Sicily Wine Tours

Discover Palermo and Monreale and enjoy an afternoon guided walking tour of the enchanting 12th-century Cathedral (with additions made in the 1700s), Palatine Chapel, Quattro Canti, Teatro Massimo, and nearby gourmet shops. The unique Martorana Fruits (Marzipan shaped to look like real fruits) come from Palermo, and there are a few unique, historic shops where you can pick up these and other gourmet goodies (great gifts). Carry on to Monreale to visit the enchanting UNESCO site Norman-Byzantine cathedral. Enjoy your knowledgeable guide’s stories about Monreale and Palermo’s legends and idiosyncrasies.

In the early evening, you will head back to your hotel to freshen up and then enjoy welcome dinner in the heart of ancient Palermo, at Palazzo Gangi. In a warm and welcoming atmosphere, you will taste dishes like Cuttlefish, couscous with seafood, oyster, wild asparagus and lemon zest; Anelletti pasta from Palermo, white octopus ragout, black beans, snow peas; crispy red mullet, “Sfincione” sauce, white and red Tropea onion, paired with excellent wines.
Benvenuti in Sicilia!

Once you have finished lunch dining on your delicious creations, your driver will take you to the famous Norman town of Cefalù. About an hour drive east of Palermo passing the ancient sites of Solunto and Bagheria. Cefalù is a small alluring town facing the sea. Your private guide who will take you on an exciting tour through the winding medieval streets and, of course, into the striking cathedral.

Your day will end with a great wine experience at Abbazia Sant’Anastasia. You will taste organic and biodynamic wines, paired with chef Alessandro Battaglia’s genuine Sicilian cuisine. On the menu today is Insalata di arance (orange, fennel, and marinated olive salad), arancini – rice balls stuffed with Pecorino cheese and meat), Bucatini con le Sarde (pasta with sardines) and then finish off with some just-made cannoli.

Transfer back to your hotel.

Savor some free time to explore Erice’s maze of medieval stone streets on your own. There are many beautiful panoramic spots to take in the views, and a visit to the mythical pastry shop La Pasticceria di Maria Grammatico is a must.

You will have a tantalizing pranzo “lunch” today at the restaurant Monte San Giuliano. Chef Matteo Giurlanda will prepare some of the best pasta you will taste in your life, paired with excellent local wines such as the ones from Firriato estate.

After lunch, head towards Marsala. On the way to Marsala, you will pass by the unusual and impressive sea salt mounds. Stop for a quick visit at the Saline Ettore Infersa Saltworks, a producer and vendor of super high-quality sea salt. Enjoy a short, fascinating tour!

While Marsala history dates back to ancient times (there is a Roman-era Archaeological Park outside of the town), Marsala was bombed heavily during WWII, and much of the city’s architecture now is lackluster concrete tower blocks built in the 1960s. You might pass through without stopping if you didn’t know the wine treasures that lie hidden from sight.

You will visit one of the top-quality artisanal wineries of the area: Marco de Bartoli. You will have a unique experience with great wines and people that will change your idea about Marsala wine.

In the evening, you will drive towards Mazara del Vallo countryside to your spa resort. Tonight is yours to relax and dine on your own, or order room service tonight and make it unique with a few candles and some fabulous wine. The perfect rooms have some of the most comfortable beds you have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.

Start with a full immersion in olive oil: you will visit the olive grove and the olive mills and enjoy a tasting masterclass learning all about Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and then enjoy an authentic homemade Sicilian lunch on the terrace and under olive trees

Next, you visit a high-end estate Planeta. Planeta is one of Sicily’s leading wineries, and they make a stellar range of wines. You will taste four old vintages of their top wines, tough to find anywhere else.

On the way back to your luxury spa resort, you could stop in Selinunte a most if you were interested in archeology, or Alberto Burri landscape artwork of Cretto di Gibellina. Otherwise, you could get back to the hotel early to hit the spa. The night is yours to enjoy the resort, or you could take a taxi to dine at the nearby restaurant Da Vittorio, to taste the freshest and most delicious fish, right on the beach.

You will then visit a true wonder of nature, the La Scala dei Turchi, a spectacular stretch of white cliff coastline made from soft limestone and white marl, transformed by the sea and the wind over the millennia.

Next, you will head south to the 2 Michelin starred restaurant La Madia, where chef Pino Cuttaia will prepare for you some of his first-class dishes, including the to die for Nuvola di Caprese.

