A smiling couple stands on a waterfront promenade with a seaside town and a large rocky hill in the background. The woman is wearing a pink dress and the man is wearing a cream crochet top and white pants.

About us

Meet your hosts to Sicily’s hidden gems

We’re Santi & Dara, the heart behind Gems of Sicily. We are a Sicilian-American couple dedicated to showing you the BEST of Sicily, from iconic landmarks to tucked away treasures.

Santi was born and raised in Sicily, where family traditions, food, and storytelling are a way of life. Dara (short for Dorotea) is an American with Sicilian roots who fell in love with Sicily (and Santi), brings fresh eyes to the island’s charm. Together, we blend local expertise with an outsider’s curiosity, crafting experiences that go beyond the expected.

A man in sunglasses lifts a woman in a pink floral dress in front of a historic fountain with numerous white marble statues in a European city square.

Our passion: Iconic sights & secret treasures

We believe the best way to experience Sicily is with a perfect balance - seeing the legendary sites you’ve always dreamed of while also discovering the quiet, authentic moments that most travelers miss.

  • Walk through ancient ruins and historic cities, but also step into the backstreets where daily life unfolds.

  • Visit famous landmarks, but pair them with stops at hidden villages, local artisans’ workshops, and coastal hideaways.

  • Savor traditional Sicilian cuisine, whether it’s a meal at a historic trattoria or a home-cooked feast with locals.

A woman and a man shopping at outdoor market, greeted by the vendor, an older man with a beard, with fresh produce and nuts displayed on the stall.

More than a tour,
it’s an invitation into our world

We want to inspire you by giving you the full Sicilian experience - one that’s rich in history, culture, and connection.

Come explore Sicily with us, where every moment is designed to make you feel like you belong here.

Join Us and experience Sicily like never before.

A family of four, consisting of a woman, man, and two girls, standing in front of shelves filled with colorful hats inside a store with a vibrant, geometric-patterned wall.
A family of five enjoying a swim on a blue inflatable raft in a swimming pool with clear water, under a bright blue sky, with a landscape of trees and buildings in the background.
Family of four posing outdoors against a cityscape background on a sunny day.

Join the Gems of Sicily NEWSLETTER!

Inside Sicily: food, places, and real life — beyond the guidebooks


When you join our mailing list, you’re not just signing up for updates.

You’ll receive thoughtful notes from Sicily, written by people who live here — sharing the places we love, the rhythms of daily life, seasonal food traditions, and how we experience the island beyond the tourist lens.

What we share:

    •    Insider stories from Sicily’s towns, markets, and regions

    •    What everyday life here really looks like — unfiltered and unhurried

    •    Seasonal recipes and food traditions from our kitchen

    •    How we choose locations, producers, and experiences for our tours

    •    Early access to new tour dates and limited places

It’s personal, informative, and written with care — the kind of email you’ll actually want to open.

Join the Gems of Sicily Letter

We write when we have something worth sharing. No noise. No pressure.


Enter your email to receive notes from Sicily