Gastronomy & Culture in Sicily - 7 days / 6 nts

Arrival in Palermo and accommodation in the selected hotel.

Half day visit   with local guide of Palermo including: the  Cathedral and the tombs of the Norman Kings; the Fontana Pretoria, the completely restored fountain famous for the mythological naked statues; La Martorana, church built in 1143 with a mixture of Baroque and Greek styles;

The Palazzo dei Normanni, and the Cappella Palatina, built in 1132 with golden mosaics     

representing the history of the Bible. Light lunch and in the afternoon visit of the Monreale Cathedral masterpiece of the Arab Norman Art with mosaics of the Old Testament and the Chiostro, a cloister which represents a mixture of The Islamic, Byzantine and Roman style.

Dinner at a typical restaurant of the centre . The Anellini with Sicilian sauce and eggs-plants, the swordfish rolls and Sicilian patisserie like Cassata and Cannoli with cottage cheese

are the best way to enjoy a Sicilian day. Overnight in hotel.

 

  

After breakfast departure for  the fascinating Erice, built on the hill of Monte San Giuliano, a medieval village with stones houses from where   you can enjoy the  view of the Egadi Islands.

Forward to Marsala where you can visit the famous “Pellegrino wine cellars”

Lunch will be served on the top of two silos, once  used for the production of the wine and now restored with  a beautiful sea view. The Cus Cus with fish chowder is an Arabic tradition which is rooted in the Trapani region.

Visit of the wine cellar with the production of red and     white wines, Marsala, Zibibbo,Malvasia, Passito and grapes.

Accommodation in hotel in Marsala area dinner and overnight.

After breakfast departure for Agrigento for the  visit of the famous Valle dei Templi, founded in 581 B.C. which represents the most beautiful example of the Greek Civilization in Sicily. The Ercules  Temple, the Concordia Temple, The Giunone Temple, The Castore and Polluce Temple and the Archaeological Museum.

Accommodation in hotel. Forward to Licata where you can visit ” the Tenuta del Barone La Lumia”  in proximity to the sea, famous for the grapes that came from wines brought over from  the ancient Greece. The Nero d’Avola and the Inzolia grapes are famous all over the world: Don Totò, Delizia del Conte, Gloria, Signorio Rosso . Home-made typical dishes are served. The panelle, are a typical element, as well as the potatoes croquettes, called cazzilli.Fanno buona compagnia alle crocchette di patate, i cosiddetti "cazzilli".

 

Overnight in Agrigento.

 

After breakfast departure for Butera for the visit of “ The Feudo Principi di Butera” an historical estate where the grapes grow in a setting of great natural beauty. The vineyards are situated on the slopes of hills at an altitudes ranging 300/400 meters above sea level. The Nero d’Avola, Insolia, Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay grapes have received many awards. After the visit forward to Ragusa, where you can taste “the scacce” with vegetables and sausages in an ancient mill.

In the afternoon forward to Siracusa for the visit of the ancient centre of the Isle of Ortigia, the Archaeological Park with the Latomie like the Orecchio di Dionisio (cave) and the Greek Theatre built in the V century B.C. where the Greek tragedies took place. Important is the Archaeological Museum too where you can see many statues and from the prehistory to the V century B.C.

In the evening you can taste in a famous restaurant on the cliff,  a Risotto with seafood or the ” pasta ca muddica” , pasta with the  soft part of bread, anchovies, pepper and a not  to lose a special ice-cream or a granite.

Accommodation in hotel and overnight.

 

After breakfast departure for visiting the Europe’s highest active volcano up to the

Rifugio Sapienza and by jeep and alpine guide up to the 3.000 meters to see the new Crater. Visit of the San Michele Estate –“ Tenuta Barone Scammacca” and   wine tasting of the  Etna wines: Etna Rosso, Bianco, Murgo brut, Arbiato and Tenuta San Michele, with typical products  like dried tomatoes, caponata, cheeses, olive of the Etna region.

Accommodation in hotel in the area of Taormina   dinner. Pasta with sardines is a dish usually prepared in Palermo for the feast of St. Joseph, but is very popular throughout the   island. Overnight .

 

 

After breakfast visit of Taormina, the small Medieval village famous for its narrow streets and the Greek Theatre. Visit of the Palazzo Corvaja, a Norman structure where the first Sicilian parliament took place in 1411. The centre with the cathedral famous for the Piazzetta where the Baroque fountain takes place. Light   lunch . Tasting   of  the arancini, ice creams, water- ice and cassata.

Farewell dinner   with folk music in a Castle with seafood menù and wine tasting.

Overnight at  hotel

 

 

After breakfast departure for the visit of the Cathedral of Catania and the square where you can admire the Baroque Style in Sicily. Catania is famous for the pastries and ice-cream shops. Free   lunch and transfer to Catania airport for departure.