Sicily Food & Wine Tour

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Day 1: Catania – Taromina

After your arrival to the Catania airport, you will meet your driver and transfer by private vehicle to Taormina for hotel check-in. (or if coming from the the Sicily West program, a ground transfer from Palermo to Taormina). Later in the afternoon a city tour featuring guided visit to the famous Greek-Roman Amphitheater, offering its enchanting view of the Ionic Sea and Mt. Etna. Later you can enjoy a welcome dinner with a selection of regional wines. (D, W)

Day 2: Taormina – Etna Winery

After your hotel breakfast the day provides a visit to one of the Etna winery with lunch. The wine producing estate, located on the slopes of the volcano is surrounded by extensive vineyards and panoramic views. You can enjoy a guided visit to the winery, plus afterwards a special lunch and of course their wines. Afterwards back to Taormina for the balance of the afternoon and evening at your leisure. (B, L, W)

Day 3: Taormina – Aeolian Islands

Early morning breakfast at the hotel, then depart to port of Milazzo to jump the ferry to Salina (Aeolian Islands). Used as the setting for the famed Italian movie “il Postino”, the island offers its green landscape, quite different from the other islands in the chain; as well an opportunity for lunch at a Michelin star restaurant.(B, L, W)

Day 4: Catania / Ortigia (Siracusa)

Breakfast at the hotel, and then depart to Catania and a visit the city's historic fish market. As old as the ancient city itself, the market features the fish and seafood from the ports around the island. Afterwards on to Ortigia, hotel check in and then free time for lunch. Later in the afternoon enjoy a guide tour of the ancient city (Ortigia), which during the Greek Age was one of the more powerful cities in the Mediterranean. Take in a walking guided tour of the old city, through the historical center to admire the Cathedral, the Aretusa fountain and the ancient streets. In the evening, dinner in one of the favorite restaurants providing the local menu and featured wines. (B, D, W)

Day 5: Ortigia – Cooking Class

Breakfast at the hotel then visit the local food market to review and select the ingredients for your cooking class featuring hands on instruction with authentic Sicilian dishes. The lesson will be followed by your lunch meal of the prepared items and of course with local wine. The balance of the afternoon and evening Ortigia are at your leisure. (B, L, W)

Day 6: Vendicari Nature Reserve / Marzamemi / Noto

Breakfast at the hotel then off on a full day excursion, first stopping the Vendicari nature reserve, in addition to the natural beauty, also a sight of an historic (but not in use) Tonnara (tuna processing factory). After we move on to Marzamemi, a fishing village with its own history for tuna factories. Here we will have lunch at one of our favorite restaurants located in the main piazza. Then we venture on to meet your private guide in Noto; the apotheosis of Baroque town planning and architecture and one of the main UNESCO sites of the region. Then after a full day of excursion and touring, you will arrive back to Ortigia and enjoy an evening at your leisure. (B, L, W)

Day 7: Modica

Breakfast, then depart for a day in Modica. Your guide will meet you in Modica, a city of – magnificent churches, with their inspiring domes, bell towers and intricate facades, punctuate the red-tiled roofs and one is struck by the uniform beauty of the whole. The center piece is undoubtedly the beautiful Church of San Giorgio. Afterwards a short visit to an antique chocolate factory. Modica is also custodian of a 400 year tradition of Sicilian chocolate-making. Time for lunch in Modica at a favorite local trattoria. Then back to the hotel (Ortigia) and an evening dinner at the hotel restaurant to enjoy the superb and refined dishes based on typical recipes from local culinary traditions as a part of your last night in Sicilia! (B, L, D, W)

Day 8: Departure

Breakfast at the hotel and check out; your transfer will take you to the Catania airport. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner W=Wine

Day 1: Arrive Palermo / Trapani

After your arrival to the Palermo airport, you will meet your driver and transfer by private vehicle to Trapani for hotel check-in. In the late afternoon, a short city tour and then the start of your program with the tastes of the region at a local enoteca wine bar, then afterward you can enjoy a welcome dinner with a selection of regional wines. (D, W)

Day 2: Salt Fields / Winery / Erice

After your hotel breakfast the day provides a full itinerary beginning with a visit to the famed salt fields of the region. Afterwards on to one of the local wineries for a guided visit to taste the local product, then on to Marsala for a lunch accompanied with local wines. Afterwards the excursion is further enjoyed with a visit to the hill-top town of Erice. Later, a drive back to Trapani for the evening at your leisure. (B, L, W)

Day 3: Segesta Greek Temple / Monreale / Palermo

Breakfast at the hotel, then depart for a day for the cultural/historical sites. Visit the beauty of the ancient city of Segesta with its preserved Greek Temple and Amphitheater. Then moving north to the coast city of Castellammare del Golfo for a buffet lunch of the rich local seafood. Later the afternoon provides a visit to Monreale, a perfect example of Norman architecture. Constructed during the rule of William II, it is one of the most important national monuments in not just Sicily, but all of Italy. Then finish the day with a transfer to Palermo for hotel check in and the evening at your leisure. (B, L, W)

Day 4: Palermo – Cooking Class

Breakfast in hotel, then begin the day with a market visit to locate the ingredients for your cooking class featuring hands on instruction and authentic Sicilian dishes. The culinary “event” will be followed by your lunch meal of the prepared items and of course with local wines. The balance of the afternoon and the evening are at your leisure. (B, L, W)

Day 5: Palermo

Breakfast at the hotel, then a day for the sites in the historical city center that has been a crossroads for civilization in the Mediterranean for centuries: the Norman Palace and the Palatine Chapel, the church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, the Cathedral and Quattro Canti square are but a few of the major sites. In the evening, dinner at a local restaurant where you will enjoy superb and refined dishes based on typical recipes from local culinary traditions. (B, D, W)

Day 6: Departure

Breakfast at the hotel and check out; your transfer will take you to the airport in Palermo; or if you are have chosen to participate in the Sicily East Food & Wine program, a private transfer to Taormina. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner W=Wine