An Insiders Travel Guide to Sicily. Things To Do and See.

Irene Forte and Her Travel Guide to Sicily

Irene has spent a lot of time in Italy, particularly Sicily over the years. We asked her to share her insider tips of sustainable, things to do and see!

First a big thank you to Irene and a bit more about her and her natural beauty brand.

Irene is the founder of Irene Forte. An Italian natural beauty brand that uses all that Sicily has to offer! Each product is carefully curated using natural ingredients grown on a beautiful organic farm at Verdura Resort in Sicily, free from any chemical interference. The brand uses natural ingredients. These include organic olive oil, hibiscus, and rosemary. Then carefully blended with the icy fresh mineral water from Sicily’s mountainous Madonie Regional Natural Park. This produces products that deliver extraordinary benefits without compromising your skin. 

Irene Forte uses each ingredient in line with the ideals of a Mediterranean diet. For good health, and to provide the skin with a wealth of vitamins. As well as fatty acids and antioxidants to nourish, rejuvenate and protect the skin. Committed to environmental responsibility, they plant thousands of new plants and botanicals each year. They also have a rainwater harvesting system and solar panels. This ensures their production has a positive impact on the environment.

I first stepped foot in Sicily itself in 2003 when I explored the area that later became Verdura Resort, home of the organic farm from which our principle ingredients are sourced. When the resort opened in 2009, I devoted a year to working there. During which I fell in love with the people, the culture, the food and the natural spirit of the island. Sicily been at the crossroads of so many civilisations, so there’s so much to see.

You also have mountains, islands, sea and even a volcano in the landscape – it’s nature at its finest. The people are the very best hosts and have retained a strong sense of family tradition. While the food is all about organically farming the highest quality ingredients cooked in the most deliciously simple way. When I travel to Sicily, I feel like I’m going back in time – to an eco-friendly, natural way of doing things.  

– Irene Forte

Places To Stay in Sicily:

Verdura Resort

This is my absolute favourite place to go, located on the south west coast of Sicily. This resort is on 230 hectares of olive groves and Sicilian countryside, bordering 1.2 miles of coastline. I worked here, have our organic farm here, it’s home to our biggest Irene Forte Spa, and I also did my wedding here – this is why it’s extra special to me. 

In terms of sustainability, Verdura has a 360 degree approach; I have just shared a few examples. There is a water harvesting system at the resort which provides water to all of the farm and estate. Thousands of new plants and trees are planted each year. There are also solar panels. The organic farm (which is also where I source the ingredients for my skincare from) supplies 0km ingredients to the resort’s five restaurants.

In the restaurants, where ingredients or produce don’t come from the farm, they come from other local suppliers. Fish is caught daily. The Geraci water served throughout the resort comes from the Madonie Regional Natural Park in the North of Sicily (and also in our skincare). The wine list features an extensive selection of Sicilian wines from both larger vineyards such as Planeta, Di Giovanna (which is in our skincare) and more niche producers in Etna. The 4000 square metre Irene Forte Spa at the resort focuses on sustainability, just like our products, and is indeed accredited by the Sustainable Spa Association.

Villa Igiea

Perched amid terraced gardens and palm trees, offering panoramic views of the bay of Palermo, this is a turn-of-the-century iconic property. Every effort has been made to preserve the hotel’s unique heritage by involving the local community and drawing on its expert knowledge and talent. Not only in design, but additionally in the building’s actual construction, local workers and artisans from the region were employed. The furnishings are all made in Italy – and many in Sicily – to support local enterprises and artisans. For example, every maiolica tile was either reclaimed or custom designed by Scianna Ceramiche, the oldest artisanal producer in Bagheria, east of Palermo. 

I also have a very fun, quirky Irene Forte Spa there, which also focuses on sustainability. All my Irene Forte Spas promote the local community. Sicilian ceramics feature throughout. Sicilian hand-made bells start and end our spa treatments made by hand at a bell foundry near our farm, and we also use volcanic stones gathered from Sicily’s Mount Etna by an artisan in many of our treatments.

