SICILY TOUR - DAY 1 - 3 APRIL 2024

A 6:30am flight meant a very early start, with a 3am coach pick up, yet this did not seem to deter the smiles! Finally we were on our way!

The flight landed at Catania airport at 10:45 local time, in glorious sunshine! We met Emily, our host from Rayburn Tours and boarded the coach, aptly named Di Bellas!

After such an early start we were ready for lunch and happily were on our way to Gambinos Vini on the slopes of Mount Etna. Passing fabulous citrus and olive groves along the route, Fabio, our driver expertly manoeuvred the coach up the narrow, winding roads, with those amongst us, of a vertiginous nature, wishing they had sat on the aisle!

Arriving at Gambinos, we were greeted by the lovely Nino and a glass of Grillo which we enjoyed in the sunshine whilst taking in spectacular views of the Ionian coastline and the grape vines just in bud.

Following a tour of the cellar, we were shown to our table in the orangery where we thoroughly enjoyed a light lunch and a flight of four Sicilian wines. After a few more selfies on the terrace, we sang an impromptu a capella rendition of Ching a Ring Chaw to the staff and visitors. To the surprise of the choir, we finished the piece sharp! Was this the effect of Sicilian wine? It was decided more must be consumed during the week, to test the theory!

Back on the coach, a sleepy journey saw us dropped of at the coastal village of Letojanni, where we had a short meander down a cobbled street to the Hotel San Pietro facing the beach. We settled in at the hotel and enjoyed free time and a much needed early night!