Tutti in Sicilia!
Ciao Friends
It’s time to book your trip!
About the Venue - La Tonnara di Scopello
La Tonnara di Scopello is a gorgeous historical marvel that dates back to the 13th century. You can learn more about its fascinating history here.
The Town of Scopello
Scopello is located about an hour drive from the major city of Palermo, Sicily. It is also about ~1 hour drive from the airport in Trapani. The borgo of Scopello itself is tiny and charming. There is a cute square with a handful of bars and restaurants, but mostly it is just a quaint area to rest your heads for the weekend of the events.
If you are coming from the US directly you can book a flight to either Milan or Rome then connect to Palermo or Trapani
Something to note: when you are booking your internal Italian flight ( Any city you're in to Palermo or Trapani ), we suggest prioritizing options from ITA or major airlines over lower cost carriers like EasyJet and Ryanair IF you can. Those options are also totally fine, but for your critical return home flights with connections, make sure you are including a significant buffer as these carriers do not guarantee your connections in the event of delays
CRITICAL: Ensure your passport is valid through February 2024! There are major delays in processes if your passport is expiring so do not delay updating if needed
Travel/Hotel Update January 8
After reviewing the website, we encourage everyone to book your international flights as soon as possible -- meaning this month or next at the latest. Flight prices continue to rise and Sicily's popularity is gaining momentum, especially this year after the world fell in love with The White Lotus. Then, quickly after once you've planned your trip, book your internal flights to/from Palermo or Trapani. These flight prices will start to rise in the next couple of months. Don't delay!!
Hotels located DIRECTLY in town
Booking.com reviews (do not book here see below)
Solid/basic hotel with pool
Some rooms with sea views
Price: Depending on room choice ~100 - 154 Euro per night min. 2 nights
HOW TO BOOK: Email info@bagliodellozingaro.it with message subject "Riccardo and Megan Wedding". We have 30 blocked rooms at this rate until March 1st. Free cancellation up to 7 days prior.
Booking.com reviews (do not book here see below)
Small pool (no view from pool)
No sea view from rooms
Nice garden with big view + restaurant
Price: 179 Euro/night per room min. 3 nights
HOW TO BOOK: Email info@plaiavini.com with message subject "Riccardo and Megan Wedding". Cancellation is free up to 30 days before the arrival date. We have 10 blocked rooms at this rate until March 1st.
Solid/basic hotel with pool (no view from pool)
Some rooms with sea views
Price: ~150 Euro per night and up
Cancellation options via Booking.com
HOW TO BOOK: booking.com (open now)
Booking.com reviews (you can't book here yet, opening Feb/March)
NO POOL
Charming, antique style hotel
Good views
Price: from ~120 euro/night and up
HOW TO BOOK: If this is an option you know you want, let us know and send an email to info@hotelTorreBennistra.it and copy us.
*Slightly* not in town Hotel
To explain the area a bit more, Scopello is on a coastal slope. Some hotels are higher up, giving great views but making it slightly more difficult to move around. Of course you can walk 15 minutes into town, but just note that that's 15 minutes walking back to your hotel uphill. Doable, but just want to be transparent! If you were planning on having a car, this is a great option!
Best views, INFINITY POOL
Modern rooms
Price: ~150 Euro per night and up
HOW TO BOOK: Booking.com (open now!)
Small & Simple Bed & Breakfasts
These economic options are spots with very few rooms for a more casual "homey" feeling. We do not have any rooms blocked here, so you will need to contact these options directly
Great location in the middle of Scopello
Simple but cheerful rooms
Nice view from rooftop
Price: options ranging from 60 Euro to 140 Euro per night
HOW TO BOOK: email taliascopello@gmail.com and/or send WhatsApp to +0039 3402341476
If you need help with this option, please contact us
Great location in the middle of Scopello
Simple but charming rooms
Price: Not entirely clear, but could be around 70 Euro per night
HOW TO BOOK: fill out this contact page and email pensione.tranchina@gmail.com
If you need help with this option, please contact us
What about an AIRBNB?
Talk to us before you book! There are SOME good Airbnbs, but in most cases they are NOT located within walking distance of Scopello and this is problematic without a car. Totally great to do if you're planning to have a car (which is super useful depending on how you're planning your trip), but just please consider this.
Travel Update October 6th
We're officially 9 months from Il Matrimonio!
If you’re sad that the weather is changing, start thinking about THIS:
First thing! If you intend to join us please RSVP via this website. If you are unsure if you'll be able to come, please reach out to us and let us know even that you're currently unsure. Even that information is very helpful at this stage of planning. Should you not be able to attend, we are bummed, but we absolutely understand! Please also let us know if this is the case.
As of now, we recommend that our guests book their "major" international flight to ensure the best rates. If you are planning to travel directly from the US to Italy, you will need to arrive in Milan or Rome first. We would just check whatever flight has a better rate for the day and time you need to travel. There is no difference in taking the connecting flight to Palermo or Trapani (the two closest airports to Scopello) from either Milan or Rome. The differences here are that Palermo will have more flights and is slightly closer (40 mins versus 55 mins) by car.
The flights to Trapani or Palermo will be with a carrier like ITA, Ryan-Air, EasyJet, etc. We use Momondo to check the flight options, but always book via the carrier directly.
If you are not sure of your overall travel itinerary, this second flight can be booked at a later date for sure. We would aim to book those at the start of 2023. The earlier you book, the lower the cost.
Basically, we know that folks are still designing their summer trips and might not be sure where they want to go or what they want to do just yet. We have to say that we are beyond grateful that you are all willing to take the time to join us in this unique place. If your travel is including other countries or other areas of Italy, we still suggest figuring out your entry and exit soon to ensure the best rates for the long haul flight from the US.
With regards to creating your trip... remember to reach out to us! We want to ensure that everyone has a beautiful experience attending our wedding and visiting Sicily… We are resources for you and we look forward to helping you!
Hotels in Scopello usually require 2-3 night minimums, so keep that in mind. The event schedule is:
Friday night welcome event
Saturday daytime seaside fun
Saturday night wedding
Sunday nothing formally planned - likely just meeting at the a beach and relaxing
With that, we think a good plan would be to try to arrive in Scopello Thursday evening so you can enjoy Friday doing activities nearby (more to come on this) and be rested enough for a big day Saturday. Sunday you can leisurely hang around or be off to your next destination!
For Hotels....
Scopello has many hotel options. We are currently working with them to make the best suggestions for our guests and we will be updating you very soon. In general, hotels there do not open their rooms for booking until early 2023. Stay tuned!
Staying at a hotel inside Scopello will be the most convenient for the shuttle up and down to the venue. It's VERY close (<5 minute drive) but it is a steep hill and small road. Easy to walk down, but not fun to walk up. Especially after a couple of negroni.
But what else should I do in Sicily? I don't know how to plan my trip?! Is it ArancinA or ArancinO?
We know this can seem daunting, but we are here to help you!
We are going to be sending out more information and itinerary ideas in the coming weeks for those who want to experience more of Sicily. For the time being, the best things you can do to get ready are:
Figure out the days of your vacation
Decide if you're going to do wedding first, travel after or vice versa -- this will help you with your flight organization
Is Sicily your only destination? **
Are you adding in other Italian destinations?
Are you connecting to somewhere else in Europe?
Call Meg and Riccardo and talk through it!
Book your international flight as soon as you’re able to ensure the best price!
** We are definitely in the camp that there are many gorgeous places to explore in Sicily. More info to come!
Baci,
Meg & Riccardo