Who?

The trip is designed for experienced travelers with a passion for traditionally-made foods. Due to Sicily’s general location, you can expect many fresh seafood dishes during this adventure. If you have any other food allergies, please let your guide know upon registration.

We keep our groups small, only 10 to 12 guests traveling with an experienced host from Zingerman’s, plus our English-speaking Italian guide, Gioacchino Passalacqua, from Attavola. Guests should anticipate walking 1-3 miles throughout a day and be prepared for steep steps, often without handrails, and uneven cobblestone streets. (It’s part of Sicily’s charm!) We will have guided walking tours of some of the cities we visit, and, we build in time for our guests to explore on their own. The more curious and open-minded you, are the more you’ll enjoy your experience.

What’s Included?

All breakfasts (the hotels provide a wonderful selection for breakfast), some lunches, and most dinners. We will visit excellent, traditional Sicilian restaurants, and at our meals together you will enjoy a fixed menu of local specialties made from fresh, in-season ingredients, and a local wine pairing.

Behind the scenes visits to incredible, small-scale Sicilian food makers. We will visit a hundred-year-old chocolate maker in Modica, a traditional cheesemaker in Ragusa, a producer of fabulous dessert wines in the storied winemaking region of Marsala, and a fantastic traditional olive oil producer in Castelvetrano.

We will accompany a Sicilian chef on a trip to the market, followed by a hands-on cooking class as we prepare a multi-course classic Sicilian meal together.

A Zingerman’s tour host and our English-speaking guide, Gioacchino, will be at your disposal at all times. Our guide will translate during our visits to the food makers. A folder with information about the producers and the cities that we will visit during the tour will be provided.

Transportation by air conditioned private bus for the entire tour.

What’s Not Included?

Airfare

Airport transfers

Alcoholic beverages (other than beverages with dinner or when they are specifically included in the itinerary)

Personal spending money

A few meals

What about accommodations?

We’ve chosen clean, comfortable, conveniently located hotels. All have private washrooms.

DAY 1: Palermo

October 31

The tour starts today!

Upon arrival to the hotel, relax and unpack. In the evening we will meet for a welcome aperitivo at the hotel before we head to a lovely dinner in Palermo as we get to know each other and what’s in store for the next nine days.

DAY 2: PALERMO

Today we’ll get up-close and personal with the foods of Sicily. We’ll visit an outdoor food market and learn about some of the local seasonal Sicilian foods. We’ll enjoy a guided walking tour of Palermo, focused on the Norman and Arabic periods in the city's long and fascinating history. In the afternoon we’ll grab a light lunch at some of Palermo’s famous street food locations. That evening we'll dine together at one of the area’s more intriguing restaurants on the outskirts of Palermo.

DAY 3: PALERMO, MONTREALE

Our day begins with a behind-the-scenes tour of one of Palermo’s ceramic shops that follows the traditional method of hand-painting.

This afternoon you’ll be free to explore Palermo, enjoy lunch and maybe do some shopping independently.

Tonight we will come back together to dine in Palermo at a restaurant that focuses on local dishes. After dinner we will head back to the hotel to pack and ready ourselves for the next stop on our journey as we head to Siracusa in the morning.

DAY 4: CALASCIBETTA, SIRACUSA

This morning after breakfast, we have a long drive ahead of us. As we travel across Sicily to Siracusa we will stop in Calascibetta to stretch our legs. There, we’ll visit a cheesemaker that produces a variety of sheep’s milk cheeses and have lunch in their care before jumping back on the bus.

Once we arrive in Siracusa we’ll check into the hotel and you’ll have the option to rest at the hotel or head out to explore town before we meet back up for dinner. Tonight we’ll be exploring the intersecting flavors of Sicily and Japan, thanks to the creative genius of three sisters.

DAY 5: Siracusa

The day starts with a guided tour of the historic city of Siracusa. The city founded on a protected bay along the Ionian coast of Sicily. It's known for its ancient ruins from the Greeks, who founded Siracusa, and Romans. After the tour we’ll enjoy a tapas style lunch together.

This afternoon and evening is yours to enjoy Siracusa as you wish - because tomorrow we’re heading off on the next leg of our journey.

DAY 6: MODICA, NISCEMI

This morning we leave Siracusa for Niscemi. On the way we’ll visit nearby Modica for a tasting at an artisanal chocolate producer. This is followed by one of the favorite meals on the tour - a traditional chocolate lunch!

Tonight, we have a quick and delicious stay over at a winery. After checking in we will tour the winery and have a tasting dinner before we hit the road again tomorrow morning.

Day 7: CASTELVETRANO, TRAPANI

We bid farewell to Niscemi and travel along the coast until we find ourselves in Castelvetrano! Here we’ll visit a nearby bakery and learn about the local bread called Pane Nero and partake in a delicious, scenic lunch.

We’ll arrive in Trapani in the late afternoon where we’ll relax at the hotel, take swim, or enjoy a glass of wine until we head out for dinner on the town.

DAY 8: TRAPANI, MARASALA

Today we’ll want to make sure to wear sun protection as we will make a visit to the Salt Flats in Marsala to learn about production of Trapani salt.

Later in the morning we’ll head to a nearby winery for a tasting of some Sicily’s finest wines and a wonderful lunch next to the vineyard.

This evening your are on your own to explore Trapani. Of course will we have recommendations of places for dinner.

DAY 9: ERICE, FULGATORE, Palermo

We’ll get on the bus and head to Erice - located on top of Mount Erice! Here we will explore the historic city and views that go on for miles with a local guide. After the tour we will visit and taste the pastries and sweets at Pasticceria Maria Grammatico. We’ll leave you to explore Erice and enjoy lunch on your own before heading back to Trapani together.

This evening we’ll be given hands-on assistance by trained chefs in preparing a multi-course meal of traditional Sicilian dishes and for dinner we will enjoy the fruits (and meats) of our labors and relax together.

DAY 10: Palermo

Today we’re headed back to Palermo! After breakfast we’ll get on the bus and head out. En route, we’ll stop in Fulgatore to visit an olive oil producer. Here you’ll learn what makes Sicilian olive oil so special, as well as the process of traditional balsamic vinegar, and enjoy a lovely meal together highlighting these ingredients.and have a tasting lunch.

Then it’s back to Palermo for a relaxing evening to (re)visit some local spots or unwind and pack.

DAY 11: Palermo

November 10

This morning we bid you farewell and Buon Viaggio!. Some of us will be heading home and others have more to explore before they reach home. Ciao!

*Please note: this itinerary is based on our previous tours to Sicily. We will make every effort to provide the tours and experiences that are described above. 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.