Sicily - Island of Enchantment
September 11-21, 2019
Mighty Mount Etna dominates the skyline of Sicily, the crossroads of the Mediterranean. Join me for a 10 day exploration of the cuisine, culture and history of Sicily. Taormina, the wines of the Mt Etna slopes. Couscous. Bottarga. Palermo. Siracusa. Ancient artifacts, stunning beaches, unsurpassed Baroque architecture. The bounty of the Mediterranean Sea. We start in Palermo, visit the west coast for several days, travel to the South Eastern region for four nights and then a final evening near the glitzy Taormina. This is a world apart, and worthy of every minute.
(Fly into Palermo and out of Catania)
Maximum 8 people (10 days pp/do CDN$4995)
Mighty Mount Etna dominates the skyline of Sicily, the crossroads of the Mediterranean. Join me for a 10 day exploration of the cuisine, culture and history of Sicily. Taormina, the wines of the Mt Etna slopes. Couscous. Bottarga. Palermo. Siracusa. Ancient artifacts, stunning beaches, unsurpassed Baroque architecture. The bounty of the Mediterranean Sea. We start in Palermo, visit the west coast for several days, travel to the South Eastern region for four nights and then a final evening near the glitzy Taormina. This is a world apart, and worthy of every minute.
(Fly into Palermo and out of Catania)
Maximum 8 people (10 days pp/do CDN$4995)
Sicily
Etna and Taormina, the ocean and seafood, Don Corleone and history. The crossroads of the Mediterranean for thousands of years. This 10 day trip is a look at the history and culture of Sicily through the lens of food. As a meeting place for many of the world's major cultures - African, Greek, Roman, Persian, Ottoman - both the beauty of the place and the gastronomic history lend itself to a melting pot of cuisines that have become distinctly Sicilian. Let Chef Michael guide you through the great Slow Food restaurants, significant southern Italian wines and of course the markets and seasides of this extraordinary place and discover the Real Sicily
Best itinerary is to fly into Palermo and out of Catania
Etna and Taormina, the ocean and seafood, Don Corleone and history. The crossroads of the Mediterranean for thousands of years. This 10 day trip is a look at the history and culture of Sicily through the lens of food. As a meeting place for many of the world's major cultures - African, Greek, Roman, Persian, Ottoman - both the beauty of the place and the gastronomic history lend itself to a melting pot of cuisines that have become distinctly Sicilian. Let Chef Michael guide you through the great Slow Food restaurants, significant southern Italian wines and of course the markets and seasides of this extraordinary place and discover the Real Sicily
Best itinerary is to fly into Palermo and out of Catania
Palermo
Day 1 - Wednesday, September 11 - Arrivals
Palermo
Fly into Palermo, Italy, where most most flights arrive around noon from other destinations. Michael will pick you up at the airport, train station or ferry terminal, depending upon your arrival.
We spend the night in Palermo in a suite of apartments in a fifteenth century Palazzo, explore the city on foot, visit the markets and enjoy a welcome seafood dinner in this glorious and gritty old city
Palermo
Fly into Palermo, Italy, where most most flights arrive around noon from other destinations. Michael will pick you up at the airport, train station or ferry terminal, depending upon your arrival.
We spend the night in Palermo in a suite of apartments in a fifteenth century Palazzo, explore the city on foot, visit the markets and enjoy a welcome seafood dinner in this glorious and gritty old city
The Cathedral of Monreale
Day 2 - Thursday, September 12
Palermo and Monreale
The next morning we visit the Cappuchin Catacombs and see the mortal remains of thousands of Palermo citizens that creepily have been mummified to preserve them, then to its off to nearby Monreale to view the Duomo, which to my mind may be the most beautiful cathedral I have ever seen.
WE return to Palermo that afternoon and spend a leisurely evening exploring the city and dining at a lovely seafood restaurant.
Palermo and Monreale
The next morning we visit the Cappuchin Catacombs and see the mortal remains of thousands of Palermo citizens that creepily have been mummified to preserve them, then to its off to nearby Monreale to view the Duomo, which to my mind may be the most beautiful cathedral I have ever seen.
WE return to Palermo that afternoon and spend a leisurely evening exploring the city and dining at a lovely seafood restaurant.
