Vantage World Travel

Sicilia for Connoisseurs

There are no words to describe the charm and beauty of Sicily. This is a land that has inspired myths and ancient histories, and has been molded by people from Magna Graecia, Arabs, Normans, Germans and Spaniards. Isolated in the sea, this island is a bridge between the Mediterranean and Africa. This combination of civilizations are seen in Sicily’s architecture, customs, and culinary traditions and have created a unique culture with a charm of its own. Above all this will be a moving, emotional and incredibly rewarding cultural discovery.

Sicily is a combination of contrasting worlds: its coast is bathed by the sea, while its inland is mountainous and scorched. A visual delight, Sicily is a mixture of grapevines, indigenous fichi d’india (the prickly pear), magnificent temples, ostentatious monuments, and ancient ruins. Sicilian cities express a marked individuality: the vivacious Catania, the chaotic Palermo that hides some wonderful sites in an impenetrable labyrinth, the beautiful Syracuse, the elegant and gastronomical delightful Ragusa. Archeological lovers will satiate their curiosity by visiting Segesta, Selinunte, Valle dei Templi (the Valley of the Temples), near Agrigento and Taormina. Photographers will find scenes everywhere as you visit ancient ruins, hill-top fortress towns where you can often only hear the sound of your own breathing, baroque cities clinging to the slopes where you climb steps decorated with splendid glazed polychrome majolica tiles and natural sights to behold.

Gourmets will be captured by the rich quality of a typical Sicilian meal: arancini di riso (bread crumb coated fried balls of seasoned rice), or Pasta alla Norma from Catania, served with eggplant, or Pasta con le Sarde (pasta with sardines) followed by cuscus of Arabic origin, and soft sfinciuni (swordfish); and for dessert sweet cassata, a sponge cake filled with ricotta cheese, sugar, vanilla, pieces of candied fruits and liqueur, fruits of Martorana, and of course the indigenous citrus fruits from Sicily’s own vast citrus groves. The elegant, full-bodied wines include Nero d’Avola, Marsala, Passito, and Moscat.

Highlights

• During the last few years Sicilian wines have achieved an amazing success in the world-wide market. In fact, the oenologists have made great technological innovations regarding the selection of grape clusters and the quality of its vineyards. For these reasons, Nero d’Avola, Zibibbo, Cerasuolo di Victoria and Moscato di Pantelleria have become such familiar names in the wine industry.
• Tonda Iblea and Ogliarola, Biancolella and Siracusana are some of the cultivars (the cultivated varieties of olive trees or grape vines) that are turned into exceptional olive oil. Also the olives for every day use, like Nocellara del Belice, that do not need to be ripened for consumption, are a specialty to be discovered.
• The Saline Ettore e Infersa is a fascinating salt-works site. Not far from Marsala, facing Mothia Island, in the lagoon of Stagnone, this spectacular landscape holds enormous light-reflecting lakes heavy with its high salt concentrations. Visible to the passerby are the harvested heaps of precious salt protected from the environment by man-made tiles. You can also witness the three giant wind mills grinding the crystals rich in iodine, fluoride, magnesium and potassium.
• The Temple of Segesta is a fine and well-preserved example of Doric architecture. Built at the end of the 5th century B.C., located in a beautiful, secluded and rolling landscape, it is the apex of a fascinating archaeological site.
• The island of Ortigia was once used as a fortress when Sicily was part of the Magna Graecia Empire. Traveling throughout the island, you become aware of its various past cultures. Its tangled streets reveal its pre-Roman influences, as well as its bastions built in the 16th century against Turkish assaults.
• At the borders of the modern city of Syracuse, the Neàpoli Archaeological Park still speaks of Dionysius, Archimedes and of a shining past.

Contact us for your Customized Program

Sicily (8 days) - Escorted Program

From Catania to Palermo discovering art and sweet treasures, the taste of which will remain with us forever. A visual delight, Sicily is a mixture of grapevines, indigenous fichi d’india (the prickly pear), magnificent temples, ostentatious monuments, and ancient ruins. Sicilian cities express a marked individuality: the vivacious Catania, the chaotic Palermo that hides some wonderful sites in an impenetrable labyrinth, the beautiful Syracuse, the elegant and gastronomical delightful Ragusa. Archeological lovers will satiate their curiosity by visiting Segesta, Selinunte, Valle dei Templi (the Valley of the Temples), near Agrigento and Taormina.

