Tours
*Tours may be customized to your specific
dates
All small group tours are guided by
wine experts and include chauffeured deluxe transportation, luxury
hotels, all breakfasts, most gourmet meals with premium wines, all wine
estate tours & tastings, and all admissions fees.
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 Best of Sicily-
The Authentic Experience
May 28, 2012 7nts/8days
"Not Your Godfather's Sicily"
Conde Nast Traveler's article explains, Sicily is the up and coming destination for foodies and wine lovers.
"Away from the island's familiar sweet spots, a new generation of
Sicilians is reshaping its wine, food, and hotels: "Our vocation," says
one, "is to make Sicily less rough but still authentic." Mission
accomplished. "
Sicily is an exotic mix of beauty, mystery, ancient ruins, many UNESCO World Heritage sites and people of passion. The diverse landscape is unrivaled from its fragrant citrus groves, verdant vineyards dotted with olive trees, rolling hills and cacti, to the beautiful azure sea and majestic snow-capped Mount Etna.
This island has been controlled at various times by the Spanish, Normans, Greeks, Romans, and Arabs, all questing after abundant resources and strategic positioning in the midst of Mediterranean trade routes. This blend of cultures created some of the most diverse food like citrus, pistachio, sugarcane, saffron, cinnamon, artichokes, and pomegranates.
The island’s olive oils, made from local olives like the Cerasuola and the fresh and herbaceous Nocellara di Bellice, are some of the best in the world. The fertile volcanic soil around Mt. Etna also grows some of the finest tomatoes, grapes, oregano, capers, much of the country’s citrus supply. Outstanding seafood on Sicily’s coast is abundant with dried and cured tuna roe, bottarga di tonno, often grated over pasta with just oil and lemon.
Sweets are especially popular in Sicily, colorful marzipan, cannoli, cassata cakes, green pistachio Bronte and the spicy chili and cinnamon spiked chocolate made in the ancient Modicano tradition line the shelves in many pasticceria’s.
"To
have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is not to have seen Italy at
all, for Sicily is the clue to everything" J.W. Goethe
Best of Sicily is an unforgettable journey highlighting the best of epicurean delights, Sicily’s best vintner’s, history, architecture and adventure.
Including:
-7 nights at 4 & 5 star luxury boutique accommodations
-All (8) breakfasts, gourmet and traditional cuisine, 6 lunches and 4 dinners with wine, including a 3-course wine paired dinner prepared by Chef Angelo
-Cooking demonstration by master chef
-Exclusive wine tastings at premiere estates Cusumano, Planeta, Florio, Donnafugata
-Guided walking tour of Palermo, Monreale, Agrigento, Siracusa
-Walking tour of markets in Palermo
-Tastings of artisan cheeses, Sicilian sweets, olive oils, and Sicilian products
-Boat excursion to ancient Phoenician settlement, salt-pans and windmills
-Expert volcanologist guide for Mt. Etna excursion
-Entrance tickets to Agrigento
-Chauffeured ground transportation throughout tour and departure shuttle to Catania Airport
-Limited to 10 guests
-Arrive Palermo and Depart Catania
-$3490 per person, double occupancy May 28th- June 4th, 2012 7nts/8days
EARLY BOOKING SAVINGS $200 per person/double occupancy
BOOK BY DEC. 25, 2011
Day 1 Palermo Monday, May 28
Our week long adventure begins with a walking tour through the bustling streets of Palermo to the Vucciria market. Vibrant and lively, vendors sell their just picked produce, mounds of olives, cheeses, spices and fresh catches of the day. Sample local street food specialties, Arancini-a traditional Sicilian snack made with rice and meat, boiled octopus "purpu" or sea urchin. Continue on to Palermo’s Cathedral, Quattro Canti, known as the “four corners”, Piazza Pretoria and it’s magnificent baroque sculpture filled fountain, and the Opera house. Next we’ll arrive at the hilltop town of Monreale and the panoramic view of the bay, Conca d’Oro. The Monreale Duomo, built in 1174 is viewed as one of the architectural wonders of the Middle Ages, the interior filled with over 2,000 stunning Byzantine mosaics and boasting 2 bronze doors designed by sculptor Bonanno Pisano, creator of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Enjoy an array of antipasti and wine overlooking the bay. The evening is free to explore Palermo. Falkensteiner Hotel Palazzo B, L
Day 2 Menfi Tuesday, May 29
In the morning we’ll drive through the Alcamo region to state-of-the-art Cusumano winery for a private tasting in the 19th century baglio. The Cusumano’s diversified estates across Sicily, produce impeccable terroir driven wines and was awarded Gambero Rosso’s 3 glasses. Then we’re off to where food, wine, sea, and countryside create the perfect place, the boutique hotel La Foresteria with sea views overlooking Planeta Estate vineyards. Enjoy a delicious lunch made with estate grown fresh vegetables and herbs and wine tasting in the Ulmo vineyards cellar. The afternoon is free to relax poolside, walk the nature paths to the sea or through ancient olive groves. Chef Angelo Pumilia will share some of his culinary secrets in a cooking demonstration as he creates a perfectly paired 3-course wine dinner menu for you.
