This is one of Italy’s most vibrant regions, and it’s here you’ll have the chance to savor its culinary delights in ways you never imagined — from savoring farm-fresh delights at remote agriturismi to partaking in an authentic famiata in the home of a local.

Whether you fly into Palermo or Catania, check in to the Hotel Villa Schuler in Taormina by mid-afternoon.

The Hotel Villa Schuler will be our home base for the first four days in Sicily. This family-run hotel — overlooking the salt-kissed Bay of Naxos — is simply extraordinary — vaunting epic sea views, comfortable rooms, and genuine Italian hospitality.

In the afternoon: Meet and greet at the hotel with the rest of the group and our tour leader.

Group Welcome dinner at an authentic local restaurant.

Meals: Dinner

After breakfast at the Hotel Villa Schuler, we will be transported in comfort to a local family-owned winery on the mineral-rich slopes of Etna. The Etna volcano produces some of Sicily & most prized varietals, including the famous Etna Rosso wine. Here we will enjoy lunch paired with Etna wines.

We will then return to Taormina for an introductory walking tour of the city.

Commonly known as the Pearl of the Ionian Sea, Taormina, develops around an Agorà whose ruins, which are still visible along the street that leads to the theatre, were the settlement of the Roman Forum. In the surroundings, you can admire the ruins of holy and public monuments (the Aphrodite & Temple, the Roman Thermal Baths, and the Odeon).

The tour will be followed by a relaxing evening on own.

Meal: Breakfast & Lunch

Today, we will transfer by private bus to Catania, where our Sicilian chef will bring our group inside the vibrant (and delicious) Catania Food Market — one of the liveliest open-air daily markets in all of Italy. 

Together, we will hunt for the freshest of ingredients for our authentic cooking class with Loredana. You will learn to make fresh cavatelli and many other Southern Italian dishes — all based on what is freshest that day in the market. The dishes we create will be our delicious Sicilian lunch — so be prepared to eat molto (a lot!)! 

After our class and meal, we will return to Taormina, where you will have the evening at leisure to explore the city on your own.

Dinner at leisure and overnight at Villa Schuler.

Meal: Breakfast & Lunch 

After breakfast and check-out, we will transfer to Agrigento area to reach our accommodation for the following 2 nights. On the way we will stop at the Valley of Temples for a private walking tour. The Valley of the Temples is one of the most outstanding examples of Greater Greek art with temples erected over 2000 years ago.

After the walking tour, we’ll reach Casa Barbadoro situated in the Valley of the Temples. Set in a unique location we’ll enjoy a light lunch filled with local fresh produce. Casa Barbadoro has helped the entire valley with cultivating certain products as they once did, naming this brand Diodoros. Walk amongst the terrain to see olive groves and other local produce.

After check-in at Fontes Episcopi, we’ll enjoy some time at leisure in this place of peace and relax. The Bio Resort Fontes Episcopi is located in Aragona, in a quiet area of the countryside near the Natural Reserve of Macalube. With its historic structure surrounded by nature, offers a unique experience of serenity.

Gather with the group at the end of the day for your aperitivo dinner. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Light Dinner

Today will be one of the highlights of your trip. 

After breakfast at our accommodation, we will visit my friend Pier Filippo Spoto for a true farm fresh “Agriturismo” experience. Pier Filippo will introduce us the local artisanal foods of a tiny hilltop village. As we walk the town's stone streets, we will meet the sheep whose milk makes the hamlet's fresh ricotta. You will be in awe by the city's take on “sfincione” -- a fluffy Sicilian pizza topped in local cheese and farm-fresh vegetables. We will also have lunch based on local products and dishes at a local agriturismo. 

We will then head back to our accommodation to take part in a Famiata experience with dinner. In Sicily, the wood oven has always been an important element of community, where moments of joy and sharing with friends and family are celebrated around it. In Sicilian the verb Famiare means to light a big flame in the oven until the top turns white. That’s the sign the oven is ready. This will be an authentic experience including a hands-on cooking class with a local mum. You will learn how to make some local focaccia or pizza, like the cuddiruni or similar. We will experience a moment of joy and carefree abandon, preparing, chatting, drinking and enjoying good Sicanian food and wine.

Overnight at Fontes Episcopi.  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Famiata Dinner

After breakfast, pack your bags and be ready for your next experience. 

Today you will make your way to Palermo via the Piana degli Albanesi. Here we will reach a small family-owned farm where we will experience a stunning day with the owners of the dairy farm. After discovering this family’s daily life, you are going to learn about the process of making stretched cured cheeses such as caciocavallo and vastedda. Finally, you will have a great homey lunch with all the dairy products and other delicacies produced by this wonderful family.

After lunch we will head to our last stop of the day, our accommodation for the next three nights in Palermo. 

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch 

After breakfast, we make our way to the hilltop town of Monreale to tour the famous Norman Cathedral. This UNESCO world heritage site is known for its 12th century Byzantine art covered in golden mosaics in its interior. After the tour, we will proceed to Mondello. 

Lunch at a local restaurant and afternoon at leisure to enjoy some time outside of the city center in the seaside resort of Mondello. 

We will return to Palermo for a relaxing evening on own. 

Meals: Breakfast & Seafood Lunch 

In the morning, we will visit one of the vibrant street food markets of Palermo. We will then have a light lunch, enjoying the bounty of Sicilian food.

In the late afternoon, we will meet again to where we will enjoy a local farewell dinner cooked by your very own Chef Ric Orlando using local Sicilian ingredients. 

Overnight stay in Palermo.

Meals: Breakfast, Light Lunch, & Dinner

Check-out of your hotel in the morning and proceed to the airport or your next destination. 

Say arrivederci (until we see each other again!) to the stunning heart of Sicily.