Sparkling Sicily 2027
September 4-12 · Max 12 Guests
Sparkling Sicily
A Nine-Day Luxury Journey exploring Sicilian Wines
Dates
September 4–12, 2027
Duration
9 Days · 8 Nights
Group Size
Max 12 Guests
Why this trip?
Sicily is not one place. It is a continent compressed into an island where Ancient Greek ruins, Arab-Norman cathedrals, Baroque hillside towns are sewn together by a gastronomic culture that spans millennia.
Sicily is simultaneously one of Europe’s oldest and most innovative destinations for those who wish to enjoy the best that life has to offer at a pace that is as relaxing as it is invigorating.
Co-lead by author and director of Etna Wine School, Benjamin North Spencer, and Experience Sicily owner and curator, Allison Scola, Sparkling Sicily brings us from the benevolent hills of Mount Etna to the limestone plains of the Noto Valley, the rolling farmland of the western Sicily, and the magnificent energy of Palermo.
This unhurried luxury experience includes expert-led private cellar visits, exclusive estate lunches, market tour, and unforgettable gastronomic experiences for people who understand that the best way to enjoy Sicilian culture is at its tables.
Feel like part of the group while also having space to breathe, and relax in upscale accommodations in the heart of the action that blend Sicilian aesthetics with the comfort you want.
What sets us apart?
A Fruitful Conversation with Sicily
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Etna & Volcanic Terroir
Begin on the slopes of a living volcano. Walk the ancient craters of the Monti Sartorius through ginestre and birch, then descend into centuries-old lava-stone cellars to taste wines that exist nowhere else on earth.
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Six Private Winery Experiences
Exclusive access to some of Sicily’s premier, yet off-the-beaten-path wineries. From small organic family estates on Etna’s high-altitude slopes to the Mazzei dynasty’s Nero d’Avola vines in Noto, each visit is private, expert-led, and unhurried.
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Baroque Towns & Ancient Coasts
Ortigia at moonrise. The cathedral at Noto in afternoon light. The white marl cliffs of the Scala dei Turchi. The streets of Palermo. Curated experiences coupled with freedom to discover those magical moments at your own pace.
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The Sicilian Table with Hospitality
Estate lunches paired with the wines of their land, a farewell dinner drawing from across the island, fresh ricotta at a working caseificio, and a private tour of Palermo’s markets with a local expert.
Optional Day in Cefalú
Post Tour Day Trip on September 12.
Add an additional day to visit Cefalù with wandering time on your own. This includes an additional night’s stay in the hotel, breakfast, transportation, and airport transfer on September 13.
Double Occupancy: $340; Single Occupancy: $465
Your 9-day Journey
Every day is thoughtfully paced, rich in experience, spacious enough to breathe.
Here’s what awaits you. Nine days. Two coasts. One volcano. The whole of Sicily.
Day 1
Saturday, September 4
CATANIA AIRPORT → MOUNT ETNA
Arrival & Welcome Dinner
Arrive in eastern Sicily and settle into your boutique hotel. We begin with a private vineyard walk, among ancient alberello vines twisted against the sky, to introduce you to the volcanic terroir and the particular stillness of this mountain at dusk.
Day 2
Sunday, September 5
ETNA NORTH SLOPE
Etna’s Craters & Etna’s Wines
A guided light hike through a field of ancient craters draped in birch and pine. Then, a visit to one of Mount Etna’s most innovative and picturesque wine estates in the heart of the North slope’s rolling high-altitude vineyards.
Day 3
Monday, September 6
ETNA SOUTH SLOPE → SIRACUSA
From Volcano, to the Sea
Walk through century-old alberello vines growing on the slopes of a dormant volcanic crater from the eleventh century. In the evening, arrive in Ortigia to stroll the baroque streets as the moon rises over the Ionian Sea.
Day 4
Tuesday, September 7
NOTO • SIRACUSA
History and Local Cuisine
Travel to the Val di Noto, the UNESCO-listed Baroque heartland, and a winery of one of Italy’s oldest winemaking dynasties. A guided walk through Nero d’Avola vines in their native territory, a cellar tour, and a long relaxing lunch under the Sicilian sky.
Day 5
Wednesday, September 8
SIRACUSA → MENFI
The Best of Sicilian Hospitality
En route to Menfi, we stop for a convivial lunch on a working farm in the Agrigento countryside paired with table wine made by people who drink it every day. We visit one of Sicily’s most remarkable natural spectacles, the Scala dei Turchi. By the evening, we are amongst vineyards and olive groves above the Porto Palo coastline.
Day 6
Thursday, September 9
MENFI
The Art of Doing Nothing
Enjoy the slow morning by the pool. Then, have a winery lunch overlooking the Menfi vineyards and the Mediterranean. In the evening, have an option to visit Sciacca, the fishing town with ceramic traditions and excellent seafood.
Day 7
Friday, September 10
MENFI → PALERMO
The Road to Palermo
Visit a sheep farm and taste fresh ricotta cheese. Wander in Sambuca di Sicilia, the small Baroque hilltop town with an extraordinary pastry tradition and amazing coffee. Arrive in Palermo’s historic and lively center.
Day 8
Saturday, September 11
PALERMO
Palermo Unbuttoned
Begin with a vivid street food tour led by a renowned local chef. Walk through the Arab-Norman monuments, the antique dealers, and artisans of the old streets. Conclude with a farewell dinner that celebrates the week’s journey with wines drawn from across the island.
Day 9
Sunday, September 12
PALERMO → PALERMO AIRPORT
A Sparkling Goodbye
Transfers to Falcone Borsellino Airport throughout the morning. The island sends you off with whatever the season has left: a last espresso, a stuffed cornetto, the particular quality of Palermo light in the early hours as the city wakes.