Day 3 Menfi Wednesday, May 30
After breakfast, depart for Sicily’s western coast to the dazzlingly white sea salt mountains in the sun. Cruise past the windmills that are still used to produce salt from the sea on our boat ride to the Phoenician settlement of Mozia. Then onward to Marsala, founded by the Carthaginian’s in 397 BC that later emerged into a stragically located naval base. In 1796, British merchant trader John Woodhouse used the region’s grapes to develop the fortified wine. Our enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide Marcello will take us through the historic and prestigious Florio family estate lined with massive Slovanian oak barrels and followed by a private tasting. Dine with the locals and traditional seafood dishes and Sicilian style couscous. A cellar tour and private tasting of premiere wines at Donnafugata, a leader in sustainable agriculture. (Optional day activity: relax at the estate and hands-on cooking class with Chef Angelo). Dinner back at the estate overlooking the vineyards. Planeta La Foresteria B, L, D
Day 4 Siracusa Thursday May 31
This morning we’ll visit one of the most memorable sites of the ancient world, Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, Temple of Juno, Concord and Hercules. Continuing our journey to the east, we’ll stay in Ortigia known as, Citta Vecchia, the old city of Siracusa first inhabited by the Greeks. A Unesco world heritage site, this little island is filled with medieval and baroque monuments. Unpack for your stay at the exquisite Mediterranean style seafront Algila Ortigia Charme Hotel. This evening is free to explore the narrow streets, shops and restaurants or even take in a long standing traditional Sicilian performance at the puppet theatre.
Agila Ortigia Charme Hotel B, L
Cicero described Siracusa as "the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all"
Day 5 Siracusa Friday June 1
Enjoy the morning relaxing, shopping or exploring the market. This afternoon we’ll visit the Duomo and Santa Lucia piazza. On our walking tour we’ll visit a few shops to sample local cheeses from fresh ricotta to the local specialty of Ragusano DOC mature cheeses, see how one of Siracusa’s best pasticceria creates traditional Sicilian cassata, cannoli and those delicious almond cookies pasta di mandorle, next stop chocolates, honey and more. Dinner is at a favorite trattoria specializing in fresh pasta dishes. Agila Ortigia Charme Hotel B, D
Day 6 Taormina Saturday June 2
Arrive at the chic and charming beach resort town Taormina, built on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea with Mt. Etna in its background. Settle into the luxury boutique hotel Villa Carlotta with panoramic views of the sea. At the base of Mt. Etna, the Tenuta San Michele wine estate and farm house are run by the family of Baron Scammaca del Murgo that produces some of finest wines. Our gracious hosts will guide you through the cellar, a private wine tasting, taste infused olive oils and lunch. This evening is free to dine, stroll or shop from designer stores to Sicilian ceramics shops on the elegant Corso Umberto street or watch the sunset from the Greek Theatre. Hotel Carlotta B, L
Day 7 Taormina Sunday June 3
Mt Etna, up-close and personal with Europe’s largest active volcano. We are adventure bound this morning with Sicily’s best, our multi-lingual expert guide and volcanologist will take us off road by 4x4 to several lava flow areas dating back to 1971 to the lastest eruption in August 2011. Experience walking through a lava tunnel, trek around the Sartorius Crater and stop for a picnic lunch and amazing views at 6500 feet above sea level, then continue on to Alacantara Gorges famous for its basalt formations. (Optional day activity: tour/shop in town and guided tour Greek Theatre). Tonight our farewell dinner. Mt. Etna tour is full day, easy walking approx 2hrs. Hotel Carlotta B, D
Day 8 Depart Monday June 4
After breakfast your shuttle will take you to the Cantania airport or further assistance with your travel plans. Thank you for joining our unforgettable experience in Sicily. Arrivederci!
B-Breakfast
L-Lunch
D-Dinner
"To capture all the beauty, history, culture, and great food and wine of Sicily you definitely need an experienced and knowledgeable guide. Our Sicily tour fully surpassed my expectations. We enjoyed the variety of activities, exceptional service and gave us an experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives. It is one thing to travel to and through a place but something completely different on a local and immersing level. Wine & Tours in my judgment provided services on a level far exceeding any travel planner I have ever used and a very wise choice." J.Jumper, CEO Alluvion Securities
Some of our favorites in Sicily!
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