Fall in Love the Right Way in Southern Italy
Puglia and Sicily are still considered off-the-radar for most foreign tourists.
The late Italian pop star Raffaella Carrà sang that to fall in love the right way, you have to head south. In Italy, you can't get farther south than two of the most underrated regions, Puglia and Sicily.
Northern cities like Milan and Florence sparkle and shine, but travelers head south for the opposite reason. It feels gritty, untamed, and off the beaten path from the typical tourist route. Not to say it isn't beautiful—on the contrary. The Salento Coast of Puglia and luscious terrain of Sicily are some of the dreamiest landscapes in the country.
- Palazzo Margherita | Bernalda | 2 nights
- Borgo Egnazia | Fasano | 3 nights
- Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo | Taormina | 4 nights
Best known as the heel of Italy’s boot, Puglia has long been a favorite getaway for Italians but is still relatively off the radar for foreign tourists. Cavernous grottos and sandy beaches draw visitors to the dreamy Salento Peninsula, but the countryside is just as alluring with the fairy tale trulli cottages. You’ll likely see local women hand-rolling orecchiette pasta in the street, best enjoyed with freshly caught seafood and a glass of Puglia wine.
The surrounding countryside was settled by the Ancient Greeks before the Roman era and to this day, you can find villages where the locals speak a dialect more closely related to Greek than Italian. The thriving local agriculture produces sumptuous fruits and vegetables, as well as the Aglianico grapes used to make wines of the same name.
Palazzo Margherita, built in 1892 in Bernalda by the Margherita family, is a true 19th century palazzo. The town was the birthplace and home to Agostino Coppola, Francis Ford Coppola's grandfather, who always referred to it affectionately as Bernalda bella.
A day dedicated to local truffle hunting and exploring small towns bursting with history.
Today, you'll learn the jealously guarded secrets of the hunt for the white truffle in the beautiful setting of the Lucanian Apennines. The white truffle is a rare delicacy and, like all things rare and precious, finding it is by no means straightforward.
Visit the ninth-century town of Chiaromonte, built by Normans and Lombards around a pre-existing settlement dating back to prehistoric times. Taste wines and local delicatessen in ancient caves converted into cellars.
It's time to head to crystal blue water and enjoy time spent at the beach.
Nestled among the hills and grottos of Puglia is the charming town of Fasano. Its long history dating back to 38 BCE is rife with influences from Greco-Romans, Maltese, and Turks leading to its diverse character. It's a true architectural beauty with its stunningly white town center comprised of secluded alleyways, maze of stairs and arches, and quaint piazzas.
Borgo Egnazia is more like a small village than a hotel. Its castle-like and candle-lit design with luxurious add-ons emulates a traditional Italian paese.
Hop aboard a private yacht to enjoy the Italian coastline the way it's meant to be experienced—from the sea.
Take in the incredible beauty of the Salento coastline on-board a luxury yacht. Your captain will guide you to the best swimming spots and most beautiful scenes of the azure Adriatic seas, picturesque coastal villages, and striking natural panoramas along the rocky coastline.
During your yacht charter today, anchor in the Puglian town of Bari where you'll have time to explore and enjoy lunch.
Your day is all about good food and great company!
Combine Lecce history, classic Salento wines, and a fabulous cooking class for a fascinating afternoon in the city’s Jewish Quarter.
Afterwards, put your hands to work at an orecchiette pasta-making class. Learn how to hand-make this local favorite and enjoy the fruits of your labor accompanied by a paired wine tasting.
Nowhere in Italy mixes landscape, culture, and history quite like Sicily. In the span of a day, you can hike a spewing volcano, go for a swim in the crystalline sea, take photos of Baroque architecture, and gawk at ruins so old that they make the Colosseum look young. Even Sicilian cuisine is something unique, where couscous is as common as pasta and gelato isn’t served in a cup or a cone but rather a freshly baked brioche bun—the ultimate ice cream sandwich.
Taormina lies on the slopes of Monte Tauro and has been dubbed the "Pearl of the Mediterranean". The most remarkable monument of all is the Ancient Greek Theater, situated with an unbeatable view of Mount Etna and the beautiful coastline of the Ionian Sea.
This stunning property not only has an ancient Greek amphitheater at its back, but also unobstructed views of the ocean and Mount Etna from the front. Beyond the lovely views, the décor is elegant and the food at both the hotel's restaurants is really special.
It's adventure time! Head to the great outdoors for hiking and active volcanoes.
Embark on an excursion to the craters of Mt. Etna including an easy hike around the volcano's craters and lava flows.
Along the way, make a stop at one of the many award-winning wineries on the slopes of Mt. Etna, Benanti Winery, where you will enjoy a tasting and light lunch.
Today is for historical cities and helicopters!
Embark on an unforgettable flight as you travel by helicopter to visit the stunning Baroque cities of Modica and Ragusa in the south of Sicily. Modica is particularly famous for its delicious chocolate that is rich, dark, and crumbly. You'll have the opportunity to visit a traditional chocolate factory at Bonajuto.
Next, you'll head to Ragusa, one of the most important examples of Baroque art in Sicily. Enjoy a guided walking tour of Ibla, the older neighborhood on its hilltop.
Learn about the Ancient Greeks in Sicily and hit the boutiques for some artisanal shopping.
Begin today in Siracusa for a private look at the Ancient Greeks' impact on Sicily. The archaeological site is home to a staggering number of well-preserved Greek and Roman remains. Siracusa was the largest Greek city in Sicily prior to falling under the domination of the Romans. The main attraction is undoubtedly the Greek theater that dates back to at least 5th century BCE.
After your visit to the Archaeological Park, head to the island of Ortigia. Here, you will have the opportunity to visit a collection of ateliers whose crafts pay homage to the natural landscape and historic influences of art in southeastern Sicily.
Origin invests in making the world a better place. Origin will offset the fuel you will use during the trip. On top of that, we will offset an extra 10% to make your trip a carbon-positive experience.
Currently, we support Gold Standard Climate+ Projects from the Gold Standard Foundation.
There's so much more to Puglia, Sicily, and the rest of southern Italy. Chat with an Origin travel curator today for your own customized itinerary to get the most out of your next trip.
Property photos courtesy of Palazzo Margherita, Borgo Egnazia, and Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo. All other photos courtesy of Unsplash.