About

Meet Alberto Ciarallo, Founder of Cognoscenti Travel

Since 2019, luxury travel expert Alberto Ciarallo has been designing custom itineraries in Sicily for discerning individuals and small groups. With deep expertise in travel and event planning, Alberto crafts one-of-a-kind private tours tailored precisely to your tastes and interests. Thanks to his exceptional personal network and a handpicked team of local insiders, every Cognoscenti Traveler enjoys exclusive access and unmatched local insight

Services

Cognoscenti Travel personally opens the doors to Sicily. We handle every detail of your private travel itinerary from the moment you arrive in Palermo or Catania.

Transport

Taxis, private transfers, or classic car rentals – we’ll get you where you need to go in style.

Planning

We design the perfect private travel itinerary to suit your preferences and pace.

Accomodation

Stay in luxury hotels, family-run properties, or private villas – all with Sicilian charm.

Family friendly

Experiences and itineraries tailored to keep every generation engaged and happy.

Culinary

Take cooking classes, tour local food markets, or enjoy meals prepared by private chefs.

Vineyards

Sip your way through Sicily’s best wineries – perfect for tastings, lunch stops, or overnight stays.

E-biking

Explore the scenic foothills of Mount Etna or charming Baroque towns with active e-bike adventures.

Boat trips

From sleek yachts to traditional sailboats – enjoy day trips or island-hopping excursions.

Beach days

Relax at Sicily’s top beach clubs or discover peaceful, hidden coves.

How we work

“Cognoscenti Travel specializes in custom luxury travel experiences in Sicily. Every itinerary is carefully designed to reveal a side of the island known only to locals and experts. We offer unmatched insider knowledge and deliver private journeys of the highest quality. Please reach out to me directly to begin planning your once-in-a-lifetime adventure.”
– Alberto Ciarallo –

Philosophy

Sicily is a cultural mosaic – a place layered with history and rich in traditions. At Cognoscenti Travel, we’re deeply committed to preserving the island’s heritage, architecture, cuisine, and natural beauty by directly supporting local communities and businesses.

Each experience we offer is designed to celebrate Sicily’s traditions, producers, and craftspeople. We prioritize family-owned accommodations and partner with initiatives that give back – whether it’s a boutique vineyard restoring forgotten landscapes or a rural museum revitalizing a small village.

Our mission is to ensure that every private tour helps sustain Sicily’s cultural diversity for future generations of curious travelers.

Cognoscenti:
"A person with superior, usually specialized knowledge or highly
refined taste; a connoiseur."

Customer Reviews

“Marvellous journey! We have been to Sicily many times, but all the experiences we had during the trip with Cognoscenti Travel have been absolutely unique and special. We give five stars to the organization!”

Sorelle su Marte

“Bravo Cognoscenti Travel! The trip you organized for us this summer in Sicily made for a treasured family experience. The history, the sightseeing, the beaches, sea cruises and (of course) restaurant and vineyard tours were all fabulous. Everything was professionally organized and seamless and thus made for a true vacation. Our teenage daughters were thrilled and cannot wait to return! A big thank you and compliments to Alberto Ciarallo who spent a tremendous amount of time and attention ensuring no details were overlooked.”

Phil Winiecki

“Alberto guided our family through anincredible trip around Sicily. Each day was filled with a mix of different wonderful things to do and see and delicious meals. The tour guides were impressive and drivers were great. It was a Sicilian adventure that we will never forget!”

V Euler

“I have just enjoyed a corporate retreat organised by Alberto at Cognoscenti Travel in Palermo. 5 stars is not enough! His incredible knowledge of ‘secret’ places, the best guides and the most fantastic food is exceptional. He chose a beautiful hotel for our team, with a comfortable meeting room and roof-top space. All transfers were faultless, and the attention to detail was perfect. Alberto really understood what our group needed and delivered a varied, interesting and memorable team event. Our private tour of the Palentine Chapel will stay with me forever. Thank you Alberto – always a pleasure to enjoy one of your special trips.”

Melanie Martin

“Our Summer trip with Cognoscenti Travel was beyond memorable. The insider access to Sicily that Alberto provided was unparalleled. Even our group of hard to please teenagers agreed it was “their best trip ever!!!”. We are already planning our next trip to Sicily and can’t wait to discover what Alberto and Cognoscenti Travel has in store for our family and friends. Thank you Cognoscenti Travel!!!”

Angela Butler

“Cognoscenti Travel organised a fabulous week for our family in Sicily based on Alberto taking the time to get to our know our interests and expectations. This resulted in finding two beautiful hotel locations where we were able to relax but also explore towns like Noto and Ortigia as well as wonderful beaches and restaurants. Alberto’s deep knowledge of Sicily really helped and also his access to an exceptional guide who shared our love of food, history and architecture. We would like to thank Alberto and his team who looked after us so well.”

Jason Bacon