Itinerary
- Day 1
Syracuse
You'll arrive in Syracuse and check into your boutique hotel in Ortigia, the old town situated on a small island. Spend your first afternoon walking through the narrow streets at your own pace or sitting in Piazza Duomo to get a feel for the place. In the evening, you'll join the group for a welcome dinner with traditional Sicilian dishes.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner at a local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Piazza Duomo - Day 2
Syracuse
A local guide takes you on a food-focused walk through Ortigia's hidden streets and market. You'll try different Sicilian specialties, meet producers, and have traditional gelato. By evening, you'll head out to watch a traditional Sicilian puppet show, which gives you a real sense of the local culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Sicilian specialties including panino and other local dishes sampled during street food tour)
Included Activities
- Ortigia street food tour with local guide
- Visit to local ricotta maker
- Traditional gelato shop visit
- Traditional Sicilian puppet show
Landmarks/POIs Ortigia - Day 3
Taormina
This morning you're heading to Mount Etna, Europe's tallest volcano. After a scenic cable car ride, you'll do a 4x4 offroad adventure through the volcanic landscape (temperature around 50°F/10°C at higher elevations). Later in the afternoon, you'll travel to Taormina, a hilltop town with coastal views. From there, you can visit the ancient Greek Theatre with its views of Mount Etna and the Mediterranean.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Mount Etna cable car ride
- 4x4 bus excursion through volcanic landscapes
- Taormina free time
- Taormina Greek Theatre visit
Landmarks/POIs Mount Etna Taormina Greek Theatre - Day 4
Syracuse
You have the day to yourself to explore Syracuse however you like. Some good options include Castello Maniace, a seaside fortress at the tip of Ortigia, or Parco Archeologico della Neapolis with its ancient Greek ruins and theatre. Otherwise, you can just relax and experience the authentic Sicilian lifestyle at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Castello Maniace fortress visit
- Parco Archeologico della Neapolis visit including ancient Greek theatre
Landmarks/POIs Castello Maniace Parco Archeologico della Neapolis - Day 5
Syracuse
You're spending the day at a family-run organic farm in the countryside. You'll learn about sustainable farming and pick fresh produce yourself. Then comes the hands-on part where you'll join a cooking class learning traditional recipes. After that, you'll sit down to eat the meal you helped create outside among olive groves and citrus trees.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Meal prepared during cooking class, served al fresco among olive groves and citrus trees)
Included Activities
- Organic farm visit with sustainable farming practices education
- Hands-on cooking class learning traditional recipes
- Farm lunch featuring produce from the property
- Day 6
Ragusa
You'll travel to Ragusa for a guided tour of the old town with its winding streets, historic monuments, and ornate balconies. After the tour, you have free time to walk around artisan shops and take in the views. Later, you're heading to Modica for a chocolate workshop where you'll learn centuries-old recipes and make your own handcrafted chocolate.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ragusa guided walking tour
- Modica chocolate workshop with handcrafted chocolate creation
Optional Activities
- Ragusa artisan shops browsing
- Panoramic views of Ragusa's rooftops and surrounding hills
Landmarks/POIs Ragusa Modica - Day 7
Palermo
Today involves traveling across Sicily through rolling hills and villages with olive groves and vineyards. You'll stop at Villa Romana del Casale to see vivid Roman mosaics and learn about life around 2,000 years ago. After a farm-to-table lunch with seasonal ingredients, you'll continue to Palermo and settle into your hotel. In the evening, you can walk around and explore the city's streets on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Fresh, seasonal farm-to-table lunch at countryside farm with ingredients from surrounding fields)
Included Activities
- Villa Romana del Casale visit with mosaic viewing
- Farm-to-table lunch with seasonal countryside ingredients
Optional Activities
- Palermo city exploration and street food tasting
Landmarks/POIs Villa Romana del Casale - Day 8
Palermo
A guided food tour takes you through Palermo's markets and streets where you'll try street food like arancini and cannoli. You'll visit Palazzo Conte Federico where the Contessa shares family stories and secrets about the house. By the end of the day, you're heading to Duomo di Monreale to see the cathedral with its golden mosaics depicting biblical scenes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Sicilian street food sampled during Palermo food tour)
Included Activities
- Palermo guided food tour of markets and street food
- Palazzo Conte Federico visit with Contessa tour
- Duomo di Monreale cathedral visit
Landmarks/POIs Palazzo Conte Federico Duomo di Monreale - Day 9
Palermo
This is your free day to explore Palermo however you choose. You could check out the Vucciria Market, the colorful Albergheria neighborhood with street art and galleries, or Palazzo dei Normanni for history. The botanical gardens of Palermo offer a quieter option if you prefer that. Later, the group gathers for a farewell dinner celebrating Sicilian cooking.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner celebrating Sicilian cuisine)
Included Activities
- Farewell dinner
Optional Activities
- Vucciria Market visit
- Albergheria neighborhood exploration
- Palazzo dei Normanni visit
- Botanical gardens of Palermo visit
- Café exploration and people-watching
Landmarks/POIs Vucciria Market Albergheria Palazzo dei Normanni Botanical Gardens of Palermo - Day 10
Palermo
You'll have breakfast before heading to the airport to depart Palermo. Your tour ends today, and you'll say goodbye to Sicily and the friends you've made during the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
