I had the opportunity to visit Sicily, Italy on a work trip for about 5 nights and part of my trip came with various excursions. My days mainly consisted of enjoying the hotel amenities, going on said excursions and returning to the hotel for our work dinners. While I wasn’t able to go off on my own and explore, I was given a few to choose from so that’s what I’ll be sharing. If you have any local recommendations to offer, I would love to hear!
What To Do
+ Agrigento: We took a guided tour of Agrigento. Usually, I’m not one to take guided tours (blame it on my short attention span/intense desire to wander off) but the guide made this. I remember Lorenzo like it was yesterday- his energy, his enthusiasm, his love for life! He was a true gem and made the trip. He showed us the beautiful history of the town- from old ruins to the restored opera house to the hole-in-the-wall bakery.
+ Spa Day: The ultimate relaxation. I had an outstanding massage at my resort, which I thoroughly enjoyed – the relaxation room, using the steam room, the actual treatment and the tea afterwards. There is nothing like a spa day to rejuvenate me, both physically & mentally.
+ Cooking Lessons: If there is anywhere on Earth to take a cooking lesson, Italy is it. We spent a few hours in the kitchen with some incredible chefs and then enjoyed our meal. The 4 course meal started with amazing eggplant caprese (layered baked eggplant/tomatoes/mozzarella) and a local wine. Then we had 3-4 homemade pastas, family style, that just melted in my mouth. Followed by a delicious baked fish & vegetable selection. Both were accompanied by more wine, of course. Even though I was stuffed at this point, I made room for the homemade desserts (and limoncello!) that were presented at the end.
+ Bike Tour: Y’all know I love a good bike tour. The Sicilian bike tour I did took us through the countryside and all around the area. We were able to see local towns, working vineyards and amazing beach views. I can’t remember the name of the company but I’m sure you can find one recommended on Tripadvisor. Again, one of my favorite ways to explore new destinations.
+ Visit wineries: We opted to have our cooking lesson on the actual winery so we were able to knock out two birds with one stone. The wine, the olives, the fresh produce…this part of Italy is so lust that everything just tastes better.
Where To Stay
+ Verdura Resort + Spa: This hotel was chosen by our company, but we found it to be a wonderful place to stay. Located on the Western coast just south of Sciacca, this beach front property was absolutely stunning. The property itself is very spread out with endless beach views. You definitely need a car or transportation to get to the other towns and sites, but if you want relaxation and top notch service, this is your place.
What To Eat + Drink
+ Anywhere: As I said, most of our main meals were on the resort; however, we did enjoy a couple of lunches and desserts around town. Unfortunately I did not write down the names of these restaurants but from my experience, anywhere in Italy is a good meal! I like to ask the locals and keep your eyes open to where the townies go. These are often the best spots.
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