Authentic Sicilian Experience for the Food Lover
Authentic Sicilian Experience for the Food Lover
As the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, the land of Sicily is a treasure, and not just when it comes to history, architectural beauty, complex culture, and diverse landscape, but also for its extremely high quality food. From the towering Mount Etna to the gorgeous blue coastline, explore everything that this Italian island has to offer in this special 7-night Italian cooking vacation.
Your culinary adventure will take you from big bustling towns like the city of Palermo, full of ancient grandeur, to charming, medieval towns and attractions. Discover the archeological beauty of extraordinary ruins from Greek civilization. Experience rich traditional Sicilian dishes, as well as wines in local vineyards.
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Trip Details
In addition to tastings of local olive oil, chocolates, and wines, experience traditional Sicilian food first hand by making it in 3 hands-on cooking classes!
- Your first cooking lesson takes place in Palermo, where you’ll visit the local bustling food market and then return to Chef Vincenzo’s kitchen to learn how to create traditional Sicilian dishes.
- The second class is in a local Modica restaurant, where you’ll learn to prepare popular recipes in the region.
- The third hands-on class is in Taormina.
In all classes, learn true Sicilian cooking from true Sicilians!
Itinerary
Day One
Sample itinerary: order of activities subject to change depending on season, weather, and specific dates booked.
- Arrival at Palermo airport.
- Transfer at pre-arranged time to Palermo city and check in to a charming four-star hotel.
- For those arriving early in the day, an optional tour. (Cost not included in program; please inquire).
- Dinner on your own and overnight.
Day Two
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Begin your first hands-on cooking class with a trip to one of Palermo’s historic and bustling markets. Once back in the restaurant with your fresh ingredients, Chef Vincenzo will teach you about creating typical Sicilian dishes, such as zucca all’agro or veal scaloppine with Marsala wine. Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
- In the afternoon depart for Cefalù, a charming town that became prosperous when the Normans captured it in 1063. It was Roger II, King of Sicily, that began the construction of the present Cathedral with its remarkably fine mosaics of Byzantine art. The image of Christ Pantocrator in the apse and the rest of the mosaics in the first spaces between the arches of the choir are among the most beautiful in the world.
- Return to the hotel, dinner on your own, and overnight.
Day Three
- Transfer to Erice, a nearby medieval town, located at the top of a mountain, which is set 751 meters above sea level and overlooks the whole Western region, the Mediterranean Sea and the Egadi Islands. Walking tour of its characteristic historical centre.
- Lunch on your own in Erice.
- In the afternoon, depart for Marsala for a wine tasting at a top-rated winery.
- Continue on to Agrigento, check in at the hotel.
- Dinner on your own.
- Overnight.
Day Four
- After breakfast in the hotel, time to visit Agrigento.
- Experience a guided tour of the beautiful Valley of the Temples, one of the most representative sites of Greek civilization in the Mediterranean area. Visit the Temple of Hercules, Juno, Castor and Pollux as well as the wonderful Temple of Concord.
- Transfer to Piazza Armerina to visit a Roman villa.
- Lunch on your own in Piazza Armerina.
- Check in at a hotel in Modica. Dinner on your own and overnight.
Day Five
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- In the morning, start your second half-day cooking lesson in a local restaurant, where you will learn how to prepare some of the most popular and essential local recipes. Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
- In the afternoon, visit a 16th century Baglio for some wine, olive oil, and cheese tasting.
- End the day with a chocolate tasting on the way back to the hotel.
- Dinner on your own and overnight in Modica.
Day Six
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Depart for Siracusa, which during the Greek Age was one of the most powerful cities on the island. Visit the archaeological zone of the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Ear of Dionysus and the Latomie. Walk through the historical center on the Ortigia Island to admire the Cathedral, the Arethusa fountain and the ancient streets.
- Lunch at a local trattoria.
- In the afternoon, transfer to Taormina. Check in at the hotel.
- Dinner on your own and overnight in Taormina.
Day Seven
- Following breakfast, start your last hands-on cooking lesson with a chef in Taormina at the Villa Britannia. All participants will help prepare the dishes for the meal. At the end of the cooking lesson, enjoy lunch.
- In the afternoon, time to explore Taormina on your own.
- Dinner on own and overnight in Taormina.
Day Eight
- Breakfast, and departure transfer to Catania airport.
Trip Details
Included in the 7-Night Trip
Accommodations
7 nights accommodations in 4* superior hotels (2 in Palermo, 1 in Agrigento, 2 in Modica, and 2 in Taormina)
Food & Beverages
- Daily breakfast.
- 5 lunches (drinks not included)
- Food visits and tastings as per itinerary
Classes & Instructors
In addition to tastings of local olive oil, chocolates, and wines, experience traditional Sicilian food first hand by making it in 3 hands-on cooking classes!
