FOCUS
Dear Lorie & Mike and Ashley and Isabelle
Naturally, we are thrilled you have selected Robertson Wine Tours to travel to Sicily. We think Sicily is one of the most exciting and interesting places to visit in Italy. We have invested more time and energies in this zone than any other, as we 100% believe in the destination: the wines and the foods are in a league of their own, especially if you enjoy seafood.
Sicily is big island: at its widest point, Sicily measures 175 miles east to west and about one third that distance north to south. This means that to set a relaxed pace and to enjoy Sicily, you need time and as such we have designed the tour to be 7 nights as discussed. We do know what is achievable in Sicily in 7 nights and it is impossible to do the whole island in that time in an enjoyable fashion. This is why we will concentrate on the east and the south-east of Sicily.
We are not going to force to much wine or structure on you, just enough, perfectly balanced. Earlier starts, generally getting you back to base earlier.
4 Nights in Taormina makes all the sense in the world. Great buzz in the town, The Greek Theatre,World class views, Perfectly placed for a day on Etna for both wine and the Volcano.
Then we suggest 3 Nights in Noto or close by. There will be time to visit the UNESCO town of Siracuse, its amazing island of Ortigia and the Neapolis Archaeological Park. We will take a look at the late baroque towns of Noto, Modica and Ragusa and Scicli.
For the Final full day we should decide if one of the days you would like to travel for more cultural gems with visits to the incredible mosaics of Villa Romana del Casale or The Greek Temples of Agrigento and Selinunte ( both days are 2 hours approximately to each destination)
As per Lories instructions we have chosen our go to Hotel in Toarmina that fits all the boxes, Masion Blanche. In Noto we have choosen 7 Rooms.
Why CHOOSE Robertson Wine Tours?
The reason for choosing us is very simple: we are wine lovers and want to share with you our insights and the things we love most: outstanding wines with excellent food, great company and stunning landscapes. Our main 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 10 years of experience and excellence. Italy is a country you can return to 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 our guests with what appears to be backward technology and time tested winemaking techniques, which seem to be in big contradiction to all the New World's winemaking bells and whistles. It is fascinating to speak to winemakers about their perspective on the wines of Italy, the wine industry and global markets.
Table of contents
- HOTELS
- Hotel: Maison Blanche, Taormina
- Hotel: Villa Dorata 7 Rooms and Country House. Noto. Sicily
- Tour Outline: Lorie & Mike and Ashley and Isabelle
- Tour Day by Day -Sicily – Lorie & Mike and Ashley and Isabelle
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Hotel: Maison Blanche, Taormina
Having had the pleasure in staying in the best lodges in the world, it is easy to get jaded. Maison Blanche is right off the charts for even the most travelled amongst us. It is simply an incredible stay. Why? Is it the position perched precariously on a cliff in the beautiful village of Taormina or the James Bond like structure with all rooms experiencing once in a lifetime views or the owner, Francesco, who opens his home and delights in ensuring everything is just perfect for your stay? Naturally, it is a combination of everything.
The house is an architects dream, the interior is a feast of heirlooms from a distinguished industrialist family. With only four rooms, advance booking is essential. The property is not located in the centre of Taormina (15-minute walk). The path up or down is a real delight, but naturally stairs and inclines do predominate due to the elevation of Taormina. Breakfast like everywhere else here is served with a stunning view over Isola Bella and they will make whatever you want. We cannot recommend this extraordinary structure more highly.
Hotel: Villa Dorata 7 Rooms and Country House. Noto. Sicily
Villa Dorata 7 Rooms: Central Noto
Country House Villa Dorat: 5 kms from Noto in the Countryside.
Two different structures, availability is an issue in both as its so good, simple as that.
Naturally people choose to be in tranquility at CountryHouse or in 7 Rooms in the delightful Sicilian town of Noto with the most incredible late Baroque buildings. Super restaurants and plenty of street life, yet this is a small town in the most wonderful of locations. Perfectly placed for Syracuse, Modica and Ragusa and Ispica and Scicli. The other notable plus for people who love nature reserves and the sea is the Nature Reserve Oasis of Vendicari, just 15 kms away, The coastline is magnificent with one of the most incredible seas and beaches in Sicily. For wine we are blessed with Riovara and many other great producers of Nero D’Avola in the region.
