Food and wine holiday based at two wine estates in western Sicily with cookery and wine-tasting
This 6-night fly-drive holiday begins in Palermo where you collect your hire car before heading to Baglio Oneto, on the western coast of Sicily just outside Marsala. You will spend three nights here. Baglio Oneto is a five-star boutique hotel set on a wine estate amongst vineyards and olive groves. This estate still produces some of the finest Sicilian wines and we have included a wine and olive oil tasting as well as a cookery lesson and dinner on your first evening. The baglio dates from the 18th century and the Oneto family is one of the most historic on the island. Baglio Oneto is a great base to explore lesser known western part of Sicily. Standout attractions which we suggest visiting include the ancient ruins of Segesta and Selinunte and the hilltop village of Erice with its cobbled streets, palaces and castles to explore. Your next base is la Foresteria situated on the famous Planeta wine estate at Menfi and standing on a hill with views of the countryside and its vineyards and olive groves. The 14 rooms have views to the sea and are surrounded by a Mediterranean garden with swimming pool. Explore the hotel's garden, with its aroma of herbs, swim in the infinity pool amongst the vines, taste the estate's prestigious wines and olive oil, and taste Sicilian gastronomy with a modern flair from their kitchen. During your stay, we include a wine-tasting and cookery lesson as well as two evening meals at the hotel. Located five minutes by car from the hotel, you can find a long stretch of beach and harbour at Porto Palo where you may wish to take a stroll or spend time relaxing. Further afield, we suggest driving to Agrigento to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site the Valley of the Temples. The Valley of the Temples consists of parts of nine of the original ten temples built. The temples date from the 6th-5th Centuries BC. One of the best preserved is the Temple of Concord which has the most majestic Doric columns in Sicily. The Temple of Jupiter would have been one of the largest temples of the ancient world. Within the town of Agrigento lies the historical cathedral that was built on the site of the original Acropolis, and therefore maintains its unparalleled and dramatic positioning within the town. At the end of your holiday you return from Palermo by air to London.
Highlights
Marsala • Erice • Menfi • Segesta • Selinunte • Agrigento • Valley of the Temples • Porto Palo
Thanks for organising what was a wonderful holiday. Apart from a delay because of Gatwick fog coming home, everything ran like clockwork and we had a cracking time. I would be happy to recommend Expressions and hope we will have the opportunity to organise another trip with you in the future.Mrs S, October 2024
Holiday price guide Available year-round subject to the opening period of the hotels, from £2,490 per person.
From about
£2,490 per person
Holiday Code EX337960
This holiday can be arranged throughout the year subject to the opening periods of the hotels. Additional nights can be added at any point on this itinerary.
Call us on 01392 441245
Food and wine holiday based at two wine estates in western Sicily with cookery and wine-tasting
Start your holiday flying from London to Palermo. You collect your hire-car and then it’s about an hour’s drive to your hotel near Marsala. Settle into your room and enjoy an evening meal at the hotel’s restaurant. We include the “Experiential Menu" for your first evening. Each course is combined with a wine produced by the hotel.
After breakfast, we include a hands-on 2-hour cookery lesson during which you learn how to create a traditional Sicilian recipe. The lesson is usually based on making “gnocculi”, a traditional, fresh pasta and “ncucciata del cous cous”, a local couscous dish. Afterwards, you can enjoy your pasta for lunch however the couscous needs to rest for around 8 hours. You can taste the couscous the following day at lunch or dinner. Alternative menus can be requested at the time of the booking. After your cookery lesson, your time is your own to relax at the hotel or to explore. Marsala is 20 minutes’ drive away from your hotel and is synonymous with the famous sweet dessert wine however the town itself is bursting with charm. You could also visit a wine-cellar such as Cantine Florio, to learn about the Marsala-making process as well as sampling the products or visit the local fish market in Porta Garibaldi. Perhaps visit Caseificio Impicciche, a local dairy factory located 5 kms from the centre of Marsala. Guided visits are possible to learn about the stages of the cheese-making process starting from the ingredients to its preservation. This skill has been handed down from generation to generation. Other places of interest here include the Museo Archeologico Baglio Anselmi. This museum displays remains of a Carthaginian warship sunk during the First Punic War. Other noteworthy sites include Piazza della Repubblica, an elegant square dominated by the Chiesa Madre and the Complesso Monumentale San Pietro which houses a complex of small museums. There is a wide range of restaurants in Marsala so you may wish to try one of the local restaurants for dinner this evening.
