Sicilian Food & Wine Tour

Join Travelex International and Chicagoland wine expert, Jim Bryant for an incredible land/sea experience!

We start our journey in Athens where we set sail on an incredible voyage on the luxurious Crystal Serenity as she sails for 7 nights in the Mediterranean, calling on Santorini, Bodrum (Turkey), Valletta (Malta), Trapani (Sicily), Cagliari (Sardinia), and finally Rome.

Our 9 day culinary tour begins in eastern Sicily to explore the wonderful food and wines of the Mount Etna wine region. Enjoy 5 nights at Hotel Villa Fiorita in Taormina, and visits to Savoca, the hilltop village Forz d’Argo, Castelmola, and Sicily’s “second city” Catania.

We then travel to western Sicily to enjoy 2 nights at the Doric Eco Boutique Resort & Spa in Agrigento, surrounded by the landscape of the Valley of the Temples UNESCO heritage site, explore the enchanting countryside of Sciacca and its centuries-old olive trees, and visit Planeta Ulmo Winery in Sambuca for a wine tasting.

We cap off our trip with 1 night at Hotel Plaza Opèra in Palermo.

For more info, please contact Virtuoso Advisor, Marie Hodges at (847) 519-4781 or marieh@travelexinternational.com.

• VIP Meet & Greet with Private Transfer to Hotel
• 5 Nights at 4-Star Hotel Villa Fiorita
• 2 Nights at Doric Eco Boutique Resort & Spa
• 1 Nights at 4-star Hotel Plaza Opèra
• Breakfast Daily
• Wine Tasting & Lunch at Planeta Ulmo Winery
• Gastronomic North Etna Olive Oil & Wine Tour
• Gastronomic Cooking Class with Chef
• Gastronomic South Etna Honey & Wine Tour
• Honey & Wine Tasting at Winery
• Wine Tasting in Taormina
• Street Food Tastings at the Local Market
• Guided Highlights of Taormina Walking Tour
• Guided Walking Tour of Catania
• Panoramic Tour of Taormina in Ape Calessino
• Taormina Greek Theatre
• Savoca Church Visit
• Medieval Villages & The Godfather Movie Set Tour

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

On arrival at Catania Airport collect your luggage and make your way to the arrivals hall where your drivers will await you for your minivans transfer to the hotel.
(Porterage service is not included; however, you may request this locally and pay for it directly to the porters.)

Check in to Hotel Villa Fiorita for 5 nights.
(Breakfast, service and taxes included. Any city taxes not included to be paid directly.)

Hotel Villa Fiorita is a Taorminese residence from the beginning of the last century that was transformed into a hotel in the 1970s. It features tastefully decorated rooms, a serene garden, and a pool area with stunning views. Known for its warm hospitality, it provides an authentic Sicilian experience, perfect for immersing oneself in the region’s rich culture and traditions.

Time at leisure to relax and enjoy your property.

Enjoy the architectural and historical highlights of the ‘Pearl of Sicily’…
Join your local guide to explore lovely Taormina and hear tales of its rich history and illustrious visitors over the centuries. The signature multicultural mix of Sicily is on display throughout: from the majestic Greek Theater and the Arab-Norman Palazzo Corvaja to the Baroque cathedral and the 19th-century Public Botanical Gardens.

Dinner at leisure at one of the local restaurants.

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Breakfast at the hotel.

Explore Europe’s highest active volcano and taste traditional food and wine…
Today’s tour takes you to the northern slopes of Mt Etna to experience its lunar landscapes, lush forests and devastating history, before heading into Etna DOC wine country. Stop for a unique olive oil tasting and then at a prestigious local winery, stroll through their vineyards, discover their techniques and enjoy lunch tasting their great wines.

Dinner at leisure at one of the local restaurants.

Thursday, September 24, 2026

Breakfast at the hotel.

Enjoy an authentically Sicilian experience with this hands-on cooking class…
A culinary journey through authenticity while embracing the creativity and innovation that comes from contemporary cuisine. When you join this class, you will not just be a guest, you will become a protagonist of a truly unique culinary experience. Together with your experienced chef, you will laugh, learn delicious dishes, and create memories that last a lifetime by celebrating the rich tapestry of flavors, stories, and traditions that make Sicilian cuisine incomparable.

Visit the quaint Sicilian villages that featured in the iconic Godfather trilogy…
Join your driver for a Godfather-focused tour of Eastern Sicily: pass by Bar Vitelli in Savoca where Michael asked for Apollonia’s hand, the hilltop village Forza d’Agrò from the second and third films, and Taormina where some scenes of the film were shot.

Dinner at leisure at one of the local restaurants.

Friday, September 25, 2026

Breakfast at the hotel.

