Meals included: Breakfast & Pastry Shop brunch

Hotel: Taormina Palace Hotel, or similar

Today we embark on an exploration of the picturesque town of Taormina. We will

discover ancient Greek and Roman ruins, have a bite at a traditional Sicilian pastry

shop, and you’ll have time to explore the Taormina on your own.

Morning: Tour of the Ancient Theater

A local guide takes us through an amazing ancient Greek and Roman theater. This

theater stands proudly against the backdrop of the azure Ionian Sea. Marvel at the

grandeur of this open-air amphitheater, which has hosted performances for over

2,000 years and offers breathtaking panoramic views of Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano. Afterwards, we will visit a well-known coffee and pastry shop and indulge in a taste of a traditional Sicilian breakfast consisting of the creamy ice slushy, called granita, and the soft, spongy brioche on the side.  

Afternoon & Evening: OYO

The balance of the afternoon and evening on your own to explore this beautiful city.

Wander through the labyrinthine streets of Taormina's historic center, where pastel-colored buildings adorned with cascading flowers and ornate balconies create a captivating ambiance. Discover charming shops selling local handicrafts, fashionable boutiques, and delicious trattorias, all within easy walking distance to our hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Doric Boutique Hotel, or similar

Today we leave behind city life and begin our journey into the heart of Sicily, driving

from one famed coastline to another. En route, we stop at a pistachio farm on the

hills of Mt. Etna for a look at one of the most important ingredients in Sicilian

cuisine. We will have a light farmer’s lunch, and continue to Agrigento, a UNESCO

world heritage site, and our home for the next two nights.

Early Afternoon/Lunch: Pistachio farm

Our early afternoon will be spent with the owner of an historic pistachio farm, on the

flanks of Mt. Etna. The location is a perfect microclimate for growing some of the

most highly prized pistachio nuts in the world. We will learn about the cultivation of

pistachios, and then enjoy a farmer-style lunch featuring this nut in both savory and sweet dishes.

Late Afternoon

This afternoon, we will check in to our 5-star hotel in Agrigento. Relax in your room,

explore the grounds, or take a swim!

Dinner

Dinner this evening is a gourmet meal at the hotel. What a lovely way to wind down

from a day of travel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Doric Boutique Hotel, or similar

Today we have a gentle day, exploring ancient ruins, lingering over lunch and wine at a traditional “baglio”, and time for you to rest and relax this evening at our beautiful hotel.

Morning: Tour of the Valley of the Temples

The Valley of the Temples is renowned for its exceptionally well-preserved temples,

which stand as majestic reminders of a glorious past. These magnificent structures,

dedicated to various gods and goddesses, are testament to the architectural mastery and artistic prowess of the ancient Greeks. We will step back in time with a local guide to learn all about this testament to human ingenuity in the ancient world.

Wine Tasting and Lunch: Baglio Estate

The designation baglio is used widely in Sicily where it denotes a walled country

estate and is often applied to contemporary wineries. We have a tour and tasting of

this traditional and historic estate, and another long and leisurely lunch.

Late Afternoon and Dinner: OYO

This later afternoon and evening is at your leisure. Relax at the hotel and enjoy an on your own dinner on the property. Or order room service!

Meals included: Breakfast, Light Lunch, and Dinner

Hotel:  Baglio Oneto, or similar

Today we continue our journey further to the west coast of Sicily, with a stop for

lunch at a Slow Food producer of Castelvetrano olives and olive oil. After another

delightful farm lunch, we head on to our luxury retreat in the vineyards at Baglio

Oneto.

Early Afternoon/Lunch:

Such a treat today, although it may ruin regular olive oil for you forever! This may be

one of the experiences I am looking forward to the most. We will walk through a

centuries old olive grove to learn how olives are grown and pressed for oil. We have

tasting to learn how to taste and appreciate good olive oil. And of course

their delicious oil will be used for each course in our multi-course lunch at

the farm.

Late Afternoon/Dinner: Baglio Oneto

Check-in at our hotel for the next 3 nights, a 1700’s traditional farmhouse that has been extensively added-on to and remodeled into a 5 star hotel by the aristocratic family that owns the property.

Dinner is a multi-course meal on property.

Meals included: Breakfast

Hotel: Baglio Oneto, or similar

We turn our attention towards the sea again, visiting some very unique places. Today is designed with La Dolce Vita in mind, a day to relax and spend time on your own enjoying the splendor the sea and our beautiful hotel.

Morning: Motya & Salt pan tour

We will join a guide who takes us by boat to the small island of Motya, a Phoenician colony to learn about their role in the development of Western Sicily.

Afterwards, we will visit a salt producer to understand how salt was historically produced here as well as the modern production - which has changed little over a thousand years!

Afternoon/Lunch: Erice

We take a trip to the lovely city of Erice for some free to explore with a late lunch or early dinner.

Evening/Dinner: OYO

This afternoon you are free for a bit of relaxing, to enjoy the pool and have dinner at

the hotel, as we prepare for our on-ward journey tomorrow. This is a great time to

reset and rejuvenate.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Baglio Oneto, or similar

Morning/Afternoon: Florio's Tuna Fishing Museum

We catch a high-speed ferry to the island of Favignana and meet our local expert at the docks. We will enjoy a nice coffee together in the main square, and then set off for Florio’s Tuna Fishing Facility, now a museum to learn about the traditions of

these ingenious fishermen.

Afternoon/Lunch: Couscous Cooking Demonstration

We will learn all about the history and making of couscous, brought to the west coast of Sicily from North Africa, and adapted to the ingredients found here. Afterwards we enjoy lunch with many delicious dishes, including two different styles of couscous.

Evening/Dinner: OYO in Trapani

After our class, we board the high-speed boat back to Trapani where you can follow

your tour manager in the elegant shopping streets of the city center for evening on your own.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Palazzo Cartari, or similar

Late Morning: Marsala Winery

We visit a winery for lunch and a tour to taste the wines this area is famous for, including of course, Marsala!

Early Afternoon: Monreale Cathedral

Next stop is the magnificent Monreale Cathedral, on the outskirts of Palermo. This

stunning cathedral was built in the 1100’s and is on the UNESCO World Heritage list

for its precious and extensive mosaics that cover almost every inch. We will have a

local guide take us through the complex to understand the history and stories of the

cathedral.

Late Afternoon: Palermo

We check in to our centrally located hotel and for those who wish, we will take a quick orientation walk around the city.

Dinner: OYO

Enjoy your evening as you wish, with dinner at your leisure. Your tour manager can offer plenty of suggestions nearby.

Meals included: Breakfast, Food Tour Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: Palazzo Cartari, or similar

Early Afternoon: Food Market and City Tour

We set out from our hotel with our tour guide to really get in to the renowned

street markets, brimming with aromatic spices, produce, seafood and other wares. Our guide helps us make sense of the chaos, while tasting many of the city’s street foods along the way. We also tour the city, exploring alleyways and hidden corners.

Afterwards, you’ll have free time to get any last minute shopping done, or have a drink in a square to take it all in.

Dinner:  Farewell!

We have our last meal together as a group in a special restaurant in the city. We will

enjoy a multi-course meal while sharing wine, stories, and memories of our time

together.

Meals included: Breakfast

Thank you so much for a beautiful trip. It has been a pleasure to travel with you. Buon Viaggio!

Transfers to the airport included. The airport is located within a 40-minute drive

from the city center.