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December 29, 2011

Andy’s Top 10 Wines on 2011 DuVine Bike Tours

Filed under: Bordeaux, California, Corsica, Costa Rica, France, Italy, Latin America, Piedmont, Portugal, Sicily, Top 10 lists, Tuscany, Wine Tasting — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Bike tour guru @ 12:31 pm

No DuVine Adventures bike tour or adventure travel journey would be complete without the wine, and lots of it. We definitely take pride in our noses and palates, and are always on the lookout for another bottle that will leave us in awe for years to come. I know I’ve found more than a few on my adventures over the years, and this year was no different. So, I raise my glass to you on another fantastic year and give you the DuVine Top 10 Wines/Spirits of 2011, as part of our series of Top 10 Lists.

Domaine Fiumicicoli Rose, Corsica
It’s no surprise that the old adage warns a first time visitor to the island of Corsica, “get away from here before you’re completely bewitched and enslaved…” and the same might be said about this Corsican rose. This soon became my favorite as it lends a softer side to rose, quite different from those in Provence, more exotic with hints of passion fruit and bold fruit flavors on the palate. Not to mention it is the ideal beverage of choice to sip as you relax seaside after a great day climbing the mountains of Corsica – ever so refreshing!

bike tour and wine tasting in piedmont italy

Guido leading a tasting of his Marcantonio Barbera

Cascina Marcantonio Barbera
A perpetual on my list. Honestly, I’m not sure a year can go by without me including this in my top 10. This is the wine made by Guido, our guide, who also is the winemaker at his family’s vineyard in Piedmont. A very complex and complete wine with a base of sweet plums and an herbal-fruity finish of some length. Oh, and it makes a wonderful compliment to his mother’s plin (homemade ravioli)! Found on bike tours in Piedmont.

Gulfi Valcanzjira
It was a pleasant surprise to find this incredible ‘Chardonnay’ in Sicily at the Gulfi winery best known for its red Nerojbleo. This unique treat is created from a blend of several Chardonnay clones, grown on the plain of Chiaramonte Gulfi and autochthonous white grapes varieties of eastern Sicily: the Caricanti and the Albanello. You really need to check this one out. Found on bike tours in Sicily.

bike tour and wine tasting in tuscany italy

Heading in to Gulfi winery for a tasting

Sassicaia
You might recall hearing about this wine in the movie Sideways. I have to agree with Maya – this is one great Super Tuscan wine. I had the opportunity to sample this again while I was in Tuscany this past September and knew this Bordeaux-style Italian red had to make my list this year. Found on bike tours in Tuscany.

Ridge Valley Sonoma Zinfandel
What can I say? This wine is picked in various different vineyards around Sonoma County, and in many ways could be considered the epitome of Sonoma wine, as it offers broad flavors of the county and a glimpse into the history of winemaking in the region. If you are looking for a solid, go-to Zinfandel from Sonoma County this is your wine. Found on bike tours in the Napa Valley and Sonoma.

Volnay Santenots
The village of Volnay sits high up on the hill between Meursault and Pommard in the Côte de Beaune area. It was on one of my recent trips to Burgundy this past season that I became reacquainted with this Premier Cru made from Pinot Noir grapes and fell in love with it all over again. Whether you choose to sample while traveling through the vineyards of Burgundy or simply open a bottle at home, you are sure to be impressed with this selection. Found on bike tours in Burgundy.

Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Châteauneuf du Pape
Jean-Paul Daumen, the proprietor, winemaker, and Mr. Everything at Vieille Julienne has taken advantage of the ancient vines his family owns in the northern sector of Chateauneuf du Pape and, biodynamically farming the entire vineyard, has produced extraordinary wines since 1998. This wine is no exception. A truly classic Chateauneuf du Pape worthy of inclusion in this year’s list. Found on bike tours in Provence.

bike tour and wine tasting in portugal

Casa de Sabicos selection

Casa de Sabicos
I had the pleasure of joining Joaquim Madeira on a visit to his property in the Alentejo region of Portugal. What a wonderful memory I have of our lunch on the front porch of his home. Not only did we enjoy an amazing meal prepared by his wife Graça, but I had the chance to taste this memorable wine that he produces from Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alicante Boushet and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Don’t miss your chance to try this Portuguese wine! Found on bike tours in Portugal.

