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This tour welcomes you to Sicily,
We start in Menfi, a seaside town originally built by the
Spanish aristocrat Diego Tagliavia d’Aragona. In Menfi,
we stay at an exquisite estate in the mountains with the
alluring colours of nature setting the stage, the beautiful
aromas of the mountain lavender, rosemary, and thyme,
and views of the sea that to this day cause the land in this
part of Sicily to be suspended in its own rhythm of life.
We travel through Selinunte, Mazara del Vallo, Mozia,
un Isola dello Stagnone, and the salt pans of Marsala,
sampling some of the region’s most well-known and finest
wines, and dining in restaurants, agriturismo
and cantinas that will take you back in time.
To have seen Ita
ly without
having seen Sicil
y is not to have
seen Italy at al
l, for Sicily is
the clue to ever
ything.
(J.W. Goethe)
This part of Sicily is known for its regional
produce, agriculture, salt marshes, wind
mills, and the rich flavours showcased in our
cooking classes with specialty chefs, including
Dominique herself, and other passionate
personages we meet along the way. Our
journey continues through the seaside town of
Sciacca, famous for its fish markets, coral and
ceramics; Porto Palo, a seaside village; and
a unique visit to an historic Sicilian museum of
hand crafts, hidden from tourists, where we will
cook up a feast of traditional Sicilian fare using
local seasonal produce collected that morning.
For the second part of this tour we progress to
the city of Palermo. Its great history as a land
conquered by the Arabs, Normans, Greek
and Spanish, as well as many others, has
left it with a rich imprint of foreign cultures in
art, design, architecture and cuisine. Visitors
will be astounded by the monuments such
as la Cattedrale di Monreale, la Cappella
Palatina, le Catacombe dei Cappuccini, the
must-see Castello della Zisa, and the Giardini
della Pallazzina Cinese within the Parco della
Favorita. We make our way through Palermo,
rich in all that Sicily has to offer with tours to
Mount Pellegrino, and to the Grotto of Santa
Rosalia, a sacred place of religious devotion,
adorned with an extraordinary variety of bodily
symbols by the Palermitano and celebrated
with great festivities on religious holidays.
It is impossible to visit Sicily without taking
in the vibrant humming of the Sicilian cities’
markets. We surround ourselves to the colours
and aromas of these street markets, where
local Sicilian characters speak their Sicilian
dialect and use the old gestures, appearing
to star in an operatic musical as they call out
their daily specials. As we wander through
the countless stalls we share moments with
the locals. Mesmerised by their cooking and
their preparation of traditional street foods,
we understand that in every corner we are
surrounded by the traditions of Sicily inviting
us to sample and lose ourselves in its deep
culinary history. Following a traditional lunch
right in the heart of Sicily, we visit hilltop Erice,
a picturesque medieval town built upon much
older Phoenician and Elymian sites. There
we will sample a degustation of pastries with
recipes that have been handed down across
the sands of time.
Our last days of the tour will offer relaxation
amid the iconic scenes and stunning views
of the waters of Cefalu, from our seaside
hotel. We head out onto the Mediterranean
in a sailboat to dine alfresco for lunch, and
then we’ll wander through the cobbled streets
for wine tasting and a degustation of local
products in a quaint enoteca in this worldrenowned seaside town. After leaving Cefalu,
we drive through the Madonie Mountains,
Castelbuono, and Santo Stefano di Camastra,
enjoying some of the traditional mountain
produce and marvelling at the art of handpainted traditional ceramics, which are sought
after throughout the world. We end our tour at
a prestigious landmark hotel, marvelling in its
breathtaking position overlooking the coastline.
Standing in its majestic place for more than
100 years, it was restyled in the 1800s and
now remains one of the best examples of Art
Nouveau decor in Sicily.
