Western Sicily Wine Routes
4 nights & 5 Days
Western Sicily is a land of wonderful history, ancient civilizations and one of Italy’s most interesting wine districts. Here, beautiful vineyard landscapes overlooking the sea alternate with impressive archeological sites, precious architectural gems and attractive villages, promising an experience steeped in taste and culture.
This itinerary covers all the major highlights, from the island’s feisty capital of Palermo, with its colourful markets and splendid Arab-Norman architecture, to the archeological parks of Selinute and Agrigento and utterly unique places like the tiny island of Mozia off the coast of Marsala, with plenty of local food and wines to explore along the way.
Angelo Pumilia
Chef
Sicilian born and bred, Angelo Pumilia travelled the world until 2009, when he became resident chef at La Foresteria Planeta. He serves delicious gastronomic creations strongly rooted in tradition, prepared combining all the flavours and colours of the wonderful surroundings of La Foresteria Planeta.
Western Sicily Wine Routes
4 nights & 5 Days
Day 1 - Arrival
The starting point of this trip is Palermo, Sicily’s vibrant capital. You will be welcomed at Palazzo Brunaccini, a boutique hotel right in the heart of the historic centre, where you will get your first taste of Sicily’s unique gastronomy at the onsite restaurant, Don Carlo, where the chef transforms the best local products into delicious creations.
Overnight at Palazzo Brunaccini
Day 2 - Erice, Marsala & Mozia Island
Today you will leave Palermo for Menfi, one of the best wine areas on the island. A glorious coastal drive will first take you to Erice, a beautiful little town perched atop a mountain whose historic centre seems frozen in medieval times. From there, you will then reach Marsala, the town of wines and sea; it’s here that the famous Marsala wine is produced. Its origins are closely linked to the tiny island of Mozia, a precious archaeological site that you can reach with a quick boat ride and offers a unique wine tasting experience. Your final stop for the day will be the Planeta wine resort in Menfi, your base for the rest of the trip, where you’ll be welcomed with a delightful meal paired with their excellent wines.
Overnight at La Foresteria Planeta wine resort
Day 3 - Cooking Class & Archeology
You will spend the morning in the kitchen of Planeta’s restaurant for a hands-on insight into Sicilian gastronomy, under the watchful eye of Chef Angelo Pumilia, who will guide you through the secrets behind some of the island’s traditional dishes. The cooking class will be followed by a delicious lunch onsite. In the afternoon, you will reach Selinunte, an authentic Greek gem of Western Sicily, to explore one of the most important archaeological parks in the Mediterranean area. A relaxing dinner by the sea will be the perfect way to end a day spent between history and gastronomy.
Overnight at La Foresteria Planeta wine resort
Day 4 - Relax, more tastings and history
Spend a lazy morning by the infinity pool or with a walk through the vineyards and olive groves, then jump in the car to explore the Planeta’s cellars at Ulmo, a beautiful location on the banks of Lake Arancio. You’ll visit the vineyards, taste some great wines and enjoy a lovely lunch of local produce. The afternoon will be dedicated to the visit of the UNESCO-listed Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, the symbol of Sicily’s glorious classical past. A fabulous firewall dinner will then await you at Planeta.
Overnight at La Foresteria Planeta wine resort
Day 5 - Departure
It is time to say goodbye and see you soon for your next trip!!!!!
Postcards
Discover some of the most remarkable wineries, farms, villages and restaurants you will touch during this journey.
Palermo
Palermo is Sicily’s capital, a city with a multicultural soul and an incredible artistic heritage, with a heady mix of Byzantine mosaics, Arabesque domes and Baroque churches. Its vibrant street markets, filled with colourful stalls and salesmen shouting and singing to attract buyers, are the best place to taste the city’s famous street food.
Palazzo Brunaccini
This charming boutique hotel in the historical centre of Palermo combines tradition and design with a pure and simple style. Refined and period furniture, contemporary paintings and pictures, and designer items contribute to creating an intimate timeless atmosphere, where tradition and innovation live in a perfect balance.
Mozia Island and Tasca d’Almerita - Tenuta Whitaker
Located at the heart of the Stagnone Nature Reserve, off the stretch of coast between Trapani and Marsala, the tiny island of Mozia is an ancient Phoenician colony founded in the 8th century BC. Fast forward to the 20th century, the site was bought by Joseph Whitaker an amateur archaeologist and member of a family who greatly contributed to the development of the Marsala wine. Today the island’s precious Phoenician remains harmoniously coexist with the vineyards of the historic Whitaker estate, which are lovingly managed by the Tasca D’Almerita family and produce excellent white wine.
Marsala
Marsala is a beautiful coastal town historically famous for being the place where Garibaldi and his “expedition of the 1,000” disembarked on 11 May 1860 to fight against the Bourbon Kingdom, a key event for the unification of the Italian peninsula. The local pride and joy is the Marsala wine, which owes its birth to an English merchant and was the first Italian blend to receive the DOC designation back in the 1960s.
Erice
Erice is a stunning historic village of ancient origin perched on top of a mountain, with magical views of the sea and the surrounding valley. Ancient defensive walls encircle a maze of intriguing cobbled lanes leading to beautiful landmarks and interesting spots, including one of Sicily’s most famous pastry shops!
La Foresteria Planeta
Planeta is a magnificent wine resort immersed in a beautiful expanse of vineyards and olive groves, right between the beautiful Sicilian coast and the peaceful countryside near Menfi. The Planeta family produces excellent wine and oil and offers its guests authentic Sicilian hospitality. The onsite restaurant helmed by Chef Angelo Pumilia serves dishes that are firmly rooted in tradition, while the infinity pool in the garden is the perfect spot to switch off and take in the panoramas on hot summer days.
Learn more about the hotel
Tenuta Ulmo
Ulmo is where the Planetas planted the first vines around their family farmhouse dating from the 16th century. It’s a beautiful place hidden amid the hills of Menfi, on the banks of Lake Arancio. Here, they cultivate both indigenous and international vines. A highlight of the visit is the “Infernotto”, the family caveau containing all their vintages.
Selinunte
Selinute was founded in the 7th century BC by ancient Greeks seeking new markets and quickly became one of the most important centres in Magna Graecia. Today it’s a vast archaeological site where you can see the stunning remains of various Doric temples, sanctuaries and necropolis.
Menfi
The town of Menfi enjoys an enviable position just a stone’s throw from the coast of Western Sicily, close to the archeological parks of Segesta and Selinunte and at the heart of one of the island’s most important wine districts. The town centre boasts ancient noble palaces and the remains of the Norman castle built in the 12th century, while all around are hills covered in vineyards gently descending to a coastline of pristine beaches.
Da Vittorio Restaurant
The "Da Vittorio" is a beautiful restaurant by the sea in Porto Palo near Menfi. On the terrace facing the beach or indoor, you can enjoy dishes from the best tradition of the area. The restaurant is known for its fish-based specialities and the search for quality gastronomic products.
Agrigento Temples Valley
The UNESCO-listed Valley of the Temples is a fascinating archaeological park that bears testament to the Greek presence in Sicily. It corresponds to the ancient city of Agrigento, founded by the Greeks in the 6th century BC. Here you can see the impressive remains of several Greek temples, including the best-preserved Doric temple in the world along with the Parthenon in Athens.
