Family Trip to Southern Italy
Everyone is more or less familiar with Italian culture, from watching movies, learning about the Roman Empire, or simply eating pizza. But not until you arrive in the country do you realize that everything you thought you knew is really just the tip of an enormous iceberg. Every region—every town even—has a unique personality, so no matter how many times you visit Italy, you’re always left with the craving for more.
July 27 – Aug 1, 2024: Puglia (5 nights)
Aug 1 – 6, 2024: Sicily (5 nights)
Aug 6 – 7, 2024: Rome (1 night)
Aug 7, 2024: Departure
In July and August, Southern Italy typically experiences hot and dry weather with temperatures often exceeding 30°C (86°F). Visitors can expect clear skies, ample sunshine, and occasional coastal breezes, making it ideal for enjoying the region's beautiful beaches and outdoor activities.
U.S. passport holders do not need any special visa to enter Italy for tourism. Make sure your passport is valid for at least three months after your travel dates.
These guidelines are for reference only. Scenset holds no responsibility for travel restrictions. Travelers are responsible for ensuring the right documentation to travel.
We have put together this Destination Guide for you, full of unique insights and ways to get excited before you travel, such as:
- Spotify playlists
- Movies to watch
- Books to read
- Dishes to try
- Helpful phrases
- Packing guide
- Tipping guides
Plus more!
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.
Upon arrival at Naples Airport, your driver will meet you after exiting baggage claim for a private transfer to your Borgo in Puglia.
You will be able to stop for breakfast along the way after your long flight.
Time: Morning
Meeting point: After exiting baggage claim
Driver: will be provided
Contact: will be provided
Journey: About 3 hours
Booked by Scenset
Start your first night in Puglia with an event across the entire borgo: La Festa del Borgo. This is a wandering dinner that will be held along the beautiful alleys of the Borgo, where social tables and live buffet stations will be set up, serving the most traditional dishes of Apulian cuisine (from appetizers to desserts). Seating is not reserved as the party is designed to let guests experience the spirit of Apulian conviviality.
Reservation: In the evening.
The cost will be provided. This is to be paid directly at the property. For any questions regarding the event, reach out to the Borgo Egnazia concierge.
Here are some recommended restaurants near your hotel. If you'd like a reservation at any of them, let us know.
- La Marea: Traditional seafood in a casual restaurant
- Cala Masciola: Fresh seafood with views of the sea
- La Locanda di Martumè: Traditional Puglian cuisine in a homey atmosphere
- Osteria Popolare: Delicious trattoria with great pizzas
- Ardecuore: Puglian cuisine with a refined touch
Why we love it for you: Borgo Egnazia replicates an actual Puglian borgo, or village, and guests are even given a map to navigate the winding streets and lively piazzas. The whole property feels a bit like walking around the movie set of Gladiator with candle-lit corridors and stone villas, but with a few modern updates. Stretch out in the state-of-the-art yoga studio, dine in a Michelin-star restaurant, play a round of golf, and take a dip in one of the swimming pools worthy of an emperor.
- 1 x Casetta Splendida for four people
- Booking confirmation: will be provided
- Breakfast included
Booked by scenset
Today is all about exploring the Puglian countryside and culinary delights!
Transfer by minivan to Monopoli Harbor.
- Departure Time: Afternoon
- Meeting point: Main arch in front of hotel
- Drive time: 30mins
Booked by Scenset
The Puglia coast is known for its sea caves, dramatic cliffs, and rock formations—not to mention the crystal clear Mediterranean water. Explore Polignano a Mare from the best perspective possible: on the water. You'll see caves that glow from within and have plenty of opportunity to jump off and swim in the sea.
Refreshments provided on board. Snorkeling equipment included. This is a half-day boating excursion.
- Time: Afternoon
- Embarkation: Monopoli Harbour
- Duration: 4hrs
- Captain: will be provided
- Contact: will be provided
Booked By Scenset
Transfer by minivan back to Borgo Egnazia
- Time: Evening
- Meeting point: To be discussed with your driver
- Drive time: 30mins
Booked by Scenset
The rest of the evening has been left for you to relax at your own pace.
- 1 x Casetta Splendida for four people
- Breakfast included
Booked by a person
Today is all about exploring Puglian towns.
