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The Sicilian Cookbook™

Touring & Tasting With Rising Star Chef ~ 6 Day

Tie on your aprons for a Sicilian food and wine adventure in Modica with lots of cooking, touring and culture! Discover Sicily’s cuisine and learn how to make arancini, Sicilian rice balls, pasta alla Norma: an eggplant and pasta tradition, and cassata di ricotta – a traditional citrus infused cake  Delicious food blends with sipping, swirling and traveling through Modica.

Your week includes cultural and scenic visits to landmarks with visits to an artisan pastry maker with tastings included.  You’ll also learn about the award-winning wines of Modica on a vineyard and cantina tour with a wine tastings accompanied by Sicilian finger foods.  This one-of-a-kind culinary tour takes you to off-the-beaten path places including artisans and a baker – with vibrant cuisine and passionate Sicilians who welcome you like family!

Sicily Cooking Classes

Classes are held in the palazzo’s professional kitchen lead by Executive Chef Davide and his team of sous chefs. Learn how to make Sicilian eggplant, zucchini and herbs and roll out fresh pasta – think cavatelli, ravioli stuffed with ricotta and pistachio sauce, and spaghetti with orange, almond and chilli pepper oil.  Main courses include: sugo di maiale, pork with tomato sauce, Sicilian swordfish with black olives and capers, and pastizza, a savoury pie stuffed with ricotta, capers and herbs.  Sicilian desserts are creamy, citrusy and delicious – cannoli and cassata, a traditional cake made with citrus, and almond and pistachios biscotti.

Sicily

Sicily has a fiery passion – a vivacity and spirit that extends from the top of Mount Etna to its cerulean deep sea.  Colors are vibrant, landscapes are beautiful and orange and lemon trees grow almost everywhere.  Silvery vineyards and olive trees cover volcanic hillsides!  Almond trees producing the biggest and most delicious nuts are a big part of the food culture.  Sicilian cuisine is often described as del sole e del mare, of sun and sea, and it’s something magical combining Arab and Greek spices with Spanish and French influences.

Modica

Set on a gorge just south of the Iblei Mountains, Modica is the city of 100 bells and 100 churches. It is split into two sections, Modica Alta and Modica Bassa, and connected by an intriguing labyrinth of steps and narrow winding streets.  Experience the city’s beautiful Baroque architecture and breathtaking Cathedral of San Giorgio.  Once dominated by the Greeks, to the Romans, Byzantium empire, Arabs, Normans to the Spaniards, Modica offers an interesting infusion of history, tradition, culture and cuisine.

Sicily Accommodations

Immersed in the history and antique traditions of Sicily, your beautiful 4-star palazzo is the perfect location for visiting Modica.  Set in Upper Modica, the area can be explored on foot – discovering the beauty, landmarks and piazzas.  The inside of the palazzo retains its original structure of a Sicilian nobleman’s residence – ceramic floor tiles span with a prism of primary colors, Siciilan ceramics deck common areas and and period furniture completes the look.  Comfortable beds and lines are offered in each room with private ensuite baths.  Every detail is intentional and grandeur melds with a modern accent including walls and ceilings with hand-painted antique frescos.  Daily breakfast is included.  The chef prepares artisan breads, cakes, biscotti along with cappuccino, espresso, tea, fruit, jam and granola.  The professional staff is on site to assist with any special request and are available to help with question during your stay.

Itinerary: 6 days, 5 nights

Friday: Arrival & Welcome Dinner

  • Arrival transfer from Catania Airport or Train Station to Hotel.
  • Check in and enjoy a welcome Prosecco.
  • Welcome Dinner featuring a Chef’s Tasting menu with local fare.  Drinks not included.

