SICILY FOODIE FEAST JUNE 10-16 2025

SOLD OUT!

I have just returned from the most amazing foodie experience in Sicily and was so excited about it that I have to bring you with me next year!

Six nights and seven amazing days in the island of Sicily is only going to cost $5350 with a single supplement of $800.

Get your place booked today as these tickets will sell out VERY quickly.

With only EIGHTEEN SEVENTEEN SIXTEEN FIFTEEN FOURTEEN THIRTEEN TWELVE ELEVEN TEN SEVEN FIVE FOUR THREE TWO NO PLACES available they will be gone soon. THIS AMOUNT OF $350AUD REPRESENTS A DEPOSIT ONLY. PLEASE READ FULL PRICE ABOVE!

Day One: We will pick you up from either the Catania airport or a hotel nearby, we are recommending staying at the Romano Palace Hotel for the night of the 9th to rest and recover, I will be there too and we can spend the evening together visiting Catania.

We head to Scoglitti, a small fishing village on the south coast of the island which is beyond charming. Our home away from home for the trip is Al Gabbiano, hotel sul mare, and is literally on the beach. It is a clean but simple hotel with lovely staff who treat you like familia! This is why the trip is so cheap! (No fancy hotel brand in this quaint fishing village!!)

We will check in, then enjoy a lunch of classic Sicilian foods, arancini and pane cunzato, followed by our first cooking demo with cousin Carmel. We'll see her create cassateddi, the half moon shaped fried sweet ravioli. Delicious.

Then we will take a little walk through the village and get our bearings, you must know where to get gelato for breakfast after all!

Day Two: We will visit Vittoria, a town founded in 1607 by Vittoria Colonna, Countess of Modica, to promote agriculture and settlement in the region. It became known for its wine production, particularly Cerasuolo di Vittoria, the island's only DOCG wine.

We visit Massaro Bakery to try the famous Ragusane specialty “Scacce” which is a folded pastry with different fillings such as tomato, onion, sausage, ricotta, potato, onion and many more options. Massimo will show us how to make scacce and testa di turchi. (Spinach ricotta Turkish Heads) We visit a local pasticceria for a cannoli demonstration then stroll past Vittoria’s main church Saint Mary of Grace and Vittoria’s community 'teatro', theater.

We will then have lunch at one of Vittoria's famous restaurants, Aqua e Vino overlooking the teatro piazza.

We take you back to the beach now for a lazy afternoon of napping or swimming before meeting again for dinner at La Timpa in Ragusa, which is also an old flour mill that still grinds ancient grains and uses them in their recipes. We will have a demonstration of making Sfincione, a delicious Sicilian style pizza, before dinner in their amazing surrounds.

Back to Scoglitti for a home cooked dinner of meatballs and sugo at Home Base. We will also try horsemeat this night if you are up for it!

Day 4: Today is Chocolate Day!

We head to Modica and the famous Bonajuto chocolate factory.

Osteria dei Sapori Perduti was born in the heart of Modica, in the suggestive location of an ancient noble palace. The Muriana family offers ancient traditional recipes with a nostalgic flavour, a legacy of the typical and home-made cuisine that makes Modica famous in the world. Dishes rich in history and forgotten flavours, which awaken old memories and new sensations. Typical products with a unique taste, of excellent quality, as only sunny Sicily can offer.

Day 5: Today we head to the UNESCO Isle of Ortigia the town of Noto, and I am sure this will become your new favourite day so far!

The Isle of Ortigia, the historical core of Syracuse, is a small island brimming with ancient Greek, Roman, and medieval heritage, and is often described as an open-air museum. Originally settled by the Greeks over 2,700 years ago, Ortigia was once the heart of one of the most powerful cities of the ancient world. Today, it captivates with a mix of architecture spanning several eras, from the Temple of Apollo—the oldest Greek temple in Sicily—to the awe-inspiring Cathedral of Syracuse, which uniquely incorporates ancient Greek columns into its Baroque façade. Ortigia’s narrow alleys, lively markets, and seaside promenades offer a glimpse into daily life on this historically rich island, while its picturesque piazzas and views of the Ionian Sea make it a cherished destination for travellers drawn to Sicily’s layered history and coastal beauty. We will head straight to the bustling markets which are full of amazing produce, seafood, meats, and foods to buy and try, as well as some fantastic bright ceramics and souvenirs of the region. We will lunch in the Deli Fratelli Burgio, at the end of the market and enjoy the fresh local foods in this relaxed lunch.

