Savouring Sicily - A Tour for The Senses
Immerse yourself with the Sicilian culture, gastronomy and people.
- 19th September - 2nd October 2023
- 19th September - 2nd October 2024
- Maximum 12
- 14 days 13 nights
- 7650.00 pp ($1300.00 single supplement)
Sicily Destinations:
Travelling to: Catania, Caltagirone, Taormina, Randazzo, Syracuse, Ortigia, Marzamemi, Segesta, Modica, Ragusa, Valley of The Temples, Erice, Trapani, Marsala, Scopello, Monreale, Palermo Cefalù
About the Tour
This tour of Sicily includes some of Sicily’s historic and well-noted cities and sights. This includes Palermo where the Arabs, Normans, Greek and Spanish among many others left Palermo with a rich imprint of foreign cultures evident in its art, design, architecture and cuisine. Other popular cities on tour include Catania, Ortigia, Randazzo, Taormina and Siracuse to name a few. In this tour of Sicily we offer you a wonderful introduction to Sicily. We visit some of the most popular historical sites, galleries and museums in Sicily. We also take you to places that are a little off the beaten track and not listed in travel books. This gives you the opportunity to further engage with Sicily and immerse yourself with the Sicilian culture, gastronomy and people.
During the tour we visit bustling food markets and towns which are famous for their old techniques and artistry in ceramic and jewellery making. We Visit the stunning photographic hilltop town of Erice, a picturesque medieval town where you will indulge in specialty pastries and desserts with recipes handed down through the ages.
We taste the real Marsala, visit ancient theatres, enjoy cooking classes with passionate chefs and foodies and discover the history of music with a incredibly talented maestro. We wander through cobbled streets to find hidden treasures, bustling markets and dine on local fresh produce, seafood and meats in slow food restaurants, agriturismo, cantinas, enotecas and more. All specialising in showcasing true Sicilian fare.
** Book an extra 8 Days to the Aeolian islands and save $500
8 Days 7 nights - Salina & The Aeolian Islands Tour
Enjoy a relaxing 8 days and 7 nights in the beautiful Aeolian Islands.
The Aeolian Islands are 7 volcanic Islands sitting northeast of Sicily. These islands are a little corner of paradise, most noteworthy as the seven mysteries of nature. For centuries, nature and history have shaped the landscape showcasing spectacular views and enchanted sunsets. Not to mention, wonderful fresh Italian cuisine.
Most of all, the islands are an extraordinary and breathtaking destination. They have attracted travellers worldwide ever since the times of classical mythology.
In our private guided Aeolian Islands tour, you will see first-hand what the islands have to offer. Click Here For Details
Savouring Sicily Tour - A Taste of The Itinerary
We welcome you to the majestic city of Catania. You will be personally greeted at the airport by myself then escorted by transfer to our hotel right in the heart of this bustling city. You have the day free to do your own exploring of this cosmopolitan city with its close proximity to the sea and views of Mt Etna. We meet in the lobby in the late afternoon for our first guided walking tour into this beautiful UNESCO world heritage city built on the Etna lava stone. We celebrate our first night in Sicily with a traditional aperitif and dinner. Overnight in Catania (D)
Our morning begins with a visit to the historic "La Pescheria", Catania's' famous Arab inspired fish markets with an atmosphere that has remained virtually unchanged for hundreds of years. We enjoy tastings as we go, sampling some of Catania’s best and interesting produce. The rest of the day is free for you to further explore this university city celebrating food, culture, music and architecture. If you opt to do the tour to Mt Etna you will head out on 4 wheel drives to explore one of the highest and most active volcanoes in Europe. Your guide will take you on a true adventure exploring the lava from the most recent eruption as well as historical sites, craters and exploring the flora and fauna on this mineral rich mountain. A light lunch is included in the tour, so just pack your walking shoes and water. We meet in the afternoon for a cooking class and dinner with passionate local foodies who celebrate slow food in Viagrande. Overnight in Catania (B/D)
Today we drive to our morning stop just outside Piazza Armerina. Here we visit the Villa Romana del Casale one of the finest examples of Roman mosaics and one of the most luxurious of its kind. Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is especially noteworthy for the richness and quality of the mosaics which decorate almost every room. We visit a local dairy farm part of slow food Sicily and enjoy a cheese demonstration and long lunch. We board our bus to Caltagirone one of the iconic Baroque towns in central Sicily and known as “The city of Sicilian ceramics” due to its thousand-year-old ceramic tradition. The name itself – Caltagirone – derives from an Arabic word meaning the Castle or Fortress of the vases. Here you are free to wander through the many artisan workshops, do a spot of shopping, visit the Regional Museum of Ceramics and tackle the 142-step monumental Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte, built from 1608 in the old part of the town. Relaxing into the afternoon we return to Catania for a siesta and give you the night free to enjoy this wonderful city. Overnight in Catania (B/L)
Tour Inclusions & Highlights
- The fully escorted tour, 14 days, 13 nights in the beautiful scenic surrounds of Sicily
- Specialised escorted service of Chef Dominique Rizzo , Director and Curator of Pure Food, Wine & Culture Tours
- Private Italian Guide for 14 days also speaks German/English/Spanish
- Pick up transfer from Catania Airport or your hotel in Catania on the tour start date
- Transfer to Palermo Airport/train station or hotel in Palermo on the tour finish date
- Air-conditioned private bus with our own private driver
- All accommodation and taxes in Luxury Hotels and Bespoke Residence
- A copy of Dominique's " My Taste of Sicily" Cookbook, apron, travel tote bag, maps, printed recipes, travel hints and tips
- All Private escorted visits and tastings
- Meals - This is a Chef designed culinary tour so each day includes a full Sicilian style breakfast, 8 lunches and 8 dinners are also included and some morning/afternoon teas and aperitives are provided. Where lunches/dinners are not provided, the listed multi course meals are of ample abundance including a combination of fine dining, long lunches and street food. I am Italian and a Chef so you wont go hungry.
- 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
Not Included
- Airfares
- Tips for the bus driver (it is customary to tip the bus driver after the tour if you have been happy with the service.)
- Everything not included in (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.
- Hotel tourist tax
- Entry fees to places other than those specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
- Optional excursions or activities that may be available but not included in the tour price.
- It is your responsibility to ensure personal settlement of any extra charges is made to the hotel or provider of any service not included in the inclusions.
- Travel Insurance is compulsory
Costs
$7650.00 AU per person
$1300.00 Single Supplement
*Price quoted is Land price only
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST FOR 2023 or 2024
