Your private tailored Sicily wine tour allows you to settle into the captivating life of Sicily, a destination where you can slow down, sample the best varieties of local wine, and explore the depths of ancient cultures that have evolved in the undulating hillsides. Indulge in a sweet confection inside a chocolate shop that has spent centuries perfecting its craft. Grab a handful of the earth that nourishes the lush flavors of the timeless cuisine. Sensational trips...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Sicily – A Taste of the Sicilian Coast
The town of Cefalu sits on the shores of Sicily’s north coast, at the base of a looming bluff. The quiet fishing harbor borders the old streets. A Norman cathedral shines the same golden hue as the long stretch of sandy beach. Your private transfer greets you at the Falcone-Borsellino Airport upon your arrival. The short ride to Cefalu provides a panorama of the medieval town’s postcard-like beauty. It was used as the location for the academy award winning foreign film, Cinema Paradiso. The stone buildings have a glow the color of honeydew. The large rock face known as La Rocca rises 885 feet above sea level.
The Cathedral was erected between the 12th and 13th centuries. Various architectural styles, from Arab to Byzantine, along with Latin and Nordic artwork combine to create a harmonious mosaic of the cultures that have settled in Sicily over thousands of years. Two towers frame the entrance, adorned with powerful battlements. One of the two spires symbolizes the royal family’s power. The ambiance is quiet and embracing, personified in the gentle sea breeze sweeping along the streets. The aroma of bright citrus adds to the sound of sizzling seafood emanating from the restaurants along the shoreline.
What's Included:
Day 2
Palermo – Castles and Culture
Day 3
Imbibing the Coast and Flavors
Day 4
Memorable Wine and Ancient Connections
Day 5
Modica – A Chance to Indulge in Beauty
Day 6
Ragusa Ibla – Baroque Morning and Ancient Afternoon
Day 7
Taormina – Beachside Comforts and Vineyards
Day 8
Catania – Ultimate Refreshment
Trip Highlights
- Revel in an unforgettable traditional Sicilian dinner with dishes paired with select wines chosen by a renowned sommelier
- Enjoy a fabulous wine tasting at a celebrated local vineyard in Marsala to sample a variety of wines, providing a full spectrum of flavors in the region
- Indulge in an elaborate chocolate tasting at a historic chocolaterie located in the baroque town of Modica
- Witness the beautiful Greek ruins at the Valley of the Temples on a unique night tour, accompanied by an exceptional performance at the Teatro della Posta Vecchia
- Discover the lavish and rich history of Syracuse on a private guided tour of the distinctive city
- View the elegant glistening golden mosaics of the Palatine Chapel found inside the Norman Palace of Palermo
- Relax on the tranquil and picturesque shores of the seaside town of Cefalu
- Stroll along the historical and elegant cobbled streets of Taormina
Detailed Description
Sample the fragrant grapes and witness the lush produce on display in the active morning markets. Stroll alongside an ancient Greek theater and dip your toes into the hot sand of a gorgeous Mediterranean beach. Your 8-day Sicily wine tour lets you experience the flavors of the island that have inspired the world, from its traditional cuisine to its unique culture, the distinctive details that shape the daily life of a Sicilian begin to inspire you. Your tour starts with your arrival at the Palermo airport. Your private transfer escorts you to the nearby seaside town of Cefalu. The remainder of the day is yours to relax on the shoreline and enjoy the picturesque atmosphere.
Relish your first meal paired with a sampling of wines from around the region. The following day, your guide leads you on a fabulous historical tour of Palermo. Visit the stunning churches and view the Baroque facades of the city before exploring the impressive Duomo del Chiostro in the nearby village of Monreale. In the evening, you settle into the quiet streets of Menfi for another fabulous meal and wine accompaniment. You venture to the nearby region of Marsala for a guided tour of a traditional vineyard that produces Marsala wine. Continue to the exceptional medieval hilltop town of Erice, where you can sample from a collection of the local pastry shops serving typical regional delights.
The next day, you discover the wonderful grounds of the Terre Sikane vineyard on a guided tour and wine tasting before continuing to the Valley of the Temples, located outside the contemporary city of Agrigento. Enjoy a fine dinner with a focus on the differences an almond can make in the cuisine, with wines paired by a local sommelier. Return to the Valley of the Temples for an evening tour, along with a performance at the Teatro della Posta Vecchia. Then, you traverse the charming streets of Butera. Continue to the Baroque town of Modica to sample the stunning confections of a historic chocolaterie. Travel along the rambling cobblestone streets of Ragusa to see a city shaped by both time and the elements. At dinner, you enjoy the traditional regional dishes of Ragusa. Consider reading some of our travelers' Sicily vacation reviews to acquire additional inspirations to perfect your own trip.
