Arts & Culture

The Best of Palermo and Monreale

Get to know Sicily’s Phoenician capital in an all-encompassing guided tour in and around Palermo. Start the day like a local with a morning shopping trip to Capo market, taking in the vibrant sights, sounds and streetfood of the fabled mercato. Appetites sated, the tour will next take you through the city’s boulevards, piazzas and ancient Old Quarter, past its palaces, churches and fountains, stopping off to take in the Quattro Canti – the four corners of the city – and the Duomo. End the adventure in a drive to the Arab-Norman architectural treasure of Monreale, a 12th-century town just outside of Palermo – the perfect end to a perfect Palermo day.

Walking Tour with Nicola Pucci - Exclusively for Our Forte Suite Guests

Uncover the secret streets and hidden corners of Palermo, on an art tour designed by Nicola Pucci especially for our Forte Suite guests. A talented painter, Nicola’s impressive career has seen his paintings displayed all over the world, in the Gagosian and Fendi collections.
Marvel at Giacomo Serpotta’s intricate stucco work at the Oratory of San Lorenzo, a masterpiece of Sicilian Baroque, and Adrian Ghenie’s vibrant, contemporary altarpieces in the Church of Madonna della Mazza. And when the special tour of the city is finished, Nicola will prepare an exclusive lunch for you in his incredible studio-house, tasting a selection of Sicilian wines.

Walking Tour with Francesco Domilici - Exclusively for Our Forte Suite Guests

Hailing from Bagheria, on the outskirts of Palermo, Italian photographer Francesco Domilici has exhibited in the prestigious Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. When you join his art tour, tailored exclusively for our Forte Suite guests, you’ll get an artistic view of the tree-lined streets of his quaint hometown.
Passing 18th century villas and the Guttuso Museum, you’ll visit the workshop of artisan Michele Ducato to observe the art of making hand-painted Sicilian carts.

Segesta, Erice and Trapani Salt Pans

A multi-stop tour taking in some of the island’s most geographically and culturally exciting spots, this expedition across western Sicily starts in Segata, where your guide will take you on a tour of the famous temple and Greek amphitheatre atop Mount Barbaro. Next stop, the medieval mountaintop town of Erice, with sweeping views over Trapani, the Aegadian Islands and, on a clear day, all the way to the coast of Africa. Stopping at Erice’s renowned pastry shop Pasticceria Maria Grammatico, you will finish the day in the remarkable salt pans at Trapani.

Cefalu' and Castelbuono

Take in two of Sicily’s most stunning sites on a guided day-trip to Cefalù and Castelbuono. Beginning with a drive to the captivating medieval village of Castelbuono, nestled in the Madonie Mountains, your guide will take you through its storied church, castle and charming cobbled streets, then onto Cefalù – a seaside city blessed by expansive beaches and a beautiful historical centre. Explore the old town, the 12th-century cathedral and its Byzantine mosaics before your driver takes you back to Palermo.

Jewish Palermo

An integral part of Palermo’s past, Sicily’s Jewish community saw the city’s synagogue reinstated in 2017 – 500 years after its abolishment. This fascinating, focused tour takes visitors through the history of one of Europe’s oldest Jewish communities – in Palermo since the sixth century – through the historic Jewish Quarter and the traditional miqveh, and onto the Duomo, the Hebrew-inscribed Zisa Palace and finally to Monreale town.

The Leopard's Locations

Film fanatics and newcomers to Sicily alike will delight in revisiting the locations chosen for filming the Leopard, a movie that surely left a mark on film’s history. Set in 19th-century Sicily and original novel by Lampedusa, step back in time whilst admiring the remarkable Villa Boscogrande and Palazzo Gangi, as well as Palazzo Lanza Tomasi, home to the novel’s author Prince Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa during our guided visits (locations may be visited individually or as a complete tour).

A theatrical night out with Villa Igiea and Teatro Massimo

For an unforgettable cultural evening in the Sicilian capital, enjoy a drink or dinner for two at Villa Igiea followed by a trip to the theatre. Teatro Massimo, Italy’s largest opera house, is highly regarded for its acoustics. Take in the drama of an opera or live performance in a theatre designed to look like a classic Greek temple. Choose from an early evening performance followed by dinner for two, or a drink before the 8pm curtain call. Begin your night with aperitivo hour at Villa Igiea, watching as the sun slowly dips below the horizon. Share your theatre review over a romantic three-course dinner, paired with wine at our restaurant Florio. No matter which experience you choose, leave the travel arrangements to us and we’ll ensure you arrive and leave the theatre in style.

Your experience includes:

• Transfer to and from the theatre
• Two tickets to a performance (please refer to Teatro Massimo’s calendar)
• Aperitivo or dinner for two
• From €154 per couple with an aperitivo
• From €224 per couple with dinner
• Subject to availability, advance booking is recommended

If you’d like to combine a stay at Villa Igiea with a night at the theatre, discover four special guest experiences created in partnership with Teatro Massimo.