Wednesday 7 - Sunday 18 October 2026
11 nights
Wednesday 7 - Sunday 18 October 2026
11 nights
But something else surprised me. A couple of the charming hotels I used back in 2012 had transformed into glossy 5-star luxury properties. Beautiful, yes — but that’s not the Sicily I want to share with you. You can stay in a fancy hotel anywhere in the world. What makes Sicily extraordinary is its heart, its soul, and the people who live and breathe their land, traditions, and flavours.
So I dug deeper. And deeper. It felt like peeling an onion — each layer revealing another, more delicious find. Before I knew it, the itinerary had grown… and the neatest, most honest version of it became an 11-night tour. And even that was cutting it back! Honestly, I could have kept you there for two full weeks — and that’s without including Palermo or Taormina. They’re gorgeous, but they’re polished and tourist-ready; you don’t need me to show you around those.
For October 2026, I’ve crafted a journey through a part of the real Sicily — the southeast.
We begin with a night in Catania, then head up to the volcanic slopes of Etna for 2 nights. Then we drift south, via one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in the whole of Italy. Then onto the Baroque jewels of Modica, Noto and 2 nights in Ragusa. Followed by 2 nights at a beautiful olive oil agritourism and a night at an exquisite Relais Chateaux vineyard. Finally, we end with three magical nights by the sea in Ortigia, in a simple, charming hotel where you can breathe in the salt air and wander between street bars, cafés, and sunlit lanes at your own pace.
And the food… my goodness, the food.
Everywhere I ate, it felt like discovering dishes for the first time. From spongy, irresistible focaccia to mozzarella so fresh it almost sighed on the plate… everything was a revelation. I adore Spanish food — you know that. But Sicily? Sicily is something else entirely.
Like Andalucía, Sicily was shaped by centuries of Moorish influence: honey, aubergines, almonds, citrus, pistachios — flavours that feel both familiar and thrillingly different. And the wine! Until this trip, I had no idea how extraordinary Sicily’s indigenous grapes truly are. Catarratto, Nero d’Avola, Carricante, Nerello Mascalese … it’s like discovering a whole new world of exciting wines, especially the volcanic wines.
This is the Sicily I want to share with you — raw, delicious, layered, surprising, soulful, unforgettable.
This is going to be a busy trip, but with a couple of late mornings and 3 free evenings.
Catania x 1 night
Etna x 2 nights
Ragusa x 2 nights
Feudi di Pisciotto x 1 night
Mandranova x 2 nights
Ortigia x 3 nights
Day to day
After a relaxed breakfast, we’ll make our way back to Catania airport to arrive after 12.00.
This tour is for curious travellers who love discovering a place through its food, wine, people and traditions. It will particularly appeal to those who enjoy good company, locally owned establishments and experiences that go beyond the usual tourist itinerary.
You don’t need to be an expert cook or knowledgeable about wine — just interested, open-minded and ready to taste!
I have personally researched and designed every part of this tour, choosing the producers, cooks, winemakers, guides, hotels and restaurants that I believe reveal the real character of southeastern Sicily.
Rather than simply visiting the famous sights, we will meet the people behind Sicily’s food and wine: cooking together, tasting at farms and vineyards and learning about the traditions that have shaped the island.
I will lead the tour throughout, taking care of the arrangements so that you can relax and enjoy every experience.
The tour begins in Catania on Wednesday 7 October 2026 and ends on Sunday 18 October 2026. It includes 11 nights and 12 days.
We will meet for our welcome dinner in Catania at 8.00 pm on 7 October.
The tour begins in Catania city and ends at Catania Airport.
Guests should make their own way from Catania Airport to our first hotel. Taxis and Uber are readily available, and I will provide full arrival information before the tour.
Our group transport will return to Catania Airport on 18 October, arriving after 12 noon. Please check with me before booking your return flight.
We will explore southeastern Sicily, beginning in Catania before travelling to Mount Etna, Ragusa, Noto, Mandranova and Ortigia.
