Pedalino Wine Festa! 2026

September 24 – September 30, 2026

  • Celebrate with the village at Pedalino’s Sagra Della Vendemmia
  • Visit the historic chocolate-making baroque city of Modica
  • Visit Mount Etna and sample wines from the volcanic soils
  • Tour local farms and learn Sicilian recipes to recreate at home

Reserve Your Spot Today!

Trips Starting at $3,999

Get ready for an incredible week in Sicily! Let’s dive into what we have planned for you:

Thursday, Sept 24

We will start by getting you settled at Chiaramonte Villa. Come on in, unpack, and relax! In the evening, we’ll gather for a Welcome Dinner hosted by Gerardo to kick off our adventure.

Friday, Sept. 25

After breakfast at the villa, we’ll head out to Cantina Gulfi for a delightful wine tasting session. Then, we’ll enjoy a delicious luncheon at Projetto. The evening is yours to explore Chiaramonte with a stroll and a fantastic dinner.

Saturday, Sept. 26

Join us as we tour the market in Vittoria and then head to Modica for more exploring. We’ll have lunch at a private hoe with a Sicilian chef before you get some free time to enjoy the afternoon. In the evening, we’ll experience the fun and festivities of the Pedalino Wine Festival.

Sunday, Sept. 27

Start your day with breakfast at the villa before heading back to enjoy more of the Pedalino Wine Festival. The afternoon is free to relax. We will have a lovely dinner in the evening at Scornovaccia.

Monday, Sept 28

Have breakfast at the villa and prepare for a scenic drive to Giannavi. There, we’ll visit Agritourismo Giannavi and get a tour of the farm, take part in a cooking class, and indulge in an agriturismo luncheon. In the evening, a special dinner at Sardo Olive Grove awaits.

Tuesday, Sept 29

We’ll start with breakfast at the villa before venturing out to Mount Etna for a day of exploration and wine tasting. After checking into our hotel, enjoy some free time before joining us for dinner in Acireale.

Wednesday, Sept 30

Depending on your departure schedule, we will have breakfast ready for you. We’ll provide transport back to Comiso or Catania for your flights home, filled with wonderful memories.

Program Schedule

Day 1 Thursday, Sept 24

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

Day 2 Friday, Sept. 25

  • 9 a.m. Breakfast at Villa
  • 11 a.m. Wine Tasting Cantina Gulfi
  • 1 p.m. Luncheon at Projetto
  • 3 p.m. Return to Villa
  • Free Time – Evening
  • 8 p.m. Cena & Passeggiata in Chiaramonte

Day 3 Saturday, Sept. 26

  • 8 a.m. Market Tour Vittoria
  • 10 a.m. Modica Tour
  • Luncheon at Paolo & Ingrid
  • 3 p.m. Return Villa
  • Free Time
  • 8 p.m. Pedalino Wine Festival

Day 4 Sunday, Sept. 27

  • 8 a.m. Breakfast at Villa
  • 9 a.m. Pedalino Wine Festival
  • 2 p.m. Return to Villa
  • Free Time
  • 8 p.m. Dinner at Scornovaccia

Day 5 Monday, Sept 28

  • 8 a.m. Breakfast at Villa
  • 9 a.m. Departure for Giannavi (1-hour drive)
  • 10/10:30 Agritourismo Giannavi
  • Tour of the Farm and Cooking Class
  • Agriturismo Luncheon
  • 4 p.m Villa
  • 8 p.m. Dinner Sardo Olive Grove

Day 6 Tuesday, Sept 29

  • 8 a.m. Breakfast at Villa
  • (Checkout)
  • 9 a.m. Mount Etna & Wine Tasting
  • 4 p.m. Check-in Hotel
  • Free Time
  • 8 p.m. Dinner in Acireale

Day 7 Wednesday, Sept 30

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

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.