Segesta
Trapani
Day 3 - Friday, September 13
Erice, Segesta and Trapani We make our way from Palermo and drive 45 minutes to Segesta, where we visit this important Roman city site and then to mountaintop Erice, preserved in time - cobbled streets, magnificent castles and unparalleled views over western Sicily, where we enjoy a lunch at one of Michael's favourite restaurants. Then down the hill and to our local villa for two nights. Dinner at the villa |
 The streets of Erice
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The salt flats near Mozia
Day 4 - Saturday, September 14
Isola Grande, Mozia and Marsala
Its just a hop skip and jump to the salt marshes near Mozia where we can see the view above, buy some locally made hand harvested Fiore di mare (Sea Salt). We then take a cute little boat out for an exploration of the nearby island of Mozia, famous for the small museum, the well-preserved ruins of a crossroads civilization, and the Tophet, a type of cemetery for the cremated remains of children.
We then head into the port city of Marsala, famous for wine and have a late afternoon wine tasting at Donnafugata, one of the most important wineries in all of Sicily. We will bring some of the days prizes with us back to the villa and cook up a seafood feast.
Isola Grande, Mozia and Marsala
Its just a hop skip and jump to the salt marshes near Mozia where we can see the view above, buy some locally made hand harvested Fiore di mare (Sea Salt). We then take a cute little boat out for an exploration of the nearby island of Mozia, famous for the small museum, the well-preserved ruins of a crossroads civilization, and the Tophet, a type of cemetery for the cremated remains of children.
We then head into the port city of Marsala, famous for wine and have a late afternoon wine tasting at Donnafugata, one of the most important wineries in all of Sicily. We will bring some of the days prizes with us back to the villa and cook up a seafood feast.
Scala dei Turchi
Day 5 - Sunday, September 15
Marsala to Agrigento
We leave early for a 2 hour drive to Agrigento where we check into a hotel for one night. After check in, we'll take short drive to visit the Scala dei Turchi (right) and if the weather is good enough, enjoy some swimming in afternoon.
Dinner that night at Sapori di Mare in Porto Empedocle with the gregarious owner Rino
Marsala to Agrigento
We leave early for a 2 hour drive to Agrigento where we check into a hotel for one night. After check in, we'll take short drive to visit the Scala dei Turchi (right) and if the weather is good enough, enjoy some swimming in afternoon.
Dinner that night at Sapori di Mare in Porto Empedocle with the gregarious owner Rino
Valley of The Temples
Day 6 - Monday, September 16
Valley of the Temples
Early morning we make the short (ten minute) drive to Agrigento's monumental Valley of the Temples and enjoy a guided tour (2 hours) of this most important historical site.
Then its a 1 hour drive to the city of Modica for an afternoon provisioning stop at Casa del Formaggio, see the Baroque cathedral, and buy some chocolate, for which Modica is famous. If we are lucky, we'll catch the little 'sorbetto di limone' man - the star of one of the films at Devour The Food film fest.
We continue for another 1/2 hour to our stately villa near the city of Noto.
We settle in for four nights and we'll let you get the driving out of your system and enjoy the property for the late afternoon.
Dinner at the Villa
Valley of the Temples
Early morning we make the short (ten minute) drive to Agrigento's monumental Valley of the Temples and enjoy a guided tour (2 hours) of this most important historical site.
Then its a 1 hour drive to the city of Modica for an afternoon provisioning stop at Casa del Formaggio, see the Baroque cathedral, and buy some chocolate, for which Modica is famous. If we are lucky, we'll catch the little 'sorbetto di limone' man - the star of one of the films at Devour The Food film fest.
We continue for another 1/2 hour to our stately villa near the city of Noto.
We settle in for four nights and we'll let you get the driving out of your system and enjoy the property for the late afternoon.
Dinner at the Villa
Ragusa Ibla
Day 7 - Tuesday, September 17
Cava d'Ispica and Ragusa Ibla
This morning is a chance to catch our breath and relax, enjoy the villa and the surrounding region.
In the early afternoon we will take quick trip to visit to Cava d'ispica (ancient cliff dwellings from thousands of years ago) and then to the city of Ragusa, pictured above , where we enjoy lunch at I Banchi, a highly rated regional restaurant, then a postprandial stroll through the ancient streets and visit the main square for an aperitivo and some shopping. We head back to the Villa for a Porchetta dinner and some robust wines
Cava d'Ispica and Ragusa Ibla
This morning is a chance to catch our breath and relax, enjoy the villa and the surrounding region.
