Places are now open for 2027
Monday 4 - Wednesday 13 October 2027
10 days, 9 nights
Places are now open for 2027
Monday 4 - Wednesday 13 October 2027
10 days, 9 nights
This is Sicily as I love to experience it — through its food, wine and, above all, its people. I've explored the island, sought out exceptional producers, discovered wonderful restaurants and built relationships with the people who make Sicily so special.
From family kitchens and hidden vineyards to unforgettable meals and extraordinary places, I've carefully put together a journey filled with experiences you simply wouldn't find on an ordinary holiday.
But something surprised me when I returned to Sicily. A couple of the charming hotels I'd stayed in back in 2012 had transformed into glossy five-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 its traditions.
So I dug deeper. And deeper. It was like peeling an onion — each layer revealing another delicious discovery. The more I explored, the more I wanted to include! Eventually, I realised that the best way to experience this wonderful corner of Sicily was to concentrate on the southeast, giving us time to enjoy the places and people that make it so special.
For October 2027, I've created a delicious 9-night journey through southeastern Sicily.
We begin with two nights in lively Catania, including a day exploring the volcanic slopes and extraordinary wines of Mount Etna. Then we head south, visiting one of Italy's most remarkable archaeological treasures, before spending two nights at a beautiful wine estate. From there, we'll discover the Baroque splendour of Ragusa and Noto, before ending with three magical nights by the sea in Ortigia. Here, in a charming hotel, you can wander through sunlit lanes, browse little shops, linger in cafés and soak up the atmosphere at your own pace.
And the food… my goodness, the food!
Everywhere I ate, I felt I was discovering something new. From irresistible focaccia to the freshest mozzarella, wonderful seafood, pistachios, almonds and aubergines — every meal seemed to bring another revelation.
I adore Spanish food — you know that. But Sicily? Sicily is something else entirely.
Like Andalucía, Sicily has been shaped by centuries of Arab influence. Honey, aubergines, almonds, citrus and pistachios are woven into a cuisine that feels both wonderfully familiar and thrillingly different.
And the wines! Until I began exploring Sicily properly, I had no idea quite how exciting its indigenous grape varieties could be. Catarratto, Nero d'Avola, Carricante, Nerello Mascalese… and those extraordinary volcanic wines from Etna. A whole new world of wine to discover!
This is the Sicily I want to share with you — delicious, layered, surprising, soulful and unforgettable. Not simply a collection of beautiful places, but a journey filled with wonderful people, memorable encounters and experiences I've personally sought out for you.
It will be a busy and delicious adventure, but with a couple of leisurely mornings and two free evenings to enjoy Sicily at your own pace.
Come hungry, curious and ready to fall in love with Sicily!
Catania x 2 nights
Ragusa x 2 nights
Feudi di Pisciotto x 2 nights
Ortigia x 3 nights
Day to day
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 Monday 4 October 2027 and ends on Wednesday 13 October 2026. It includes 9 nights and 10 days.
We will meet for our welcome dinner in Catania at 8.00 pm on 4 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 13 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, and Ortigia.
Along the way, we will stay at a wine resort and other 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 €5,225 per person based on two guests sharing a room.
Individual occupancy is €5,855 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 Feudi di Pisscioto & in Ortigia
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 Wednesday 13 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.
