An Authentic Sicilian Celebration Festa della Madonna

April 9 – April 15, 2026

  • Modica Chocolate Tour and Private Farm Luncheon
  • Ragusa Ilba Tour World Heritage City
  • A Celebration you won’t forget as the citizens of Chiaramonte welcome their Madonna
  • Agritourismo Giannavi Farm Tour and Cooking Class

Reserve Your Spot Today!

Trips Starting at $3,999

Day 1: Arrival and Welcome to Chiaramonte.

Begin your journey upon arrival at either Catania (CTA) or Comiso (CIY) airport. From there, you will be transported to the elegant Chiaramonte Villa. Check in and enjoy some free time to settle in. The evening culminates in a delightful Welcome Dinner at Sardo Olive Grove, setting the stage for a week of culinary exploration.

Day 2: Exploring Modica and Ragusa.

Start the day with a hearty breakfast at the villa. Embark on a tour of Modica, a city renowned for its Baroque architecture and chocolate. Experience a private luncheon at Paolo & Ingrid’s family farm in the countryside, savoring authentic Sicilian hospitality. Continue to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Ragusa for a guided tour, followed by free time to enjoy gelato and wander through its charming streets. The evening concludes with a delicious dinner in Ragusa.

Day 4: Festival Day and Local Flavors.

Start with breakfast at the villa, then depart for Chiaramonte to experience the Festa della Madonna di Gulfi, a local celebration filled with tradition and pageantry. Enjoy lunch in Chiaramonte, immersing yourself in the town’s atmosphere. Return to the villa for free time, followed by a memorable dinner at Gerardo.

Day 5: Farm Life and Culinary Delights.

Enjoy breakfast before checking out of the villa. Travel to Giannavi for an agriturismo experience, including a tour of the farm and a hands-on cooking class. Indulge in an agriturismo luncheon, savoring the flavors of the region. Check into your hotel in Acireale in the evening and enjoy dinner at your leisure.

Day 6: Mount Etna and Zafferana Etnea.

Begin with breakfast in Acireale, then embark on a hike and history tour of Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano. Explore the culture and food of Zafferana Etnea. Return to the hotel for free time and enjoy dinner in Acireale.

Day 7: Departure.

Enjoy a final breakfast before individual or group car service to Catania Airport for your departure flights, taking with you unforgettable memories of your Sicilian adventure.

Program Schedule

Day 1 Thursday, April 9

  • Airport Arrivals CTA or CIY
  • 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. Arrivals at Chiaramonte Villa
  • Check-in
  • Free Time
  • 8 p.m. Welcome Dinner Sardo Olive Grove

Day 2 Friday, April 10

  • 9 a.m. Breakfast at Villa
  • 10 a.m. Modica Tour
  • Private Luncheon at Paolo & Ingrid
  • A family farm and friends in the countryside
  • Tour of Ragusa
  • Gelato free time to roam this UNESCO City
  • 8 pm Dinner in Ragusa

Day 3 Saturday, April. 11

  • 8 a.m. Breakfast at Villa
  • 9 a.m. Market Tour Vittoria
  • Noon to 3 pm
  • Chill at the Villa with snacks from chef
  • 3 pm Light Dinner and Sunset at il Projetto

Day 4 Sunday, April 12

  • 8 a.m. Breakfast at Villa
  • 9 a.m. Departure for Chiaramonte
  • Festa della Madonna di Gulfi
  • Lunch in Chiarmonte
  • 4 p.m. Return to Villa Free time
  • 8 p.m. Dinner Gerardo

Day 5 Monday, April 13

  • 8 a.m. Breakfast at Villa (Checkout)
  • 9 a.m. Departure for Giannavi (1-hour drive)
  • 10/10:30 Agritourismo Giannavi
  • Tour of the Farm and Cooking Class
  • Agriturismo Luncheon
  • 6 p.m Check in Hotel Acireale
  • Free Time
  • 8 p.m. Dinner on Own

Day 6 Tuesday, April 14

  • 8 a.m. Breakfast at Acireale
  • 9 a.m. Mount Etna Hike & History
  • Culture & Food tours of Zafferana Etnea
  • 4 p.m. Return to Hotel
  • Free Time
  • 8 p.m. Dinner in Acireale

Day 7 Wednesday, April 15

  • Breakfast based on departure
  • Individual/Group Car Service to Catania Flights

Extend this Spring tour and spend two days by the sea on arrival, visit Ortigia/Sircausa on Day 2, and then head to Chiaramonte for five nights, finishing with two nights in Acireale.

