Sicily Food Adventure

This tour starts in Palermo, the regional capital of Sicily. This busy port city on the northwest coast encompasses fascinating and often-overlooked attractions. There is fine architecture to admire, good museums, palazzi and churches. It is the food scene, colourful markets and long-established food shops, however, that give the city an original, eccentric character worth discovering.

Accommodation: B&B Hotel Quattro Canti (or similar)

In the morning, you transfer to the next destination, the hilltop town of Erice. The local gastronomy in this part of Sicily is strongly influenced by the Arabs, who occupied the area for many centuries until the Normans took over. A hands-on cookery course with a local chef gives you the opportunity to learn more about the interesting culinary fusions, while practising (and tasting) traditional regional recipes.

In the afternoon, head to the Southern town of Marsala, home to the much-loved fortified wines of the same name. A wine tasting is offered after a tour of one of the best local wineries.

Accommodation: Villa Favorita Bungalow, Hotel Carmine (or similar)

In the morning, leave Marsala and transfer to a traditional organic olive farm. Learn about the cultivation and production methods and sample olive oil accompanied by local produce. In the afternoon, transfer to the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. A guided tour allows you to learn about the history of this archaeological park, which consists of eight temples (and various other remains) built between about 510 BCE and 430 BCE.

Accommodation: Hotel della Valle (or similar)

Today’s destination is Piazza Armerina, home of Villa Romana del Casale. Built in the fourth century CE as a hunting lodge by a Roman patrician, the villa is home to well-preserved Roman mosaics, which are spread over 37,670sqft (3,500sqm). After a guided tour of this UNESCO-listed site, you enjoy a delicious produce tasting of Sicilian delicacies.

In the afternoon, transfer to the baroque gem of Ragusa, one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. The town is part of the Val di Noto World Heritage site and 18 of the buildings are protected by UNESCO. After a short orientation walk, you will have free time to enjoy a relaxing and well-deserved aperitivo (traditional Italian pre-dinner drinks and snacks) in a piazza.

Accommodation: Hotel Mediterraneo or Hotel Barocco (or similar)

After breakfast, visit La Pescheria, the colourful, loud and pungent fish market, which is one of the oldest and biggest in Italy. Held every morning except Sunday, it is everything one expects an Italian market to be; following the local traditions, fishermen try to attract buyers with their loud voices and plenty of gesticulation. Nearby, there are also fruit and vegetable stalls plus other produce from the mountain villages around Etna.

Later this morning, transfer to a renowned wine cellar on Mount Etna and enjoy a wine and produce tasting for lunch, followed by a walk (one hour, 3mi/5km maximum) around the most active volcano in Europe. Return to Catania in the afternoon, and in the evening your leader will recommend an excellent local restaurant where you can enjoy a farewell dinner.

Accommodation: B&B Hotel Catania (or similar)

This Sicilian food adventure comes to an end after breakfast.

Meals included: Breakfast