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DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Day one : Arrive and travel to Marsala You travel on the British Airways flight departing London at 13.25 , and landing in Palermo at 17.30 . From here there is a private coach transfer from the airport to Marsala ( journey time about 1 hr 15 mins ) where you check-in to the hotel . This evening , we dine together at our hotel on the outskirts of Marsala , enjoying views at sunset across to the Egadi islands . Paired with a Sicilian menu will be a selection of wines from the island as an introduction to its typical grape varieties such as Grillo and Nero d ’ Avola . Day two : Explore the wines of Marsala and the western coast After breakfast this morning we have a tasting visit at of one of the most respected names of Marsala , Marco de Bartoli . A visit to their cellars illustrates to us the way this much under-rated wine is produced , and then we enjoy a tasting of their wines discovering how true Marsala is : glorious , nutty and actually , surprisingly , food-friendly . As well as their traditional Marsalas , we will also try the elegant wines from their estate on Pantelleria , a small volcanic island closer to Africa than Sicily , made from the intriguingly named Zibbibo grape variety . We then make a short journey of about 30 mins to have lunch at a local restaurant , before taking the 6-minute ferry ride to the Phoenician city of Mozia , on the island of San Pantaleo , and today home to the Whittaker museum . We sail past the salt pans and windmills that dominate this corner of Sicily , before having time to visit the archaeological museum with its collection of Greek and Punic artefacts including the famed Greek statue of ‘ a youth from Mozia ’, – or simply take a stroll around this small island of only 40 hectares . We return the short distance to the hotel , with time to relax and perhaps a dip in the pool , before we dine together at the hotel to discover wines from other regions of Sicily such as the exciting wines originating from the Nerello Mascalese grape , grown on the slopes of Mount Etna . Day three : Donnafugata cellars After breakfast , we check out of the hotel and then , this morning there is an opportunity to visit the town of Marsala itself , with its Cathedral dedicated to St Thomas of Canterbury , where there are 16th century Flemish tapestries . Marsala came to represent wine for the English , but it was hugely important in the Carthaginian era , before it was conquered by the Romans . The weekly market takes place this morning , with stalls laden with violet-hued aubergines and bundles of aromatic herbs . Alternatively , you could visit the Baglio Anselmi museum with its Roman Mosiacs and a Punic shipwreck . It is just a short hop to our next visit at the Donnafugata cellars in the centre of Marsala . Owned by the Rallo family , they took the decision to concentrate on ‘ table wines ’ rather than fortified Marsala and helped revolutionise the Sicilian wine trade . Today , their multi award-winning wines show how elegant and complex the wines of Sicily can be , such as the engaging white from Catarratto grapes or the beguiling Mille e una Notte , named after Scheherazade , a spicy deep blend of Nero D ’ Avola , Petit Verdot and Syrah . We taste these wines paired with a typical Sicilian lunch . After lunch , we continue to Planeta La Foresteria to check-in for our next two nights . After time to enjoy their infinity pool overlooking the vines , we have dinner at this boutique hotel , owned by the most dynamic wine estate in Sicily , Planeta , and so dinner will be paired with a selection of their wines . Day four : Planeta – the modern face of Sicilian wine making After breakfast , we head to the original Planeta cellars in Sambuca di Sicilia , for a visit to understand how this one family were so instrumental in achieving recognition for the modern face of Sicilian wine making on the world stage , most notably with their Chardonnay . They achieved the coveted ‘ Italian Winery of the Year ’ award in 1999 and have expanded quickly since then , now producing wines in five different terroirs of the island . We taste a selection of these wines this morning . Lunchtime is free in the coastal town of Sciacca , which was long fought-over in history for its importance on trade routes . The looming Monte San Calogero meant that the town became well known for its thermal waters and spas , but today it remains better known for its beautiful ceramics , made here since Greek times and even today showing Arab influences as well in their design . We return to Planeta La Foresteria with time to relax before dinner which will be paired with a final selection of Planeta wines from their various Sicilian estates . Day five : Morgante and Agrigento After breakfast , we check out and head along the southern Sicilian coast towards Agrigento . Our lunchtime appointment is at the family-run estate of Morgante , whose focus has been producing wines from the Nero D ’ Avola grape , showing cherries and chocolate on the palate . They also make an unusual white wine from red grapes – and a delicious olive oil which we will taste over a rustic lunch at the estate . We continue to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of The Temples of Agrigento . Under the Greeks , Agrigento thrived and eight temples were built between 510 BC and 430 BC which UNESCO rates as ‘ one of the most outstanding monuments of Greek art and culture ’. There is time to visit these fascinating temples , which include the well-preserved Doric Temple of Concord with its 34 columns and the Temple of Hera . Our next hotel is located close to the Temples and we check-in here in the late afternoon . We