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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
(From
November 1, 2008 the Roman Villa of Casale in Piazza Armerina will
be closed for a hard renovation and honestly, we absolutely don't
know which will be the estimated new opening date. We will swap this
visit with a stop in Caltagirone—a
town important for Sicilian pottery and ceramics. We will walk
through the city center and climb the famous steps decorated with
local and colored ceramics. Time at leisure for shopping in the
Sicilian ceramic shops—)
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
What is Included:
What is Included:
ü
One main private Airport Transfers for services done from h 8:00AM
to h 7:00PM
ü
Palermo: Three nights accommodation
ü
Falconara: Two nights accommodation, sea view rooms
ü
Taormina: Three nights accommodation, sea view rooms
ü
Daily continental breakfast buffet
ü
Five visits to Sicilian cellars and tasting of Sicilian wines
ü
One visit to Sicilian Olive Oil Factory and tasting olive oil
ü
Vehicle with Air Conditioning
ü
English speaking Driver Escort as per program
ü
Welcome Dinner with choice of 2 set menus
ü
Farewell Dinner with choice of 2 set menus
ü
Two dinners at Hotel with choice of 2 set menus
ü
One light lunch at Olive-Oil factory/farmhouse with tasting of
typical local dishes
ü
One light lunch at Winery/farmhouse with tasting of typical Etna
dishes
ü
One lunch at winery with tasting of local dishes
ü
One cooking experience at home-stay in Sant'Angelo Muxaro followed
by lunch
ü
Natural mineral water at included meals
ü
All sightseeing, tasting and excursions as specified in the
itinerary
ü
Cablecar to Etna Volcano (subject to weather forecast)
ü
Admission fee included for all sites and other activities as per
itinerary
ü
Hotel & City Taxes
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