We begin our tour in Catania, a city shaped by volcanic eruptions and the legacy of the many cultures that once ruled here—including the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and Spanish. Each left their mark not only on the architecture but also on the island’s rich culinary traditions. After settling into our hotel, we’ll gather for dinner at a lively trattoria to enjoy our first taste of the food and wine that make Sicily such a vibrant and intriguing culinary destination.

After breakfast, we’ll travel by van to the breathtaking hilltop town of Taormina, perched above the Ionian Sea. There, we’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch that celebrates the region’s culinary bounty, shaped by Taormina’s unique location between sea and volcano. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Teatro Antico di Taormina, a remarkably preserved ancient Greek theater offering panoramic views of the coastline and Mount Etna. From Taormina, we head inland toward the slopes of Mount Etna—affectionately known by locals as Mamma Etna. At our hotel in Linguaglossa, nestled near the volcano, we’ll toast our arrival with a glass of local wine. Dinner is free to explore, with charming options tucked into the cobbled village streets.

After breakfast, we’ll set out to explore the volcanic landscapes of Mount Etna, where rich, ash-laden soil has nurtured a vibrant winemaking tradition. We’ll spend the day visiting a curated selection of influential vineyards including Frank Cornelissen and Girolamo Russo - learning how altitude, lava, and tradition shape the region’s distinct wines. In Randazzo, we’ll stop for a casual lunch at the legendary wine shop and enoteca Il Buongustaio. Our day ends with a final vineyard visit before returning to Linguaglossa for a relaxed evening. Dinner is free to enjoy at your own pace.

The morning is yours to explore. Options include a guided hike on Mount Etna—a 3-hour walk through otherworldly terrain shaped by ancient lava flows—or additional vineyard visits on your own. In the afternoon, our hotel becomes a culinary workshop, where we’ll roll up our sleeves to prepare one of the region’s quintessential stuffed pastas. For dinner, we’ll sit down together to enjoy the fruits of our labor and toast our time on the mountain.

Departing Etna by van, we head south to Siracusa, where free time allows for wandering ancient ruins, seaside promenades, and open-air markets. After lunch on your own, we continue inland to Vittoria, arriving in the early evening at Baglio Occhipinti—a beautifully restored 18th-century farmhouse nestled among vineyards. This serene estate will be our home for the next three days. Dinner together under the stars welcomes us to a slower, sun-soaked rhythm.

We’ll enjoy a leisurely morning at the Baglio—reading over espressos, lounging poolside, or exploring the kitchen gardens. Then it's off to Scoglitti, a small fishing village on the Mediterranean coast, known for its daily fish market and sandy beaches. Our destination is Sakalleo, a temple of seafood and Sicilian hospitality, where we’ll indulge in a long, luxurious lunch celebrating the day’s catch. The evening is yours, with dinner at your own pace—perhaps with a bottle from the estate’s cellar.

Our day begins with visits to two of Vittoria’s most iconic vineyards: COS and Occhipinti, both known for their organic farming practices and minimal-intervention winemaking. Their expressive wines showcase the unique terroir of the region. After lunch, we’ll explore the world of olive oil, Sicily’s culinary cornerstone, with a visit to local groves and an introduction to the production process. Dinner is on your own at the Baglio.

This morning, we’ll get hands-on with a ricotta cheese-making workshop, guided by an expert ricottaro. Lunch is on your own, followed by an afternoon cooking class at the Baglio where we’ll use ingredients from the kitchen garden to inspire our menu. As always, the results—paired with thoughtful local wines—will become our shared evening meal.

After breakfast, we bid farewell to the Baglio and head east to Noto, the baroque jewel of southeastern Sicily. You’ll have free time to explore the city’s golden-hued architecture and enjoy lunch at one of its many charming cafés—with a mandatory stop at Caffè Sicilia to sample their world-famous cannoli. Later, we continue to Catania, check in to our hotel, and unwind before our final day. Dinner is on your own.

Our last full day begins at the heart of Catania’s culinary culture—its lively fish market. We’ll wander through the stalls and learn the rhythms of this local institution. The afternoon is free for further exploration—suggestions abound, from Baroque landmarks to street food gems. In the evening, we’ll gather one last time for a farewell dinner, raising our glasses to new friends, Sicilian sunshine, and unforgettable meals.