Tour Overview
This private tour offers a tasty introduction to Sicily’s unique cuisine and its locally produced wines, interspersed with exploration of western Sicily's historical sites. Over the course of five days you will sample street food in Palermo, learn the secrets behind making ricotta cheese and taste the island’s famous Marsala wine.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Palermo
Upon arrival at Palermo airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of your day is free at leisure to relax and explore.
Day 2: Palermo
After breakfast, enjoy a walking food tour in the historical city centre of Palermo accompanied by a local guide who is passionate about Sicilian cuisine. Perfect for curious travellers and adventurous foodies, this 3-hour tour visits the local markets of Capo and Vucciria.
During the tour you will have the opportunity to sample authentic street food specialties such as arancina (meat rice ball) and sfincione (tomato sauce focaccia), whilst learning about the history of each dish and the recipes. A food tour is not complete of course with sampling the famous cannoli with ricotta cream. Along the way you will enter an old inn to sip a glass of wine, snack on some fresh products and have a cheerful toast with the locals.
In the afternoon, depart to Monreale. This historic hill town is located on the slope of Monte Caputo, overlooking the fertile valley of La Conco d’Oro. It is home to a stunning Norman cathedral that is famous for its fine mosaics, which you will visit. There will be time to enjoy a delicious Sicilian granita before returning to Palermo.
Day 3: Palermo – Erice – Marsala - Agrigento
After breakfast depart to Erice, a small, picturesque medieval village. The town was cited by the poet Virgil in his most famous work - the Aeneid. After strolling through the town stop at the famous Grammatico pastry shop for a tasting of their renowned almond pastries.
Next, continue to Marsala, the westernmost part of Sicily that is famous for its fortified wine (Marsala) production. You will be welcomed into a local farmhouse for a typical Sicilian lunch accompanied by some of the famous local Marsala wine.
After lunch, follow the coastline to Agrigento where you will spend the night.
Day 4: Agrigento - Alia - Palermo
After breakfast, visit the impressive Valley of the Temples. This UNESCO World Heritage Site comprises of some of the best-preserved temples in the country which are incredible examples of Greek architecture.
After exploring the temples continue to the small village of Alia in the heart of Sicily where you will enjoy lunch in a local farmhouse which offers bio cuisine. There is the opportunity, if you wish, to participate in a class to learn how to make ricotta cheese. This takes place at the Azienda Agricola Fratelli Mascarella, which has been in the agro-livestock business for more than three generations. The company specialises in the production and processing of agricultural products such as cheese and tomato products, coupled with the activities of their farmhouse hotel.
In the afternoon continue your journey to Palermo where your evening is at leisure to enjoy a final Sicilian meal.
Day 5: Depart Palermo
After breakfast, depart to Palermo airport.
What’s included
- Transportation and private English-speaking driver
- Palermo street food tour with visit to the market and street food tasting
- Ricotta cheese experience and lunch at a local farmhouse in Alia area
- Marsala wine tasting and lunch at a local farmhouse in Marsala area
- 1-night accommodation in BB at a 4-star hotel in Agrigento in standard room
- Almond sweet tasting with coffee/cappuccino tasting at a local pastry-shop in Erice
- Professional English-speaking tour manager
- Granita tasting at a local bar in Monreale
- 3-nights accommodation in BB at a 4-star hotel in Palermo in standard room
- Entrance fees
- Dinners
- Drinks with lunch in Marsala
- City taxes (to be paid on the spot)
Meeting point
Palermo airport.
