Sicily is the island of citrus fruits. The presence of citrus plants is deeply rooted in the local territory, both in its environment – characterized by evergreen gardens dotted with evocative orange and yellow fruits – and its typical cuisine. Citrus becomes the perfect ingredient to design an authentic event programme, allowing corporate groups to discover Sicily through its tastes, scents, and traditions.
Rediscovering Your Senses in Sicily
When planning corporate events, retreats, or incentives, Sicily offers a rare opportunity to combine work with meaningful sensory experiences. From citrus orchards to volcanic vineyards, the island’s landscapes awaken creativity and foster connection. Imagine brainstorming surrounded by the scent of zagara (orange blossom), or celebrating team achievements with a cooking class featuring lemons just harvested from the estate garden.
These experiences go beyond leisure – they create moments of focus, relaxation, and inspiration, helping teams bond and see challenges from a fresh perspective.
Villa Aranjaya: A Case Study in Authentic Venues
One of the venues we collaborate with is Villa Aranjaya, a residential complex within a working organic farm just 30 minutes from Catania. Recognized as a Natural and Cultural Heritage site, its citrus groves provide a powerful setting for workshops, team building, or small incentive groups.
Here, participants can take part in a lemon harvest, cook with local chefs, or walk through the “fragrant paths” of medicinal herbs. Activities such as pruning citrus trees or creating Sicilian dishes together aren’t just fun – they encourage teamwork, patience, and shared discovery. Villa Aranjaya is a great example of how Sicily’s venues allow companies to integrate sustainability and culture into their corporate events.
Seasonal Highlights and Surrounding Experiences
Winter is the season of the lemon harvest, making it an ideal time for companies to plan retreats that connect participants with local traditions. Groups can also explore Etna’s wineries, join guided visits to Eden-like Sicilian gardens, or experience cultural highlights such as the Festival of Saint Agatha in Catania – three unforgettable days of devotion, folklore, and community celebration.
These seasonal elements enrich the programme, ensuring that every event is deeply rooted in Sicily’s culture and rhythms.
Special Moments for Corporate Retreats and Incentives
The real strength of hosting corporate events in Sicily lies in how everyday activities become powerful team experiences. A lemon harvest, for example, is not only a cultural immersion but also a hands-on exercise in teamwork and shared achievement. Cooking together with local chefs goes beyond tasting delicious food — it promotes collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving.
These moments allow participants to step outside traditional meeting rooms and engage in experiences that naturally strengthen trust, communication, and leadership skills. The result is a programme where business goals are supported by meaningful activities, ensuring that teams return home not only with great memories but also with renewed energy, stronger bonds, and fresh perspectives.
Why Sicily Works for Business Events
- Authenticity – Programmes rooted in real traditions and local culture.
- Seasonality – Activities aligned with natural cycles, such as the lemon harvest.
- Positive Impact – Collaboration with local communities, farmers, and artisans.
- Flexibility – Venues ranging from historic estates to contemporary spaces.
- Memorability – Experiences that enrich team spirit while celebrating Sicily’s heritage.
Plan Your Next Event in Sicily
At Italian Special Occasions DMC, we design sustainable and tailor-made programmes that balance corporate goals with authentic engagement. Venues like Villa Aranjaya show how Sicily can become the stage for retreats and incentives that inspire, motivate, and leave a lasting impact.
Contact us today and let’s start planning your Italian special occasion together!
Frequently Asked Questions about Planning Corporate Events in Sicily
Why should I choose Sicily for my corporate event or incentive trip?
Sicily offers a unique blend of history, culture, gastronomy, and natural beauty. Unlike mainstream destinations, it allows your guests to experience authentic venues, engage with local communities, and enjoy meaningful activities in a sustainable way.
What types of events can be organised at these venues?
From board meetings, team building, and incentive trips to product launches, cultural programmes, and private celebrations, the venues we select in Sicily are highly versatile and adaptable to your needs.
How do you ensure events are sustainable?
We prioritise venues and suppliers that value heritage preservation, environmental stewardship, and local engagement. Our programmes integrate seasonal menus, artisan workshops, and cultural activities that directly support the community.
Can you combine business with leisure experiences?
Absolutely. We design itineraries where corporate meetings or product presentations are paired with immersive experiences, such as cooking classes, vineyard visits, artistic workshops, or open-air opera performances.
What size of groups can you accommodate?
Our venues range from intimate historical villas ideal for small executive groups to larger hotels, botanical parks and theatres. We tailor the choice of venue to your group size and event goals.
How far in advance should we plan our event in Sicily?
For the best availability of venues, accommodations, and local experts, we recommend planning at least 6–12 months ahead. However, thanks to our local network, we can also assist with shorter timelines when needed.
Do you also offer support with logistics and travel arrangements?
Yes. As a Destination Management Company, we provide end-to-end event planning, including logistics, accommodations, transfers, and on-site coordination, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience for you and your guests.
This article was first published in 2015; last update in August 2025. We constantly inspect venues and update our blog!
Photo credit for featured image above: Lemon grove near Mount Etna, Sicily – image from ruralbox.it