The Townhouse or 7 Rooms Villa Dorata consists of 7 rooms of which one is a two bedroom suite. Design wise this is outstanding, all rooms are all beautifully and we mean stunning; Wall to ceiling doors, Soothing fabrics greys and creams colours that contrast with the light reflections of the yellow sandstone buildings. All in all a very relaxing stay.
At the Country House there are 3 typologies and 8 rooms and one suite, Light airy and well laid out they have everything you want for a 2 to 4 night stay. Yes Taxis do work in the area but need to be organised prior where possible. The distance to Noto is 3 miles / 5 kms but requires walking on a road, not advised. Its been hard to find a quality lodge that is small and perfectly formed this is it.
Website: Country House Villa Dorata
Tour Outline: Lorie & Mike and Ashley and Isabelle
TOUR OUTLINE
DAY 1 – Saturday 2nd May. Arrival IN from Rome to CTA/ Taormina / Masion Blanche
DAY 2 – Sunday 3rd May. AM Free to Relax and enjoy Hotel and Taormina / PM Guided tour of Toarmina / Wine Tasting
DAY 3 – Monday 4th May. Day on Etna, Wine and Food and Seeing the Volcano
DAY 4 – Tuesday 5th May. Free Day to Enjoy yourselves
DAY 5 – Wednesday 6th May. Check out Taormina / Siracusa & Ortiga Guided /Transfer to Noto / Sleep 7 Rooms
DAY 6 – Thursday 7th May. Baroque Towns of Ragusa, Modica and Scicli including winery of Ispica.
DAY 7 – Friday 8th May. Option 1. Agrigento full day out with Temples and Scala De Turci / Option 2. Villa Roman Casale with Caltagirone
DAY 8 – Saturday 9th May. Check out of Noto / Transfer to CTA Airport / Departure OUT
Tour Day by Day -Sicily – Lorie & Mike and Ashley and Isabelle
BREAKFAST / LUNCHES & DINNERS
In this itinerary we make it clear where meals are included:
Þ (B) Breakfast
Þ (L) Lunch
Þ (D) Dinner
TOUR DAY BY DAY
DAY 1 – Saturday 2nd May. Arrival IN from Rome to CTA/ Taormina / Masion Blanche
Arrival IN at Catania Airport (CTA)
Reception at Catania Airport with Tim Robertson
Private Transfer to Taormina
Arrival & Check IN at Maison Blanche
PM Free Sightseeing Taormina
Dinner Suggestion Osteria Rosso di Vino in Taormina
Please Note: 20-Minute Walk / Chef Fabio Scordo
Sleep at Masion Blanche
DAY 2 – Sunday 3rd May. AM Free to Relax and enjoy Hotel and Taormina / PM Guided tour of Toarmina / Wine Tasting
AM
Free to enjoy views, Maison Blanche and first look at Taormina
Lunch Suggestion TBD
Guided Walking City Tour of Taormina including Greek Theatre with Expert Local Guide of RWT
Arrival at Maison Blanche
Welcome Wine Tasting at Maison Blanche with Tim Robertson
Welcome Dinner Included at Ristorante Tischi Toschi in Taormina
Sleep at Masion Blanche
(B) (D)
DAY 3 – Monday 4th May. Day on Etna, Wine and Food and Seeing the Volcano
Departure from Masion Blanche with Tim Robertson
Private Transfer to Etna
Enjoy recent Lava Flows and understand Etna
Transfer to Passopisciaro Winery
Visit & Wine Tasting at Passopisciaro Winery
Private Transfer to Solicchiata
Lunch with wines at Ristorante Cave Ox
Please Note: Focusing on the Wines of Girolamo Russo Winery
Private Transfer to Linguaglossa
Visit & Wine Tasting at Tenuta Fessina Winery
Private Transfer to Taormina
Arrival at Masion Blanche with Tim Robertson
Suggested Dinner Not Included a la Carte at Ristorante Tiramisu Taormina (Superb pizzas)
Sleep at Masion Blanche
(B) (L)
DAY 4 – Tuesday 5th May. Free Day to Enjoy yourselves
Free Day at Masion Blanche, time to Explore by yourselves, shop watch the world go by.
