Day 01 - Fri 12 September
On arrival at Catania Airport, we'll be met and transferred to our hotel. This evening we'll join Rosa, Colin and our Tour Manager for a welcome dinner at one of Rosa's favourite restaurants, the delightful Ristorante Antica Marina, located in a characteristic quarter of Catania near the Piazza Duomo and the Wall of Carlo V in the historic heart of the city. (D)Day 2 - Sat 13 September
A stay in Catania would not be complete without a visit to the famous, very colourful and bustling fish market. Saturday is a great time to be there so this morning the market is first on our agenda. We'll then drive on the slopes of Mt Etna where we'll enjoy a comprehensive introduction to the wines of Sicily. First we'll visit the Planeta Sciaranuova vineyards where we'll taste wines from five different regions of Sicily. The passopisciaro wine of Etna, a recently revived wine made from an ancient local grape variety grown on the slopes of Mt. Etna, a wine from Menfi, a wine from Noto, a wine from Capo Milazzo and a wine from Vittoria. This will be followed by a lunch of traditional Sicilian cuisine, each course paired with a Planeta wine, before a short drive brings us to the Planeta Feudo di Mezzo winery in Castiglione di Sicilia where we'll learn more of the process of wine-making, visit their barrique and take a walk through a vineyard of 120 year-old vines. The pistachios of Bronte, known as 'green gold', are world famous. After lunch we'll visit Bronte town and a producer of pistachio products. We'll spend time learning about the growing of the nuts and tasting some of the many products which are made from them. We'll return to Catania in the late afternoon for a relaxing evening in our hotel. (BL)Day 3 - Sun 14 September
This morning we'll explore Catania, also known as the 'Black Pearl' of the Mediterranean Sea because of its baroque palaces predominately constructed from the black lava stone of the area. Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe and a definite must for all visitors to Sicily. This afternoon our circuitous drive takes us through many villages typically built almost entirely of lava. The landscape is constantly changing as we ascend the mountain. At 1,900 metres the scenic situation is dominated by black lava and we'll stop here at Rifugio Sapienza to view the now dormant Crateri Silvestri. If the weather and volcanic activity allows it's possible to take a cable-car and an off-road vehicle (accompanied by experienced mountain guides) up to 2,800 metres. As we won't know the conditions until we're on the mountain this option is not included in the tour price but can be purchased on the day. We'll descend from the mountain in the late afternoon and this evening perhaps take a light meal in our hotel or stroll into the surrounding neighbourhood to discover a nearby trattoria for dinner. (B)Day 4 - Mon 15 September
This morning we'll take a coastal drive to the port of Milazzo where we'll embark on our hydrofoil to the Aeolian Islands, a group of seven volcanic islands off the north coast of Sicily. Lipari is the largest of the group and is famous for its ancient export of obsidian. We'll arrive at the port of Lipari in the early afternoon and after settling into our hotel we'll join our local coach for a comprehensive tour of the island including the fantastic panoramic viewing spot close to the centre of the island, the pumice quarries, the beautiful White Beach and the obsidian sites. Dinner tonight is at another of Rosa's notable local restaurants, the Kasbah. (BD)Day 5 - Tue 16 September
This morning our privately chartered boat will bring us to the island of Salina where, on arrival, we'll be transferred to the Hauner Winery (established by the artist Carlo Hauner in 1968). Here we'll enjoy a tasting of five of their unique wines, accompanied by a light lunch of typical Sicilian antipasti. There'll be time to explore Salina before returning to Lipari's vibrant Port and Old Town (the Citadella) where we can perhaps climb up to the Citadel and maybe take time to visit the Archaeological Museum? This evening we're free to dine in one of the many waterfront cafes, bars and restaurants of the Citadella. (BL)Day 6 - Wed 17 September
