Culinary Tour of Sicily

(9 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Palermo & Monreale, Segesta, Sciacca, Agrigento, Selinunte, Taormina, Syracuse, Mount Etna

This private tour of Sicily features the culinary and cultural highlights of this beautiful Mediterranean island.

During private market tours and cooking classes, sample favorite Sicilian dishes such as arancini, marzipan and cannoli, and learn about the Arab, Greek, Roman, Norman, Spanish, Jewish and other influences in Sicily’s delicious cuisine. Also taste unique Sicilian wine and olive oil, visit local food markets and farms, and tour ancient ruins and archaeological sites.

Begin in Palermo, one of Italy’s great art and culinary cities. In the morning, visit the Capo Market, the oldest in Palermo. Learn about local produce and spices, and buy ingredients for your private cooking class and lunch in an 18th-century palazzo overlooking the sea. After touring the grand palazzo, which is still occupied by nobility, explore Palermo’s most interesting neighborhoods, Baroque buildings and unique Arab-Norman architecture. Also take a private excursion to the stunning Cathedral of Monreale, a glittering masterpiece of Arab, Norman and Byzantine art.

Next, transfer to a luxurious resort on the Mediterranean Sea outside Sciacca. En route, tour the ruins of Segesta, which include an ancient hillside amphitheater and well-preserved Doric temple in a bucolic setting. Also visit an olive oil estate to walk through the orchards, learn about olive oil production, sample different styles of olive oil, and dine in the estate garden. During leisure time, enjoy the extensive facilities at your resort, such as a beach, pool, golf course and award-winning spa.

One day, take a private excursion to Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples. The outstanding remains of this once powerful Greek city make it one of the most significant archaeological sites in Sicily. Also tour Kolymbetra Garden, which was originally built as a reservoir but today is a pretty valley with citrus orchards.

Another day, enjoy a private excursion to a countryside vineyard and winery to sample some of Sicily’s best wines and unique varietals. Also tour Selinunte Archaeological Park, the vast ruins of an ancient Greek colony.

Continue to Taormina, a historic seaside town. With your private guide, explore Taormina’s hillside Greek theater and beautiful gardens. During leisure time, perhaps browse local shops or relax at your hotel, which has spectacular views of the Bay of Naxos and Mount Etna.

One day, take a private excursion to Syracuse, one of the most powerful cities of the ancient world. Visit a private garden for a special lunch with the owner, who is a plant specialist. During touring with your expert private guide, see highlights such as the Greek theater, Roman amphitheater, the cave known as the Ear of Dionysius, and the historic center of the island of Ortygia.

Another day, take a private excursion to Mount Etna, an active volcano and Sicily landmark whose fertile soil supports vineyards, orchards and farms. Enjoy a private cooking class with a local authority on Sicilian cuisine, and dine on your creations for lunch. Also tour some of the most interesting volcanic sites on the mountain.

This tour can easily be customized with additional destinations in Sicily or mainland Italy.