Charming Sicily Food & Wine Tour – Small Group

Upon your arrival at Catania Airport, you’ll be greeted by your driver, who will bring you to your Taormina hotel. Meet your local guide in the lobby, and once it starts to cool down take a nice walk in Taormina City Center. Discover all the best places for traditional pastries, ice cream, coffee, food and anything else that may be of interest. You’ll discover the main attractions and the soul and lifestyle of this beautiful town.

While listening to the stories from your guide, observe the important monuments and highlights of Taormina. Three stops for food await you, the first one being in a family Trattoria for a selection of white wines and fish. The second stop is in Bottega for cheeses, salami, bread, olives, and red wine tasting. Finally, the third stop will be in a small pastry bar for a tasting of traditional pastries, liquors and coffees. After your tour, enjoy a free evening in sparkling Taormina.

Overnight in Taormina (Hotel in Ariston, Sea View Room)

After breakfast, start the real foodie experience in the city center with the local guide/chef. Visit the lovely Taormina’s Food Market as well. This is where local farmers, fishermen, and butchers sell their fresh and delicious goods.

Select the products for your class in the Market and with the help of your chef, learn all the culinary secrets from cooking fresh bread, pasta, fish and vegetables in the traditional Sicilian style. While eating the meal you created yourself, enjoy the taste of local wines. After this tour, you will have the rest of the day and evening free in Taormina to relax on picturesque beaches or hang out on your own.

Overnight in Taormina

After your breakfast, you can start your “out of the beaten path” trip to Mt. Edna. You will be picked up by your guide from the hotel. Drive through the gorgeous Etna villages and admire the authentic lava stone houses, and various tree plantations such as almond, olive, orange and lemon. During this, you’ll be listening to stories rich in Sicilian culture from your guide.

Then, proceed up 1000 metres above sea level and discover breathtaking views of volcanic land. Our first stop will be an antique, family-run winery, where after our guided tour of the cellars, you will taste volcanic wines with organic Etna appetizers in an astonishing lava stone open-air amphitheatre.

Continue the gastronomic experience in this authentic picturesque farmhouse and enjoy a lunch to die for, with seasonal antipasti, homemade pasta and typical pastries. You will then be dropped off back in Taormina for a free evening.

Overnight in Taormina

After breakfast, you will meet your private driver in front of your hotel at 10:00 AM and take a drive to magnificent Noto. Enjoy a lovely walk with a local guide in a town of UNESCO heritage – a jewel of Baroque. While you’re enjoying your walk, taste a famous Modica chocolate and Sicilian Ice-cream. They really are extraordinary!

After the tour, you will move towards Marzamemi, an astounding and typical Sicilian fisherman’s village on the seaside to have your lunch in a family Trattoria. After that, you will then be transferred to your hotel in Syracuse, with a free evening to enjoy in this romantic town.

Overnight in Syracuse (Hotel Domus Mariae Benessere or similar)

Meet your foodie guide when it starts to cool down later in the day. Enjoy yet another beautiful walking tour, this time around Ortigia, Syracuse’s old town. Taste fresh fish, Typical Sicilian appetizers, homemade Sicilian pastries and fragrant wine and liquours, all in three different food venues. You’ll be eating and drinking as the locals do.

During your tour, your guide will share with you facts about the history, lifestyle, culture, and gastronomy of the area as you pass monuments and hidden gems alike. Your tour will be finished in the heart of Ortigia, so you can enjoy the town at night.

Overnight in Syracuse

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up by your driver to start the day by visiting an ancient winery located in Syracuse’s countryside, wonderfully structured as a castle. You will be welcomed by the owner, and begin a tour of the cellars and old millstone. Enjoy a light lunch full of local organic products and taste wine in the courtyard.

You’ll appreciate the taste of the wines produced in the Syracuse area, and you’ll definitely notice the difference from the Etna wines. After lunch, you will continue to drive around 2 and a half hours to reach colorful Palermo, with time to relax and a free evening.

Overnight in Palermo (Hotel Politeama or similar)

On this day, you will sample the best of the best Sicilian street food during your 3-hour walking tour of Palermo. This food tour will be led by a local food expert and explores the fascinating culinary world of Sicily’s capital. The tour includes a visit to the famous and bustling Vucciria and Mercato del Capo markets and a tasting of five different Sicilian treats along the way.

The snacks include panelle (chickpea fritters) and arancine (deep-fried rice balls). You will also pass through old town Palermo and see all the important highlights as you listen to the stories from your guide. After your tour, enjoy another free evening in Palermo.

Overnight in Palermo

Breakfast and transfer to Palermo airport.