May 31 – June 8, 2025
Discover the Food, Wine and Gourmet delights of Sicily with
Loveria Caffe owners, Andrea and Stefania Matteucci.
May 31 – June 8, 2025
Discover the Food, Wine and Gourmet delights of Sicily with
Loveria Caffe owners, Andrea and Stefania Matteucci.
Explore this best of Sicily trip, indulging in Sicilian food & wine, visiting olive oil and wine estates. You will explore Mt. Etna, coastal towns, Greek Temples, Baroque towns and simply a beautiful Island.
Highlights of the tour include:
- Mt. Etna jeep tour and Lunch at Tenuta Tascante’s Winery
- Hands on Cooking Class with Michelin-Star Chef in Taormina
- Neapolis archaeological park of Siracusa
- Planeta Buonivini experience: lunch, visit and tastings
- Experience renowned Valley of the Temples of Agrigento
- Walking Tour of Palermo
The Trip
Where We Visit
Where We Visit
Mt. Etna – Passopisciaro Winery
Where We Stay
Day 1 – Saturday, May 31
Welcome to Sicily, the largest region in Italy, where a tapestry of dominations, languages, traditions, and ancient cultures intertwine, forming an extraordinary and deeply rooted cultural mosaic.
Your private driver awaits you at the arrivals area exit at Catania Aiport. Sit back, relax, and settle into the car – it’s off to your accommodation in Taormina. Welcome Dinner is planned tonight nearby your hotel.
Hotel: Villa Paradiso, Taormina
Meals: Welcome Reception, Dinner
Day 2 – Sunday, June 1
Arguably one of the most thrilling experiences in Sicily awaits!
A rugged Jeep will whisk you from your hotel, accompanied by a seasoned naturalist guide primed to unveil the raw majesty of Mount Etna — the highest active volcano on the Eurasian plate and UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013!!
Prepare for awe-inspiring vistas, postcard-perfect panoramas, a kaleidoscope of colors, and an untouched symphony of sounds far from the bustling crowds. With over 400 craters and trails resembling scenes from a fairy tale, this adventure promises an immersive experience where mind and body harmonize, plunging you into one of nature’s most enthralling landscapes. Enchantingly led by a naturalist guide whose knowledge and passion will leave you spellbound!
The tour’s crescendo? A visit to one of the finest Etna DOC Wineries — a perfect cap to an extraordinary day!
Hotel: Villa Paradiso, Taormina
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Monday, June 2
Pietro D’Agostino stands as one of Sicily’s most innovative and esteemed chefs, a recipient of a coveted Michelin star! As the Executive Chef, Pietro will expertly lead and supervise the cooking class, imparting invaluable techniques to effortlessly handle and prepare dishes ingeniously adapted and crafted by the aspiring ‘chefs for a day’. Your culinary creations will culminate in a delightful lunch paired with exquisite Sicilian wines, completing this immersive gastronomic journey!
At the end of the cooking class, lunch and transfer to Siracusa.
Hotel: GH Des Etrangers, Siracusa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 – Tuesday, June 3
Today we explore the beautiful city of Siracusa; a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A living testament to human achievement, this gem encapsulates a multimillennial architectural and cultural treasure trove, preserving antiquities predating its Greek origins.
Prepare for a completely different experience as we visit the the Neapolis Archaeological Park which stands as a natural haven housing an array of archaeological treasures spanning various periods of Siracusa’s illustrious history.
Enter the realm of history as you encounter the Roman amphitheater, a remarkable testament to early Roman imperial architecture. Additionally, immerse yourself in the grandeur of the Greek Theater, a legendary relic from antiquity where monumental tragedies and comedies once graced the stage. We also stop at the Fratelli Burgio’s Salumeria, nestled in the heart of Ortigia and its market, represents one of its most iconic places! Here, in fact, you can enjoy fine cold cuts and cheeses, but also many specialties of the typical Mediterranean tradition, recovered with passion: to bind the quality and genuineness of the products.
And lastly, we explore Ortigia, the ancient heart of Siracusa… Its winding alleys pulse with vibrant life, adorned with bustling markets offering local delights, inviting seafood eateries, and charming cheese, fruit, and vegetable shops. Delve into its charm as you uncover hidden treasures like ancient temples, fortresses, and churches tucked away in every corner, including the grandeur of the Cathedral majestically perched atop an ancient Greek temple.
