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Small Group Culinary Vacations in Sicily
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Visit Sicily on a Small Group Culinary Vacation
Join us on the beautiful Island of Sicily! This is a foodie vacation is offered in partnership with one of our favorite culinary programs in the Lazio region. A few times a year they lead culinary travelers to the island of Sicily, combining food, cooking, culture, touring, and picturesque excursions into an experience of a lifetime!
You will tour some of the most famous and iconic sites in Sicily. The vacation combines the relaxed luxury of some of Sicily’s most known spots such as Mt. Etna, Taormina, Ortigia, Siracusa, Marzamemi, Catania, and Noto.
Highlights of Your Sicily Tour
Your small group Sicily tour will take you to many famous sites in eastern Sicily, including:
- Sircusa and Ortigia
- Noto and Marzamemi
- Catania’s market
- Winery visits – including on Mount Etna
- Taormina
- And more!
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Itinerary
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Day One – Saturday
- Pre-arranged transfers will take place in the afternoon from the Catania Airport or a local hotel.
- Then travel to our hotel on the Island of Ortigia, the ancient and most picturesque part of Siracusa. Home to many Greek historical landmarks, Sicilian Baroque architecture, unique stores, and a local market.
- Check in and get settled.
- The afternoon will be left to your leisure. Relax and get acquainted with your fellow guests or discover the island on your own.
- Our welcome dinner will be held at a popular seafood restaurant featuring the best of the local waters. We will hold a brief orientation to discuss the details of your fun – filled cooking vacation.
Day Two – Sunday
- This morning head out for a guided tour of the Archeological Park, featuring an impressive Greek theater, a Roman amphitheater, and an array of well-preserved ancient Greek and Roman monuments.
- We will enjoy lunch at a restaurant in Ortigia.
- Following lunch, our guided tour will continue on the island of Ortigia. We will enjoy its amazing Ancient Greek heritage and its well-preserved baroque architecture. There will be time to relax, shop, and perhaps visit a spa.
- Head to a local restaurant for dinner.
Day Three – Monday
- We start with a scenic drive to an authentic Sicilian Baglio. This unique attraction inludes an old world farmhouse-fortress with its own private olive mill and chapel.
- After a tour, we will have a hands-on cooking lesson and lunch with the Nonna of the casa. The lunch lesson will introduce you to classic Sicilian dishes served in large portions, as is traditional.
- On our way back to Ortigia, enjoy a stop at the UNESCO-heritage town of Noto for a brief visit. Noto is significant for its beautifully preserved Sicilian Baroque architecture.
- Dinner will be at your leisure.
Day Four – Tuesday
- Begin the day with a visit to a Nero d’Avola winery, producers of a highly regarded Sicilian red wine. Beautifully located, the winery is nestled between almond tree groves and the coast.
- We will enjoy a typical Sicilian lunch following the tour and tasting.
- After lunch, depart for the picturesque seaside fishing village of Marzamemi. You will explore the town and the local tuna fishing heritage, including the canneries.
- In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant back in Ortigia.
Day Five – Wednesday
- Depart Ortigia and begin the second half of our journey with a drive back to Catania.
- In Catania, you will have a market visit with a local chef. The chef will guide you through the many local products- including herbs, produce, and seafood- that are found at their market, one of the largest in Sicily, while weaving a tapestry of interesting stories and anecdotes.
- Once the ingredients have been selected, head to a cooking lesson with the chef at a palace in the city’s center. This will include a demonstration on cannoli making.
- Continue the day with a drive to beautiful Taormina, and check-in at the hotel with a coastal view.
- Settle in and relax, then head to dinner at a delightful restaurant in Taormina.
Day Six – Thursday
- We begin our day with a walk through the town center to an ancient Greco-Roman amphitheater, for a guided tour and visit.
- Then head to the Michelin-Star Chef Pietro D’Agostino’s Cooking Lab for a cooking demonstration followed by lunch.
- Learn his technique for making some of the delectable seafood dishes that have cemented his claim to fame.
- Spend the afternoon and dinner at your leisure. Explore and take advantage of the many artisanal and trendy shops in town, or take a break and head to the beach if the weather is nice!
Day Seven – Friday
- Begin the morning with a short drive up the mountain above Taormina to see the tiny town of Castelmola. Built upon the ruins of an ancient Norman castle, it is a well preserved Medieval town sitting at 500 meters above sea level. It boasts breathtaking panoramic views of Mt. Etna and the entirety of the Southern coastline.
- You will drive to the highest point of Mt. Etna accessible by car, and take a walk around an extinct crater with lava flow, all the while enjoying spectacular views of the volcano and the coastline.
- For lunch, visit a winery located on the side of the mountain. Enjoy a lunch paired with some of the most distinguished fine wines in Sicily. Sicily’s wines have a distinct flavor resulting from the rich, volcanic soil.
- After lunch, return to Taormina in the late afternoon. Enjoy leisure time before farewell dinner.
- Enjoy our ‘Arrivederci Dinner’ in Taormina and a farewell celebration.
Day Eight – Saturday
- Transfer to the Catania airport for departure flights. Flights can be scheduled from Catania to Rome or to any other major European cities for international flights.
Small Group Sicily Tour Dates
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Included in the 7-Night Small Group Sicily Tour
Accommodations- 4 nights in a luxury hotel in Ortigia
- 3 nights in a luxury hotel in Taormina
Food & Beverages- Daily breakfast
- 6 lunches
- 5 dinners
Classes & InstructorsYour small group Sicily culinary vacation will include three cooking classes:
- one class at a traditional “baglio” (traditional farmhouse estate)
- one class in Catania paired with a visit to the famous market and a cannoli demonstration
- a workshop with a Michelin-star chef in Taormina
Excursions- Visit of a “Baglio” farmhouse
- Visit of a Nero d’Avola winery
- Guided visits of Ortigia and Siracusa
- Excursions to Noto and Marzamemi
- Market visit in Catania
- Guided visit of Taormina
- Excursion to Mount Etna
Transfer Details- Transfers from the Catania Airport to your hotel in Siracusa
- Transfer from Taormina to the Catania Airport for departure
Not Included
- Local tourist tax
- Gratuities
Accommodation Information
Your Sicily tour will include nights accommodations in luxury hotels, with four nights in Ortigia and three nights in Taormina. (Please inquire with dates for specific hotels).
Pricing and Tour Dates for our Small Group Sicily Tours
Find pricing and dates for our small group cooking vacations in Sicily below, and contact us for availability or to plan your trip.
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2025 Cooking Vacation Pricing
See moreUS$6900 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$1600 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
30% deposit due to confirm booking.
Balance payment due 90 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!Small Group Sicily Tour Dates
See more2025 Dates
May 3-10
May 24-31
October 4-11
October 11-18
We can help plan the best Sicily culinary holidays!
Whether you need help planning additional nights in Sicily, transportation, or more, we are always here to help you plan the very best cooking holiday in Sicily.
