Sicily with Eden Grinshpan

Benvenuti a Sicily! After settling in at our hotel, we’ll meet up with our tastemaker and convene for a delightful welcome dinner. The meal—designed to introduce us to the core flavors of Sicily—is the perfect beginning of a journey filled with culinary delights, cultural discoveries, and moments of pure joy.

We’ll awaken with a drive through the Sicilian countryside to Taormina, where we’ll board chartered boats for a morning at sea. With our tastemaker at the helm, we’ll cast lines into the sea and send prayers to Neptune — or Poseidon, as it were — for a fruitful catch (and if we’re lucky, perhaps an impromptu crudo lunch). In the afternoon, we’ll return to land to explore the ancient buildings — some in ruins, some in daily use — of Taormina.

If we encounter bad weather, instead of catching our dinner we will visit the Catania Fish Market and shop for fish instead.

After breakfast we’ll head out to visit majestic Mount Etna, an active volcano that towers almost 11,000 feet over the island — and occasionally glows red with lava! We’ll head for a beautiful local winery where heritage vines clamber up the volcano’s slopes to an altitude of over 3,000 feet, producing delicate whites and intense, fruit-forward rosés and reds.

Following our tasting, we’ll sit down to a family-style lunch under the benevolent eye of Le Mamme del Borgo, a collective of local grandmothers who will teach us how to knead the ancient flours into a supple pasta dough for our maccarruni, a typical Sicilian pasta that’s traditionally rolled by hand and served in a wild boar sauce.

Dinner tonight is included at the hotel.

This morning we’re off to Agrigento. This former Greek colony was established in the 6th century BC and was a leading city-state in the Mediterranean world. Agrigento’s magnificent Doric temples dominate the ancient town, much of which still lies intact among acres of olive, pistachio, almond and fruit trees. We’ll drink in the sumptuous beauty of the gardens over an al fresco lunch.

We will then depart for Palermo, arriving in time to enjoy the beautiful grounds of our hotel and a group dinner at the lovely Villa Igiea.

Our first stop today will be the iconic Salt Plains of Marsala. Here, we’ll explore the striking landscape of salt water pools divided by narrow strips of land, known as “la via del sale” or the Salt Road, where ancient Phoenician salt culture meets modern-day production methods, offering a glimpse into centuries-old traditions.

Continuing our exploration, we’ll indulge in a delightful visit to a Marsala winery, where we’ll discover the secrets behind the production of this renowned fortified wine. Immerse yourself in the aroma of oak barrels and sample a selection of traditional Western Sicilian wines during a memorable tasting session. Afterward, we’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch at the winery, savoring the flavors of Sicily’s culinary heritage.

Next, we’ll journey to the medieval hilltop town of Erice, where we’ll treat our tastebuds to a pastry tasting, sampling delectable treats crafted with love and tradition.

There’s no better introduction to freewheeling Palermo than the colorful Capo market; as we wander the stalls, listening to the singsong calls of vendors and inhaling an intoxicating swirl of aromas, we’ll be tantalized by the sharp tang of Sicilian citrus fruits, fragrant sesame-seed loaves pulled from a wood-fired oven, savory arancini (fried rice balls) and thick slices of sfincione topped with  sweet tomato sauce.

Next, we’ll be treated to a historical tour as we take in Palermo’s stunning seafront, its terraces and courtyards a tapestry of hanging gardens perfumed with subtropical essence. After a a few hours of independent exploration, we’ll meet up again for a truly magical farewell dinner. Alongside our tastemaker and our new friends, we’ll toast to an incredible Sicilian experience!

Arrivederci Sicilia! We’re off this morning after seven immersive days of adventure and culinary adventure. After breakfast we’ll say goodbye, knowing the memory of our adventure together will live in our hearts forever! We’ll organize a group transfer to Palermo’s PMO airport for flights to mainland Italy and beyond.