This morning we take the hydrofoil back to the port of Milazzo where we re-join our coach for the coastal drive which takes us to Palermo. En route we'll stop for a memorable lunch in the Madonie Mountains at the Abbazia Santa Anastasia, an enchanting wine resort located in an ancient abbey. After lunch we'll visit Cefalù, a picturesque medieval town about an hour's drive away from Palermo. With our guide we'll stroll through the historical city centre with its narrow streets built in Roman times and we'll also see the old, perfectly preserved, Roman laundry! We'll visit the gold-coloured Cathedral, a Romanesque jewel built by the Norman King Roger II in the 12th century. Its interior is decorated with fabulous mosaics executed in a spectacular array of colours on a gold background. On arrival in Palermo we'll settle into our hotel before we explore the surrounding area to find a trattoria or ristorante for our evening meal. (BL)Day 7 - Thu 18 September
Our full day in Palermo and its surrounds begins when we join our local guide for a city tour where a special highlight is a visit to the Palatine Chapel inside the Royal Palace, rich in mosaics and Byzantine decorations. Next is the Cathedral of Palermo, a sumptuous example of Norman architecture, where we'll visit the Imperial and Royal tombs. We'll also see the 16th century Pretoria Fountain which, after its unveiling, so outraged the locals that it was forever known as the Fontana della Vergogna, or the 'Fountain of Shame'. Our morning sightseeing is completed with a visit to one of Palermo's markets where Rosa will be delighted to introduce us to Sicilian street-food... it's included for lunch and we'll be able to choose our own! After lunch we'll drive to Monreale, the Norman 'Mons Regalis', which is situated at the foot of Monte Caputo, a short distance from the centre of Palermo. The majestic dome of its Cathedral was built in the 12th century by the Norman, King William II and is 6,340 square meters of polychrome and gold mosaics. This gives rise to its local name of the 'Golden Bible', referring to the mosaics telling the stories of the Old and New Testament. We'll also visit the Benedictine cloister, which completes one of the most magnificent testimonies to the Norman conquest of Sicily. (BLD)Day 8 - Fri 19 September
Palermo - Trapani - Salt Pans - Marsala (1 night)
This morning we'll drive to Trapani, an ancient Phoenician trading port and a very important town during the Middle Ages. We'll view the Castello del Mare before enjoying lunch at the historic
Vultaggio Farmhouse family restaurant, a short drive into the countryside from Trapani. After a delicious lunch from the family's 'agritourism' menu (their bread is outstanding!) we'll visit Paceco's
famous salt pans and the Salt Museum where our visit will be enhanced with an aperitivo and an afternoon snack! Tonight we stay at one of the region's well-known wine resorts located close to Marsala
and our evening meal will be at the resort. (BLD)
Day 9 - Sat 20 September
Marsala - Agrigento - Caltagirone Area (2 nights)
Our day begins with a 'pick-me-up' when we visit the Cantine Pellegrino for a guided tour along with a tasting of their celebrated Marsala wine! Then our drive brings us to the southern coast of Sicily
and the town of Agrigento with its marvellous Valley of the Temples, undoubtedly one of the Island's most famous historical attractions. In this splendid archaeological park we'll admire the collection
of ancient Greek temples including the beauty of the Temple of Concordia, among the best preserved of the temples, the Temple of Juno, built just prior to the Temple of Concordia and badly damaged by
an earthquake during the middle ages, and the Temple of Castor and Pollux, a Doric temple built around the 5th century A.D. We'll continue our journey to the area of Caltagirone and our special agriturismo
accommodation where this evening we'll enjoy a dinner of local specialities in their restaurant. (BD)
Day 10 - Sun 21 September
Caltagirone Area - Excursion to Villa Romana del Casale
Today our first stop is at the renowned Villa Romana del Casale, a short drive from Piazza Armerina. This splendid Roman villa owes its fame to its magnificent mosaic floors, thought to be the work of North
African artists, which are rather striking due to the variety of colours used and the incredibly interesting subjects depicted. Lunch today is a very special event when we'll visit the exclusive Tenuta
Manca di Geracello, a private 'estate' close to Piazza Armerina where we'll enjoy a sumptuous local meal accompanied by their excellent wine! We'll also have an opportunity to sample the first-class olive
oil produced on the estate. Later this evening we'll return to our agriturismo accommodation and a light dinner to top off a memorable day. (BLD)
Day 11 - Mon 22 September
Caltagirone Area - Caltagirone - Ortigia - Syracuse (2 nights)
Sicily is famous for its ceramics and first up this morning we'll visit the city of Caltagirone, one of the liveliest baroque towns in central Sicily and known throughout Italy as 'The City of Sicilian
