Vibrant pastel houses lining the harbor of a seaside village, with boats docked along the water and a soft sunset glowing over the coastline.

Sicily & Naples with Michael Scelfo

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Culture & Cuisine

Immerse yourself in the food, art and culture of Sicily and Naples with Chef Michael Scelfo

July 11 - 17, 2022

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7 days, 6 nights

Best of Sicily, Siracusa, Mt Etna, Taormina, Naples

Price from

$7,500

per person, based on double occupancy

Questions? Text or call us
+1 (855) 219-8018

Sicily and Naples travel illustration featuring Italian map, wine tasting, and traditional food imagery for culinary travel.

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We will contact you if and as space becomes available.

Sicily is the stuff of legend, unlike anything you’ve experienced before now. Sicily has been ruled by no less than thirteen different empires, each leaving a mark on the land, the people, and the cuisine—a fascinating collision of cultures. This is Italy, so of course the wine is delicious, and the views take in medieval alleys leading to buzzing piazzas bathed in golden sunlight. But Sicily goes deeper. Food and culture are layered over thousands of years of history, a tribute to the Mediterranean Sea and an age-old mix of flavors and cultures, from Byzantine to North African, evident in every bite.

Your traveling companion is acclaimed Boston chef Michael Scelfo. Michael is the heart and culinary soul behind two of Cambridge’s top kitchens, with an Italian family that’s inspired his love for food, growing up slow-stirring his grandmother’s red sauce. He’ll join us to uncover the delicious backstory of Sicily’s and Naples’ great dishes, from traditional Sicilian pastas and desserts to the freshest seafoods and, of course, pizza. We’ll meet vintners and cheesemakers, street artists and local chefs, we’ll hike to vineyards perched atop a mighty volcano with sweeping views of the Ionian sea, as we go deep in the story behind what makes southern Italy so deliciously unforgettable.

If you want to venture into iconic Italy, but do it like a local, this is the trip for you. Kick back with local winemakers. Sample street food. Then catch a sunset while sipping a world-class wine. You’ll find mouthwatering flavors and soaring scenery—and that’s only the beginning. This is an adventure to the birthplace of pizza, a journey of food and culture across Sicily and Naples. Immerse yourself in the true Italian experience.

Discover

Ancient Greek ruins, medieval villages and sun-drenched piazzas, the glory of a star-lit night under the gaze of Mt Etna

Savor

We’ll be in the literal birthplace of pizza, home of world-class wines and the freshest seafood—and we’ll try it all!

Go Deeper

Connect with local winemakers, artists and chefs, and with Sicily's ancient cultures and traditions

Luxuriate

In the finest accommodations—artful palatial hotels and noble rural villas, all perfectly located

3 Reasons to Travel with Michael Scelfo

For Michael, food is all about connection. He gets intimate with his ingredients, fusses over menus like he’s about to cook for family, and curates dining experiences that make conversation easy. If you pull up a seat to eat with Michael at one of his award-winning Cambridge, Massachusetts restaurants, you can trust that you’ll leave with more than a full belly.

A chef wearing a gray shirt and dark apron smiles while leaning on a marble countertop in a modern kitchen, with cookbooks on wooden shelves behind him.

Personal Connections

The Scelfos are from southern Italy, and Michael still has family here. One of his early memories is learning to simmer his grandmother’s red sauce. So this trip is personal for Michael, a celebration of his own southern Italian roots.

Cooking with Heart

Michael views his Boston restaurants the same way he views his kitchen table: If you’re dining here, you’re family. He thinks about what his loved ones would want to taste and experience. Then he makes it for you.

Never Pretentious

Michael's motto is “Serious food does not have to be pretentious.” We couldn't agree more, and we'll savor every bite at top-end kitchens and humble street-food stands.

