Sicily Food Adventure

8 days
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Small Group Tour
From cannoli to arancini, Sicilian food is known across the planet, but this tour shows how varied and diverse the cuisine here really is. The various civilisations that have occupied the island over millennia have not only left an unparalleled cultural heritage, but also a culinary history that sets Sicily apart from mainland Italy. Sample the street food of...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Wander through colourful markets and try the unique street food of Palermo
    • Enjoy a hands-on cookery class with a local chef in Erice
    • Sample a variety of local specialities during produce and wine tastings
    • Visit unique heritage sites and baroque cities, including Agrigento and Noto

What's this trip about?

    From cannoli to arancini, Sicilian food is known across the planet, but this tour shows how varied and diverse the cuisine here really is. The various civilisations that have occupied the island over millennia have not only left an unparalleled cultural heritage, but also a culinary history that sets Sicily apart from mainland Italy. Sample the street food of Palermo in vibrant markets, practise hands-on cooking with local chefs in Erice, sip wines in Marsala and Etna, and indulge in gelatos while relaxing in baroque piazzas. Let food lead the way in this captivating journey through culinary and cultural highlights.Enjoy world-famous Sicilian food while visiting the best heritage sites

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 18 people
Age range16 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityPalermo
End CityCatania

Travel Themes

  • Culinary & Wine
  • Cultural

Destinations

Attractions

  • Catania
  • Palermo
  • Sicily

Activities

  • Culture

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 6

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 18

Trip includes

    • All breakfasts, 2 wine tastings, 1 cookery class/lunch and 4 produce tastings (3 of which are also considered lunch)
    • All accommodation
    • Tour leader throughout
    • Special guided tours in main UNESCO sights and cities
    • Group arrival and departure transfers available

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Start Palermo

This tour starts in Palermo, the regional capital of Sicily. This busy port city on the northwest coast encompasses fascinating and often-overlooked attractions. There is fine architecture to admire, good museums, palazzi and churches. It is the food scene, colourful ...

Day 2 Explore the markets of Palermo and indulge in fabulous street food; optional afternoon visit to Monreale and the ‘duomo’

We start our week with a guided foodie tour through the historic centre of Palermo. During our walk, we wander through the carts and kiosks of street vendors, colourful markets and local bakeries while trying some of the best local specialities. These vary by season, ...

Day 3 Transfer to Erice; hands-on cookery class with a local chef; continue to Marsala and sample the local wines

In the morning, we transfer to our next destination, the hilltop town of Erice. The local gastronomy in this part of Sicily is strongly influenced by the Arabs, who occupied the area for many centuries until the Normans took over. A hands-on cookery course with a loca...

Day 4 Morning visit to an olive farm for olive oil and produce tasting; transfer to Agrigento for a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples

In the morning, we leave Marsala and transfer to a traditional organic olive farm. We learn about the cultivation and production methods and sample olive oil accompanied by local produce. In the afternoon, we transfer to the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. A guide...

Day 5 To Piazza Armerina; guided tour of the Villa Romana del Casale followed by a delicious produce tasting; afternoon visit to the town of Ragusa

Today’s destination is Piazza Armerina, home of Villa Romana del Casale. Built in the fourth century CE as a hunting lodge by a Roman patrician, the villa is home to well-preserved Roman mosaics, which are spread over 37,670sqft (3,500sqm). After a guided tour of this...

Day 6 Transfer to rural farm for cheese tasting; to the baroque town of Noto; time to explore and transfer to Catania

We start our day with a transfer to a family-run farm in the countryside near Ragusa, a province where cheese-making traditions are stronger than anywhere else in Sicily. After a cheese-making demonstration and a farm tour, we taste samples, including ricotta made by ...

Day 7 Visit the loud, fast-paced fish market; travel to Etna for an excellent wine and produce tasting and short walk; return to Catania

After breakfast, we visit La Pescheria, the colourful, loud and pungent fish market, which is one of the oldest and biggest in Italy. Held every morning except Sunday, it is everything one expects an Italian market to be; following the local traditions, fishermen try ...

