Romantic Sicily Wine Tour

In the morning the scent of delicious freshly baked brioche will fill the dining room of the hotel accompanied by the aroma of dark, rich espresso. Your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby ready to explore the fascinating corners and historical passions of the Monreale Cathedral. The 12th-century complex contains both Sicilian and Byzantine architectural designs, as well as an 18th-century Neoclassical portico. You will find grandeur and exceptional engineering combined in the set of Romanesque bronze doors that glisten at the entrance with 42 reliefs depicting Biblical scenes. You will follow your guide into the captivating interior where golden mosaics are spread across the walls, blanket the aisles, and cover the transept and apse encompassing a total of 68,220 square feet. The series was painted with the intention to draw your eye to the portrait of Christ Pantocrator, which is gesturing in blessing over visitors at the center of the breathtaking mosaic sequences.

You will return to the heart of Palermo where you will meet your private chef for a romantic couple’s cooking class focusing on crafting traditional Sicilian cuisine. As your chef offers a brief culinary history of Sicily and Palermo, you can sample mouthwatering dishes such as the treasured caponata, an appetizer of fried eggplant topped with a sweet and sour sauce. You will follow the guidance of your chef to craft a starter, main course, and dessert accompanied by six different Sicilian wines that will pair perfectly with the menu. The kitchen will fill with the aromas of flour, butter, olive oil, and lemon as you shape handmade pasta and learn the art of traditional meat rolls. Each glass of wine brings new and exciting aromas like grapefruit and orange blossoms or tobacco, black cherries, and cinnamon.

After breakfast, your private transfer will escort you to the medieval seaside town of Cefalù, which was listed by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the “10 Most Beautiful Small Towns in Italy.” Before arriving in the majesty of the seaside city, you will stop for your first wine tasting experience in Sicily. Your guide will lead you to a marvelous winery that fills the grounds of a former 12th-century abbey. Follow your guide through the vines where you can feel the waxy texture of the grape skins growing the property that focuses on endemic grapes. You will sample a selection of wines while you enjoy the view of the lush, undulating landscape. You can indulge with your loved one in the tasting to find hints of green pepper, apricot, and vanilla drifting upwards from the ruby red color of the wine for a lingering acidic finish.

You will continue to Cefalù and quickly become immersed in the rare combination of golden sand beaches and Arab-Norman architecture, elegant piazzas and narrow cobblestone lanes. The honey-colored stone buildings that line the streets and lead to the marina bring a picturesque setting that is accentuated by the crystalline turquoise water. Fishing boats wade in the harbor as fishers return from their time at sea to mend their nets and reminisce about the day’s catch. You can wander along the promenade and lounge at one of the seafront cafes or linger in the splendor of La Rocca, the looming rocky crag that soars above the town that once supported the Arab citadel and 11th-century Norman castle.

In the morning, the sea breeze will carry the aroma of the briny water along the seaside promenade and through the narrow winding lanes of the town. Your guide will meet you at your hotel after breakfast eager to introduce you to the subtle luxuries of Cefalù that are hidden within the serene seaside setting. The stunning cathedral remains a gem of Arab-Norman architecture with elaborate Byzantine mosaics that cover the apse that surrounds the 16 massive columns that are taken from the former ancient Roman Temple of Diana.

More ancient columns support the graceful Arab-Norman arches that adorn the cloisters and add a touch of ancient elegance to the 12th-century design. You can also venture outside of the borders of Cefalù to reach the top of a rocky promontory upon which the megalithic temple of Diana stands, which dates back to the 9th century BC. The unique structure features interlocking stones that support without mortar and also represents one of the earliest known houses of worship on the European continent.

The scent of truffles and mortadella compete with the aroma of pistachios in the heart of the old seaside city. Your guide will lead you through the streets to experience the quality flavors of Cefalù ranging from the culinary delights of special seafood dishes to the bright and colorful flavors of the most popular gelateria. As you traverse the city, your guide will provide insight into the unique tastes taken from the land and sea with tastings of savory dishes and sweet treats accompanied by wines meant to balance the best flavors including delicious baked cheesecake or ricotta pie with chocolate chips.

