What stays with our guest.
Words from travelers who trusted Contessa to shape their time in Sicily.
Traveler stories
Personal journeys, in their words.
"Working with Contessa Consulting was the best decision we made this trip. ... The itinerary they planned for us - including vineyard visits, an incredible crater tour on Mt. Etna, and a cooking class we'll never forget - were all highlights of the trip."
Matthew W. · Contessa guest
"Brittany created such a beautiful day for us that gave us more connection with Sicily and what is produced/grown and made there than any other day of our trip. ... I loved that the activities we ended up doing didn't feel touristy at all and felt incredibly genuine and special."
Molly R. · Contessa guest
"Contessa helped us plan an incredible honeymoon - Cristian and Brittany at Contessa Consulting were truly so amazing as we worked with them to book a visit to Mt. Etna in Sicily for me and my fiancée's honeymoon. They were deeply kind and were able to very quickly tailor a visit that matched our interests, all with a local perspective."
Joda T. · Contessa guest
"My son and I had the most memorable 3 days in Sicily because of Contessa Consulting! Our goals were to enjoy and learn about Mt. Etna wines as well as exploring the volcano. ... Because of this personalized attention, we really felt immersed in the culture!"
Francie R. · Contessa guest
"Wonderful & Accommodating - We booked a few (very last minute!) things with Contessa for our first time in Sicily. ... Cristian was so helpful and accommodating and really tailored the experience to us. We had a lovely agroturismo and Mt. Etna experience."
Samantha K. · Contessa guest
"Trip of a lifetime! - For this trip I traveled solo and opted to book through Contessa Consulting and am glad I did! I visited wineries, hiked Mt Etna, and learned how to make granita! Cristian took great care of me and was flexible when I needed to detour. Highly recommended!"
Valerie B. · Contessa guest
Verified Traveller Feedback
Trusted journeys, independently reviewed
Live ratings from guests who travelled with Contessa, shown directly from Google, WeTravel and Tripadvisor.
Industry Endorsements
Professional perspectives on Brittany's work.
These endorsements are separate from the guest testimonials above.
"If you want a stellar food and wine-focused tour, contact Brittany Carlisi."
Katie Parla · Industry Endorsement
"Brittany Carlisi's dynamic tours of Italy are the best way to experience Italian wine, food, and culture in a true hospitality professional fashion."
Shelley Lindgren · Industry Endorsement
"Having been lucky enough to travel around the world and throughout Italy, I would be hard-pressed to find a more passionate, dynamic, fun & talented person than Brittany Carlisi."
Jeff Porter · Industry Endorsement
"I've worked with Brittany Carlisi for over a decade in the Italian wine business, both in events and sales. Brittany is an expert in Italian food, wine, and culture."
Joe Bastianich · Industry Endorsement
Your Sicily begins here
Create a Sicily story of your own.
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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.