After lunch we will head to a boat ride to the Papyrus Grotto off the Island. Bring your swimmers as the water is the bluest water you will have ever seen!

We will dry off, get back on the bus and head to Noto, a picturesque town in southeastern Sicily, which is celebrated for its exquisite Baroque architecture, earning it the title of the "Baroque Capital of Sicily." A reconstruction following an earthquake in the 1600's gave rise to a stunning array of grand palaces, churches, and public buildings, all crafted in the golden-hued sandstone native to the region. Key landmarks like the Cathedral of San Nicolò and the Palazzo Ducezio display intricate facades, ornate balconies, and sweeping staircases that define the city’s distinct aesthetic. Everywhere you look is yet another perfect photo opp! Here we will indulge in some granita or gelato or other sweet treats, as seen on Netflix's Chefs Table at the Cafe Sicilia!

Find the steps that are covered in murals, there are several flights throughout the city. It is such a stunning place. (for a change!)

Head home and have some free time, but you will probably just want to sleep!

Day 6: Today we head to ceramics town! I am so excited about this one!

In the baroque town of Caltagirone, Sicily, the main attraction is its ceramics industry. The name of the town derives from the Arabic word qal’at-al-ghiran, meaning Castle of Vases. There are ceramics everywhere you look... as tile murals on buildings, as signs, and in the many ceramics shops just waiting for a savvy foodie to select a few special pieces to take back home.

The staircase was built in the early 1600s to connect the ancient part of the Caltagirone with the new one built in the highest part of the city, but was completed in the second half of the 1800s. It is ideally divided into ten sectors, one for each century, and each of them is formed by fourteen steps on which are alternate floral, geometric and figurative elements that enclose the soul of the Arab, Norman, Spanish, Baroque, 18th, 19th and contemporary city.

Alas, do your shopping quickly as we cannot stay long as a winery awaits us. We will travel to Tenuta Bastonaca Winery for an interesting tour through the vines and learn about the process and science behind Sicily's only DOCG wines. We will enjoy an amazing lunch at the winery with plenty of time for shopping.

We head back to Scoglitti in time for you to do some packing and to get dressed up for our Gala Dinner at one of the most amazing Michelin starred restaurants I have visited.

We will head by bus to Ragusa Ibla another gorgeous UNESCO town, with features that include its stunning Baroque architecture, narrow winding streets, and impressive historical landmarks. Highlights include the Duomo di San Giorgio with its grand staircase and ornate facade, the beautifully landscaped Giardino Ibleo with views of the surrounding countryside, and numerous palazzi, like Palazzo Arezzo, showcasing detailed balconies and facades. The town’s atmosphere combines old-world charm with vibrant Sicilian culture, evident in its local artisan shops, traditional eateries, and annual festivals like the Ibla Buskers Street Art Festival.

Nestled in the mountain of Ibla, the Locanda Don Serafino will delight and amaze. We will enjoy our last dinner together but only after having a guided walk around the beautiful town of Ragusa Ibla, starting in the famous and very beautiful garden with our guide. The photo opps abound, you will again be amazed!

Monday morning we will transfer you to Catania unless you have plans to stay on and visit other amazing places in Sicily. But only after a breakfast of gelato and brioche chased with some black coffee in true Italian style.

Thanks to Luke Clements who is a photographer who was on my tour for a lot of the beautiful images…you can tell which ones are his I am certain.

INCLUSIONS:

6 nights accommodation in Scoglitti, in a 4 star hotel, literally on the beach

Most meals and alcohol at most meals

Transfers to and from Catania hotel or airport, depending on your timing

Five cooking demonstrations/experiences (hands on optional) Cassateddi, Pane di San Giuseppe bread, Scacce and Turkish Heads, Cannolo, Sfincione and cheese making

Visits to Vittoria, Ragusa, Ragusa Ibla, Ortigia, Noto, Agrigento, Caltagirone and many more

Guided Tours of Modica, Valley of Temples, Ibla

Boat tour of Papyrus Grotto

Chocolate Factory Tour with tastings

Michelin star dinner

Winery tour and lunch

Tomato farm visit

IF YOU HAVE A DAIRY INTOLERANCE OR ARE ALLERGIC TO SEAFOOD, this is not the trip for you, please consider one of my other tours.