Responsible Travel in Sicily

As a modern company, built to make use of amazing contacts within the local communities across Sicily, and with a focus on introducing the unique characters there, Alberto was always going to build Cognoscenti Travel with an eye on supporting those communities. He also takes steps to limit the general impact of travel, and he has made an effort to ensure that each visitor makes a positive contribution.

Cognoscenti Travel has five core responsible missions.

Local Cultures

All Cognoscenti Travel itineraries include small hotels and they actively support locally owned businesses and employ expert local guides, dealing with them directly to ensure income stays in the communities. Off the beaten track destinations are a focus, as is generating awareness for rural attractions and museums, that are better known to Sicilians than to outsiders.

Small Batch

They champion small producers, boutique wineries, artisan producers, organic farms, local craftspeople, zero-km cuisine and seasonally aware restaurants.

Minimising Impact

They make transport and accommodation options available that are more eco-friendly and plastic bottles have been an issue in Sicily, so each Cognoscenti guest are given refillable water bottles at the start of their trip, with water available throughout from the guide and drivers. They are working actively with all their partners to eliminate single-use plastics across their experiences.

Respecting Nature

A strict policy is in place to vet each guide (especially for the wilderness and nature experiences) to ensure they uphold the highest standards of principles to conserve and preserve the environment and nature.

Beyond Lampedusa

Cognoscenti Travel also supports a local Sicilian charity called Beyond Lampedusa, by helping with fundraising and spreading the word of their work. Beyond Lampedusa is a creative and heartfelt initiative that offers summer schools, scholarships and work mentoring to unaccompanied migrant minors.