this trip?
Designed for you, by women who know Sicily
Crafted for women, this adventure is conceived in collaboration with Experience Sicily and Susan Van Allen, author of 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go. For the past 15 years, Van Allen has designed Golden Weeks in Italy for Women, giving them immersive experiences that celebrate Italy’s feminine appeals – from sites where goddesses have been worshipped to encounters with female artisans and chefs. Golden Week in Sicily explores the places Allen includes in her celebrated book.
Every transfer is arranged. Every hotel is exceptional. Every experience has been chosen with care. With insider access that takes decades to earn, you will travel with the ease of every single detail arranged so you can arrive and simply enjoy. The only decision you need to make is what to wear to dinner.
What sets us apart?
Sicily Through a Woman’s Eyes
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The Feminine Soul of Sicily
This itinerary follows a thread most tours never find. A tour highlighting the women who built Palermo. The goddess temples of Agrigento. The ancient spring of Fonte Aretusa. Roman mosaics celebrating women.
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Meals Made with Love
A hands-on cooking class in a Madonie hill village. Paired lunch on the slopes of Etna. Market lunches, a farewell dinner in Taormina. Food is not an afterthought here. It is half the point.
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A Millenia of Beauty
The glowing mosaics of Monreale and Villa Romana del Casale. The Valley of the Temples at golden hour. The Teatro Antico with Etna behind it and the sea ahead. Sicily holds more UNESCO heritage than almost anywhere on earth.
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A Mermaid in Real Life
A sunset boat excursion along the Cefalù coast. The white cliffs of the Scala dei Turchi above a turquoise sea. The slopes of Etna among century-old vines. Sicily’s landscapes are as extraordinary as its history.
Your 9-day Journey
Every day is curated, every experience confirmed, and every moment of downtime is yours to spend exactly as you please.
Day 1
Sunday, September 19
PALERMO AIRPORT → CEFALÙ
Arrival & Your First Sicilian Sunset
Arrive in Palermo and transfer along the coast to Cefalù, your base for the first three nights. The evening begins with a guided walk through Cefalù’s Norman center, followed by a welcome dinner at sunset with the sea in front of you.
Day 2
Monday, September 20
THE MADONIE
Cook Like a Sicilian, Sail Like a Queen
Morning in a mountain hill village for a hands-on cooking class with a local chef. You’ll enjoy a lunch of your own making and leave with recipes worth keeping. Back on the coast by afternoon, the evening brings a private sunset boat excursion with aperitivo and a light dinner on the water.
Day 3
Tuesday, September 21
PALERMO
The Women of Sicily
A full day in Palermo with a specialist guide themed around the women who built this city. The Cathedral, the golden mosaics of the Martorana, the living chaos of the Vucciria market, lunch in the city, then the Cathedral and Cloisters of Monreale in the afternoon.
Day 4
Wednesday, September 22
AGRIGENTO
Goddesses at Golden Hour
After lunch at a woman-owned lemon farm, check in to a charming masseria in the Agrigento countryside. Visit Scala dei Turchi, then enjoy a private two-hour guided tour of the Valley of the Temples at golden hour, when the ancient columns turn amber and the light is extraordinary.
Day 5
Thursday, September 23
TAORMINA
Mosaics & Mountains
A guided visit to Villa Romana del Casale, the UNESCO Roman villa famous for its extraordinary mosaics, including the celebrated ancient depiction of women. Later, arrive in Taormina to settle in and enjoy a leisurely evening.
Day 6
Friday, September 24
ETNA
Wine & Theater
The day begins on the volcanic slopes of Etna for a private winery visit and a paired lunch. In the evening, tour the Teatro Antico, a Greek theatre overlooking the Ionian Sea.
Day 7
Saturday, September 25
ORTIGIA
An Island Within an Island
Pull up in style by vintage tuk-tuk in Ortigia, the ancient island at the heart of Siracusa. View the Fonte Aretusa where a freshwater spring meets the sea, and enjoy the open-air market, with lunch among the stalls.