After this terrific lunch, you will then arrive at the jewel of this area of Sicily, the world’s most important archaeological site and a UNESCO heritage site: Valley of the Temples. With your private art guide, you will visit the temples of Concord, Juno, Heracles, and Zeus some of the most outstanding and extraordinary monuments of Greek art in the world.

End the day by settling into your luxury villa hotel. Dinner tonight could be at a gourmet restaurant of the hotel, with views of the temples.

Lunch will be a gourmet affair with chef Angelo, who will amaze you with dishes like panzerotti ceci e tartufo (pasta filled with potatoes and chickpeas, served with whitebait fritters and black truffle). For the main course, black pig fillet with wild asparagus paired with Cerasuolo di Vittoria and spectacular Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria (from the island of Pantelleria), and for dessert “delicious cassata”.

Carry on to Caltagirone, “the city of ceramics,” famous worldwide for its ceramics. Ceramic production started here 1000 BC. If you visit in May, you will see the “Infiorata,” when the famous Caltagirone stairway is decorated with thousands of flowers in honor of the Madonna; in July, you will experience the feast of the Holy Patron, with a parade of horses and historic carriages.

In the early evening, arrive at your peaceful boutique hotel.

Next is Gulfi, organic winery in Chiaramonte Gulfi, whose wines come only from indigenous grapes: Nero d’Avola, Frappato, Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante and Albanello. Here you will enjoy a full wine tasting lunch. Pairing with black pork cured meat with crispy salads, baked ricotta, toasted bread, and fennel oil; Russello wheat cavati pasta, sausage ragout, and bread crumb; lamb rack with dry tomato sauce and capers pesto; Sicilian tiramisu with ricotta and pistachio.

To complete this perfect day, you will visit the Armosa organic vineyards and cellar guided by the owner and winemaker Michele. Taste “Siclys” and “Curma,” 100% Nero d’Avola grape, and Salipetrj, 100% Moscato Bianco grape.

Before going back to the hotel, visit the Donnafgata castle, where Luchino Visconti “The Leopard” movie was filmed, acting Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon and Claudia Cardinale.

Tonight you can relax at the hotel or explore on your own Unesco site Ragusa Ibla, dining at excellent Michelin starred restaurant Il Duomo.

Lunch will be in the picturesque fishing hamlet of Marzamemi, before heading to Syracuse. Your private guide will show you the archaeological park, including the Ancient Greek Theatre. (still used today for Greek drama performances in the summer) and the gigantic limestone cave, named “Ear of Dionysius” by Caravaggio. Your guide will also reveal Ortygia, the historical center of Syracuse, built on a small island. You will visit Arethusa fountain, beautiful palazzos, piazzas, and Duomo, a catholic church built on a Greek Doric temple. You will admire Caravaggio’s painting Burial of St. Lucy and learn about the special relationship between the town and its patroness.

Arrive in the early evening at chic and glamorous Taormina.

Lunch will be a real highlight of the trip. With Ciro and Stephanie, you will enjoy an intimate, private tour and tasting lunch al fresco at one of the best wine estates on Mount Etna. An extraordinary place and great hosts.

Back to Taormina, you will meet your private guide for a walking tour of this dazzling town, including the magnificent Ancient Greek theatre, of course. Taste the best granita in the world, have fun trying as many flavors as you can: coffee, bitter almonds, black mulberries, pistachio.

You will stop for a light lunch with “pane cunzato” and other local delicacies, before arriving at the Passopisciaro wine estate, where you will taste their Contrade, different Nerello Mascalese wines. Finish the tastings with the exceptional Franchetti, a Super-Etnean wine made with Petit Verdot and Cesanese d’Affile.

On the way back, Taormina, stop in lovely Castelmola. This small village above Taormina is a real natural terrace built around the ruins of a Norman castle that, over time, has assumed a concave and smooth shape. From here, you here you will have spectacular views of the Ionian coast, the bay of Giardini-Naxos, Mount Etna, the strait of Messina, and the Calabrian coast. A breathtaking view you will never forget.

The rest of the day is yours to relax, go shopping, enjoy the Isola Bella beaches. If you prefer, we can organize a guided tour of the quaint, small villages, like Savoca and Forza d’Angrò, where Francis Ford Coppola filmed The Godfather.

Your gourmet, farewell dinner will be at a romantic Michelin starred restaurant, this is a memory maker!