dine together here this evening . Day six : Regaleali estate and Palermo Today is our big day to cross Sicily , and so , after breakfast , we check out and journey through some spectacularly wild countryside to the heart of the island for our next visit which is at the Regaleali estate . This spectacular property has belonged to Tasca D ’ Almerita since 1830 . The land reforms of the ‘ 50s saw their lands reduced from 1200 hectares to just 500 but the family have concentrated on making some of the most iconic wines of the island , and won the first of their many wine awards in 1871 ! They were very forward thinking in planting international varieties as early as 1979 – and we will taste a range of their wines such as the classic white Nozze D ’ Oro made from Inzolia and Sauvignon Tasca before lunch at the estate . After lunch , we continue through rolling fields to the north of the island and the capital of Sicily , Palermo . We check-in to our hotel here in the centre of the city for two nights and have the evening free , for you to choose your own restaurants from our list of suggestions . Day seven : Palermo and private Palazzo visit After breakfast , there is a short drive to the Conca d ’ Oro to the hilltop town of Monreale , where the remarkable Norman Cathedral stands . Thanks to the enlightened William II , the Cathedral is a wonderful blend of Arabic , Byzantine and Norman architecture has a truly impressive luminous set of mosaics from the 12th century . The cloisters are also worth a visit for the 228 columns and intricate carvings . Lunchtime and the afternoon are free for exploring Palermo at your leisure . A wonderful chaotic mixture of the ancient art and modern life , Palermo is a city of contrasts showing the hallmarks of a series of invaders across the centuries . There are a host of UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Palazzo dei Normanni , with its frescoes and the beautiful Palatine Chapel with its wooden carved ceiling and the golden mosaic of Christ . Or simply explore Palermo ’ s individual quarters , discovering the Pretoria Fountain , or the largest opera house in Italy , the Teatro Massimo , or simple enjoy the winding alleyways and street markets between Baroque palazzi . This evening , we have a special invitation to a 12th century Palazzo , in the heart of the mediaeval quarter , the Kalsa , which remains today the private residence of a Sicilian noble family . We will enjoy a dinner of Sicilian dishes , the recipes chosen by the current Count who adores cooking and paired with a selection of wines from his family ’ s wine estate in the west of the island , including a delightful white from local varieties as well as seductive reds . Day eight : Alcamo wine region and the Brugnano estate After breakfast , we check out of our hotel and head to the Alcamo wine region for our final wine tasting at the welcoming Brugnano estate . Founded in 1970 , this is a relatively new company by Italian wine standards , and the family focus on making wines with great drinkability . We taste a range of their wines before a relaxed buffet lunch at the cellars , showing off how well their wines pair with local salamis , cheeses and other local specialities . We continue a short distance to the coast to Castellammare del Golfo , a pretty , small town that was an important trading port and used to be one of the main tuna ports of the Tyrrhenian Sea . There will be time to stroll the streets of the mediaeval quarter or perhaps what better way to end your Sicilian experience by simply relaxing on the sea front with a gelato ! We continue to the airport for the return BA flight to London .
Dates and prices This tour departs on the following dates from London for these prices per person sharing a double or twin room : 15 September 2019 £ 3,240 Supplements : Single use of double £ 470 per person Deposit payment : £ 400 per person
We include
• ● Flights with British Airways London Heathrow to Palermo , Euro traveller . Club upgrade available on request at a supplement .
• Transportation from Palermo airport in a small luxury coach for a maximum of 14 people , with one piece of luggage per person .
• English-speaking tour guide with knowledge of the wine and food of Sicily .
• Two nights ’ bed and buffet breakfast at the Baglio Oneto near Marsala . Plus , two dinners with wine .
• Two nights ’ bed and buffet breakfast at the Planeta la Foresteria at Menfi . Plus , two dinners with wine .
• One night ’ s bed and buffet breakfast at the Hotel Foresteria Baglio della Luna at Agrigento . Plus , one dinner with wine .
• Two nights ’ bed and buffet breakfast at the Hotel Plaza Opera in Palermo .
• Other meals included as follows : Lunch on day 2 , Lunch with wine on day 3 , Lunch on day 5 , Lunch on day 6 , Dinner with wine on day 7 , Lunch with wine on day 8 .
• Entrances and wine tastings as mentioned in the itinerary
Optional additions With this tour you will have explored the west of the island from Palermo in the north , across to the western coast and down to Agrigento in the south . There is another vast side of Sicily , worth exploring from Taormina to Siracusa and Ragusa but also you could venture to the Aeolian islands and perhaps stay at Capofaro on Salina , which is owned by the wine estate Tasca D ’ Almerita , visited on the tour and where their Moscato vineyards are located . Important note Please note that the tour is not suitable for anyone with mobility issues as we are visiting working cellars . At Monreale , from the car park to the Cathedral is a relatively long flight of steps ( there are taxis but there can be a long wait ).
Phone 01392 441275 to make a reservation or to discuss your holiday plans
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