Ceramics'. The main landmark of the city is the 142- step monumental Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte, built from 1608 in the old part of the town. Each step is decorated with different hand-decorated
ceramics, using styles and figures derived from the millennial tradition of pottery making. Later in the morning our drive brings us into the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Val di Noto, an area situated
in the south-eastern corner of the island. Syracuse, presently the capital of the area's biggest province, was once the most important Greek city of antiquity located on the coast of Sicily after it became
a formidable seafaring power nearly the equal of Athens. After a late morning arrival we'll visit Ortigia Island, the heart of the ancient city of Syracuse, where time seems to be caught between the mediaeval
and baroque eras. We'll admire the architectural splendour of its ancient mediaeval streets, baroque structures and classic churches on a short walking tour before taking time for lunch in one of the many
cafes and restaurants to be found amongst the myriad of streets and alleys on the island. There'll also be time to shop, people watch, or perhaps take an afternoon aperitivo before continuing to our hotel
with time to relax and enjoy its facilities before dining in its restaurant. (BD)
Day 12 - Tue 23 September
Syracuse - Archaeological Park - Excursion to Noto
Our local guide will join us this morning for our visit to Syracuse's Archaeological Park with its remarkable Greek and Roman ruins. Now part of a World Heritage Site the park contains the Greek Theatre,
one of the biggest in the Greek world and the Latomias, big stone quarries with the famous 'Ear of Dionysius'. Our morning sightseeing will culminate at the Syracuse Markets where we'll have time to
purchase a light lunch before we depart for our afternoon and evening visit to the beautiful town of Noto. This baroque jewel was created after the earthquake of 1693 when the reconstruction built
many majestic palaces using the soft local limestone which, over time, loses its glaring whiteness and develops a magnificent golden or rosy hue. The town is famous for its ice-cream and there'll be time
to visit the Caffe Sicilia and Dolceria Corrado Costanzo to try a 'granita' but don't have too many because this evening we'll enjoy a memorable dinner at the Ristorante Crocifisso, one of Rosa's
favourites and the latest of Sicily's restaurants to become Michelin-starred! This Noto restaurant is also renowned because its chef is influenced by the tastes of his city! (BD)
Day 13 - Wed 24 September
Syracuse - Cooking Class - Modica (2 nights)
This morning we'll first drive to Modica to gear up for Rosa's cooking class at the Osteria dei Sapori Perduti, one of her favourite lunch-time restaurants in the whole of the Val di Noto! Under Rosa's
expert tutelage we'll enjoy the lunch we've prepared and afterwards we'll stroll through the charming alleys of Modica's baroque centre to discover the Cathedral of St George, the Church of St Peter
and the rock church of St Nicholas. Then, because we can, we'll visit the legendary Antica Dolceria Bonajuto, the oldest chocolate factory in Sicily, to taste chocolate which is still made by using the
old Aztec method. Later, we'll check in to our hotel and the rest of the afternoon and evening is ours to enjoy its facilities. (BL)
Day 14 - Thu 25 September
Modica - Excursion to Vittoria & Ragusa
The Vittoria region is the most well-known wine-producing region of Sicily and this morning we'll take a mid-morning drive to visit the renowned COS Winery (grape harvest permitting) to taste a selection
of their wines along with a sampling of their excellent olive oils and bread. Next on our agenda is the spectacular town of Ragusa where we'll visit its Ibla (Old Town) dominated by the imposing Piazza
Duomo and its Cathedral dedicated to Saint George. It's here that Rosa has reserved the best for last... today we'll enjoy a very special farewell to Sicily lunch at the exclusive Michelin-starred
Ristorante Duomo! Salut! After lunch we can explore Ragusa's Ibla, with time for shopping, before we return to our hotel in Modica to spend an evening with our travelling companions as we prepare to
say goodbye to Sicily and each other! (BL)
Day 15 - Fri 26 September
Depart Modica via Catania
Our tour ends after breakfast with a morning transfer to Catania Airport for onward journeys. (B)Note: The above itinerary is subject to change necessitated by any change in Community regulations as well as changes by Government and/or natural or other circumstances beyond our control.