Day 8
Sunday, September 26
SAVOCA
The Godfather & Indulgence
A guided morning in Savoca, the hilltop village where Coppola filmed the Sicilian scenes of The Godfather. Back in Taormina by midday for a free afternoon of shopping, exploring, or simply doing nothing beautifully. Enjoy a luxurious farewell dinner.
Day 9
Monday, September 27
TAORMINA → CATANIA AIRPORT
A Heartfelt farewell
Private transfers to Catania International Airport throughout the morning. You leave with new friends, a full heart, and divine spirit.
Your Tour Designer…
Allison Scola
EXPERIENCE SICILY’S OWNER AND CURATOR
Allison has spent more than a decade building bridges between Americans and the island she loves. Before founding Experience Sicily, she spent nearly 20 years in marketing and communications, and as a performing artist — she brings that storyteller’s eye to every tour she leads, peeling back Sicily’s layers to reveal what the guidebooks always miss: the human warmth, the ancient rhythms, the feeling of a place alive with its own particular genius.
Named an expert at the 2019 New York Times Travel Show, Allison is also the creator of the legendary Cannoli Crawl. She limits every group to 12 guests so everyone moves through Sicily with flexibility and ease.
A trip inspired by..
Susan Van Allen
AUTHOR AND CO-CURATOR
Susan Van Allen has been leading Golden Week journeys for women in Italy for over fifteen years. Her book, 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go, is the definitive guide to experiencing Italy through a feminine lens, celebrating the goddesses, artists, chefs, and visionaries whose stories the mainstream guidebooks too often overlook. This itinerary is shaped by her deep knowledge and her conviction that Italy is best experienced by women, in the company of women, guided by women who know where to look.
Your Trusted Tour Leader…
Alice Bifarella
EXPERT ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE
Born and raised in the heart of Sicily, Alice Bifarella is a licensed, professional tour guide who is enthusiastic and extremely passionate about her work. She leads her guests in what she imagines as her own “wonderland”: Sicilyland!
A native of Caltanissetta, Alice received an international education before choosing to return to her roots. She earned a degree in classics from the world-renowned Alma Mater at University of Bologna and a postgraduate master’s degree in art history and archaeology from the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes in Paris. In addition, she studied one year in Seville, Spain and took part in several archaeological digs all around the Mediterranean. From the beginning of her career, Alice has focused on promoting archaeology and art to the general public through her work as a museum educator for different institutions. She teaches history and archaeology and has been co-curator of exhibitions as well as authored many publications.
What’s included?
EXPERIENCES
- Private guided visits with licensed expert guides throughout.
- Hands-on cooking class in the Madonie hills.
- Sunset boat excursion with aperitivo along the Cefalù coast.
- Etna wine tasting and paired lunch
MEALS & STAY
- 8 nights in handpicked upscale boutique hotels in Cefalù (3 nights), in Agrigento (1 night), and in Taormina (4 nights).
- All breakfasts (8 total)
- 6 Lunches
- 4 Dinners
To learn specific details regarding lodging or wineries, email info@experiencesicily.com
LOGISTICS
- All private ground transportation throughout the journey, including arrival transfers from Palermo Airport and departure transfers to Catania Airport.
- All entrance fees & activity costs
- Fully escorted by experts
- Most gratuities for included services
Not included:
International flights, travel insurance,
5 independent meals, personal spending.
No doubts or worries…
Frequently Asked Questions
How physically demanding is the trip?
We rate this as easy to moderate. There will be walking on uneven ancient cobblestones with 2 to 5 miles of walking per day. Still, we rate it as “soft adventure.” If you can walk for two to three hours comfortably, you will be perfectly able to enjoy every experience.
Do I need to travel with a friend to join?
Most women on Golden Week trips come on their own, and they will tell you it’s one of the best decisions they made. The group is small by design, and the shared experience of a week like this creates genuine friendship very quickly. You will not feel like a solo traveler. You will feel like one of twelve.