Drive from your hotel to Alberobello.
- Departure Time: Afternoon
- Meeting point: Main arch at hotel front
- Drive time: 30mins
Booked by Scenset
Alberobello, a village in the hinterland of the Itria Valley, is undoubtedly the capital of the Trulli. Enjoy this unique experience with a local guide and great connoisseur of Apulian traditions. Take a guided walk in the heart of the town with its iconic Trulli buildings before visiting a rural dairy farm where you will witness the artisanal production of mozzarella and taste the freshly produced dairy delights.
Cheese tasting with snacks included.
- Time: Afternoon
- Duration: 3 hours
- Host: A local guide
- Contact: will be provided
Booked By Scenset
Drive back to your hotel.
- Departure Time: Late afternoon
- Drive time: 30 mins
Booked by Scenset
The rest of the evening has been left for you to relax.
Head out of the Borgo tonight for dinner at La Marea, serving traditional seafood in a charming ambiance.
- Pick up time: early evening
- Departure point: Departure from the main entrance at the same time.
- Reservation: early evening
Roundtrip transportation to La Marea is included. Confirm your pick-up details with the Borgo Egnazia concierge.
- 1 x Casetta Splendida for four people
- Breakfast included
Booked by a user
Today, explore the Puglian coast!
Private transfer to a local Masseria.
- Time: Late morning
- Meeting point: Main arch at hotel front
- Drive time: About 15 mins
Included
In Puglia, every meal is like a ritual: from the selection of the ingredients at the local market to the preparation of the food and the meal itself. Inside the amazing atmosphere of a 17th-century Masseria, our local friends will open the doors of their home to share some of the most traditional recipes. You will get a hands-on guided experience of how to prepare your own Apulian meal and enjoy a glass or two of delicious local wine to accompany it.
Lunch prepared by you included.
- Time: Morning
- Duration: 4 hrs
Booked By Scenset
This is a shared experience
Enjoy a shuttle transfer back to the hotel.
- Time: Afternoon
- Meeting point: The driver will let you know upon arrival.
- Drive time: About 15 minutes
Included
The rest of the afternoon has been left for you to relax.
- 1 x Casetta Splendida for four people
- Breakfast included
Booked by a user
Enjoy your last full day in Italy soaking in the sun at Borgo Egnazia. If you'd like something to be organized, we're happy to do so.
Let us know if you'd like to book an appointment at the Borgo Egnazia Vair Spa so you can fully relax on your last day and return home feeling rejuvenated from your trip.
Recommended by Scenset—nothing has been booked.
Enjoy your day at leisure.
Head to the nearby town of Fasano for a final dinner in Puglia.
- Departure time: Evening
- Departure meeting point: Main entrance
- Restaurant: Osteria Popolare
- Reservation: Canceled
- Number of people: 4 people
- Location: 15 minutes by car from Borgo Egnazia
- Cancellation policy: Cancellation without penalty is possible up to 3 hours before the time of departure of the transfer. Cancellation out of policy will be charged at 100%.
Canceled by clients.
A roundtrip transfer to the town of Fasano has been organized by Borgo Egnazia, to be paid at check-out from the hotel. For pick-up details, please speak with the Borgo Egnazia concierge.
- 1 x Casetta Splendida for four people
- Breakfast included
Booked by a person
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.
You'll be picked up from your hotel for a private transfer to Bari Airport for your flight to Sicily.
- Time: Late morning
- Meeting point: Hotel lobby
- Drive time: 1hr
Booked By Scenset
Upon exiting baggage claim at Catania Airport, meet your driver for a private transfer to your seaside resort.
- Time: In the afternoon
- Meeting point: Catania Airport - Arrival Area
- Driver: A driver will be provided
- Contact: A contact number will be provided
Booked By Scenset
The rest of your afternoon has been left for you to relax.
Tonight enjoy a romantic dinner for two at the Ristorante Sant'Andrea, located on the gorgeous Belmond property in Mazzaro.
Reservation: Dinner time
Name: will be provided
Directions: Ristorante Sant'Andrea is just a 5-minute walk from your hotel
Dress code is smart casual. No beachwear is permitted.
Here are some of our favorite restaurant recommendations in Taormina and the surrounding area. Let us know if you'd like any reservations.