Day One
Wine
Pure Food,
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icily
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– Weste
We welcome you to Sicily! As you arrive in the busy city of Palermo,
you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to the beautiful country
town of Menfi, in the province of Agrigento. On your first day you will be
able to relax in the tranquil 4-star surroundings of the beautifully restored
Foresteria Planeta Estate, famous for its cantina and producer of some
of Sicily’s best wines. You will be escorted to your luxurious rooms, and
introduced to your fellow travellers. The rest of the afternoon is spent
taking in the picturesque surroundings of the Foresteria with its wild herb
and edible gardens and magnificent views. Then we enjoy an afternoon
aperitif and dinner in the estate’s gourmet restaurant.
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San Vito lo Capo
Mondello
Zingaro
Erice
Scopello
Palermo
Cefalu
Monreale
Castelbuono
Madonie
Petralia Sottana
Marsala
Mazara
del Vallo
Selinunte Menfi
Santo Stefano
di Camastro
IIsnello
Gangi
Sambuca
di Sicilia
Sciacca
Agrigento
il
c
i
S
o
t
e
m
o
c
Wel
y!
Day Four
Day Two
Easing you into the Sicilian lifestyle, we enjoy a leisurely homemade breakfast.
After a rest between meals, our next taste of Sicilian cuisine comes with a cooking class at the
Planeta, where we will have our lunch. The afternoon is at your leisure for wandering through
the vineyards, relaxing by the pool with the scents of wild herbs wafting in the breeze, or simple
enjoying the views of the mountains and ocean. In the afternoon we head to the fishing village
of Porto Palo with its award-winning beaches, and then off to Menfi’s idyllic seaside restaurant
of Da Vittorio to enjoy a sunset aperitif on the water’s edge and a banquet dinner of Sicilian
specialities. We head back to Foresteria Planeta for the night.
Day Three
Taking advantage of a slightly earlier start to
the day, we enjoy breakfast and then head
off to the Archaeological Park of Selinunte.
Discovered in 1809, this was originally the
ancient Greek colony of Megara Hyblaea,
and founded as early as 651 B.C. Taking
its name from Selinus -- meaning wild celery
-- the ruins of Selinunte are some of the most
impressive classical sites in Sicily. The 270ha
of this ancient city are surrounded by small
seaside resorts, sand dunes and preserved
nature reserves. Wild celery plants, capers,
lentils, and mandrake still cover the sandy
soils. We take a guided tour through the
ancient ruins, followed by a visit to Mazara
del Vallo, one of the most important fishing
towns in Sicily, which exhibits a distinct Arab
flavour. Next we visit the Museo del Satiro
with its famous bronze statue of antiquity,
thought to be of Dionysus himself. Afterwards,
we head to the beautifully restored farmhouse
of the Agriturismo Fontanasalsa and enjoy a
degustation of their award-winning olive oil.
We stay for a lunch of local and home grown
produce, dining in the outdoor courtyard
among orange groves and olive trees. We
conclude the afternoon with a visit to Marsala,
the island of Mozia, the salt pans, and the
museum of Villa Whitaker, which features
Corinthian and Phoenician ceramics, glass,
alabaster jewellery, and many beautiful
sculptures. We enjoy an aperitif of Marsala
and traditional sweets pasticceria Lamia well
known for its biscotti and pastries. We return
to the Foresteria Planeta in time for dinner, and
another overnight.
Rising early, we have breakfast and head out
to the bustling fish markets at Porto Canale
di Mazara. In the picturesque fishing town of
Sciacca we will see what is thought to be the
oldest spa in existence. The town takes its name
from the Arabic “as-saqqah” which means
“iceberg,” as the town itself rises in front of a
white limestone cliff which very much resembles
a large glacier. We wander through the streets
admiring the local artisans’ workshops and
the different colours and patterns painted
on buildings throughout the village.
After enjoying a sumptuous lunch dining
on fresh seafood, we return to Planeta
to freshen up and relax a bit. Then it’s
off to the beautiful Cantina for a
degustation of wine tasting and
dinner under the stars. Once
more we return to the Planeta,
for our overnight stay.
