The Culture, Food & Wine of Sicily with a Chef

Our driver will meet the group at Catania airport and escort you to your accommodation in Taormina for the following three nights, including daily breakfast.*

After time to relax and refresh, connect with the group for a Welcome Dinner.

*Please consult with Premier Tours & Travel as to the arrival and departure times for the group transfers.

This morning set off on a private, guided tour of Taormina.

Taormina is a glamorous village with a very rich history. Meander between the gates Porta Messina and Porta Catania along Corso Umberto to unveil the village’s historical treasures, such as the Teatro Greco (entrance included), Piazza IX Aprile, San Giuseppe, Villa Comunale di Taormina, Palazzo Duca di Santo Stefano, and Palazzo Corvaja, as well as Madonna della Rocca and Via Circonvallazione. Enjoy lunch in Taormina with the group.

The balance of your day will be at leisure following the tour.

Explore Mount Etna and the Etna wine region on a full-day tour on a scenic drive through the beautiful Sicilian countryside. At almost 11,000 feet, Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe and a World Heritage. Learn about the history and geological features as you ascend on the road through medieval villages. Meet your private guide for a visit of Mt. Etna with a cable car ride. Enjoy a wine tasting and lunch at a favorite local winery in the early afternoon before returning to the hotel.

The balance of your evening at leisure.

Following breakfast and check out, the group will be escorted to the southeastern coast of Sicily to our hand-curated accommodation near Scicli—your home in Sicily for the following seven nights.

Enroute, visit the vibrant Fera o Luni market in Catania to gather ingredients for chef’s dinners at the villa.

Arrive at the villa and settle into your new environs. Enjoy a welcome dinner provided by our local culinary artisan at the villa.

Visit Ortygia with a full-day market and city tour. This small island, which is the historic heart of Syracuse, Sicily, offers a unique blend of history, architecture, and vibrant atmosphere. Find ancient Greek temples, stunning Baroque churches, charming narrow streets, and a lively market, all within easy walking distance. Roman and Greek ruins, including a large amphitheater and the Temple of Apollo ruins, as well as the impressive Duomo. Meander the large daily market – one of the biggest in southeast Sicily — selecting ingredients for the chef’s dinners. Spend time at leisure for lunch and shopping in the artisan shops throughout this beautiful city.

Return to the villa for time to refresh and relax in advance of the evening’s Chef’s dinner.

Make a visit to nearby Scicli for the local market, a guided visit, and time at leisure for lunch. Tucked away in the charming valleys of southeastern Sicily, Scicli is a less discovered gem compared to its prestigious neighbors Ragusa, Noto, and Modica. This beautiful town sits within a dramatic gorge and is flanked by the majestic rocky mass topped by the Church of San Matteo. Fans of the Italian TV series “Inspector Montalbano” will recognize Scicli’s Town Hall as the fictional police station and other parts of the town as filming locations.

Following, enjoy a winery visit at a renowned gem for a tour and tasting. Return to the villa for time at leisure before the evening’s Chef’s dinner.

Experience the two-town structure of Ragusa, which is comprised of Ragusa Ibla and Ragusa Superior, which are perched on separate hilltops and connected by a deep ravine and staircases. In addition to this unique structure, Ragusa is known for its stunning architecture and dramatic landscapes. Ragusa offers a quieter, off-the-beaten-path experience compared to some of the more bustling Sicilian tourist destinations, while still providing plenty of historical and cultural attractions. A visit to its weekly local market, in addition to guided exploration of the town, will help to immerse you in all things Ragusa. Also enjoy a visit to a local cheese farm to learn about the making of ricotta with a tasting.

Return to the villa to relax in advance of the evening’s Chef’s dinner.

Situated within a gorge in the south of Sicily, Modica captivates visitors with its dramatic setting, stunning architecture, and 400-year tradition of Sicilian chocolate-making. This picturesque town, divided into “higher” and “lower” sections connected by numerous flights of steps, is built in the Sicilian Baroque style and is a must-visit destination. The local trolley train will ease our exploration of Modica. Enjoy visiting their local market and tasting some of Modica’s world-famous chocolate. Lunch will be at leisure in Modica.

Return to the villa in advance of the evening’s Chef’s dinner.

On your final day of exploration, experience a tour of Noto. Noto epitomizes the grandeur of Baroque town design, rebuilt from the catastrophic 1693 earthquake to become a symbol of resilience and artistic vision. Today, Noto invites visitors to wander through its golden-hued streets, where the sun’s rays dance on the soft limestone buildings, casting a spell of warmth and light unique to this enchanting town. Friday is market day in La Villa Comunale (Noto Gardens) for ingredients for the final chef’s dinner tonight. Myriad shops will aide in final gift purchases. Excellent restaurants are in abundance for your lunch at leisure.

Enjoy your final Chef’s dinner at the villa tonight.

Enjoy the day at leisure in the beautiful villa relaxing and packing following your adventure through Sicily. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner at our favorite local restaurant.

Private transfer from the villa to the Catania airport this morning. Return to the USA.