Rooter here. Looking outward.
Wine expertise, Sicilian hospitality and careful travel design in one team.
Local depth. International understanding.
The insider, the interpreter and the designer.
Luxury is being understood, welcomed and guided through Sicily with care.
Meet Contessa
Three people. One coherent journey.
Founder · Wine and culinary travel
Brittany Carlisi
A Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and an Italian Wine Specialist, Brittany brings more than 15 years in wine and culinary tourism across Italy and the United States.
Partner · Sicily & hospitality specialist
Cristian Fazio
Born in Messina, Cristian developed his hospitality and mixology experience between Sicily and Monte Carlo. He speaks Italian, Sicilian, French and English.
Travel designer
Nicole
Nicole translates guest preferences into coherent day-by-day journeys and coordinates the details with the team.
Your Sicily begins here
Meet us in Sicily.
Share a little about the journey you have in mind. Our team will reply personally.
Brittany Carlisi - Founder
I was introduced to Italian food and wine culture through my immigrant Sicilian grandparents. My professional career in restaurants arose out of a curiosity and love of the culinary experiences that I remembered having with my family.
After college, I moved to Rome, Italy to immerse myself in Italian culture before starting my career in the wine business, selling fine Italian wines throughout California. I have been living between Italy and the United States for more than 15 years, working in wine trade in both New York and California, as well as food and wine tourism in Rome, Italy and on Mount Etna in Sicily.
I am a Certified Sommelier level 2 with the Court of Masters, as well as an Italian Wine Specialist with the North American Sommelier Association and North and Central Italy certified with Ian d’Agata’s 3iC Italian wine curriculum. I divide my time between Italy, New York and California, working as an ambassador for select Italian wine brands, and curating culinary experiences in Italy and the USA
Cristian Fazio
Cristian, originally from Messina, Sicily, is deeply rooted in the culture and language of his birthplace. After honing his skills in hospitality, craft cocktails, and mixology in Monte Carlo, Monaco, he gained an innate understanding of the marketing industry, with a sharp business acumen and a constant commitment to learning, he is proficient in four languages - French, Italian, Sicilian, and English, he is an invaluable asset to our company.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to travel to Sicily?
Due to the mild climate and lower tourist affluence, Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) are the best periods to visit Sicily.
August is not recommended due to excessive heat, while winter is especially popular for hiking Mount Etna and visiting art cities.
Which are the main tourist attractions included in all-inclusive packages in Sicily?
Our packages are fully customizable to the needs and tastes of visitors. Our team will help you choose the experiences to be had on-site.
The tours can, therefore, be enriched with visits to classic destinations present on the island such as Palermo, excursions to the volcano Etna and the Valley of the Temples, or carefully selected places among small local enterprises and wineries that offer exclusive food and excellent wine little known to mass tourism, or again there is the possibility of joining exciting tours aboard luxury yachts and catamarans, to take a look at the island from the sea.
Contact us to find out about all the experiences we can offer you.
Do all-inclusive tours offer food and wine tours for specific diets?
Yes, we recommend that you let us know, at the time of booking, any needs related to any special diet (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free) or the presence of food intolerances, so that on-site food and wine experiences can be planned to the fullest and with the full support of local partners.
What is the recommended duration for an all-inclusive trip to Sicily?
The duration of our all-inclusive tours is up to you, as our trips are fully customizable in these terms as well.
On average, an all-inclusive trip to Sicily can start from a few days or go as long as two or more weeks on the island.
What kind of clothing is recommended?
We recommend that you bring light, comfortable clothing for the months between April and October, with a light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings. For winter, it is helpful to have warm, layered clothing.
Is it safe to travel to Sicily?
Yes, your stay in Sicily will be perfectly safe. Our organization takes care of everything and our partners are also ready and prepared for any unforeseen events.
Sicily is a hospitable land. Don't let a few misconceptions spoil your expectations and your experience on the island.
Are excursions to Etna safe?
Etna is the largest volcano in Europe and among the most active in the world.
However, this does not make it dangerous for hikers who have an experienced guide to accompany them.
Excursions to the volcano may include a visit to the main crater during periods when there is no ongoing magmatic activity, but may also include a safe visit to secondary craters.
These can also be visited during periods when the volcano is active, providing exceptional displays of moving lava.
