WORLDWIDE CULTURAL AND CULINARY VACATIONS
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Grand Sicily Culinary and Cultural Expedition

(Unwrapping Sicily's Gastronomic & Archaeological Delights along Its Eastern Shore)

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Priced From
$5,598 USD *
(For One Person, Double Occupancy)
* Plus taxes. Tours sold on an availability basis.
7 days | 6 nights

Exploring Sicily’s Gastronomic and Archaeological
Delights on Its Eastern Shore and Medieval Villages

It is fitting that culinary enthusiasts come to Sicily, as it is said that the first school for professional chefs was founded in Syracuse, and the first recorded cookbook was written by Siracusan Mithaecus in the fifth century BC. Sicily's delights are as palpable as they are palatable. Sicily's culinary heritage is a rich tapestry woven from centuries of diverse cultural influences, including Greek, Arab, Norman, and Spanish. The island's cuisine is renowned for its bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and vibrant dishes. Signature dishes like arancini (stuffed rice balls), caponata (eggplant salad), and pasta all a Norma showcase the island's unique gastronomic traditions. Sicily is also famous for its sweets, including cannoli, cassata, and granita. The island's wines, such as Nero d'Avola and Marsala, complement its culinary offerings, making Sicily a paradise for food lovers.
Small Group Friendly
Itinerary Accommodations Map FAQ
VACATION HIGHLIGHTS
Please note: Tour inclusions can change depending upon seasonality and weather conditions.
5-Star Resort Hotel Accommodations
Private Round-Trip Airport Transfers
Breakfast Buffet Each Morning
4 Dinners, 5 Lunches, 4 Tastings
Hands On Pizza Cooking Class
Hands On Pasta Cooking Class
Hands On Arancini & Cannoli Class
Syracuse & Neapolis Archaeological Park
Solacium Castle Tour with Tastings
Visit to Historic Ortigia
Visit and Tour of Medieval Savoca
Guided Tour of Taormina Ancient Theatre
Visit and Tour of Nebrodi Park
Avola and Almond Tree Museum Visit
Guided Walking Tour of Noto UNESCO
Master Cheese Maker Tour with Tastings
Olive Oil Mill Tour and Tastings
Visit to the Village of Marzamemi
Villa Neri Vineyard Walk with Tastings
Catania Markets Walking Tour
While our tours are designed as soft adventure experiences, walking, climbing stairs, and in rare cases mild hiking may be required. If you have mobility issues, you should speak with one of our culinary travel specialists to determine if this tour is appropriate for your situation.
AVAILABLE DATES
April 14 - 20, 2024 and October 20 - 26, 2024. Please inquire for 2025 dates.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Please note: Actual itineraries are subject to change due to seasonality.
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Day 1
Arrival in Catania | Check-In
Land at Catania airport, where your tour leader and private shuttle await to take you to the 5-star Villa Neri Resort & Spa. Enjoy some free time to unwind post-flight, relaxing at the hotel or at the Resort's Spa. Dinner this evening is at Michelin Guide Recommended Dodici Fontane. (D)
Day 2
Sicilian Breakfast Buffet
Start your day off right with a delicious Sicilian breakfast buffet to energize you for the adventures ahead. Savor fresh fruits, juices, coffee, yogurts, breads and pastries, charcuterie, as well as cooked items.
Excursion to Syracuse | Solacium Castle with Wine Tasting & Lunch
The excursion today will give you the opportunity to explore some of the traditions preserved by Sicilian's strong desire to evolve. The visit to the vineyard at the Castle of Solacium will show you how in returning to its "lost wines" a future for them is ensured. Guaranteeing the continuity of the particularities of ancient fruits enables a new market to be found in the old. Here you will enjoy a wine tasting and light lunch before continuing to Neapolis.
Ortigia Market | Neapolis Archaeological Park | Casa Arrigo Farm Dinner
After lunch your tour leader will take you to the heart of ancient Syracuse and its bridge-linked island, Ortigia. You will learn about the Greek Temple of Apollo, as well as the Byzantine, Norman, Medieval, Baroque and Neoclassical influences that make up the museum-like center of the historic city that was once one of the greatest ports of trade in the world. The tour continues through historic Ortigia with its lovely markets and other worldly underground city below it. With a network of streets, caverns and tombs the catacombs and crypts offer a captivating perspective on the early Christian population that lived here. Try some Sicilian treats at a traditional pastry shop before concluding your visit with a tour of the Archaeological Park of the Neapolis where you'll experience a Greek Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre, Hieron's Altar, Latomie, and Ear of Dionysius. At the conclusion of your tour of Old Syracuse you will be escorted back to the resort where you will have time to relax. Dinner this evening is at Casa Arrigo where you will experience a typical Sicilian farm dinner. (B, T, L, D)
Day 3
Sicilian Breakfast Buffet
Start your day off right with a delicious Sicilian breakfast buffet to energize you for the adventures ahead. Savor fresh fruits, juices, coffee, yogurts, breads and pastries, charcuterie, as well as cooked items.
Tour of Savoca | Lemon Granita Tasting | Guided Tour of Taormina