Your Experience

Pizzas baking inside a glowing wood-fired oven, with flames illuminating the brick interior.
“Sicily is a life-long dream come true, to connect with my family roots and literally walk in their footsteps.”
Michael Scelfo

Sicily, Siracusa, Mt Etna, Naples

Sicily 2019_Visitors walking and relaxing on the white, terraced limestone cliffs by the sea at sunset, with warm golden light highlighting the dramatic coastal landscape.
Sicily 2019_Aerial view of Palermo’s Piazza Pretoria with its ornate circular fountain, surrounding historic buildings, and people walking through the sun-lit square.
Italy 2020_Homestyle Italian spaghetti dinner with tomato sauce, wine glasses, fresh bread, and shared plates on a rustic table setting
“Photography is my second passion. Being able to shoot and eat my way through southern Italy is just so incredible.”
Michael Scelfo

Day by Day

*On rare occasions, this itinerary may change.

Day 1

July 11, Mon

Benvenuto a Sicily! We meet up with Michael and our fellow adventurers in historic Catania, then dive right into the epic market scene. We’ll sample some of Sicily’s finest street foods as fishmongers hawk fresh swordfish and octopus hauled in overnight. Afterwards, we head to nearby Siracusa, a seaside wonder basking in 2,700 years of history with deep Greek, Roman, Byzantine, North African and Norman influences. Here, we’ll embark on a walking tour of the island of Ortigia, the bustling city center of Siracusa that still lives like a village—watch out for uneven cobblestones! Later we’ll join the locals on a passeggiata, or evening walk, on the promenade for an unforgettable first sunset together over the Mediterranean.

Ancient Greek Theater of Taormina with Mount Etna and the Mediterranean coast in Sicily, Italy.

Day 1 Highlights

  • Sicily and Naples 2019_Artistic sketch of a fruit bowl featuring a pineapple and assorted produce, symbolizing the vibrant Mediterranean flavors and fresh ingredients of southern Italy. Sicilian market tour
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn pair of binoculars with a strap. Walking tour of Ortigia
  • A circular gold and black logo featuring a minimalist, stylized bird emblem in a stippled art style, representing boutique travel experiences and global expeditions from Portland to Tokyo and Mexico City. Sunset promenade
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn multi-story building with windows and a central entrance. Stay at Ortea Palace in Syracuse

Day 2

July 12, Tue

After a grand breakfast, we’ll be treated to a full-on exposé of traditional Sicilian cheeses at the CoRFiLaC Laboratory, where we find out how to taste cheese like pros and see all stages of the best Sicilian cheesemaking.

Next, we’ll move onto the next Sicilian ingredient: tomatoes. We’ll meet one of Italy’s most respected tomato growers, Casa Morana, where we’ll learn how they make epic tomato sauce and sit down to a picnic lunch on the farm.

Heading back to the hotel, we will stop at Noto, a breezy, walkable town, famed for its limestone Baroque buildings. Our afternoon pick-me-up? A fresh slice of hazelnut sponge cake and a cappuccino ghiacciato (iced coffee with almond milk granita) at a beloved family-run bakery.

Tonight, the dream-like lanes of Siracusa are yours to explore on your own.

Sicily and Naples 2019_Group enjoying a relaxed outdoor picnic beneath lush greenery in the Sicilian countryside, surrounded by scenic hills and local charm, capturing authentic southern Italy life.

Day 2 Highlights

  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn pair of binoculars with a strap. Cheese tasting at CoRFiLaC Laboratory
  • Sicily and Naples 2019_Artistic sketch of a tour guide wearing a hat and speaking into a microphone, representing storytelling, culture, and guided adventures across southern Italy. Meet tomato growers at Casa Morana and picnic lunch
  • A minimalist sketch of a shared platter featuring a traditional rice dish with shellfish, representing the coastal flavors and culinary traditions Visit to Noto
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn multi-story building with windows and a central entrance. Stay at Ortea Palace in Syracuse

Day 3

July 13, Wed

After breakfast, we pack our things and move our Sicilian adventure to an active volcano over twice the size of Mt Vesuvius. At nearly 11,000 feet, Mt Etna is a towering green mountain that sometimes glows red. We’ll hike its craggy fissures with a local volcanologist who shares the ins and outs of Etna’s fascinating history.

