Charming Sicily and the Aeolian Islands Food, Wine & Cooking Tour with Chef Dominique Rizzo

Tour in Detail:

Why You Will Love This Tour

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sicily

All-inclusive personally escorted tour, which captures everything that Sicily has to offer.

This tour combines the best selection of Sicily and Aeolian Islands tours as selected by Dominique Rizzo. You get an amazing insight into the regions. We take you on a food journey and cultural discovery of these wonderful Islands. You also get an amazing insight into the contrasting Eastern and Western Sicily.

Food, Wine, and Cooking

This tour is full of gastronomical delights. Visit the most popular sites. Enjoy cooking classes in Sicily. As well, indulge in wine, olive oil and chocolate tastings. Furthermore amazing menus and degustations await you. You will sample some of the finest foods from these selected regions. We provide all meals during the tour.

Cultural Destinations

This tour will capture the historic and ancient Sicily. We visit places such as Cattedrale Di Palermo and Il Duomo in Monreale. This is considered one of the most stunning examples of Arab Norman art, and gold mosaics in Sicily.
We marvel at the Baroque architecture and some of the most important churches, monuments and sites. This includes Palazzo Reale, Cattedrale of Palermo and Catacombs. Also Monreale, Monte Pellegrino, Capo Markets, and Teatro Massimo. Also on the list is Piazza San Domenico, San

Also on the list is Piazza San Domenico, San Francesco and Piazza Marina. We take you to some of the world heritage listed sites such as the Villa di Casale. We visit the beautiful coastal town of Cefalu, Taormina and Syracuse. As well as Ortigia and the mountains of the Madonia. There is also a tour to the amazing archaeologocial site of Selinunte in the Temple of the Acropolis.

Accommodation

Beautiful and historical 4 and 5 star accommodation options.

Aeolian Islands and Sicily Tour Guides

Australian/Sicilian Chef, TV Presenter and Food Writer, Dominique Rizzo. Tour is also planned and coordinated in conjunction with Sicilian counterpart Gianluca D’ Alia. Gianluca is from Paesaggio Sicilia Travel.

A Taste of The Itinerary

A Taste of the Itinerary

Day 1 Palermo

We welcome you at the airport in Palermo with a big “Ciao” from beautiful Sicily and assist you in transfers to our hotel for the first leg of the tour. The afternoon is yours to take in the city atmosphere, relax or do some pre-tour wandering. We meet in the lobby in the evening for our first wonderful dinner at restaurant Gagini Social to welcome you to Sicily. Restaurant Gagini is situated in the former studio of Renaissance sculptor, Antonello Gagini. The owners and Head Chef are passionate about showcasing the best of organic, slow food in Sicily and surrounding regions. Gagini Social Restaurant sits between Piazza Marina and the vibrant old market of La Vucciria. The convivial essence of the restaurant centres around the ‘social table’, which allows diners from different corners of the world to dine together in the round. The soft glow of candlelight illuminates the 16th century stone walls, wooden doors and low arches of the venue, while on the menu modern European influences blend with classic Sicilian flavours to produce a menu that is unique and very much a must to enjoy while visiting Palermo. Overnight stay in Palermo. D

Day 2 Palermo

After finishing breakfast, we take you on a guided tour of Palermo and to some of the most notable churches, monuments and sites: the stage settings showcasing the contrasts of Sicilian life dominated by the political and religious powers in Sicily. We stop for a light lunch then back to the hotel for siesta. In the afternoon we continue our cultural visit of this bustling city with a special surprise to entertain us. Our evening dinner is spent at a local trattoria. Overnight stay in our hotel. B/L/D

Day 3 Palermo

Today is all about the Sicilian tradition of cooking and exploring the food culture of this amazing city of Palermo. We head out on foot to visit one of the most vibrant and bustling markets: the centre of Palermo’s food scene, bursting with the cries of the fish mongers, the crowds of local shoppers and the excitement of all that these markets have become famous for. We enjoy a local cooking class exploring hands-on the traditional Southern Italian way of cooking. After enjoying a banquet lunch, there is some free time to relax in the afternoon before we meet for an informal dinner, Palermo style. B/L/D

