Sicily with Dario Monni

October 12 – 18, 2027 | One Exclusive Departure

Sicily, From the Ground Up

Discover Sicily's culinary identity through the land, its people, and the recipes passed between generations alongside Italian Chef, Dario Monni

October 12 - 18, 2027 | 7 Days, 6 Nights

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“The guides were top notch. Professional, informative, personable and extremely engaging.”
Joe B.

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

$11,000

per person based on double occupancy

Italy-born Chef and Chicago Pastamaker, Dario Monni

Illustrated map of Sicily featuring Palermo, Catania, Mt. Etna, wine, and pasta-making

The morning’s catch glistens on beds of ice as fishmongers call out across Ortigia’s bustling market, their voices mingling with the chatter of shoppers selecting ingredients for the day’s meals. Between bites of crisp panelle and golden arancini, you think back to the hills outside Agrigento, where just days ago you met a local shepherd and tasted farmhouse cheeses made from the milk of his flock while hearing stories of family connections to shepherding in Italy. It was a reminder of how deeply food is woven into the lives of those who produce it. Tomorrow, the Mediterranean beckons, with a private boat carrying you past limestone cliffs and sheltered coves before an evening among the aromatic gardens of Scicli. There, wild thyme and fragrant herbs will find their way from garden to glass, and aperitivo will give way to dinner beneath the Sicilian sky. For now, you linger among Ortigia’s market stalls, considering how much of Sicily’s history can be understood through the ingredients in your hands.

Trip Highlights

  • Make fresh pasta from scratch with Dario
  • Stroll the ruins of Agrigento
  • Picnic in the Valley of the Temples
  • Explore Baroque Ragusa Ibla
  • Discover the wines of Vittoria
  • Meet local farmers, shepherds, and winemakers
  • Learn about Slow Food ingredients
  • Wander the ancient streets of Ortigia
  • Taste Sicilian food at a local market
  • Sip garden-inspired cocktails at sunset

3 Reasons to Travel with Dario Monni

Born in Italy, Dario Monni grew up making pasta with his nonna in Venice and spending summers among his family’s shepherds and cheesemakers in Sardinia. Today, he and his wife, Jill, bring those traditions to Chicago through Tortello, their Michelin Bib Gourmand–recognized pasta restaurant. In Sicily, Dario shares his love for honest ingredients, generations-old craftsmanship, and the everyday rituals of Italian life.

All in the Family

For Dario, food has always been a family affair. He learned to make pasta alongside his nonna, while summers in Sardinia introduced him to the work of shepherds, cheesemakers, and butchers. In Sicily, those memories come full circle as he makes pasta with us in a family home and meets a local shepherd to learn the craft of sheep's milk cheese.

The Art of Doing Less

A proper Italian morning doesn't begin with a coffee to go. It begins at the neighborhood bar, where an espresso in a porcelain cup leaves room for conversation. Dario believes the best way to experience Italy is to settle into its everyday pleasures. In Sicily, that means lingering over coffee, getting to know the locals, and leaving time for the unexpected.

The Source of It All

At Tortello, Dario has built a restaurant around the belief that exceptional ingredients deserve simple, thoughtful preparation. He brings that same appreciation to Sicily, from the fishmongers of Ortigia's bustling market to the vineyards of acclaimed natural winemaker Arianna Occhipinti. Along the way, he'll introduce us to the people whose knowledge and craftsmanship keep the island's culinary traditions alive.

Day by Day

*On rare occasions, this itinerary may change.

Day 1: Sicily

October 12, Tue

Benvenuti a Sicilia! 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.

Tastemaker Moment: Dario will introduce himself and toast to the road ahead
Domed church rooftop in Catania, Sicily, framed by leaves with Mount Etna smoking in the background

Day 2: Agrigento

October 13, Wed

This morning, we’ll head to Agrigento, a former Greek colony established in the 6th century BC, to explore the Valley of the Temples. Magnificent Doric temples dominate the ancient town, much of which still lies intact among acres of olive, pistachio, almond and fruit trees.

For lunch, we’ll ramble down the road for a special picnic. Hidden within the valley, the Kolymbethra Garden is dense with citrus trees, old olive groves and Mediterranean plants, its agricultural landscape sustained in part by ancient underground waterways. Once there, we’ll sit down for a private meal complete with freshly pressed citrus and other local specialties.