- Al Saraceno: Set high above Taormina, Al Saraceno has a fabulous view, with an elevated terrace overlooking the glittering city, Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. It’s built underneath the rock church of Madonna della Rocca and the medieval Saracen Castle. Pizza is the name of the game here, but the chef also serves up traditional Sicilian seafood specialities, including mussels and grilled fish of the day.
- Locanda Nerello: The organic restaurant located on Mt. Etna offers a candid cooking style which brings old local wisdom back into life, an informal inn, a home to old traditions and to guests.
- Osteria Santa Domenica: Born in 2014 as a wine bar, Osteria Santa Domenica became a real restaurant in Taormina in 2016 with a wine list with more than 350 selected labels and a menu made with only slow food and Km0 ingredients.
- Pizzeria Villa Zuccaro Pizzeria Villa Zuccaro is located in the historic center of Taormina, just a few steps from Piazza Duomo and in the vicinity of Porta Catania, known to most as "Porta del Tocco," and is the ideal venue for those who want to spend a pleasant evening enjoying the flavors of typical Sicilian cuisine. The establishment, housed in a 17th-century stone villa, is surrounded by a lush green garden.
- L'Ottava Nota This is one of those bright, charming and modern restaurants that represent new-age Italy. The cuisine is strongly linked to the region with fish dishes to the fore presented in an attractive and contemporary style.
Why we love it for you: Mazzarò Sea Palace is set above Taormina's beautiful Mazzaarò Beach. It has a wellness center, its own sea-view pools, and a free private beach. Mazzarò Sea Palace's wellness center provides a wide range of massages and spa treatments and has Turkish baths. Rooms have been refurbished and are elegant and spacious. There is also a babysitting service on-site in case parents want to have an evening out without kids.
- 1 x Suite With Private Pool for four people
- 1 x Superior Room for two people
- Booking reference: will be provided
- Breakfast included
Booked by Scenset
Perched like a stork’s nest on top of a hill, Taormina is as ancient as it is beguiling. The maze of tiny corridors are as irresistible as the most charming Italian towns, but none of the others come with Taormina’s panoramic bombshell. The Ancient Greeks built their amphitheater facing south toward the sun, a seemingly strange oversight. But once you’re standing on the steps and taking in the view of Mt. Etna and the Ionian Sea, it’s clear the Greeks knew exactly what they were doing.
Start your adventure with an exploration of Mount Etna, Europe’s largest volcano and one of the most active volcanoes in the world! Visit the 2,000-meter (6,000 ft) area of the Silvestri Craters, where four major craters lie, and explore the intriguing volcanic landscape with its solidified “rivers” of lava, craters, lava caves, nature trails, and stunning views of the countryside and the sea.
Afterward, enjoy lunch on the volcano at an Etna winery, where vineyards grow in nutrient-rich volcanic ash.
After lunch at the winery, you can head back to your hotel or continue on to Taormina.
- Pick-Up Time: Morning
- Meeting point: Hotel Lobby
- Driver: will be provided
- Contact: will be provided
- Guide: will be provided
- Return Time: The return time will be decided with your guide.
Lunch at the winery including wine tasting.
Booked By Scenset
The rest of the evening has been left for you to relax.
Enjoy a family dinner tonight at Ethica in Taormina. You will be seated at the chef's table so you are immersed in the dining experience.
Reservation: Evening
Name: will be provided
Location: Location here.
See the menu here.
- 1 x Suite With Private Pool for four people
- 1 x Superior Room for two people
- Breakfast included
Is it Sicily's most stunning city? It's hard to say. But one thing's for sure: Siracusa's vibrant tapestry of history, culture, and human expression will captivate you. This ancient gem boasts a millennia-old legacy, once rivaling the power and opulence of Athens. It stood tall against Rome's siege, guided by the genius mathematician Archimedes.
UNESCO honors Siracusa as a World Heritage Site. A living testament to human achievement, this gem encapsulates a multi-millennial architectural and cultural treasure trove, preserving antiquities predating its Greek scenset.
Explore Siracusa, where time unfolds its wonders in an ever-evolving story of greatness!
