Snapshot of the Itinerary
Welcome to Sicily
Discover Sicily — land of contrasts, a world apart, an island separated from the rest of Italy not only by the sea but also by centuries of history and cultural experience. Let us show you, our Sicily, the land of our ancestors.
Sicily Tour October 1 - 9, 2023
Day 1 - Arrive at the Catania International Airport, where we will meet you and transport you by private transfer to our charming boutique hotel in Taormina. This hotel has wonderful views over the sea, the bay of Naxos and Mount Etna. It has been welcoming guests for over a hundred years. You will have lunch, followed by a private guided tour of the Ancient Greek Theater and the historic center of town. After a little free time in the historic center of Taormina we will meet and head to a typical Sicilian restaurant.
Day 2 - Today we visit award-winning wineries on Mount Etna and engage in discussions with vineyard managers and winemakers. We will enjoy a delightful countryside lunch at a local restaurant frequented by winemakers and oenophiles. We return to Taormina for a prosecco aperitif accompanied by canapes; followed by dinner on your own. You will have the remainder of the evening to wander and explore this charming hillside scenic town on your own and see for yourself why the town has long attracted celebrities and literary titans.
Day 3 - Today we journey to Ragusa, a Baroque town in the ‘Val di Noto.’ We will have a group lunch at a Two-Starred Michelin restaurant in Ragusa. After lunch, we will check into our hotel, which was at one time an Aristocratic Sicilian Palace. It has retained its noble features and beauty. We then journey to the town of Siracusa (Syracuse), the port city on the southeastern coast of the island of Sicily. We will visit the historical center of Siracusa known as Ortigia, which is also called by the locals ‘Città Vecchia’ (old town). You will have some free time to explore this seaside town, visit its chic boutiques and taste some of the local delicacies. Afterwards we will meet up for our return to our hotel in Ragusa.
Day 4 - Morning visit to the Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina, a spectacularly sited town lying inland in central Sicily to view the extraordinary Roman mosaics of the Villa. Our day continues as we travel to the nearby town of Caltagirone, the town famous for its beautiful ceramics. Walk the famous steps and pop into some local artisan ceramic shops. We will enjoy a casual lunch with a local panino/salumeria shop. Return to Ragusa for time to stroll and explore the Baroque streets of this charming town. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 5 - Today we make our way east across Sicily. We will enjoy a farm-to-table country style lunch. After lunch we will continue our journey to Agrigento and tour the ancient, classical Greek ruins of the Valley of the Temples, the most important testimony of Greek architecture in Sicily. After the tour we will proceed along the southern coast to the town of Menfi where we will have a specially planned dinner by the resort chef and stay at a luxury wine resort hotel.
Day 6 - After breakfast, we begin our cooking class with the cookbook author and executive chef from our resort. We will enjoy the fruits of our labor with lunch immediately following the class. That afternoon we board our private motor coach and explore the surrounding towns. Dinner will be at a local restaurant.
Day 7 - We journey north to Palermo, where we will meet our tour guide for a morning guided walking tour of Palermo, including two of the city’s oldest food markets where we will meet local merchants and experience many different Sicilian street foods, with a stop at one of the city's oldest taverna for a taste of local wines. Along the way, we will learn about Palermo's history as we take in the beauty of the architecture and landmarks. We check into our palatial historic Art Nouveau luxury hotel. Group dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 8 - In the morning we will journey to the quaint seaside town of Cefalù. Walk along its winding and narrow medieval streets flanked by a variety of shops and restaurants. We will have lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the sea. We will return to Palermo for a farewell dinner with time to reminisce about all the wonderful experiences you have had and the great new friends you have made!
Day 9 - Morning departure transfers to Palermo International Airport.
IN VINO WE TRUST
Sicilian Wines
Sicily is one of Italy’s most exciting wine growing regions. A new generation of winemakers has created a renaissance of exquisite wines, gaining acclaim among wine critics and wine connoisseurs from around the world. Some of the most exciting wines have been coming from vineyards surrounding Mt. Etna using Nerello Mascalese and Caricante, as well as in the southeast near the town of Vittoria, home to Cerasuola di Vittoria, Sicily’s only wine to achieve DOCG status, the highest quality designation in Italy. We’ll be tasting wines from some of the finest producers around the island.
SITES WE WILL VISIT
Our Sicilian Adventure
We begin our tour by landing at the Catania Airport and transferring to Taormina, a hilltop town on the east coast of Sicily. From this point, we continue clockwise where our trip concludes on the northern coast of the island in Palermo, the Norman-Arab capital of Sicily. Along the way we will enjoy walks through UNESCO designated World Heritage Sites, eat local street food, enjoy hands-on cooking classes, dine in world-class restaurants, stay in premium historical hotels, learn about Sicily’s history, culture, visit Mount Etna, Europe’s highest and most active volcano and find some time on your own to sit, relax and enjoy a gelato, espresso or cocktail in an authentic Sicilian café.
FOOD YOU WILL TASTE
Sicilian Cuisine
Rooted in richly layered multi-cultural invasions, Sicily’s street food and traditional cuisine are beneficiaries of its sunny island location. Experience cuisine that is diverse, exotic and downright delicious! Let’s try Sicily’s famed street food like arancini and sfincione. Taste famous eggplant dishes like caponata and pasta alla Norma, and delicious fish dishes like pasta con le sarde and grilled swordfish, but let’s not stop there, Sicily is a true paradise for dessert lovers. Let’s try some great pastries including decadent cannoli, cassata cake and homemade gelato.