- Your first cooking lesson takes place in Palermo, where you’ll visit the local bustling food market and then return to Chef Vincenzo’s kitchen to learn how to create traditional Sicilian dishes.
- The second class is in a local Modica restaurant, where you’ll learn to prepare popular recipes in the region.
- The third hands-on class is in Taormina.
In all classes, learn true Sicilian cooking from true Sicilians!
Excursions
- Market visit in Palermo
- Excursion to Cefalù
- Visit of Erice
- Marsala winery visit and tasting
- Guided visit of the Valley of the Temples and Piazza Amerina (entrance fees paid locally)
- Visit of Siracusa
Transfer Details
- Arrival transfer from Palermo airport
- Return transfer to Catania airport
Miscellaneous
- Transportation by private car or minibus for the whole tour
Not Included
- Drinks during meals
- Entrance fees to archeological sites and museums
Accommodation Information
Your accommodations in Palermo will be at the 4* Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa, located in the city center. The bedrooms have en suite private baths, safe, minibar, LCD TV, phone, and of course air conditioning. The hotel features a restaurant, bar, spa, and interior courtyard. (If unavailable a comparable 4* will be proposed.)
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In the area near Agrigento your stay will be at the charming, 7-room Relais Briuccia. Originally an aristocratic palace and converted into a B&B, the building also features a wonderful restaurant, a stone terrace, and a frescoed salon. The rooms are large and feature wrought iron bedsteads and four poster beds, marble tiled floors, beamed ceilings, and other interesting design features. The en suite bathrooms are separated from the bedrooms by curtained glass partitions. (If unavailable a comparable hotel will be proposed.)
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The elegant Palazzo Failla, once a noble Sicilian mansion, is located in Upper Modica not far from the city’s center. The 10 rooms offer modern conveniences, including satellite TV, minibar, hair dryer, radio, safe, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and telephone. (If unavailable an alternate 4* hotel will be proposed.)
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The Hotel Villa Diodoro is just steps from the beautiful town of Taormina, and it’s pool overlooks the stunning Mount Etna. Renovated in 2008, all 102 spacious rooms are inspired by the natural habitat surrounding the hotel, and many offer incredible views of the area. (If unavailable an alternate 4* hotel will be proposed.)
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Pricing & Tour Dates
Looking for tour date information?
High Season Pricing:
April through October
7-night Program
US$3650 per person based on double occupancy
- Subtract US$450 per person when booking 4 or more people
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Single occupancy rates: please inquire.
Low Season Pricing:
November through March
7-night Program
US$3290 per person based on double occupancy
- Subtract US$290 per person when booking 4 or more people
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!
Tour Dates
Available the following weeks for a minimum of 2 people. Other start dates also possible, please inquire.
2020
July 18-25
July 25-August 1
August 1-8
August 8-15
August 15-22
August 22-29
August 29-September 5
September 5-12
September 12-19
September 19-26
September 26-October 3
October 3-10
October 10-17
October 17-24
October 24-31
October 31-7
November 7-14
November 14-21
November 21-28
November 28-December 5
December 5-12
December 12-19
December 19-26
2021
January 2-9
January 9-16
January 16-23
January 23-30
January 30-February 6
February 6-13
February 13-20
February 20-27
February 27-March 6
March 6-13
March 13-20
March 20-27
March 27-April 3
April 3-10
April 10-17
April 17-24
April 24-May 1
May 1-8
May 8-15
May 15-22
May 22-29
May 29-June 5
June 5-12
June 12-19
June 19-26
June 26-July 3
July 3-10
July 10-17
July 17-24
July 24-31
July 31-August 7
August 7-14
August 14-21
August 21-28
August 28-September 4
September 4-11
September 11-18
September 18-25
September 25-October 2
October 2-9
October 9-16
October 16-23
October 23-30
October 30-November 6
November 6-13
November 13-20
November 20-27
November 27-December 4
December 4-11
December 11-18
December 18-25
Reviews
_Response from The International Kitchen:_ Thank you for your feedback! We will definitely look into adding an option for a 5-star hotel upgrade!
_Response from The International Kitchen:_ We're glad you had such a fabulous time in Sicily with Paolo! Thank you for your feedback about the hotel. We will let Paolo know.
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Country:
Italy
Region:
Sicily
Tour Dates:
Available any time on request for a minimum of two people, or join a week others have confirmed. Please review our complete pricing details.
7 Nights
Starting at
$3,000
Want more flexibility? We can customize all of your trip details for you, including:
- Trip length and Itineraries
- Hotels and Tours
- Transfers and Airfare
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