Along the way, we will stay at a wine resort on Etna, a vineyard hotel, a beautiful olive-oil estate and carefully selected hotels in Sicily’s historic towns.
The price includes:
Flights, travel insurance, your arrival transfer from Catania Airport, meals during the three free evenings and personal purchases are not included.
The price is €4,975 per person based on two guests sharing a room.
Individual occupancy is €5,595 per person.
Please contact me for current availability and details of the deposit and payment schedule.
Absolutely. Many guests join my tours by themselves and quickly feel part of the group. Shared meals and experiences make it very easy to get to know one another, while the individual-occupancy price allows you to have your own room throughout the tour.
This is a small-group tour, which allows us to visit independent producers, family-run farms and intimate restaurants that would not suit a large tour group.
It also means that I can remain personally involved throughout and that the group can enjoy a relaxed, sociable atmosphere.
Not at all. Our cooking experiences are friendly, informal and suitable for every level of ability. They are about learning from Sicilian cooks, understanding local ingredients and enjoying the meal we create together.
No previous knowledge is needed. Sicily produces some extraordinary indigenous grape varieties, including Carricante, Nerello Mascalese, Catarratto and Nero d’Avola.
Our tastings and wine-pairing meals will be informative but relaxed, making them equally enjoyable for wine enthusiasts and those who simply appreciate a good glass of wine with their food.
You are very welcome to join the tour if you don’t drink alcohol. Wine is an important part of Sicilian culture and several winery visits and paired meals are included, but drinking is never compulsory.
Please let me know before booking so I can discuss whether the itinerary will be right for you and request non-alcoholic alternatives where possible.
Please tell me about any allergies, intolerances or dietary restrictions before booking. I will discuss them with our hotels, restaurants and producers and establish what can reasonably be accommodated.
As this is a food-focused tour involving set menus, small farms and traditional kitchens, not every dietary requirement may be possible. It is therefore essential that we discuss your needs before your place is confirmed.
This is an active culinary tour rather than a strenuous walking holiday, but guests should be comfortable walking for reasonable periods and managing cobbled streets, slopes, steps and uneven ground.
The itinerary includes walking tours and a guided experience on Mount Etna. Ragusa, Modica, Noto and Ortigia are historic places where uneven surfaces and steps are common.
Please speak to me before booking if you have any mobility concerns. I will be completely honest about whether the tour is suitable for you.
Yes. Although this is a wonderfully full itinerary, I have included a couple of later starts and three free evenings.
You will have time to relax at Mandranova and an afternoon and evening to explore Ortigia independently. There is also a free evening in Ragusa, when you might simply rest or book your own special dinner.
October is generally a lovely time to visit Sicily, with pleasantly warm days and cooler evenings. However, conditions can vary, particularly on Mount Etna, where it may be considerably colder and windier.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, light layers, a warmer jacket and something waterproof. I will send a more detailed packing list before departure.
This is a journey through southeastern Sicily, so we will stay in several different places:
Our transport will carry the luggage between hotels, but I recommend packing as lightly as you comfortably can.
No. Guests arrange and pay for their own flights to and from Catania.
Please contact me before booking your flights, particularly your return journey, as our group will not arrive at Catania Airport until after 12 noon on Sunday 18 October.
Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is essential and should cover cancellation, medical treatment, personal belongings and any activities included in the itinerary.
I strongly recommend taking out insurance as soon as you pay your deposit.
Occasionally, circumstances outside my control — such as weather, harvest conditions or a producer’s availability — may require me to change the order or details of an activity.
If that happens, I will always aim to provide an equally special alternative while preserving the character and quality of the tour.
Please complete the enquiry form or contact me directly by email or WhatsApp. You will always hear back from me personally.
Once we have confirmed that the tour is right for you and that a place is available, I will send you the booking form, terms and conditions and deposit information.
To reserve your place on this unforgettable journey into the heart of Andalusian culinary tradition, please contact us at info@anniebspain.com or whatsapp me.