Dimora delle Balze

This is a very cute 11-key boutique hotel on the other side of the island by Noto. It’s a C19th estate, romantically located in the heart of the countryside. There is an organic farm, and thus you also get 0km food here. It’s also only a 5 minute drive from the Vendicari Nature Reserve. Located between Noto and Marzamemi, the Vendicari Nature Reserve is the ideal place for nature lovers – you can do beautiful walks here. It’s a true wildlife oasis covering more than 1,500 hectares. You can see wonderful species of migratory birds such as flamingos, herons and storks.

Tonnara di Scopello

Once a tuna fishery, the old fishermen’s houses have been transformed into three apartments. With Respect to the place and its history, you won’t find TV, telephone lines or air conditioning. However, you will be surrounded by nature and crystal clear waters. There is a museum where you can examine the tools necessary for tuna fishing, the warehouses that still house the original fishing boats and the buildings where tuna was processed. It is located by the Riserva dello Zingaro, 1600 hectares of untouched nature with incredible trails.

Things To See and Do in Sicily:

Caltabellotta

30-minutes from Verdura Resort, Caltabellotta is a beautiful town built on the hill in the rock face. I love the romantic Norman Cathedral at the top – I got married there (which makes it extra special to me). The 360 degree views from there are unrivaled. There is also a beautiful hike you can do to the Norman Cathedral.

The Valley of the Temples

40-minutes from Verdura Resort, The Valley of the Temples is certainly the most important testimony of the ancient, classical culture of Sicily. It brings together the temples of gods, goddesses, as well as the area of the necropolis and sanctuaries outside the walls. It is really a magical place to visit. You can have a sunset picnic at the valley of the temples.

Monreale Cathedral & Cloisters

just outside of Palermo, the cathedral and cloisters at Monreale are frequently cited as the island’s greatest Norman buildings- and with good reason. It is one of the most beautiful cathedrals and cloisters I have ever visited. The interior mosaic decoration is just breathtaking. 

The Cappella Palatina

In Palermo, this chapel has often been described as ‘mini Monreal’ – and indeed, it’s a mini version of Monreal, with the same breathtaking mosaic decoration.

Ortigia

the island of Ortigia is one of the most romantic places I have ever been. It is walled all the way round, with the sea gently lapping the medieval brickwork. The streets of Ortigia are narrow, with charming little restaurants and cafes throughout. The heart of Ortigia is Piazza del Duomo which features the church which was built on the site of an ancient Greek temple; parts of the temple can still be seen, and it’s just incredible.

Mount Etna

It’s quite a fun experience to hike to the top of an active Volcano. Here, you might have the chance to see the lava flows, while enjoying a sea view over the Mediterranean. While I’ve never been during the winter, there’s also the option to ski then, which would be quite amazing. Generally speaking, because there is such incredible nature in Sicily, there are so many hikes (I’ve shared two nature reserves above, but there is also the incredible Torre Salas Nature Reserve located 30-minutes from Verdura, a wonderful bay covered by lush vegetation and white rocks. This is top of most people’s things to do in Italy list, so it can’t be missed if you find yourself in Sicily.

The Best Places To Eat in Sicily

When looking for things to do in Sicily and Italy as a whole, food is usually top of the list.

Both our Sicilian properties (Villa Igiea and Verdura Resort) have amazing, 0km and locally sourced food, created by Italian chef Fulvio Pierangelini. So, these two places have to be my favourite two. 

However, I would recommend going to the Bar Turistico in Palermo for arancini- a tiny bar (cafè) right next to Villa Igiea and very popular in town for the best arancini.

You can also get a delicious cannolo at Piana degli Albanesi in the province of Palermo; their cannoli are quite big,with a light but crunchy crust, and a super fresh ricotta cream.

In Caltabellotta, there’s a delicious family-run restaurant called MATES; you can expect all the Sicilian classics, such as Pasta alla Norma, in this cute little place. 

You can also do a great wine tasting at both Di Giovanna (that produces vegan and organic wine) and Planeta vineyards.

If you like this Sicily Travel Guide…

And found lots of ideas of things to do in Sicily, check out our other travel guides to Italy and similar destinations:

A Guide to Villa Lena’s Agriturismo Hotel in Tuscany

Copenhagen travel guide

Lisbon travel guide