Day Fi ve
After our bags are packed, we enjoy our last
breakfast in this magical place of Menfi, and
spend the day immersing ourselves in food,
history, and fascination. We visit an old cheese
house where wooden paddles and copper pots
are still used to produce some of Sicily’s most
renowned cheeses. There, we will have the
opportunity to sample some fresh warm ricotta,
as well as some other varieties of “formaggio.”
Day Six
Next we journey to a unique museum where it
has been one man’s life’s work to recreate the
days of Sicily’s past. Incorporating an amazing
collection of antiques and memorabilia, this
museum provides a true-to-life glimpse of living
history. Here you join Dominique Rizzo and
well-known chef Giuseppe Barcelona for a
hands-on cooking class including wood-fired
breads, grilled meats, salads, pastas, and
sweets -- using the best of local and seasonal
produce, and of course, those wonderful
cheeses. After lunch we return to Palermo and
check into our hotel, a magnificent aristocratic
residence dating from the 18th century. We
introduce ourselves to Palermo and wander
on foot to one of Palermo’s most famous and
possibly oldest restaurants for dinner. We stay
overnight at the hotel.
A relaxed breakfast in a magical atmosphere surrounded by lavish frescos, chandeliers, and
precious antique furniture is followed by an experience of the true Palermo. We head out on foot
to visit the vibrant and bustling Capo markets, one of the centres of Palermo’s food scene. We
snack on olives, cheeses, breads, and salami, and enjoy the richness of the bountiful of foods,
finishing this part of the day with lunch at one of Palermo’s oldest and renowned focaccerias. The
afternoon is spent visiting the Chinese Palace and famous hunting grounds of Federico II, Monte
Pellegrino and the sanctuary of Palermo’s sacred patron Santa Rosalia, it is believed that a prayer
and the attaching of pictures or symbols of limbs to the walls of the grotto can heal, cure and
bring peace to the sick, wounded or those who have passed away. We drive to the seaside
town of Mondello for dinner, gelato delizioso, and the much loved social ritual of the evening
‘passeggiata’. We return to the hotel for our overnight stay.
Day Seven
An early breakfast at the hotel, and then we depart for a guided tour of the eerie
Catacombs of the Capuchins. We also visit Lo Spasimo, the Castello della Zisa, and then lunch
in a classic osteria where, lost in time, the menu has remained the same for over the past 20
years. The afternoon is spent driving to Monreale. Situated on a mountain slope behind Palermo,
we visit one of the most magnificent Norman architectural representations in Sicily, and one of
the superb churches in the world, whose mosaics will astound you. You will have some free time
to wander around the town centre, after which we meet for a dinner of pizza and salad at one
of the square’s most popular local restaurants. We return to the hotel for our overnight stay.
Day Eight
After breakfast we take a break from city life
and drive along the gorgeous coastline to the
province of Trapani and the Riserva Naturale
dello Zingaro, where nature decorates the
landscape with carob, olive and cork oak. We
stop for a well deserved break in the tiny town
of Scopello and head to the seaside resort of
San Vito lo Capo for a traditional North African
influenced couscous lunch. For those with a
sweet tooth we drive to Erice, known to the
locals as “umunti” and usually shrouded in a
mist called “the veil of Venus”. You are free to
wander along the cobblestone streets, losing
yourself in the 14thcentury Baroque architecture
-- although the ancient walls of the town date
back as far as 1200 B.C. We meet for a
sampling of traditional handmade “dolce”
in several of the pasticcerias, where recipes
have been handed down for generations,
and made famous by the nuns and some of
Sicily’s famous chefs and artisans. We return to
Centrale Palace Hotel for dinner on the terrace
and stay overnight in the hotel.
Day Eleven
Day Nine
We pack before having a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, and then
head to the Ballaro markets and shop for a range of wonderful ingredients for our evening’s
cooking lesson. We transfer to the seaside Hotel Kalura, which rests on the cliffs of Cefalu
with exquisite views of the coastline and the amazing crystal waters of this seaside village.
After settling into the hotel we enjoy a relaxed lunch and leave you to enjoy the waters and
the spectacular vistas at your leisure. In the late afternoon we meet for a cooking lesson with
Dominique and a local Signora to prepare squid ink pasta, melanzana fritters, baked rabbit,
and other traditional recipes handed down to from her mother. We stay overnight at the hotel.
