Welcome, my friend

Launched in 2009 and fully refitted in 2022, Riana is a custom-built 42-meter, 220-ton luxury sailing yacht with the elegance & grace of the traditional sailing yachts of yesteryear but with all the modern amenities one may expect.

My Volcano Dinner Cruise is a gourmet culinary odyssey. This private sunset dinner cruise sails between Milazzo, Sicily, and the volcanic island of Stromboli in the Aeolian Islands. 

Relaxed in luxury as bountiful seasonal delicacies of Sicily are served through sunset. Your gourmet five-course wine-paring dinner begins as we approach the volcanic Island of Stromboli - known for its perpetual eruptions as the "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean." 

This once-in-a-lifetime epicurean experience is accented by the rhythm of small eruptions that can be viewed from the safety of Riana. 

One to three more winery visits can be scheduled on the day of your winery visit and will be discounted at a packaged full-day price. Contessa Consulting has a great relationship with many wineries on Mount Etna. Visits can be arranged based on the client's preference, palate profile, and desire for depth in learning about the history of different wine production zones around the Etna DOC.

Etna has been one of the most exciting production zones of wine in the world throughout history and today. Mount Etna is Europe's highest-elevation volcano, sitting at 11,000 feet asl in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea on the island of Sicily. The volcano is active though gentle and creates an Alpine - Mediterranean climate. 

This paradox consists of long, warm, sunny days, lots of rain, chilly nights, and even enough snow to ski on the volcano in winter. These extreme diurnal temperature swings and well-draining volcanic soils made of black sands, pomace, stones, and rocks consisting of unique minerals coming from deep within the Earth's core are what lead to excellent grape growing conditions that bear fruit with good acidity, intense aromas, flavors, and a sapid, mineral finish. 

These highly sought wines are starting to be considered some of the most terroir-expressive, age-worthy wines that rival the noble wines of Barolo and Burgundy.

This tour is always suggested at the beginning of your day or days on the volcano to better understand the territory, climate, unique soils, and rich history of eruptions on Europe’s highest elevation and regularly active Mount Etna.  

Explore the craters and enjoy scenic views with options ranging from sunrise to sunset. For the brave and adventurous, a trip up to the summit can be arranged, as well as something more strenuous for the athletic type wanting to break a sweat and balance out the Dolce Vita lifestyle between indulging.

These educational tours will prepare you for the rest of your wine, food, and cultural experiences. Rides can be arranged to and from lodging if needed. Group and Private tours are available. 

Visit Bronte Pistacchio DOP, the home of Pistachio cultivation on Mount Etna, located on the northwest side of the volcano. Three generations of women run this operation, doing everything themselves, from tending to the pistachio trees that are sprung from the rocks and gravel of ancient volcanic soils to harvesting and preparing a variety of pistachio products. The Arabs brought the pistachio tree to Sicily like many other agricultural crops and imprints of culture. 

The pistachio trees mutated to the volcanic soils and only bear fruit every other year on Mount Etna, the harvest usually in September. This biennial harvest gives the Bronte Pistacchio DOP richer shades of purple and green and a higher concentration of oils and flavors. It amounts to a much smaller production than the other common growing zones of Iran, Turkey, and California, resulting in a higher price, almost double the cost of the countries mentioned above. Your visit will include a tour of the pistachio trees and a lunch featuring pistachio products and dishes throughout each course.

Just drop your guidebook, exit that food blog, stretch your belly, and join our Palermo morning street food tour. Let’s dive together into the most authentic food scene of Palermo!

My Palermo street food tour and the local market tour is an easy stroll with your laidback Sicilian friend around the markets of Capo and Vucciria. We will take our time among the food benches to spot the seasonal products and uncover the secrets of Sicilian cuisine. The experience starts from the very central Teatro Massimo, but the rest of the time will be spent around the backstreets of the city center, where not all tourists dare to wander on their own. We will stop at our favorite street food vendors and offer you the specialties of the day.

My Salumeria Visit, Tasting of Locally Sourced Charcuterie, and Porchetta  Tour experience and details are coming soon. If you have questions, just email me, and I will answer any and all. 

Restate sintonizzati, 

Brittany