Exquisite Tour of Sicily’s Culinary Culture

Traditional assortment of the fish market of the island town, Sicily

What to expect on this itinerary

While the reputation of Italian wine and food is legendary, the true art of the vinicultural and culinary spirit will shine during you custom-tailored wine and food tour of Sicily. Over the course of nearly three millennia, Sicily has acted as the center of Mediterranean trade, bringing vibrant culture and sensational flavor to the rugged mountains, fertile plains, and golden coastline. You will experience the majestic mixture of customs and the alluring continuation of tradition within the context of modern luxury that unveils the beauty of the vines, the splendors of the seasonal ingredients, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Countries Visited

Italy

Places Visited

Palermo, Taormina, Syracuse

Suggested Duration

10 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Palermo – Arrive in Palermo with a Delicious Street Food Tour

Palermo will enchant you with a heavy mixture of mouthwatering aromas that drift away from street vendors and gilded Byzantine mosaics that shine in the sunlight and spread across magnificent chapels. Arabesque domes will decorate the skyline, and the interior of fascinating cupolas will shimmer with elegant frescoes. The city has stood at the center of Mediterranean trade for over a millennium, capturing the heritage of surrounding cultures within the souk-like markets that wind through the streets in the shadows of Baroque churches. Your private transfer will greet you upon arrival at Falcone Borsellino Airport and escort you into the heart of the bustling city. You will have time to freshen up and settle into the comforts of your luxury accommodation before meeting your guide for a captivating introduction to Palermo’s delicious treats.

You will join in the Italian tradition of the nightly passeggiata, which is a stroll where locals of a city or town wander through the streets to see and be seen. Your guide will take you through a neighborhood that will be brimming with the aromas of gelato, potato croquettes, and the savory thick crust of sfincione, which is a Palermitan pizza. You will sample the different flavors of traditional street food in Palermo for an introduction to the sensational cuisine that will begin with your first bite of the customary thick-crust dough that will be topped with tomato sauce a gooey mozzarella cheese, ending with the incredible crunch of a cannoli.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Day 2

Palermo – Enjoy a Monuments and Wine Tour of Palermo

Day 3

Palermo – Discover the Vineyards and Cuisine of Palermo Province

Day 4

Taormina – Travel Taormina for an Introductory Guided Tour

Day 5

Taormina – Explore the Sensational Vineyards of Mount Etna

Day 6

Taormina – Indulge in the Sicilian Coastline and Olive Farms

Day 7

Siracusa – Traverse the Rich History and Vibrancy of Catania

Day 8

Syracuse – Revel in the Culinary and Cultural Heritage of Syracuse

Day 9

Syracuse – Delight in a Flavorful Day in and around Ragusa

Day 10

Syracuse – Depart for Home

Trip Highlights

  • Embrace the comfort and familiarity of a private wine tour through Palermo province to meet local winemakers and sample diverse Sicilian wines
  • Discover the complexities of wines that are produced on Mount Etna during a private tasting while learning about the impact of the terrain on the local viniculture
  • Indulge in the marvelous flavors of Sicilian cuisine with a private cooking class that highlights the secrets of traditional dishes during a multi-course meal
  • Sample the stunning sweet tastes of iconic Sicilian desserts with a private cooking class that highlights the sensational sweet tooth of the island
  • Discover the rich history of Sicily at Syracuse during a private tour through the elegant lanes and fascinating ancient ruins at the archeological park
  • Learn the art of crafting remarkable extra-virgin olive oil while visiting a family-owned farm on the slopes of Mount Etna
  • Wander through the captivating fish market of Catania for an authentic view of the historic food culture that thrives in Sicily’s second-largest city

Detailed Description

The flavors of the past have shaped the tastes of modern Sicily that are explored, experienced, and uncovered during your 10-day wine and food tour. The remarkable customs of the Mediterranean have become a shared culinary tradition on the island that combines the heritage of ancient Greeks, Phoenicians, Arabs, Normans, Spanish, and French. The marvels of the dynamic cultures remain prevalent in the architecture and regional cuisine that is celebrated from Palermo to Taormina, Catania to Syracuse, immersing you in the tasty customs of Sicily and its magnificent history.

Your wine and food tour of Sicily begins with your arrival in Palermo where you have three nights of guided tours that highlight the millennia of history in one of Europe’s most important cities. The impressive architecture and influential cuisine will become a sensational introduction to the greater culture of Sicily that has been defined by Norman and Arab designs. You will have the opportunity to experience a mixture of flavorful gastronomic customs in a private cooking class, on a street-food walking tour, and during two private wine-tasting tours, one inside the city and one featuring hand-picked wineries in the countryside.

You will then travel to Taormina for three nights to indulge in the legendary coastal charm of Sicily. Your time in the treasured town that overlooks the Ionian Sea offers a connection to the ancient and contemporary worlds on the island with guided tours that take you around the monuments of Taormina and onto the fertile slopes of Mount Etna. You will also have a chance to lounge on the beach and learn about olive and olive oil production within the province that will be accompanied by a sensational, multi-course meal.

You will arrive in Syracuse for your final leg of the journey and enjoy the vibrant ambiance of Catania during a private tour that is focused on the monuments of food in Sicily’s second-largest city, which will highlight the famous fish market. You will discover the ancient charms and Baroque allure of Syracuse with a private tour of the archeological park and the island of Ortygia before discovering the unique layered city of Ragusa. Your private tour of the elegant city will combine the distinctive architectural history of the neighborhoods and the welcoming ambiance of a family-owned estate in the hills that produce sensational wines. Make sure your perfect Italian vacation is an unforgettable one by seeing additional Italy travel ideas.

Starting Price

$4,500 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

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My husband and I went through Zicasso to plan our honeymoon to Italy and Greece. This was the best decision ever! We worked closely with our travel specialist to plan our trip and she was absolutely phenomenal. This was our first international trip outside of the US, so we were a bit nervous at first! However, our specialist ensured every aspect of the trip was organized and that we were taken care of every step of the way.

The biggest relief was transportation. We did not have to give a second thought as to how we were getting places; we had drivers set up at every destination and for nearly every activity. Also, we had 24/7 support if anything were to go wrong, which gave us peace of mind.

If you are hesitant to use Zicasso for your next trip, I want you to know that I was too, but it was the best decision! We were able to personalize and tailor our trip to our needs without the hassle of dealing with the details.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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