Explore Europe’s highest active volcano and taste traditional food and wine…
Today’s tour takes you to the southern slopes of Mt. Etna to experience its lunar landscapes, lush forests and devastating history, before heading into Etna DOC wine country. Stop for a lovely honey tasting and then in at a prestigious local winery, stroll through their vineyards, discover their techniques and enjoy lunch tasting their great wines.

Dinner at leisure at one of the local restaurants.

Saturday, September 26, 2026

Breakfast at the hotel.

Discover the outskirts of Taormina and its most secret corners in a truly unique way…on board of your very own Ape Calessino!
An exciting tour awaits you today. Hop on board of your classic Ape Calessino, an authentic masterpiece of Italian design and let yourself be carried away to admire, photograph and visit Taormina and its unique secret corners. With your local expert driver, wind through the tiny roads of this unique village admiring breathtaking views of Taormina Bay with the majestic Etna in the background. Last, but not least, head to the little town of Castelmola to enjoy an almond-wine tasting in the central square like a true local. Experience la Dolce Vita at its best.

Lunch and time at leisure to relax and enjoy your property.

End your day with a wine tasting with a true Sicilian wine expert…
Be an honored guest of the owner of a local wine bar, where you will learn all there is to know about Sicily’s prized wines. Your guided tasting of three distinctive vintages is accompanied by a selection of local cheeses, cured meats and some of the region’s delicacies.

Dinner at leisure at one of the local restaurants.

Sunday, September 27, 2026

Breakfast at the hotel

Check out of your hotel and settle any incidental accounts.

Discover the vibrant center of Sicily’s ‘second city’ on today’s tour…
Meet your guide and proud local to tour Sicily’s second-largest urban area Catania and discover its many cultural and culinary highlights: the cathedral with its ornate chapels and elephant obelisk statue; the sights, sounds and smells of the local market where you will enjoy some tastings.

Check in to Doric Eco Boutique Resort & Spa for 2 nights.
(Breakfast, dinner, service and taxes included. Any city taxes not included to be paid directly.)

Surrounded by the landscape of the Valley of the Temples UNESCO heritage site, the Doric Eco Boutique Resort & Spa has a total of 22 rooms, divided between standard, a studio, an annex and Deluxe with a heated private pool. The property also boasts a spa with a jacuzzi overlooking the Valley of the Temples, which is located only 1.5 km from the entrance of the Archaeological site. Particular attention is made to compliance with the principles of environmental sustainability, such as renewable energy and water recovery for garden irrigation…

Time at leisure to relax and enjoy your property.

Dinner at leisure at the hotel.

Monday, September 28, 2026

Breakfast at the hotel.

Spend an unforgettable afternoon in the enchanting countryside of Sciacca, where centuries-old olive trees meet the gentle sea breeze.

This immersive experience begins with a guided walk through a traditional Sicilian olive grove, where you’ll learn about the cultivation of olives, the harvest, and the secrets behind the region’s renowned extra virgin olive oil. After the tour, relax with a rustic picnic among the olive trees, featuring fresh local delicacies prepared with seasonal ingredients. Later in the day, enjoy a guided wine tasting showcasing fine Sicilian wines that perfectly complement the flavors of the land.

Dinner at leisure at the hotel.

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today you will depart Agrigento towards Palermo and enroute we will stop at Planeta’s winery in Sambuca for a wine tasting and lunch. Your visit includes a walk in the vineyards, and a tasting of 4 wines paired with a traditional Planeta family lunch.

Check in to Hotel Plaza Opèra for 1 night.
(Breakfast, service and taxes included. Any city taxes not included to be paid directly.)

Hotel Plaza Opèra is a design hotel with SPA and rooftop bar located right in the heart of the city of Palermo. A design hotel with a strong personality that combines intimacy with international standards, a haven of relaxation and beauty, offering the warmth and spontaneity of human connections.

Time at leisure to relax and enjoy your property.

Dinner at leisure at one of the local restaurants.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Breakfast at the hotel.

Check out of your hotel and settle any incidental accounts.

Meet your drivers in the hotel lobby for your minivans transfer to Palermo Airport. Have a safe flight!

(Porterage service is not included; however, you may request this locally and pay for it directly to the porters.)

Buon Viaggio!!!!!

This itinerary is subject to changes and substitutions of similar or enhanced elements.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL COST OF YOUR TOUR

• Airfare not listed in the itinerary
• Transfers not specified in the itinerary
• Entrance fees when not mentioned
• Meals when not mentioned
• Room service
• Excess baggage charges
• Porterage when not mentioned
• Passport and Visa fees
• Personal & travel insurance
• Gratuities
• Any item specified as ‘own arrangements’
• Any eventual city taxes
• Any eventual optional experiences