After finishing breakfast at the hotel we
board our boat for a cruise in the waters of
Cefalu. Remaining on board for a relaxing
lunch of seafood, we then debark to let you
wander the streets at your leisure, or head
back to the tranquillity of the hotel for a bit of
heavenly hospitality. For dinner we meet at
the hotel and head out to one of our favourite
restaurants for the famous local hospitality
and a selection of local wines. Overnight at
the Hotel Kalura.
Day Ten
We wake to the dramatic sounds of the
ocean and a beautiful breakfast in our hotel.
Accompanied by a guide for the morning,
we tour Cefalu, exploring its stunning Norman
cathedral, ruins of an ancient acropolis, and
its eclectic medieval yet modern character,
in this town full of boutique shops, cafes and
cobblestone streets. For lunch we drive to
the beautiful rose-coloured stone village of
Castelbuono, and to the wonderful restaurant
Hostaria Nangalarruni, a famous and well
versed ristorante showcasing the local
produce of this region. For dessert we walk
to Fiasconaro and sample a degustation of
pannetone, pistachio pastes and gelato.
We finish the afternoon with a visit to the
most famous ceramic city of Santo Stefano
di Camastra. Heading back to the hotel for
dinner we relax for cool summer breezes
and hypnotic ocean views.
Day Twelve
This is a day of relaxation which begins as
we leisurely enjoy breakfast on the terrace.
Today you are free to wander to the beach,
head into town, or just relax in the lovely
surroundings of the hotel. We meet in Cefalu
and wander through some of the local
enoteche for a casual lunch during which we
sample the beautifully crafted foods and sip
the local wines of this region. After heading
back to the hotel we meet on the terrace for
an aperitivo and antipasti before sitting down
to dinner. Overnight at Hotel Kalura.
Tour Details
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After enjoying our last breakfast overlooking the breathtaking views of the Settefrati and
Mazzaforno beaches, we check out of the Kalura and drive to the Madonie and the towns of
Petralia Sottana, Gangi and Isnello, exploring the beautiful 15th and 16th century churches
tucked into the landscape among olive and citrus trees. We stop in this beautiful countryside for
lunch and taste the specialty dessert, a “sfoglio” of ricotta, seasoned pumpkin, and chocolate.
We arrive just outside of Palermo for our final night’s stay in the stunning Hotel Villa Igiea, which
has commanded a breathtaking position on the coastline for more than 100 years. Renovated
in the 1800s, this magnificent hotel stands as one of the best examples of Art Nouveau décor,
and delights its guests with terraced gardens and unsurpassed views of the Bay of Palermo.
We end the tour with a celebratory dinner and bid you farewell in old world Sicilian style.
Overnight at the Hotel Villa Igiea.
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Cooking Tou
Included in the tour:
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Transfers to and from the airport of Palermo
Fully escorted tour, 14 days, 13 nights
Specialised service of Dominique Rizzo, Chef/Author and owner of Pure Food Cooking
Air conditioned bus and tour guides for specified areas of Palermo and Cefalu
Accommodation in 3, 4 and 5 star hotels
Breakfast, lunch and dinners with wines as stated Tour Itinerary.
Three cooking classes
Winery visits and degustation of wines with food tastings
Visit to Frantoio and degustation of olive oils
Visit to cheese caseificio and degustation of cheeses
Pasticceria sweets tastings
Degustation of products from the Madonie area and the Cefalu region
All aperitifs and antipasto plates as stated in Tour Itinerary.
Boat cruise from Cefalu
Entry into all museums, parks and archaeological sites
Final Gala dinner
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After our final breakfast together, we assist
you in your transfers back to Palermo
airport, and wish you the best for your
onward journey. Until next time, this marks
the end of our Pure Sicilian Food and
Wine Tour.
Not included in the tour price:
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Passport and visa fees
International airfares, taxes and excess baggage fees
Travel and medical insurance
General Expenses
Tips