Sicily Wine Tour

Unveiling Your Customized Sicily Wine Tour: Explore Your Tailored Itinerary

1. Palermo

   

   Welcome to Sicily!

   • 5* Hotel
   • Dinner with wines, gourmet welcome gift
   • Private Chauffeured Mercedes

   Arrive at Palermo airport or port, and your friendly driver-guide will be waiting to drive you to your luxurious hotel in Palermo, an Art Nouveau castle facing the Gulf of Palermo.

   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!

2. Palermo – Cefalù – Castelbuono - Palermo

   

   Market tour, private cooking class, and Cefalù

   • 5* Hotel
   • Breakfast, lunch with wines, dinner with wines at a wine estate
   • Private Chauffeured Mercedes

   This morning you will discover Palermo’s vibrant atmosphere. Start the day with a tour of the Ballarò market, with your private chef. It is the oldest food market in Palermo, in the Albergheria Norman neighborhood. You will visit the market stalls, immersed in colors, flavors, fragrances, and ‘abbanniate,’ the local dialect word for the yelling of the sellers. Next is a hands-on cooking class demonstrating the “monsù,” originally a French style of cooking but adopted by the Sicilian chefs for the aristocratic families of Palermo many years ago.

   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.

3. Palermo- Segesta- Erice- Marsala – Mazara del Vallo countryside

   

   Visit Segesta, Erice Gourmet Lunch paired with Wine and Marsala Wine Tasting.

   • 5* Spa Resort
   • Full breakfast, Lunch with wine pairings
   • Private Chauffeured Mercedes

   A tour of the best of the west is on the program today. From Palermo, your chauffeur will drive you southwest to Segesta, an Ancient Greek settlement. You will gaze with wonder at the Doric Temple resting peacefully in a grassy field for the last 2500 years. Enjoy an hour or so in the archeological park before carrying on to mystical Erice. An extraordinary little village! Overlooking the sea and high in the hills, you could almost easily mistake Erice for a Sicilian version of Camelot with its coastal fog and fairytale castles. From Erice, you can see the Egadi Islands, which make an exciting excursion if you wanted to add a day to this itinerary.

   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.

4. Mazara – Menfi area – Mazara

   

   Olive oil experience and VIP Wine Tasting at Planeta

   • 5* Spa Resort
   • Full breakfast, Lunch with EVO and wine pairings
   • Private Chauffeured Mercedes

   After a superb breakfast, you will travel inland towards the Menfi countryside for excellent olive oil experience and some wine tasting.

   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.

5. Mazara – Scala dei Turchi – Licata - Agrigento

   

   Valley of the Temples, gourmet Michelin starred lunch, and Scala dei Turchi.

   • 5* Villa hotel
   • Full breakfast, 2 Michelin starred lunch with wine pairings
   • Private Chauffeured Mercedes

   Leave your luxury hotel after breakfast and head to Agrigento. On the way, stop in Sciacca for a quick visit to this lovely fishermen village, famous for beautiful coral (excellent souvenir and perfect for gifts) and the “Castello Incantato,” the Enchanted Castle, an evocative open-air collection of Filippo Bentivegna’s art.

   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.

6. Agrigento – Piazza Armerina – Caltagirone – Ragusa countryside

   

   Roman Villa del Casale and colorful ceramics of Caltagirone

   • 5* Historic boutique hotel
   • Full breakfast, lunch with wines
   • Private Chauffeured Mercedes

   Today after enjoying your delicious breakfast, you will head to the 15th-century Roman Villa del Casale and ceramics town of Caltagirone. With your charming art guide, you will visit the impressive Roman complex, “the superb remains of magnificent mosaics floors of the splendid villa from the late Imperial Age.”

   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.

7. Ragusa countryside

   

   Nero d'Avola and Frappato wine tasting

   • 5* Historic boutique hotel
   • Full breakfast, lunch at a winery with estate wine pairings
   • Private Chauffeured Mercedes

   Today is all about wine! The first winery of the day will be COS, an exciting natural winery located in Vittoria, the home to the only Sicilian DOCG, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, which brings together the Nero d’Avola and Frappato varieties to make an exquisite, fresh, expressive red. You will also taste their wines aged in terracotta amphoras.

   Next is Gulfi, an 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.

8. Ragusa countryside – Baroque valley towns – Marzamemi - Syracuse - Taormina

   

   Baroque towns of Val di Noto and Syracuse

   • 5* hotel
   • Full breakfast, Fish lunch with wines
   • Private Chauffeured Mercedes

   Today you will head to the marvelous town of Taormina, but first, you will visit enchanting Val di Noto, a must-see in Sicily. After the earthquake that destroyed the eastern Sicily in 1693, eight towns (Caltagirone, Militello in Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo, Ragusa, and Scicli) were rebuilt in an exuberant late Baroque style. You will have your driver at disposal to explore the area. We suggest not to miss Noto, the heart of the valley, and Modica famous for its chocolate. It has a grainy texture; inspired by the Aztecs and, introduced to Sicily by the Spanish in the 16th century. Following a quick tour of Cioccolateria Bonajiuto, you will enjoy a full tasting simply divine!

   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.

9. Taormina - Mount Etna - Taormina

   

   The majesty of volcanic Etna

   • 5* hotel
   • Full breakfast, intimate lunch with estate wines in the vineyards
   • Private Chauffeured Mercedes

   Charm and adventure today! You will start with an exciting private Jeep tour of Mount Etna, the iconic Sicilian volcano and UNESCO site. Visit an incredible lava cave, Valle del Bove and Craters Silvestri, created in 1865 by lava flow. This excursion is private so that you can decide the pace and intensity of the tour.

   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.

10. Taormina - Mount Etna - Taormina

    

    Mount Etna's Fine wines

    • 5* hotel
    • Full breakfast, Light lunch with wines, Michelin starred dinner with wines
    • Private Chauffeured Mercedes

    Head back to Etna again today, but the focus will be on the high-end wines produced in this area. Over the last 15 years, this wine region has become one of Italy’s most exciting and dynamic. First, you will visit Marc De Grazia’s Tenuta delle Terre Nere winery and taste their astonishingly complex and fresh wines. Including pre-phylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino, whose Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio grapes come from 130 years old vines, which stand on their original rootstock.

    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!

11. Taormina – Catania

    

    Depart Sicily

    • None
    • Full breakfast
    • Private Chauffeured Mercedes

    Today your driver will transfer you from your hotel to the airport in Catania. This concludes your once in a lifetime food and wine tour of Sicily.