Sample Itinerary – Sicily, April 23-May 2nd 2018
Day One
Arrival in Palermo, Benvenuti in Sicilia! Check in to the hotel and
gather in the evening for a sunset aperitivo and dinner to begin
this Sicilian adventure.
Day two
Private City Tour of Palermo
“Invasion, more or less violent, has been a frequent visitor to
Sicily. The Greeks came to settle, the Romans to control, the
Arabs and Normans to squabble, then the French, Spanish and
fellow Italians. Palermo has been in the eye of the storm but,
ironically, has emerged more beautiful for all the centuries of
divisive incomers. Each wave has sought to impose its own style,
making the city a profoundly interesting place.”
Lunch at ‘La Antica Focacceria’ where we will sample Sicilian
street food influenced by the diverse cultures that over time have
defined the flavours of today’s Sicily.
Take the afternoon to meander through the streets of Palermo
and a rest before meeting for dinner.
Day Three – Day Seven
Morning and lunch at leisure for last minute shopping. After lunch
we will transfer from Palermo to Case Vecchie to begin the Anna
Tasca Experience!
“Led by one of the school’s chefs, their culinary course immerse
participants in the stories, landscapes, and flavors of Sicily in the
experiential ‘arm’-to- table style of Anna Tasca Lanza. The experiences
included in the course range from lessons in horticulture and cheese
making, from wine production to coffee roasting, and excursions to
surrounding towns to experience the diverse cultures and food of the
Island.
Over the next five days we will relax, cook, taste new foods, and drink
great wine in the beautiful setting of Case Vecchie. The course includes
5 cooking classes, 4 tours, and 14 meals (including breakfasts), with
different menus that represent the range of Sicilian cuisine and local
ingredients. Lunches and dinners will be accompanied by a large range
of Tasca d’Almerita wines, from a variety of our vineyards around the
island. On each of the full days, there will be a cooking class and an
excursion. Tours will vary seasonally, examples are a visit to the Tasca
d’Almerita winery, with a wine tasting, guided tour, a talk on the history
of the family, and a dinner at Casa Grande; a visit to the local sheep
farm and dairy to assist in the preparation of ricotta cheese and other
types of local cheeses; a tour of Polizzi Generosa with a visit to the local
ceramicist; and a garden tour with a horticulture lesson.
Day Eight
Breakfast at 9am, time to say goodbye to Case Vecchie and all our new
friends. For our final day we will be on our way to Mt Etna, Sicily’s
famous volcano, with a picnic lunch. We will enjoy an easy walk to the
impressive “monte Fontana” and a visit of the famous valley “Valle del
Bove”. Wandering through old and new lava flows, walking on extinct
craters and equipped with helmets and flashlights you will have an
unforgettable experience visiting a real lava cave, where ice was
produced centuries ago.
Dinner and overnight in Catania.
Day Nine
Our last discovery day together will take us to visit the baroque town of
Noto and one of the prettiest fishing villages of Sicily, Marzamemi.
Noto is home to one of Sicily’s most beautiful historic centres. The
pièce de résistance is Corso Vottorio Emanuele, elegant walkways
flanked by baroque palazzos and churches.
Just a few kilometres up the coast from italy’s southernmost point, in the
deep south-east of sicily is one of sicily’s prettiest seaside villages:
Marzamemi. It was the Arabs of the 10 th century who put Marzamemi
on the map when they built the original Tonnara (a tuna processing
plant), which was one of the most important of the island. It is no longer
in function. An ideal place to have a farewell seafood lunch while
soaking up the beauty of the Mediterranean sea.
Transportation Back to Catania for an evening at leisure and last minute
packing before your departure the next day.
Day 10
Departure Day!
Note that the program begins in Palermo and ends in
Catania. Please plan travel accordingly.
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