When to go
April – June and August – October
Price
From £2,179 pp (including flights)
Flight time
2hrs 46mins
Introduction
Enjoy a wealth of culinary delights – and so much more – in the wonderful city of Sicily. Famed for its authentic Italian cuisine and vibrant food markets, you’ll bask in a world of exciting flavors, from cannoli to arancini, and learn about the culinary history of Sicily. A truly mouthwatering journey that will delight your tastebuds at every turn.
Good For
At a Glance
Duration
8 days & 7 nights
Guide price
Group: £2,179pp (including flights)
Cities/Destinations (in order)
Palermo | Monreale | Erice | Marsala | Agrigento | Piazza Armerina | Ragusa | Noto | Catania | Etna | Catania
Tour Type
Experienced local tour manager and guided sightseeing
Tour Theme
Group Tour
Activity Level
1 out of 7 - Leisurely
Age Range
16+
Star Rating of Tour
Superior
Accommodation
B&B Hotel Quattro Canti | Villa Favorita (or Hotel Seawater) | Hotel Della Valle | Hotel Barocco, Hotel Dell’Orologio or Mediterraneo Palace | Hotel Four Points
Board Basis
Varied - please see the sample itinerary for details
Min|Max Group Size
Average 6 people with a maximum of 18
Start/Finish
Palermo | Catania
Extensions
Highlights
Explore the Colorful Markets and Unique Street Food of Palermo
Explore the bakeries, carts and kiosks, and local specialties on the streets of Palermo. Depending on the time of year you visit, you will experience a wide range of culinary delights, including arancini, sfincione, and cannelloni. The local markets are also home to vendors that sell various souvenirs and handicrafts.
Participate in a Cooking Class With a Chef in Erice
Sicilian cuisine is famous for its creative and imaginative flavors, by combining Italian influences – with heavy use of ingredients like pasta, olive oil, wine, and seafood – with unexpected ingredients, such as the use of raisins and saffron. During your journey, you will participate in a hands-on cooking class with a local chef in Erice. They will teach you the tricks of the trade, by showing you how to prepare and present a range of Sicilian dishes, enabling you to take your knowledge home and impress your friends and family with your newfound cooking skills.
Sample a Wide Variety of Local Produce and Wine
Aside from giving you access to a wealth of local food markets, and a hands-on cooking class, you will also get to sample local produce and wines in the rural regions. Sicily is famous for its wine, with grapes that have been produced in the area for over 3,000 years. And its mixture of dry, warm climates and frequent rainfall makes it perfect for grape growing and wine cultivation.
Visit Distinct Heritage Sites and Cities
Located in the rocky peaks of northwest Modica, Ragusa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring 18 heritage-protected buildings. You will have free time to explore Ragus, and then learn about the history behind the Baroque-style area known as Ibla.
Recommended Hotels
B&B Hotel Quattro Canti | Villa Favorita (or Hotel Seawater) | Hotel Della Valle | Hotel Barocco, Hotel Dell’Orologio or Mediterraneo Palace | Hotel Four Points
Sample Itinerary
Sicily Cuisine Journey
Treat your tastebuds to a world of culinary delights with a visit to the gorgeous, Mediterranean island of Sicily. In this sample itinerary, you will browse the local food markets and vendors to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine, including home-made cannoli, caponata, and Sarde a beccafico, which features freshly caught salmon stuffed with pine nuts, breadcrumbs, and raisins.
Day 1: Fly to Palermo
Start your journey at Palermo, the capital city of Sicily. Explore the beautiful architecture and food scene, by visiting the local food shops, vendors, and markets.
(N)
Day 2: Palermo | Monreale (optional)
Further explore the port city of Palermo. You will be assisted by an expert tour guide, who will take you through the city streets, introduce you to the many cuisine options, and let you sample the many dishes on offer. Dish options will depend on the season and availability of ingredients. Your tour guide will also inform you on the history of the city, which goes as far back as 2,700 years ago.
In the afternoon, enjoy an optional visit to Monreale, which features a famous cathedral that demonstrates the beauty and grandeur of Norman architecture.
Stay overnight in Palermo.
(B, L)
Day 3: Erice | Marsala
In the morning, visit the hilltop town of Erice. Renowned as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, Erice is home to several visually stunning churches, which include the Norman-style Chiesa di Sant’Albertino and Chiesa di San Martino. While there, you will participate in a hands-on cooking class with a local chef. They will reveal the secrets of Sicilian cooking, including home-grown techniques and practices that you can take home with you and impress your friends and family.
In the afternoon, head to Marsala. The region is known for its winemaking; in particular the fortified wine, which is commonly used in cooking for its rich, caramelized flavor and nutty aroma. Enjoy wine tasting and then stay overnight at Marsala.
(B, L)
Day 4: Agrigento
Visit an olive oil farm in the morning. The farm is run by the Cenonze family, who have owned the estate since 1953. You will learn about the growing and cultivation methods of the olive oil farm, and you will get to sample the local produce.
In the afternoon, visit the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. The site is home to 8 temples, and many of which were rediscovered near the end of the 18th century. The temples feature incredible artistic and archaeological heritage, which includes natural landscapes and man-made cultural environments.
Stay overnight in Agrigento.
(B)
Day 5: Piazza Armerina | Ragusa Ibla
Head to the historic town of Piazza Armerina. Nestled in the heart of Sicily, the town is most famous for its classical mosaics at the Villa Romana del Casale. It is also located near jaw-dropping hillsides, which provides stunning panoramic views of the surroundings. The town was also built in two parts; first in the 10th century, and then again in the 15th and 17th centuries, resulting in disparate architectural styles between the two sides of the city.
In the afternoon, make your way to the elegant town of Ragusa. While there you can explore the narrow, maze-like city streets, and the many churches and palaces in the area. The town is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, while 18 of its buildings are protected by UNESCO patronage.
Enjoy free time and then have apeitivo (pre-dinner drinks and snacks) in a luxurious piazza. Stay overnight in Ragusa.
(B, L)
Day 6: Piazza Armerina | Ragusa Ibla
Head to a rural, family-run farm for cheese tasting. While there, you will get to tour the farm, and learn about the many cheese making traditions that the family follow to create their delectable produce. You will also witness a cheese-making demonstration, and then taste the samples, including home-made ricotta.
From there, visit Val di Noto. This town was victim to a catastrophic earthquake in 1693, and the restoration efforts led to the buildings adopting a Late Baroque style. After a relaxing stroll, enjoy the finest in Sacilian cuisine, with your choice of granita (crushed ice with fresh fruits or nuts and sugar) and traditional brioche (a fragrant, sweet soft bread).
In the afternoon, transfer to Catania, where you will spend the last 2 nights of the tour.
(B)
Day 7: La Pesheria | Etna
After breakfast, visit the vibrant and lively fish market of La Pescheria. It is one of the oldest and largest fish markets in Italy, home to all kinds of fresh produce used in Sicilian cuisine, including salmon and anchovies. You can also visit the fruit and vegetable stalls and other local produce vendors.
Later in the morning, head to a wine cellar on Mount Etna. There you can explore the vineyards, sample various wine flavors, and then visit one of the most active volcanoes in Europe. In the afternoon, head back to Catania and then visit a local restaurant – as recommended by your tour guide – for a glorious farewell dinner.
(B, L)
Day 7: Catania
Finish your memorable Sicilian food adventure with breakfast. Then fly back to London.
