Grand Wine Tour of the Island
October 2022 - 7 nights
This is the ultimate trip to Sicily for the wine lover. 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 Etna Volcano.
Day 1 – Sunday, October 16, 2022
ARRIVAL IN TRAPANI AND SLOW FOOD DINNER
Fly into the western Sicilian city of Trapani and check-in to our boutique hotel (starting at 3 pm).
For those arriving early there will be a pre-dinner walking tour of Trapani starting at 5 pm with an “aperitivo”.
If you arrive between 5-7 pm we will pick you up at the hotel at 7 and we will all have dinner together in a local slow food restaurant.
Day 2 – Monday, October 17, 2022
ERICE & DONNAFUGATA
Today we check out of our hotel and visit the medieval village Erice. We will have a little free time to stroll, to take some pictures and wander the streets (for those who love sweets, there're some great pastries to be had).
We then head to the winery Donnafugata for a wine tour & tasting lunch of the very best wines of the winery with Sicilian delicacies.
We will check in to our Wine Resort and there will be free time to enjoy the countryside or the pool, weather permitting. Light dinner in the hotel.
Day 3 – Tuesday, October 18, 2022
MARSALA & OLIVE OIL MILL VISIT
We visit the amazing Marco de Bartoli winery, famous for making incredible Marsala wines. We have a lovely tasting and then head towards Castelvetrano where we will visit an olive oil producer awarded for some of Italy's best oils and learn about quality olive oil production and the varieties of olives growing in Sicily, followed by a tasting of the olive oil and tasty lunch.
We then visit the Selinunte park where we will walk around the most incredible temples.
We will head for Planeta's Foresteria nights. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 4 – Wednesday, October 19, 2022
PLANETA WINERY & COOKING CLASS
This morning we head to one of the Planeta wineries for a guided visit and tasting. We will have lunch at the winery before we head back to the hotel for a little rest.
In the afternoon we will have a cooking demo (those who don't want to cook can lie by the pool or enjoy a walk) and we will have an amazing dinner together with a tasting of more Planeta wines.
Day 5 – Thursday, October 20, 2022
CERASUOLO DI VITTORIA & RAGUSA
We check out of our hotel and head to the south-east of Sicily where the island’s only DOCG Cerasuolo di Vittoria is. We will visit the Cos winery and have lunch. After lunch, we head to beautiful Ragusa and check in to our wonderful hotel. Dinner on your own in beautiful Ragusa where you have many different options, amongst which one of Sicily's best restaurants).
Day 6 – Friday, October 21, 2022
MODICA CHOCOLATE & NERO D'AVOLA
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 Nero d'Avola. Short stop in Noto village.
We will visit the Benanti winery on the southern slopes of Mount Etna and have an excellent dinner. We will then head to our Etna resort where we spend two nights, you can check-in and relax by the pool in the afternoon.
Day 7 – Saturday, October 22, 2022
NORTHERN ETNA WINE TOUR
Our last day we will explore the Northern side of Mount Etna and its wineries and we will visit a modern winery with local expert Benjamin North Spencer. After lunch, we will head back to our resort. We will have our final dinner together at historical winery Barone di Villagrande close to our hotel, to sum up our week of experiences and to say goodbye to our new friends.
Sunday, October 23, 2022
DEPARTURE
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 at a different time.
THIS TRIP INCLUDES:
Transportation throughout the week.
Accommodation in 4-star hotels or equivalent with breakfast every morning.
Winery visits & tastings, group activities, guided visits and tickets
All meals mentioned in great local restaurants or farms (wine included).
Grape Tours personally (Rebecca - Italian Wine Scholar) accompanies the group throughout the week and we will have local guides meet us where necessary.
Cost per person (based on double room occupancy): 3650 euro
(single occupancy 4250 euro/p.p.)
Max attendance 18 pp.
Please shoot us an email on info@grape-tours.com if you may be interested in signing up, or if you're ready to sign up follow the link to register below.
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, as for example in Ragusa where you will have a free night.
AVAILABLE
Please notice that this tour could also be organized for a group of 6-22 for a different week - but please enquire in good time & contact us for a quote.