Other Options not currently Included:
- Castelmola and Giardini Naxos and Isole Bella
- See the Stunning towns and Locations of the Godfather Movies
- Wineries of Messina and Faro
- An Afternoon in Catania guided or non guided
Sleep at Masion Blanche
(B)
DAY 5 – Wednesday 6th May. Check out Taormina / Syracuse & Ortigia Guided /Transfer to Noto / Sleep 7 Rooms
Check out from Maison Blanche
Private transfer to Syracuse with Tim Robertson
Guided tour of the Archaeological Park and Island of Ortigia with our Local Expert Guide
Lunch Suggestion at Le Vin De Assassin in Central Ortigia
Time for more sightseeing and enjoying Syracuse non Guided
Transfer to Noto
Check in Villa Dorata 7 Rooms
Free Time to explore Noto: Please note the next 3 nights, Dinner Transfers are included
Dinner Not Included a la Carte at Ristorante TBD
Sleep at Villa Dorata 7 Rooms
(B)
DAY 6 – Thursday 7th May. Baroque Towns of Ragusa, Modica and Scicli including winery of Ispica or Vendicari Nature Reserve
Departure from Noto with Tim Robertson
Private Transfer to Ragusa Ilba
Enjoy Ragusa Ibla
Suggested Lunch in Majore Restaurant in Chiaramonte Gulfi
Transfer to Modica
Enjoy Modica and Chocolate Tasting
PM / Early evening
1 of the Options Included:
- Wine tasting at RioFavara
- Walking the Vendicari Reserva
- Scicli, Enjoy this beautiful Baroque Town
Transfer to Noto
Arrival at Noto
Dinner Not Included a la Carte at Ristorante TBD
Sleep at Villa Dorata 7 Rooms
(B)
DAY 7 – Friday 8th May Option 1. Agrigento full day out with Temples and Scala De Turci / Option 2. Villa Roman Casale with Caltagirone
Option 1.
Departure from Noto with Tim Robertson
Private Transfer to Agrigento
Guided Visit of Valley of Temples Archaeological Park with Expert Local Guide of RWT
Lunch with Wines at Ristorante Il Re di Girgenti in Agrigento
Please Note: Chef Salvatore Avenia
Private Transfer to Scala D’ Turcia
Enjoy This amazing Natural geological Phenomenon and swim if you wished.
Or Private Transfer to Sellinunte
Enjoy the Ruins of Sellinunte with Expert Local Guide of RWT
Private Transfer to Noto
Dinner Not Included a la Carte at Ristorante TBD
Please Note:
Sleep at Villa Dorata 7 Rooms
Option 2.
Departure from Noto with Tim Robertson
Private Transfer to Piazza Armerina
Guided Visit of Villa Romana del Casale with Expert Local Guide of RWT
Lunch with Wines at Ristorante Al Fogher in Piazza Armerina
Please Note: Chef Angelo Treno
Private Transfer to Caltagirone
Time to enjoy the Beautiful Town of Caltagirone and its famous ceramics.
Time and willing Chance to taste the wines of Nanfro
Private Transfer to Noto
Dinner Not Included a la Carte at Ristorante TBD
Sleep at Villa Dorata 7 Rooms
(B) (L)
DAY 8 – Saturday 9th May. Check out of Noto / Transfer to CTA Airport / Departure OUT
Departure from Noto with Tim Robertson
Private Transfer to Catania Airport CTA
Arrival at Catania Airport
Departure OUT from Catania Airport (CTA )
(B)
END of SERVICES
ITINERARY INCLUSIONS
Airport Transfers
7 Nights (CONFIRMED) of Accommodation in the Hotels Included in the Itinerary
Private Transport with Driver & Air Conditioning
Expert Bilingual Guiding with specialist guides where indicated
Daily Breakfasts
2 Lunches and 1 Welcome Dinner with Wines
Entrance Fee & Wine Tasting at 3 Wineries
1 Welcome Wine Tasting
Other Activities Included in the Itinerary
Please NOTE that this itinerary is subject to small adjustments due to changes in the availability in the wineries or the restaurants and you can expect a final itinerary to be received two weeks prior to travel.
ITINERARY EXCLUSIONS
International & Domestic Flights
Lunches & Dinners Not Included in the Itinerary
Gratuities for Meals
Gratuities for Drivers & Guides
Entrance Fee to Museums & Sites
Personal Expenses & Others Costs Not Included in the Itinerary