Day 8 End Catania

This Sicilian food adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like more time to explore this fascinating island, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,150
Price per day$394
Last Updated: 5/22/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Shared Room
Single Room
Availability
06 Apr 2025
13 Apr 2025
$3,150
$3,713
04 May 2025
11 May 2025
$3,150
$3,713
11 May 2025
18 May 2025
$3,150
$3,713
01 Jun 2025
08 Jun 2025
$3,150
$3,713
15 Jun 2025
22 Jun 2025
$3,150
$3,713
31 Aug 2025
07 Sep 2025
$3,150
$3,713
07 Sep 2025
14 Sep 2025
$3,150
$3,713
21 Sep 2025
28 Sep 2025
$3,150
$3,713
28 Sep 2025
05 Oct 2025
$3,150
$3,713
12 Oct 2025
19 Oct 2025
$3,150
$3,713

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Exodus Travels Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
13,310
Great
3,258
Average
609
Disappointing
146
Terrible
187
A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

My daughter Jane's and my wonderful holiday

My daughter Jane and I enjoyed a most wonderful holiday in Sicily last April 22nd to 29th. There was so much to see and do and Rosario looked after us so weii from ...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Lovely mix of food, wine and culture

Lovley holiday. Great overview of many different towns visiting lots of cultural sites. Amazing food and wine, with great tours and tastings. You'll never be hungr...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Fabulous trip

Really interesting, active trip with plenty of interesting food & wine experience, history, culture and lovely group of people. Led by an excellent tour leader...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Great Trip

Really enjoyed the trip. A fascinating island, great food, wonderful history. My only criticism is that we tried to cover too much, which at times led to us only r...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Frizzante Sicilia

A gastronomic delight!. From the hands on cookery class and wine tasting tasting to sampling Sicilian delicacies in the historical Capo market. Plus a big thank y...

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Very professional organisation

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Tour Operator

Exodus Travels

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It is all about adventure. That is what Exodus was founded upon and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on.

At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved.

This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday.

Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments.

All our office staff have a passion for travel and adventure, and between us we’ve notched up experience that spans 171 different countries. That’s not all. In their former lives, our team members have been professional archaeologists, wildlife guides, overland drivers, mountain leaders, diving and ski specialists and mountain bike gurus – so no-one is better placed to create tours that appeal to a wide range of specialist interests.

Their care in putting all the details in place really shines through too. Extensive planning, research, fact-finding and training are a sign of our commitment to providing a holiday where your enjoyment, value for money and safety come first. It’s a telling reason why we remain one of the leading worldwide adventure tour companies. It is no exaggeration to say that our tour leaders can make a world of difference to the enjoyment of your holiday – so we choose them carefully. The result is that, in 2013, 93% of our clients stated that their leader exceeded their expectations. Where possible, we train and employ local leaders because they can provide invaluable insights that enrich the trip. What’s more, this investment in local staff really helps us benefit both them and their community.

Why we love this operator
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
What they’re known for
Global trips to a wide array of destinations with a focus on themed adventures, exciting physical activities and learning about local cultures.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel insurance
    • Single accommodation
    • Visa or vaccinations
    • City taxes (approx. €10-15)

