Sicily Tour with Melissa Kelly

Benvenuti a Sicily! Once we’ve arrived and had a bit of time to unwind, we’ll gather with our tastemaker to raise a glass paired with a festive welcome dinner. It’s a delicious first look at Sicily’s signature flavors and an ideal way to kick off our journey together.

After breakfast, we start our journey 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 venture up the slopes in a rugged jeep, the landscape shifting from fertile vineyards to lunar rock fields. Along the way, we’ll find ourselves at a 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.

Then, we’ll indulge in a cooking class to make 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 maccarruni, a typical Sicilian pasta that’s traditionally rolled by hand and served in a wild boar sauce.

After, we’ll have a bit of downtown at our hotel before reconvening for dinner at a local restaurant helmed by one of Melissa’s good friends.

The morning begins with a scenic drive through southeastern Sicily’s undulating countryside, where sun-bleached stone walls give way to sweeping views of olive groves and almond trees as the road leads into the heart of Catania.

Our first stop is the famed fish market, where morning sunlight glints off silver scales and vendors shout over crates of swordfish, sea urchin, and glistening sardines. We’ll wander the stalls, tasting as we go, then settle in for a market lunch rooted in bold flavors and Sicilian tradition.

From there, we continue to Baglio Occhipinti. After checking into our home for the next few days, the afternoon is yours to nap under fig trees, lounge poolside, or stroll through the organic gardens. As golden hour warms the countryside, we’ll regroup for a seasonal, garden-to-table dinner that’s as thoughtful as it is delicious.

We’ll take some time to relax at the hotel this morning before making our way to Modica—one of the island’s baroque gems. Once there, we step into the cool interior of an old-world cioccolateria. Here, a chocolate maker guides us through the ancient process shaped by a centuries-old cold-working technique introduced during Spanish rule. Unlike conventional methods, the chocolate is never conched or refined, meaning the sugar crystals remain intact, lending a pleasantly grainy bite. With no added cocoa butter, the result is intensely aromatic, deeply rooted in tradition, and unmistakably Sicilian. After sampling sweet and savory variations, we linger over a relaxed lunch in town.

Afterwards, we’ll head to a local vineyard where grapes, olives, and other produce grow from the sandy, red topsoils of decomposed volcanic sediments, and taste the unique and historical blends they have to offer. 

This evening culminates in a relaxing dinner at our 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 a picnic lunch.

We will then depart for Palermo for a few hours of driving through Italy before arriving in time to enjoy the beautiful grounds of our hotel and a group dinner.

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 few hours of independent exploration and lunch on your own, we’ll meet up again for a leisurely walking tour to take in the street art around Palermo before sitting down 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 culinary exploration. After breakfast we’ll say goodbye, knowing the memory of our journey 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.