(Arabic: "quas’ta", the round pan in which it is made)
Day 1 – Tour members arrive in Catania. Sicily Tour will have a minibus available for shuttles from the airport to Siracusa. Check into L’Approdo delle Sirene in the Siracusa ancient city quarter of Ortigia. Rest from travel. 1930: We assemble to discuss the intinerary and go to dinner at a restaurant renowned for Southeastern Sicilian cuisine . Overnight in Siracusa (L’Approdo delle Sirene).
Day 2 – 0900: Morning visit to Ortigia outdoor market. 1100: Then we will do a walking tour of Ortigia: its rich history, palaces, narrow lanes and shops. 1300: scheduled lunch at your B&B, L’Approdo delle Sirene. Free time for rest or wandering. 1645: Meet at B&B to go to cooking class with Alessia at Mare Nostrum. Dinner on what we make at the cooking class. Overnight in Siracusa (L’Approdo delle Sirene).
Day 3 – Morning visit to Archaeological Park, to see the Greek Theatre, Ear of Dionysius, Roman Amphitheatre. Midday and afternoon free in the old quarter. 1630 meet at the hotel to go to the cooking class with Giuseppina. Dinner on what we make at the cooking class. Overnight in Siracusa. (L’Approdo delle Sirene).
Day 4 – Morning visit to Catania fish market then up Mt. Etna to St. Michele winery for winery visit and lunch. Afternoon visit to Taormina for the beautiful setting of this famous town and matchless shopping. Return to Siracusa (L’Approdo delle Sirene).
Day 5 – 0900 leave in Sicily Tour bus for Buscemi to tour traditional village. Visit Palazzolo Acreide for pastry-making demonstration , and light snack. Continue to Gangi (Gangi vecchio). Dinner and overnight in Gangi. (Tenuta Gangivecchio)
Day 6 ~ 7 – Stay in Gangivecchio for cooking classes with the renowned chefs of Tenuta Gangivecchio, artisan visits, and optional tours in the remote countryside of the Madonie Mountains. Visit to the ancient village of Polizzi Generosa and have a tasting of typical sweetmeats. (Tenuta Gangivecchio)
Day 8 – Sicily Tour bus returns to Siracusa. Free midday and afternoon in Ortigia. Dinner on board sailboat going round the island. (L’Approdo delle Sirene)
Day 9 -- Sicily Tour bus shuttle to airport for the flight home.
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Total cost: € 1990 per person
WHAT'S INCLUDED: English speaking tour leader / guide, deluxe bus transportation, transfer to and from Catania airport, 8 nights accommodation (3* B&B. and 4* re-converted farm estate, double room occupancy, single room supplement 120 € (but aextra bed reduction 10% if sharing 3 in a room). breakfast & dinner every day (from dinner of day 1 to breakfast of day 9), lunch on days 2, 4, 6, 7, 4 cooking lessons, 1 pastry-making demonstration, 1 wine tasting and winery visit, excursions as per program.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED: airfare to and from Catania (we can advise if you want), drinks during meals, lunches on days 1, 3, 5, and 8, entrance fees to archaeological sites and museums, tips extras of any personal nature.
Sicilian cassata cake