Grand Sicily Culinary and Cultural Expedition

(Unwrapping Sicily's Gastronomic & Archaeological Delights along Its Eastern Shore)

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Priced From

$5,998 USD *

(For One Person, Double Occupancy)

* Plus taxes. Tours sold on an availability basis.

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7 days | 6 nights

Exploring Sicily’s Gastronomic and Archaeological
Delights on Its Eastern Shore and Medieval Villages

It is fitting that culinary enthusiasts come to Sicily, as it is said that the first school for professional chefs was founded in Syracuse, and the first recorded cookbook was written by Siracusan Mithaecus in the fifth century BC. Sicily's delights are as palpable as they are palatable. Sicily's culinary heritage is a rich tapestry woven from centuries of diverse cultural influences, including Greek, Arab, Norman, and Spanish. The island's cuisine is renowned for its bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and vibrant dishes. Signature dishes like arancini (stuffed rice balls), caponata (eggplant salad), and pasta all a Norma showcase the island's unique gastronomic traditions. Sicily is also famous for its sweets, including cannoli, cassata, and granita. The island's wines, such as Nero d'Avola and Marsala, complement its culinary offerings, making Sicily a paradise for food lovers.

Grand Sicily Culinary and Cultural Expedition

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Itinerary Accommodations Map FAQ

VACATION HIGHLIGHTS

Please note: Tour inclusions can change depending upon seasonality and weather conditions.

•Resort Hotel Accommodations

•Room Category is Junior Suite

•Private Round-Trip Airport Transfers

•Breakfast Buffet Each Morning

•5 Dinners, 4 Lunches, 3 Tastings

•Hands On Pizza Cooking Class

•Hands On Sicilian Cuisine Cooking Classes

•Hands On Limoncello & Jams Class

•Visit to Historic Ortigia

•Visit and Tour of Medieval Motta Camastra

•Visit to Etna Winery & Wine Tasting

•Guided Tour of Taormina

•Visit to Ancient Greco-Roman Theatre

•Avola and Almond Tree Museum Visit

•Guided Walking Tour of Noto UNESCO

•Olive Oil Mill Tour and Tastings

•Catania Markets Walking Tour

While our tours are designed as soft adventure experiences, walking, climbing stairs, and in rare cases mild hiking may be required. If you have mobility issues, you should speak with one of our culinary travel specialists to determine if this tour is appropriate for your situation.

AVAILABLE DATES

This tour runs Sunday through Saturday throughout the season. Submit enquiry for other departures. Please click on the orange "Check Pricing & Dates" button above to view available departures.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Please note: Actual itineraries are subject to change due to seasonality.

Click arrows (▶) to show details

Day 1

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Arrival in Catania | Check-In | Welcome Dinner

Upon arrival at the Catania Airport, you will meet your private driver for the group, as well as your fellow travelers. Enjoy a picturesque transfer to your hotel, Castello di San Marco, which you will enjoy for six nights. This evening, you will meet your full-time host for a delicious welcome dinner at the hotel restaurant, Il Giardino di Pietra. (D)

Day 2

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Sicilian Breakfast Buffet

Start your day off right with a delicious Sicilian breakfast buffet to energize you for the adventures ahead. Savor fresh fruits, juices, coffee, yogurts, breads and pastries, charcuterie, as well as cooked items.

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Catania Walking Tour with Market Visit | Afternoon Free | Beachside Restaurant Dinner

Enjoy a vibrant guided visit to the city of Catania, its market, and fish markets to learn the secrets of today's catch with local guide, Peppe. Enjoy free time for lunch in the center of Catania, perhaps grabbing a bite under the awnings as the fishermen noisily hawk their wares. In the afternoon, enjoy shopping and exploring Catania at your leisure. Afterward, you will be driven back to the hotel before dinner at a wonderful beachside restaurant, Blue Ice, which is just a short walk from the Castello. (B,D)

Day 3

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Sicilian Breakfast Buffet

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The Etna | Olive Oil Tasting & Cooking Class | Etna Wine Tasting & Dinner

Today, you will be transferred to the north-western side of Mount Etna, deep in the heart of the Sicilian Island. You will first visit an olive oil mill to learn the secrets of producing quality olive oil, and, guided by a tasting expert, enjoy tasting a selection of organic olive oil by the farm. After that, guided by your professional chef, you will learn how to make some of the best traditional Sicilian street food specialties, while sipping a glass of wine and enjoying an appetizer. This is a great opportunity to discover connections between recipes and Sicilian history and culture. You will then enjoy what you have prepared including dessert. In the afternoon, say goodbye to your new friends as your next stop is a winery on the south-western slopes of Mount Etna. Visit Terra Costantino Winery to try their wonderful wines made from Nerello Mascalese (red) and Carricante (white) grapes from the volcanic slopes. Enjoy tasting the wines with local specialties, to better understand the adage, 'what grows together, goes together.' After dinner at the winery, you will be driven back to the hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 4

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Sicilian Breakfast Buffet

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Village Cooking Class | Limoncello & Fruit Jams Farm Experience

