Slow Sicilian. We're basing out of one villa in Melilli and fanning out for baroque towns, Greek ruins, granita at midday, and one chef-cooked dinner at home. No fast moves — we go at our own pace.
All 9 days plotted from Villa Giusy. Click any pin to jump to the day it appears in.
Click a day for the full plan, the map, restaurants, and add-ons.
One villa, eight nights. Sage suggested splitting nights between Ragusa and the Syracuse area. We chose to base out of Villa Giusy in Melilli the whole week. Less packing. Same kitchen each night, same pool, same view of the gulf each morning. The teens love it.
Mornings start later than they should. Most days we're rolling out around 9 or 9:30. Drive times shape every day — Etna and Taormina (Wednesday) is the longest, ~1:30 each way. Friday's Ragusa+Modica is similar. Everywhere else is closer.
One full rest day, mid-week. Thursday is on purpose. After Etna+Taormina on Wednesday and before Ragusa+Modica on Friday, we pool, we sleep in, we book a private chef to come cook. We all stay seated; the teens get a great Italian dinner without restaurant logistics.
Reservations matter. Cortile Spirito Santo (Mon), Cortile Arabo (Tue), Otto Geleng (Wed if going splurge), the chef-in (Thu), Locanda Don Serafino (Fri if going splurge), and one Ortigia spot (Sat) all need to be booked weeks ahead. The full list is on Planning.
Boston → Madrid → Catania, Friday Jun 19 evening into Saturday afternoon. Reverse on Sunday Jun 28.
Sicily by Car. Booking #716176178. $2,247.78. Paid in full 3/13. Pickup at CTA Saturday 8:30 PM.
8 nights. Half paid. Pool, terrace, kitchen, supermarket 3 min away.