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and then take time to explore further. We suggest visiting Segesta which is a drive of about 35 minutes from the hotel. The ruins of ancient Segesta are not to be missed. The main attraction is the 5th century BC temple but the amphitheatre carved into the hillside is also worth viewing. Then a further 45 minutes northwest of Segesta is the walled medieval town of Erice, situated 750m above sea level. The town is a maze of winding cobbled streets, palaces and castles. Visit the Duomo and Castello di Venere, a Norman castle built in the 12th and 13th century. Take in the panoramic views of San Vito Lo Capo on one side, and Saline di Trapani on the other. As well as being of charm and interest historically and architecturally, Erice is famous for its marzipan sweets, perhaps filled with hot custard or flavoured with a hint of clove. These are best accompanied by a glass of Marsala or the green Monte Erice liqueur. Also of note are the ceramics made in Erice. Back at the hotel, we include a wine and olive oil tasting in the hotel’s cellar.
Today it’s a drive of only about an hour door to door between places where you stay but we suggest that you stop at Selinunte on the way, to visit the largest archaeological park in Europe. Selinunte’s ruins are spread between the Acropolis, the ancient city, the eastern temples and the Sanctuary of Malophoros. The Acropolis is occupied by five temples, with Temple C being the oldest temple dating back to the 6th century BC. Finish your visit to Selinunte with a walk along Lido di Zabbara, a stretch of beach with view up to the cliff-top temples. This is accessed from the town of Marinella di Selinunte. From here, it is only about 20 minutes by car to your hotel on the famous wine estate of la Planeta. There is time to check-in and enjoy the views of the vineyards that stretch into the distance. We include a 4-course dinner this evening with four Planeta wines to match.
Today we include a 3-hour hands-on cookery lesson which will begin at 09.30 hrs. The lesson starts with an introduction to the ingredients and the history of each recipe. You then prepare five courses under the guidance of the hotel chef. The fruits of your labour will be enjoyed for lunch accompanied by two wines chosen by the sommelier. You have the remainder of the afternoon free. Perhaps relax by the hotel pool or visit the beach at Porto Palo which is 5 minutes away by car.
On your final full day in Sicily, you have the day at leisure. We suggest driving 1 hour 15 minutes to Agrigento, to visit the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The valley is punctuated by seven breath-taking temples. The Temple of Concorde is believed to be one of the most perfect temples in the world and still stands in its entirety. The other temples have suffered more harshly under the hand of time. The Temple of the Olympian Zeus, for example, despite being the largest of the known Doric temples, was dealt a great deal of damage during an earthquake. Its design was unusual due to the 38 huge statues of Atlas that stood atop a wall that joined the bases of the columns together. One of these statues can be seen in the Museo Archeologico Regionale, along with pottery from Athens, artefacts from the necropolis at Montelusa, and more remains excavated from nearby temples. The Temple of Hercules, named thus by the Romans as its original name was lost, is circular, and stairways once existed taking visitors up into the roof to view the frieze depicting the myth of Hercules. Drive back to the hotel to enjoy a wine-tasting this evening. You will taste five wines with the hotel sommelier from the five Planeta estates. We then include a four-course dinner at the hotel for your final evening.
Today, depending on the time of your flight, you check-out after breakfast and make your way to Palermo. Drop off your car at the airport before taking your flight back to the UK.
Thanks for organising what was a wonderful holiday. Apart from a delay because of Gatwick fog coming home, everything ran like clockwork and we had a cracking time. I would be happy to recommend Expressions and hope we will have the opportunity to organise another trip with you in the future.Mrs S, October 2024
Holiday price guide Available year-round subject to the opening period of the hotels, from £2,490 per person.
From about
£2,490 per person
Holiday Code EX337960
This holiday can be arranged throughout the year subject to the opening periods of the hotels. Additional nights can be added at any point on this itinerary.
