Epicurean Sicily - Gourmet Tour 8d/7n

There is no better way to experience the splendor of Sicily…and on this trip you will savor every moment!

The Eremiti in Palermo - photo courtesy of Italy Tourist BoardEnliven your senses and enlighten your fancy with our gastronomic tour of the amazing island of Sicily! Explore extraordinary ruins and enchantingly beautiful scenery, while visiting some of Sicily’s most precious towns and select attractions. Our tour lets you uncover the gems of the “largest island in the Mediterranean”, while treating you to a variety of pre-arranged and all-inclusive cooking classes, gourmet meals, wine tasting, and guided excursions. During the tour, you will learn to prepare traditional Sicilian dishes, sample vintages at local canteens and wine vineyards, relax each evening in idyllic accommodations—and even have the opportunity to climb Mt. Etna!

Guaranteed departures: May 24, Jun 7, Jun 21, Jul 12, Aug 23, Sep 06, Sep 20, Oct 04, Oct 18. Nov 01, Dec 20, Dec 27, 2008

Rates Include: English speaking driver-courier for the whole tour, Transportation by private car or minibus for the whole tour, Accommodations: 4*/3*sup. hotel and charming reconverted farmhouses (agriturismo) in rooms with private bathroom with shower, Half-board (breakfast + dinner): meals in hotel or in typical restaurants and farmhouses as per program, Lunch on day 7, Visits and excursions as listed in the program, with helpful information about locations provided by our driver, 3 cooking lessons as listed in the program, 2 guided visits to wine cellar + wine tasting, All taxes

Sicilian puppets - photo courtesy of Italy Tourist BoardNot Included: Any airfare - Drinks during meals, Entrance fees to archaeological sites and museums, Tips, arrival/departure transfers and entrance fees, unless clearly specified - All Clients are strongly advised to subscribe a Travel Insurance.

Accommodation: 4*/3*sup. hotel and charming reconverted farmhouses (agriturismo) in rooms with private bathroom with shower

Note - A minimum of 4 participants is required for This departure. Vantage World reserves the right to cancel any tour that don’t have the minimum required number of participants. If so, you will be informed at least 1 month in advance and your deposit will be reimbursed with no charges.

Sketch Itinerary:

  • Day 1 - Palermo or Castellamare Arrival in Palermo airport and welcome by our driver. Transfer to Palermo city or Castellamare and check in at a charming four star hotel. Dinner on your own and overnight.

  • Day 2 - Cooking Lesson /Erice / Palermo or CastellamareBreakfast. Cooking Lesson in Baglio with lunch, The chef at Baglio will teach guests how to prepare some of the most representative recipes of the culinary tradition of the province of Trapani. Walking visit of the characteristic historical centre of Erice. Return to the hotel

  • Day 3 - Agrigento / Piazza ArmerinaBreakfast. Departure to Agrigento to visit the beautiful Valley of the Temples, one of the most representative sites of Greek civilization in the Mediterranean area. Then to Piazza Armerina to visit to the Villa Romana del Casale, a Roman country villa of the 3rd century, famous for its precious mosaics. Caltagirone farm and typical dinner at the farmhouse

    • Sicilian cooking school - photo courtesy of Tourism Board of Italy

  • Day 4 - Siracusa/ TaorminaBreakfast. Visit of Siracusa, which during the Greek Age was one of the more powerful cities on the island. Visit to the archaeological zone and walk through the historical center on the Ortigia Island. Time for shopping and for lunch on your own. Afternoon transfer to Taormina.

  • Day 5 - Cooking class/ Etna Wines/ TaorminaBreakfast. Cooking lesson of traditional regional cuisine and lunch with the dishes prepared during the lesson. Then to Tenuta San Michele, an ancient estate located on the slopes of the volcano Etna. The farm, which belongs to the noble family of the Baron Scammacca del Murgo, is surrounded by extensive vineyards and has a panoramic view of both Mt. Etna and the sea. Wine tasting and guided visit to the wine cellar. Returen to Taormina.

  • Day 6 - Cooking Lesson/ The Madonie ParkBreakfast. Transfer to Polizzi in the Madonie Mountains’ Natural Park. Cooking Lesson on some of the most popular and essential recipes according to the local tradition followed by lunch. Afternoon: visit to Polizzi Generosa. Dinner

  • Day 7 - Arab-Norman and Baroque Palermo/Food Market/MonrealeBreakfast. Transfer to Palermo for a full-day visit to this ancient town that has been a crossroads for civilization in the Mediterranean for ages. Full day visit of Arab-Norman and Baroque Palermo, Food Market, Monreale. Farewell Dinner. After dinner, sightseeing tour of “Palermo By Night”

  • Day 8 - DepartureBreakfast. Transfer to the airport and end of services

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Also tagged with: Escorted Journeys, Europe, Italy, Sicily, Culinary / Wine Discoveries, Family Vacation, Join-In Tour


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