With your host, drive up the slopes of Etna to Motta Camastra, a small Medieval hamlet at the foot of Etna, used as the setting of Don Corleone's funeral scene in the film "The Godfather." Visit the village with local ladies to learn their stories, and then stop at the village's ancient mill before your Sicilian cooking lesson in a private home. Cooking together in a friendly environment, you will enjoy the fruits of your labor as you all sit down to a bountiful lunch paired with local wines. In the afternoon, you will visit a family-run farm in Calatabiano and learn from Tino how homemade limoncello and fruit jams are made. You will end the day enjoying typical Sicilian cold cuts and cheeses at the farm before driving back to the hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 5

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Sicilian Breakfast Buffet

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Authentic Pizza Baking Lesson & Lunch | Taormina

Meet your host in the lobby and return to the beachside restaurant, Blue Ice, for a private pizza baking lesson. Today, you will enjoy a hands-on cooking class where you'll learn the proper way to create true Sicilian pizza, from the dough to the toppings. Your class concludes with ample samples of your hard work, washed down with local beer and wine! Take time to relax back at the hotel before your private shuttle and host will take you to see the breathtaking city of Taormina, perched on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea. Taormina is a jewel of the Sicilian coast, where you and your local guide, Peppe, can explore the rambling alleys, its Greek theatre, historic churches, and antique shops, and then find a place for dinner on your own before returning to the hotel. (B, L)

Day 6

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Sicilian Breakfast Buffet

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Avola Almond Museum & Tasting | Marzamemi Village Visit | Noto Walking Tour | Neapolis Archeological Park Siracusa & Ortigia Farewell Dinner

Your first excursion today includes a visit to Avola, a charming town in southeastern Sicily, renowned for its rich culinary heritage. Avola is famous for its production of Nero d'Avola wine, one of Sicily's most celebrated red wines, as well as its almond-based sweets. At the Almond Museum, learn more about the almond, its properties, its uses, and its role in some of the best Sicilian pastries. You will then see and taste this local treat. Afterward, the marvelous city of Noto awaits you - a UNESCO heritage site where, according to legend, Hercules stayed after completing his seventh task. Rebuilt in the early 18th century after a devasting earthquake, Noto's streets are lined with grand palaces, churches, and elegant buildings crafted from golden-hued limestone. Take a moment to immerse yourself in its rich history and enchanting beauty that epitomizes Sicilian baroque art and architecture. After Noto, there will be free time for lunch on the beautiful island of Ortigia in Siracusa. After lunch your tour leader will take you to the heart of ancient Syracuse and its bridge-linked island, Ortigia. You will learn about the Greek Temple of Apollo, as well as the Byzantine, Norman, Medieval, Baroque and Neoclassical influences that make up the museum-like center of the historic city that was once one of the greatest ports of trade in the world. The tour continues through historic Ortigia with its lovely markets and other worldly underground city below it. With a network of streets, caverns and tombs the catacombs and crypts offer a captivating perspective on the early Christian population that lived here. Try some Sicilian treats at a traditional pastry shop before concluding your visit with a tour of the Archaeological Park of the Neapolis where you'll experience a Greek Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre, Hieron's Altar, Latomie, and Ear of Dionysius. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner among new friends. (B, D)

Day 7

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Sicilian Breakfast Buffet

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Check-Out and Departure

After a lovely week in Sicily, it's time to take the private shuttle back to the Catania airport for your departure. Buon viaggio! (B)

Castello San Marco

This princely, 5-Star, 17th century Baroque resort offers 28 comfortable garden suites in 10 acres of landscaped parklands. Traditional Sicilian hospitality, beautiful historical buildings and modern elegance in the guest rooms make for a unique stay. The castle is situated by the sea although it is hidden away by a wealth of trees and greenery. The grounds are perfectly situated between the romantic town of Taormina and the fiery volcano Etna and is surrounded by a flourishing and calm Mediterranean garden. Castello San Marco is conveniently placed to visit some of the most interesting sites in Sicily, with no less than three natural parks: Mount Etna, the Alcantara river and the Nebrodi natural park. Each offers their own unique and outstanding beauty not easily forgotten by those who visit.

Syracuse, Italy•Catania, Italy•Modica, Italy•Ragusa, Italy•Marzamemi, Italy•Avola, Italy•Noto, Italy

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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What Currency is being quoted?

The Currency Code is listed directly after the published amount. If it states USD, then the quoted price is in United States Dollars. If it states CAD, then the quoted price is in Canadian Dollars. If it states EUR, then the quoted price is in European Union Dollars…etc. However, please note that all charges are processed in USD, and Epitourean’s Merchant Bank automatically calculates the currency conversion on the day of the charge.

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What does Double Occupancy mean?

Two persons traveling together, and staying in the same room. Tour prices are normally quoted as “per person, double occupancy” in case two people are traveling together and staying in the same room, but paying separately. The cost of the lodging is also shared by two people, thereby reducing costs. This could be a married couple, two friends or relatives.

