🎆 Perks & Rec: December 2025 🎆

Dec 17, 2025

12 min read

Catania

September ‘25

I arrived in Catania solo from Madrid. Lauren was still in France on the Women’s Retreat so I decided to begin “research” for our upcoming tours next year. 

Sicily slapped me right away! I’ll admit I was a little intimidated at first. It’s tough and gritty and unapologetic. But the closer you look, the more beauty you'll discover. The people are kind and friendly, the architecture is inspiring and I predict staples of Sicilian cuisine like caponata, arancini, granita and Etna wines will soon be ubiquitous at your favorite restaurants and wine bars. 

The streets glow at night and there are ancient ruins directly outside the front door of my hotel. After checking in, I walked to the closest wine bar on my list.

Razmataz is tucked away down a side street just off Via Etnea, the main street in Catania. The vibe was rustic and cool so I sat down at the small bar. With two rather unsettling ceramic heads staring down at me, I simply ordered a glass of Etna Bianco, the local white that tastes like minerals and sunlight, then began reviewing my restaurant hit list.

When I ordered a second glass, the bartender returned with a small snack and glanced at my paper. 

“Uzeta, bene.” He continued, “Razmataz, Primo!”

I laughed. 

“You did your homework,” he said, confirming my line up was legit.

“But, mi scusi,” he said, reaching for my pen. 

He wrote down the names of a couple restaurants. “This, no,” he shook his head and crossed one off.

“Giuseppe! Come si chiama la pizzeria?  No, quella del fratello, lo cibo da strada.”

He explained that there were two rival pizza shops close by, and the two owners were brothers that didn’t get along. The two went back and forth over the name of the restaurant, so my attention returned to the little fried ball on my plate. I know what you’re thinking. The same thing I was. Arancini? Right? Wrong! 

My favorite Sicilian dish is Sarde a Beccafico! It’s crispy on the outside, delicate on the inside with an explosion of intense flavors.

The dish dates back to the Bourbon era in Sicily (18th–19th century), when aristocrats enjoyed a small bird delicacy called the beccafico. A songbird that fed on figs and was stuffed, roasted, and served as an elite dish. The name literally means “fig-eater birds.”

Poorer Sicilians, unable to afford such game, created an ingenious alternative using abundant local ingredients: butterflied sardines from the Mediterranean, breadcrumbs, raisins, pine nuts, and parsley. All pantry staples of the peasant kitchen. They rolled and baked the sardines to resemble the original bird dish, hence the name Sarde a Beccafico.

The dish became a symbol of Sicilian ingenuity, transforming humble, inexpensive ingredients into something rich in flavor and meaning. It captures the island’s Arab-Norman-Spanish culinary heritage, with sweet-savory contrasts (from raisins and pine nuts) reminiscent of Middle Eastern influence, combined with Mediterranean seafood traditions.

The city sits at the base of Mt. Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano and has been destroyed 7 times in recent history. Most notably in late 1600’s an earthquake leveled 90% of eastern Sicily. However, it was rebuilt in magnificent baroque style and Catania is one of the best preserved examples of this style in Europe today. 

I thanked the guys and headed out. Strolling through the labyrinth of uneven paths made of volcanic stone I smell fresh pastry dough and espresso wafting through the air. 

At night, I noticed the staggering beauty and cohesion of the architecture, contrasted by a sort of charismatic chaos among the people in the streets. 

If you like the stoic certainty and precision of Germany or the manicured beauty of Austria, this might not be your place. But if you crave intensity of flavor, of feeling, of life… you’ll fall in love with Sicily!

I can’t wait to be back next year! 

🇮🇹 Sicily 2026 - This will be an unforgettable journey through Sicily, an island where every turn reveals breathtaking landscapes, timeless history, and culinary traditions as bold as its wines. Stand on the dramatic slopes of Mt. Etna, where volcanic soil gives life to some of the world’s most distinctive vineyards. Wander the baroque streets of Catania, glowing golden in the afternoon sun. Step back in time among the Greek temples of Agrigento, silent witnesses to centuries of civilization. And let the vibrant energy of Taormina sweep you into its bustling markets, fragrant with citrus, spices, and fresh seafood. This is an immersive experience of Sicily’s diverse terroir, where culture, cuisine, and history intertwine into something unforgettable.

