Experience Sicily

I was looking for an immersive Sicily experience for my mom and I, and we found that and so much more with Experience Sicily. The Stirring Sicily trip with Allison Scola and Rossella Rago, plus the prelude, took us all around the island with unique and memorable boutique experiences. Allison is a multi-talented, calm tour leader and excellent historian/storyteller. Rosella was fun and encouraging, and the handsome driver Massimo got us everywhere safely. It is fairly intensive but Allison does build into the schedule some slower or later days and little gelato breaks. The accommodations were clean and charming, although Villa Cefalà needs to invest in new mattresses. I would not hesitate to recommend Experience Sicily!

Alison and her team at Experience Sicily are extraordinarily skilled and professional. I trusted them with every facet of a nine day tour of Sicily for my family. They delivered with exactly what we discussed during our consultations and more. Every detail was planned to perfection. I use travel agents for international travel regularly. I have never been this impressed. All of the experiences and stays were personally curated by Alison. Our local guides Guiseppe and Valeria treated us like family. The frequency of communication and tech used to keep our plans current was ideal. Sicily is complicated. It’s easy to plan a generic, touristy experience. If you would rather have an authentic, curated experience then I can strongly recommend this team. I wouldn’t dream of traveling in Sicily without their help.

Experience Sicily is the best and only way to tour Sicily. I enjoyed my trip thoroughly. Allison and her team are professional and detailed oriented. We enjoyed Sicilian street food, learning about Sicilian history and culture, visiting ancient temples, a boat excursion, wine tastings, cooking class, and authentic Sicilian hospitality. I highly recommend you tour with Experience Sicily. You will not be disappointed.

Our 12 day personalized, independent tour of Sicily was fabulous! We met guides each day for a good combination of historic/cultural tours and in-person experiences with Sicilians in their businesses and homes. The car rental and driving went well with GPS navigation even though the reception gets a bit confused in the narrow streets of medieval villages. Allison was always available to make last-minute adjustments through WhatsApp and Trip Plans. April is a wonderful time to travel in Sicily with few other tourists; fresh, colorful flowers through the countrysides and perfect temperatures. Observing preparation for Easter throughout Sicily during Holy Week and the procession of the Stations of the Cross in Trapani was especially memorable.

We just returned from our customized 15 day tour of Sicily and can’t stop thinking about just how amazing this trip was. We took advantage of the Experience Sicily concierge package which left nothing to chance. Allison and her team were there within moments to respond to every question. From hikes, to cooking classes to a beautiful boat ride, every adventure was better than the last. Learning about this amazing country, eating the delicious foods and meeting lots of new friends along the way added up to a trip we will never forget. I can’t say enough about what a wonderful time we had. I’m still tasting the pasta and cannolis!!

We've been back 10 days and the fairy dust that Allison and her team sprinkled on our Sicilian adventure has not worn off. My friend and I are over the moon with how stress free and marvelous our curated tour to beautiful and friendly Sicily was. We were cared for every step of the way. Loved our drivers, tour guides, cooking instructor (Annalisa!) and hotel staff. We are active women in our 60s -70s. Never felt any qualms, anywhere. Gals (especially), get out there and Experience Sicily! Grazie mille Allison, Ciao, Rebecca

We recently returned from an exceptional 8-day custom hiking and cultural tour of southeastern Sicily, with Ragusa serving as our home base. Our small group of five travelers enjoyed a well-planned and expertly executed itinerary, led by an outstanding hiking guide. Transportation was provided in a comfortable new 9-passenger Mercedes van, ensuring smooth travel between destinations. The weather cooperated beautifully for most of our trip, with only one rainy day slightly impacting our outdoor activities. Our morning hikes were predominantly classified as "easy," though we did encounter one "moderate" trail that presented a challenge due to slippery terrain, adding a bit of excitement to our journey. Our experience was enriched by a diverse array of cultural activities. Highlights included a visit to a chocolate factory, a hands-on cooking lesson at a local farm, and an enlightening tour of an agriturismo. The itinerary struck a perfect balance between group dinners and free time, allowing us to explore independently when desired. Visiting during the off-season meant we encountered few other tourists, lending a peaceful atmosphere to our explorations. However, this timing also meant some restaurants were closed for the season, slightly limiting our dining options. The company owner, Allison, is a New Yorker who began exploring her Sicilian roots in the late 1990s. She founded her tour company a few years ago, now offering various trips throughout Sicily, and has become a full-time resident and citizen near Palermo. Her calm demeanor under pressure and extensive knowledge of both modern and historical Sicily greatly enhanced our experience. Overall, this trip is highly recommended for those seeking a blend of outdoor adventure and cultural immersion in a less-traveled part of Sicily. It offers a unique opportunity to experience the region's beauty and rich heritage in a thoughtfully curated and well-managed setting. Joe and Mary Portsmouth, RI

Allison customized a memorable, turnkey week in Sicily based on our interests that she learned about over zoom. She planned day trips and outings with drivers and guides to wonderful destinations. We were interested in art, history, and food. We visited Greek ruins at Selinunte, Norman-Arab cathedrals in Palermo, walked the streets of Palermo with art historians and foodies, experienced village life with a trip to the cheesemakers farm, and ate in the home of locals. It was so nice not to have to stress over driving!! We look forward to our next trip to Sicily and would love to go on an Experience Sicily trip to explore a different part of the island.