Day 4 Trapani

After breakfast we check out of our hotel and depart for the beautiful city of Trapani on Sicily’s western coast. To explore the traditions of wine in this region we travel to Marsala to visit the Cantine De Bartoli, a 200 year old family house, where we will discover the origins of the true Marsala wine and the Grillo grape variety. We drive to the “Saline Ettore e Infersa” and dine in a local restaurant with beautiful views of the Island of Mozia. Here you can visit the salt pans, the working salt mill and the museum. Take a boat to the Island of Mozia, visit the Phoenician settlement or just relax by the sea. After lunch we check into our hotel in Trapani. You are free for the rest of the evening to wander the streets and practice your Italian. Try an apperitivo at one of the local bars or if you are starting to feel like a true Sicilian you can practice your Italian, dining at one of the local restaurants. Trapani is a perfect port and fishing village, set on a low peninsula stretching in an arc into the sea, with the housing of the city melting into plains of salt pans, valuable to the region’s economy. Apart from its ancient trade in tuna, fishing and salt, Trapani also deals in olives and wine. At present, the province of Trapani produces more wine than Austria, Chile, Hungary and Tuscany.
Overnight in Trapani. B/L

This tour consists of 24 days and 23 nights of Sicily & Aeolian Islands. To discover more of this Pure Food journey contact me for your full itinerary.

Tour Inclusions and Highlights

Charming Sicily Tour Inclusions

The fully escorted tour, 24 days, 23 nights in the beautiful scenic surrounds of Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
Specialised escorted service of Dominique Rizzo, Chef/Author and owner of Pure Food Cooking, Pure Food Wine and Cooking Tours

Fully escorted tour, 24 days, 23 nights in the beautiful scenic surrounds of Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
Specialised escorted service of Dominique Rizzo, Chef/Author and owner of Pure Food Cooking, Pure Food Wine and Cooking Tours
Private Italian Guide for 24 days also speaks German/English/Spanish
Pick up transfer from Palermo Airport or your hotel in Palermo on the tour start date
Transfer to Palermo Airport/train station or hotel in Palermo on the tour finish date
Air-conditioned comfortable private bus with our own private driver
All accommodation and taxes in 4 and 5-star Hotels/Agriturismo and Spa Resort
Souvenir apron, bag, maps, printed recipes, travel hints and tips, Dominique’s contact phone number and name, address and phone numbers of the all the hotels on the tour
All Private, escorted visits and tastings
Meals – All breakfasts are provided, 20 lunches and 23 dinners are also included, some morning/afternoon teas and aperitives are provided as stated– where lunches are not provided, morning activities and tastings and dinners are of ample abundance
Beverages – All beverages with meals including wine, beer, juice, soft drink, tea and coffee are provided
All guided tours as specified in the tour are included
All transfers by boat, bus, car, taxi as specified in the tour itinerary are included
Admission to all historical sites, galleries and museums mentioned in the itinerary are included
Tips for restaurants and Guides
And much much more….

This tour has been personally created by Dominique Rizzo to ensure exclusive and individual attention.

The fee does not include:

Airfares
Everything not included in the itinerary (Tour Inclusions)
General expenses – phone calls, laundry, room upgrades
Transfers outside of tour dates, personal transport, excess baggage, security and government taxes, travel and medical insurance
Beverages outside of described Tour Inclusions
Meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary (Tour Inclusions)
Entry fees to places other than those specifically mentioned in the itinerary
Optional excursions or activities that may be offered but not included in the tour price
It is your responsibility to ensure personal settlement of any extra charges not included in the inclusions is made to the hotel or provider of any service.

Costs, Dates Terms & Conditions

Dates

5th May to 28th May 2019

Costs

$15,499.00 Prices are based on a twin share/ double booking. Single Supplement is $1,300. Single rooms are based on a double bed and standard double room size.

For further details on our Charming Sicily tour, including our full itinerary and prices, dates, bookings and further information please contact our office .