The spirit of Sicily

Arrive at Catania airport and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, discover this “picture-perfect village” with romantic streets and the renowned Greek Theater from where you can admire a magnificent panorama of Etna and the Ionic Sea. Stop for the best “granita con brioche” of the area. Return to the hotel, enjoy dinner at leisure and rest for the evening.

After breakfast at the hotel, meet with Michelin chef Pietro D’Agostino at his cooking lab and learn how to cook delicious Sicilian food. An Italian culinary icon, Pietro has cooked for known figures such as the British monarchs and the Sultan of Brunei.  In the intimate atmosphere of his lab right in the hearth of Taormina, he will teach you his unique brand of modern Sicilian cuisine. You’ll lunch on what you have prepared, pairing it with Pietro’s favorite Sicilian wines. In the afternoon, visit one of the prettiest villages near Taormina, Castelmola. Then, driving along a coastal road rich in blooming gardens and picturesque villages, arrive at the medieval town of Savoca. A must you cannot miss here is a lemon “granita ” at the famous Bar Vitelli, Francis Ford Coppola’s favorite and the set where he shot many scenes of The Godfather II.  Continue on until the charming little village of Forza d’Agrò overlooking the Arab-Norman castle of Capo Sant’Alessio.  Return to the hotel, enjoy dinner at leisure and rest for the evening.

Have breakfast at the hotel and get ready for a visit to Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. You will traverse spectacular landscapes as you make your way through the lava fields and the craters of ancient and recent eruptions. Arrive at “Crateri Silvestri’‘ and take your time to visit these spectacular old craters on your own or take the cable car to get to 2500m. Your driver will then take you to visit Giuseppe Benanti’s winery. Considered trailblazers in the emergence of quality Sicilian wines, Benanti produces today award-winning wines. Your visit begins in the vineyards where Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Capuccio grow ungrafted vines of 20 – 100 years old.  Continue in the 18th century lava stone Palmento where you will taste Benanti’s best labels paired with fantastic Sicilian specialties. Return to the hotel, enjoy dinner at leisure and rest for the evening.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to and visit Siracusa, the largest city in antiquity between 734-733 BC, called Syraka. It lies along the sea near the island of Ortigia, which is joined to the mainland by a bridge, and offers visitors the historical remains of a glorious past: The Temple of Minerva, transformed into the Christian Cathedral, the legendary Fontana di Arethusa, the Temple of Apollo, the Greek Theater and the Roman Amphitheater located near Latomie, the “Heard of Dionysus”. Return to the hotel, enjoy dinner at leisure and rest for the evening.

Have breakfast at the hotel, meet with our driver and leave for a visit to Marzamemi and “Planeta Winery Food & Wine” to experience true Sicilian lifestyle; head to the southernmost corner of Sicily to one of Sicily’s prettiest fishermen villages, Marzamemi. Marzamemi is just a huge timeless square with an old tonnara (tuna processing plant), the Villadorata Prince’s aristocratic palazzo and a row of fishermen houses. It is quintessential Sicily thanks to its slow lifestyle.  The Arabs founded it, giving it the name of Marsà al-hamam (Turtle Dove Bay) and building the original tonnara which was to become one of the most important on the island. Although the tonnara itself is no longer in function, Marzamemi continues its artisanal fishing and processing activities, producing all manner of delicacies and of tuna products. We suggest you have lunch at one of the restaurants located down by the port with views over the sea and the fishing boats. Continue to “Planeta Winery Buonivini ”. Here you’ll visit the “invisible” winery, built completely underground to be well integrated into the surrounding landscape and enjoy your tasting of 4 wines in the old Palmento. Return to the hotel, enjoy dinner at leisure and rest for the evening.

After breakfast at the hotel, meet with our driver and leave for a visit to Modica and Scicli; during the visit you will attend a chocolate workshop in an ancient 18th century villa, and at the end you will enjoy the sunset inside a vegetable garden / nursery with an emotional journey and tasting. Return to the hotel, enjoy dinner at leisure and rest for the evening.

Have breakfast at the hotel, meet with our driver at the hotel and depart for Agrigento, where you will check-in and have time to relax; in the afternoon, enjoy a visit to the Valley of the Temples, one of the main archaeological sites of all the ancient Greek civilization. Return to the hotel, enjoy dinner at leisure and rest for the evening.

After breakfast at the hotel, get privately transferred to Palermo airport or continue your trip in Sicily.