Wine, Chocolate & Flowers

May 14 – May 20, 2026

  • Celebrate the flowers with a tapestry of colors in Noto
  • Tour the grottos of Ortigia
  • Immerse yourselves in the history of Ragusa
  • Learn about Sicily’s DOP wines specifically to our region

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Trips Starting at $3,999

Day 1: Thursday, May 14 – Arrival in Sardinia

Our journey begins as we touch down at either CTA or CIY airport. From there, we’ll make our way to the charming countryside of Chiaramonte Gulfi. After settling in and perhaps taking a moment to breathe in the Sardinian air, the evening culminates in a welcoming dinner amidst the serene Sardo Olive Grove at 8 p.m.

Day 2: Friday, May 15 – Wine Country Delights

This morning, after a lovely 8 a.m. breakfast at the villa, we’ll set out to explore the renowned wine region. Our first stop is Cantina Gulfi for a wine tasting experience. Following this, we’ll enjoy a delightful luncheon at a private home prepared by Chef Danny. The afternoon brings another exciting wine tasting at Bortolone. As the day winds down, we’ll return to the villa, with a evening free to relax and savor the memories of the day’s discoveries.

Day 3: Saturday, May 16 – Markets and More Wine

Breakfast awaits us at the villa at 8 a.m., setting us up for a vibrant morning. We’ll immerse ourselves in local life market tour in Vittoria. Then, we have a date with the exceptional wines of Occhipinti. Our afternoon features a light lunch at Gerardo, where we’ll also have a tasting of regional wines and olive oil – a true treat for the senses! After returning to the villa for some free time, the evening will bring us to Chiaramonte for dinner at 9 p.m.

Day 4: Sunday, May 17 – Baroque Beauty and Sweet Treats

An early start today as we depart the villa for Noto, a city famed for its Baroque architecture. We’ll arrive just in time for the breathtaking Noto Flower Festival – an explosion of colors and fragrances beyond imagination! We’ll enjoy lunch in Noto around noon, soaking in the city’s beauty. Our afternoon takes a delicious turn with a stop in Modica for some of its famous chocolate. Returning to the villa, a light meal will be waiting for us.

Day 5: Monday, May 18 – Coastal Charms of Ortigia

After an early breakfast at the villa and completing our check-out, we’ll depart for the island of Ortigia. A highlight of our morning will be a captivating grotto boat tour, exploring the stunning sea caves. By 6 p.m., we’ll check into our hotel in Acireale, ready for some free time before enjoying dinner on our own this evening, allowing us to explore the local culinary scene.

Day 6: Tuesday, May 19 – Etna’s Majesty and Volcanic Wines

A delightful breakfast at our Acireale hotel at sets the stage for an exciting day. We’ll experience a unique wine tasting, nestled on the slopes of Mount Etna, before embarking on a tour of the majestic Mount Etna itself, taking in the dramatic landscapes. We’ll return to our hotel around 4 p.m. for some free time before heading out for our farewell dinner.

Day 7: Wednesday, May 20 – Farewell Sardinia

Our final day. Breakfast will be based on individual departure times. Depending on our flight schedules, we’ll have individual or group car service arranged to take us to Catania Airport, filled with wonderful memories of our Sardinian adventure.

Program Schedule

Day 1 Thursday, May 14

  • 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, May 15

  • 8 a.m. Breakfast at Villa
  • 11 a.m. Wine Tasting Cantina Gulfi
  • 1 p.m. Luncheon at Projetto
  • 4 p.m. Wine Tasting Bortolone
  • Return to Villa
  • Free Time – Evening

Day 3 Saturday, May 16

  • 8 a.m. Breakfast at Villa
  • 9 a.m. Market Tour Vittoria
  • 11 a.m. Wine Tasting Occhipinti
  • 2 p.m. Light Lunch at Gerardo
  • (Tasting of Regional Wines & Olive Oil)
  • Return to Villa
  • Free Time
  • 9 pm Depart for Dinner in Chiaramonte

Day 4 Sunday, May 17

  • 7 a.m. Depart Villa for Noto
  • 8:30 a.m. Noto Flower Festival
  • Noon Lunch in Noto
  • 4 p.m. Stop in Modica Chocolate
  • Return to Villa
  • Light Meal at Villa

Day 5 Monday, May 18

  • 7 a.m. Breakfast at Villa (Checkout)
  • 8 a.m. Depart for Ortigia
  • Grotto Boat
  • 6 p.m Check in Hotel Acireale
  • Free Time
  • 8 p.m. Dinner on Own

Day 6 Tuesday, May 19

  • 9 a.m. Breakfast at Acireale
  • 10 .a.m. Terra Costantino Winery Tasting
  • Tour of Mount Etna
  • 4 p.m. Return to Hotel
  • Free Time
  • 8 p.m. Dinner in Acireale

Day 7 Wednesday, May 20

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

*May change the program after we attend this year. May 23–25: Feast of San Giorgio, Ragusa Ibla, Sicily (processions, fireworks, mostly on final day)

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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.