Appetites worked up, we’ll move on to one of the area’s top-notch vineyards set atop the volcano’s slopes with panoramic views. At Tenuta San Michele, we’ll meet the winemaker, sip juicy reds and rich whites, then lunch on the best charcuterie and aged sun-dried tomatoes under the golden Sicilian sun. For the night, we’re sticking around Etna’s shadow. We set up in an intimate boutique hotel in a village at the volcano’s foot, where we can toast our day under a starlit sky.

Mount Etna volcanic landscape in Sicily with mist, rugged terrain, and snow-dusted slopes.

Day 3 Highlights

  • A stippled line art drawing of a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van in gold and black, representing premium group travel and custom road trip itineraries through iconic cities like San Francisco, Seattle, and the rugged landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Transfer to Mt Etna
  • Illustrated hiking boot MOAD icon representing outdoor trekking and adventure Hike around Mt Etna with volcanologist
  • A vintage-style sketch featuring a cluster of grapes in the foreground against a rolling vineyard. The background shows a majestic mountain range, evocative of luxury wine tasting tours in places like Napa Valley, Tuscany, or the French Alps. Tour, tasting and lunch at Tenuta San Michele vineyards
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn multi-story building with windows and a central entrance. Stay at Relais San Giuliano in Viagrande

Day 4

July 14, Thu

Don’t sleep in today! Rise early for breakfast as the morning mist hangs over the volcano. Then pack up a sun hat, as we begin the day with a private boat ride along the breathtaking rocky shorelines and beaches of the Ionian Sea. It’s surreal scenery, as we see inside Grotta Azzurra, a sea cave with crystalline waters that glow blue. We enjoy a specially prepared lunch at sea, then dock to explore the lovely historic city of Taormina’s medieval lanes and churches, and its epic hilltop Greek theater with a full coastline panorama below.

We’ll have an afternoon full of Taormina’s endless appeal. Sit with an espresso in vibrant piazzas, browse shops in the alleys bursting with life, pop into a Gothic cathedral, and take some gelato to cliff-hugging terraces overlooking the sea. We’ll return to our hotel by the volcano for another star-lit night under Mt Etna’s gaze.

Boat tour exploring limestone sea caves along the Sicilian coast with crystal-clear Mediterranean waters.

Day 4 Highlights

  • A stippled line art drawing of a modern sailing catamaran in gold and black, representing private yacht charters and coastal expeditions through the Greek Islands, Amalfi Coast, and Croatia. Private boat ride in Ionian Sea
  • A stippled line art drawing of a classic toque blanche chef's hat in gold and black, symbolizing elite culinary guidance and chef-led food tours in gastronomic capitals like Paris, San Sebastián, and Florence. Special lunch prepared at sea
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn pair of binoculars with a strap. Explore coastal town of Taormina
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn multi-story building with windows and a central entrance. Stay at Relais San Giuliano in Viagrande

Day 5

July 15, Fri

Our adventure of southern Italy moves on today, as we fly to a buzzing Mediterranean capital under the watch of Mt Vesuvius. We’ll jump right into Naples’ oldest spot for street food, Pignasecca Market. We’ll wander this outdoor mercato tasting fresh fruits and pastries, and dig into an Italian favorite, cuoppo Napoletano—because how else would you eat the best fried seafood than in a cone? We’ll then work off our treats on a walking tour of Piazza del Plebiscito in the city center, admiring Naples’ Royal Palace, Castle Nuovo and the immense Galleria Umberto. 

Naples is a blast after dark, and the evening is yours to explore its hipster bars with DJs spinning vinyl, and cozy intimate restaurants with wine lists as long as the night. Enjoy!

