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Sicily
Sunday 5 - Monday 13 October
Classic Wine Journeys
Sicily is quite distinct from Italy in terms of culture, history, language, and wines. Highly individual grapes give good reds, perfumed whites and rich dessert wines. We have been bowled over by our reception from the family domaines we have visited in Sicily such as at Rapitalą, where we have a delicious home-cooked lunch at the estate. It is through the wines and such personal invitations to meet the wine makers that you will see a side to the country not normally seen by visitors, and to the best of our knowledge not seen on any other tour of Sicily. This tour visits the famous ruin of Segesta and Agrigentos Valley of the Temples. Even more impressive perhaps is the Norman Abbey at Monreale. With its acres of gilded mosaics including a massive Greek Christ Pantocrator, it is completely unlike any Norman church in northern Europe. However the interlaced arches pre½gure the pointed arches of our gothic and youll also see how the geometric designs of the Islamic masons give us the sharks tooth zig-zags found on many a church doorway. We drive through wild, unspoilt countryside to the centre of
the island to enjoy the wines from Tasca dAlmerita, over a lunch from the recipes of Marchesa Anna Tasca who has written the de½nitive books on the cooking of Sicily. In Marsala, we visit de Bartoli and have a tasting-dinner at the innovative estate of Donnafugata. where we taste the unctuous Moscato Passito di Pantelleria, from the exotic island south of Sicily and half way to Africa. Here we stay in an attractive 4* hotel that has been built on a farm, which has its own wines. With the fabulous view out to the Egadi islands, the sunsets are divine. Crossing to the southeast of the island, we visit the immaculate estate of Planeta with its modern style wines. For complete contrast at our next visit, Cos, we taste wines made in traditional amphorae. We continue to the historic city of Syracuse where we spend a night. Whilst we are in the area we also visit the baroque gem of Noto. We move on to Mount Etna to visit Barone di Villagrande whose vineyards are on the slopes of the volcano and who make superb organic Etna Bianco and luscious Malvasia di Lipari from the Aeolian islands.
Monreale
Our last 2 nights are in a 4* hotel on its own private beach below Taormina. It is a short stroll to the cable car that takes you directly to the dramatically situated hill-town. Sicily is not easy to penetrate on your own, and this tour is one of the best ways to discover it, meet the people, learn about its culture, history, food and wine.
Rome
The Wine Guide is Rosemary George M.W. Outline Itinerary Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Flight BA2594 Gatwick 10.30 / Catania 14.35. Dinner. 5* hotel, Palermo. Visit & lunch at Tasca dAlmerita. Visit the Abbey of Monreale. Visit & lunch with Rapitala. PM Segesta 4* hotel, Marsala Marsala visit. Free lunch in Marsala. Dinner. Visit & Lunch. Valley of the Temples. Dinner. 3* hotel, Agrigento. Visit & lunch with Cos. 4* hotel, Syracuse. Visit & lunch on Etna. 4* hotel, Taormina. Local wine visit. Free time in Taormina. Flight BA2595 Catania 12.50 / Gatwick 15.10.
Includes
Direct scheduled ¾ights, coach, 8 nights, 8 meals with wines, visits & entrance to sites. Wine Guide & Tour Manager. Extend your stay in Taormina or at a 4* wine hotel in Salina.
Travel Price £ pp Sole occupancy Deposit £ pp Sea view Upgrade
Flight
Tasca dAlmeritas Regaleali Estate
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