EyeItalia

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: You board your overnight flight bound for the island of Sicily
Day 2: You arrive in Palermo and are met by your driver and guide and taken to your hotel. You have a chance to relax and explore the neighborhood before enjoying dinner at the hotel.  (D)
Day 3: In the morning you head for Marsala, famous for its wine which you sample. You then travel to a Baglio which is a villa that has been converted into a boutique hotel. Here you will spend time working with the chef and creating a meal in the tradition of this area, called Trapani. After lunch washed down with local wine you head for Erice, an ancient and charming city originally built to honor Aphrodite and allowing spectacular views of the coast. Dinner is at a Palermo restaurant this evening.  (B, L, D)
Day 4: Today is a chance to view the Greek and Roman contributions to Sicilian culture. You will start with a visit to the Valley of the Temples built by the Greeks. After lunch you travel to Piazza Armerina where you visit Villa Romana del Casale, a well=preserved 3rd Century AD Roman villa. You spend the evening at a charming farmhouse with all amenities, situated in a working orange and lemon farm. Prepare to dine well.  (B, L, D)
Day 5: Your first stop will be the ancient town of Syracuse where Archimedes was born and Aeschylus put on his plays. You have the chance to explore on your own before heading to the ancient city and current resort town of Taormina. Dine in one of Taormina’s trendy restaurants this evening.   (B, D)
Day 6: In the morning you participate in a cooking class with a famous chef culminating with lunch prepared by you with wine. After lunch you head to the foothills of Mount Etna and the wine estate of Baron Scammacca del Murgo producers of some of Sicily’s best red, white and sparkling wines. You have a chance to tour the estate with a member of the del Murgo family and sample their offerings.   (B, L)
Day 7: From the sophistication of Taormina you head out to the countryside of Central Sicily and the Polizzi area. You will have a private cooking lesson at a local farm conducted by the owner and then sit down with the family for lunch. After lunch you travel to Polizzi Generosa where you have a chance to walk the medieval streets. This evening you will spend the night at a converted farmhouse near Polizzi where an authentic regional meal will be prepared for you.   (B, L, D)
Day 8: You return to Palermo where your guide will give you a personal and comprehensive tour of the city. In the evening you will be picked up and taken to one of our favorite restaurants followed by a drive through the illuminated city.  (B, D)
Day 9: Your driver will take you to the airport for the return to the US    (B)

Accommodations

While staying on the alluring island of Sicily

Villa Igieia: Welcome to Villa Igieia Palermo, a wonderful hotel located on the coast of Sicily with stunning views overlooking the sea of Palermo. The Villa Igieia Palermo is a world class five star hotel where every guest is treated to superb service by the hotel’s friendly and professional staff, making guests feel truly pampered. The hotel itself is reminiscent of a castle, with superb facilities and services you are certain to have an amazing stay in Villa Igieia Palermo.

Villa Tasca: Villa Tasca is located in the Calatina countryside. It is an ideal bridge between the past and the present. Once an old country residence, it is now an elegant restaurant and welcoming hotel. Tastefully appointed with period furniture, Villa Tasca offers five halls and spacious terraces, all with panoramic view. Its renowned kitchen rediscovers traditional Sicilian cuisine and. The rooms surrounding the main building face the gardens and are very comfortably equipped. Villa Tasca’s location, history, and modern amenities makes it the ideal place for anyone who wants to enjoy both relaxation and culture.

San Domenico Palace Hotel: A former 14th century monastery, the San Domenico Palace Hotel offers views of incomparable beauty, as described by Goethe in 1767. Historical patrons such as Wagner and Guy de Maupassant found inspiration in the hotel’s luxuriant gardens, where fragrant orange blossom, rose and jasmine bloom in striking contrast against the snow-capped backdrop of Mount Etna. Today, the unique atmosphere and unsurpassed hospitality continue to attract the most discerning clientele.
This program has a suggested Friday departure but can depart on other days depending on your schedule. All of our programs operate with just two people unless a custom group of up to six has been requested.

Prices

For two persons traveling: $6,390 per person. Plus airfare
For four persons traveling: $4,760 per person. Plus airfare
For six persons traveling: $4,464 per person. Plus airfare

For more information or to book Secrets of the Sicilian Kitchen, please contact us.