Our prices include
● Scheduled return flights with British Airways from London to Palermo and back from Palermo to London
● Hire of a Group B car for the duration of the holiday
● 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in a deluxe room with balcony and sea view at Baglio Oneto, Marsala
● 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in double room with view at La Foresteria Planeta, Menfi
● Cookery lesson, one dinner per person and wine and olive oil tasting at Baglio Oneto
● Cookery lesson, two dinners per person and a wine-tasting at La Foresteria Planeta
● Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
Additional information
Travel times for this holiday
Palermo Airport to Marsala: 1 hour by car
Marsala to Menfi: 1 hour 10 minutes by car
Menfi to Palermo Airport: 1 hour 10 minutes by car
Call us on 01392 441245
Thanks for organising what was a wonderful holiday. Apart from a delay because of Gatwick fog coming home, everything ran like clockwork and we had a cracking time. I would be happy to recommend Expressions and hope we will have the opportunity to organise another trip with you in the future.Mrs S, October 2024
Holiday price guide Available year-round subject to the opening period of the hotels, from £2,490 per person.
From about
£2,490 per person
Holiday Code EX337960
This holiday can be arranged throughout the year subject to the opening periods of the hotels. Additional nights can be added at any point on this itinerary.
Our prices include
• Scheduled return flights with British Airways from London to Palermo and back from Palermo to London
• Hire of a Group B car for the duration of the holiday
• 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in a deluxe room with balcony and sea view at Baglio Oneto, Marsala
• 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in double room with view at La Foresteria Planeta, Menfi
• Cookery lesson, one dinner per person and wine and olive oil tasting at Baglio Oneto
• Cookery lesson, two dinners per person and a wine-tasting at La Foresteria Planeta
• Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
Additional information
Travel times for this holiday
Palermo Airport to Marsala: 1 hour by car
Marsala to Menfi: 1 hour 10 minutes by car
Menfi to Palermo Airport: 1 hour 10 minutes by car
Call us on 01392 441245
Food and wine holiday based at two wine estates in western Sicily with cookery and wine-tasting
The Baglio Oneto is a luxury, 5-star boutique hotel in a beautiful location on a working wine estate. The secluded location, gourmet cuisine and, of course the excellent wine, offer guests a truly idyllic and indulgent experience.
Deluxe room with balcony and sea view
La Foresteria Planeta, a picturesque boutique hotel, is perfect for Sicilian food and wine holidays, offering specialist cookery classes and tasting sessions that provide insight into the local production of wine, olive oil, traditional aperitifs, and regional specialities.
Double room with view
Special offers
Call to make your booking and save an extra £50 per adult Call us instead of emailing us when you are thinking of booking a holiday and save an extra £50 per adult (in addition to any special offers that might be available). We want to talk to you to discuss your requirements and a phone call is usually the best way for you to define what you want enabling us to respond more accurately. We want to talk to you and you save an extra £50 per adult.
Thanks for organising what was a wonderful holiday. Apart from a delay because of Gatwick fog coming home, everything ran like clockwork and we had a cracking time. I would be happy to recommend Expressions and hope we will have the opportunity to organise another trip with you in the future.Mrs S, October 2024
Holiday price guide Available year-round subject to the opening period of the hotels, from £2,490 per person.
From about
£2,490 per person
Holiday Code EX337960
This holiday can be arranged throughout the year subject to the opening periods of the hotels. Additional nights can be added at any point on this itinerary.
