Cooking, Culture and Country life
Sicily is becoming one of the "hot" wine regions in Italy. They have their own unique grape varieties that give wines filled with fruit and freshness. "Nero d'Avola", for example, makes powerful yet fresh wines. The quality has increased with meteoric speed the last few decades. It is also an island filled with culture and a rich history. They have their very own gastronomy; Sicilian food has nothing to envy the rest of Italy: fresh fish, sun-ripened vegetables and much more. And plenty of sunshine and warmth!
Highlights:
- The monuments and the colorful local markets in Palermo
- Meeting with local food and wines producers
- Etna: the biggest active volcano in Europe
Day 1: Palermo
Arrival at Palermo airport. Individual transfer to your hotel in the city center. Meeting with the local guide and dinner in a typical trattoria. Overnight stay in hotel 3* in Palermo.
Day 2: Palermo
In the morning, enjoy a beautiful tour around Palermo. A charming city with wide boulevards, the traditional Sicilian Old Quarter, The twelfth-century Cathedral and the baroque palaces. Palermo is also famous for its local markets like " la Vucciria" and " Ballarò", typical par excellence, full of color and folkloric. You will taste typical street food such as "pani ca meusa", "panelle", "arancini". In the afternoon, public bus to Monreale to visit magnificence Cathedral. it dates from the 12th century and shows the diverse architectural influences of both the Normans and the Arab population. Back in Palermo, free time for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Agrigento
After breakfast, private transfer to Menfi. Visit one of the he premier wine estates of Sicily and a veritable fine wine empire. Enjoy a wine tasting and a delicious light lunch. Private transfer to Agrigento and visit the beautiful Valley of the Temples, one of the most representative sites of Greek civilization in the Mediterranean area. Transfer to your accommodation, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Ragusa
In the morning enjoy a great cooking class! The lessons focus on the local culinary culture, using only local and seasonal products! After lunch private transfer to Ragusa. In the afternoon, a relaxing walk to discover the Ragusa's baroque architecture, part of the Unesco World Heritage. Before dinner enjoy with the group an aperitif with wine and local foods. Free time for dinner and overnight stray in Ragusa.
Day 5: Modica – Syracuse
In the morning private transfer to Modica and visit to the enchanting historical centre of Modica, with its impressing baroque churches and breath taking views over picturesque alleys and stairways. Tasting of the precious chocolate of Modica, produced according to the ancient Aztec recipe. Before lunch, transfer typical factory to taste and visit how the local cheese is made. Light lunch will be served. In the afternoon, transfer to Syracuse and overnight stay.
Day 6: Syracuse – Taormina
After breakfast, guided visit of Syracuse and the Archeological area. This city was the leading city of Magna Grecia, then it underwent Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Norman, Angevin and Spanish rule becoming a charming mixture of people and outstanding monuments, some of which are still in use as the Greek Theatre. Free time for lunch in Ortigia. In the afternoon, private transfer to Taormina. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Etna
In the morning private transfer to Mt. Etna we enjoy a spectacular walk on the southern area of the Mount Etna volcano. We will hike up past several lava flows to be rewarded with a dramatic panoramic view of the four craters that make up the top of this famous volcano, plus extensive views of the entire coast of Sicily. On the way back to Taormina, stop in a famous winery located on the slopes of Mt. Etna. Visit the local vineyards and enjoy a wine tastings served with local products. Back to Taormina. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, private transfer to Catania airport.
Grade: Suitable for most people in good health and generally fit, these trips include short walking days, predominantly on good paths and at low altitude. No trekking experience is required.
Accommodation :
- 2 night in hotel* in Palermo
- 1 night in a farmhouse near Agrigento
- 1 night in hotel* in Ragusa
- 1 night in hotel* in Syracuse
- 2 nights in hotel* in Taormina
Equipment: comfortable shoes, trekking t-shirt, trekking socks, wind and water proof jacket, cap, sun glasses and sun cream, daily backpack (min. 30 litres)
Getting there: the destination airport is Palermo. Individual arrival, there are regularly public transport (subway and bus) between the airport and the city centre. At departure, private transfer for Catania Airport.
Supplement Price per person
Single Room Supplement 180 €
Included:
- 7 nights in accommodation as described in the program, with breakfast
- Dinners (days 1-3-6)
- Wine tasting and light lunch/ aperitif (days 3-7)
- Cheese tasting and light lunch (day 5)
- Aperitif with local food and wine (day 4)
- All transfers by public bus and private minibuses
- Lunches (days 2-3-4-5)
- Cooking class on day 4
- Guided tour in Syracuse (day 6)
- English speaking guide during the whole tour
- Tourist taxes
Not included:
- Flights
- Lunches (days 1-6-7-8)
- Beverages
- Dinners not included in the program (days 2-4-5-7-8)
- Museum and Monuments entrance fees
- Personal Items
Trips Note
Destination: Sicily
Trip type: Discovery Holidays
Interest: Wine & Gastronomy
Comfort: Comfort
Grade: Easy
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Departures: J F M A M J J A S O N D
Group size: from 5 to 15 people
Airport: Palermo and Catania
