Sicily:	Taormina, Ragusa, Vittoria, Menfi, Trapani and Palermo wine producing zones.
Accommodations:	Taormina: 1 night at a 5* Deluxe Hotel in the heart of Taormina Ragusa Area: 3 nights at a 5* Country resort Palermo: 4 nights at a 5* hotel located in Palermo’s historic district
Group Size:	Minimum Participation

Culture, art, food, wine and breathtaking scenery are what this amazing Sicilian adventure promises to deliver, providing unforgettable memories and experiences that will last a lifetime.

Perhaps no other place in Sicily is more recognizable than magnificent Taormina, and no better place on earth could be as perfect to relax and unwind after a long journey. Perched high on Monte Tauro from which one has sweeping vistas of the sea on one side and Mount Etna on the other, Taormina wouldn’t need anything else to be the world-wide attraction that it is, but incredibly here too one finds beautiful works of art by Antonio Giuffre`, Antonello di Saliba and Martino Motanini, as well as architectural wonders such as the Greek Theatre. There will be time to relax and stroll through its narrow, winding roads and soak in its magic.

An excursion to Mt. Etna, Sicily’s most famous active volcano, visible from almost anywhere on the eastern side of the island will afford a unique opportunity to witness first-hand, the landscape and surroundings molded by millennia of eruptions The geological process created a blend of volcanic ash, sand ash and rock which is a perfect combination for cultivating grape varietals such as Carricante, Nerello Cappuccio and Nerello Mascalese culminating with the production of full-bodied whites, roses and red wines with structure, character and depth. What better way to admire the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Etna than from the estate of Tenuta delle Terre Nere while sipping their full-bodied red, Etna Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino or guest of Barone di Villagrande for yet another interpretation of these magnificent wines!

Catania, the most important Sicilian city on the eastern coast is not to be missed. Like the rest of Sicily, it represents a perfect balance with past and present but with an eye focused on the future, Catania exemplifies the hardy resilience of the Sicilian people, and displays with grace and style the integration of its ancient roots in present-day life. Always mindful of Sicilian gastronomic heritage, we will appreciate its well-deserved culinary reputation during a dinner at a top local restaurant.

Palermo, is another magnificent Sicilian city surrounded by mountains and the sea. Its beauty and strategic advantage did not escape Phoenicians, Greeks, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Aragones, Angevinins, Savoy, Austrians and Bourbons who at one time or another throughout the millennia made Palermo and the entire island of Sicily their own. Time will be devoted to visiting the most important landmarks of this complex and historic city. From Palermo, it is a short distance to more outstanding producers such as Cusumano and Tasca d’Almerita whose Contea di Sclafani Rosso del Conte, a 100% Nero d’Avola wine, has won acclaim.

Erice, a beautifully preserved medieval hamlet, perched at 750m above sea level, with sweeping views of Trapani’s salt flats, windmills and the sea below, is the undisputed “capital” of Sicilian marzipan delicacies and boasts a temple dedicated to the goddess of fertility Astartes. A great lunch a tasting of the beautifully crafted marzipan candies, are sure to leave a lasting impression. A swing through to the south-western coast will take us to the area around Menfi where we will have the privilege of visiting an olive-oil producing country estate. In addition to a walk in the olive groves and an olive oil tasting, we will also enjoy a lunch of some exquisite Sicilian specialties prepared in the estate’s own kitchen. Rounding out the day, will be a visit to the wine estate of Planeta whose wines range from Nero d’Avola, Cerasuolo di Vittoria and Syrah blends for the reds as well as a more internationally structured Chardonnay-to be sure however, no matter the grape varietal, these wines will have acquired a unique Sicilian flavor and aroma.

The wine road we have outlined, will take us in the heart of Nero d’Avola and Cerasuolo di Vittoria territory. Our home base is a former fortified, rural estate dating back to the 12th. Century but beautifully restored, providing all the comforts that current-day, sophisticated travelers expect. Immersed in the countryside, with sweeping views of the not too distant sea, this will be an oasis to which we can retreat and relax after each day’s activities. From this vantage point, it will be easy to reach COS, one of the most respected wine makers in Sicily. We’ll delight in their fragrant Frappato, be astounded by their Scyri and appreciate their Cerasuolo Pithos whose character has surely been influenced by the clay amphorae where it is fermented.

Interspersed with visits to top producers, we will be sure to include Noto and its exquisite baroque, Modica-famous for its chocolates, and Siracusa, the ancient Greek outpost boasting incredible art and Greek architecture. The Island of Ortigia,linked to Siracusa by a paved-over ancient river, will be further testament to this city’s rich history and culture. You will be astounded by the Duomo, its most famous landmark and the focal point in one of the most beautiful piazzas of all of Italy. Of course we’ll delight in an indescribable seafood meal accompanied by a perfectly paired, cool and crisp Insolia wine!

Further forays into Ragusa Ibla and Piazza Armerina, with the beautifully preserved remnants of a Roman villa and exquisite mosaics depicting various scenes relating to the purpose that each room was originally intended for, will further reinforce the well known fact that Sicily was the cradle within which many cultures flourished, and whose impact are still felt today in every aspect of modern-day Sicily.

As with all of Italy, style, history, culture, food and wine are always at the heart of what makes this country so special, but nowhere else in Italy other than Sicily, the convergence of so many cultures have contributed to such richness and bounty.

We hope you will visit this magical island with Shop Wine and Dine! 

Cost available by contacting Shop Wine and Dine

Extensions are available to other locations in Sicily including the breathtaking Aeolian Islands and other Italian destinations For additional details please contact Shop Wine and Dine

Airfare, meals and beverages not stated on itinerary or substitutions to menus, personal incidentals, tips to guides and drivers.

Shop Wine And Dine reserves the right to make minor modifications/substitutions to the itinerary with activities/venues of similar value as those described in the tour description.