Tastes of Sicily

After relaxing in your complimentary airport lounge, fly into Palermo where you'll pick up your hire car to plunge into the Sicilian countryside. You'll soon arrive at your stylish accommodation where rooms offer stunning views over rural surrounds. Owned and run by the Planetas, Sicily's most celebrated wine producers, taste your way through its vineyards or enjoy a glass while relaxing by the pool. You’ll also want to visit the nearby Greek temples at Selinunte or take part in a cooking course to learn about the region's outstanding produce; expect everything from eggplant stews to swordfish rolls.

Moving down the coast, you’ll arrive at Mandranova, a working olive oil farm run by welcoming owners Giuseppe and Sylvia. This casale country house offers the best in fresh-from-the-garden cooking. Learn more with a cooking class or head out to explore; a collection of delightful beaches and Agrigento’s magnificent Valley of the Temples are both on your doorstep. As Sicily’s finest archaeological site, it hosts 1,300 hectares of Byzantine tombs, 5th century BC altars and crumbling city walls. The Temple of Concordia even lent its 430 BC edifice to the UNESCO logo. And, your boutique accommodation is just 20 minutes from it all.

Stay: Mandranova  (Superior)

Continue along the coast to Sicily’s scenic southeastern tip and the fig-tree-shaded gardens of your delightful accommodation – Relais Torre Marabinol. Here, cooking courses, indulgent multi-course dining and expert-led tasting tours of the estate’s very own wine cellar are all served up to expansive views of the surrounding Sicilian countryside. It's all predicated on the hotel's own organic gardens and winery. However, you’ll also want to get out and about to explore its surrounding quartet of Baroque gems. There’s charming Modica’s medieval tumble, Ragusa’s aristocratic palazzi and Ispica’s basilicas and monasteries. 

Stay: Relais Torre Marabino  (Superior)

This morning after breakfast, take the drive from Ispica to the east coast of Sicily, passing by Syracuse and Catania, and to nearby Donna Carmela, a contemporary boutique resort surrounded by over 10,000sq metres of lush gardens of Mediterranean and subtropical plants - a reconnection to nature. The hotel has created a lovely bar and restaurant in the original stable block, with an inside dining area with lounge, wine cellar and outside terrace surrounded with lawns, olive trees, flowering scented shrubs and views over the nursery. The elegant à la carte restaurant specialises in traditional Sicilian cuisine with a modern twist, using only locally sourced, seasonal produce to create an imaginative à la carte menu. The restaurant also offers guests an extensive local wine list including wine from the hotel's own vineyard.

Drive from Donna Carmela to Catania airport in time for your onward flight.