Indulge yourself on a luxury food and wine tour of Sicily...exploring undiscovered places as you learn about the cuisine of the land's aristocracy. While many think of Sicily's cuisine as being simple, it also has a rich history of sophisticated culinary tradition. In the 20th century European aristocracy came to Sicily for the winter months and with them came their chefs. Called monzu, these chefs brought French recipes and flavors, creating delicious and imaginative dishes which are still prepared in kitchens today.

We invited you to join us on a discovery of the "other" Sicily, experiencing the best that this region has to offer. Along the way you will learn all about the fasinating history of Sicily's food and wine. Accommodations are in luxurious country house hotels offering tradition and decadence.

Day One

Arrival in Catania. Transfer to the Eremo della Giubiliana a luxurious and charming hotel a few kilometers south from Ragusa. Relaxation period. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day Two

Breakfast at the Eremo. We will spend all day in the “Wilderness and Baroque Tour” by Land Rover Defender 110. With a guide we will visit Ragusa Ibla, Modica, Scicli (World Heritage sites of the UNESCO) and we will taste the Cioccolato Modicano (chocolate of Modica), the Gelato Biscotto (ice-cream biscuits) and the Granita Siciliana. Lunch on the Santa Rosalia lakeshores. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon, dinner and overnight stay.

Day Three

Breakfast and relaxation period at the Eremo. Lunch.

In the afternoon we will start an interesting cooking lesson in which we will learn how to prepare scacce, a typical dish of Ragusa, along with home made pasta and seasonal vegetables. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day Four

Breakfast and transfer to Siracusa. Until the Arab conquest of 878, the city was the capital of Sicily. It was by far the most important city on the island. We will visit the Orecchio di Dionisio (Ear of Dionysius), the Greek Theatre and the archaeological area. Lunch on your own; we recommend the restaurant Don Camillo. In the afternoon we will visit Ortigia, one of the most interesting urban areas of Sicily. We will visit its famous Duomo, built upon the old temple of Athena. Transfer to Etna and accommodation at a luxurious wine hotel on the slopes of Mt. Etna. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day Five

Breakfast and visit of the Scilio Winery: Luisa Scilio we will show the vineyard, the old palmento (milestone) and the barrique. Then an interesting tasting of the best Scilio wines. Lunch at the Wine hotel. In the afternoon, we will visit Taormina, the amazing Greek Theatre set on a hill overlooking the sea and the Duomo. The historical centre is rich in luxurious shops, and we will relax with a little shopping. Dinner on your own and return. Overnight stay.

Day Six

Breakfast at the hotel. Today is a day devoted to Sicilian wines and food. During the tour we will admire the beautiful volcanic landscape of the biggest European volcano the Mount Etna. In the morning we will stop at Viagrande, here we will meet Mrs Eleonora Consoli’s La Cucina del Sole (The Sun’s Kitchen). Eleonora has written several cookbooks on Sicilian gastronomy and is the unofficial expert on Sicilian cooking in the world. She will conduct a hand-on cooking class, teaching the class several classic Sicilian dishes. Our lunch will be spent with Eleonora in her home. In the afternoon we will visit the Benanti Winery: Mr. Benanti will show us the vineyard describing the organic cultivation methods, the millstone and the cellar, finally we will sample the best wines matched with local products. Return to the hotel dinner and overnight stay.

Day Seven

Breakfast, visit to the Tenuta San Michele and the Murgo winery. The Scammacca brothers will show us how they produce their famous sparkling wines. Then we will have a tasting of wines and extra virgin olive oil. Leaving to Catania airport.