ON SALE: Make Every Day Mediterranean: An Oldways 4-Week Menu Plan E-BOOK SHOP NOW
ON SALE: Make Every Day Mediterranean: An Oldways 4-Week Menu Plan E-BOOK SHOP NOW
ON SALE: Make Every Day Mediterranean: An Oldways 4-Week Menu Plan E-BOOK
Visit Whole Grains Council
Sicily

SEPTEMBER 12-19, 2026

SICILY—SOLD OUT

Spend seven days immersed in Sicilian food, wine, history and culture. Dazzling, sunny Sicily is a crossroads of Mediterranean influence: Italian, Spanish, Arab, French. We’ll take you beyond the tourist attractions so you can enjoy a true Sicilian experience—authentic cooking demonstrations, tours of markets and ancient sites, and special access to meet with farmers, artisans, culinary historians, and cooks.

Sicily

What You’ll Love about Your Week in Sicily

What You’ll Love about Your Week in Sicily

Join us as we experience all that is delicious and interesting about Sicilian food, wine, culture and history.  We’ll explore the island of Sicily from east to west, and with stops in-between, meeting and learning from local experts, as well as our chef expert, Chef Kevin O’Donnell of Newport’s Giusto and Mother Pizza.  

On Oldways Culinarias you’ll get access to authentic experiences and people you wouldn’t have on your own.  You don’t just get to taste a fabulous meal—you get the recipes and knowledge to bring these “old ways” home with you. In between all the excitement, you’ll have time to shop or take a siesta and then relax in five-star hotels at the end of the day! 

Our first home away from home will be Ortigia: a charming, small island that is part of the city of Siracusa (Syracuse). You’ll love exploring this tiny island; visiting its incredible market and narrow streets and shops; and taking an insider’s tour of the market (complete with a cheese tasting).

As we move from east to west, we’ll stop in Agrigento for a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples and a special lunch in the Kolymbethra Garden.  

During our week, we’ll of course explore the wonderfully fascinating and exciting city of Palermo with both a historic tour and a deliciously fun-filled street food tour. You’ll have time to explore on your own and with the group, including dinners and lunches, including one with a special presentation by culinary historian and cookbook author Mary Taylor Simeti.  After the last time Mary made a presentation at one of our Culinarias, a participant wrote us that Mary’s talk alone was worth the full price of the trip.  

We’ll experience the Sicilian Mediterranean Diet through delicious meals at restaurants featuring meals that showcase why there are so many centenarians in Sicily.  

This Culinaria may be eligible for CPEU credit pending CDR review and approval.

Day by Day

A tight street scene with a single car parked on the side
Day 1

Saturday, September 12

After arriving at the Catania Airport, check into the Ortea Palace Hotel on the island of Ortigia, part of the town of Siracusa. We’ll meet in the early evening for a welcome session with Oldways and Chef Kevin O’Donnell as well as dinner at the Il Cortile Restaurant in the hotel.

Day 2

Sunday, September 13

Today we’ll drive south and experience two Sicilian products – wine and pastry.  We’ll start with a walking tour of Baroque Noto, followed by pastries at Corrado Assenza’s iconic Caffe Sicilia in Noto. We’ll continue our day with a lunch, tour and tasting at a winery near Noto.  You’ll be free in the evening for dinner on your own on the beautiful island of Ortigia.

A box filled with assorted dried fruits and vegetables displayed at a vibrant market.
Day 3

Monday, September 14

We’ll start the day with Chef Kevin and Chef Maurizio Moceo of Macalle Sicilian Bistro leading us through the amazing Ortigia Market, with special emphasis on essential Sicilian ingredients like pistachios, capers and grains. We’ll also enjoy a special cheese tasting at the famous Caseficio Borderi. After our time in the market, you can choose free time on your own or a guided tour of Ancient Siracusa and Medieval Ortigia.  We’ll meet for a group dinner at Macalle, where before dinner, Chef Kevin will have a pasta-making demonstration, and Chef Maurizio of Macalle will instruct the group in the making of arancini.  