Epicurean Sicily - Gourmet Tour (8 days) - Escorted Program

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

Independent Programs

Sicilian volcanoes (5 days)

Travel along the Coast of the Cyclopes to visit Catania, capital of the Etna region, a vivacious, contrasting city whose cuisine is as vibrant as its brilliant architecture. Then to Taormina, views and its incredible view of Etna from the Greek Theater. Taormina’s historical center with its many styles testify to the passage of so many conquerors, starting with the Greeks in the 8th. century B.C. The enormous cone of the Etna guides us toward the Gole di Alcantara, presenting a wild and grandiose nature surrounded by some of the best land for wine-growing. Travel to Messina and its straits, immortalized by Homer in the “Odyssey”, and Tindari, the last Greek colony in Sicily, once beloved by the Romans. From Milazzo, hydroplanes and ferries set sail to the beautiful Eolie Islands, a mass of extinct and active volcanoes poking out of the sea.The itinerary is highly customizable and expandable both as a self-drive or chauffeur-driven program!

The eastern horn in the Mediterranean Sea (7 days)

Syracuse, one of the most important cities of the ancient Greek world, is enchanting, with the historical center of Ortigia and the magnificent archaeological park of Neapoli yet, it is also a savory city where the flavors of fish, citrus fruit, small intense Pachino tomatoes, oil of the Iblei, almonds and Moscato all harmoniously converge. Travel to the Ibleo highland via the prehistoric necropolis of Pantalica were the dead of a large, unexcavated village, occupied from 13th-18th century B.C., were buried in deep, cave-like tombs cut into the rock, to the Baroque city of Noto and the delights of olive oil of Rosolini with a fresh fruity taste resembling the flavor of artichoke. The destructive earthquake in 1693 destroyed most of the original buildings in the Iblei area which were later rebuilt in a late baroque architectural style especially in Modica and Ragusa, both protected by Unesco. Ragusa, still shows us the ancient city of Ibla layout, where you can become lost in the time. In this sparkling, sometimes decadent environment, it is tempting to enter the local pasticcerie ( pastry shop) with their wonderful pastries filled with cream, almond, ricotta and candied fruit and try the wonderful chocolate, sometimes combined with such flavors as vanilla and peperoncino (chilly pepper) and prepared according to ancient Aztec- style recipes. Finally to Caltagirone, a city of ceramics, and Piazza Armerina with the spectacular mosaic floors of the Roman Villa del Casale.The itinerary is highly customizable and expandable both as a self-drive or chauffeur-driven program!

Treasures of Western Sicily (6 days)

Start in Palermo, a town lush with gardens, citrus trees, and lovely architectural structures like the domes of San Giovanni degli Eremiti and the gold of the palatine Chapel but also full of the noise of the markets and the smell of fried arancini. Visit Monreale with its Duomo and travel at the foot of the Madonie to Cefalù, whose historical center is a net of narrow roads paved with stones suddenly opening to reveal the wide duomo, in one of the important oenological areas of Sicily. A long road brings us then to Agrigento, its magnificent Valley of the Temples dedicated to the harmony and divinity of the Greek-Roman gods. The tour continues with the silent and lush landscapes of the Belice to Selinunte, a jewel of Magna Graecia which has been standing for more than 2000 years. Marsala is next with an ancient history of Punic, Greek and Roman ships but also with the flavors of the famous liquoroso wine made here. Not far from Marsala, facing Mothia, the Phoenician island, are found fascinating salt-works sites amid a spectacular landscape of enormous light-reflecting lakes heavy with high salt concentrations. Finally visit Erice, its medieval suburb still maintaining its ancient forms in intact condition and Segesta, archaeological site of great importance. The itinerary is highly customizable and expandable both as a self-drive or chauffeur-driven program!

Contact us for your Customized Program

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