ITINERARY

Day 1 - Palermo
You are transferred from Palermo airport to your hotel. Upon arrival, time to unpack and rest or explore the town yourself. Welcome Dinner at local restaurant. (D)

Day 2 - Monreale Dome/ Valle dello Jato Winery
After breakfast, see where the Arab-Norman art and architecture reached the pinnacle of its glory with the Monreale Duomo, launched in 1174 by William II representing scenes from the Old and New Testaments all in golden mosaics. Then across the countryside arrive in the Valle dello Jato, an important Sicilian side where strong wines and rich perfumes have been born, with a complex structure and long persistent finish. The white wines have powerful citrus fruit and floral notes on the nose typical of the grapes of Catarratto, Grillo, Viognier and Chardonnay. The red wines are elegant and are full of flavors of savory red berry fruit, which are typical of Nero d’Avola, Merlot and Syrah. On arrival visit to the winery and taste local wines. Lunch at winery. This afternoon continue to Trapani side. Light-dinner at hotel. (BB/L/D)

Day 3 - Erice/Olive oil factory/Cooking
Following breakfast, transfer to Erice, the medieval hill town. Visit a lovely pastry-shop to taste local marzipan and almond-based candies, made from recipes developed generations ago. Then continue to an olive oil factory to visit the oil mill and enjoy olive oil tasting. Later meet the Country-Chef. The Chef will teach us how to prepare some of the most representative recipes of the culinary tradition of the province of Trapani such as "Pasta alla Trapanese & Involtini alla Siciliana". All of us will help prepare the dishes for the light-lunch. (BB/L)

Day 4 - Salt Way Road/Marsala & Menfi Winery
This morning cross the romantic Salt Way Road, see the saline-saltpans and the great windmills. Arrive in Marsala, home of the world-famous Marsala Wine and the main town for wine-production. Transfer to an important Sicilian winery for a visit and tasting.  Then continue to Menfi to the Sicilian Baglio-Winery. The Baglio, situated on a promontory, overlooks the Vallone, through which runs the S. Vincenzo River. The Baglio is surrounded by 12 hills contained between the Belice valley nature reserve and the Carboj valley. The landscape is characterized by the alternation of vineyards, olive groves, citrus orchards, daisies, carobs and a variety of prickly pears. Light-lunch at the Baglio. Departure to Agrigento whose history dates back to 580 BC. Tonight enjoy a panoramic tour to the Temple Valley by night, a stunning view of the magnificent cluster of Greek ruins. (BB/L)

Day 5 - Sant Angelo Muxaro/Pane & Pizza Making
This morning depart to the country town of Sant’Angelo Muxaro. One who has never been here can’t but be pleasantly surprised and awed when, from the provincial road, which meanders into the inland along curves, twists and bends between mountains and hills, one will find oneself almost immediately in front of a unique and spectacular view. On a lonely hill, in the centre of the valley of the river Platani and surrounded by a wild and harsh vegetation, a handful of houses lie on the sheer slope of the hill itself… this is Sant’Angelo Muxaro. On arrival meet Donna Concetta. She will teach us pizza and bread preparation. Simple light-lunch to taste Sicilian Pizza and Pane Cunsatu, typical homemade bread with olive oil and pecorino cheese. Afternoon brief visit to the little city centre and local shops to admire the seniors who weave the traditional straw-fruit-basket. During afternoon back to Agrigento. (BB L)

Day 6 - Piazza Armerina/ Caltagirone
This morning departure to Piazza Armerina, a town lying in central Sicily. Here, visit the famous Roman hunting lodge from the 4th century B.C. Its mosaics displayed inside the villa are the most spectacular in the world. Then continue to Caltagirone, famous for Sicilian pottery. Time at leisure for shopping. Later depart to Ragusa, the heart of Sicilian baroque. Tonight dinner at local trattoria for the local Ravioli alla Ragusana. (BB/D)

Day 7 - Ragusa/Chocolate in Modica/Val di Noto
This morning, a walk in the historical town of Ragusa Ibla hosts a wide array of Baroque architecture, including several stunning palaces and churches. Later, depart to Modica. The city is situated in the Iblean Mountains and, along with Val di Noto and Ragusa, is part of UNESCO Heritage Sites in Sicily. The economy of the area once principally for dairy cheese & agricultural products of olives, carobs, legumes, cereals; an extraordinary and unique product is the famous Chocolate of Modica, produced with an ancient and original Aztec recipe. On arrival transfer in a local restaurant to see a chocolate cooking demonstration and tasting. Light-Lunch will be at a local restaurant. This afternoon continue to the lovely Noto, famous for its fine honey coloured buildings of the early eighteenth century, considered among the main masterpieces in the Sicilian baroque style. Time at leisure. Later departure to Catania.  (BB/L)

Day 8 - Taormina/Etna
This morning transfer to Taormina. On arrival, leisure time to explore on your own. During the afternoon, across the countryside, we reach one of the largest volcanoes in Europe and one of the most active in the world. Much of the surrounding landscape is covered with solidified lava. Thanks to this lava and the volcano minerals, the wine in this area is really unique and different from other Sicilian wine. On arrival transfer to a local winery: this estate also produces a local preserve and a great olive oil with lemon, garlic, and pepper. Enjoy a delicious farewell cocktail & Sicilian snacks. Later back to Catania. (BB/FC)

Day 9 - Catania
After breakfast, transfer to Catania airport (CTA). (BB)