Casa Grande – Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
On a recent trip to Mexico City, I had the opportunity to first sample this delicious Mexican red. What a surprise to find more than wonderfully aged tequilas and refreshing local beers produced in Mexico! This wine is produced by Casa Madero, probably the oldest winery in the American continent, dating back to 1597, and is definitely worth a taste! Next time you are cooking Mexican food, bring a bottle home and give it try.

Centenario Rum
Ok, so I am straying a bit from topic with this selection, but feel it needs to be included in my top 10 this year. This unique rum was one of the highlights of my November visit to Costa Rica. And I didn’t even think I really liked rum! The volcanic soils of Costa Rica make an ideal environment for the cultivation of sugar cane, and the best of those crops are utilized for the production of this award winning rum. Give it a shot! Found on bike tours in Costa Rica.

bike tour and wine tasting in bordeaux france

Next stop: St. Emilion

St Emilion
You can’t go wrong with this classic Bordeaux wine. Made from a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes, Saint Emilion wines are considered the most robust of the Bordeaux. If you have yet had the chance to try, make a point to include this on your next tasting list. Found on bike tours in Bordeaux.

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December 13, 2011

Andy’s Top 10 Hotels of 2011

Filed under: Active Travel, Adventure Travel, California, Champagne, Corsica, Croatia, Dolomites, France, Hotels, Ireland, Mallorca, Portugal, Provence, Sicily, Top 10 lists — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — Bike tour guru @ 2:40 pm

Bike. Eat. Drink. Sleep. That’s the DuVine way whether you are on a luxury bike tour or expanding your horizons with an adventure travel trip. But none of it would be truly DuVine if you didn’t get the perfect night’s sleep (and evening’s rest and relaxation) every single day.

So, I give you my Top 10 Hotels of 2011. The only way to be sure that the hotels we bring you to are up to DuVine standards is to stay in them ourselves. So, I sucked it up and bedded down in each of them myself, just for a little quality control. It was hard work, putting my feet up and lounging in the incredible luxury, but someone had to do it. Now here they are for you, to either dream about if you haven’t been or to relive if you have. (These are in no particular order.)

Château Les Crayères

Château Les Crayères

Château Les Crayères in Champagne, France

Complete and utter elegance. That  is the only way to describe Château Les Crayères, which is the definition of French-style art de vivre if there ever was one. It is this majestic, 100-plus year-old chateau in Reims that we call home for two nights on our bicycle tour in Champagne, France. The work of Pierre-Yves Rochon, the stunning interior is a prototype of French classicism, and the ideal spot to contemplate a flute of Champagne after a spectacular day roaming the vineyards and countryside on your bike. The only thing that tops it may be the terrace outside, which offers a breath-taking view of the estate’s park. And if you haven’t had enough Champagne yet (could you ever, really?), Les Crayères features the finest in dining at its in-house restaurant, Le Parc, where French haute cuisine is exquisitely married with a comprehensive selection of vintages from the most prestigious growers. From the ride, to the room, to the dinner table, your experience at Château Les Crayères will be nothing short of exceptional.

Relais et Chateaux la Signoria in Corsica

After a day tackling the ceaselessly undulating terrain on the isle of Corsica, come to rest at night at the foot of the Corsican mountains at La Signoria, which will be more than a welcome site for your tired legs and hungry stomach. Looking out over the azure Mediterranean Sea, Hotel Signoria is a magical Genoese estate from the 18th century, whose private beach and pool offer chance for complete seclusion from the outside world while you fulfill he eating, drinking, and sleeping requirements on your DuVine bicycle tour in Corsica.

Andy’s Top 10 Hotels of 2011

Lešić Dimitri Palace

The Lešić Dimitri Palace in Korcula, Croatia

Intimate is a word that cannot be stressed enough when you are looking for true refinement. In the 18th century bishop’s palace that is the the Lešić Dimitri Palace, that is just what you will get. Stashed away behind the medieval walls in the town of Korcula, this palace features a mere six residences. Rather than carve up this historic building into traditional hotel rooms, the owners have instead chosen to form each story of the palace into a residence, each with no more than four bedrooms. When you do emerge from the confines of your private residency, the full treatment of a Thai therapy spa awaits, along with an astoundingly fresh meal at LD Terrace, the palace’s own first-class restaurant. On your bicycle tour in Croatia, this will certainly be a highlight.