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What is a Single Supplement?

Whenever a person travels alone, the cost of their lodging cannot be shared by another person. When tour products are priced, they are normally stated as “per person, double occupancy.” Whenever a guest occupies a room as a solo, the whole cost of the lodging must be incurred by that one individual. Tour companies accommodate this by charging a Single Supplement. Epitourean does its best to keep the single supplement as low as possible, but it is a real cost that tour companies must absorb, and must pass along to the single traveler.

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If I am a Solo Traveler, will I be paired with another person?

Epitourean never pairs a solo traveler with another person without a special request. If you book Single Occupancy, you will have a room entirely to yourself. However, should you wish to be paired with another solo traveler to save on the single supplement, you may make this request. We cannot guarantee that we can accommodate such requests, since it would take another solo traveling on the same tour for the same dates. But if requested, we will certainly try.

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Are flights included in the tour price?

No. Flights are never included in the price of our land-only tours. Epitourean does not provide air, rail or sea travel, unless expressly noted in the itinerary.

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May I give a culinary tour as a gift?

Yes. Epitourean has a special program designed specifically for this purpose. Our Gift Packages come with features such as special messages to the recipient, gift box option, gift link (without pricing), and floating dates (should you not know when the gift recipient wants to travel). Contact a Culinary Travel Specialist at 800-390-3292 or customerservice@epitourean.com to receive additional information about this unique offering.

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May we request separate beds if sharing a room?

Yes. In most cases, Epitourean can accommodate a request for two beds to be placed in one room. Just make sure to make this request in the comments section of the reservation process.

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Does each guestroom have a private bathroom?

Yes. Epitourean partners with the best lodging options in each destination, and private (en suite) bathrooms are a requirement. However, you should inquire as to the configuration of bathrooms should you have a special need. For example, some tours include accommodations in medieval villages, where either a shower or bath(but maybe not both) are present.

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Can your tours accommodate my dietary restrictions?

In almost all cases, Epitourean can accommodate dietary choices and restrictions. But we do request that you ask a Culinary Travel Specialist prior to making your reservation so that we can assess your individual situation.

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If I am unable to use a portion of the tour, can I get a partial refund?

Unfortunately, due to vendor and supplier contracts, we are unable to provide partial refunds for unused portions of any tour or tour component.

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Are Transfers included in the Itinerary?

Round-trip transfers from the airport or train station are normally included in our international tours. Transfers to the destination (for both international and domestic tours) are not included in the tour price. Please see the Sample Itinerary. If it mentions that transfers are included, then yes, transfers are included at no additional cost.

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What meals and excursions are included in the tour?

The Sample Itinerary should be your reference. If the meal or excursion is described in the Sample Itinerary, then it is included at no additional charge. For those days where it expressly notes Free time, then any optional activities you elect to participate in might have an additional cost. In addition, if the itinerary states "evening on your own," it would imply that you have the opportunity to visit a restaurant of your own choosing, and at your own expense. If you have any question about inclusions, please submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button under the price section.

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Is it possible to book pre or post tours or stays through Edible Destinations?

Yes, we often do have optional 2 and 3 night excursions that are priced separately from the tour. We can also assist with pre and post night stays in a hotel if you choose to come in early before the tour starts, or stay on after a tour ends. The price of those hotel stays are not included in the price of the tour, but we would be happy to provide a quote. Simply ask your Culinary Travel Specialist, or submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button.

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Are Guide or Host Gratuities included in the price of the tour?

Since tipping guidelines and customs vary widely between countries, we do not include gratuities in the price of the tour. Your Culinary Travel Specialist can provide you with recommendations. But the general rule is to tip modestly when you are pleased with a guide’s services, either at the end of the tour, or at the conclusion of a specialty day excursion where you will only be with that guide (or chef) on that day.

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Should we plan on any personal expenses during the tour?

All lodging, meals, transfers, classes and excursions mentioned in the Sample Itinerary and Vacation Highlights are included in the price of the tour. However, we highly recommend taking local currency for purchasing personal items, souvenirs, tipping, etc. You can either get the local currency at an airport exchange service, ATM or from your local bank prior to travel. However, you should note that many hosted destinations do not accept credit cards for personal purchases.

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Do you recommend Travel Protection?

We recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer Travelex travel protection plans that can include coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, Travel Delay, Baggage Delay and more. For more information on the available plans or to enroll, click on the link below or contact Travelex Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 06-0248.

The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex CA Agency License #0D10209. Insurance coverages underwritten by Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC #16535, state of domicile: New York), 1299 Zurich Way, Schaumburg, IL 60196. Coverages available to residents of U.S. States and the District of Columbia only. Certain coverages are not available in all states.

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Exploring Sicily’s Gastronomic and ArchaeologicalDelights on Its Eastern Shore and Medieval Villages

Grand Sicily Culinary and Cultural Expedition

Exploring Sicily’s Gastronomic and Archaeological
Delights on Its Eastern Shore and Medieval Villages