Today's activities include a tour of Savoca, the medieval village where the first film of "The Godfather" trilogy was shot in 1970. You can't help but get the feeling that Michael Corleone will walk around a corner at any moment! Cap off your visit with a lemon granita tasting at the cliffside café, Bar Vitelli, where many scenes were filmed, before enjoying a guided tour of the ancient theatre of Taormina.
Hands-On Pizza Cooking Class with Lunch
This afternoon you will enjoy a hands-on cooking class where you'll learn the proper way to create true Sicilian pizza, from the dough to the toppings. Your class concludes with ample samples of your hard work, washed down with local wines! This evening dinner is on your own to explore, with recommendations provided. (B, T, L)
Day 4
Sicilian Breakfast Buffet
Start your day off right with a delicious Sicilian breakfast buffet to energize you for the adventures ahead. Savor fresh fruits, juices, coffee, yogurts, breads and pastries, charcuterie, as well as cooked items.
Guided Visit and Tour of the Nebrodi Park
Today's excursion will give you an opportunity to explore the vast natural reserve that is Nebrodi Park. Covering over 300 square miles, Nebrodi Park is the largest protected area on the island of Sicily. In addition to beautiful lakes, you can find the rare Nebrodi fir as well as the endemic Sicilian black pig. The park is also known for its stunning views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the surrounding mountainous terrain.
Hands-On Pasta Course with Lunch
This afternoon you will "taste Sicily" where Mt. Etna overlooks the sea, in the quaint village of Mitogio. You will learn pasta recipes that mothers and grandmothers handed down for generations. Cooking together in a friendly environment, you will enjoy the fruits of your labor as you all sit down to a bountiful lunch paired with local wines. This evening dinner is on your own to explore, with recommendations provided. (B, L)
Day 5
Sicilian Breakfast Buffet
Start your day off right with a delicious Sicilian breakfast buffet to energize you for the adventures ahead. Savor fresh fruits, juices, coffee, yogurts, breads and pastries, charcuterie, as well as cooked items.
Avola Visit with Almond Tree Museum | Guided Walking Tour of Noto
Your first excursion today includes a visit to Avola, a charming town in southeastern Sicily, renowned for its rich culinary heritage. Avola is famous for its production of Nero d'Avola wine, one of Sicily's most celebrated red wines, as well as its almond-based sweets. After your visit to Avola, your journey continues with a visit to the majestic Noto UNESCO heritage site. Rebuilt in the early 18th century after a devasting earthquake, Noto's streets are lined with grand palaces, churches, and elegant buildings crafted from golden-hued limestone. Take a moment to immerse yourself in its rich history and enchanting beauty that epitomizes Sicilian baroque art and architecture.
Olive Oil Mill and Immersive Cheese Maker Tour with Lunch
This afternoon you will visit an olive oil and cheese producer where you will witness the production process from beginning to end. Inside the dairy, the Master Cheesemaker will impart the secrets of obtaining good, healthy and genuine cheese, along with the various processing techniques (lactic and rennet) and maturing strategies. You will even have a chance to assist in making the Primo sale cheese. The visit will continue to the company's olive oil mill where you will taste extra virgin olive oil. During the day on the farm, there will be close encounters with all their animal friends and close contact with nature. At the conclusion of today's experience, a complete tasting of all their specialties will be provided as a light lunch.
Visit to the Village of Marzamemi | Sicilian Ristorante Dinner
Toward the end of your day, you will visit the quaint fishing village of Marzamemi, known for its picturesque harbor, charming old town, and vibrant shopping atmosphere. Marzamemi is also famous for its tuna processing heritage, with the historic Tonnara di Marzamemi standing as a testament to this tradition. Enjoy the village's maritime culture as you navigate its narrow streets filled with artisan shops. Dinner this evening will be at a traditional Sicilian Trattoria as you journey back to the resort. (B, T, L, D)
Day 6
Sicilian Breakfast Buffet
Start your day off right with a delicious Sicilian breakfast buffet to energize you for the adventures ahead. Savor fresh fruits, juices, coffee, yogurts, breads and pastries, charcuterie, as well as cooked items.
Touring the Vineyards of Villa Neri with Wine Tastings | Hands-On Cooking Class
After spending the morning relaxing, or enjoying a spa treatment, you will be escorted through the resort's own vineyards and winery where you'll enjoy ample tastings. Following your vineyard excursion, you will be treated to a very special cooking class at Villa Neri where you will be guided by its master chef in the preparation of Sicily's famous Arancini and Cannoli, concluding with a delicious lunch that you helped prepare. This evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner at Ristorante Dodici Fontane. (B, T, L, D)
Day 7
Sicilian Breakfast Buffet
Start your day off right with a delicious Sicilian breakfast buffet to energize you for the adventures ahead. Savor fresh fruits, juices, coffee, yogurts, breads and pastries, charcuterie, as well as cooked items.
Check-Out and Departure
After a lovely week in Sicily, it's time to take the private shuttle back to the Catania airport for your departure. Buon viaggio! (B)
Syracuse, ItalyCatania, ItalyModica, ItalyRagusa, ItalyMarzamemi, ItalyAvola, ItalyNoto, Italy
Winner
OUTSTANDING
CULINARY TRAVEL
Category
Member of ASTA Member of ATTA Member of GSTC