Château de Roussan in Provence

Welcome to the home of Bertrand de Nostredame, brother of the famed Nostradamus. If only his brother could have predicted how much you are going to adore your stay at the former family chateau. Step inside and marvel at the flawless preservation of centuries of Provencal history. From its library that houses the collective works of names like Socrates and Montesquieu to the luxurious lounges where guests find a cozy seat to chat away, the Château de Roussan feels like paradise in Provence. And if you aren’t tired from you invigorating day of riding on your bicycle tour in Provence, the hotel’s park, greenhouse, and ponds offer a gorgeous landscape to explore on foot before heading off to dinner.

Cap Rocat

Cap Rocat in Mallorca, Spain

Be ready to be shocked when you first step into the island fortress that is Cap Rocat. Once a military outpost, this fortress on the Spanish island of Mallorca has been transformed into a palace of true grandeur. Tucked into the Bay of Palma and featuring a magnificent view, the hotel is one of the most unique we have seen, and has retained many of its defining features from its days of military service while adding all the amenities you could ever desire. Home for two nights on your bicycle tour in Mallorca, Cap Rocat offers the chance for serene relaxation in complete peace, removed from the crowds on the beaches and out in town. And as is the Spanish way, the hotel is just as food-centric as it is luxurious. With two outstanding restaurants on the premises, you will be wined and dined to your heart’s content (and your stomach’s), ready for the next leg of your DuVine adventure.

Convento do Espinheiro in Evora, Portugal

Staying with the theme of transformation, this gem in the Alentejo region of Portugal has been the home of serenity for over half a millennium. Originally a 15th century convent and now a UNCESCO world heritage site, the Convento has set the standard for luxury as long as anywhere we know of. Home for two nights on you bicycle tour in Portugal, the Convento do Epinheiro features not only marvelous guest rooms in which to recharge after an exhilarating ride, but also the first-class Diana Spa, where you can fully immerse yourself in the depths of relaxation. And after two days of outstanding cycling, Divinus Restaurant, which sits in the hotel’s ancient and charming wine cellar, offers an intimate experience with the sophisticated yet authentic local cuisine.

Ashford Castle

Ashford Castle in Ireland

Steeped in tradition in more ways than one, Ashford Castle in Mayo, Ireland is also a part of one of the most well-known Irish institutions today: Guinness. While the original structure was erected in 1228, in 1852 Ashford fell into the hands of  Sir Benjamin lee Guinness, who extended the estate to 26,000 acres and added thousands of trees and two large Victorian style extensions. Today, it is a five star hotel and recognized by many as one of the top 50 resorts in Europe. In addition to the magnificent rooms that have been meticulously preserved over time, the resort features a golf course, equestrian center, and countless lakes and rivers for fishing, any of which are the perfect way to pass an afternoon after a day spent tackling the Irish the countryside on your bicycle tour of Ireland. That is, of course, after you’ve indulged in a celebratory pint at the cocktail bar.

Rosa Alpina Hotel & Spa Relais & Châteaux in Badia (Dolomites ski tour)

Set in the village of San Cassiano in Badia, right in the heart of the Italian Dolomites, the Hotel & Spa Rosa Alpina is renowned for a discrete and refined hospitality. It belongs to the tourist district of Alta Badia, which was voted “Queen of the Alps” by the prestigious Italian Touring Club. Home for the first leg of your Dolomites ski tour, Rosa Alpina is the ideal spot to warm up by the fire and loosen your muscles at the spa or in the hot tub after a day carving turns in the Dolomiti.

Castello Cememi

Castello Camemi in Sicily

Shouldn’t a hotel leave you feeling like royalty when you finally settle in for the night? Nestled deep in the Sicilian countryside, Castello Camemi is sure to do just that. Tucked away in this spectacular 15th century castle that has since been converted to a 5-star hotel, it will be easy to believe that you are Italian nobility, enjoying a summer retreat in the Ilbei mountains of Sicily — that is, of course, until you step back on your back the next day, when you’ll realize that life is even better than that on your DuVine bicycle tour in Sicily. With just fourteen rooms, the Castello Camemi will feel for all the world like your own private castle, with your own private dining room and wine cellar to boot.

