FOCUS
We will have ample time to see some of the jewels of Sicily. The error in Sicily is always trying to see too much. It is huge. Here we have built you the tour which gives us a full immersion into the Rosso of Etna, perhaps one of the most exciting wine regions in the world. The wines are Pinot-like in their subtly with incredible minerality given from the lava dominated soil from Etna's slopes. It is such an impressive and interesting place to visit. We take a day to step off the mountain to see some of central Sicily and coupled with that with the spectacular mosaics of Villa Romana del Casale. The lunch and a wine tasting will be held at the Tasca d'Almerita Residence in all its stunning glory. Next we return to Etna's wineries to visit and taste more of the outstanding Nerello Mascalese & Nerello Cappuccio varieties which make up Etna's Rosso DOC. We will then move to the south east of Sicily to enjoy Siracusa, the Baroque and gastronomic cities of Noto, Modica and Ragusa. Plenty of outstanding meals and wines while wandering the absolute splendour of not only the architecture but the magnificent gorges and valleys that make this terrain so intriguing. Dinner with the Rio Favara family and tastings held in Vittoria with COS or Arianna Occhipinti make this a perfectly balanced tour between wine, food, culture and sightseeing. We are confident that not only will you want to return to Sicily but that you take away a great experience and some wonderful memories ... and a deep knowledge of the wines of Sicily.
WHY CHOOSE RWT?
The reason for choosing us is very simple: we are wine lovers and want to share with you our insights and things we love most: outstanding wines with excellent food, great company and stunning landscapes. Our objective is for you to gain a great understanding of Italy and its people while tasting amazing wines and superb cuisine in the time you have available. RWT has over 10 years of experience and excellence. Italy is a country you can return often, so let us try to show it to you from a new perspective: through its foods and wines. Many of our guests have been to other great wine regions in the world. Italy sometimes surprises guests with what appears to be backward technology and time tested winemaking technique which seem to be in contradiction to all the New World's winemaking bells and whistles. It is fascinating to speak to the winemakers about their perspective on the wines of Italy, the wine industry and global markets.
Table of contents
- Villa Schuler, Taormina
- Eremo della Giubiliana, Ragusa
- Tour Outline – Sicily – Luxury Sicilian Food and Wine Experience – 7 Nights
- Tour Day by Day – Sicily – Luxury Sicilian Food and Wine Experience – 7 Nights
Villa Schuler, Taormina
VILLA SCHULER
Villa Schuler is a gracious and decorated hotel in an elegant and traditional style. It is located close to Corso Umberto in Taormina, but separated from the confusion by a very beautiful garden, ensuring quiet nights and a great sleep. It is not a five star hotel and the rooms are not massive, but we have chosen the best rooms for our groups. The views are without doubt the best going. It is also only a few minutes away from numerous restaurants, shops and sites of interest. The attention given by the owner of Villa Schuler, Gerhard Schuler, is evident everywhere. The villa has been in the Schuler’s family for over 100 years, surviving two world wars. The hospitality of this family is exceptional. Enjoy the breakfast in the shade with wonderful scenery on the sunny terrace. We can make tastings on this terrace that is by itself a great selling point. For me, PQR it is the place to be and frankly is where the smart not big money stay.
Eremo della Giubiliana, Ragusa
EREMO DELLA GIUBILIANA
Eremo della Giubiliana is set in the gorgeous countryside of Ragusa. The property is a very beautifully restored 12th/16th-century retreat of the Knights of Malta. It is like a mini castle with some wonderful touches. A monastic feeling is set throughout with the famous knights peering out for ancient lithographs. The owner’s son, a renowned architect, has painstakingly remodelled his home into a hotel. One thing to note is that this does really feel like a home (and not just saying it) that has been made into an exclusive hotel. We and our clients have stayed here with great success. The garden and the pool are just like something out of a secret garden. Water is thermal with restorative properties. Some rooms are spacious and full of character, but all differ, each with their own something: antique furniture, woven rugs and dark-beamed ceilings. The style and elegance of the place equally match the kindness of the reserved staff. Food is superb. The chef is young and ambitious. Dinners are a truly wonderful experience. This place does not lend itself to excessiveness.
