Join Chez Cherie this October for an 8-day Culinary Tour of Sicily!  October 24 - November 1, 2009 We'll be staying at two beautiful farmhouse estates where we will learn the secrets of cooking traditional Sicilian recipes from local chefs, explore the wonders of ancient Sicily, and see its vibrant markets and meet local food heroes. This is a lovely time to visit Sicily to enjoy autumn’s bounty from the green fields, forested hills and blue seas.  Sicily is a land of sunshine, where you can sit outside and enjoy the views even on an autumn day.

We will be staying the first three nights at a charming Sicilian farmhouse, Borgo Alcantara. Known for its friendly service, beautiful views and good food, you'll enjoy a lovely walk through the reserve to the waterfall for which the valley is famous.  The farmhouse is located in a nature reserve on an estate near Etna which produces entirely organic food and wines.  We will meet the cooks, Concettina & Pina, to learn some wonderful dishes inspired by the great local ingredients such as a delicious salad of Etna oranges prepared with Bronte pistachios. Each day, enjoy a cooking lesson at the farmhouse, followed by a great meal with wine! After breakfast each morning, we will take an excursion to local sites of interest. We'll visit the  historic city centre of Catania, with beautiful Baroque buildings and Cathedral, and Taormina, which sits high up on a cliff top overlooking the Bay of Giardini Naxos with views up to Mount Etna.

After departing Borgo Alcantara, we will stop at Enna, Sicily’s highest city which has stunning views over the plains of central Sicily.  Enna is one of the oldest cities in Sicily, with a castle located on the site of an ancient temple. Continuing on to Agrigento we first stop in San Leone by the sea for lunch, and then visit the Valley of the Temples with a guide to see the stunning remains of the ancient Greek city. Agrigento is located on the south-west coast of Sicily and was founded by the ancient Greeks under the name of Akragas. It became one of the most important centres of the island. In the eastern part of the valley are three ancient temples which sit in a row.  The Temple of Concord is one of the best preserved buildings from ancient times. In the west of the valley are the remains of the Temple of Zeus, the largest temple in antiquity. It is an unforgettable experience to pick your way through the fallen masonry and magnificent columns which must have once dwarfed worshippers.

We continue by coach to Tenuta Stoccatello, a farm estate situated in the countryside outside Menfi where we will be staying for four nights.  The farmhouse is run by four friends and is particularly well known locally for its great restaurant. The Stoccatello estate produces a variety of citrus fruit, cereals and vegetables.  The farmhouse includes a small spa where you can enjoy massages, beauty treatments and the steam room and sauna. We will have cooking lessons, and dine at the farmhouse. From Tenuta Stoccatello, we will visit the harbour of Sciacca to see the vibrant fish markets with local chef Vittorio. Vittorio runs a family fish restaurant, da Vittorio, in Porto Palo, on the edge of the beach.  In spite of the humble rustic style of the restaurant, it is a temple of gastronomy which draws gourmets from all over Italy and the world to dine there. Sciacca is also celebrated for its ceramics and wood carvings.

After some free time in Sciacca, we follow chef Vittorio to his famous restaurant for lunch overlooking the beach. After lunch we return to the farmhouse for a cooking lesson with Giuseppe Barcellona, head chef at Stoccatello, followed by dinner with wine. Giuseppe Barcellona was born in Palermo into a family of seven brothers and sisters. He was inspired to work as a chef through his experience at the family restaurant.  He completed his professional training at Palermo’s most famous luxury hotel, the 5-star Villa Igiea, before embarking on a career which has taken him around the world, including jobs in Turkey, Egypt, Mexico, Zanzibar and Kenya.

Then we're off to Palermo to visit Vucciria Market. This famous street market is one of the best places to feel the pulse of Sicilian cooking. Under the red sun-bleached awnings, enjoy the wonderful displays of fresh fruit, citrons, octopus, tuna and chilli peppers surrounded by the raucous voices of marketers selling their wares.  Vucciria means ‘chaos’ in Sicilian dialect! Explore the Cathedral Square to see the porphyry tombs of the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick Barbarossa who once ruled Sicily.  And then off to Monreale, high up over Palermo to see the beautiful golden mosaics within the Cathedral, which was founded by the Norman King, William II in 1174.  Adjoining the vast Romanesque basilica is a wonderful cloister surrounded on all sides with finely decorated columns – surely one of the wonders of Sicily.

Visit the romantic seaside ruins of the ancient Greek city of Selinunte and its quarries at Cave di Cusa. The archaeological site of Selinunte was effectively destroyed in 409 BC after a glorious heyday of nearly two centuries, which saw a massive program of building.  We enjoy a visit here with a guide before continuing to the nearby beach at Marinella for a light lunch before returning to the Stoccatello estate.

Visit the 16th century farmhouse overlooking the sea on the Ravida Estate which produces premium quality olive oils, which are particularly acclaimed for their aroma and taste. The historic family estate is organically farmed with hundred- year old olive and cork trees thriving alongside vineyards, lemon groves and other crops. Meet cookbook author and chef Natalia Ravida, who is passionate about cooking traditional Sicilian recipes. Natalia was born in northern Italy but returned to Sicily, the land of her ancestors to take the helm of the family estate, after a successful career as a journalist in London and Paris. Visit the olive groves and press, before learning the secrets of how to taste olive oil.  Afterwords we will return to the farmhouse for a cooking lesson, concluding with a celebratory dinner.

After breakfast on the final day, we check-out from the Tenuta Stoccatello and bid farewell to our hosts. En route to Palermo airport we will stop to visit the ancient Greek temple of Segesta – perhaps the most beautiful of all the ancient Greek temples, situated in a tranquil setting amid rolling green hills. Lunch has been arranged at a vineyard nearby which produces the excellent white Alcamo wine (included) before continuing to Palermo airport where the trip ends.   Download Detailed Itinerary. Download Booking Form.   Price: $2245 per person, based on shared accommodation of a double room.  We have a very limited number of single supplements available for just $175 additional.  $400 deposit to hold a spot.  Price includes:    3 nights bed and breakfast at Borghi Alcantara    4 nights bed and breakfast at Tenuta Stocatello    5 cooking lessons    3 cooking lessons at the Borgo with organic food    1 cooking lessons at the Stoccatello restaurant    1 cooking lesson at Ravida with celebrity chef Natalia Ravida    4 lunches with wine and mineral water    6 dinners with wine and mineral water    Food visits as listed:   Borghi Alcantara organic estate   Sciacca fish market with chef Vittorio   Ravida award winning olive oil estate   Vucciria market in Palermo    Excursions as listed:   Gole di Alcantara waterfalls   Taormina shopping   Catania by night & shopping   Enna and Valley of the Temples (Agrigento)   Sciacca & shopping   Selinunte and Cave di Cusa   Segesta   Palermo & shopping, and Monreale   Coaching throughout including driver lodging and meals   Tastes of Italy tour host, Pietro Molica   Pre-trip party at Chez Cherie in early October Not included:  Flights, insurance, meals not listed, extras and personal spending such as bar bills and optional excursions. Minimum number: 9 people Maximum number: 18 people Please note that we have based the trip around your arrival at Catania airport and departure from Palermo airport. Contact Chez Cherie  ASAP and we will provide additional details. If you missed our 2007 Culinary Tour of Tuscany, this video slideshow will give you a feel for its flavor, and the sorts of (foodie) things you can expect our Sicily trip: And here are some comments from those who joined us on our Tuscany trip!