Solage in Calistoga, California

Is 22 acres enough to call your own? We’d like to think so, and at Solage in Calistoga, California, those are 22 of the finest acres that Napa Valley has to offer, flanked on either side by the Mayacamas and Palisades mountain ranges and which offer only the most stunning of viewpoints from which to watch the sunset, glass of chardonnay or cabernet sauvignon in hand. Solage is home to far more than just breath-taking views and world-class guest rooms, though. The epitome of over the top, it boasts in the number one rated spa in the Americas, as voted for by Conde Naste Traveller, as well as the Michelin-starred restaurant Solbar, where we will refuel our engines after a day of scenic wine country riding on your bicycle tour in Napa Valley and Sonoma.

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May 24, 2011

European Bike Tours – Notes from the Road

Filed under: France, Italy, Sicily, Tuscany, Umbria, loire valley — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Bike tour guru @ 12:54 pm

As our guides and guests have pedaled through the early spring on our European Bike Tours we have captured those unique memories in our Notes from the Road photos and updates.  Check out these snippets and link through to all of the great pictures and comments.

bike tour tuscany italy

A Tuscan field of dreams

Bike Tour in Tuscany Italy – Tom and David, created and hosted a private Tuscan bike tour for three great couples. They turned the classic Tuscany bicycle tour on its head and the results were incredible.  The early spring colors of Tuscany were vibrant yellows and greens and the riding and dining were classic DuVine.

bike tour sicily italy

The Sicilian countryside

Bike Tour in Sicily Italy – Our first Sicily tour of the year kicked off to a great start! And, according to Andy, who stopped by to join the guests “we feel like the only tourists around for hundreds of miles”! Aside from encounters with the locals and, of course, a major Sicilian traffic jam (aka a flock of sheep), they enjoyed the empty roads up and down the valleys around Vizzini and experienced a true taste of Sicily – from the delicious local fare (soufflé of eggplant with Modica chocolate and spicy gorgonzola) to the warm hospitality of the locals (the town priest inviting the guests into his home for limoncello ). Yes, Sicily is far from the maddening crowd…pretty much even Blackberry-free!

umbria italy bike tour

Apres Velo in Bevagna

Bike Tour in Umbria Italy – The first Umbria bicycle tour of the season provided guides David and Guido and our guests with July-like temperatures in the 80’s. The tour introduced guests to friends old and new, from Gherardo, the owner of one of our favorite haunts in Trevi, to random women on the street in Trevi who insist on dancing with Adam. We also had a chance in Assisi to explore Saint Francis’ favorite spots surrounding the town, and see first-hand the frescos of Giotto and Cimabue that lead to the Italian renaissance in art.

Bike Tour in the Loire Valley France – Team Tommy as they have come to be known were pre-tripped the Loire Valley

bike tour loire valley france

Tommy in the corn

bike tour and had a great time: visiting old friends at Château de Cheverny, losing the van keys in a corn field (found them eventually) and eating all the asparagus they could find! The Loire Valley bike tour is going to be great this year and the guides have certainly gotten all mapped out.

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May 10, 2011

Bike Tour in Sicily

Filed under: Italy, Sicily, Video Blog — Bike tour guru @ 10:00 am

One of DuVine’s newest bicycle tours in Italy is our bicycle tour in Sicily. According to DuVine guide Tom Coppock Sicily is the real Italy, that has somewhat disappeared from the Italian Peninsula, great old towns and history that have been hidden away but easily accessible if you know how to get there.

One of the great things about Sicily, along with its wonderful food and wine, is the quiet, the roads are un-crowded and the loudest sound you are likely to hear are the chirping birds, not bad if you are city bound most of the rest of the year.

So, check out this video and come explore the Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto on DuVine’s Sicily bike tour. You are guaranteed to feel like a native and never want to leave this little corner of the Mediterranean’s biggest island.

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May 4, 2010

History in Sicily – The Baroque Experience

Filed under: Bike, European bike tours, Italy, Sicily, Staff Posts, Tours, staff stories — Tags: , , , — Bike tour guru @ 3:26 pm

Touring Sicily by bicycle

The great thing about traveling in Europe, and Italy in particular, is the fact that the paths you take will always bring you close to key areas of historical importance.