In the early afternoon we will take quick trip to visit to Cava d'ispica (ancient cliff dwellings from thousands of years ago) and then to the city of Ragusa, pictured above , where we enjoy lunch at I Banchi, a highly rated regional restaurant, then a postprandial stroll through the ancient streets and visit the main square for an aperitivo and some shopping. We head back to the Villa for a Porchetta dinner and some robust wines
Siracusa
Day 8 - Wednesday, September 18
Siracusa
We visit the ancient city of Siracusa today and the historic heart of the city, Ortigia. It is notable for its rich Greek history, culture, amphitheatres, architecture and as the birthplace of Archimedes. This 2,700-year-old city played a key role in ancient times, when it was one of the major powers of the Mediterranean world. With an expert local guide, we stroll medieval streets, touch on the history, visit the Duomo and afterwards have lunch in the main Piazza.
Dinner back at the villa with our haul from the Siracusa market
Siracusa
We visit the ancient city of Siracusa today and the historic heart of the city, Ortigia. It is notable for its rich Greek history, culture, amphitheatres, architecture and as the birthplace of Archimedes. This 2,700-year-old city played a key role in ancient times, when it was one of the major powers of the Mediterranean world. With an expert local guide, we stroll medieval streets, touch on the history, visit the Duomo and afterwards have lunch in the main Piazza.
Dinner back at the villa with our haul from the Siracusa market
Noto at Night
Day 9 - Thursday, September 19
Marzamemi and Zisola, Noto at Night
This is an option day with two excursions. Either relax in the villa and enjoy reading a book by the pool or join me in the morning on a little visit to the nearby fishing village of Marzamemi and have a seafood lunch by the sea. I'll return to the villa and then later in the afternoon, we go out again to a wine tasting at renowned winery Zisola for their fantastic red wines. Then we head into the Unesco Heritage city of NOTO and enjoy an evening stroll viewing some of the most illustrious baroque buildings in the world and then dinner near the main square with some great local dishes
Marzamemi and Zisola, Noto at Night
This is an option day with two excursions. Either relax in the villa and enjoy reading a book by the pool or join me in the morning on a little visit to the nearby fishing village of Marzamemi and have a seafood lunch by the sea. I'll return to the villa and then later in the afternoon, we go out again to a wine tasting at renowned winery Zisola for their fantastic red wines. Then we head into the Unesco Heritage city of NOTO and enjoy an evening stroll viewing some of the most illustrious baroque buildings in the world and then dinner near the main square with some great local dishes
The view of Taormina from Castelmola
Day 10 - Friday September 20
Etna, Taormina and Castelmola
In the morning we take a leisurely drive north and stop in the idyllic little seaside hamlet of Santa Maria la Scala for a taste of home made granita.
Then towards Mount Etna and a quick stop at Cafe Russo for a coffee, a sweet and a step back in time. Then we drive the Etna Road across the magma landscape and fantastic views over the region. We stop at a mountain refuge for a lunch of local macaroni, and then drive to our hotel for our last night near Taormina. We check in, take in the views and late afternoon head down to Taormina for a visit to the amphitheatre and a stroll around town. Up to amazing Castelmola, pictured above, for dinner and a view that will take your breath away. Back to the villa for packing
Etna, Taormina and Castelmola
In the morning we take a leisurely drive north and stop in the idyllic little seaside hamlet of Santa Maria la Scala for a taste of home made granita.
Then towards Mount Etna and a quick stop at Cafe Russo for a coffee, a sweet and a step back in time. Then we drive the Etna Road across the magma landscape and fantastic views over the region. We stop at a mountain refuge for a lunch of local macaroni, and then drive to our hotel for our last night near Taormina. We check in, take in the views and late afternoon head down to Taormina for a visit to the amphitheatre and a stroll around town. Up to amazing Castelmola, pictured above, for dinner and a view that will take your breath away. Back to the villa for packing
Taormina
Day 11 - Saturday September 21
Departures
Today we leave. Try to arrange flights after 12 noon. We drive you to the airport in Catania for your flight home or a continuation of your trip adventuring on your own. Ciao!
Departures
Today we leave. Try to arrange flights after 12 noon. We drive you to the airport in Catania for your flight home or a continuation of your trip adventuring on your own. Ciao!