Tour Outline – Sicily – Luxury Sicilian Food and Wine Experience – 7 Nights
TOUR OUTLINE
DAY 1 – Arrival IN / Taormina / Villa Schuler
DAY 2 – Wineries of Etna: Frank Cornelissen & Destro
DAY 3 – Benanti & Villa Romana del Casale
DAY 4 – Wineries of Etna: Girolamo Russo & Graci
DAY 5 – Taormina / Siracusa & Noto / Ragusa / Eremo della Giubiliana
DAY 6 – Ragusa & Wineries of Vittoria: COS & Arianna Occhipinti
DAY 7 – Modica & Wineries of Ispica: Riofavara
DAY 8 – Ragusa / Departure OUT
Tour Day by Day – Sicily – Luxury Sicilian Food and Wine Experience – 7 Nights
DAY 1 – Arrival IN / Taormina / Villa Schuler
Arriving at Catania Airport (CTA) at From Rome Airport (FCO)
Reception at Catania Airport with Tim Robertson
Private Transfer to Taormina TO FOLLOW
04:00 PM Arrival & Check IN at Villa Schuler
Afternoon Free Sightseeing Taormina
07:00 PM Welcome Wine Tasting & Tour Orientation at Villa Schuler with Tim Robertson
Please Note: INCLUDING the Wines of the Regaleali Winery
Dinner Not Included a la Carte at Local Restaurant in Taormina
Sleep at Villa Schuler / Room Category: Sunrise Junior Suite with Terrace
DAY 2 – Wineries of Etna: Frank Cornelissen & Destro
10:00 AM Departure from Villa Schuler with Tim Robertson
Private Transfer to Solicchiata TO FOLLOW
11:00 AM Visit & Wine Tasting at Frank Cornelissen Winery
01:00 PM Lunch Included with Wines at Cave Ox Restaurant in Solicchiata
02:30 PM Private Transfer to Contrada Montelaguardia
03:00 PM Visit & Tasting of 4 Wines at Destro Winery
05:00 PM Private Transfer to Taormina
06:00 PM Arrival at Villa Schuler
Late Afternoon Free Sightseeing Taormina
Dinner Not Included a la Carte at Local Restaurant in Taormina
Sleep at Villa Schuler / Room Category: Sunrise Junior Suite with Terrace
(B) (L)
DAY 3 – Benanti & Villa Romana del Casale
09:00 AM Departure from Villa Schuler with Tim Robertson
Private Transfer to Viagrande TO FOLLOW
10:00 AM Visit & Tasting of 6 Wines at Benanti Winery
12:00 AM Private Transfer to Contrada Bellia / Piazza Armerina
01:30 PM Lunch Included with Wines at Al Fogher Restaurant in Contrada Bellia / Piazza Armerina
03:00 PM Visit to Villa Romana del Casale
05:30 PM Private Transfer to Taormina
07:30 PM Arrival at Villa Schuler
Dinner Not Included a la Carte at Local Restaurant in Taormina
Sleep at Villa Schuler / Room Category: Double Room Garden View with Balcony
(B) (L)
DAY 4 – Wineries of Etna: Girolamo Russo & Graci
10:00 AM Departure from Villa Schuler with Tim Robertson
Private Transfer to Passopisciaro TO FOLLOW
11:00 AM Visit at Girolamo Russo Winery
Private Transfer to Randazzo TO FOLLOW
01:00 PM Lunch Included with 4 Wines at San Giorgio e il Drago Restaurant in Randazzo
Please Note: Giuseppe Russo (the owner of the Girolamo Russo Winery) will have lunch with us and he will present all his wines during the lunch
02:30 PM Private Transfer to Contrada Arcuria
03:00 PM Visit & Tasting of 4 Wines at Graci Winery
05:00 PM Private Transfer to Taormina
06:00 PM Arrival at Villa Schuler
Late Afternoon Free Sightseeing Taormina
Dinner Not Included a la Carte at Local Restaurant in Taormina
Sleep at Villa Schuler / Room Category: Double Room Garden View with Balcony
(B) (L)
DAY 5 – Taormina / Siracusa & Noto / Ragusa / Eremo della Giubiliana
09:00 AM Check OUT & Departure from Villa Schuler with Tim Robertson
Private Transfer to Siracusa TO FOLLOW
10:30 AM Arrival & 3-Hour Guided City Tour of Siracusa with Elisa our expert local Guide.