Accommodation

Travel by air-conditioned minibus Sightseeing on foot Group normally 6 to 18, plus local leader. Min age 16 yrs 7 nights in charming 3 and 4-star hotels All breakfasts, 4 lunches/food tastings, 2 wine tastings and 1 cookery class included
On this Sicily trip, we use three- and four-star hotels. Some have been chosen for their warm hospitality and typically Sicilian character and others for their convenient location. They are often near the historic centres we visit so we can easily explore the towns in the evenings or during our free time. Below are the hotels normally used:  Palermo: B&B Hotel Quattro Canti (nights 1-2)  Our first stop is Quattro Canti, a three-star hotel in the historic centre of Palermo. For foodies, the highlight may well be the rooftop restaurant, which serves Italian cuisine with views over the city.  Marsala: Villa Favorita bungalow (night 3) In Marsala, we stay at the Villa Favorita resort (above). The Villa Favorita resort was built by wine entrepreneur Salvatore Amodeo in 1860 and we typically stay in igloo-style accommodations within the property. There’s also a pool with loungers, plus plenty of green space to wander. Agrigento: Hotel della Valle (night 4)  After visiting the Valley of the Temples, we head to the nearby Hotel della Valle. Relax post-exploration with a dip in the pool or dine together in one of the two restaurants, which serve a mixture of Sicilian and international cuisines.   Ragusa: Hotel Mediterraneo or Hotel Barocco (night 5)  In Ragusa, we either stay at Hotel Mediterraneo (above) or Hotel Barocco, depending on availability. The former is a modern hotel within a few minutes’ walk of Ragusa Ibla (the old town); it has a restaurant-bar serving Mediterranean cuisine. The latter is within Ragusa Ibla and has a restaurant-pizzeria.  Catania area: B&B Hotel Catania (nights 6-7)  We spend our final two nights at the modern Hotel Catania. It’s well placed for our activities, and, when we’re not out exploring, it has a lobby shop for food and drink.
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

If You Cancel Your Holiday
You, or any member of your party, may cancel your travel arrangements at any time. Written notification from the lead name or your travel agent must be received at our offices. 

Since we incur costs in canceling your travel arrangements, you will have to pay cancellation charges as follows (see also the exceptions below): 

  • More than 42 days - No cancellation fee. Deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original booking. Any remaining balance will be refundedThis excludes all non-refundable costs as set out in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 41 and 21 days (inclusive) - No cancellation fee. Balance and deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original bookingThis excludes all non-refundable costs as further explained in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 20 and 15 days (inclusive) - 80% of the holiday cost
  • 14 days or less; or failure to join the holiday (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Certain trips may involve different cancellation charges; you will be advised if this is applicable to your holiday during the booking process.For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made for all Polar holidays. Period before departure in which you notify us: 

Cancelation charge

  • More than 133 days - Deposit only
  • 133 days or less (or failure to join the holiday) (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Notes (i) Your deposit is non-refundable, even if the cancellation charge calculated is lower than the deposit amount paid; (ii) If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges; (iii) certain travel arrangements may be subject to higher cancellation charges and could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements from the moment the booking is confirmed.

If You Change Your Booking

If, after our Booking Confirmation has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, for example your chosen departure date or accommodation, we will do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes to be made must be in writing from the lead name or your travel agent. You will be asked to pay an administration charge of $60, and any further cost we incur in making this alteration (including those charged by third party suppliers who provide the component parts of your booking).  You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made and you should contact us as soon as possible. Note: Certain travel arrangements may not be changeable after a reservation has been made and any alteration request could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

You can transfer your booking to another person, who satisfies all the conditions that apply to this booking, by giving us notice in writing at least 7 days before departure provided that the new lead passenger accepts the transfer and these Terms and Conditions. Both you and the new traveler are responsible for paying all costs we incur in making the transfer. Please bear in mind that certain airlines and other transport providers treat changes as a cancellation and charge accordingly, up to 100% of the cost for that part of the arrangement. Where applicable these charges will be passed on to you.

If We Cancel Your Booking

Exodus reserves the right to cancel an itinerary before departure for any reason whatsoever, including too few participants ,logistical problems, a Force Majeure Event (as defined in Section 8), or any other circumstances that may make operation of the trip inadvisable. All trip payments received will be promptly refunded, and this refund will be the limit of Exodus’s liability without any further obligation on Exodus’s part. Exodus is not responsible for any expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for the trip, including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees, or other trip-related expenses.

If We Change Your Booking

  1. Changes to the price. We can change your holiday price after you’ve booked, only in certain circumstances. Changes in the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from changes to the cost of fuel or other power sources, the level of taxes or fees imposed by third parties including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports, or exchange rates mean that the price of your travel arrangements may change after you have booked.