One of our newest bike tours in Italy, is the Sicily bike tour, which achieves just this, taking our guests into the Valley of Noto and the Ragusano. Considered one of the most outstanding representations of the Sicilian Baroque – a dramatic style which flourished around Europe in the XII Century, this unique part of Sicily is also home to several sites marked as World Heritage by UNESCO.

The Sicilian Baroque period only lasted about fifty years, from about 1665 until 1730, perfectly reflecting the extravagant and wealthy way of life of the Spanish Aristocracy, who were ruling the island at the time. Guarino Guarini, the foremost proponent of the Italian Baroque Architecture, first introduced the style from continental Italy to Sicily around 1660. At first, the unconventional, curvy, flamboyant lines – definitions of the Baroque style, clashed against the rigorous and orderly neoclassicism, therefore being heavily criticized.

Sicilian History

Once you reach the city of Noto, you will be surrounded by the quintessential representation of the stunning beauty and harmony of the Baroque. Noto is a sparkling gem located on a hill overlooking olive fields, shining in a sun-filled palette of orange and yellow… its view will take your breath away.

As a phoenix rising from its ashes, Noto was completely destroyed by the 1693 earthquake and rebuilt approximately 10 km from its original site, on three levels: the lower was occupied by the common people, the middle by the clergy and the highest was designated to the nobles.

Sicilian cannoli

The historic crossroads of Noto are the charming Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Via Cavour, and Via Nicolaci, where most of the religious buildings and aristocratic palaces can be found: the majestic Cathedral, Palazzo Ducezio, Porta Reale, Basilica del SS. Salvatore are among the numerous breathtaking sites. But Noto is not only a delight for your eyes: you will indulge yourself with a ‘sweet break’ with creamy cannoli siciliani, cassate and, to sooth your thirst, what’s more ideal than a glass of fresh almond milk or a jasmine granita in one of the numerous authentic cafés?

We believe that the best way to experience and become a true protagonist of the Baroque period is by getting ‘lost’ in the maze of stone paved alleys in the old town – andar per vicoli. Wherever the eye may fall, it will be a triumph of grinning grotesque masks, spiral columns, wrought iron balustrades, sinuous façades – exuberant elements of painting, sculpture and stucco blend together to create amazement and wonder!

This generous, evocative region is waiting for you, so join us on our bike tour, and you will experience a luxury vacation framed by natural beauty, arts, exquisite cuisine and the genuine sense of hospitality of the Sicilian people.

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April 20, 2010

How we created the Sicily Bike Tour

Filed under: Bike, Italy, Sicily, Tours — Tags: , , , , — Bike tour guru @ 12:03 pm

I had 6 days off between tours in Tuscany at the beginning of October last year and was itching for one last adventure before heading back to Boston for the winter.  I’d narrowed my choices down to two epic bike trips: riding from Tuscany to Prague or cycling around Sicily.  It was the cold, wet weather forecast in the Alps that decided things for me.  I wasn’t about to brave the Brenner Pass in an October rainstorm.  So, instead, I decided to head south to sunny Sicily, where summer was still in full swing.

I arrived in Palermo only after a nervous night of train travel.

It turns out bikes aren’t allowed on night trains, but I managed to smuggle mine aboard anyways, disassembling it and wrapping it in a fleece jacket and raincoat so it lost all identifiable features.  Needless to say, it was a relief to get off the train and set off on two wheels.

While I was not necessarily “on assignment for DuVine”, it was hard to turn off my guide sensibilities entirely and not see all of Italy for its tour potential.  Consequently, my impressions of Palermo were largely negative.  Like many Southern Italian cities, it’s a place that you either love or could do without.  It is an aging beauty to whom age has not been terribly kind.  Allied bombing in WWII hasn’t helped, but evening the historic buildings that did survive are often uncared for, covered in the black soot from a century of motorists.  The fact that many of these buildings come from the Baroque period only further emphasizes the sense of decay as the pigeons and graffiti seems to mock the original exuberance and pretentiousness of their designers.  The city’s saving grace is its atmosphere, the hustle and bustle of a place where life is lived on the streets.  But would this make up for its other flaws?  I didn’t think so and I set off into the countryside to find a more positive image of the island.