Agrigento
Day 4

Tuesday, September 15

We’ll check out of the hotel and leave Ortigia early for a 2+-hour drive to Agrigento, where we’ll have a guided tour of Greek archeological ruins at the Valley of the Temples.  Our picnic lunch is a special one – in the Kolymbethra Garden – along with an olive oil tasting.  We’ll then be off to Palermo and check in at the Grand Hotel Wagner, our new home away from home.  After a long day, you will be on your own in the evening, for dinner out or an early bedtime.

Palermo’s Cathedral
Day 5

Wednesday, September 16

After a rooftop breakfast, our guide will meet us at the hotel for a walking tour of the city, ending at Palermo’s Cathedral.  We’ll then have a great treat: lunch at Corona Trattoria, with a presentation by culinary historian and cookbook author, Mary Taylor Simeti, who will circulate during lunch, talking about Sicily’s culinary heritage.  You’ll have free time in the late afternoon and evening.

Day 6

Thursday, September 17

We’ll spend the morning experiencing Palermo’s street food, dividing into groups (each with its own guide) and sampling all the best that Palermo has to offer. In the late afternoon, we’ll head to the Gambero Rosso Academy for Chef Kevin’s cooking class and seaside dinner.

Palermo
Day 7

Friday, September 18

You will have a choice today!  Choose between a visit to a winery close to Palermo, an art-history-focused Palermo tour, or a day on your own to do as you please.  In the evening, we’ll have our farewell dinner at Palazzo Branciforte, close to the hotel.  

Day 8

Saturday, September 19

Departures – for the US or additional travels.  

Your Accommodations

Ortea Palace Hotel
Image courtesy of Ortea Palace Hotel

Ortea Palace Hotel

Our first three nights will be on the beautiful island of Ortigia, and we’ll be staying at the Ortea Palace Hotel, a luxury Autograph Collection hotel. The hotel is housed in a grand, restored 1920s Art Nouveau post office building overlooking the historic Porto Piccolo.

Image courtesy of Grand Hotel Wagner

Grand Hotel Wagner

Named for the composer Richard Wagner (he lived on the street of the hotel when he was in Palermo for two years), the Grand Hotel Wagner is centrally located. The hotel is a historic 5-star hotel, housed in an early 20th century building and renovated in 2006. Oldways has been coming to the Grand Hotel Wagner over and over again, and we are happy to return.

Meet the Chefs/Experts

Kevin O’Donnell Chef/Owner Giusto, Co-Owner Mother Pizza

Flight information
to Travel Destination

Flight information
to Travel Destination

As we start the Culinaria on the eastern coast of Sicily, you will want to fly into the Catania Airport (CTA).  We will finish the Culinaria in Palermo, so best to depart out of the Palermo Airport (PMO).  If you choose to use one of these airports exclusively, it is possible to reach Palermo (from the Catania Airport) or Catania (from the Palermo Airport) by car.  

Our hotel in Ortigia is approximately 50 minutes from the Catania Airport.  The Palermo Airport is half an hour from our hotel in Palermo.  We will provide you with information about airport transfers.  

Pricing & Registration

Interior view of a church showcasing intricate, ornate ceilings with detailed artwork and architectural features.

Pricing & Registration

SICILY—SOLD OUT

This trip is sold out. To add yourself to the waitlist please email [email protected]

Prices are based on rates of exchange, taxes, and other costs as of the tour publication date. We reserve the right to correct errors and changes, and to increase program prices to cover increased costs, taris, and taxes received after prices are published and to reflect currency fluctuations.

  • Price per person is $6,475 with double occupancy.
  • Single supplement is $1,350.

Trip Insurance

Accident Insurance

Oldways has procured accident and evacuation insurance for all Culinaria participants while traveling on one of our Culinarias with an Accident & Health policy from The Hartford. Click here to view Oldways Certificate of Accident Insurance.

Please let us know if you need more information about the 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

More Upcoming Trips

For More Information

For additional questions, please reach out to [email protected] or contact Abby Sloane at  617-896-4875.