Your trusted Tour Leader…
Allison Scola
EXPERIENCE SICILY’S OWNER AND CURATOR
Allison has spent more than a decade building bridges between Americans and the island she loves. Before founding Experience Sicily, she spent nearly 20 years in marketing and communications, and as a performing artist — she brings that storyteller’s eye to every tour she leads, peeling back Sicily’s layers to reveal what the guidebooks always miss: the human warmth, the ancient rhythms, the feeling of a place alive with its own particular genius.
Named an expert at the 2019 New York Times Travel Show, Allison is also the creator of the legendary Cannoli Crawl. She limits every group to 12 guests so everyone moves through Sicily with flexibility and ease.
Your Wine Connoisseur…
Benjamin North Spencer
DIRECTOR OF ETNA WINE SCHOOL AND AUTHOR OF NEW WINES OF MOUNT ETNA
Ben holds a Diploma from the London-based Wine & Spirit Education Trust. is a consulting winemaker, journalist, the founder of the Etna Wine School in Sicily, and the award-winning author of The New Wines of Mount Etna. His won The Gourmand Award’s Best European Wine Book in 2021 and is available in English and Italian.
Ben holds a Diploma in Wines and Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and a writing degree from the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University. His work has been featured by BBC World Service, Wine Spectator, The Telegraph, Wine & Spirits, and others. In 2023, he launched the world’s first Etna Ambassador Certificate program through Etna Wine School. He lives in Sicily.
What’s included?
EXPERIENCES
- 6 private winery visits across the island: expert-led cellar tours and tastings at estates spanning Etna’s north and southeast slopes, the Val di Noto, Menfi, and western Sicily, including some of the island’s most celebrated and hard-to-access producers.
- Guided morning hike on Etna’s ancient craters, a private street food tour in Palermo’s famous market, a visit to a working caseificio and ricotta tasting.
MEALS & STAY
- 9 nights upscale 4-star accommodations in the heart of the action that blend Sicilian aesthetics with the comfort you want
- All breakfasts (8 total)
- 7 Lunches (of which 5 are also Wine Tastings)
- 3 Dinners
To learn specific details regarding lodging or wineries, email info@experiencesicily.com
LOGISTICS
- All ground transportation & private drivers
- All entrance fees & activity costs
- Fully escorted by two Sicily and Wine experts
- Most gratuities for included services
Not included:
International flights, travel insurance,
6 independent meals, personal spending.
No doubts or worries…
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a wine expert to enjoy this trip?
Not at all. This journey is designed for intellectually curious travelers who love good wine and want to understand more deeply. Our guides meet you exactly where you are. The pleasure of tasting a wine on the slopes where its grapes were grown doesn’t require a vocabulary to go with it. Sparkling Sicily is designed so you can slow down, be present, and at the same time, feel like you are experiencing something new.
Will I be tasting wine all day, every day?
The itinerary is deliberately paced. Winery visits are spread across the nine days and always paired with food, so you’re never tasting on an empty stomach or back-to-back without rest. Days with wine tastings are paired with evening on your own to give you breathing room.
How physically demanding is the trip?
We rate this as somewhat active. There will be walking on uneven ancient cobblestones and through the vines and a hike in nature. Still, we rate it as “soft adventure.” If you can walk for two to three hours comfortably, you will be perfectly able to enjoy every experience. Our mission is to have you feel refreshed from your time in Sicily. If you want to move more, there is free time to add swimming in the sea or the pool, walks or a run around town or through the vines.
Is this trip for solo travelers?
Solo travelers make up a significant part of every Experience Sicily group. The intimate group size and the shared experiences create genuine connection very quickly. We encourage solo travelers to join us because you won’t feel solo after the first day.
What are the accommodations like?
We stay in carefully chosen 4-star boutique hotels and agriturismi that reflect the character and beauty of each location. Comfortable, charming, and with plenty of atmosphere — not generic chains. Rooms are beautifully appointed, air-conditioned doubles or singles (supplements apply for single travelers) with ensuite private bathrooms.
What if I have dietary restrictions?
Sicilian cuisine is wonderfully flexible! There’s an abundance of extraordinary vegetarian, gluten-flexible, and allergen-conscious dishes rooted in the island’s traditions. Please let us know your needs when you book and we’ll ensure every included meal works beautifully for you.
Is travel insurance required?
We strongly encourage all guests to purchase comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation, interruption, and medical coverage. Travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We’re happy to recommend providers if you need guidance.
What others are saying
From past Small Group Tour Participants
“Experience Sicily was the most amazing holiday we have taken. The attention to detail was outstanding the trip was made even better by a passionate individual who we could feel her love for the island. We couldn’t have been more pleased. Brava, Allison.”
— Anthony, Enchanting Sicily 2026
“Experience Sicily and its team, led by Allison Scola, is an excellent tour company to explore Sicily with. When you add Allison’s deep knowledge and personal connection to Sicily you have a tour that is both thoughtful and meaningful for all.
The small tour size of Experience Sicily tours make each tour intimate and comfortable. I traveled alone, but there were also couples and a family group. The age range was from 30 to the early 80s, and everyone got along and was respectful of each other. I’m generally not one who takes tours, but I truly believe that I would not have been able to travel to Sicily and experience everything I did without the expertise of Experience Sicily. I’m so grateful I invested in this trip.”
— Renee, Enchanting Sicily 2026
Sparkling Sicily
Space is intentionally limited. If you feel the pull, trust it, and reach out to hold your place before the list closes.