Culinary Tour of Sicily

(9 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Palermo with Monreale, Trapani & Marsala, Sciacca & Agrigento, Noto & Modica, Taormina & Mount Etna

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

During private market tours and cooking classes, learn about the Arab, Greek, Roman, Norman, Spanish, Jewish and other influences in Sicily's delicious and fascinating cuisine. Sample Sicilian specialties such as arancini (fried stuffed rice balls), pasta con le sarde (pasta with sardines and wild fennel), caponata (eggplant relish) and cannoli. Also taste unique Sicilian wine and olive oil, visit local food markets, and tour ancient ruins and archaeological sites.

Begin in Palermo. The vibrant capital of Sicily, Palermo is home to some of Italy's most fascinating cultural gems including impressive private museums, the country's largest opera house and a robust food culture. During private touring, explore lively local markets, the old Arab quarter and unique UNESCO-listed Arab-Norman architecture. Also, take a private excursion to Monreale for a private tour of the stunning cathedral, a masterpiece of Arab, Norman and Byzantine art.

Next, drive along Sicily's western coast, passing medieval windmills that dot the landscape. Stop at the famed salt pans outside Trapani, and visit a winery in the nearby town of Marsala to taste the eponymous amber-hued dessert wine. Continue to a luxurious resort on the Mediterranean Sea outside Sciacca. During leisure time, enjoy the extensive facilities at your resort, such as a beach, pool, golf course and award-winning spa. Also visit the local village, known for its ceramics and coral studios. One day, on a private excursion to a countryside vineyard and winery, enjoy a private cooking class and sample some of Sicily's best wines and unique varietals.

Next, tour ancient Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples, an outstanding collection of well-preserved Hellenistic ruins and early Christian sites that's one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. Also enjoy lunch in Kolymbetra Garden, an enchanting valley amid the temples that's filled with aromatic Mediterranean shrubs, almond trees, olive orchards and citrus groves. Continue to the Baroque town of Noto to tour the UNESCO-listed architectural sites and enjoy a dessert and gelato tasting with one of Sicily's most prominent pastry chefs. Also visit nearby Modica to try the local chocolate, which is still made according to Aztec recipes brought from Mexico by the Spanish conquistadores.

Next, transfer to Syracuse, a powerful city in antiquity, for culinary and cultural touring. Tour the city with an expert private guide and explore highlights such as the Greek theater, Roman amphitheater, the ancient cathedral, the cave known as the Ear of Dionysius, the historic center of the island of Ortygia, charming seaside neighborhoods and elegant architecture.

Continue to Taormina, a historic clifftop town overlooking the sea. During private touring, visit the Greek theater, beautiful gardens, bougainvillea-lined backstreets, local markets, and gourmet boutiques stocked with prized pistachio cream, plump salt-packed capers, fragrant olive oil, fruit-shaped marzipan, and other Sicilian specialties. Also sample local pastries in an ancient monastery. Another day, take a private excursion to Mount Etna, an active volcano synonymous with Sicily whose fertile soil supports vineyards, orchards and farms. Visit a renowned local winery for an informative wine tasting and lunch of regional dishes.

This tour can be combined with culinary touring elsewhere in Italy, Europe or North Africa & the Middle East.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world