Compare Culinary Delights of Sicily - Small-Group Tour by Omega Tours vs 9 Day Classic Sicily by Gate 1 Travel

DAY 1: ARRIVAL & TAORMINA LIFESTYLE, GOURMET WALKING TOUR

Upon arrival at Catania airport be greeted by your driver, who will bring you to your charming hotel in Taormina. Once it starts to cool down, take an easy walk in Taormina city center with your local guide who will meet you in the lobby.

Discover the main attractions of the town, its soul and lifestyle, the best places for traditional pastries, ice cream, coffee, food and handicraft shopping, and anything else that might be interesting for you. Pass the most important monuments and highlights of Taormina by listening to the stories of your guide. Have three foodie stops, first in a family trattoria for fish selection and white wines, second in typical Bottega for cheeses, salumi, bread, olives, and red wine tasting. And third in a small pastry bar for a tasting typical Sicilian sweets, liquors, and coffee. After the tour, enjoy a free evening in sparkling Taormina. Meals: D

Accommodation at the Hotel Ariston, Sea View Room, Taormina, or similar

DAY 2: TAORMINA COOKING CLASS IN FAMILY TRATTORIA

After breakfast start your foodie experience from the city center with the local guide/chef. Have a visit to Taormina’s Food Market, where local farmers, fishermen, and butchers sell their fresh goods. Select products for your class and with personal guidance from your chef learn culinary secrets of cooking homemade bread, pasta, fish, and vegetable dishes in a traditional Sicilian style. While eating what Your own hands made, enjoy the taste of local wines. After tour free afternoon and evening in Taormina to relax on picturesque beaches or hang out on your own. Meals: B, L

Accommodation at the Hotel Ariston, Sea View Room, Taormina, or similar

DAY 3: ETNA COUNTRYSIDE FOOD & WINE LOVERS TOUR

After breakfast, start your “out of beaten path” trip to Mt. Etna with a pick-up from your hotel by a local foodie guide. Drive through small typical Etna villages admiring authentic lava stone houses, orange, lemon, olive, and almond trees plantations, while listening to charming stories about Sicilian culture, traditions, and food. Proceed up until 1000 meters above sea level and discover the breathtaking views of volcanic land. Have the first stop in an antique family-run winery, where after a guided visit of cellars, try volcanic wines with organic etna appetizers in an astonishing lava stone open-air amphitheatre. Meals: B, L

Continue your gastronomic experience to an authentic picturesque farmhouse and enjoy the lunch with lots of seasonal antipasti, homemade pasta, and typical pastries. Drop off to Taormina and free time.

Accommodation at the Hotel Ariston, Sea View Room, Taormina, or similar

DAY 4: NOTO WALKING TOUR WITH SEAFOOD LUNCH IN MARZAMEMI, TRANSFER TO SYRACUSE

After breakfast, meet your private driver in front of Your hotel at 10.00 am and move to magnificent Noto. Enjoy an easy walk with a local guide in a town of UNESCO heritage – a jewel of baroque. While walking taste a famous Modica chocolate and Sicilian ice cream with extraordinary taste. After the tour move towards Marzamemi an astonishing typical Sicilian fisherman's village on the seaside to have Your sea lunch in a family trattoria. Be transferred to your charming hotel in Syracuse and enjoy this romantic town at night. Meals: B, L

Accommodation at the Hotel Domus Mariae Benessere, Classic Room, Syracuse, or similar

DAY 5: ORTIGIA FOOD & WINE WALKING TOUR

Meet your foodie local guide when it starts to cool down. Enjoy a walking tour of Ortigia, Syracuse old town, and taste fresh fish, typical Sicilian appetizers, homemade Sicilian pastries, fragrant wines, and liquors in three different food venues. Eat and drink as locals do. During the tour, your guide will share with you a lot about the history, culture, lifestyle, and gastronomy of the area while passing the most important monuments and little hidden gems of the town. Tour will finish in the heart of Ortigia so after you can still enjoy the town at night. Meals: B, L

Accommodation at the Hotel Domus Mariae Benessere, Classic Room, Syracuse, or similar

DAY 6: SYRACUSE WINERY TOUR WITH LUNCH & TRANSFER TO PALERMO

After breakfast, be picked by your driver to start the day with a visit to an ancient winery located in Syracuse’s countryside and wonderfully structured as a castle. Will be welcomed by the owner, have a guided visit of the cellars and the old millstone. Enjoy a light lunch with local organic products and wine tasting in the magnificent courtyard. Appreciate the taste of wines produced in this Syracuse area and discover their difference with Etna wines. After lunch continues to drive around 2.5 hours to reach colorful Palermo. Time to relax and free evening. Meals: B, L

Accommodation at the Hotel Garibaldi, Classic Room, Palermo, or similar

DAY 7: PALERMO STREET FOOD WALKING TOUR

On this day sample, the best of Sicilian street food during a 3 hours Walking tour of Palermo. This food tour, led by a local expert guide, explores the fascinating culinary world of Sicily’s capital and includes a visit to the famous and bustling Vucciria and Mercato del Capo outdoor markets, tasting of five different Sicilian treats along the way — including ‘panelle’ (chickpea fritters) and ‘arancini (deep-fried rice balls). Pass through Palermo old town and the most important highlights listening to the stories of your guide. After the tour, enjoy a free evening in Palermo. Meals: B, L

Accommodation at the Hotel Garibaldi, Classic Room, Palermo, or similar

DAY 8: TRANSFER TO PALERMO AIRPORT

After breakfast, transfer to Palermo Airport. Arrivederci! Meals: B