Your guide escorts you to Noto, the Baroque capital of Sicily. You continue to discover the ancient foundations of Syracuse before arriving at your hotel on the foothills of Mount Etna. Enjoy another fabulous meal paired with a delicious local wine. You visit the exquisite seaside town of Taormina to explore the winding streets at your leisure. Return to Etna for dinner, where you sample the splendid wines of Tenuta San Michele with your meal. On your final day, your private transfer meets you at your hotel near Etna and escorts you to the airport in Catania for your flight home.
Starting Price
$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.9 stars based on 5899 reviews.
Zicasso’s travel company was wonderful in planning our trip on short notice and in line with our requests and preferences. Their suggestions of what to do and where to stay were perfect. And when we accidentally got off on the wrong island, the travel company quickly got us new ferry tickets to get to the right place. It was all seamless.
Reviewed By Sherry G.
This trip was the greatest week of our lives! Everything planned was better than I could have imagined. The private drivers being coordinated behind the scenes made the trip so easy and removed all the stress of trying to navigate a new country. Every driver and our tour guide was so nice and I feel like we made friends with all of them.
My favorite part of the trip was definitely the cooking classes and that every tour was private and intimate for my wife and I. The connections Zicasso’s travel agent hooked us up with made the trip the most memorable experience. Our travel agent and the travel company took special care of all the tiny details of the trip; our hotel knew it was my birthday and had a special surprise for me! I’m beyond thankful for the perfect honeymoon they provided my wife and I.
Reviewed By Branson S.
The accommodations and private tours were worth the extra money. Our drivers were professional and helpful.
Reviewed By Claudia R.
The overall trip was great. The weather was terrific and the countries we visited had so much to see. Zicasso's tour company did a good job of balancing relaxation with fun. Each of the guides we had was so pleasant and shared so much information with us. They were very attentive to our needs.
Reviewed By Nisha V.
Wow, where to begin. This trip was an absolute dream.
When I first spoke to Zicasso’s travel consultant, I told her my main travel concern: traveling with nine- and 15-year-old boys as a single mom in Italy. I was excited to take the trip with them, but I really needed something that was meticulously planned to take away the nerves of having to navigate alone with two kids. She listened and executed the most beautiful trip.
She planned activities that captured the attention and imagination of a fourth grader and a teenager. And the experiences were unique. Probably the highlight of the trip was a truffle hunt with the hunter and his dog in the countryside outside of Florence. My oldest wants to move to Florence and start hunting! We had a personalized cooking class, a private Vespa tour of Rome, and a delicious and informative art and food tour, among other amazing experiences. As we were sending photos back home, I got so many requests for our itinerary because it was so special and unique. Both boys were hard-pressed to choose which part they liked best.
The hotels she selected were beautiful, comfortable, and right in the heart of the cities and attractions we wanted to see. When we encountered a small hiccup (by our hotel, not our travel agent), I contacted her and she responded right away, getting us a free room upgrade and free dinner! We felt very taken care of.
Aside from the amazing activities and locations we saw, the trip was fantastic because everything was so seamless. We always had a private driver arranged, pre-booked train tickets, and even someone to make sure we made it on time for our flight home. I never had to worry about a thing. It was also telling that every tour guide we interacted with had only glowing things to say about our travel agent and her keen attention to detail and organization.
If you're planning on visiting Italy, this travel company is the travel agency you need to select. It takes any of the stress and guesswork out of the travel process, and all you have to do is show up and enjoy.
Thank you so much! You helped us make some amazing memories!
Stephanie
Reviewed By Stephanie S.
This was possibly the best vacation we have ever taken. A fitting trip to mark our 25th anniversary, we will remember our days in Positano and Sorrento forever. Everything was perfect and the service and support were extraordinary.
Zicasso's travel specialist and the other people were always super-helpful and friendly. The hotels they chose for us in particular were exactly what we wanted. I can’t think of a single issue. Transport, transfers, etc., were perfect. The only bad part was that we had to return to normal life afterwards! We highly recommend our travel company to anyone! Grazie mille!
Reviewed By Mauro A.