  2. Changes other than the price. It is a term of your booking that we are able to make changes to any aspect of your booking. If the change is insignificant, we will ensure that you are notified about it. Examples of insignificant changes include alteration of your accommodation to another of the same or higher standard. If we are forced by circumstances beyond our control to alter significantly any of the main characteristics of the travel services that make up your package you will have the rights set out below.

    2.1 - We will contact you and you will have the choice of accepting the change or having a refund of all monies paid. You can also accept an alternative holiday, where we offer one (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). We will tell you the procedure for making your choice. Please read any notification of changes carefully and respond promptly as if you do not respond to us within the timescale given your booking may be canceled.

    2.2 - If you choose to accept a refund then that is the only liability we have and we will not be liable for any further sums, compensation or otherwise and you are advised to adequately insure yourselves against cancellation for any reason

Please note that insurance premiums and amendments charges are not refundable in any circumstances. 

Once you have put down a deposit for a tour, you are unable to cancel and re-book within a promotional period and we reserve the right to amend the pricing on any new booking you make within that time. If you cancel a tour and book the same tour under a promotional code, we reserve the right to decline the booking.

Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration or cancellation could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements in addition to the charge above.

If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges.

Where possible, we will deduct the cancellation charge(s) from any monies you have already paid to us.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of TruTravels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
All breakfasts, two wine tastings, one cookery class/lunch and four produce tastings (three of which are also considered lunch) are included. Sicilian cuisine is a melting pot of all the different cultures that have occupied the island, from the Arabs to the Normans. The island itself is incredibly fertile, enjoying an ideal climate for the cultivation of produce, such as olives, oranges, lemons, aubergines (eggplants), tomatoes, pistachios, almonds and grapes; not to mention all the seafood, tuna and swordfish caught right off the coast. The result? A cuisine that’s fresh, varied and delicious. Sicilian wines are also superb and known to be strong and syrupy, such as marsala and moscato. Here are some of the regional specialities we recommend trying during this trip: Caponata: A tasty salad made with aubergines, olives, capers and celery, makes a great appetizer. Sfincione: A local form of pizza made with tomatoes, onions and (sometimes) anchovies. Prepared on a thick bread and more likely found in a bakery than in a pizzeria. Pane e pannelle: A favourite street food of Palermo, panelle (chickpea fritters) are served between bread, like a sandwich. Arancini (also known as arancine): Fried rice balls stuffed with meat or cheese. Pani câ mèusa: The name literally means bread with spleen, but don’t let that put you off. It is a delicious speciality of Palermo. Cannoli: Tubular fried dough filled with sweetened ricotta (made from sheep’s milk). Cassata siciliana: A sponge cake soaked in liqueur, the slices layered with sweetened ricotta, and the whole cake covered in almond paste andicing. It is also studded with candied fruits and other goodies. Pasta alla Norma: Made with fried aubergine, tomatoes, basil and salted ricotta. Pasta with pistachio pesto. Pasta con le sarde: Sardines are popular in Sicily, so it’s common to see them as a topping for pasta. One common variety is bucatini with sardines, fennel, saffron, pine nuts and raisins. Frutta martorana: Other places call this marzipan, but in Sicily the almond paste is moulded into little, incredibly realistic fruits, hence fruits of Martora, or frutta martorana. Granita: The perfect summer refreshment, granita, originally from Sicily, is now found all over Italy. It’s crushed ice with sugar and fresh fruit, simple but delicious. Involtini di pesce spada: Rolls of thinly sliced swordfish stuffed with pine nuts, raisins, breadcrumbs, anchovy fillets, orange juice and lemon juice, eggs and grated pecorino. Tonno e spada affumicata: Smoked tuna and swordfish shaved paper thin and layered on a plate. These can be accented with shaved fennel and oranges, or olives and sun-dried tomatoes, or can be served with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and good-quality crusty bread.
Age Requirements
16 years and up
Additional Information
  • Accommodation: 1 Superior night (hotel), 6 Classic nights (hotels)
  • Group normally 6 to 18, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
  • Travel by air-conditioned private minibus
Trip ID
exodus-ADY

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