Join Bold Fork Books' founder Clementine Thomas and actor/filmmaker Clare Louise Frost for a culinary journey to Eastern SIcily.
Join us for an 11-day trip across Eastern Sicily that blends history, landscape, and everything we love about gathering around the table. From the vibrant markets of Catania to the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna, the fishing villages of the Mediterranean coast, and the vineyard-studded hills of Vittoria, we’ll explore the region one meal and glass of wine at a time.
We’ll cook together, visit some of Sicily’s most compelling winemakers, walk through ancient ruins, and spend time with people carrying forward the island’s food traditions. There’ll be hands-on workshops, relaxed dinners under the stars, and plenty of room for wandering, tasting, and slowing down.
If you’re hungry for an experience that’s rooted in place, full of flavor, and shared with good company then this trip is for you. Join us!
We begin our tour in Catania, a city shaped by volcanic eruptions and the legacy of the many cultures that once ruled here—including the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and Spanish. Each left their mark not only on the architecture but also on the island’s rich culinary traditions.
Housed in a restored 19th-century palazzo, Habitat blends Catania’s signature baroque architecture with sleek, contemporary design. A warm and inviting oasis in the midst of the city's buzzing center.
With the guidance of our private chef, we'll cook and enjoy our first meal together - a convivial introduction to the food and wine that make Sicily such a vibrant and intriguing culinary destination.
After breakfast, we’ll travel by van to the breathtaking hilltop town of Taormina, perched above the Ionian Sea. We’ll visit the Teatro Antico di Taormina, a remarkably preserved ancient Greek theater offering panoramic views of the coastline and Mount Etna
A leisurely meal away from the crowds with a menu celebrating the region’s culinary bounty, shaped by Taormina’s unique location between sea and volcano
A 17th century family home lovingly restored and brought to new life. Alfio and his family's passion for food, hospitality, and art permeates every corner of the Palazzo.
Enjoy dinner at the Palazzo's intimate on-site restaurant or explore Linguaglossa's delicious offerings.
After breakfast, we’ll set out to explore the volcanic landscapes of Mount Etna, where rich, ash-laden soil has nurtured a vibrant winemaking tradition. We’ll spend the day visiting a curated selection of influential vineyards including Frank Cornelissen and Girolamo Russo - learning how altitude, lava, and tradition shape the region’s distinct wines.
We'll enjoy a simple, delicious lunch together in the vineyards showcasing local products.
After breakfast we'll embark on a guided tour of Mount Etna - a 3-hour walk and drive through otherworldly terrain shaped by ancient lava flows. The food and wine of the region will come to life as we learn about the unique geology and history of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
After our morning spent exploring the volcano, we'll stop for paninis and wine at Randazzo's legendary wine shop and enoteca.
In the evening, the Palazzo kitchen becomes a culinary workshop, where we’ll roll up our sleeves to prepare a meal dictated by the season. For dinner, we’ll sit down together to enjoy the fruits of our labor and toast our time on the mountain.
Wander ancient ruins, stroll the seaside promenades, and enjoy open-air markets. For lunch, stop for spritz with a view or opt for a Fritto Misto di Mare in the bustling fish market. We'll reconvene after lunch to continute our journey south.
We'll spend the afternoon visiting a working farm, learning first hand how Sicilian agricultural practices shape the country's foodways. We'll roll up our sleeves to make ricotta and end our day with a farm-to-table feast.
Baglio Occhipinti offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and vineyards. This historic building showcases authentic Sicilian architecture, complemented by an on-site restaurant serving locally sourced dishes.
We'll spend our morning visiting two of the area's most iconic vineyards: COS and Occhipinti, both known for their organic farming practices and minimal-intervention winemaking. Their expressive wines showcase the unique terroir of the region.
We'll enjoy a simple, delicious lunch together in the vineyards showcasing local products.
Perched on the hilltop of Chiaramonte Gulfi, we’ll step into a vineyard and farm devoted to biodiversity and sustainable growing practices. Here, a new generation of winemakers are embracing regenerative agriculture and low-intervention techniques, and we’ll get to taste how those choices come alive in the glass. After exploring the property and enjoying a guided tasting, we’ll sit down to a leisurely lunch shared with our hosts.
An optional excursion into the city of Vittoria for a festive, casual dinner at a beloved local spot.
We'll enjoy a quiet start to our day at the Baglio - reading over espressos, lounging poolside, or exploring the kitchen gardens. Lunch is at your own pace. You can enjoy salads and sandwiches in the garden or sit down for a three course menu in the Baglio's stunning dining room.
We'll convene in the afternoon for a hands-on cooking class in the hotel's farmhouse kitchen. We’ll use ingredients from the kitchen garden to inspire our menu and learn from the Baglio's chef how to make several Sicilian specialties - including handmade pasta. The results—paired with thoughtful local wines—will become our shared evening meal.
Dip your toes (or more!) in the clear, salty waters of the Mediterranean. We'll spend time enjoying the sun, sand, and water and getting to know the beachside culture of this part of the Sicilian coast. We'll bring a picnic lunch to enjoy together.
After our day in the sun, join us for an optional excursion to the seaside town of Scoglitti, home of the legendary restaurant Sakalleo. Here we'll indulge in an epic, multi-course seafood meal dictated by the day's catch.
After breakfast, we bid farewell to the Baglio and head east to Noto, the baroque jewel of southeastern Sicily. You’ll have free time to explore the city’s golden-hued architecture and enjoy lunch at one of its many charming cafés—with a mandatory stop at Caffè Sicilia to sample their world-famous cannoli. Later, we continue to Catania, check in to our hotel, and unwind before our final day.
Our last full day begins at the heart of Catania’s culinary culture—its lively fish market. We’ll wander through the stalls and learn the rhythms of this local institution. Then we'll walk over to the daily market where socks and pajamas butt up against meats, cheeses, vegetables, olives and more.
In the evening, we’ll gather one last time for a farewell dinner, raising our glasses to new friends, Sicilian sunshine, and unforgettable meals.
