Bleisure in Sicily

Transform your business trip into an unforgettable experience! Sicily is more than just a business destination; it's a place where work meets inspiration. Between meetings, immerse yourself in the age-old charm of the landscapes and the deep blue of the Mediterranean to rediscover your productivity while surrounded by timeless beauty. The region offers bespoke bleisure tourism services designed to make every business trip an opportunity to develop projects and nurture your wellbeing.

You will be welcomed with first-class accommodation and served by major airports. You can enjoy impeccable services and amenities, including spacious and well-equipped conference rooms, functional and state-of-the-art conference centres, meeting resorts and venues for international events, all of which represent the ultimate expression of the “bleisure” philosophy, seamlessly combining business and leisure. If you wish to extend your business stay in Sicily, you can make the most of your free time with relaxing experiences: spas, thermal baths and wellness centres allow you to unwind after a busy day’s work, combining care for body and mind with beautiful historic and natural settings. Food and wine are among the highlights of bleisure tourism. Whether for business or personal enjoyment, gourmet restaurants, wine estates and vibrant nightlife venues offer culinary experiences of the highest standard, from vineyard tasting tours to cookery classes that reflect the region's identity and local specialities.

Art and culture enthusiasts can transform a business trip into an exploration of the styles and millennia-old works of Arab-Norman Sicily, the Baroque period and Art Nouveau, discovering historic centres, towns and picturesque villages, as well as UNESCO sites, museums, galleries and archaeological parks, not to mention traditional craft workshops. The range of outdoor sports activities on offer allows you to explore the region all year round, providing an ideal break from business meetings and a chance to recharge your batteries in the great outdoors. Activities include trekking to the seaside, playing on lush golf courses, playing tennis, horse riding, donkey treks, cycling, motorcycling and off-road driving. Depending on the season, the wide variety of attractions at coastal and mountain destinations offer the chance to enjoy winter and water sports, such as kitesurfing, diving, sailing, catamaran sailing, yachting and excursions to the picturesque snow-capped summit of Mount Etna.

We also recommend some unusual itineraries exploring historic residences, eco-museums, open-air modern and contemporary art trails, ancient salt pans, tuna traps, industrial archaeological sites, film sets that have inspired great films, literary locations and ancient footpaths, not to mention sections of the Via Francigena. Combining business events and meetings with leisure and entertainment opportunities also means enjoying a theatre or opera performance in the magical setting of Sicilian theatres, both ancient ("Teatri di Pietra") and contemporary, which host annual festivals and major events that attract enthusiasts from all over the world. Not to mention the religious festivals and traditions linked to local folklore, many of which are recognised by UNESCO, such as the Opera dei Pupi Siciliani.

• Island tours: The Aeolian, Egadi, Pelagie, Ustica and Pantelleria islands are known as the “islands of the islands” and are served by charter and ferry companies that will take you on a journey of discovery through the Sicilian seas and amongst the islands. Explore a landscape of Mediterranean coves by boat or via fast ferry services for a dreamlike experience.
• In Palermo, you can follow the UNESCO Arab-Norman itinerary, which showcases the architectural and artistic splendour of Sicily’s capital alongside the magnificent cathedrals of Monreale and Cefalù, as well as the picturesque seaside villages.
• UNESCO sites include a hike up Mount Etna, Europe’s highest volcano and one of the world’s most active, as well as the Baroque towns of the Val di Noto, Syracuse, the Pantalica Necropolis and the Roman Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina.
• The Valley of the Temples is the most impressive monumental complex of Hellenic architecture in Sicily, with enormous columns and perfectly preserved temples surrounded by centuries-old almond and olive trees. You can enjoy events and guided tours here until sunset.
• Taormina is a historic international tourist destination synonymous with the “dolce vita” and boasts cafés on Corso Umberto, terraces overlooking the sea, fine boutiques, the Ancient Theatre and a cable car ride down to the iconic Isola Bella.

• Street food: Palermo is ranked in the Forbes global top five for street food. The best place to experience it? In the traditional markets, among the stalls, fishmongers and kiosks.
• Many scholars believe that some of the legendary scenes from Homer's Odyssey took place in Sicily. So it's no surprise that director Christopher Nolan chose the island of Favignana in the Egadi archipelago and the Aeolian Islands as the setting for his film The Odyssey, turning sites of myth into modern international film sets.
• The Greek Theatre in Syracuse, built in the 5th century BC, is one of the largest and best-preserved theatres in the world. More than two thousand years on, it still serves its original purpose as a stage for theatrical performances and classical works.
• The Moor’s Heads are a symbol of Sicilian identity around the world, but they conceal a dark story of a passionate love affair.
• Sicily is the home of gelato: it was on this very island that this beloved dessert took shape.

• Brochure "Sicily - Authentic Emotions"
• Brochure "Sicily all year round"
  

• direzione.turismo@regione.sicilia.it