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DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
Day One
Meet at a centrally located hotel in Palermo and head to the magnificent Greek site of Selinunte, with its powerful Greek temples standing in regal splendor for the past 2500 years. Lunch begins with a delightful array of antipasti, and we taste the special pane nero, still warm from the oven and anointed with just-pressed olive oil—heaven! Continue to one of Sicily’s top wine producers, where we tour the winery and indulge in a private wine tasting before taking a walking tour of town. We stay two nights in a lovely small inn located in the center of the pretty seaside town of Marsala.
Day Two
We follow the coastal vie del sale where sea salt is still gathered as it has been for centuries and the warm scirocco wind blows from North Africa. A short boat ride across the lagoon brings us to the tiny island of Mozia, which was a mighty Carthaginian stronghold until 397 B.C. Visit the tiny but rich museum of amazing finds, including bronze, glass and ceramic pieces, as well as the elegant statue of the Young Man of Mozia, a Greek masterpiece displayed in Athens during the recent Olympics. In the afternoon, we visit the beautiful town of Erice, a maze of twisting cobblestone streets perched on a lofty hilltop, with breathtaking views stretching to the Egadi Islands. Tonight we dine in a family-run trattoria where la mamma prepares us a fabulous seafood feast.
Day Three
We now make our way across western Sicily, stopping at Segesta, with its splendid Greek theatre and solitary temple gracing the hillside. Stop for a stroll before we partake of a rustic farmhouse lunch of antipasti made with the farm’s fresh produce and crusty bread still warm from the oven. Continue to the fascinating seaside town of Cefalu’, set in a rocky bay below the Madonie Mountains. We stay two nights in a recently restored hotel, surrounded by a Mediterranean garden, where our rooms enjoy sea views. Dinner in the hotel’s distinguished restaurant.
Day Four
This morning we take a walking tour of Cefalù, including the Norman cathedral with its magnificent mosaics. Later we meet in the kitchen and participate in our first cooking lesson, focusing on the aromatic dishes originally brought to Sicily by the Moors and now a proud tradition in this corner of Sicily. We lunch on the dishes we have prepared, and toast to our success with a glass of sweet Marsala. Free time to relax or explore on a walk above town. Dinner in a friendly trattoria.
Day Five
This morning we tour the Villa Casale, where we view the astonishing Roman mosaic floors that have survived intact for hundreds of years. Room after room is decorated with dazzling mythological figures and beautifully detailed scenes depicting the Roman’s opulent lifestyle. Today’s lunch is simple yet rewarding, as we sample a delectable variety of Sicilian cheeses, including piacentino, a saffron scented cheese studded with black pepper. We continue to the city of Catania, where we stay two nights in a deluxe, stylish hotel in the historic center. Catania is experiencing a wonderful rebirth as the appreciation for its lovely Baroque palazzi and genuine restaurants continues to grow. Take a short walking tour of town before a free night for dinner.
Day Six
Visit the colorful market, alive with the riches of the Mediterranean, where every imaginable kind of fresh fish and a dazzling array of exquisite produce are displayed amidst the raucous cries of street vendors. We then participate in a cooking lesson in the home of a noted Sicilian cook, where the bright flavors of lemon, pistachios and wild herbs shine in her distinctive recipes. In the afternoon we visit the resort town of Taormina and visit the spectacularly situated Greek theatre. Poised above the turquoise sea with grandiose Mt. Etna, an active volcano, puffing in the background, this is indeed a magical setting evoking the power of the Greek gods. Our last evening, we join the passeggiata as we wander past sumptuous palazzi once belonging to the Sicilian aristocracy, then indulge in a farewell feast at a lively restaurant frequented by the locals.
Day Seven
Morning transfer to the Catania airport. Arrivederci!