Journeys by Grape Tours
Grand Wine Tour of the Island
October 2022 - 7 nights
The Sip of Sicily journey is the ultimate trip to Sicily for the wine lover. In 6 full days, we'll explore the island from the west to the east stopping at some of its most iconic wineries, all whilst taking in the history and culture of this magnificent island.
We'll stay in wine resorts & boutique hotels tasting the delicacies and sipping our way from the port of Marsala to the heights of the volcano of Etna.
Arrival – Sunday, October 9, 2022
TRANSFER, FIRST WINE TOUR & WELCOME DINNER
Fly into the western Sicilian city of Trapani a day early and enjoy Trapani or fly in on the day. We will arrange for transfers from your accommodation in Trapani or the airport to our first hotel which also happens to be a winery. We meet for our winery tour followed by a tasting through dinner that will feature typical dishes of the Western region of Sicily.
Day 1 – Monday, October 10, 2022
ERICE & MARSALA
We depart after breakfast and visit the medieval village Erice. We will have a little free time to stroll, take some pictures and take in the incredible views.
We then head to one of Sicily's most esteemed wineries for a wine tour & wine pairing lunch of the very best wines of the winery with Sicilian delicacies.
In the afternoon, we head to a smaller winery specializing in the production of fortified wines that Marsala is known for and where we can dive deep into these very special wines.
Time for a little relaxation before dinner back at the hotel.
Day 2 – Tuesday, October 11, 2022
LUNCH AT WINERY & SELINUNTE
Before leaving Marsala completely, we will visit another winery, famous for reviving and making incredible Marsala wines. We then head towards Castelvetrano. Midway we stop at a winery in a natural park, famous for producing a dessert wine from Grillo grapes. We will have lunch with a wine pairing.
We then visit the Selinunte archaeological park where we will walk around the old temples and ruins with our guide who will tell us about Sicily's ancient history.
We will head for one of Sicily's most iconic winery resorts where we will stay for 2 nights. We will enjoy the most amazing dinner overlooking the vineyards and the sea.
Day 3 – Wednesday, October 12, 2022
INTERNATIONAL GRAPES IN SICILY
Mid-morning we head inland to the winery where the wine revolution started for Sicily when international grapes showed the potential for high-quality viticulture. The location is beautiful and we will do a guided visit and tasting followed by lunch at the winery before we head back to the wine relais for an afternoon of relaxation. It's also possible to go for a walk among the vineyards and simply enjoy the splendid location of Planeta's Foresteria.
We will have another wonderful dinner together with a tasting of more wines.
Day 4 – Thursday, October 13, 2022
CERASUOLO DI VITTORIA & RAGUSA
We check out of our hotel and head to the southeast of Sicily where the island’s only DOCG Cerasuolo di Vittoria is. We will visit a winery that marked the history of the region and that today is one of the leaders of biodynamics on the island. Lunch will be with the wines of the winery.
After lunch, we head to beautiful Ragusa and check in to our characteristic hotel which is made out of an ex-convent.
Dinner on your own in beautiful Ragusa where you have many different options, amongst which one of Sicily's most prestigious restaurants
Day 5 – Friday, October 14, 2022
MODICA, NERO D'AVOLA & SOUTHERN ETNA
We check out of our hotel and head to nearby Modica to visit Sicily's oldest chocolate maker.
With bellies full of lovely sweets, we head towards Noto and visit a lovely winery in this most southeastern part of Sicily, featuring the local grape-hero, Nero d'Avola. We enjoy a homecooked lunch matched with the wines.
We then head up to the southern slopes of Mount Etna where we visit a historical winery and have hors d'oeuvres with our wine tasting.
Finally, we head to our Etna accommodation where we spend the last two nights and have a light dinner.
Day 6 – Saturday, October 15, 2022
NORTHERN & EASTERN ETNA WINE TOUR
On our last day, we will take a stroll in Taormina in the morning. Then we head for a small winery on the northern side of Etna for a delicious wine-pairing lunch. After lunch, we will visit a historical winery on the eastern side where Etna Bianco Superiore is made, thus completing the circle around the magical and mystical wine territory of the volcano.
Finally, back at our hotel, we will share our last meal and toast to our week of experiences, and say goodbye to our new wine friends.
Departure - Sunday, October 16, 2022
TRANSFER & ARRIVEDERCI
The trip has come to an end and after breakfast, our shuttle will drop us off at the Catania airport at around 10 am (if you are continuing your trip you can take a short shuttle or taxi into Catania city). Personal transfers can also be arranged for a different time.
THIS TRIP INCLUDES:
Transportation throughout the week.
Accommodation in winery resort or boutique hotels with ensuite bathrooms and breakfast every morning.
11 winery visits & tastings, 1 guided visit at Selinunte archaeological park.
6 dinners host-ordered wines included. One dinner on your own (Iblea Ragusa).
Grape Tours personally (Rebecca - Italian Wine Scholar) accompanies the group throughout the week and we will have local guides take us around the wineries.
NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare to and from Sicily, meals not specified in the itinerary. We include meals when we are not staying in a town where you can walk to dinner, for example in Ragusa where you will have a free night.
Extra drinks outside winery visits or during meals if not host-ordered, hotel mini-bar.
City tax at the hotels (usually a couple of euros per person per night and has to be paid at check-out usually in cash).
Tips to guides/drivers.
COST:
Cost per person (based on double room occupancy): 3800 euro p.p.
(single occupancy 4400 euro p.p.)
Max attendance 18 pp.
Please shoot us an email at info@grape-tours.com if you're considering signing up, or if you're ready to book, follow the link to register below.
2 Available
Please notice that this tour could also be organized for a group of 6-18 for a different week - but please enquire in good time & contact us for a quote.
A detailed itinerary will be available to the participants at least one month before departure.