👉 This Trip is Fully Booked

2025 in Review 🎆

2025 has been the year everything came together!

Here’s to new friends, more adventures and more stories to tell! Terroir Tours has grown in ways I could have never predicted, and it’s all because of you. As I look back on the miles we traveled, the wines we shared, and the memories we created together, I’m filled with gratitude and excitement. This has been our best year yet, so let’s raise a glass and revisit the moments that made 2025 unforgettable. 

Pride of Portugal - Lisbon, Porto, Douro Valley

Although the power went out in Portugal, we were able to escape Sentra, back to Lisbon. The team at the Hotel Da Baixa were top notch and we never missed a beat!

Delicacies of France - Avignon, Burgundy, Alsace, Champagne, Normandy

In the south of France, we enjoyed the local vibes, wine and food! And we survived a local chicken egg fiasco…

In Champagne, we met grandma, had lunch with the family and LOTS of bubbles and ended up singing together in the vineyard!

Terroir Tours Women’s Retreat - South of France

I’m not sure what goes on with these women’s retreats, I’m not permitted to attend. I hear they’re hosted at lux properties with great wine, cooking classes, sisterhood and spa treatments. Must be fun… Lauren’s already planning another one!

Majesty of Italy - Alba, Tuscany, Verona

We’re back from Italy, it was great to see our friends and make new ones. Thanks to Jeremy and Krystle from The Wisdom Table in Elkin, NC for gathering a wonderful group! 

Future Adventures 

🇪🇸 Spain 2026 - One Room Remaining! 

Join us on an unforgettable journey through Spain’s most celebrated food and wine regions, from the vibrant streets of Barcelona to the rolling vineyards in Rioja and the coastal charm (and culinary supremacy) of San Sebastián. This immersive tour blends culture, history, and gastronomy, offering exclusive experiences that showcase the terroir and traditions of each destination. We arrange vineyard tastings, tapas crawls, architectural explanations and seaside escapes. This tour is designed for food and wine lovers eager to enjoy the very best of Spain.

Join us on this incredible adventure! Only 1 room remaining!

👉 Book Now

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🚨 New Tour Alert! 🚨

Lauren and I are beginning to shape two of the most exciting trips we’ve ever created.

🇦🇷 First, a 10-night Tour of Argentina. This journey will explore Mendoza wine country, the Uco Valley, and the foothills of the Andes in Spring 2027. With stunning vineyard estates, world-class wineries, unforgettable meals, and some truly spectacular landscapes. We’ve fine-tuned the itinerary for the perfect mix of culture, adventure, and wine. The expected price for the tour will be $7,447 per person (double occupancy). 

🇯🇵 Next, a once in a lifetime immersive 11-night tour of Japan, through Tokyo, Kyoto, and the Nakasendo Trail in Fall 2027. This will be a deeply curated experience with incredible food, beautiful fall scenery, luxury hotels, a traditional ryokan stay, Shinkansen travel, cultural excursions, and of course, plenty of unforgettable meals. The expected price will be $10,547 per person (double occupancy).

At this stage, I’m simply gauging interest. If Japan 2027 or Argentina 2027 sound like something you’d like to be considered for, just reply to this email and I’ll make sure you’re on the early access list.

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💰 The Bonus Board

I did it! EASILY my biggest win in 2025 was scoring 2 round trip business-class seats to Japan on JAL. Unlimited champagne, lay-flat seats, and delicious food anytime. Almost 14 hrs to Tokyo direct from the US, THIS makes an enormous difference.

✅ The average cost per seat, per flight, is $7,000.

✅ $28,000 total per couple.

✅ Our price, $800 in taxes and fees!

Using our system, we carefully and consistently accumulated then deployed transferrable credit card points that could be redeemed to book the flights.

Make 2026 the year you master points & miles. Join our next Perks & Rec Masterclass and learn to travel the world for free! I’ll show you exactly how we turn everyday spending into trips we’ll never forget. Elevate your travel game in 2026 with a clear roadmap to earning and redeeming points for unforgettable experiences. 

✅ Details and dates coming soon!