Traditional Italian pizza preparation with hands seasoning dough and tomato sauce before baking.

Day 5 Highlights

  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn airplane flying in front of a textured golden circle. Fly to Naples
  • Sicily and Naples 2019_Artistic sketch of a tour guide wearing a hat and speaking into a microphone, representing storytelling, culture, and guided adventures across southern Italy. Market Tour
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn pair of binoculars with a strap. Explore Naples after dark
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn multi-story building with windows and a central entrance. Stay at Costantinopoli 104 in Naples

Day 6

July 16, Sat

After breakfast we’ll find more of Naples’ storied appeal outside our door, and learn why Neapolitan pizza is not just to-go street food. We’ll sit for an immersive, tasty “pizza course” with an authentic wood-fired oven to craft different types of Neapolitan pizza. Delicious may be an understatement.

But don’t get too full because our farewell dinner is a meal for the ages. After some rest and independent exploration, we’ll make our way to a restored cloister that has been transformed into a contemporary art gallery with cuisine run by Sabrina Russo, leader of the Food for Soul project. We’ll settle in for unforgettable courses and plenty of wine to toast our journey together. The night ends whenever it ends!

Sicily and Naples 2019_ Artist creating a detailed chalk portrait on a city street, capturing the artistic spirit of Sicily and Naples.

Day 6 Highlights

  • A stippled line art drawing of a classic toque blanche chef's hat in gold and black, symbolizing elite culinary guidance and chef-led food tours in gastronomic capitals like Paris, San Sebastián, and Florence. Hands-on pizza course
  • MOAD icon showing a hand-drawn plate, fork, knife, and spoon arranged on a placemat Farewell dinner at Art Gallery
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn multi-story building with windows and a central entrance. Stay at Costantinopoli 104 in Naples

Day 7

July 17, Sun

This morning, we’ll breakfast together and then say goodbye to Michael, pack up all we’ve collected, along with new memories, and head to the airport. Ciao!

Taormina, Sicily at sunset featuring historic architecture and Mount Etna on the horizon.

Day 7 Highlights

  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn airplane flying in front of a textured golden circle. Transfer to airport

People Love MO/AD’s Italy

Italy 2020_View of Piazza del Popolo in Rome, Italy, featuring the central obelisk, historic buildings, and domed church framed by palm leaves under a bright summer sky.
Italy 2020_Row of vintage Vespa scooters parked along a street in Rome, Italy, showcasing iconic Italian design and urban culture with colorful helmets and retro details.
A wide-angle view of the Florence cityscape and the Arno River at golden hour, featuring the historic Ponte Vecchio bridge and palm trees in the foreground under a hazy orange sunset.
Italy 2020_A local tour guide wearing sunglasses and a lanyard speaks animatedly to a small group in a sunny Italian piazza.
Italy 2020_An ornate church ceiling richly decorated with gold geometric patterns, religious artwork, and stained glass windows depicting saints illuminated by soft light.
A cheerful group of travelers riding vintage Vespa scooters through a sunny city street in Rome, Italy, capturing the essence of an authentic European adventure.
Italy 2020_Two wine glasses and a cheese board on a balcony table with a scenic view of an Italian coastal city, historic rooftops, and distant hills bathed in warm afternoon light.
An elderly artisan cheesemaker carefully inspecting wheels of Pecorino in a rustic, stone-walled cellar in the countryside of Pienza or Tuscany. This intimate encounter showcases the authentic local traditions and people met during a Modern Adventure culinary expedition in Italy.
Italy 2020_A colorful display of traditional Italian gelato in a shop, with a variety of flavors including chocolate, pistachio, fruit, and cream.
Italy 2020_An elderly woman in overalls stands at her produce stall in an outdoor Italian market, surrounded by fresh fruits and vegetables under canopy tents.
Italy 2020_A waiter serves wine, cocktails, and small appetizers to guests seated at an outdoor café, capturing the relaxed social atmosphere of Italian dining culture.
Italy 2020_A rustic stone bell tower rises above ivy-covered roofs and manicured gardens, set against a clear blue sky in the Italian countryside.
A monumental bronze face sculpture by Igor Mitoraj standing amidst the ancient Roman ruins of Pompeii. In the background, preserved stone columns and brick walls of the forum are visible against a clear sky, with the distant silhouette of Mount Vesuvius rising in the landscape.
Italy 2020_A chef presents an elegant Italian dish featuring a piece of meat topped with fresh herbs, plated with a golden sauce and a sage leaf garnish on a minimalist white plate.
Italy 2020_Aerial view of a Sicilian coastal town surrounded by lush greenery and dramatic cliffs overlooking the calm blue sea under a warm evening light.
“
Everything was done superbly.
Kelly S.
“
I was blown away by how flawlessly Modern Adventure fulfilled and exceeded my expectations.
Josh S.
“
I loved the warmth, sincerity and caring of the Modern Adventure team.
Bob Z.