You will travel to the enchanting ancient city of Segesta in the morning with your guide for a private tour of the 5th-century BC Greek settlement that is high up in the mountains of western Sicily. The archeological complex will captivate you with a collection of ancient Doric architecture including one of the best examples of a Doric temple in the world. Your guide will take you through the archeological site where you will find the fascinating temple with 36 Doric columns. The hillside of Monte Barbaro supports the sensational Greek theater at approximately 1,312 feet above sea level. The stadium seating provided the audience with stunning views of the surrounding countryside and continues to host Greek plays and concerts during annual summer events.

Outside of Segesta, your guide will introduce you to the boutique wineries of the province. You will begin at a family-owned estate run by brothers interested in farming, enology, and agronomics making an incredible combination in producing blends of historical Sicilian grapes and international varietals, such as mixing French grapes with Nero d’Avola. In the tasting room, you will notice the scent of oak and sawdust as your guide pours a curated selection a wine possessing 50 percent Nero d’Avola grapes with 30 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 20 percent Merlot. You will indulge in the aromas of dried herbs and orange peel before embracing the silky tannins and a long finish.

Your day will begin in the charming city of Erice, located 2,460 feet above sea level on a plateau overlooking the jagged peaks of Eryx Mountain with beautiful panoramic views of the sea and valley. The mesmerizing medieval town contains winding lanes that lead to the 12th-century Castello di Venere, which was built on top of the ancient Temple Venus. The grassy interior courtyard holds stunning ruin foundations with impressive stone walls. You will savor the remarkable views before continuing your exploration of town that is accentuated by the aromas of chocolate drifting through the doors of a famous confectionary.

You will continue to an olive oil estate for lunch, where your guide will lead you through the rows of olive trees that fill the air with a luscious herbaceous aroma. You will learn about the family history of the estate as well as the broader heritage of olive oil in Sicily before sampling the delicious flavors that are captured during the production process. You will learn how to look for different aromas and flavors in the olive oil, as you might find nutty notes with a robust bitterness similar to an artichoke. Before returning to your hotel, you will visit a saline, a picturesque sea-salt pond decorated with a series of antique windmills and levied ponds. The timeless process has allowed locals of the region to farm salt for millennia.

In the morning, you will travel to Marsala for a tour devoted to uncovering the culture of the city. The streets of the old city center are paved with seductive marble that glints in the Mediterranean light. Baroque architecture dazzles with golden facades that lead to elegant piazzas. The ancient foundations date back to the Phoenicians with remnants of the ancient city walls that date back to the 4th century BC and reaching over 22 feet thick. You will follow your guide to the radiant Piazza della Repubblica where the façade of Chiesa Madre soars above the elegant design and mirrors the grandeur of arcade opposite the square connected to Palazzo VII Aprile.

Outside of the city, you will visit an estate priding itself on crafting real marsala wine within the customs passed down through the generations. Your guide will take you on an exclusive tour of the winery and offer information on the history of the estate and how they produce the distinctive wines before you enter the tasting room. You will sample wines unique to the property that has been shaped by the landscape and the vision of the owner using the traditions of marsala wine. Within the selection of wines you sample, you will be able to find the aromas of ripe citrus fruits, hazelnut, and peach leading to an intense flavor of butter and orange peel, which will contrast with the outdated reputation of the local sweet wines and elevate the province’s true characteristics.

The day will be at your leisure to spend time enjoying the beauty of Marsala at your preferred pace before returning to the bustling streets of Palermo. For a mixture of romance and culture, you can venture to the ancient seaside settlement of Selinunte with your private guide for a personalized tour of the impressive ruins of one of the ancient world’s most powerful cities. The most westerly Greek colony was founded in the 7th century BC on a promontory overlooking two rivers.

The scent of blossoming wildflowers will welcome you to the ruined temples accentuating the view over the Mediterranean Sea. You can climb the Acropolis to find the heart of the political and social life of the ancient city. After your exploration of the city, you will return to Palermo to enjoy the remainder of your day as the setting sun casts the honey-hued structures in soft golden light.

In the morning, the Capo market bustles with activity featuring the preserved Arab culture and distinctive agri-food trend an essential character of the city. The lively ambiance illustrates the importance of the marketplace as mountains of wooden crates are filled with swordfish and prawns as vendors call out to passersby. After breakfast and one last wander of the streets, your private transfer will meet you at your hotel and escort you Falcon Borsellino Airport for your flight home. You can extend your romantic discovery by visiting the gorgeous landscape of Tuscany or enchanting seaside of Puglia.