After, another side of rural Sicily comes into focus at a goat farm. We’ll meet a shepherd, learn about the work behind the island’s farmhouse cheeses and taste them where they are made.

The afternoon is ours to unwind before gathering for dinner at a local restaurant, where the flavors of Agrigento fill the table.

Tastemaker Moment: Dario will share his family connection to shepherding in Italy
Shepherd with staff petting a sheep among his flock in the Basque Country, Spain

Day 3: Agrigento & Ragusa

October 14, Thu

Today, we make our way east along Sicily’s southern reaches toward the vineyards of Vittoria. Here, sandy soils and Mediterranean breezes help shape the character of Cerasuolo di Vittoria, made from Nero d’Avola and Frappato grapes. At a local estate, we meet the people behind the wines and learn how thoughtful farming and minimal intervention express the region’s distinctive terroir. A leisurely lunch, paired with regional vintages, offers a delicious introduction to southeastern Sicily.

After lunch, we’ll continue into Ragusa Ibla. Rebuilt in elaborate Sicilian Baroque style after the devastating earthquake of 1693, its enchanting stone churches and palazzi climb the hillside, their carved façades catching the changing afternoon light. While there, we’ll step inside the workshop of a Sicilian cart artisan. Once practical transportation, these brightly painted carts became moving canvases crowded with saints, knights and scenes from Sicily’s storytelling culture. 

The day ends in the countryside near Ragusa, with dinner at our hotel.

Tastemaker Moment: Dario will share insight into the philosophy behind the winery's approach and his perspective on Sicilian wine and food pairings

Day 4: Syracuse & Ragusa

October 15, Fri

Few places capture Sicily’s layered history quite like Syracuse. Founded by Greek settlers in the 8th century BC, the city became one of the ancient Mediterranean’s great centers of power and culture. This morning, we walk the narrow lanes of Ortigia, its historic island heart, where the Cathedral of Syracuse incorporates the columns of a fifth-century Greek temple.

At Ortigia’s bustling market, vendors call out over displays of swordfish and freshly harvested produce. We’ll taste our way through local street-food specialties before continuing into the Val di Noto, a landscape of limestone hills and vineyards. Here, southeastern Sicily’s winemaking character takes center stage. At a local estate, we sample wines shaped by the region’s warm Mediterranean climate, including varieties such as Nero d’Avola. 

By evening, we arrive at our countryside hotel near Ragusa, with time to settle in before dinner independently.

Tastemaker Moment: Dario will help bring the market experience to life by highlighting regional ingredients, street-food traditions, and the connection between Sicilian food and place

Day 5: Ragusa

October 16, Sat

Today offers a slower pace and time to enjoy the coast. Aboard our private boat, we sail past limestone cliffs and quiet coves, pausing to swim in the clear Mediterranean waters, weather permitting. A light lunch on board brings a taste of the island to our plates.

Afterward,  we continue toward Scicli. There, the day moves to the scents growing wild in the surrounding countryside. In a garden of aromatic plants, thyme and sage release their oils between the fingers while mint and citrus lend themselves to cocktails mixed from freshly gathered herbs.

As the light softens, aperitivo becomes dinner outdoors, with the garden supplying both the setting and part of the evening’s flavor.

Tastemaker Moment: During our botanical exploration in the afternoon, Dario will highlight how local herbs and aromatic plants influence the Sicilian cooking and flavors

Day 6: Ragusa

October 17, Sun

We’ll take some time to relax at the hotel this morning before gathering for a hands-on introduction to Sicily’s pasta-making traditions. With flour-dusted hands and guidance from a local expert, we’ll learn the techniques behind fresh pasta, working the dough and shaping it by hand as generations of Sicilian cooks have done before us. Once our work is complete, we’ll take our seats to enjoy the fruits of our labor over a leisurely lunch.

The rest of the afternoon is ours before regrouping for a final dinner together. Wine is poured, plates begin making their way around, and dinner stretches into the evening on the terrace. After nearly a week of farms, kitchens, and shared tables, Sicily gives us a fitting farewell meal.

