Oct 01, 2008 (Wed): Sicily is quite distinct from Italy in terms of culture, history, language and wines. Highly individual grapes give good reds, perfumed whites and rich dessert wines. We have been bowled over by our reception from the family domaines we have visited in Sicily such as Rapitala, wh[...]
Jul 01, 2008 (Tue): Arblaster and Clarke have chartered the fabulous super-yacht 'Ponant' for a wine cruise from Nice to Venice. We sail right round Italy, calling in on Corsica, Sicily, the Croatian islands and Istria. This wonderful voyage of discovery will take in dramatic sites; out of the way[...]
Jul 01, 2008 (Tue): Arblaster and Clarke have chartered the fabulous super-yacht 'Ponant' for a wine cruise from Nice to Venice. We sail right round Italy, calling in on Corsica, Sicily, the Croatian islands and Istria. This wonderful voyage of discovery will take in dramatic sites; out of the way places for impromptu swim stops and great food and wine. Wine tastings will include the famous wines of Tuscany, the rising stars of Sicily and Puglia, to the relatively unknown wines of Croatia.
Le Ponant is a 260 feet luxury, 3 masted sailing-cruiser with 32 good-sized outside cabins (from 116 - 150 sq ft) with marble shower rooms. Being French owned there is a French chef and pastry chef preparing gourmet meals.
Breakfasts and lunches are buffets and dinner is seated. There is a spacious sun deck, an open air restaurant, an interior restaurant, and a spacious salon with bar.
You can plunge directly into the Med from the swimming platform, and there are snorkels, a wind surfer and canoe available.
This tour includes scheduled flights, all taxes, transfers to and from the ship, breakfasts, buffet lunches with wnes from the ship's cellars, afternoon tea and pastries, gourmet dinner with wines and additional tastings.
The maximum party size is 48, to a crew of 30.
One of our knowledgeable and experienced team will be happy to answer any questions regarding this tour, so please don't hesitate to call or e-mail us for further information.
Oct 01, 2008 (Wed): Sicily is quite distinct from Italy in terms of culture, history, language and wines. Highly individual grapes give good reds, perfumed whites and rich dessert wines. We have been bowled over by our reception from the family domaines we have visited in Sicily such as Rapitala, where we have a delicious home cooked lunch at the estate.
It is through the wines and such personal invitations to meet the wine makers that you will see a side to the country not normally seen by visitors, and to the best of our knowledge not sen on any other tour of Sicily.
On this tour you will visit Marsala and enjoy the wines from Tasca d'Almerita and the immaculate estate of Planeta, with it's very modern style of wines.
For a contrast we will then travel to Cos - where you will experience wines still made in traditional amphorae.
We will also move to Mount Etna to visit Barone di Villagrande whose vineyards are on the slopes of the volcano, and who make superb organic Etna Bianco.
The last two nights are spent in a 4* hotel in it's own private beach below Taormina. It is a short stroll to the cable car that takes you directly to the dramatically situated hill-town.
Sicily is not easy to penetrate on your own and this tour is one of the best ways to discover the area. meet the people. learn about the culture, history, food and wine.
This tour includes direct scheduled flights, coach, 8 nights, 8 meals with wines, visits, entrance to sites, Wine Guide and Tour Manager.
May 19, 2008 (Mon): Over the millennia, Sicily has attracted Phoenician seafarers, Carthaginian settlers, Roman troops, Arab and Norman conquerors, Spanish conquistadors, and British merchants of marsala -- and most recently, wine lovers. Come see why this ancient land is now Italy's hottest new wine zone. Also visit Greek temples and Byzantine cathedrals, lunch at an olive oil producer, see sea salt's creation, and feast on Sicily's multicultural cuisine.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Wine estates: Planeta, Donnafugata, Ceuso, de Bartoli & more
Greek temple at Segesta
Sea-salt in the making
Meals at an olive oil farm & 4 wineries
Byzantine mosaics in Palermo & Monreale
