The White Lotus Tour

Details

This tour celebrates the filming locations of the second season of The White Lotus, set in Sicily. The largest island in the Mediterranean becomes the backdrop of this refined and darkly ironic drama, where the stories of the guests intertwine with secrets, power games and hidden tensions among the hotel staff.

Your journey begins in Taormina, with a walking tour through its elegant historic center and ancient Greek heritage. The Greek Theatre, still in use today, dominates the landscape with breathtaking views over the Ionian Sea. In the evening, enjoy a boat tour along the coast of Taormina: sailing at sunset is the perfect way to admire the shoreline from the sea, accompanied by an aperitivo and golden Mediterranean light.

One day is dedicated to a food and wine experience at Tenuta Planeta – Feudo di Mezzo, featured in The White Lotus. This is the setting that captivated Harper, Ethan, Cameron and Daphne. Located on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, the estate benefits from altitude, volcanic soil and intense sunlight, creating a truly unique terroir. A guided wine tasting followed by lunch offers an authentic Sicilian experience.

The journey continues toward the Baroque town of Noto. Along the way, stop at Castello degli Schiavi, made famous by The Godfather, where the Corleone family gathered. The owner of the castle will host you, sharing anecdotes about the film production and the history of the estate.

In Noto, discover a town built entirely of golden sandstone, seemingly frozen in time. Don’t miss a stop at Caffè Sicilia to taste one of the island’s finest cassatas.

Not far away stands Villa Elena, transformed by interior designer Jacques Garcia from an old monastery into an extraordinary residence “where a monastery meets the sea.” In The White Lotus, it represents Quentin’s villa in Palermo. Unfortunately, as a private property, it cannot be visited.

Traveling from eastern to western Sicily reveals an almost lunar landscape. The route toward Palermo crosses silent hills, winding roads and small inland villages, offering an intimate view of Sicily’s interior. A short stop in Catania allows time for a refreshing granita or a slice of cassata. Catania is also one of Sicily’s most LGBTQ+ friendly cities, together with Palermo.

Continue to Cefalù, an elegant seaside town known for its crystal-clear waters and beaches such as Mazzaforno and Settefrati. The magnificent Norman Cathedral dominates the historic center. Here you will enjoy a couple of relaxing days before moving on to Palermo.

On the way to the former capital of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, Sicily’s layered history unfolds: Phoenicians, Arabs, Normans and French rulers all left their mark on Palermo. The historic center is a maze of ancient streets and lively markets, including Ballarò and Vucciria, where street food, colors and voices express the true soul of the city.

A guided walking tour leads you to the Cathedral, the Norman Palace, and the Teatro Massimo, where Tanya attends Madama Butterfly in the series.

Before reaching Monreale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cathedral, visit Villa Tasca, which appears in The White Lotus as the villa where Daphne and Harper spend the night. Set within a vast 19th-century park blending English and Italian styles, the villa features frescoed interiors and a remarkable botanical garden rich in Mediterranean vegetation.

On the final evening, enjoy an Arrivederci dinner, pairing traditional Sicilian dishes with robust local wines—a joyful conclusion to an unforgettable journey.

The tour ends in Palermo.

What Media Says About?

       

This tour celebrates the filming locations of the second season of The White Lotus, set in Sicily. The largest island in the Mediterranean becomes the backdrop of this refined and darkly ironic drama, where the stories of the guests intertwine with secrets, power games and hidden tensions among the hotel staff.

Your journey begins in Taormina, with a walking tour through its elegant historic center and ancient Greek heritage. The Greek Theatre, still in use today, dominates the landscape with breathtaking views over the Ionian Sea. In the evening, enjoy a boat tour along the coast of Taormina: sailing at sunset is the perfect way to admire the shoreline from the sea, accompanied by an aperitivo and golden Mediterranean light.