I’ve been to Italy before. Will I still discover things?
Sicily is not the Italy most Americans have seen. Even seasoned Italy travelers find it revelatory. The combination of Greek, Arab, Norman, and Baroque influences creates something genuinely unlike anywhere else. And the angle of this particular trip, following the feminine history of the island with guides who specialize in exactly that, makes it distinctive even for those who know the landmarks.
What are the accommodations like?
We stay in carefully chosen boutique hotels and agriturismi that reflect the character and beauty of each location. Comfortable, charming, and with plenty of atmosphere — not generic chains. Rooms are air-conditioned doubles or singles (supplements apply for single travelers) with ensuite private bathrooms.
What if I have dietary restrictions?
Sicilian cuisine is wonderfully flexible! There’s an abundance of extraordinary vegetarian, gluten-flexible, and allergen-conscious dishes rooted in the island’s traditions. Please let us know your needs when you book and we’ll ensure every included meal works beautifully for you.
Is travel insurance required?
We strongly encourage all guests to purchase comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation, interruption, and medical coverage. Travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We’re happy to recommend providers if you need guidance.
What others are saying
From past Small Group Tour Participants
“Experience Sicily was the most amazing holiday we have taken. The attention to detail was outstanding the trip was made even better by a passionate individual who we could feel her love for the island. We couldn’t have been more pleased. Brava, Allison.”
— Anthony, Enchanting Sicily 2026
“Experience Sicily and its team, led by Allison Scola, is an excellent tour company to explore Sicily with. When you add Allison’s deep knowledge and personal connection to Sicily you have a tour that is both thoughtful and meaningful for all.
The small tour size of Experience Sicily tours make each tour intimate and comfortable. I traveled alone, but there were also couples and a family group. The age range was from 30 to the early 80s, and everyone got along and was respectful of each other. I’m generally not one who takes tours, but I truly believe that I would not have been able to travel to Sicily and experience everything I did without the expertise of Experience Sicily. I’m so grateful I invested in this trip.”
— Renee, Enchanting Sicily 2026
Additional Information About Experience Sicily’s Small Group Tours
- You can find our Terms & Conditions for Small Group Tours here.
- The boutique nature of this itinerary means that it is subject to change as we get closer to departure. Our objective is to include activities and events that are tailored to our guests’ interests. Therefore, in most cases, changes will enhance your experience, as it is our mission to provide you with the most memorable experience in Sicily.
- Details about our accommodations will be released once you have paid in full. All information will be emailed to you about 30 days before departure. A complete, printed trip packet with preparation information will be sent via post.
- Sicily is a large region that requires significant driving. It is also very mountainous and, as a result, has many winding roads. We have designed the itinerary to break up the driving as much as possible, but on some days, long drives will be necessary. If you suffer from motion sickness, please bring motion-sickness medication with you. Please alert Allison Scola as to what will make you most comfortable.
- You must be in good physical health to enjoy this tour. Although we will not be engaging in physically rigorous excursions, there is a significant amount of walking on various surfaces and types of terrain as well as standing for extended periods of time, especially at archaeological sites. NB Slower travelers may have to self-elect to refrain from various activities so not to inhibit the rest of the group’s enjoyment. If you require a cane or similar instrument to walk, please alert Allison Scola prior to registering for the tour.
- Please inform us in advance regarding any dietary restrictions, food allergies, physical limitations, and other personal concerns.
- Photographs or, in some cases, videos of participants of Experience Sicily may be used for educational and promotional purposes by Experience Sicily. Participants expressly consent to this manner of promotional use when reservations are completed.
- Experience Sicily appreciates constructive criticism and feedback. If you have any suggestions or issues while on the tour, please approach Allison Scola privately to discuss thoughts and solutions.
Golden Week in Sicily
Space is intentionally limited. If you feel the pull, trust it, and reach out to hold your place before the list closes.