Where We Sleep

Sicily and Naples 2019_Luxurious sunlit dining area with marble floors, ornate decor, and a grand glass ceiling in an upscale restaurant showcasing Mediterranean elegance.

Authentic, lovingly curated accommodations—we’ll relax and unwind under the gaze of a volcano in Sicily, and feel like we’re part of the vibrant story of Naples

Sicily and Naples 2019_Scenic view of a grand historic building along the waterfront with boats docked in the harbor and pastel evening skies, capturing the coastal charm of southern Italy.

Ortea Palace

Syracuse

In Sicily, even post offices are palaces. You’ll feel that fully, entering this magnificent, palatial former post office from 1920 in the perfect spot in historic Siracusa. It’s a joy to stay here. Sprawling rooms are decked with fine Italian designs, lounges have expansive views of the Mediterranean coastline—and Siracusa’s iconic monuments, shops and restaurants are just footsteps away.

Serene view of a luxury resort pool with sun loungers, shaded seating areas, lush greenery, and landscaped gardens surrounding the outdoor space.

Relais San Giuliano

Viagrande

Set at the foot of Mt Etna, this intimate, 13-room hotel is made from a luxurious mansion dating from the early 1700s that makes any guest feel like a Sicilian noble returning home. The chic rustic feel benefits from wood beam ceilings in its alluring interiors—the perfect place to set up while exploring the area’s best wineries and a hike up an active volcano.

Sicily and Naples 2019_Cozy Mediterranean-style bedroom with artistic decor, arched ceiling, and breakfast tray on the bed, reflecting the warm and elegant charm of southern Italy hospitality.

Costantinopoli 104

Naples

Filled with antiques, modern art and Liberty stained glass, this 19th-century, neoclassical villa is the perfect spot for a base right in the historic center of vibrant Naples. Most rooms come with terraces, others face the courtyard pool, and lovely staff serve wonderful breakfasts in the oasis-like courtyard.

Italy 2020_Two wine glasses and a cheese board on a balcony table with a scenic view of an Italian coastal city, historic rooftops, and distant hills bathed in warm afternoon light.

Book Sicily & Naples with Michael Scelfo

Number of Travelers

Payment

Reserve your spot today with a $1,500 per-person deposit plus room supplements (if relevant). Please see our terms and conditions for full payment details.

$7,500

per person, based on double occupancy

Can't travel on these dates?
Call us at
+1 (855) 219-8018

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Questions?

That’s OK, we have answers.
Read our FAQs below. Or text or call us at +1 (855) 219-8018 to speak with a Modern Adventure Trip Specialist.

  1. What does the price include?

    Six nights at unique four- and five-star accommodations; private travel for all day trips and excursions; internal flight from Sicily to Naples; departure airport transfer; private tours with local guides and cultural experts; exclusive VIP access and tastings; guided activities, adventures and expeditions; entrance fees; daily breakfasts, most lunches and dinners; local beverages with meals.

