Wine and Food Retreat in Sicily, Italy
April 8-13, 2026
I’m taking a small group on an epic wine and food adventure through Sicily — and you’re invited.
For this trip, I’ve partnered with Sicilian wine expert and tour guide, Helen Bezane, who specializes in sharing hidden gems of Sicily's stunning wine regions with a focus on small-production, family-owned wineries.
April is the perfect time to visit Sicily, with temperate weather, less crows, and lower airfare costs. We'll be exploring two important wine regions of Sicily, Etna and Val di Noto, as well as touring the must-visit towns of Taormina, Catania, Ortigia, Syracuse, and more.
I've included more details below, but here's the TL;DR:
Where: Etna + Syracuse, Sicily
When: April 8–13, 2026
Who: You, me, our amazing guide Helen, and a small group of food & wine lovers (max: 15 people)
Cost: $4370 per person (single supplement: $1090)
What's included: Nearly everything except your flights and a few meals during free time
Day 1: Arrival in Sicily
Our journey begins in Etna, one of the most exciting and unique wine regions in all of Italy, centered around Europe’s tallest active volcano, Mount Etna.
Arrival
Upon arrival at the Catania airport, our private driver will transfer us to our boutique accommodation, a charming agriturismo on the slopes of Mount Etna, with panoramic vineyard views, a working winery, and a traditional Sicilian restaurant.
Evening
We’ll kick off our adventure with a welcome meeting to learn about the regions rich culture, and review our itinerary for the week. From there, we’ll board our private minibus and head into town for a welcome dinner at a traditional local restaurant, including plenty of delicious regional wine.
Day 2: Wine Tasting in Etna + Taormina
We’ll be exploring the northern and eastern slopes of Mt. Etna, known for wines of structure and complexity.
Morning/Afternoon
We’ll spend the day visiting two boutique, family-owned wineries, touring the grounds, learning about the volcanic terroir, and discovering traditional winemaking techniques.
The second winery visit will include a delicious lunch paired with local wines, set against the stunning backdrop of Sicily’s iconic volcano.
Evening
Our private driver will take us to Taormina, where you’ll have time to visit the picturesque village and enjoy dinner at your leisure. Perched above the Ionian Sea, Taormina enchants with its ancient Greek theater, coastal views, and charming streets filled with history.
day 3: catania & syracuse
We’ll make our way to Syracuse on southeastern coast of Sicily with a stop in Catania to explore its historic architecture and bold food scene.
Morning
We’ll depart from Etna and head to Catania, where our private tour guide will take us through the lively fish market (“Piscaria”), down Via Etnea to admire the Baroque architecture of Basilica della Collegiata, and we’ll conclude in a café to taste the local delicacies — cheeses, charcuterie, arancini, and more.
Afternoon
We’ll make our way to our 4-star accommodation in Syracuse, where crumbling ruins, Baroque architecture, and sparkling turquoise waters complete its laidback Sicilian charm.
Enjoy lunch at your leisure at a seaside osteria and explore the small island of Ortigia, full of walkable, cobblestoned alleys, lively piazzas, and beautiful sea views.
Evening
We’ll head to a boutique winery in Syracuse for a wine and dine experience, an authentic taste of Sicilian hospitality. We’ll enjoy local wines paired with a thoughtfully curated homemade meal.
Day 4: Pachino & scicli
Located at the southeastern tip of Sicily, Pachino is full of warm, sunny vineyards. We’ll also enjoy a rich food and wine tour through the tiny, hidden gem town of Scicli.
Morning
We’ll visit a boutique winery in the sun-drenched region of Pachino, known for its aromatic Moscato and bold Nero d’Avola, and home the rich winemaking history of southeastern Sicily.
Afternoon
We’ll meet our local guide and expert, Chef Emilia Strazzanti, for an authentic food and wine tour through the UNESCO-listed town of Scicli. Emilia will guide us through the historic center to the best hidden gems, picking up fresh bread and produce along the way.
We’ll then be welcomed into a typical Sicilian home — reminiscent of Emilia’s grandparents’ — where we’ll dive into a hands-on cooking class, preparing traditional dishes like fresh pasta, scacce, or arancini. We’ll sit down to enjoy the fruits of our labor — a delicious three-course Sicilian lunch paired with natural wines from small, local producers and a genuine taste of Sicilian hospitality and culture.
Evening
We’ll arrive back in Syracuse for dinner at your leisure.
day 5: wine tasting in val di noto
Val di Noto is a region known for its
Morning/Afternoon
We’ll visit a boutique winery in Val di Noto, enjoying a guided tour, learning about the unique terroir, and savoring some delicious wines.
Next, we’ll head to the town of Noto, a UNESCO world heritage site known as the Baroque capital of Sicily. Its crown jewel is the Cathedral of San Nicolò, which sits at the top of a wide staircase overlooking the town’s elegant main street, Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Lined with palazzi, churches, and cafés, the whole town feels like a movie set.
Evening
We’ll celebrate the end of our unforgettable wine journey with a farewell dinner at a seaside restaurant in Ortigia, featuring exquisite local cuisine paired with a thoughtful selection of Sicilian wines.
FAQ
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