A former monastery, later a winery, and today a retreat for vacationers from around the world: the Villa Ginevra in northeastern Sicily offers not only Mediterranean idyll but also truly unique travel experiences. These can now be booked through the experience platform mydays . Nestled in the rolling landscape around Ficarra, far from mass tourism, guests discover a place where the Sicilian way of life is tangible: whether during a meditative short break, cooking traditional family recipes, or taking part in the olive harvest followed by an oil tasting.
From South Tyrol to Sicily
This remarkable destination was founded by a family from South Tyrol who had spent years searching for the right vacation property . "We spent 15, almost 20 years looking for a suitable vacation home for ourselves" recalls Cindy, who runs the villa together with her husband. "Sicily captivated us immediately: the authenticity, the energy."\n\nWhen they first set foot in Villa Ginevra in 2022, it quickly became clear: this was the right place. Not just the location and history, but also the structural integrity won them over. "Because we come from the construction industry ourselves, we have very high standards. Many houses in southern Italy are charming but poorly built. Here, everything simply fell into place."\n\nToday, the family divides their time between Germany and Sicily along with their daughters, having transformed the historic estate into a truly special destination for experiences .
Relaxation with depth
Among the highlights, alongside intimate weddings, are regular yoga retreats. Twice a month, guests arrive in small groups to find peace and stillness in nature or in the historic dining hall . "When teachers and participants thank us at the end and say they finally found true rest with us, that is the greatest compliment I could receive,"says Cindy.\n\nA special dimension is added by people like Rosalia, a 60-year-old homemaker from the village. After personal hardships, she found her way to the villa, and today she shares her Sicilian family recipes with guests in cooking classes: Caponata, gnocchi shaped on a wooden board, or Pasta alla Norma, all prepared with ingredients from the estate's own garden. "What we are really about is rediscovering an appreciation for the original: the way ingredients taste when they come fresh from the tree or the garden bed,"says Cindy.
Olive harvest: flavor and history
In autumn, another highlight begins: the olive harvest. Guests follow the journey of the olives from picking to pressing at the local mill, including a tasting of the fresh oil with warm bread. The harvest begins as early as October 4, earlier than is customary in the region. "We had it verified that the olives at this point in time still have their highest nutrient content. The later the harvest, the more of that is lost. That is why we are happy to be the first."
Regional roots despite an international audience
Although around 95 percent of guests come from abroad, Villa Ginevra is firmly rooted in the region. Partnerships with local producers, winemakers, and agriturismi are a core part of the concept. "My goal is for the entire region to benefit from this energy,"Cindy emphasizes.\n\nFor those who want to explore, Cindy offers personal recommendations: medieval Cefalù in the off-season, Capo d'Orlando with its beach life, or a day trip to Mount Etna. Her insider tip: a boat tour to the Aeolian Islands, provided the wind cooperates.\n\nAnd those who settle in quickly sense what the locals mean by "Futtitinni": an invitation to take things as they come, even when something goes awry. The offerings at Villa Ginevra are now available to book on mydays.de whether as a short getaway, including the olive harvest, or with an authentic cooking class.
📌 Info: What is mydays?
mydays is a German experience provider that has been putting special moments and quality time center stage since 2003. From short getaways and skydiving to cooking classes, experiences can be booked on mydays.de as gifts or for personal enjoyment. Since 2017, mydays has been part of the JSMD Grouptogether with Jochen Schweizer, a company belonging to ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE. The platform offers several thousand experiences in Germany and across Europe, always with one goal in mind: Giving time that lasts. 🌐 Website: www.mydays.de