Adventure and History
Traveling to Sicily without a guide can be intimidating. The mythology of the island’s passions, along with the reality of its closed, insular culture, can make it hard to get below the surface of tourist travel. Going to Sicily alone can make you feel like you’re standing on top of a large mountain of culture and food that was buried beneath you. Let us reveal Sicily’s food culture! Come, join us, for a unique, educational, and entertaining experience that you won’t soon forget.
Sicily, 2024
LOCATION - Sicily
DATES -October 21 - 31, 2024
TRAVELERS - 12 people
$10,000 per person
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 14 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.
Transfer to and from the Palermo airport. Transportation by air conditioned private bus for the entire tour.
What’s Not Included?
Airfare
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.
Sample Itinerary*
Arrive at the airport in Palermo.
You will taken by private transfer from the airport to the hotel. Upon arrival, 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 1
Palermo
Breakfast at the hotel.
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. The city is yours for the evening as you find dinner on your own (we have recommendations, of course).
DAY 2
PALERMO
Breakfast at the hotel.
Our day begins with a behind-the-scenes tour of one of Palermo’s ceramic shops that follows the traditional method of hand-painting. After learning a bit more about the process we’ll explore Palermo for an hour or so of shopping independently. A visit to a local boutique wine producer in the west of the city comes next, culminating in a tasting lunch and tour of the winery. On our way home we’ll stop at one of the pasticceria in a lovely little seaside town outside of the Palermo. Tonight we will dine in Palermo at a restaurant that focuses on local dishes. Tonight we pack for Siracusa.
DAY 3
PALERMO
Montreale
Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast, we have a long drive as we travel across Sicily to Siracusa. On the way we will stop in Calascibetta to stretch our legs and visit a cheesemaker that produces sheep’s milk cheese and cheese flavored with saffron they grow and have lunch. After the long drive you have the option to rest at the hotel or head out into Siracusa for the evening with dinner on your own (we have recommendations, of course).
DAY 4
Palermo
Calascibetta
Siracusa
Breakfast at the hotel.
The day starts with a guided tour of the historic city of Siracusa. Located on a bay of the 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 you are on your own to explore the city and for lunch. In the evening we will meet for dinner at a Sicilian/Japanese restaurant run by three sisters who will tell us the inspiration for the menu and the ingredients they use.
DAY 5
Siracusa
Breakfast at the hotel.
This morning leave Siracusa for Niscemi. On the way we’ll visit nearby Modica for a tasting at an artisanal chocolate producer. This is followed by a traditional chocolate lunch (one of our favorite meals on the tour). After lunch we head for Niscemi. This night we are staying at a winery where after checking in we will visit the winery and have a tasting dinner.
Day 6
Siracusa
Modica
Niscemi
Day 7
Niscemi
Castelvetrano
Trapani
Breakfast at the hotel.
We bid farewell to Niscemi and travel along the coast till we stop at the Castelvetrano to a nearby bakery and learn about the local bread called Pane Nero, for a delicious, scenic lunch. We will arrive in Trapani by 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.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today make sure to wear your 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 8
Trapani
Marasala
Breakfast at the hotel.
We’ll get on the bus and head to Erice located on top of Mount Erice, for a guided tour of the historic city and views that go on for miles. After the you we will visit and taste the pastries and sweets at Pasticceria Maria Grammatico. Then we travel to 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. Once we arrive in Palermo you will have free time to unpack and get settled before dinner at the hotel.
DAy 9
Trapani
Erice
Fulgatore
Palermo
DAY 10
Palermo
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today we cook! After breakfast this morning 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. After a light lunch you will have time to relax or enjoy the spa. In the evening we’ll reunite for our final meal together at the restaurant in our hotel, where we will enjoy the fruits (and meats) of our labors. Tomorrow morning we say goodbye as we head home or more travels.
**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 above. 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.
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