Enogastronomic Sicily

 

Highlights:

 

Sicily, the biggest island in the Mediterranean, is a melting pot of cultures, where Greek and Asian influences can be found in architecture, ancient ruins from different civilizations, and in unique cuisine. A land where the earth spills fire from ancient volcanoes and the sun warms the emerald waters of the Mediterranean Sea. A region of archaeological wonders, marvelous baroque towns, and rich, ancient traditions. However,  Sicily is not only a place of extraordinary monuments, enchantingly beautiful scenery, and beautiful towns,  it is also a land that offers an incredible variety of excellent vintages, ancient cellars and vineyards, typical dishes, and traditional foods rediscovered in their original style.

 

Participants will have the unique chance of sampling several Slow Food Presidia products  - high-quality, traditional foods and beverages at risk of “extinction” - and other local delicacies from Slow Food recommended quality producers, such as:

•   the extra virgin olive oil of the Trapani area

•   the excellent wines of the Mount Etna vineyards

•   the Manna and the traditional pastries and desserts of the Madonie Park area

•   the Polizzi Badda bean

•   the Madonie Provola cheese
   

Tour participants will also have the opportunity to sample wines and/or local typical products at wineries, bakeries, pastry shops, fresh produce markets, and more, such as:

•   the fresh produce of the Mercato del Capo traditional market in Palermo

•   the Cannoli and other traditional old monastery pastries of Erice

•   the famous Modica chocolate

 

POINTS OF INTEREST: ART, HISTORY, CULTURE & NATURE
During the tour the participants will not only discover delightful food and wines but also the most interesting monuments, works of art, churches, and natural landscapes of the region:

• Palermo, the majestic Sicilian regional capital, with its ancient theatres and public

buildings, the characteristic streets, and the Capo market

• Erice, a magnificent medieval city in a spectacular setting

• Agrigento, with  the amazing Valley of  the Temples, testament to the ancient Greek

civilization in Sicily

• Ragusa Ibla, a UNESCO World Heritage site  in recognition of its Sicilian style baroque

architecture

• Modica, the ancient capital of the county, is also full of amazing examples of architecture in the old Sicilian baroque style, but perhaps even more famous for its chocolate

• Syracuse, one of the most important and strategic political centers in ancient Greece, with the archaeological park and the ancient heart of the old city – Ortigia Island

• Taormina, the small town home of the oldest cinema festival in the world, with its elegant streets and wonderful views of the emerald sea

 

 

 

Itinerary ( B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner, T = tasting )

 

 

DAY1: PALERMO  (D)

Arrive at Palermo airport and transfer to your hotel in Palermo on your own. Time to settle in, and welcome dinner dedicated to the products of the Slow Food Presidia of Sicily. During the evening there will be an introduction to the tour and to the Slow Food philosophy. Transfer to your hotel and overnight stay.

 

DAY 2: ERICE, MARSALA  (B, T, L, T)

Departure for Erice,  a magnificent medieval city in a spectacular setting. Walk through the streets of the center of the town and visit the Pasticceria Maria Grammatico, an old pastry shop that offers recipes from the Antico Convento. Try some of the typical local delights such as almond pastries filled with candied lemon, Cannoli,  Zibbibo  (local wine), and the famous “brutti ma buoni” (“ugly but tasty”) biscuits. Proceed to Marsala, the city renowned for its production of wine of the same name. Lunch in a typical local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Donnafugata’s historic cellars, a living example of industrial archaeology where you can admire the fascinating underground baroque room and the processes of wine refinement. Free time to stroll through the center of the old town. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

 

DAY 3: PALERMO, MONREALE (B)

In the morning, visit the famous old Capo Market, in the ancient heart of this thriving city.

Free time to stroll around the streets in the center of the city. In the afternoon a guided tour to visit and seek out signs of Palermo and its ancient "grandeur". Transfer to Monreale, an ancient village near Palermo, famous for its wonderful Norman Cathedral and the adjoining cloister, architectural masterpieces of King Roger. Return to the hotel, overnight stay. 

 

DAY 4: AGRIGENTO, CALTAGIRONE, SYRACUSE  (B, D)

Departure for Agrigento for a guided tour of the amazing Valley of the Temples, a testament to the ancient Greek civilization in Sicily.  Free time for lunch. In the afternoon visit Caltagirone famous for the production of ceramics and pottery: visit a ceramics laboratory and opportunity of shopping. Departure for Syracuse, check-in at the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay.

 

DAY 5: RAGUSA, MODICA, NOTO, SYRACUSE (B, L, T)

Departure to Ragusa. Guided visit of the city, built in a region that has been declared a

UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its Sicilian style baroque architecture. The city is divided into two parts: the old city (called Ibla) and the new city. Having admired the wonderful architecture of Ibla proceed to Modica, the ancient capital of the county which once again is full of amazing examples of architecture that pay homage to the old Sicilian baroque style. We suggest a stop at the Antica Pasticceria Bonajuto (an old pastry shop), where the Ruta family is famous for its chocolate. Sample some of the typical dishes accompanied by local wines at Trattoria La Locanda del Colonnello. Before returning to Syracuse stop in Noto to taste the famous almonds. The almond is the queen of Sicilian confectionery and is used to make pasta (marzipan), Martorana (marzipan fruit and vegetables), almond milk, nougat, mustazzuoli biscuits, amaretti and cassata, the baroque pudding par excellence. Overnight stay in Syracuse.

 

DAY 6: SYRACUSE, MOUNT ETNA, TAORMINA (B, T)

A morning guide to Syracuse,  one of the most important and strategic political centers in ancient Greece, visit the archaeological park and walk around the heart of the old city  –

Ortigia. Departure to Taormina, stopping en route for a wine tasting in the Mt. Etna area.

Proceed to your hotel in Taormina. Check-in and free time. Overnight stay.

 

DAY 7: TAORMINA (B, D)

In the morning, a guided tour to discover Taormina, the small medieval village called "the pearl of the Ionian Sea" and a visit to the Roman-Greek theater. Time at leisure for lunch, shopping, and walking through the tiny streets. Farewell dinner and overnight night stay.

 

DAY 8: DEPARTURE (B)

After breakfast, free time. Depart at any time. Opt to continue your stay in Sicily.

 

 

 

DON'T FORGET:

Please allow three hours for check-in to your international flights and two hours for domestic.

 

OUR TIPS:

1. How much would it cost to fly from an airport not listed as part of this deal?
Please contact us for additional pricing options from any departure airport not listed.

2. Can we extend our trip before or after the promotional dates for the deal?
Yes, you can arrange for that by contacting us either by phone or email.

3. How do I find out if the dates I want to travel are available?
Check the dates listed above to see if there is availability for the specific date you are interested in. If there are multiple dates listed feel free to contact us for the most up-to-date availability.