A Few of our Favorite (Travel) Things

by Lauren Hudson

Gonex Collapsible Travel Backpack

It became necessary to pack ‘carry-on only’ for our trip to Japan this year. I’ve become accustomed to my checked suitcase so I was exploring ways to maximize and pack bags for various applications, tech, hiking, dining out, etc. I came across this bag via YouTube and it was the MVP of the trip.  It took the pressure off getting everything packed ‘perfectly’ on train travel days, was outdoor friendly & flexible for days hiking on the trail - lightweight with high-quality zippers and water bottle pouches. It collapses into a tiny bag that easily fit into my personal item.– Link 

Lo & Sons Catalina Small Weekender Bag 

In the same vein - I was looking to maximize space and get as many items (SHOES!) as possible into my carry-on and personal bags going to Japan.  I wanted something that would follow the major airlines guidelines for sizing as a  ‘personal item’ and would be reliable for many trips and several years - in terms of quality of fabric and closures – check, check, check. 

I was able to pack 2 pairs of shoes (sneakers & pumps) in the bottom pouch and wore my boots on the flight -so I had 3 options for shoes for the 2 weeks in Japan. I also fit – my toiletries bag, makeup bag, medication bag & first-aid kit, electronics (converters, chargers, power banks) bag, iPad, collapsible backpack, shoulder pouch with phone & passport, scarf & emergency backup outfit - very spacious.– Link

Tessan

Travel power adapters should be hardy, flexible & be able to support multiple devices simultaneously. This checks all of the boxes - I always recommend this to new travelers asking me what they need to invest in - https://tessan.com/products/universal-power-adapter.  

Commonly asked question- does this convert the voltage to my device? No - your phone, tablet, laptop will adjust to international voltages automatically but if you can’t live without a certain hair or shaving accessory - that will need to be a special multiple voltage device OR be plugged into a converter and an adapter. 

Scala Packable Hats

When you’re not picking up any old hat from a restaurant in Portugal and are looking for a hat that’s easy for on-the-go - Scala offers a great line of ‘packable’/’collapsible’ hats that we got this spring. We carried them from Portugal to Spain, across France and back again and they’re still in great condition - ready for the next adventure. 

Link - https://www.villagehatshop.com/collections/scala-straw-hats

Salt + Stone

We love these all natural toiletry products - the deodorant is our favorite (get a travel size sampler - learn your fave scents. My sample pack  lasted my entire 10 week stint in Europe this spring and well into our return home) but when there’s a sale going on or when it’s a birthday/holiday, add this to your list. The scents, the body wash, candles, are all so fresh, versatile and make you feel fancy. 

Link - https://www.saltandstone.com/products/mini-deodorant-discovery-set-5-pack

Other Things I Love

James Cosmetics Eye Patches & Face Masks 

They sell out, they’re worth the hype, they’re luxurious and a great way to treat yourself on a plane or while you’re recovering from the jet lag in your hotel room - the 24K Gold Patch (a flagship) is one of my favorites - I gift these to friends/family members who have yet to hear the good word every year and every time I get a follow-up message - these were amazing!? Where can I order these again - Amazon patches don’t do it. It’s true - they don’t. (Woman Owned Biz from Australia!)

Link - https://jamescosmetics.com/

LMNT Hydration Packs

These are always in our hand-luggage, checked luggage, backpack sleeves, hidden secret pouches - they taste great and are great for recovery from jet lag, dehydration from travel, wine, exercise, all of the above. Fave flavors – Watermelon, Grapefruit, Lemonade

Link - https://drinklmnt.com/

Big Spoon Roasters Peanut Butter Bars

My favorite morning snack, travel snack, I want to indulge but not send my system into a sugar shock snack and they’re made locally - win, win, win. They also make nut butters and some other fun treats - if you love peanut butter toast, if you fancy a PB&J or just love a spoon to jar moment - consider stuffing a (yours!?) stocking with these. Favorite flavors - Chocolate & Cherry and  Figgy Chai

Link - https://bigspoonroasters.com/

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We’re excited for every adventure still in front of us. The meals we’ll share, the stories we’ll collect, and the places that will change us in the best ways. We’re honored to travel this world together with you.

Thanks and safe travels, my friends,

Jake and Lauren

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In Loving Memory of our friend Mr. David Berrier.