Our prices include
• Scheduled return flights with British Airways from London to Palermo and back from Palermo to London
• Hire of a Group B car for the duration of the holiday
• 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in a deluxe room with balcony and sea view at Baglio Oneto, Marsala
• 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in double room with view at La Foresteria Planeta, Menfi
• Cookery lesson, one dinner per person and wine and olive oil tasting at Baglio Oneto
• Cookery lesson, two dinners per person and a wine-tasting at La Foresteria Planeta
• Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
Additional information
Travel times for this holiday
Palermo Airport to Marsala: 1 hour by car
Marsala to Menfi: 1 hour 10 minutes by car
Menfi to Palermo Airport: 1 hour 10 minutes by car
Call us on 01392 441245
Food and wine holiday based at two wine estates in western Sicily with cookery and wine-tasting
About Sicily
An Expressions tailor-made holiday in Sicily allows visitors to discover a unique and captivating island. The rich tapestry of Mediterranean history can be witnessed on the southerly island of Sicily, fascinating not only for its amazing blend of cultures including Greek, Arab, Byzantine and Norman and its architectural treasures which reflect these influences but also for its breath-taking scenery of coast, parched mountains and fertile groves of almonds, oranges, lemons and olives. The people are proud and independent, reserved but sincere and helpful. Traditions thrive to an extent that the atmosphere of Sicily is unrecognisable in the context of other parts of Italy further north. The towns and villages are contrasting with picture postcard scenes of mediaeval labyrinthine alleyways adorned by wrought-iron balconies and baskets of flowers or severe dilapidation punctuated by grand Baroque or austere Norman cathedrals and churches. Additionally, there are of course some of the most important sites of the ancient Greek world such as the temples at Agrigento, the theatre at Taormina and numerous relics at Siracusa, reputedly one of the most beautiful cities of the Greek world. High above the island looms Mount Etna, one of the largest volcanoes in the world and an awe-inspiring sight. Off the north coast of Sicily, the beautiful Aeolian Islands offer escape and remoteness, natural scenery and a startling light, a sleepy way of life and romantic isolation. A holiday in Sicily appeals for those who want typical rest and relaxation with cultural activities at hand, and for those who want to be more adventurous and experience more of this captivating island.
Highlights of Sicily
An ascent of Mount Etna, partly by car and then further on foot (guides available) through the luxuriant vegetation which includes oranges and lemons, bougainvillaea and poinsettias and then higher up the groves of walnuts, cherries, almonds, pistachios and vines. Palermo is known for its street markets, especially Vucciria and Ballaro, where traders and hawkers, pickpockets and shoppers converge amongst narrow streets and stalls of wares. See the traditional costumes and dialect of Piana degli Albanesi, where Albanians settled in the 15th Century. Revel in the splendid site of Taormina above the sea with views to Etna. Local crafts include cork, ceramics, honey, embroidery, raffia. Enjoy the calm and remoteness of the Aeolian Islands with their clear waters, beautiful scenery and peaceful way of life. Enjoy the gardens of the Villa Giulia in Palermo and the Public Gardens in Taormina.
Cultural highlights of Sicily
Palermo contains some of the greatest Arab-Norman buildings in existence - San Giovanni degli Eremiti, the Palazzo Reale with its striking Cappella Palatina and La Martorana. Monreale outside Palermo is the greatest work of Norman architecture in Sicily and contains beautiful 12th and 13th Century mosaics and cloisters. The Doric temples of the 5th Century BC in the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Cefalu has the `Portrait of a Man` by Antonello da Messina, dating from 1465 in its Museo Mandralisca.
Festivals in Sicily
Many Sicilian local festivals are linked to Saints’ Days. A few of the most well-known festivals generally include Carnival celebrations in Taormina and Acireale. Easter is celebrated especially in Trapani, Marsala and Piana degli Albanesi. Messina celebrates Ferragosto on the 15th August with a firework display over the Straits. The Sagra del Mandorlo in Fiore takes place in Agrigento in the first and second weeks of February to celebrate the almond blossom. Taormina Arte is a summer festival of music, cinema, ballet and theatre, held in the Greek theatre. The Palio dei Normanni takes place in Piazza Armeria in August.
Gastronomy in Sicily
The gastronomy of Sicily, like much of the culture of the island, has been heavily influenced by its history. Cuscus is a Sicilian version of couscous, and marzipan features heavily in sweets. Local produce includes citrus fruits, almonds, capers, olives, peppers and fish. Local specialities include Maccheroni con le sarde (pasta with sardines, fennel, raisins, pine nuts and saffron), Pesce spada (grilled sword fish), 'alla Siciliana' with capers, red peppers and herbs. Cassata is a popular dessert made with ricotta, candied fruit and pistachios and Cannoli are almond biscuits stuffed with ricotta. Sicily produces a variety of red and white wines including Corvo di Salaparuta and Etna, Marsala and Malvasia.