One day is dedicated to a food and wine experience at Tenuta Planeta – Feudo di Mezzo, featured in The White Lotus. This is the setting that captivated Harper, Ethan, Cameron and Daphne. Located on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, the estate benefits from altitude, volcanic soil and intense sunlight, creating a truly unique terroir. A guided wine tasting followed by lunch offers an authentic Sicilian experience.

The journey continues toward the Baroque town of Noto. Along the way, stop at Castello degli Schiavi, made famous by The Godfather, where the Corleone family gathered. The owner of the castle will host you, sharing anecdotes about the film production and the history of the estate.

In Noto, discover a town built entirely of golden sandstone, seemingly frozen in time. Don’t miss a stop at Caffè Sicilia to taste one of the island’s finest cassatas.

Not far away stands Villa Elena, transformed by interior designer Jacques Garcia from an old monastery into an extraordinary residence “where a monastery meets the sea.” In The White Lotus, it represents Quentin’s villa in Palermo. Unfortunately, as a private property, it cannot be visited.

Traveling from eastern to western Sicily reveals an almost lunar landscape. The route toward Palermo crosses silent hills, winding roads and small inland villages, offering an intimate view of Sicily’s interior. A short stop in Catania allows time for a refreshing granita or a slice of cassata. Catania is also one of Sicily’s most LGBTQ+ friendly cities, together with Palermo.

Continue to Cefalù, an elegant seaside town known for its crystal-clear waters and beaches such as Mazzaforno and Settefrati. The magnificent Norman Cathedral dominates the historic center. Here you will enjoy a couple of relaxing days before moving on to Palermo.

On the way to the former capital of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, Sicily’s layered history unfolds: Phoenicians, Arabs, Normans and French rulers all left their mark on Palermo. The historic center is a maze of ancient streets and lively markets, including Ballarò and Vucciria, where street food, colors and voices express the true soul of the city.

A guided walking tour leads you to the Cathedral, the Norman Palace, and the Teatro Massimo, where Tanya attends Madama Butterfly in the series.

Before reaching Monreale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cathedral, visit Villa Tasca, which appears in The White Lotus as the villa where Daphne and Harper spend the night. Set within a vast 19th-century park blending English and Italian styles, the villa features frescoed interiors and a remarkable botanical garden rich in Mediterranean vegetation.

On the final evening, enjoy an Arrivederci dinner, pairing traditional Sicilian dishes with robust local wines—a joyful conclusion to an unforgettable journey.

The tour ends in Palermo.

What Media Says About?

       

Read more

Itinerary

Arrival in Taormina and check-in at your hotel.
The rest of the day is free to relax, enjoy the elegant atmosphere of the town, or take a first stroll through its historic streets overlooking the Ionian Sea. Evening at leisure and dinner on your own.

The day begins with a guided walking tour of Taormina, one of the most refined destinations of the Mediterranean. Chosen by European aristocracy during the Grand Tour, Taormina became, from the 19th century onward, a true buen retiro for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Artists such as Wilhelm von Gloeden celebrated beauty and homoeroticism here, inspired by the dramatic landscape dominated by Mount Etna.

The tour explores the town’s historic center, archaeological heritage and panoramic viewpoints, including the famous Greek Theatre, still in use today.

Later, the journey continues toward Tenuta Planeta – Feudo di Mezzo, featured in The White Lotus. Set on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, the estate benefits from volcanic soil, altitude and intense sunlight, creating a unique terroir. The visit includes a walk through the vineyards, followed by a guided wine tasting of local labels, paired with traditional cheeses, bread and extra-virgin olive oils. Lunch at the estate completes this authentic Sicilian experience.

Back in Taormina, the day ends with a sunset boat tour along the coast. Sailing at golden hour offers unforgettable views of the shoreline, with time for swimming and an aperitivo on board.
Dinner is free.

After check-out, travel south toward Noto, stopping along the way at Castello degli Schiavi, a legendary film location from The Godfather and mentioned in The White Lotus. The castle’s owner will personally host the visit, sharing stories about the estate and behind-the-scenes anecdotes from famous movie productions.

