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Trip Summary:
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Dazzling, sunny Sicily is a crossroads of Mediterranean influence: Italian, Spanish, Arab, French. Oldways and The Feedfeed took travelers beyond the tourist attractions to enjoy a true Sicilian experience. We were joined by Chef John daSilva of Chickadee Restaurant in Boston, who helped us experience this tour through the eyes of a chef! 

This tour included:

  • A street food tour of Palermo
  • Cooking demonstrations (and recipes to take home!) from Chef John DaSilva
  • A special presentation by culinary historian and cookbook author Mary Taylor Simeti (last time Mary presented to one of our groups, a participant wrote us: “Mary’s talk alone was worth the full price of the trip!”) 
  • Mosaics at Monreale
  • Tour of Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples
  • Private tours at wineries, olive oil producers, chocolate makers, cheesemakers, and food markets
  • Many fabulous & authentic Sicilian group meals, and free time to eat and shop on your own
  • A group of fellow food lovers to get acquanted with. Many of our travelers have made lifelong friends on our trips!

Registered Dietitians can earn continuing education credits.

Questions?  Please read our Travel FAQ here. For additional questions, please call us at (617) 896-4875, or email us at Travel@OldwaysPT.org

Day-By-Day in Sicily

At a Glance

Sunday, OCTOBER 8, 2023

Benvenuto! Check into the Grand Hotel Wagner and get settled, then join us for a wine tasting hosted by Wines of Sicily, followed by a welcome dinner in Palermo.

 

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2023

Get oriented on our walking tour of Palermo. Then, we’ll eat at Corona Trattoria, where Chef  Giovanni Corona will prepare us a special lunch (he’s usually closed on Mondays). Cookbook author + culinary historian Mary Taylor Simeti will explain the traditions behind our delicious meal.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2023

We’ll drive to south to Baglio Donnafranca, a beautiful wine estate, where we’ll get a special tour and guided tasting. Afterwards, we will have the pleasure of a cooking demo by Chef John, followed by lunch.  When we return to Palermo, you’ll be free to explore Palermo’s restaurants on your own. 

 

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Courtesy of Baglio Donnafranca​
Rice balls Sicily

 

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2023

Find the best spots for world-famous Sicilian street food on our walking tour—taste pannellearancinicannoli, and more! Then, in the afternoon, we’ll tour the Monreale Cathedral, known for spectacular mosaics.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2023

We’ll tour the UNESCO site Agrigento, an ancient city filled with magnificent temples. Then, we’ll lunch in the Valley of the Temple’s Hidden Garden, and have an olive oil tasting. Check-in and relax at our next hotel, the Algilà Ortigia Charme Hotel.

 

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2023

Chef Maurizio Moceo will guide us through the Ortigia marketplace, then take us for a special cheese tasting at Caseficio Borderi. After, Chef John will teach us more Sicilian recipes during his cooking demo and lunch.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2023

Choose among three tours: a wine tour + tasting at Planeta, or a chocolate-making experience at Bonajuto, or a historical tour of Ancient Siracusa + Medieval Ortigia. We’ll all come back together for an unforgettable farewell dinner.

 

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023

Arrivederci! Today you will check out, and we’ll help you arrange your transportation to the airport—or, perhaps you will choose to continue your stay in Sicily on your own! 

 

 

See Your 5 Star Accomodations

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A room at the Grand Hotel Wagner

GRAND HOTEL WAGNER (PALERMO)

This five-star, luxury hotel was named for the famous German composer Richard Wagner, who lived with his family on this street in the 1800s. With marble steps, a majestic chandelier, paintings, and a rare antique fireplace, it will be a beautiful home-base for us in Palermo. 

See pictures and read more about the Grand Hotel Wagner

ALGILA ORTIGIA CHARME HOTEL  (ORTIGIA-SYRACUSE)

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Looking out at the sea, the hotel is a unification of multiple buildings, renovated on the grounds of architectural discoveries that have been gradually uncovered. Only materials of Mediterranean origin and local workmanship were used in the construction. The result is a luxurious resort that combines medieval and Sicilian Baroque elements.

See pictures and read more about the Agila Ortigia Charme Hotel

 

 

Meet the Chef You’ll Be Traveling With

Meet Chef John dasilva

 
John DaSilva

Our tour is led with Chef John DaSilva of Chickadee Restaurant in Boston. 

A lifelong New England resident, Chef/Owner John DaSilva graduated from the New England Culinary Institute in 2004.  He trained in various kitchens including The Boarding House on Nantucket Island and Barbara Lynch’s flagship No. 9 Park before opening Spoke Wine Bar in 2013. During his time at Spoke, John received a great deal of critical acclaim, being named one of Zagat’s “30 Under 30” for Boston and earning the title “Rising Star Chef” from StarChefs.com. Most recently John was named “Best Chef, Up & Coming” from Boston Magazine.  When he’s not in the kitchen, John enjoys watching the Boston Celtics and exploring New England with his adorable daughter Maple.

Book Your Flight

Travelers book flights independently. Closest to our program schedule, fly into Palermo (PMO) and depart from Catania (CTA).  If you wish to return from Palermo, the hotel in Ortigia can arrange a return transfer for you.

Pricing & Tour Registration

This trip has already occurred.

Insurance

Medical Insurance
Oldways has procured medical and evacuation insurance for all Culinaria participants while traveling on one of our Culinarias with an Accident & Health policy from The Hartford.  Additionally, Hartford partners with International Medical Group (IMG), a leading global assistance provider, to give us 24/7 access to medical and travel assistance services anywhere in the world.  The policy also gives you as a Culinaria participant insurance for medical expenses, evacuation, and repatriation.
Since 1990, IMG has offered travel assistance services and a global network of medical providers to millions of people in nearly every country around the world. Working across time zones and in different languages, IMG’s commitment to “Being There” provides end-to-end coordinated care – so you can feel secure while traveling.
Please let us know if you need more information about the medical insurance. 


Travel Insurance
While we cannot offer travel insurance for the cost of the trip or your air travel, here are three widely used travel insurance companies:

Allianz
Travelex
Travel Guard by AIG