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STEVE
THURLOW.COM
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Wine, enjoyed in moderation, is a healthy food which enriches life. Wine Tours Splendours of Sicily - Wine, Food and Culture September 19 - 30, 2010
Imagine being in the vineyards of Sicily. With its splendid climate, magnificent ancient treasures and great beauty, Sicily is truly a feast for the senses. Join wine expert and educator Steve Thurlow as he leads an 12 day excursion of discovery and enjoyment. Visit wineries, see some of the world's best ancient Greek ruins, learn how to cook Sicilian style, dine in splendid traditional settings at wineries with their owners and winemakers, bathe in the warm Mediterranean and soak up the warm early-summer sunshine. Experience Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano, wander in streets little changed since mediaeval times and shop in traditional markets for the freshest produce. Late September each year, after summer departs in Toronto, there is plenty of warm sunshine in Sicily; daily highs of 25-27°C and lows of 16-18°C. Wine for Life presents an accompanied wine, food and cultural visit to Sicily. We will explore the leading vineyards and wineries and be introduced to Sicilian cuisine under the attention of one of Sicily's master chefs. 
As well as tasting and dining at all the major wineries we will find time to visit many of the major Greek and Roman sites. Staying in three luxury beach hotels near Marsala, Agrigento and Taormina, the visit will culminate with (safety permitting) a visit to fiery Mount Etna. If all this sounds like too hectic a pace, don't worry. There will be time for relaxing by the pool in the warm sunshine and wandering around some of the beautiful mediaeval towns and villages that lie along the southern shore of this golden isle.
Email: Steve Thurlow steve@stevethurlow.com or Telephone: Steve on 416-878-7955
Price
Click here to see photos
of previous Sicily Wine Tours. Day 1: Sunday Sep 19th, 2010 Day 2: Monday 20th – Marsala
After a chance to rest after the flight, in the evening there will be a welcome cocktail gathering followed by a relaxing dinner served poolside. [Weather permitting]
A selection of Sicilian wines will be served with a buffet designed to show off the diversity and richness of Sicilian cuisine in the company of some of your winery hosts during the trip.
Day 3: Tuesday - Marsala
After breakfast, the morning will be filled with a cooking class. Assist with the preparation of today's lunch at the hotel under the expert guidance of Giancarlo Manza and his team. Learn about the range of fresh produce, herbs, fish, meat, vegetables and fruits that are available.
After lunch the afternoon will be free for relaxing at the hotel. Late afternoon we depart for a visit to two nearby wineries. Alcesti and Donnafugata including dinner at the second.
Day 4: Wednesday - Marsala
We will stay in Marsala for sightseeing and shopping until lunchtime. Lunch will be at the Beach restaurant at Delfino Beach. After lunch the afternoon will be free for relaxing at the hotel.
Early evening we will depart by coach for a winery visit, tasting and dinner at Carlo Pellegrino winery in nearby Marsala.
Day 5: Thursday - Erice and Trapani
Then onto Rapitala winery for a tasting and lunch. After lunch we visit the mediaeval mountain top village of Erice and then descend to the sea salt pans near Trapani to view the sun setting over the sea.
Then onto Marsala to visit the town for a slice of pizza before returning to the hotel.
Day 6: Friday - Menfi and Agrigento
We then depart for Agrigento where we stay overnight at Dioscuri Bay Palace hotel on the beach in San Leone a suburb of Agrigento.
Day 7: Saturday - Casteldaccia After a buffet breakfast we depart for a spectacular trip across the centre of the island to visit the famous Corvo estate on the north coast of the island.
We will have lunch at the winery and will then return for a relaxing afternoon at the hotel. Evening will be free.
Day 8: Sunday - Agrigento This is a day for relaxing at the hotel. Maybe visiting the ancient city of Agrigento for shopping or spending time on the beach near the hotel. In the morning there will be an optional visit to a local olive oil producer, Olio Taibi. Here Gerlando will show us how olives are harvested before visiting the crushing plant and sampling really fresh olive oil.
In the cool of the evening, there will be an organized tour of some of the world's best-preserved Greek ruins in the Valley of the Temples.
Dinner will be served at the hotel. Day 9: Monday - Butera and Piazza Amerina
After a tasting and lunch at the winery we depart for Piazza Amerina and visit the world famous Villa Romana del Casale famed for its well preserved mosaics.
We then head east towards towering Etna. Along the way enjoy a panoramic tour of Catania and views of Europe's largest active volcano. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Baia Taormina high up above the sea with a magnificent view of Taormina and the coastline as far as Catania on a clear day.  Day 10: Tuesday - Mount Etna
You will see the vineyards that cling to the black volcanic ash slopes. We will visit Tenuta Scilio for lunch and tasting before returning to the hotel.
The rest of the afternoon and the evening will be free for relaxing on the beach or at the pool and wandering the streets of this beautiful seaside town.
Day 11: Wednesday -Taormina
Our closing group dinner at the hotel will bring our trip to a conclusion with a reprise of the best wines found during our travels. Day 12: Thursday Sep. 30th, 2010– Catania / Toronto
Conditions The above itinerary is as planned. However we reserve the right to make adjustments depending upon weather and other constraints, to substitute visits to alternative wineries and to arrange accommodation at similar standard hotels in the resorts mentioned. Prices are for double occupancy in twin and double rooms (single supplement available on request). Hotels subject to availability. The price of C$2790, covers ground transportation in Sicily, bed and breakfast hotel accommodation, 10 or more meals with wine. This price is correct at present but may change as a result of currency variations or other circumstances beyond our control. Since the trip is now less than 120 days away full and final payment is required at time of booking. In accordance with the Ontario Industry Travel Act, below is the registered name, address and registration number of the provider of the travel services: K. Walsh & Associates,
4141 Yonge St, Suite 203, Toronto, Ontario, M2P 2A8 Agent: Steve Thurlow Home | Festivals | Tastings | Consulting | Qualifications | Reviews About Steve | Contact Us | Events |
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Evening
is free to visit the area on foot or relax at the hotel.