Upon arrival in Noto, enjoy free time for lunch before a guided walking tour of this extraordinary Baroque town, rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake and considered one of the finest examples of Sicilian Baroque architecture. Noto also appears in The White Lotus as the fictional setting for the girls’ trip, although the villa shown in the series is located near Palermo.

Check-in at your hotel in Noto. Evening at leisure.

The day is dedicated to Modica, once the capital of one of Sicily’s richest counties. Begin with a visit to Antica Dolceria Bonajuto, including a tasting of Modica’s famous cold-processed chocolate, renowned worldwide.

A walking tour follows, exploring Modica’s historic center and its Baroque churches, shaped by the reconstruction after the 1693 earthquake. Along Corso Umberto, admire elegant civil architecture and landmarks such as the Church of San Pietro.

The tour also includes an exterior visit to Villa Elena, transformed by interior designer Jacques Garcia and featured in The White Lotus as Quentin’s residence in Palermo. As a private property, the villa cannot be visited inside.

Return to Noto in the afternoon. The rest of the day is free.

After check-out, depart toward Catania, one of Sicily’s most LGBTQ+ friendly cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its late Baroque architecture.

A guided walking tour explores the historic center, starting from the Cathedral and the iconic Elephant Fountain, then continuing to Ursino Castle, historically associated with meeting places for the arrusi (passive) and masculi (active). The route also touches the former male-only ballroom and the San Berillo district, once the city’s red-light area, and the symbolic “arvuru russu” (red tree), a powerful witness to the persecution of gay men during the Fascist era.

After free time for lunch, continue to Cefalù, a seaside town celebrated for its beaches and Norman heritage. Check-in and time to relax. Dinner at leisure.

A full day at leisure in Cefalù. Relax on the beaches of Mazzaforno or Settefrati, enjoy the crystal-clear waters, browse artisan shops, or visit the magnificent Norman Cathedral, famous for its Byzantine mosaics. Don’t miss one of Cefalù’s evocative sunsets by the sea.

After check-out, travel to Palermo, the vibrant capital of Sicily and a crossroads of civilizations. A guided walking tour introduces the city’s layered history, from the Norman Cathedral to the Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel, with their extraordinary Byzantine mosaics.

The experience continues through Palermo’s historic open-air markets, Ballarò and Vucciria, where colors, voices and street food reveal the true soul of the city. Taste local specialties such as arancine, granita or cassata.

Transfer to the hotel in the afternoon. Optional free time to relax or, upon request, enjoy an excursion to Mondello Beach. Evening at leisure.

The day begins with a visit to Villa Tasca, featured in The White Lotus as the villa where Daphne and Harper spend the night. Dating back to the 16th century, the villa is surrounded by an extraordinary botanical park blending English and Italian styles. Over the centuries, it hosted kings, composers and historical figures, from the Bourbon dynasty to Wagner and Jacqueline Kennedy.

Continue to Monreale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to visit its magnificent Cathedral and the nearby San Benedetto Monastery, followed by the Belvedere, offering panoramic views over the Conca d’Oro.

After free time for lunch, return to Palermo. In the evening, enjoy a special Arrivederci dinner at a local restaurant, pairing traditional Sicilian cuisine with robust regional wines.

Check-out from the hotel and end of services.

Giardini Naxos
Palermo
Elephant Fountain, Catania

What's Included

Accommodation with breakfast
Escorted Tours
Local tour leader & guide
Meals as scheduled in the itinerary
Ticketing
Wine tasting

What's Excluded

Everything not clearly mentioned on what's Included
Flights
Personal extras
City tax (to be paid on the spot)

Additional Information

This itinerary is designed as a small group tour, ideal for travelers who enjoy sharing experiences with like-minded people.

