WINE TOUR: SICILY 2025 #2
Dates: June 16-26, 2025 (10 nights) — these dates are not confirmed, subject to adjustment
* if you have a group of 4 or more people wishing to have a private tour, alternate dates during the summer can be arranged privately. please reach out directly. private tours will allow for alternate lodging, including villa arrangements and more catered tour options.
Locations: Mount Etna, Taormina, Ragusa Ibla, Siracusa
Cost
Double Accommodations: $7,000pp
maximum of 8 total guests / minimum of 4 total guests
(accommodation & payment details at bottom of page - please read before registering)
Single Accommodations: $8,250pp
non-married/uncoupled friends may share a room with twin beds as double accommodations if desiredNon-refundable deposit payment of $2,000 due by September 1, 2024 / Balance, full payment due by December 31, 2024. Please scroll down for payment & registration details.
Details (view photos from my recent trip to Sicily at the bottom of the page)
Join me for a luxurious, guided food and wine tour of Sicily! This tour will take us into the shadow or Europes highest active volcano, the magical Mount Etna, to the beautiful city of Taormina, then to the historic Baroque village of Ragusa Ibla, and finally to the ancient streets of Siracusa. We will start by enjoying wine tastings with some of the best producers on Mount Etna, and dine in memorable local trattorias. We will also journey up the mountain to explore the craters and moon-like landscape of this incredible volcano. Next, we will venture to the city of Taormina, situated on a cliff overlooking the incredible Ionian Sea. There, guests can enjoy the sites of this Ancient Greek city, and we will dine on incredible local seafood. Following Taormina, we will travel to the Unesco World Heritage city of Ragusa Ibla, the city I first visited in Sicily back in 2003. This hilltop town is a monument to Baroque architecture, and features some of the finest dining in all of Italy, including the 2-star Michelin restaurant Duomo by chef Ciccio Sultano where will enjoy a trip through the region’s incredible cuisine. We will also venture out to the city of Vittorio for a tasting at the absolutely remarkable winery of Arianna Occhipinti. Finally, we will visit the magical city of Siracusa, staying on the historic Ortea Island. Here, we will visit the Ancient Greek Amphitheater, and enjoy another Michelin-star dinner while guests have the opportunity to explore the streets filled with history on every corner.
Lodging for this trip is absolutely luxurious. We will stay at the Il Picciolo Etna Golf Resort and Spa near the city of Linguaglossa on Etna; Panoramic Hotel Taorminal overlooking the sea and the magical Isola Bella; a.d.1768 Luxury Boutique Hotel in the heart of Ragusa Ibla; and the 5-star Ortea Palace Hotel in Siracusa.
What’s Included
10 nights 5-star lodging (including breakfast)
The majority of lunches/dinners (guests will have a few solo days in Taormina/Ragusa/Siracusa)
All winery visits/tastings including transportation
Transportation from Catania airport (5/20) to first lodging on Etna and from Siracusa to Catania airport (5/30)
Not included: airfare, individual local transportation not part of group tour events, some meals, any individual purchases at wineries, etc. I will help arrange reservations for any dinners on your own and provide suggestions as requested.
Planned Itinerary (specifics are subject to change)
Tuesday, May 20: Arrival/Etna
arrival at Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) by 11:00am
bus/van to Il Picciolo Etna Golf Resort and Spa
dinner in Linguaglossa
Wednesday, May 21: Etna
tastings/tours at 2 top wineries on Mount Etna, including lunch
dinner & wine at local trattoria
Thursday, May 22: Etna Volcano
guided tour to the craters and lava flows on Etna Nord
dinner & wine at local trattoria
Friday, May 23: Etna to Taormina
tasting at a top winery on Mount Etna
lunch and visit in the town of Randazzo
bus/van to Taormina
gourmet dinner
Saturday, May 24: Taormina - on your own day
on your own for the day/evening in Taormina - explore the town, go to the beach, visit the historic Greek Amphitheater, take a boat tour, or relax as you wish
lunch & dinner on your own - list of restaurants will be provided in advance to dine as you wish
Sunday, May 25: Taormina to Ragusa Ibla
bus to Ragusa Ibla
lunch/snack on your own
Michelin-star dinner
Monday, May 26: Ragusa Ibla
tasting and tour at Azienda Agricola Arianna Ochippinti
lunch/snack on your own
dinner & wine in Ragusa Ibla
Tuesday, May 27: Ragusa Ibla - on your own day
on your own for the day/evening in Ragusa. Explore the town, or arrange for your own visit to one of the surrounding areas such as Marina di Ragusa, Noto, or Agrigento (I can assist in booking)
lunch/dinner on your own - list of restaurants will be provided in advance to dine as you wish
Friday, May 28: Ragusa Ibla to Siracusa - on your own day
bus to Siracusa/Ortigia Island
visit the Greek Amphitheater in Siracusa
lunch/dinner on your own - list of restaurants will be provided in advance to dine as you wish
Saturday, May 29: Siracusa
explore the Ortigia market
lunch on your own - explore at your leisure
Michelin-star dinner
Sunday, May 30: Departure
transportation from Siracusa to Catania Airport by bus or train TBD
flight departures from CTA after 12:30pm to ensure safe transport to airport.
Payment Dates / Registration
Complete the reservation form by clicking button at top of page. I will generate an invoice and send via email within 48 hours of receipt of registration form. If you wish to submit payment by Venmo, please send payment to @uncorkedpianist (James Kirkendoll) - 785.218.2422
September 1, 2024: Deposit due ($2,000)
December 31, 2024: Balance/full payment due
Registration for the tour is first-come, first-served based on receipt of deposit. Confirmation of your participation will not be given until deposit payment is received. If you have a potential group, I will contact you to discuss possible alternate dates and tour details/changes.
If payment is not received by December 31, 2024, you risk losing your place on the tour to anyone on the waitlist unless prior arrangements have been made.
Refunds:
Deposit is non-refundable.
Balance above the deposit payment is refundable as follows: 75% refundable, January 1-30, 2024; After February 1, 2025, all payments are nonrefundable unless the tour is cancelled by Michael Kirkendoll / Uncorked Pianist LLC.
Payment Methods: Payment is preferred by cash/check/Venmo.
Checks made payable to Pane e Vino, mailed or delivered to:
Michael Kirkendoll, 801 Pennsylvania St, Ste. A., Lawrence, KS 66044Venmo: @uncorkedpianist (James Kirkendoll) 785-218-2422
Credit card payments are accepted with a 3% fee added.
photos from my 2024 visit to Sicily