The greeness of the Sicilian countryside

It didn’t take long.  Immediately after climbing out of the city and onto the surrounding plateau, the landscape opens up.  Two things struck me immediately: the greenness of the countryside and the ruggedness of the mountains.  In a way, it was reminiscent of Switzerland where the rural idyll of green pastures and tidy chalets butts up against the untamed bulk of the Alps.  Here too, great spires of rock emerged from the vineyards and fields.  This would be prime country for a trip, I thought.

However, the towns I passed through, such as Corleone (to whom the Godfather owes his name), were uniformly drab, made up of the universally lamented post-war apartment blocks surrounded by poorly zoned grocery stores and gas stations.

When DuVine creates tours in Europe, we look for the perfect marriage between the work of man and the work of nature.  Rides should only cross the most scenic landscapes and pass through the most attractive towns.  Our entire tour-creating team is famous for elaborate routes that ride along a scenic ridge or avoid a stretch of sprawl.  We only have 6 days to make guests fall in love with these regions, so why not seek out the best?  And this area south of Palermo was nice, but I was convinced that there was better.

I rode that day to Agrigento, famous for its still-standing Greek temples.  Again I was disappointed with the work of man.  The temples were fantastic, but the descendants of these early Greek settlers had strayed far from the simple elegance of their ancestors in the creation of the modern-day city.  Did Sicily really lack any truly attractive towns?  I was losing hope.

The moment of truth came the next evening as I was walking around the streets of Ragusa.  Here again, the city seemed devoid of true charm.  Laid out in a grid pattern, with the streets running precipitously downhill, it was certainly not ugly, but neither was it particularly memorable.  On a tip from my effusive hosts at my B and B, I followed Corso Italia downhill looking for something they called Ragusa Ibla.  I was not looking forward to the climb back up and was almost on the verge of turning around, when this view came into sight:

Ragusa Ibla

While the main city of Ragusa is perched on the hillside above the Irminio valley, Ragusa Ibla is a city apart, perched on a smaller hill of its own that rises from the valley.  The division between the two reflects the differing attitudes of the locals after an earthquake wiped out the original city in 1693.  The nobles rebuilt on the old site of Ragusa Ibla, whereas most of the townspeople said “never again” opting for a safer site on the hillside above.  The result of this noble building boom is the aesthetic gem you see in the picture.  In fact, the whole southeast corner of the island experienced a stunning Baroque makeover during this period of rebuilding.   Finally, I had found the Sicily I had been hoping for.

The next day on the bike confirmed my judgment.  Not only did every town have this beautiful Baroque layout, but the landscape was some of the most beautiful I had ever seen.  From steep gorges to open plateaus, every direction brought a new delight for the eyes.  And from a cyclist’s standpoint, the roads couldn’t have been better.  Often I would go 15 minutes without seeing a car, all while navigating through winding descents, bright green pastures and sweet climbs, that lure you on with tantalizing views around each curve.

Incredible cycling roads

Unfortunately, my time was limited and I had to head back to Messina for a train back north.  However, the memories of those two days on a bike stuck with me and when Andy asked me to create a bike trip in Sicily, I knew right where it had to be: Ragusa and surroundings.

So, I’ve spend the winter physically at a desk in Boston, but mentally exploring this corner of the island.  We’ve looked at every luxury hotel in the region, finally settling on 3 that are not only beautiful places to stay, but also offer guests a window into the past, as they are all restored historic buildings.  The food and wine options are staggering, and from dinner at Sicily’s top restaurant to chocolate and cheese tastings, we will have the full flavor of one of Italy’s most highly esteemed regional cuisines.

Fabio, one of DuVine’s newest guides, and himself a Sicilian (albeit from Trapani on the west coast) is already raving about the tour.  He has been out cycling the routes these past few days and reports that it is the best riding he has ever seen (better even than Tuscany).  I’m about to go down and join him, so I’ll see if his claims stand up to my soft spot for Tuscany.

Fabio, our new guide

By the end of the month, we’ll have all the finishing touches worked out and be eagerly awaiting the first tour.  No other company in the world offers a unique and personalized bike trip quite like this in Sicily that focuses on this one region alone.  There are no long van transfers or whirlwind tours, just great biking from place to place, time to explore the UNESCO world heritage towns of Ragusa, Siracusa, Noto and Modica and the opportunity to get a real feel for Sicily.  All of us here at DuVine are expecting great things!

Tanti Auguri,
Tom Coppock
Guide and Italian Manager

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