Reserve Your Spot Today


The Fine Print

Program Fee Inclusions

The Fine Print

The per-person program fee includes 6 nights of hotel accommodation, most meals, daily cultural and culinary activities, cooking demos, tips/ gratuities on Lit’l Pond Productions, LLC meals, and other scheduled activities, hired transportation services, and expert guides.

What is not included in the Program Fee? Air travel, non-refundable passport fees, visas, excess baggage charges, optional excursions, extensions, meals not detailed in the itinerary, tips to tour escort and long-distance bus driver, expenses incurred during free periods, airport taxes that are collected on the spot in foreign airports, departures taxes, airport fees, airline and federal security fees and ticket handling fees, surcharges due to changes in currency, any mandatory new or increased fees/taxes/fuel surcharge (if any) levied on airline tickets, hotels, incidental expenses in hotels, hotel room upgrades, and transport to/from the airports. Transportation from Catania or Comiso airports on arrival and departure days, as outlined in the itinerary, are included. The Land Package Travel program begins after you arrive at the hotel accommodation. If traveling outside the arrival and departure days, participants must make their round-trip travel arrangements and join the program at the hotel accommodations. Lit’l Pond Productions, LLC, Daniel Mellman, and Michelle Moran are not responsible for the participant in any way when the participant is not part of the main group.

Luggage

Please check with your air carrier directly for their specific baggage liability limitation. Some airlines are strictly adhering to their policy of one carry-on bag. Airlines are not responsible for any act or event during the time the participants are not on board their planes or conveyances. Luggage travels at the risk of the participant, and Lit’l Pond Productions, LLC is not responsible for any delay, loss, or damage to it or its contents. When issued, the participant’s contract in use by the airline shall constitute the sole contract between the airline and the participant. Any transportation companies mentioned herein shall have or incur no responsibility for liability to any traveler aside from their liability as common carriers.

Cancellations

June Tours. If canceled before April 15, 2024, by the traveler for any reason, deposits and program payments will be reimbursed in full, except for a cancellation fee of $375. Between April 15, 2024, and May 31, 2024, 50% of the total tour price, including the deposit, is forfeited. As of June 1, 2024, no refund is possible.

September tours. If canceled before July 1, 2024, by the traveler for any reason, deposits and program payments will be reimbursed in full, except for a cancellation fee of $375. Between July 2024 and August 31, 2024, 50% of the total tour price, including the deposit, is forfeited. As of September 1, 2024, no refund is possible.

There are no exceptions to this policy. We understand that emergencies of all nature do arise. However, there are no exceptions to this cancellation policy. Of course, if the trip is canceled for reasons force majeure (such as the pandemic, war, or natural disaster), Lit’l Pond Productions, LLC will fully refund the registration.

Waiver

Participants waive and release Lit’l Pond Productions, LLC, Daniel Mellman and Michelle Moran, its affiliates, agents, directors, officers, and employees including any person or entity employed or utilized by Lit’l Pond Productions in any foreign country, from all claims arising from any injury, loss, damage, accident, delay, or expense resulting from events beyond its control, including without limitation, acts of God, war, terrorism, strikes, incidents of politically- motivated violence, sickness or quarantine, government restrictions or regulations, and, in the absence of its gross negligence, arising from the use of any vehicle or Lit’l Pond Productions selection of, or from any act or omission by any bus or car rental agency, steamship, airline, railroad, taxi or tour service, hotel service, hotel, restaurant, school, university, or other firm, agency, company or individual.

Participants understand that Lit’l Pond Productions, LLC will take pictures and videos during the tour that may appear on social media, online, and in email communications.
Lit’l Pond Productions.

Changes in Itineraries and Program Assignment

Lit’l Pond Productions, LLC, reserves the right to change fees, departure cities, itinerary sequence, trip direction, hotels, optional excursions, and activities. Lit’l Pond may cancel a program due to insufficient enrollment, unforeseen operational difficulties, lack of projected availability, or other reasons.

Medical & Travel Insurance

We will require all participants to procure medical insurance for their travel time. Proof of insurance should be submitted with final payment. While we cannot offer travel insurance for the cost of the trip or your air travel, here are three widely used travel insurance companies: Allianz, Travelex, Travel Guard by AIG.