An Olive Harvest Experience (2025)

October 3 – October 9, 2025

  • Truly a hands-on experience like no other in the olive groves of Chiaramonte
  • Harvest and crush your own bottle of olive oil to take home
  • Tour Mount Etna and enjoy lunch and a wine tasting in its valley
  • Join in the celebration of the Sicilian Harvest in Zaffernese
  • Tour the historic city of Ragusa

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Trips Starting at $3,999

Day 1 – Friday, October 3

Welcome to Catania! We will gather everyone from the Catania airport in the afternoon to check into our charming Acireale Hotel. Feel the Sicilian air and maybe take a stroll to get acquainted with the town. In the early evening, let’s kick things off with a welcome drink and light meal together. The rest of the evening is yours to explore the local flavors and vibes of Acireale.

Day 2 – Saturday, October 4

Rise and shine! After breakfast at the hotel, we’re off to explore the majestic Mount Etna and indulge in some local wine tasting. Expect stunning views and volcanic landscapes. We will return to the hotel later in the day for some downtime. As evening approaches, we’ll gather for a delightful dinner in Acireale.

Day 3 – Sunday, October 5

Fuel up with breakfast before we head out to experience the lively Autumn Food Festival, The Ottobrata Zafferanese. Prepare for a burst of colors, flavors, and local crafts. Later, we will journey to Chiaramonte and check into our villa. Enjoy some free time before we come together for dinner and engaging conversation at the villa.

Day 4 – Monday, October 6

After breakfast at the villa, we’ll venture out for a wine tasting experience at Cantina Gulfi, where we’ll learn about their unique winemaking process. For lunch, we’ll enjoy a private location with breathtaking views perfectly paired with a meal prepared by Chef Danny. The rest of the afternoon is for you to relax or explore. In the evening, we’ll enjoy dinner and a leisurely stroll in Chiaramonte.

Day 5 – Tuesday, October 7

Start the day with breakfast at the villa. Then, get ready for an immersive experience with olives – we’ll learn about their significance in the region and even pick some ourselves! Enjoy a traditional lunch break. In the afternoon, we’ll return to the villa. Evening brings a visit to an oleificio (olive mill) and dinner.

Day 6 – Wednesday, October 8

Breakfast kicks off the day at the villa. We’ll then explore the beautiful Ragusa Ibla. Take your time wandering through its historic streets. We’ll regroup later in the afternoon. The evening will be filled with the delicious aroma of a BBQ at The Sardo Olive Farm.

Day 7 – Thursday, October 9

Enjoy breakfast based on your departure schedule. We’ll arrange transport back to flights from either Comiso or Catania, wrapping up our amazing Sicilian adventure.

Program Schedule

Day 1 Friday, Oct. 3

  • 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. Arrivals in Catania
  • Check-in to Acireale Hotel
  • Free Time
  • 7 p.m. Welcome Aperitivo
  • Evening on Your Own in Acireale

Day 2 Saturday, Oct. 4

  • 8 a.m. Breakfast at Acireale
  • 9 a.m. Mount Etna & Wine Tasting
  • 4 p.m. Return to Hotel
  • Free Time
  • 8 p.m. Dinner in Acireale

Day 3 Sunday, Oct. 5

  • 8 a.m. Breakfast at Acireale
  • 9 a.m. Autumn Food festival, The Ottobrata Zafferanese.
  • 5 p.m. Arrive in Chiaramonte
  • Villa Check-in
  • Free Time
  • 8 p.m. Dinner & Conversation at Villa

Day 4 Monday, Oct. 6

  • 9 a.m. Breakfast at Villa
  • 11 a.m. Wine Tasting Cantina Gulfi
  • 2 p.m. Luncheon at il Projetto
  • Free Time
  • 8 p.m. Cena & Passeggiata in Chiaramonte

Day 5 Tuesday, Oct. 7

  • 8 a.m. Breakfast at Villa
  • 9 a.m. A lesson in Olives – why this is an area of importance- guests will pick their own olives
  • 1 p.m. Traditional Lunch Break
  • 3 p.m. Return to Villa
  • Free Time
  • 7 p.m. Visit to oleificio, Olive Mill
  • 8 p.m. Dinner at Gerardo

Day 6 Wednesday, Oct. 8

  • 8 a.m. Breakfast at Villa
  • 10 a.m. Ragusa Ibla
  • Free Time
  • 2 p.m. Pickup at Ragusa Ibla
  • Free Time at Villa
  • 7 p.m. BBQ Evening at The Sardo Olive Farm

Day 7 Thursday, Oct. 9

  • Breakfast based on departure
  • Transport Back to Flights – Comiso or Catania

**Racing fans? Extend this week through Sunday for the Salita dei Monti Iblei. The Monti Iblei Cup (in Italian Coppa Monti Iblei) is a car competition, more precisely a hill climbing competition, occurring annually in Chiaramonte Gulfi (Sicily).

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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.