Sicily Sample Itinerary
8 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS - SAMPLE ITINERARY This is just a taste of how good it will be
DAY 1 - CATANIA | MOUNT ETNA
We’ll meet at our specified location in Catania, board our spacious shuttle, and drive north toward Mount Etna where we will be spending the first part of our magical trip. Our first stop will be at one of Sicily’s oldest family-run winery on the southern part of the volcano, where we will get to experience the oldest Sicilian tradition for wine-making in the Palmento. We’ll tour the vineyards, get a chance to chat with the family, and have a wonderful tasting over lunch.
Afterward, we will head over to Taormina where we will check into our superb hotel right in the center of this beautiful seaside village. With its splendid views of the sea and also mount Etna, we will enjoy our evenings in one of the most beautiful boutique bed and breakfast right in the main area of this town.
The first night’s dinner we will ease our way into Sicilian lifestyle. We will be joined by this evening by a winemaker where they will talk about the area and their wines, as well as some fun stories about the area and the importance of Mother Mount Etna.
DAY 2 - MOUNT ETNA TREK | ETNA WINES
The second morning, we will start our day a bit on the wild side as we will all participate in an off-road excursion of Mount Etna. This tour will get us up close to some of the past lava flow as well as give us a better understanding of how important each eruption is to the area, and what it does to the foods, the wines, and the people. Please make sure to take some walking boots as we will get out and do a bit of hiking to reach some areas for some of the most amazing views, as well as some explorations in a cave!
Lunch on this day we will get to taste some of Sicily’s most known foods the Arancino a fried rice ball, typical Sicilian pizza, as well as some other typical snacks.
After we will test our new wine knowledge at a visit to one of my favorite wineries, where we will explore their high elevation vineyards as well as get to taste some of their grand cru wines.
This will then be followed by a short break back at the b&b and then we will walk to dinner in town.
DAY 3 - VINTAGE 500’S | THE GODFATHER | TAORMINA
We will wake up to the chance to drive ourselves a vintage Fiat 500! These are so much fun, they come in all kinds of colors and we will take them up some of the windy hills of Etna. Please make sure to practice to drive stick shifts as these cars do not have anything automatic.
This tour we will take will be the GodFather tour, where they shot some of the film, as well as a stop to the director Francis Ford Coppola’s favorite Granita bar.
After we will go to visit one of my favorite towns on the Volcano and stop in a local Osteria for a traditional lunch.
We will then go to visit another important winery owned by an American/Italian and to follow this tasting with one of the most fun aperitivo in the area.
For dinner, you will have this evening free to wander around the town of Taormina and grab something for dinner or take some time to relax and enjoy the views from your balcony. ( I will provide small information packets about the town of Taormina and will point out some of my favorite places to eat, drink, and find typical local products of quality)
DAY 4 - VISIT TO BRONTE IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT PISTACCHIO
This morning we will head over to Bronte learn all about a very rare breed of Pistachio nut. Where we will get to walk amongst the pistachio trees and will be able to taste their wonderful products.
Lunch today will be at your leisure, but remember not to eat too much as you will be enjoying a very special dinner later on this evening.
Take some time today to relax and unwind before getting ready for tonight’s splendid Michelin star meal.
DAY 5 - HEADING SOUTH | SIRACUSA
On this day we will leave a bit early to head to our next destination, we will be changing hotels on this day so make sure to bring everything with you.
We will be stopping in the beautiful town of Siracusa where you will have a few hours in the afternoon to explore. I will have some handy packets ready for things to do and some must-see that can be reached at your leisure.
Once we all have meet at our point in the center we will continue our descend south to our luxury farm stay in the midst of an olive farm.
We will meet in the evening for a typical dinner at a local Osteria.
DAY 6 - NOTO AND SICILY’S MOST PASSIONATE GRANITA
We will plan to visit the beautiful town of Noto a UNESCO Heritage site, along with its fabulous buildings it is also famous for one bar in particular who makes Italy’s best Almond Granita, and cannoli we will stop in for a coffee and these wonderful typical snacks.
Dinner on this day will be catered at our farm stay so we can relax and enjoy a meal amongst those ancient olive trees.
DAY 7 - MODICA CHOCOLATE | VITTORIA
After a nice leisurely breakfast, we will head over to the beautiful town of modica where we will have the opportunity to tour and taste at an artisanal chocolate laboratory. Then we will head on our way to the town of Vittoria the land of olives and citrus to have a leisurely lunch followed by a very interesting wine tasting at a small organic farm working in traditional yet new methods.
Day 8 - Back to Catania
One last granita for breakfast and then we are off to the city of Catania, one-stop will be in the city center the second stop will be to the Catania Airport.