Our Testimonials

Ciro Grillo showed us around Palermo, including visits to Segesta, Mondelo, Trapani, Erice and Monreale. All of these sights were breathtaking. One of our days of touring, Ciro took us to a restaurant and bakery that were off the beaten path. The couscous lunch and cannoli were by far the best I have ever had!

But the highlight of our trip was meeting our Italian family, for the first time in Palazzolo Acreide. Ciro coordinated all activities and accommodations with family members, which we never would have been able to do (since we don’t speak Italian). All the while he was able to interpret for us (and them), bridging the language barrier, which was essential to having a successful family gathering. Ciro was also well versed in the history of Palazzolo Acreide which made our visit even more special.

Thank you, Ciro Grillo for making our trip to Sicily one my family will not forget. We will be back!

My sister, brother-in-law, my husband and myself used Ciro Grillo’s tour guide service while visiting Sicily. Marco was our guide for all three days. He was a very kind and considerate young man during our time together. By the end of our visit, we had formed a friendship. Marco navigated many difficult road situations and was very proficient in getting us to the designated towns in the Palermo region. I would definitely use this tour guide service again.

Ciro was an excellent guide. He listened to what interested us and made adjustments to our liking. I believe his motto should be “I aim to please”. He is very well versed on all of Sicily; therefore, he exposed us to the authentic and real feel of the different towns and people’s cultures. He was a breathe of fresh air and always worked around us. Both my husband and I felt like we had two vacations in one! Worth every penny! Extremely enjoyable and may I add a trip of a lifetime!

We have just returned from a most wonderful trip to Sicily with family and friends, and are grateful to Ciro Grillo and his team for making this trip that was so important to us a reality.

Before our arrival, Ciro communicated with my husband’s cousin in Vallelunga and set up our visit with them – we had a simply lovely day there, and made memories we will always treasure. Additionally, he connected me with a most wonderful geneologist there, Giovanni Montanti, who assisted me in furthering my research in the ancestral villages.

Ciro worked with me prior to our arrival to carefully craft an itinerary that reflected our needs and desires. We covered much of the island in a matter of 12 days, and did so comfortably with expert drivers and in a very comfortable van that accommodated most of our group.

At my request, Ciro arranged for a recording session in a special church in his own village of Ventimiglia (also the home of our driver for the last part of our trip, Rosario:). After that, we visited the village, and were introduced to a wonderful family there who operate a restaurant where we dined on a delicious several-course meal of foods and dishes specific to Ventimiglia – and were treated to some beautiful opera selections by the young son-in-law of the family. Afterwards we were invited into the kitchen with the family to watch their process for making bread for the restaurant. How special!

We were grateful to have Massimo and Gianni with us during the first week of the trip as our guides and interpreters. They were exceedingly kind and took care of our every need each day, and even cooked for us on a couple of nights (even after very long travel days), showing us how to make Sicilian pizza, bread and other recipes. They also surprised me with a birthday present on the morning of our trip to visit with the lafamiglia in Vallelunga, which was incredibly sweet! We were traveling with our 21 month old granddaughter, who they said is the “beauty of the family” – I think they may have fallen a bit in love with her as we all have!

So much more that could be said….but will wrap up by saying that we could not be more grateful to Ciro and his team for taking care every detail of our trip!

The Gulino’s

In this ancient land, with its rich multicultural legacy, and where Roman Catholicism coexists with vibrant echoes of the jealous, whimsical and sometimes vengeful Greek and Roman mythological Gods, some still believe the Fates intervene with human affairs for their own amusement.

So many fortuitous events drew six unrelated women to Sicily Routes, and its founder and our guide, Ciro Grillo, for the tour of a lifetime, through wildflower covered hills and sparkling seaside ports, through 6th century BC ruins, castles, gorgeous churches and museums, ricotta cheese farms and salt pans, sampling the freshest local seafood delicacies and its lemons, oranges, olives and almonds (also Caponata, Arancini, pasta, cannoli, gelato, pizza…), the finest (sulfate-free) wines, in the most charming, off-the-beaten-path restaurants in all of Sicily… mamma mia!

We believe the Fates were in very good moods when they brought us together. Now, friends for a lifetime.

Along with Margaret Sylvester and Rosario Pagano, our amiable and excellent driver, our group meshed well. Ciro speaks perfect English and is so knowledgeable about his native land, so accommodating, patient and flexible. We never felt rushed when we wanted to linger and play in an ancient Greek amphitheater, or dance with joy in the streets of Trapani after a sumptuous lunch prepared by a world-class chef.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you, Ciro, for this unforgettable experience, for your professionalism, knowledge, experience and for the love and respect you have for what you do and for your guests. And, may the Gods smile as kindly on all your future adventurers as they did on us.