(One thing to note: this itinerary is the current plan, and, things may change. We will make every effort to provide the tours and experiences that are described below. However, the nature of the places we’ll be visiting — not typical tourist destinations — means that plans may change at the last minute. Also, you always have the option of skipping a particular excursion, but please note that we will be unable to make refunds for any missed meals or other events.)

Oct 14 – Sunday / Palermo
Arrive at the airport in Palermo. You will be met by a Zingerman’s staffer who will escort you via our own bus to your hotel inside the city. Relax and unpack. In the late afternoon we will go for a walking tour of Palermo, and enjoy dinner together in Palermo as well.

Oct 15 – Monday / Palermo
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we will walk together to visit one of the outdoor food markets, where we will walk through as a group to learn about some of the local seasonal Sicilian foods – a great foundation for the rest of our food adventure. You will be able to walk from here back to the hotel, stopping for lunch on your own anywhere that strikes your fancy. In the afternoon we will have a guided walking tour of Palermo, focused on the Norman and Arabic periods in the city’s long and fascinating history. In the evening we will enjoy dinner together at an intriguing restaurant on the outskirts of Palermo.

Oct 16 – Tuesday / Palermo
Breakfast at the hotel. First thing in the morning we will walk to a local ceramic shop that hand-paints their ceramic in the traditional way; we’ll learn a bit about the process, and then you can head out into Palermo for an hour or so of shopping on your own. Late morning we’ll meet back at the hotel, and head out to visit a local boutique wine producer west of the city. We’ll have a tasting lunch and tour of the winery, and learn about the winemaking process. On our way home we may make a stop at one of the lovely little seaside towns to visit an excellent pasticceria. In the evening the city is yours for dinner on your own. Pack tonight.

Oct 17 – Wednesday / Palermo – Caltagirone – Ragusa
We will collect your luggage in the morning, after breakfast, and travel across Sicily to Caltagirone, where we will stop to see the famed tile steps and local ceramic shops and enjoy a quick lunch on your own, before proceeding further east to just outside Ragusa where we will check into our hotel. In the early evening we will visit nearby Modica, and have a tasting at an artisanal chocolate producer,  followed by a traditional chocolate dinner.

Oct 18 – Thursday / Ragusa

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, we learn about almonds – Sicily is famous for its “almond paste”, also known as Marzipan, or “pasta reale”. Some of the most flavorful almonds in the world grow here in southeastern Sicily, called “pizzuta”, which are among the hardest to grow. But first, since we are near the ancient city of Siracusa (Syracuse), we will stop for a guided tour of the old city center, before proceeding on to the almond grower for a tour and tasting lunch. In the afternoon we will travel back to Ragusa and for dinner we will go to the old city of Ragusa Ibla.

Oct 19 – Friday / Ragusa

Today we cook! We’ll start with a breakfast at our hotel. Perhaps go light because in the morning we will visit an artisan cheese producer to see cheese making in progress and taste some fresh cheese. Afterwards we will visit the local markets to gather fresh ingredients with which to prepare our group dinner for the evening. A lunch will be prepared for us with some of our ingredients and in the early afternoon we meet for the cooking class. We will divide into small groups and be given hands on assistance by trained chefs in preparing a multi-course meal of traditional Sicilian dishes. In the evening we will dine at the restaurant in our hotel, where we will enjoy the fruits (and meats) of our labors. Pack tonite.

Oct 20 – Saturday / Ragusa – Sciacca – Marsala
We will collect your luggage in the morning, after breakfast, and travel west. We will stop for a very scenic lunch at the port city of Sciacca. In the late afternoon we will check in to our hotel in Marsala. Relax at the hotel, enjoy the views of the water and stroll the town for dinner on your own.

Oct 21 – Sunday / Marsala
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we take part in the olive harvest! In the morning we will head to a nearby family-owned artisanal olive oil estate and participate in the harvest. We’ll break for a lunch of simple local foods in the groves. In the afternoon we’ll learn about the rest of the oil making process. We’ll head back to our hotel in the late afternoon for a rest, and then back to the olive estate for a wonderful homemade dinner in the family villa.

Oct 22 – Monday / Marsala
In the morning we will briefly visit the fish market. Then we will enjoy a visit and tasting at a local honey producer, and continue on to the astounding hilltop village of Erice for the views, the shops and lunch on your own. In the late afternoon we’ll head back to our hotel,  and dinner together at a local restaurant.

Oct 23 – Tues / Marsala

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we will visit the Greek temple of Segesta, and then the spectacular sea-salt flats on the coast. For lunch we will learn about the famed wines of Marsala and have a tasting lunch. Free afternoon in Marsala and dinner together at our hotel. Pack tonite.

Oct 24 – Wed / Marsala

Breakfast at the hotel. We will leave early to travel to the Palermo airport and say goodbye.

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