FLAVOUR OF SICILY

Head out on a guided tour of Taormina and enjoy the beauty of this seaside town, one of Sicily’s most spectacular. Marvel at the Greek-Roman theater, considered among the most striking monuments in all of antiquity. Embark on an adventure featuring a full-day tour excursion to Mount Etna, Europe’s highest volcano, and visit a boutique winery nearby, where the winemaker shares the unique characteristics of the vineyard and the area. Savor the flavors of Randazzo during a special lunch of local dishes paired to perfection with local wines.

Explore the fascinating Neapolis Archeological Park of Siracusa, home to the Greek theater from 5^th century BC, Sicily’s largest. Visit Noto, referred to as a “Stone Garden” because of the incredible decorations on its buildings; a UNESCO World Heritage site, the city is a Baroque treasure. Get swept away by the beauty of one of the most marvelous wine estates in Sicily that sprawls across 51 hectares, then enjoy lunch and wine tastings in the lovely surrounds. Visit Ragusa-Ibla and bask in the oldest part of this city rich with churches and Baroque buildings. Stroll amongst a maze of narrow streets and steps which join the upper and the lower parts of Modica, a charming destination because of its splendid Cathedral and famous for its production of chocolate, similar to that used by the Aztecs at the time of the discovery of the New World.

On your way to Agrigento  continue on to the village of Caltagirone, famed for its ceramics workshops. In the province of Enna, explore Piazza Armerina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that beckons with the mosaics of Villa Romana del Casale. Admire the finest of all ancient Greek sites during a guided tour of Valle dei Templi, home to one of the most complete DOric temples in existence. Unwind at a lovely country resort in Agrigento, a few miles from the sea on a hill surrounded by olive groves. Indulge in an extra-virgin olive oil tasting and enjoy dinner starring fresh local products and the estate’s very own wines.

On your way to Palermo – Sicily’s capital and most vibrant city – stop at a wine estate in Marsala, one of the island’s most famous wine regions. Learn about the origin and special characteristics of Marsala wine. Pause for a delicious lunch in the estate’s historic cellar, with the spotlight on typical Sicilian delicacies and wine tastings. Travel between Trapani and Marsala on the Salt Way Road, where you can see evidence of the ancient tradition of harvesting salt from the sea still in practice.

Continue your discovery of western Sicily in Erice, an important religious site associated with the goddess Venus; today it is famous for marzipan candies and other treats like almond and pistachio pastries.