Upon request, the tour can also be customized and arranged as a private or tailor-made experience, adapting services, accommodation and pace to individual needs.

The group experience is operated with a minimum of 8 participants.

Accommodation

  • Villa Paradiso** (or similar)** – Taormina
  • Netum Hotel** (or similar)** – Noto
  • Alberi del Paradiso** (or similar)** – Cefalù
  • Federico II Hotel** (or similar)** – Palermo

Accommodation in standard double room with breakfast.
City taxes included.

Single-use double room supplement: €2,000.00

Accessibility & Logistics

The cities included in the itinerary feature historic centers with limited vehicle access. In some locations, buses or vans cannot reach the hotels directly. When required, guests will walk a short distance from the parking area to the hotel. Assistance with luggage will be provided whenever possible. Thank you for your understanding.

The Voice of Our Clients

Eric Hodgson
Eric Hodgson OUTbound Travel
Amazing experience, fantastic guides, great organization. Really unique tours led by incredible professionals. All around amazing experience!
Ian
Ian
My husband and I booked the tour of the “Vatican in a gay light” for one morning during our trip to Rome. Our guide, Dario, was very knowledgeable of the historical significe of the art works as well as many of the anecdotes that provided context. We learned a great deal and truly enjoyed ourselves. This tour is too notch! Thank you.
Matt Berg
Matt Berg
Excellent pre-cruise Quiiky tour in Venice. Great guide who had so much intimate knowledge of Venice. Besides being very handsome he is a local resident for more than 2 decades with so much intimate knowledge that you can’t get from a guidebook. This is my second time using Quiiky for tours and transfers; they’re my first choice in Italy!
Dan & Vince
Dan & Vince
First I would like to thank you and your company and all involved for a wonderful trip. From beginning to end we continued to be amazed by all the wonder service we received from all of you. We had a fabulous time for our anniversary. All the guides were great and all better than we expected. It is hard to pick a best as they were all awesome, that being said, three stand out for being most personable and had a excellent sense of how to move us along our tours. Quiiky gets 5 out of 5 for all other ratings. Yes, we would positively reccommend for anyone considering travel to Italy. AND, Giovanna, you’re the best.
Tony & Joseph
Tony & Joseph
We appreciate Quiiky incredible attention to detail. We didn’t have to worry about a thing. The drivers Quiiky arranged were always early, communicated with us very effectively and even called the hotels to inform them we were en route. The guides were all incredibly knowledgeable, kind, fun, and eager to answer our questions. The hotels were beautiful, spacious, and had lots of great amenities. Staff at each hotel were also immensely helpful. We’re happy to be a reference for anyone. We are grateful for all Quiiky did to listen to our specific requests and create an agenda that was perfect for us.
 John Bindlechner-Wigan
John Bindlechner-Wigan
We adored our Quikky tour of the Vatican with our guide Claudio. We had been a little apprehensive about visiting the Vatican but this tour is the way to go! Claudio had an expert knowledge of the art collection and we enjoyed hearing the "other", more scandalous stories of the private lives of Michelangelo and the popes. We loved our visit to the museums, Sistine Chapel, grotto and St Peters - I recommend joining the queue and adding on the view from the dome of the basilica - well worth the stairs!
Denis Dallaire
Denis Dallaire
The excursion to Capri was great! The headphone system worked really well and the guide Andrea was super nice and fun! He was a really good guide and would not hesitate to have him again. The food and drink offerings were very good. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
Richard Hurlbut
Richard Hurlbut
Overall, we were thrilled with our tour with Quiiky. We were particularly pleased with our guides and drivers in Salerno, Rome, Florence and Venice. And given the crowds in some locations, the front-of-line privileges were particularly welcome. Money well spent!...... I would recommend any of the guides to anyone considering a similar tour. It was these private tours, and the guides’ depth of knowledge, that made all the difference.....Again, we had a wonderful time and would definitely use Quiiky again should we return to Italy.