Saturday: Walking Tour Of Modica & Cooking Class

  • Breakfast is served.
  • In the morning, discover Modica on a one-of-a-kind Walking Tour with our English-speaking guide.  Our walking tour takes you through  sites & landmarks, experience the culture of colorful Sicily.  Beautiful and historical, you will learn about this city’s history, culture and food.
  • Following the tour, take time to lunch on your own.
  • Afternoon: Cooking Class 1 featuring Sicily’s treasured recipes and local farm-fresh produce. Get ready to prepare excellent Sicilian recipes with prized produce with Chef David. Dinner follows and includes the foods that were prepared in class.  Drinks not included.

Sunday: Tour of Noto

  • Breakfast is served.
  • Following breakfast, enjoy your guided tour of Noto in the province of Siracusa, the architectural capital of the Baroque cities of the Val di Noto, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is famous for its grandiose Sicilian Baroque monuments and particular town planning.  Enjoy a tasting of traditional pastry in an artisan pastry shop.  Driver and guide included.
  • Following your tour, take time for lunch on your own.
  • Return to property.
  • Dinner is on your own and suggestions are provided.

Monday: Tour of Ragusa Ibla & Cooking Class

  • Breakfast is served.
  • Following breakfast, discover Ragusa Ibla, famous for beautiful palaces and churches that still constitute the main architectural profile of the city. These Sicilian treasures make Ragusa part of UNESCO, a World Heritage Site. Ragusa Ibla is an outdoor museum of Baroque architecture. The magnificent Duomo di San Giorgio with its slightly asymmetric staircase, the rich Baroque facade, and a Neoclassic dome is a must see! Driver and guide included.
  • Take time out for lunch on your own.
  • Following the tour, return to the hotel.
  • Afternoon: Cooking Class featuring Sicily’s treasured recipes and local farm-fresh produce. Get ready to prepare excellent Sicilian recipes with prized produce with Chef David. Dinner follows with the foods that were prepared in class.  Drinks not included.

Tuesday: Visit to Winery With Wine Tasting & Sicilian Snack & Cooking Class

  • Breakfast is served.
  • Following breakfast, visit one of the region’s most important wineries.  Tour, wine tasting with traditional snacks included.  Driver included.
  • Following your tour, return to the property.
  • Afternoon: Cooking Class featuring Sicily’s treasured recipes and local farm-fresh produce. Get ready to prepare excellent Sicilian recipes with prized produce with Chef David. Dinner follows with the foods that were prepared in class.  Drinks not included.

Wednesday: Departure & Arrivederci

  • Breakfast is served.
  • Check out and departure transfer from Hotel to Catania Airport or Train Station.

*Note: This schedule may vary due to inclement weather, saint days or festivals. All activities, in the event of rescheduling, are always included during the program.

Program Includes:

  • 6 days, 5 nights, based on 2 guests. Click To View!
  • Daily breakfast and maid service.
  • Welcome Prosecco.
  • Chef’s Welcome dinner featuring a Tasting Menu of local fare.  (Drinks not included).
  • 3 cooking classes, featuring a traditional menu.  Dinner follows and includes the food that was prepared in the cooking class.  Wine is not included.
  • Excursion to Modica featuring the Baroque Tour with English-speaking guide.
  • Excursion to Noto.
  • Excursion to Ragusa.
  • Excursion to vineyard and cantina, with tour and wine tastings included.  Driver included.
  • Transfer to and from Catania airport or train station.
  • Cooking Vacations welcome bag with chef’s apron, Prosecco and recipe booklet.
Program Prices

$3095 per person, based 2 guests.

For Single Guests: If you are traveling on your own, please call us for the best group price. We are happy to welcome you into an already scheduled group.

Check Availability

2024 Dates: This program is available throughout the year. This program offers a Friday check in, please enquire if you would like to check in another day. Rates are subject to change based on currency exchange. Call for updated rates. Airfare not included. Group transfers for any cooking tour or tours that include transfers, are for the group and are not private. Transfers before, after or to another destination outside of your cooking tour are not included in the program price. If you would like to add on a private transfer or transfers, let us know and we will send you pricing.