01:30 PM Lunch Included with Wines at Oinos Restaurant in Siracusa
03:30 PM Private Transfer to Noto
04:00 PM Arrival & 2-Hour Guided City Tour of Noto with Elisa Ottaviano
06:00 PM Private Transfer to Contrada Giubiliana / Ragusa
07:00 PM Arrival & Check IN at Eremo della Giubiliana
Dinner Not Included a la Carte at Eremo della Giubiliana Restaurant OR Local Restaurant in Ragusa
Please Note: Transfer AVAILABLE & INCLUDED
Sleep at Eremo della Giubiliana / Room Category: Superior Double Room
(B) (L)
DAY 6 – Ragusa & Wineries of Vittoria: COS & Arianna Occhipinti
09:30 AM Departure from Eremo della Giubiliana with Tim Robertson
Private Transfer to Ragusa TO FOLLOW
10:00 AM 2 & ½-Hour Guided City Tour of Ragusa with Nicoletta Blundo
12:30 PM Lunch Included with Wines at Duomo Restaurant in Ragusa
02:15 PM Private Transfer to Vittoria
03:00 PM Visit & Tasting of 3 Wines at COS Winery
05:00 PM Visit & Tasting of 3 Wines at Arianna Occhipinti Winery
06:30 PM Private Transfer to Contrada Giubiliana / Ragusa
07:15 PM Arrival at Eremo della Giubiliana
Dinner Not Included a la Carte at Eremo della Giubiliana Restaurant OR Local Restaurant in Ragusa
Please Note: Transfer AVAILABLE & INCLUDED
Sleep at Eremo della Giubiliana / Room Category: Superior Double Room
(B) (L)
DAY 7 – Modica & Wineries of Ispica: Riofavara
10:00 AM Departure from Eremo della Giubiliana with Tim Robertson
Private Transfer to Modica TO FOLLOW
10:30 AM Arrival & 2 & ½-Hour Guided City Tour of Modica with Nicoletta your expert guide
01:00 PM Lunch Included with Wines at Fattoria delle Torri Restaurant in Modica
03:00 PM Private Transfer to Contrada Giubiliana / Ragusa
03:30 PM Arrival at Eremo della Giubiliana
Mid Afternoon Free Relaxing at Eremo della Giubiliana
05:30 PM Private Transfer to Ispica
06:15 PM Visit & Tasting of 2 Wines at Riofavara Winery
08:00 PM Private Transfer to Modica
08:30 PM Dinner Included with Wines at La Sirenetta Restaurant in Modica
Please Note: the Presence of Riofavara Winery’s Owner & Wife is CONFIRMED
10:30 PM Private Transfer to Contrada Giubiliana / Ragusa
11:00 PM Arrival at Eremo della Giubiliana
Sleep at Eremo della Giubiliana / Room Category: Superior Double Room
(B) (L) (D)
DAY 8 – Ragusa / Departure OUT
11:00 AM Check OUT & Departure from Eremo della Giubiliana with Tim Robertson
Private Transfer to Catania Airport
12:45 PM Arrival at Catania Airport Flight Alitalia AZ
Departing from Catania Airport (CTA) at To Rome Airport (FCO)
(B)
END of SERVICES
ITINERARY INCLUSIONS
Airport Transfers
7 Nights of Accommodation in the Hotels Included in the Itinerary
Private Transport with Driver & Air Conditioning
Expert Bilingual Guiding
Daily Breakfast / 6 Lunches & 1 Dinner with Wines
Entrance Fee & Wine Tasting at 8 Wineries
Guided Tour of Siracusa / Noto / Ragusa & Modica
Other Activities Included in the Itinerary
ITINERARY EXCLUSIONS
International & Domestic Flights
Lunches & Dinners Not Included in the Itinerary
Gratuities for Meals / Drivers & Guides
Personal Expenses & Others Costs Not Included in the Itinerary
Activities Not Included in the Itinerary that MIGHT ATTRACT COSTS
If you are interested in this tour then please email us at [email protected]
or feel free to call us on U.S.A + 1 707 927 4167 or our Head Office + 39 0835 197 1596
