FOOD. WINE. CULTURE.
Nourish your soul with a taste of Italy
Taste of Sicily
READY FOR A FUN GETAWAY?
Do you love Italian food, wine and culture?
COME JOIN US FOR
10-NIGHTS
of
LA DOLCE VITA IN SICILY
SEPTEMBER 2-12, 2022
Your journey begins in Historic Palermo
The Arab-Norman architectural delights of Palermo, Monreale and the seaside town of Cefalù, are a treasure to behold. This area represents a profound cultural union and is an example of Sicily’s cultural eclecticism.
We'll spend 3 nights tasting the gastronomical delights of Palermo with a local guide who'll take us through a fun exploration of the local culture and colorful street food scene. There will be some free time to explore the beautiful sea side town of Cefalu before we head off to our next location near Agrigento.
Agrigento
Our next stop is a beautiful farm house in the countryside of Vittoria where you'll indulge in the wonderful food, wine and olive oil and beautiful sites of the area.
From here we'll visit the ruins of the ancient city of Akragas in the Valley of the Temples, a vast archaeological site with well-preserved Greek temples and stop for lunch overlooking the stunning natural white rock formation on the southern coast, Scala dei Turchi (Stairs of the Turks, named for the Turkish pirates who climbed up the stair-like rocks to raid nearby towns).
Syracuse
Next we're off to the Island of Ortiglia, in Syracusa! Here the architectural styles vary widely, encompassing Greek and Roman remains, Medieval Norman buildings and Baroque style. Restaurants, trattorias, bars and views over the lagoon abound.
There's a colorful daily street market which sells a fantastic array of Sicilian delicacies. At the end of the market is a must-see for food lovers: a delicatessen of rare quality, called “I Sapori dei Gusti Smarriti” (literally the flavors of lost tastes). Here you can find cheeses, hams and cured meats of the very best quality, many of which, especially those produced in Sicily, you will find nowhere else.
Our last nights will be spent in the resort town of Toarmina pictured below. We'll stop by Mt Etna to enjoy a delicious farm to table lunch and tasting of unique Sicilian wine varietals along the way.
Stroll through ancient piazzas, sip your spritz on a terrace overlooking the beach, breath in the atmosphere, live in the moment.
This is Sicily.
Just a few of the beautiful things you'll experience...
What's Included:
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Airport arrival & departure transfers to/from hotels
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Welcome dinner, wine included
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10 nights hotel accommodations, 3 nights each in Palermo, Vittoria & Syracusa, and 2 nights in Toarmina. dbl occupancy
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Daily breakfast and most other meals included (except free days)
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Transportation during our excursions
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Sicilian street food tour with local guide
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Excursion to Monreale with local guide
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Transportation to/from Cefalu
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Olive oil tasting and experience at Amodeo farm with lunch
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Welcome dinner at the farmhouse in Vittoria
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Guided tour of The Valley of Temples in Agrigento and visit to Scale dei Turche
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Sicilian Cooking class followed by dinner with the foods we prepared.
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Transfer to Syracusa with stop in Caltagirone, free time for lunch on your own, great place to shop for Italian pottery
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Day trip to Mt Etna followed by a wine tasting excursion with lunch
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Guided walking tour in Toarmina plus free time to explore
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Farewell dinner, with glass of wine & all non alcoholic drinks included
*Reminder: USA flights arrive in Italy 1 day later than your US departure date!
What's not included:
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Your round-trip airfare from home
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Any meals not mentioned in the itinerary
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Personal Alcoholic beverages, other than what's provided in itinerary
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Other non-included items: souvenir shopping, tips, spa services, personal taxi fare when venturing out on your own, etc.
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Medical or trip cancellation insurance
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Optional excursions
Meet your hosts
Ann Marie Packard
Your Host, and event planner
Hello! I'm so excited for Sicily 2021!
I have some really amazing things lined up for us and I can't wait to experience them with you.
I became very passionate about travel and helping people live their dreams after my father passed away in 2007 without ever having realized his.
It has become my mission to share the gift of travel by creating amazing trips so you don't have to stress about details. There is so much beauty and culture to be explored, why not give yourself permission to enjoy it? Come awaken your wanderlust spirit, this is your one life... come live it with us!
Janell Pekkain
Co-Host, Olive oil expert and passionista!
Janell's love of travel, food, connection and community led her to open Olive This Olive That in 2012, an olive oil retail shop in San Francisco. Janell graduated from the International Tour Management Institute in 1996 and lived abroad for 12 years. It's her passion for travel and connecting with people that makes Janell a wonderful co-host for Sicily 2021.
Her deep knowledge and passion for extra virgin olive oil and gastronomy is a big bonus! Janell is an active member of the California Olive Oil Council, certifying hundreds of California produced olive oils through the panel every year. It will be a special treat to have her along as we explore the tastes of Italian extra virgin olive oil.
TASTE OF SICILY
FOOD WINE AND CULTURE TOUR
$6995
Dbl occupancy
(airfare not included)
Space is limited to 12 participants
A non-refundable deposit of $995 is due at the time of registration to secure your space
Deposits can be made through Venmo, PayPal, Visa or Check
Payment of $3500 (includes deposit) is due by March 15th 2022
All remaining balances are due by June 15th 2022
3% fee added for credit card/paypal payments
For general questions about this trip please email
Ann Marie
1-877-626-1706
Reservation/Refund and Cancellation Policy:
A $995 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration. Your spot is not reserved until we receive your deposit. Second payment of $3500 due by March 15th, 2022. All remaining balances due in full by June 15, 2022.
If you need to cancel anytime between 30 days to 60 days prior to the trip 50% of the payment, less the deposit, will be refunded. We are not able to provide any refunds for cancellations less than 30 days prior to the trip. We reserve the right to cancel the trip if it is not meeting the trip minimum (if we do your deposit is refunded in full).
Trip cancellation insurance is always recommended whenever making travel plans,
a "cancel for any reason" policy is highly recommended especially in times of Covid.
Insure my trip online insurance is one company we know and trust,
where you can choose from several policy options.
*COVID Cancellation is possible only for closure of Italy's borders to the US