Andy Devaney
The good people at Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa have found a way to make golf even more romantic—by clearing the clubs, laying out the blankets, and inviting guests to lie back under a meteor shower with arancini in one hand and a glass of Valdemone sparkling wine in the other. Now that’s what you call a proper night out.
Perched on the rugged slopes of Mount Etna—Sicily’s fiery landmark that smoulders with the same intensity as a Barolo after midnight—Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa has just debuted its “Picnic Under the Stars” experience, timed with Italy’s celebrated La Notte di San Lorenzo. Think Perseid meteor shower, romantic folklore, and a 360-degree sky show with better snacks than your average planetarium visit.
The inaugural event took place on Sunday, August 10. Upon arrival, guests were handed a picnic basket—complete with two plaid blankets that screamed rustic chic—and guided to the resort’s 18th fairway. There, they took in the stars with a live unplugged guitarist strumming away as if the sky itself were paying him in shooting stars.
The spread? As Sicilian as it gets: homemade chips, arancini that could’ve been rolled by a nonna with secrets, couscous, almond pastries, and a bottle of Valdemone Tornatore to toast whatever wishes guests sent flying into the cosmos.
“Even when it gets too dark to play golf, our course is one of the most beautiful spots on the entire island and the perfect place to unwind under the night’s sky with loved ones,” said Mario Paoluzi, Andrea and Francesco Scrofani, owners of Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa.
“The first Picnic Under the Stars was a magical evening and we can’t wait to welcome new and returning guests for future editions. Even if you don’t play golf you can still come to Picciolo and enjoy these incredible views!”
Earlier this year, the resort reopened its doors under the Curio Collection by Hilton banner after a full-blown facelift, revamping both its hospitality and spa offerings. But don’t be fooled by the fancy branding—this is still very much a Sicilian stronghold of heritage and natural beauty.
And if you’re the sort who likes a tee time before your tiramisu, you’re in luck. The resort is home to the island’s oldest golf course, built in 1989 by the maverick architect Luigi Rota Caremoli.
The course offers tight fairways, thrilling elevation changes, and a layout that’s as dramatic as a Sicilian opera. The clubhouse keeps it cosy with six rooms and a sun-soaked terrace, perfect for the post-round storytelling (or excuse-making).
Dining doesn’t disappoint either. Il Palmento dishes up Sicilian classics like Pasta alla Norma and Caponata, while La Ghiandaia brings the fine-dining fireworks when the sun goes down.
As for winding down, Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa goes all-in. The manor-style accommodation houses 100 ensuite rooms, while leisure offerings include two outdoor pools—with loungers, snugs and a bar for those essential sunset aperitifs—and a spa centre worth writing home about.
Heated hydromassage pool, sauna, steam room… you get the idea. Treatments are infused with the citrus notes of Sicily and the volcanic essence of Etna, which, frankly, sounds like a Michelin star for your muscles.
With its otherworldly setting, fine food, and now starlit escapades, Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa has managed to bottle the romance of Sicily and serve it with style—no telescope required.
