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Wine & Gastronomy
ITINERARY (7 nights/8 days):
Palermo (3 nights) Falconara (2 nights)
Taormina (3 nights)
Departure every Saturday:
ON REQUEST
Season:
March 7, 2009-June 27, 2009
September 5, 2009-November 28, 2009
featured properties USED:
Palermo:
Hotel Plaza Opera, first class
Falconara:
Falconara Charming House
Taormina:
Hotel Villa Angela, boutique
Hotels may be substituted with similar category |
This tour is
PRIVATE, organized using an English speaking driver escort. You have
to visit monuments unaccompanied. The driver escort provides basic historical
information to prepare you to visit sites independently, but is not a
licensed local guide (and by Italian Law cannot accompany clients inside sites).
If you need the Licensed Local Guide, you must pay a surcharge and we will
arrange for local guide to meet you directly on the spot.
RATE IS LAND ONLY - Double/Twin
Occupancy
based on a
minimum of 2 paying people
Rate from (base
2):
Eur
5.200,00
per person in double occupancy
Rate from (base
3):
Eur
4.200,00
per person in double occupancy
Rate from (base
4):
Eur 3.850,00
per person in double occupancy
Rate from (base
5):
Eur
3.600,00
per person in double occupancy
Rate from (base
6):
Eur 3.450,00
per person in double occupancy
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Day 1 (Saturday): Palermo
Welcome to the warm, beautiful and pleasant island of Sicily! Upon arrival
at Palermo airport please proceed through the Passport Control and collect
your luggage inside of the customs area. Outside of customs, you will find
the driver waiting with a sign with your name. Afternoon at leisure to
independently explore the town. Later in the afternoon, we will meet the
Driver-Escort for a cocktail and enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a local
restaurant with wine tasting. (D)
Day 2 (Sunday): Monreale Dome & Jato Valley Winery
After breakfast, we will show you where the Arab-Norman art and architecture
reached the pinnacle of its glory with the Monreale Duomo, launched in 1174
by William II. Scenes from the Old and New Testaments are depicted in golden
mosaics covering the interior. Aftterwards we travel across the Sicilian
countryside and arrive in the Valle dello Jato. On this side of Sicily,
strong, fragrant wines with a complex structure and long persistent finish
are born. 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 abounding with savory red-berry fruit flavors
typical of Nero d’Avola, Merlot and Syrah. Upon arrival, visit the winery
and taste local wines. Lunch at winery. This afternoon back to Palermo.
(BB L)
Day 3 (Monday) Erice, Olive Oil Factory, Salt Way
Road & Winery
Early departure to tour western Sicily beginning in the city center of Erice.
The Elymians settled the medieval town of Erice, which was an important
religious site associated with goddesses of fertility. Wander through its
ancient streets and visit some of the famous homemade pastry
shops—world-famous for marzipan candies and other delicacies like almond and
pistachio pastries. Then to an olive oil factory & farmhouse to enjoy a
light lunch. In the afternoon, we travel between Trapani and Marsala on the
Salt Road. We will tour the historic saltpan works, where the ancient
tradition of harvesting salt from the sea is still practiced. We then
continue on to Marsala and visit a local winery’s cellar and taste Sicilian
wines. Later back to Palermo. (BB L)
Day 4 (Tuesday) Sant’Angelo Muxaro, the Pane
Cunsatu and Country Pizza & Agrigento
This morning we depart for the country town of Sant’Angelo Muxaro. First
time visitors can’t help but be dazzled and awed when, from the provincial
road that meanders from Agrigento inland along curves, twists and bends
between mountains and hills, they are greeted by a uniquely spectacular
view. On a lonely hill, in the center of the Platani river valley,
surrounded by wild and harsh vegetation, a handful of houses lie on the
sheer slope of the hill—this is the small town of Sant’Angelo Muxaro. Upon
arrival meet Donna Concetta. She will teach us Pizza and Bread preparation.
Simple home-cooked light lunch to taste Sicilian Pizza and Pane Cunsatu (a
typical homemade bread with olive oil and pecorino cheese). During the
afternoon, we continue to Agrigento whose history dates back to 580 BC. Time
for a brief, independent visit to the Temple Valley—a magnificent cluster of
Greek ruins overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Then we continue to Falconara,
surrounded by luxurious palms and nestled among the sand dunes and cactus
plants. Dinner at the hotel. (BB L D)
Day 5 (Wednesday) Winery & Piazza Armerina
This morning transfer to a local winery owned by the Zonin family and seated
in the heart of the Riesi DOC production zone: 180 hectares of the splendid
320 hectare property are planted with vines. Visit to the cellars and wine
tasting. Later, continue to Piazza Armerina to see the ruins of the Roman
Villa of Casale. The mosaics discovered here are celebrated among scholars
of antiquity. This afternoon back to hotel with time at leisure to rest or
take a stroll in the sands. Dinner at the hotel. (BB D)
Day 6 (Thursday) Winery, Donnafugata Castle &
Ragusa
This morning the road from Falconara leads us to Vittoria. Here we visit an
important winery located in the heart of the Sicilian Baroque on the
south-eastern point of Sicily. Remnants of Africa are also evident here from
the architecture to the vegetation (olive groves, carob and almond trees,
vineyards) to the colorful red, ocher, and yellow surroundings. All of the
wines here originate from the exclusive selection of grapes, harvested at
two different times in order to obtain the best results from differentiated
maturations. They utilize soft pigeage (fermentation of grapes in open
tanks, like the traditional “grape stomping”), controlled temperature of
fermentation, and aging in barrique. Later we travel the narrow, country
roads from Ragusa to Santa Croce Camerina. Time to admire the Donnafugata
Castle, an imposing construction immersed in one of the most evocative carob
woods in the whole province. Used for movie scenes including an appearance
in "The Jar" in the film Kaos, directed by the Taviani brothers. This
afternoon a short stop in Ragusa. Time for a stroll through the historical
town of Ibla to admire the wide array of Baroque architecture, including
several stunning palaces and churches. Finally continue to Taormina, the
world famous resort town of Sicily, known for its views and atmosphere.
(BB)
Day 7 (Friday) Etna Volcano & Winery
A short drive takes us to the slopes of Mt. Etna. Weather and volcanic
conditions permitting, we will experience the lava fields and incredible
view of Europe’s highest and most active volcano. Then onto a winery and
farmhouse. This estate also produces olive oil, grappa, sparkling wine and
artisan food. We indulge in a typical Sicilian light lunch at the farmhouse.
This afternoon back to Taormina with time at leisure. (BB L)
Day 8 (Saturday) Taormina
All day long at leisure. Tonight we gather for a Farewell Dinner at a local
restaurant and for a Brindisi di Arrivederci-Good Bye Toast. (BB D)
Day 9 (Sunday) Taormina/Catania
Time to say goodbye to Sicily as we are transferred to Catania Airport (CTA)
for our return flight. (BB)
Meal Legend: BB Buffet Breakfast L
Lunch D Dinner
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