Pick-Up Time: Morning
End Time: Please discuss with your driver in the morning what time you would like to be back in Mazzaro by
Driver will be provided
Guide: will be provided
Spend the day relaxing on the hotel's private beach or by the pool. Alternatively, take a cable car to Taormina to explore the town.
Spend the day exploring Taormina at your leisure. You have easy access to the cable car which goes from in front of your hotel to the entrance of Taormina. Enjoy the view!
Directions: The cable car stop is 3 minutes walking distance from your hotel
Recommended by Scenset—nothing has been booked.
The rest of the afternoon has been left for you to relax.
- 1 x Suite With Private Pool for four people
- 1 x Superior Room for two people
- Breakfast included
Enjoy a day at leisure at your beachside resort. There's a private beach to enjoy at the Mazzaro Resort. If you'd like additional activities planned, we're happy to make recommendations or organize something.
Relax your body and mind at the Mazzaro Spa, which offers types of treatments from massages and body rituals to couples programs and facials. The Mediterranean is known for its healing properties, so let yourself be washed away in them.
Recommended by Scenset—nothing has been booked.
Enjoy your day at leisure.
- 1 x Suite With Private Pool for four people
- 1 x Superior Room for two people
- Breakfast included
Experience the Taormina Bay boat tour aboard a private yacht, on a journey led by a personal skipper. One of the highlights of the tour is the visit of Grotta Azzurra with its colorful shades of blue in contrast to Capo Taormina and its rocky coastline - made famous by the film Le Grand Blue. Etna and the Gulf of Giardini Naxos will provide the perfect background for your day on the water. Swimming in the waters surrounding the Grotta del Giorno is a must. The tour will continue along the coast toward the Baia di Mazzarò and the Baia delle Sirene, one of the most secluded and characteristic bays of the entire coastline and a perfect location for a swim in the clear, warm waters.
- Meeting Time: Late morning
- Meeting Location: Meet at the hotel front desk, where concierge will escort you to the boat dock in front of the hotel to meet your skipper
- Guide: will be provided
- Contact: will be provided
Light lunch and soft drinks included on board. This is a full-day boating excursion.
Booked By Scenset
The rest of the afternoon has been left for you to relax.
- 1 x Suite With Private Pool for four people
- 1 x Superior Room for two people
- Breakfast included
With an uncanny sense of foresight, Rome was first called the Eternal City 2,000 years ago. Even by today’s standards, it’s still grand in a way that few other places can compare to. The buildings are dilapidated and the roads disheveled, but chaos has never looked so exquisite. The cobblestone streets may be nonsensical, but a wrong turn always leads to an unexpected delight: an intimate piazza, a baroque fountain, or a homey trattoria serving house-made cacio e pepe.
You'll be picked up from your hotel for the drive back to Catania Airport.
- Time: In the afternoon
- Meeting point: Hotel lobby
- Driver: will be provided
- Contact: will be provided
Booked By Scenset
Catch a short flight from Catania Airport back to the mainland to Rome Fiumicino Airport.
- Time: Late morning
- Booking reference: will be provided
- Flight time: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
- Luggage: 1 × 8kg hand luggage per person plus 1 × 23kg checked-in luggage per person
Booked By Scenset
Upon exiting baggage claim, meet your driver for a private transfer to your hotel in the city center.
- Time: Early afternoon
- Meeting point: Outside the custom area, follow NCC signs
- Contact Number: will be provided
Booked By Scenset
As a special perk for using Scenset, enjoy a credit per room to use at the hotel for food, beverages, room services, or the spa!
Why we love it for you: With its perfectly calibrated balance of chic and cheek, Maalot Roma is one of the most exciting additions to the Italian capital city's boutique hotel scenset. Set so close to the Trevi Fountain that you can hear the water rush, this irreverent bolthole serves up its bold maximalist luxury with a refreshing wink-and-nudge playfulness.
- 1 x One Bedroom Suite
- 1 x Prestige Room
- Booking reference: will be provided
- Breakfast included
It's time to pack up and head home today, but this will surely not be your last time in Italy. Thankfully in Italy we don't say goodbye but rather a dopo, or until next time!
You'll be picked up from your hotel this morning and taken to the Rome Airport in private transfer.
- Time: will be provided
- Meeting point: Hotel lobby
- Contact Number: will be provided
Booked By Scenset
