Private Tours
We specialize in small-group, custom tours for two to twelve guests, providing an authentic experience of Sicilian life. If you have specific dates in mind, please contact us, and we can design a tour tailored to the season you’re traveling in.
There is something about Sicily — the landscape, the people, the products, and the history — that welcomes you like a long-lost friend upon arrival. The joy of friendship, the agricultural offerings, and the island’s beauty have swept us off our feet. Let us show you what we’ve discovered.
Select your dates and we will create a custom tour for two to twelve people, curated and delivered by Lit’l Pond Hospitality. We offer a diverse selection of lodging options, all carefully chosen for their privacy and charm. Trips can be extended to include a few nights in Malta, just a ferry ride away.
The possibilities are endless, the memories await.
Celebrate Sicily with us!
Cin Cin,
Danny & Michelle
Upcoming Trips
Sicilian Rhapsody:
Picture Yourself in This Story of Sun, Celebrations, and Sips of Sicily
Our tour schedule can be fully booked by a small group of four to eight guests for an intimate experience. Or, select your dates and create a custom tour for two to twelve people, curated and delivered by Lit’l Pond Hospitality. The possibilities are endless.
Most of our tours begin or end in the elegant town of Acireale, just outside Catania. Mount Etna looms majestically in your view, its snow-capped peak a brilliant contrast to the vivid hues of the city below. You spend a morning exploring its rugged slopes before indulging in the region’s rich, volcanic wines that speak of the land. Mount Etna is central to the story of Sicily. Her moods and movements have shaped the island’s landscape and influenced many traditions; no story of Sicily is complete without her.
If you’ve arrived in February, it’s Carnevale!
The real magic begins as twilight paints the sky, ushering in the dazzling spectacle of Acireale’s Carnevale. The streets transform into a kaleidoscope of masks, confetti, and lights, with music and laughter all around you. The locals welcome you with open arms, encouraging you to don your costume and join the revelry. You feel like you’ve stepped into a dream, a vibrant pageant where ancient traditions and pure joy intertwine.
Your journey then leads you to the charming town of Chiaramonte, your home base for the next leg of the adventure. Monday brings even more Carnevale fun with the Sagra della Salsiccia, a lively sausage festival that fills the air with delicious aromas and jovial chatter. You feel like the whole town has come out to celebrate, and you’re welcomed as part of their extended family.
In March, the Festa del Mandorlo, or Almond Blossom Festival, is in Fiore in Agrigento.
Imagine participating in a folk festival celebrating its 78th year, drawing groups from all over the world. The colorful parades sweep you away with spirited singing and dancing. All of this unfolds against the backdrop of the Valley of the Temples, an ancient wonder that transports you back to the time of Greek gods and goddesses.
Or visit us at Easter, or as the Sicilians call it, Pasqua.
Oh, what a week! Spring is in full bloom, with markets bursting with artichokes and fennel, and Chef Danny takes you on a delightful tour, sharing stories and tips. Easter in Sicily is a profound experience, a blend of solemnity and celebration. You witness the deeply moving processions in the streets and town squares, the drama of the betrayal, the crucifixion, and the joyous celebration of the resurrection. This journey is an 8-day program thoughtfully created, which includes Easter dinner with a local family, giving you an insider’s view of these time-honored traditions.
In May, winemakers across the island celebrate Cantine Aperte, or Open Cellars, a time where they open their doors for you to see all that goes on in the world of wine making.
From Mount Etna’s slopes to Vittoria’s vineyards, you’ll meet passionate winemakers who have dedicated their lives to their craft. Visit renowned estates like Donnafugata and Occhipinti and discover numerous small, artisanal wineries. Walk through vineyards, explore cellars, and engage in lively conversations about the art of winemaking. Our May tour begins with the region’s historical, culinary, and cultural visits, culminating with Cantine Aperte for a grand celebration.
In September, the Grape Harvest Festival, Sagra della Vendemmia, honors the generations of families dedicated to the growing and harvesting of grapes and the ancient art of making wine.
It’s a celebration like no other, and the Sicilian families welcome you to come and share in the celebration with music, traditional dance, parades, fireworks, food, and wine.
Lit’l Pond Adventures will take you along the winding coastal road to Ortigia, the island heart of Sircusa. You are drawn to the main square, dominated by a breathtaking Cathedral, a marvel of Sicilian-Baroque artistry. But as you learn, this isn’t just any church; it’s a living history book. Beneath its ornate façade lie the remains of an ancient Greek temple dedicated to Athena. Imagine standing where ancient Greeks once prayed, and where centuries later, Christians built their house of worship. You enjoy a savory seaside lunch with the sparkling sea as your companion before finding the Fountain of Arethusa, where mythology and reality blur together.
Your journey with Lit’l Pond Hospitality is more than just a vacation. It’s your invitation to be part of something bigger, to connect with the heart of an island and its people. And as the sun sets on your final day, you know you’re leaving a piece of your heart in Sicily, a heart now filled with memories that will last a lifetime.
Sicily: An Insider’s Look at Local
We’ll gather fresh sausage and cheeses, learn techniques from local craftsmen; Visit local fishermen as they come to port, and select the evening meal from their catch.
Chef Danny Mellman will be on hand throughout the adventure, cooking up what we’ve collected for dinner during the day’s adventure. Lunches at wineries or breweries have been selected specifically for our group. Our partners Marcelle and Flippo Sardo will lead the way during tours of small cities with insights you only get with locals. The Sardos also oversee their fourth-generation olive grove, producing an incredible DOP extra virgin olive oil. Guests will be treated to a fantastic meal on their estate as your adventure team gathers to showcase their love of Sicily.
We can’t begin to explain all the intricacies of the tours, as each time we visit, the four of us come up with new ideas and places to visit. Guests who want to extend their time in Sicily will receive additional self-guided recommendations upon request. Or just plan to come with us on our next adventure because no tour will be precisely the same. This ain’t no giant tour-operator adventure; these curated adventures are being created with flexibility in mind, and days will be tailored for our guests.
A Sicilian Dream
The Rosso Cosenza family estate is a rare example of over 300 years of tradition and historical continuity. The property consists of the Casa Padronale and the Case del Baglio, which overlooks the courtyard typical of Sicilian villas. Tucked into 48 hectares of olive groves, the estate is centrally located, immersed in the countryside but only a few kilometers from the sea and the incredible heritage cities of the Val di Noto; it is the ideal location for our home base of events. Giuseppe Rosso and his son, Marcello Rosso, oversee the hospitality and agricultural estate in Chiaramonte Gulfi, which has more than 2,500 centuries-old specimens of olive trees of the prized “Tonda Iblea” variety. The remaining part of the estates and agricultural lands that comprise the company extends over 23 hectares. It is distributed in various districts in the Chiaramonte Gulfi, Ragusa, and Scicli municipalities.
Cocktails seen in a restaurant on different backgrounds including marble, wood, a bar countertop, a garden, terrace and against greenery, foliage and plants. Cocktails of different colours and ingredients including gin, vodka, whiskey. Perfect for spring or summer drinks with friends. Often served with snacks.