Hotel: GH Des Etrangers, Siracusa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5 – Wednesday, June 4
Immerse yourself in Planeta Buonivini, where Nero d’Avola and Moscato Bianco grapes flourish to create Santa Cecilia DOC Noto and Passito di Noto DOC wines at Cantina Invisibile. This ecological estate, with its soft hills and limestone soils, nurtures vines alongside almond, carob, and olive trees, emblematic of the Mediterranean.
Join a private guided tour through these thriving vineyards, sensing the synergy between nature and winemaking. Experience a curated tasting of these exceptional wines, relishing the terroir’s essence in every sip. Conclude with a delectable lunch, perfectly paired with Buonivini’s exquisite wines, savoring the essence of Sicilian wine culture in each bite and sip!
Hotel: GH Des Etrangers, Siracusa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Thursday, June 5
Today is a big day: your private guide will orient you to one of the top highlights of your Sicilian sojourn!
Prepare to witness something truly extraordinary: the exceptionally well preserved Greek temples that stand as some of the most authentic remnants of antiquity worldwide. Nestled within the renowned Valley of the Temples of Agrigento, this site in Italy draws countless visitors due to its unparalleled preservation.
The Archaeological Park of Agrigento earned its place on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1997, housing an invaluable collection of treasures. Among these, the pinnacle attractions are the three primary temples that majestically overlook the Via Sacra: the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Concordia, and the Temple of Hercules.
Immerse yourself in one of Sicily’s most exclusive and appreciated experiences—a journey like no other awaits you amidst the timeless grandeur of the Valley of the Temples: an Exclusive Picnic nestled within the Diodoros Garden.
Hotel: Doric Boutique Hotel, Agrigento
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 7 – Friday, June 6
Private Transfer today from Agrigento to Palermo…the rest of the day to explore Palermo on your own.
Hotel: GH Des Palmes, Palermo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8 – Saturday, June 7
Today, our journey takes you to the heart of Sicily as you explore the historic center of Palermo. This vibrant city is a treasure trove of cultural richness that blends ancient charm with modern dynamism. From its diverse architectural styles to its vibrant markets, Palermo promises an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of the Sicilian spirit.
The markets, such as Capo, Ballarò and Vucciria, are vibrant hubs teeming with colorful stalls selling fresh produce, local delicacies and handicrafts, exuding a lively atmosphere that engages all the senses.
History, food, tradition: Welcome to the capital!
Hotel: GH Des Palmes, Palermo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9 – Sunday, June 8
Depart for home from Palermo Airport.
The Details
What’s Included:
– All accommodations on a shared twin/double room basis
– Daily breakfast at hotel
– Airport transfers from Catania Airport and to Palermo Airport
– Tastings at Wineries and Olive Tastings
– Hands-on cooking class at La Cocina del Sole, Taormina
– Entrance to several wineries for wine tastings
– Six lunches and six dinners
– Jeep Tour of Mt. Etna
– Private tours of Archeological Park, Valley of the Temples, & Palermo
– Farewell celebration dinner at a surprise venue
*Final price may be adjusted on February 28, 2025, due to currency fluctuations.
Dates & Prices
Duration: : 9 Days / 8 Nights
Dates: May 31 – June 8, 2025
Prices: $6,737.00 per person, (based on double occupancy).
Getting There
Travel Services:
Our suggestion is to fly into Catania and depart from Palermo.. For the convenience of our travelers, we would be happy to assist you with flights to get to and from the trip. If you require assistance beyond the flights, (i.e. if you wish to extend your stay or arrive earlier), or if you wish to make private or custom travel arrangements, please call us to discuss your needs. Please note that a service fee of $50.00 will be charged for arrangements such as flights, transfers and hotel rooms that are outside the planned itinerary.
About Us
A highly personalized travel concierge service that arranges memorable trips, cruises, exotic vacations and travel for those with discriminating taste. So, whether you’re looking for a private jet to Paris, a villa in Tuscany, tickets to the Grand Prix in Monaco, golfing at St. Andrews or an island escape to the Caribbean, we can arrange every detail.
Availability
Book Your Trip
Karen M. Dawson SouthlakeTravel
630 E. Southlake Blvd., #57
Southlake, TX 76092
kdawson@southlake-travel.com
Phone: 817.657.9866
Payments & Deposits
$1000.00 per person nonrefundable deposit at time of booking (to guarantee events & hotels). Deposit must be received immediately.
Payment by check should be made payable to: Southlake Travel; Credit card payments Convenience Fee applies. Final payment will be due on March 29, 2025.