Sicily - a land of plenty

Sicily – a land of plenty

€ 3600 (from) / Per person

Sicily – a land of plenty

10 days wine & food tour from Catania to Taormina. Taste the best wines of Sicily

Sicily is a feast for the senses. A mystical island between Africa & Europe, Sicily has inspired artists & writers for thousands of years. Homer wrote of Mount Etna, under which the one-eyed cyclops lived with his herd of sheep. Ovid recounts the freshwater spring of Syracuse, into which the Peloponnesian nymph Arethousa was transformed. Even William Shakespeare sang Sicily’s praises, a place where the “climate’s delicate, the air most sweet.”

Through its long history, Sicily has been inhabited by Phoenicians, Romans, Moors, Jews, Normans, French, Germans, Spanish & many more populations, all of which have influenced the unique culture of the island. The language, the art & architecture, & the cuisine all reflect this multicultural melting pot.

During our 10 days together, we will explore the island & its hidden gems. We’ll wander the ruins of a Greek temple & admire the decorative façade of a baroque theatre. We’ll overlook sandy beaches & explore the foothills of the tallest volcano in Europe. We’ll taste the freshest fish & the creamiest ricotta cannoli. And, of course, we’ll taste extraordinary wines: mineral rich Etna reds, floral & spicy Nero d’Avola, bright cherry Cerasuolo di Vittoria.

9 Days
Age 15+
Sicily1

Included

9 Nights Lodging in 4*+ level Wine Villas
Transportation
7 suppers
7 lunches or wine-tasting/lunches
4 wine tastings
1 cooking class
1 chocolate making class
Guided tours in most beautiful cities

Price

In double rooms: 3200 € per person

Single supplement: 450 €

More than 8 people?

If you are planning a Wine and Culinary Tour in Italy with a group of friends or with your family, we can customize the itinerary for your party. Tell us more about your interests, the level of the accommodations and the type of experiences that you prefer. We will do the rest and come back to you with a quotation is few hours.

Why a group tour?

Stress-free
We take care of the entire itinerary. Driving, planning & logistics — you can leave every last detail to us. All you do is provide the guest list.

All-inclusive package
Accommodation, transportation, meals & tastings are included in the price. The only unexpected caveats will be in your tasting notes.

Best of the best
We live in wine country & have worked in Italy’s wine industry since we started in 1992. We know which wineries are worth their must & which ones don’t live up to the hype. With us you will only visit the most breathtaking vineyards with the most exquisite wines.

The “insider” advantage
Travelling with native Italians means being able to access the real, authentic Italy that most tourists never get to see. It also means that if there are any hiccups, we’ll be able to sort them out as fast as you can say “Tutto bene!”.

Departure time	On request
Group	Min 6 people
Destination:	Sicily

Tour Plan

Day 1: Arrival at Catania airport and Over-night near Agrigento

We will pick you up at your arrival at Catania airport, (or hotel) we’ll drive to Agrigento (2h30) and spend the night at a nice Baglio (stays for ancient, fortified hamlet turned into a hotel) Baglio della Luna. Along the road our first stop will be at Azienda Agricola Occhipinti for a wine tasting of Nero d’avola and Cerasuolo di Vittoria, the local wines followed by lunch at their family “Baglio”. After check-in and a rest, we will drive 30minutes to one of the most scenic beaches of Sicily known as the Scala dei Turchi. We will enjoy an aperitif and a nice supper admiring the sunset in a special location.

Day 2: Agrigento

Guided Visit of the archeological site (2h30) we start early to avoid crowd and heat. A 40 minutes drive for the Mandranova, one of the best oil producers of Sicily will take us to an oil tasting /lunch among secular olive trees. After lunch transfer to Piazza Armerina, where we spend the night in a very peculiar b&b. An evening visit to the UNESCO listed Villa Romana del Casale with its incredible collection of Roman mosaics, including the famous bikini girls, and a late supper will conclude this very full day.

Day 3: Piazza Armerini - Scicli

We will start the day with a short tour of Piazza Armerina then we will proceed to a beautiful winery located in the middle of nowhere. After lunch we will reach our new accommodation, an ancient palace in the heart of Scicli, a jewel of baroque art. Dinner in a nice restaurant.

Day 4: Scicli - Modica

This morning we will drive to Modica where we will attend our first cooking class. After lunch we will enjoy one hour chocolate making class in Katia’s kitchen then visit a truly unique chocolate producer for a paired tasting. Modica's chocolate is one of the most famous products of Southeast Sicily and is still made according to the ancient Aztec tradition, which was brought to Sicily in the 16th century. We’ will return to our hotel in Scicli. Free time before dinner on your own with suggestions.

Day 5: Ragusa hidden gems and artisan tour

Morning tour of the hidden gems of Ragusa Ibla with a private guide who has access to places that are otherwise not open to the public—The Circolo di Conversazione (a private club), the Teatro Donnafugata (a tiny and beautiful private theatre in a palace only recently opened for occasional public performances) and a special visit to the last artisan cart-making workshop and “aperitivo” at Palazzo Bertini overlooking the main square.

Day 6: Lemons & olive oil in Ortigia & Siracusa

The Day should start early with a small breakfast as we will stop shortly after, in Noto for a “Sicilian breakfast” (a Brioche with a selection of granitas). An hour to peek inside the Duomo of this beautiful baroque city then off to visit a local winery that produces Nero d’Avola where we will have lunch. In the afternoon we will reach Ortigia, the old part of Siracusa. Check in at our hotel next to the main cathedral and rest. Free supper.

Day 7: Spend the day in Ortigia

A leisurely morning that will start with an orientation tour of Ortigia, dipping into La Giudecca district, the maze of less touristy streets and the former Jewish Quarter for a peek at the ancient Jewish baths discovered by accident while renovating a boutique hotel. Free afternoon to shop and stroll (those who are interested can visit the archeological park or alternatively enjoy a boat tour of the harbor). Dinner at a nice restaurant.

Overnight at Donna Carmel Resort

Day 8: Catania and Etna winery tour

Depart Ortigia with a stop along the way in Catania for a tour of the Catania fish Market. Check-in at our last accommodation, a beautiful resort not far from the coast. We then continue on, to visit a winery on the northern slopes of Etna and end the day with a “rustic” dinner in an Agriturismo in view of this majestic volcano.

Day 9: Full day in Taormina

Transfer to Taormina in the morning - free day in town until 2pm. We then will return towards our hotel, for a short rest and conclude the tour with a visit and a dinner with pairing wines at a winery on the southern slopes of Etna

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