  2. What does the price not include?

    International roundtrip airfare; travel insurance; transportation to the trip’s starting point; activities not included in the trip itinerary; hotel incidentals including room service, laundry service and hotel bar tabs; food and beverages not included in itinerary; gratuity for tour leader.

  3. Where does this trip start and end?

    For both departures, our adventure begins in Catania, Italy, at the Il Principe Hotel. The closest airport is Catania’s Fontanarossa Airport (CTA). We recommend arriving one day early to ensure you’re at our starting point on time. On our last day, the closest airport is Naples International Airport (NAP) in Naples, Italy. Your flight home should be scheduled to depart at 12pm or later from NAP airport.

    Detailed arrival and departure guidance is provided in your post-purchase trip materials, including recommended routes, transfer options, and timing considerations. If you have specific questions before booking, our team is always happy to help.

  4. What travel documents are needed?

    US citizens are not required to have a visa for stays in Italy of under 90 days. Just bring a valid US passport. For citizens of other countries, please check with the Italian embassy or consulate for information and requirements.

  5. Do I need to pay a solo traveler supplement?

    For solo travelers, there is a $1,500 single-supplement fee—paid at the time of booking to secure a private room. If you would like us to pair you with a roommate, that option may be available upon checkout—these spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

  6. Who is going on this trip?

    Our adventures typically have between 10 and 20 guests, and our Modern Adventure Team. Our experiences are fun and inclusive and you can expect to be joined by a diverse group in terms of age, background and interests—including solo travelers, couples and friends traveling together. This adventure is for travelers age 18 and above.

  7. Who is leading this trip?

    This trip is led by an expert Modern Adventure trip leader. They’re an experienced travel guide, a representative of Modern Adventure and your go-to person for questions or concerns on the trip. We’ll be joined throughout our adventure by local, expert guides who are deeply knowledgeable with respect to local cultures, customs and history and are passionate about sharing that with us.

  8. Do I need travel insurance?

    We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement for your trip costs; if your trip plans change for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to get medical help, emergency transport, and for theft, loss or damage of items while traveling. For best coverage, always insure the full trip cost within two weeks of your initial trip deposit and note that most ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ policies must be purchased on the date of your initial deposit.

  9. What is the cancellation policy?

    We understand plans can change. Here’s how cancellation fees are incurred depending on when you let us know:

    • More than 150 days before departure: $1,500 per person deposit
    • 150–121 days before departure: 50% of the total trip price
    • 120 days or less before departure: 100% of the total trip price

    For the full details, please see our terms and conditions.

  10. When will my final balance be due?

    Your payment schedule depends on how far in advance you book your trip:

    • At the time of booking: Pay your $1,500 deposit per person.
    • 180 days before departure: 50% of your trip cost is due.
    • 120 days before departure: Full balance is due.

    We’ll send you secure payment links and reminders before each due date to make the process easy. If you book within 120 days of your trip, the remaining balance is due within 10 days.

  11. Is this trip the right fit for me?

    Modern Adventure trips are active, immersive small-group experiences. Our itineraries often involve sustained walking and standing throughout the day, including stairs, uneven terrain, cobblestones, unpaved paths, and moving between experiences at a pace that keeps the day flowing for the group.

    These experiences are not suitable for travelers who require physical mobility assistance, personal care support, or significant itinerary modifications in order to participate. In many destinations, accommodations for significant physical limitations may not be possible without materially altering the experience for the individual traveler or the group.

    All travelers are responsible for informing Modern Adventure of any physical limitations, medical considerations, or concerns before booking, or as early as possible before departure. Please don’t hesitate to contact us before booking if you have any questions. We want every traveler to feel confident, comfortable, and fully prepared for the journey ahead.

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