Tastemaker Moment: Dario will assist during our pasta-making experiences and lead a round of farewell toasts at dinner

Day 7: Departures

October 18, Mon

Arrivederci Sicilia! We’re off this morning after a week of adventure. After breakfast, we’ll say ciao to each other, knowing the memory of our adventure together will live in our hearts forever! We’ll organize a group transfer to the airport for flights to mainland Italy and beyond.

People Love MO/AD's Sicily

Sicily 2024_ Traditional fishing boats and swimmers enjoying the crystal-clear waters along the Sicilian coast, capturing the charm and relaxed seaside life of southern Italy.
A panoramic view of the lush, hilly landscape in Sicily featuring yellow spring wildflowers and dense olive orchards. In the distance, a coastal town sits beneath a soft hazy sky near the Mediterranean Sea, capturing the rural charm of Southern Italy.
Sicily 2024_ Ancient Greek temple surrounded by lush greenery in the Valley of the Temples, Agrigento, Sicily.
Sicily 2024_ Fresh seafood displayed at a traditional market stall in Palermo, showcasing local Sicilian flavors and daily life.
Sicily 2024_ Homemade tagliatelle pasta dusted with flour, highlighting traditional Sicilian culinary craftsmanship.
Sicily 2024_ Local vendors at a lively Palermo market selling fresh vegetables and produce, capturing authentic Sicilian street life.
Sicily 2024_ Artisan hands shaping fresh ricotta in woven molds, showcasing traditional Sicilian cheese-making techniques.
Sicily 2024_ Aerial view of swimmers enjoying a secluded rocky cove with crystal-clear turquoise waters along the Sicilian coast.
Sicily 2024_ Aerial view of Mondello Beach near Palermo, with golden sunset light over the coastline and mountains of Sicily.
Sicily 2024_ Bustling open-air market in Ortigia, Syracuse, with locals shopping for fresh produce and regional specialties.
Sicily 2024_ View from a rustic farmhouse doorway overlooking sheep grazing in the rolling Sicilian countryside.
Rome and Sicily 2022_ A vibrant selection of creamy Italian gelato in assorted flavors, capturing the sweetness and artistry of Rome and Sicily’s culinary traditions.
Sicily 2024_ Misty volcanic landscape of Mount Etna, showcasing rugged terrain and patches of green moss on dark lava fields.
Sicily 2024_ Colorful fishing boat floating in the clear waters of Cefalù, with historic seaside houses and mountains in the background.
Sicily 2024_ Close-up of a person holding a glass of red wine outdoors, celebrating Sicilian vineyards and slow living.
“
I loved how the little things were always taken care of.
Greg A.
“
Such a totally immersive experience. Incredible.
Ray B.
“
The trip was curated in a way that provided unique experiences we wouldn't have had if we traveled solo.
Katherine R.

Where We Sleep

Beautifully curated accommodations—we’ll relax under the gaze of a volcano in Sicily, and feel like we’re part of the island's story.

*On rare occasions, our hotels will change. Our standards for luxury and authenticity will not.

Villa Athena Resort

Agrigento

Our first home sits inside the archaeological park of the Valley of the Temples, just 200 meters from the fifth-century BCE Temple of Concordia. The late-18th-century residence looks across ancient olive trees and classical ruins, with a private entrance leading hotel guests directly into the archaeological park. Some rooms bring the temple into view from the window, a remarkable meeting of contemporary Sicily and ancient Akragas.

Torre Don Virgilio Country Hotel

Val di Noto

An old Sicilian farmhouse surrounded by centuries-old olive trees becomes our base in the Val di Noto countryside. Eleven kilometers outside Modica, the property trades city streets for gardens, old stone and the shade surrounding its outdoor pool. Ragusa, Modica and Scicli are within reach, while evenings return us to the quieter rhythms of rural southeastern Sicily.

Turquoise cove and pebble beach along the coast of Taormina, Sicily

Book Sicily with Dario Monni

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.

$11,000

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; 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?

    Our adventure begins in the Agrigento Countryside. 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 Catania’s Fontanarossa Airport (CTA). Your flight should be scheduled to depart at 12pm or later.

    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. These spots are extremely 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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