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Italy

Cooking in Sicily

Program No. 22069RJ
Learn the time-honored art of Sicilian cooking as you visit a historic winery and enjoy chef-led cooking classes!
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Food & WineSmall Group
Length
10 days
Rating (4.73)
Activity Level
Starts at
3,349
Flights start at
950

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
10 days
9 nights
What's Included
16 meals ( 8B, 3L, 5D )
9 expert-led field trips
4 hands-on experiences
An experienced Group Leader
8 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously)
Afternoon:
After checking in at the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Program-related transportation will be primarily via motorcoach (unless specified otherwise), necessitating ascending/descending a few steps. Meals will include wine, coffee, and water with other beverages available for purchase. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. During the winter months, some stores are closed during the afternoon hours. Please note there are 5 sets of stairs for a total of 104 stairs, spaced by terraces, from the Continental Hotel to the Duomo square in Taormina. You will need to manage these steps on day 3 when we visit Taormina, in the evenings when we go to dinners and on your free time. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/weather conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We’ll then enjoy a welcome cocktail together at the hotel before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles on uneven terrain. We will use approximately 104 short, wide steps from the hotel to the main square. Getting on/off a motorcoach to the cooking school; driving about 1 mile, approximately 10 minutes.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out on a walking field trip with our Group Leader who will provide commentary as we explore the ancient city of Taormina. The charm of this place lies in a unique, breathtaking panorama, dominated by Etna: the volcano named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013, which dominates the scene and offers great emotions. Taormina, described by Goethe as “the patch of Paradise”, is intoxicating like no other city. Whoever goes there is bound to fall under its spell. It's like being transported to another realm of existence. It generates an emotion, so intense that it takes your breath away, captures every traveler in front of the Greek-Roman Theatre, an incredible work of man that merges into the mountain, from which the gaze is lost observing the intense blue sea and Etna, a disturbing presence, but in harmony with the landscape. The history of Taormina is shrouded in charm and mystery. According to ancient sources it was founded by the Siculi in 396 BC. A few years later, Dionigi, the tyrant of Syracuse, conquered it. In 358 BC, however, the survivors of the Greek colony of Naxos were welcomed here and Tauromènion was founded, a Greek city complete with agora, acropolis and theatre. It remained under Syracusan rule until the Romans declared the whole of Sicily a Roman province. After the fall of Rome, Taormina became a strategic point for the Eastern Roman Empire. In 902, it was conquered by the Arabs who reigned there for a long time. In 1078 the Norman Roger I conquered the city after having conquered the rest of the island. During the Norman period the city enjoyed long prosperity. Taormina was less fortunate under the rule of the Spanish and French, until it was rediscovered in recent times as a tourist destination full of splendor. We can still find fine examples from its extraordinary history such as the 10th century Palazzo Corvaja, and the 13th century Cathedral of Saint Nicolò that we will see as we walk. We will visit the tremendous Greek theater.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like in Taormina. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. In the late afternoon, we will ride from the hotel to the cooking school in Taormina for our first hands-on cooking lesson with an expert local chef. We’ll be organized like a “brigata di cucina” — kitchen brigade — and help to prepare a complete menu, including serving. In our small groups, we’ll be assigned particular dishes.
Dinner:
At the cooking school, we will enjoy the results of our class.
Evening:
We will return to the hotel in the late evening.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles throughout the day, approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Walking about 2.5 miles, approximately 1 hour; cobblestone streets. Getting on/off a boat. Approximately 1 hour boat ride.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board a motorcoach with our Group Leader and ride to Syracuse declared world heritage site by UNESCO, is a town with timeless charm. Greek origins, homeland of Archimedes, capital of the Byzantine empire, then Norman county, Spanish fortress and baroque jewel. Syracuse has a thousand-year history that has continuously rewritten its beauty, layer by layer. Syracuse encompasses the timeless beauty of Sicily. Ancient Greek ruins spill over into baroque squares and medieval streets with eye-popping decorations leading to the crisp blue sea. It's hard to imagine now, but in its heyday, this was the largest city in the ancient world, even larger than Athens. We will walk through the island of Ortigia, the oldest part of Syracuse, and stroll our way up to PIazza Duomo, and we will visit the Duomo.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Syracuse.
Afternoon:
We will then board a boat for a ride in the Syracuse Bay to admire the beauty of the city and the Ortigia island. Returning to the hotel.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 7 miles approximately 3/4 hour riding time. Walking about 2 miles, approximately 1 hour throughout the day; cobblestone streets. We will use approximately 104 short, wide steps from the main square to the hotel.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our motorcoach with our Group Leader for a field trip to the ancient village of Castelmola, a beautiful medieval village, a hidden treasure between history and enchanting landscapes. Once we reach the entrance to this small village, a breathtaking panorama will open before our eyes. The view from the main square embraces the entire Ionian coast, from the bays of Taormina to Etna, up to the Calabrian coasts. We will be fascinated and truly enchanted by this village that will linger long in our memory. The original urban layout is medieval and very well preserved, divided into a maze of narrow streets, collected squares , and little buildings full of character, with their flower-filled balconies and orange-ochre colors. We will board our motorcoach and return to Taormina where we will meet our chef at the local market and learn how to recognize and buy quality products. We will then walk to the cooking school for another hands-on cooking lesson.
Lunch:
At the cooking school.
Afternoon:
Next, we will walk with our Group Leader by the 16th century Palace of the Dukes of Saint Stefano, the Badia Vecchia (ancient abbey) and we will explore the enchanting Public Garden of Villa Comunale which offers magnificent panoramic views of the coast and Mount Etna, making our experience even more magical. We will walk to the hotel.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles throughout the day, approximately 2 hours total riding time. Walking about 1.5 mile, approximately 1 hour; generally flat terrain, cobblestones. In the evening, for the dinner we will use approximately 104 short, wide steps from the hotel to the main square.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board a motorcoach with our Group Leader for a field trip to Messina, where we will explore the city. We will discover how the city was rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1908, admire the Orion Fountain, built in 1500 by a disciple and collaborator of Michelangelo Buonarroti, the largest astronomical clock in the world, and the mosaics in Sicily's second largest cathedral. We will visit the Museum of Messina Accascina. The art museum preserves sculptures, mosaics, and paintings of Antonello da Messina, Montorsoli and Caravaggio. The museum’s holdings are arranged in nine exhibition sections, from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century. At the extreme tip of the island, we’ll learn about aspects of geology, architecture, and urbanization. We will then drive around the Ganzirri Lakes so as to have an idea of where and the mussels’ farms are and how they function. The Ganzirri lakes are natural salt lakes which are ideal for growing mussels. We’ll then return to Taormina by motorcoach.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
The remainder of the afternoon is free.
Dinner:
We will walk and use the stairs to a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach. Driving about 30 miles throughout the day, approximately 1 hour. Walking about 1.5 miles, approximately 1 hour; cobblestone streets.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board a motorcoach with our Group Leader for a field trip to Savoca, one of the hidden gems of Sicily, a precious stone set in the mountain that enchants visitors with its thousand-year history, Savoca is an enchanting village with spectacular views and the authenticity of its intricate labyrinth of medieval streets, stairways and squares. The town is known for its well-preserved architecture and its old-world charm. We will visit the Cathedral of San Nicolò, a magnificent example of Sicilian religious architecture with its frescoes and its imposing bell tower, the Church of San Michele, with its origins dating back to the Norman period. Each church and historic building in Savoca tells a fascinating story, testifying to the importance of this village over the centuries. Returning to the hotel.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
Free time. In the late afternoon, we will ride from the hotel to the cooking school in Taormina for another hands-on cooking lesson and help prepare our lunch dishes.
Dinner:
At the cooking school.
Evening:
We will return to the hotel in the late evening.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 30 miles throughout the day, approximately 1.5 hour. Walking about 1.5 miles, approximately 1 hour; uneven terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Our next expert-led field trip will be to Mount Etna, the highest Mediterranean island mountain and one of the most active stratovolcanoes in the world. It’s entry into the list of UNESCO Heritage sites is given by the fact that the mountain is considered testimony to life, geological processes, and terrestrial developments. Visiting Etna means discovering a land that is rooted in myths and legends. Among the most curious is that regarding the origin of the volcano said to have been born from the union of Uranus god of the sky and Gaia goddess of earth, thus symbolizing the volcano reaching towards the sky. The almost continuous eruptive activity of Mount Etna continues to influence volcanology, geophysics and other Earth science disciplines. The volcano also supports important terrestrial ecosystems including endemic flora and fauna and its activity makes it a natural laboratory for the study of ecological and biological processes. It is the mountain “par excellence” and reminds that the power of fire is the true, immortal soul of the island. Approaching Etna and admiring such an evocative place we will experience an emotion that will remain in our heart forever. We’ll take a short walk upon volcanic soil. Pure charm, something amazing, relaxing and at the same time fantastic... the silence and the clean, fresh air will oxygenate our soul and make us reflect. We will then ride to a local winery for a wine tasting. The vineyards are at an elevation of more than 2,600 feet above sea level on the Eastern side of Mount Etna where the terraces receive abundant sun and fresh air. The winery combines natural processes with modern technology to produce indigenous grape varietals with lower sulfites.
Lunch:
At the winery. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell lunch.
Afternoon:
Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the afternoon is free.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles throughout the day, approximately 2.5 hours total riding time. Walking about 1 mile, approximately 1.5 hours; cobblestone streets.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the motorcoach with our Group Leader for a field trip to Catania. On our way to Catania, we will drive along the enchanting Cyclops Coast. Catania is a Sicilian jewel that allows to breathe the authenticity of life in contact with the sea and nature. Like the phoenix that is reborn from its ashes, Catania has also been able to rise again from nine events which, in the course of its history, destroyed it: the last one was the famous earthquake of 1693. The reconstruction, which took place subsequently, shaped the city as we know it today, but when wondering what to see in Catania it is important to say that there is not only baroque architecture to discover in this city. Catania, in fact, is full of life, picturesque corners and natural wonders, one of which is Etna. We will see the Duomo and walk along Via Etnea and admire the baroque facades of the buildings. The name of the street derives from the fact that, with its three kilometers in length, it winds in the direction of Etna, whose outline is always clearly visible while walking along this road. We will stop at the fish market. Not only foodies will appreciate this corner of Catania, because whether you love fish or not, this market is a place to visit as much as an experience to live. It is not a glamorous or purpose-built place, with an aftertaste of fiction, it does not wink at the tourist but catapults him into the life of those who live in close contact with the sea. At the Pescheria, as the Catania fish market is also known, we will hear the voices of the fish sellers overlapping and creating a chaos full of life and we will see the catch of the day displayed and often cleaned and sectioned on the spot, all the above will be a real... dive into the world of fishing.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like in Catania.
Afternoon:
Free time. We will return to the hotel. In the late afternoon, we will ride from the hotel to the cooking school in Taormina for another hands-on cooking lesson and help prepare our lunch dishes.
Dinner:
At the cooking school.
Evening:
We will return to the hotel in the late evening. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel depending on departure time. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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