Oliver Broad
Oliver Broad
Thanks for a great alternative tour of the Vatican. Having visited back in 1999 I wanted something a little different to do with my husband who had never visited before. It is great to see Quiiky offering tours with a twist and can most definitely recommend this one for your next visit to Rome.
Greg Brady
Greg Brady
First had a wonderful pre-cruise Quikky tour in Venice. Our guide was super friendly, knowledgeable, and a great deal of fun. Then I went on a tour of the Vatican and our tour guide was incredible. He is an expert on the Vatican and on the pertinent gay history (which turns out to be much more than you might even think). He literally made the Vatican come alive and provided one of the more fascinating tours I have taken anywhere. And the two wonderful owners of Quiiky picked us up and took us on a vehicular tour of Rome. Others got back from Rome complaining of the crowds and the heat... we got back energized, happy, and filled with fascinating information after an afternoon filled with fun and personalized care. Don't make the mistake thinking you will get an equivalent tour from a straight guide/company -- if you are gay, Quiiky is the way to go.
Auston Matta
Auston Matta
I highly recommend Quiiky Travel for any guided visit to Rome or Italy. I was both surprised and entertained by everything GAY I learned about the Vatican on my tour. They are passionate about providing an excellent travel experience and I have no doubt that you would enjoy one of their tours or travel products.
Denis Dallaire
Denis Dallaire
What a wonderful experience to Messina and Taormina. Antonio was a great guide with good knowledge and history-telling. Really enjoyed the history of the museum Cusena. Again the food and drinks on the boat were very good. Thank you so much!
Santiago Stanley
Santiago Stanley
Our excursion to Messina and Taormina today was excellent. Antonio was amazing. Our food experience was on point … starting with the granita and Brioche in Messina and the arancini and cannoli in Taormina!!! The boat trip around the bays was spectacular and the food again!!! Eggplant Parmesan and the sardine dish and olives… Again Antonio was patient , knowledgeable sweet and always on time!! Excellent experience!!!
Adam Martindale
Adam Martindale
We had a fantastic tour of the Vatican with Paolo from Quiiky. Paolo was knowledgeable, personable, fun and really gave us a different insight into the history of art and the gay artists that are part of the Vatican’s history and more! Highly recommended!
Theron Clark Stuart
Theron Clark StuartGroup Traveller
It was easy to schedule our tour. Everything was explained in great detail, so there was no confusion on the day of the excursion. The vans were spotless and comfortable. Our guide for the Colosseum was exceptional in every way. He was cute, knowledgeable, witty, flexible and engaging. We met so wonderful folks and shared a wonderful lunch with the guys from our group. Could not have been happier with Quiiky.
Curtis Korchinsky
Curtis KorchinskyGroup Traveller
Fantastic company to work with. Very easy and simple…..and good value. Will definitely book with them again!
Ron Davis
Ron Davis
BEST TOUR COMPANY YOU COULD WISH FOR! I have done two tours in Rome with this amazing company and both times it was 20-30 people Expert process, memorable tours, top notch experience. We arrived by cruise ship and they handled everything. Regardless of how you arrive you will receive a tour that is personal and you feel like you w learned secrets and things you would never ever have heard or known. I wholeheartedly recommend them.
Bob Kobosky
Bob Kobosky
Highly recommend Quiiky.com for tours/day trips in Italy. They did an AMAZING job on our tours in Palermo and Naples as well as arranging a wonderful beach day for us when we disembark in Civitavecchia before heading to the airport in the late afternoon.
Jackson
Jackson
Attentive to details
We were in Venice for a very short time and I was looking for a tour to maximize our experience. Giovanna, the sales manager, was amazing and found a tour to meet our desires and time frame. The guide met us at the train station and took us on a tour of the city. He was insightful and personable and we enjoyed our time together.
Departure:

The White Lotus Tour

From € 5,700

Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Destination: Sicily
Inspiration: Art & Culture

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