Industry Insider: The Sicilian Coast with Giulio Polegato, General Manager of Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte hotel
“Sicily is in every detail at Vedura: from the architecture and local materials to the cuisine and the warmth of hospitality.”
Giulio Polegato, General Manager, Verdura Resort
More of Giulio’s Favorites
CRAFTSMANSHIP AND SHOPS
La Gioiosa Ceramiche, Burgio
Sicily's first all-female ceramics workshop, run by three artisans in the hilltop village of Burgio who inherited ancient glaze formulas that give their hand-painted maiolica its distinctively rich yellows and greens.
Nocito Coral Museum, Sciacca
Fourth-generation family jewelry workshop and private museum that has been hand-crafting pieces from rare Sciacca fossil coral since 1905.
CONTEMPORARY ART
Farm Cultural Park, Favara
Open-air cultural hub carved out of seven interconnected abandoned courtyards in a small town near Agrigento, with contemporary art, murals, artist residencies, and bars.
Gibellina
Italian Capital of Contemporary Art 2026
Rebuilt after an 1968 earthquake and reimagined as an open-air museum with works by some of Italy's greatest artists and architects. Alberto Burri’s vast white concrete shroud poured over the ruins of the old town is one of the largest land art installations in the world.
Cretto di Burri and the Fondazione Palazzo Albizzini Collezione Burri
Foundation dedicated to preserving the legacy of Alberto Burri; oversees both his archive in Città di Castello and the monumental Cretto in Gibellina.
BEACH CLUB
Beach Club Cala Manbrù, Siculiana
Between the Valle dei Templi and the Torre Salsa Nature Reserve, this polished beach club offers loungers, kayak and SUP rentals, and a terrace cocktail bar perfectly positioned for spectacular sunsets.
"Sicily is the key to everything," wrote Goethe in his Italian Journey. The largest island in the Mediterranean has been shaped by Greek colonies, Norman kingdoms, and Arab rule, and there are echoes of the civilizations in its buildings and ruins, and along the coastal paths that follow its shores. Sicily moves to its own rhythm, from the blooms of spring wildflowers to warm harvest colors in the autumn. It’s the perfect place to unwind after the hustle of a summer trip through Europe, both because of its unhurried pace and for the variety of activities available on property.
Occupying more than 570 acres of coastline in the island's southwest, Verdura Resort draws its character from these surroundings: windows open to the wide sweep of the coast, and olive and orange groves stretch back from the shore. Between three golf courses, the Irene Forte Spa, a rare Italian private beach, multiple restaurants, and extensive sports facilities, Verdura operates more like a small town than a hotel. General Manager Giulio Polegato celebrates the resort’s “genuine ability to welcome anyone, whether couples, families, or groups, while personalizing each stay through a deep understanding of every guest's needs." We chatted with Giulio about his favorite parts of this slice of Sicily.
A Resort Transformed
The first phase of a significant renovation has just been completed, with 58 rooms and suites refreshed under the direction of Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen, working closely with Rocco Forte Hotels' venerable Director of Design, Lady Olga Polizzi. The landscape was "the primary architect for the internal flow" - lounge areas and bedrooms face the sea, so that the Mediterranean horizon is a constant presence. Earth tones and matte finishes draw the warmth of the sun into the room.
The island's ceramic heritage, basketry traditions, and geology are woven throughout, and rattan, Travertine and limestone, handmade tiles, stripe motifs drawn from Mediterranean craft traditions, linen and textured cotton fill the rooms with local soul. Throughout, abstract compositions in volcanic ochres, terracottas, and charcoal by Spanish artist Cristina Mena sit in dialogue with the angles of the contemporary furniture.
Each of the new Forte Suites has its own distinct personality. The Mimosa Suite takes its energy from the surrounding gardens, with ochre accents and floral motifs, while the Acacia Suite turns toward the countryside, its deep greens and warm woodwork pulling the olive groves directly into the living space. Each opens onto a terrace where the Sicilian coast arranges itself around you, often with a private pool, shaded dining areas, and a hammock positioned to make the most of the views. "The balance of lights, the acoustics, the way the space feels - these things make the atmosphere and shape the guest’s emotional experience," Giulio says.
The Private Villas
Sicilian Wonders near Verdura Resort
Valley of the Temples
A UNESCO World Heritage Site; book the resort's exclusive private sunrise visit.
Caltabellotta
A recently identified Blue Zone village.
Sciacca
The nearest coastal town, perfect for a summer evening of seafood and sea breeze.
Scala dei Turchi
A dramatic white cliff located along the sea between Realmonte and Porto Empedocle.
For families and groups seeking something beyond the main building, the Rocco Forte Private Villas are their own world within the resort. Each is framed by sea views and infinity pools.
Polegato describes a different pace among villa guests. "They tend to seek a more intimate and independent experience, enjoying privacy and a slower pace." The villas work perfectly for multigenerational families and groups of friends, and the resort has designed experiences specifically for groups, like private yoga sessions and a mixology masterclass using Sicilian agave. Villa guests have full access to all resort facilities, including the Academies with the Stars sports program for younger guests, wine tastings at Sicily's finest vineyards, and cooking classes at La Casetta nell'Orto, where Chef Fulvio Pierangelini has designed a culinary story rooted in the resort's own organic garden.
A Perfect Day, Two Ways
Because of the size of the property, it’s possible to carve out whatever type of experience you’re seeking. For couples, Giulio’s ideal Verdura day begins slowly with breakfast in the room, a morning walk through the resort's greenery, then tennis, golf, or horseback riding before time at the spa, which is one of the largest in Europe. The afternoon belongs to the pool or private beach, and the evening stars with an aperitif at Scirocco Bar at sunset and dinner on the beach or at Zagara.
For families, the rhythm is different. Start with breakfast at Buongiorno, after which the resort's natural sorting mechanism takes over: younger children gravitate toward Verduland, where cooking classes and beach games fill the morning, while teenagers can dig into water sports and the teen club and parents find a quiet morning suddenly available. Everyone reconvenes in the afternoon for a shared cooking class or family golf lesson, and the day ends with dinner outdoors at Liolà.
Local Summer Highlights
FestiValle, Valley of the Temples, Agrigento | August 7–10, 2026
Now in its tenth edition, this four-day international music and digital arts festival brings jazz, soul, and electronic acts to the UNESCO-listed ruins of Agrigento's Valley of the Temples, with sunset concerts, aftershows under the stars, and performances framed by the Temples of Concordia and Juno.
Ellenic Music Festival, Agrigento | August 22–23, 2026
Two-night independent rock and electronic festival held in the same ancient Valley of the Temples, offering a more intimate counterpart to FestiValle.
Beyond the Resort
Verdura's position on Sicily's southwest coast puts some of the island's most compelling history within reach. The Valley of the Temples outside Agrigento, where eight temples of sandstone and tuff rise from rolling hills of wild herbs and citrus groves, is among the Mediterranean's most significant cultural sites, and the resort offers guests access to a private sunrise visit. Closer to home, the village of Caltabellotta, recently identified as an emerging Blue Zone, can be visited with a local insider guide who reveals the secrets of longevity that its inhabitants have long preserved. And for a perfect summer evening outside the resort, Giulio recommends the coastal town of Sciacca for its sea breeze, music along the streets, and fresh seafood, or even a visit to Agrigento itself, where the ancient temples, illuminated against the summer night, make time feel genuinely elastic.
