SICILY SUN, FOOD & GOLF

With a varied range of quality golf courses and temperate climate matched by a growing choice of direct flights to its four airports and a plethora of historical, cultural and gastronomic delights, Sicily has everything needed for a golf break offering outstanding courses and that little bit more, and is fast establishing itself among Europe’s top golf destinations.

The largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily’s nearby location to Africa means that it basks in sunshine nearly all-year round. Being situated so close to the African coastline presented a few problems in the past but all that is now a distant memory, with its long history of invasions and ancient civilisations all part of what makes it so fascinating.

Sicily is simply bursting with history and culture and, for many decades, has been a popular destination for tourists eager to discover many ingredients that makes it so fascinating.

Little wonder, with the island having been a Greek colony, a Phoenician settlement, a Roman province, a Byzantine region, an Arab emirate and a Norman Kingdom on its way to the eclectic culture that is apparent today.

One of its many joys is its ability to surprise you when you least expect it. As you stroll along the streets, you will come across the works of contemporary street art: it is intense, immediate and universal. Looking out over the infinity of the Sicilian hinterland, you will see a mystical and ancestral place while a visit to the numerous artisan workshops will unearth working traditions handed down from father to son over the centuries.

Italy is renowned as a nation for delivering some of the best gastronomy in the world, with each region fiercely proud of its culinary traditions, and Sicily is no exception.

The food is typically Mediterranean but there are strong hints of Arabic and Spanish flavours. Sicilians notoriously have a sweet tooth and are among the best dessert–makers in Italy. Try “cannoli”, “granita” and their most famous export “cassata”. Visitors should also take the chance to sample a glass or two of the island’s fruity lemon liqueur “Limoncello” after a meal.

Whether it be the history, architecture and culture; the legendary gastronomy and wines; or simply taking the chance to wander around the plethora of fishing villages and hilltop towns with picture-postcard Baroque cathedrals, even the most fussy of travelers will struggle not to find something to love in Sicily.

Verdura Resort

Nestled in the valley of the River Verdura, 40km from Agrigento and on Sicily’s south-west coast, the deluxe Verdura Resort features two 18-hole championship links-style courses – the recently redesigned East and West – as well as a ninehole executive course, all designed by acclaimed architect Kyle Phillips.

Home of the Rocco Forte Sicilian Open, Verdura boasts an array of other five-star facilities including a golf academy and double-ended driving range, 203 hotel rooms and suites – all with a sea view –20 new private villas, six tennis courts, a 4,000m² spa complex and a choice of four restaurants and five bars.

Stunning coastal scenery and challenging holes await golfers at Verdura – it’s no wonder it is listed as Italy’s number one golf venue in Golf World magazine’s renowned ‘Top 100 Resorts in Continental Europe’ ranking.

Off the golf course, guests of the hotel can expect modern design with luxury furnishings, inspired by 19th century Sicilian tile. Enjoy time in the Irene Forte Spa, where local botanicals harvested from Verdura’s Organic Farm are used the range of sensory experiences, therapies and skincare products. In addition, visitors can enjoy an array of cultural and culinary experiences including visit

Verdura West

There is no gentle opening on the West Course, with three lengthy par-fours to start the round, before the first of five par-threes puts your accuracy to the test. Challenging greens will examine the putting skills at every turn and as the front nine winds its way up through the estate, the back nine makes its way down to the Mediterranean with some exceptional views of the ocean. A dramatic finish to the round also awaits, with the outstanding closing holes all hugging the spectacular coastline.

Length: 6,547 metres / 7,160 yards

PAR: 70

Verdura East

The subject of a recent redesign by Kyle Phillips, Verdura’s East Course provides plenty of unforgettable moments throughout the round. Darting away from the clubhouse, highlights later in the round include the sixth hole, which requires a carefully placed tee shot to avoid water on the left and right, while a fairway bunker lurks on the right side. Once that is safely negotiated, an undulating green is guarded by two bunkers and more water at the front – and all with the beach and the lapping waves just a few steps away at the back of the green.

Length: 6,763 metres / 7,396 yards

PAR: 73

Il Picciolo

Located 56km from Catania, Il Picciolo ETNA Golf Resort & SPA sits on the lower slopes of Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. This beautiful golf course was designed within the lava fields produced after the volcano erupted in 1921.

As Sicily’s first ever 18-hole golf course, the location is unrivalled. Measuring 5,870m and offering breathtaking views of Etna from the vast majority of holes, the par-72 layout is notable for tree-lined fairways and an abundance of wild flowers, placing the premium on accuracy rather than length off the tee.

Designed in 1989 by renowned architect Luigi Rota Caremoli, the course has been fashioned using lava stone from Mount Etna, with the intention of creating terrain obstacles and a natural landscape.

The course has hosted four European Ladies Tour events and one Seniors Tour event over the years, further enhancing it as a course not to be missed on your visit to the island.

Complementing the golf is a 104-room fourstar hotel and range of leisure facilities, while its convenient location to Etna and its orchards, vineyards and typical Mediterranean vegetation makes Il Picciolo a popular base to explore one of the island’s main attractions.

Guests of the hotel can enjoy spacious and sophisticated style across a range of rooms and suites, overlooking the golf course and Etna. The surrounding area has become very famous for wine production over the past few years, so golfers can look forward to tasting local flavours.

Sticking with the volcanic theme away from the golf course, a visit to the hotel’s Rubia Spa offers

ONE OF SICILY’S MANY JOYS IS ITS ABILITY TO SURPRISE YOU WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT

lava stone massages and a range of innovative wellness and beauty treatments for guests.

Length: 5,870 metres / 6,420 yards

PAR: 72

I Monesteri

Forty-five kilometres to the south of Catania sits Borgo di Luce I Monasteri Golf Resort and Spa.

Designed by David and Vincenzo Mezzacane, the 18-hole, par-71 course features lush, green fairways and meanders through a combination of traditional Sicilian citrus, prickly pear, carob and olive trees. Bask in the intoxicating fragrance of the orchards and sunshine while you make your way around the course.

Surrounded by white limestone hills, the course extends over a flat, yet highly variable terrain, to provide golfers with a challenging round while taking in the breaktaking Sicilian landscape.

Comprehensive practice facilities include a 60-bay driving range and short game area while the club house provides an oasis of Sicilian architecture.

Set in a typical Benedictine monastery that later became the home of several noble families – the main hotel offers 102 spacious rooms as well as a spa, several swimming pools and restaurant featuring a menu inspired by typical Sicilian recipes.

Length: 6,520 metres / 7,130 yards

PAR: 71