Welcome to Palermo! At the airport, you will meet your private English-speaking driver who will accompany you to your charming accommodation. Palermo is the regional capital of Sicily, which is the largest and most heavily populated island in the Mediterranean. The city is still an exotic mixture of many cultures, so after getting settled at the hotel, you may want to spend some time wandering about. This evening gather with the group for dinner at a local osteria, a traditional Italian restaurant that showcases Sicilian culinary traditions. Experience Palermo’s centuries-old influences by tasting foods like arancina (rice balls), panelle & crocche (chickpea and potato fritters), the famous pani ca’ meusa (spleen sandwich) and the historic Sicilian dessert, il cannolo. (d)

Your adventure continues as you travel down to the coastal town of Trapani for a visit to the salt harvesting pans. You’ll get a full understanding of the importance of salt for Sicilians as you assist in the salt making process in a restored windmill. This afternoon, a visit to a local farm will provide an opportunity to transform milk to ricotta and enjoy a cheese tasting. Return to Palermo and enjoy an evening at leisure to explore and dine at a local restaurant of your choice. (b, l)

After breakfast stretch your legs with a walking tour of Palermo’s rich street food traditions. Join your local guide for a walk through the historic part of the city and explore the vibrant outdoor markets such as Vucciria and Ballaró. Watch the lively scenes around you as you taste panelle and meusa. This afternoon be welcomed into a local’s home for your very own cooking class! Discover the secrets of Sicilian traditional cuisine and learn how to cook typical dishes like pasta al forno, sarde a beccafico, arancine and incoltini di pesce spada. Enjoy your culinary creations alongside your local host and be immersed in the authentic life and flavors of Italy. (b, d)

Enjoy a full day at leisure to create your own adventure. Relax and explore Palermo, or perhaps discover the local medieval village of Erice. Located at the top of a mountain, you can visit the temple dedicated to Venus and explore the beautiful town characterized by stone pathways and adorned with trees, plants and flowers. It’s also here you can taste the local almond sweets the town is famous for! (b)

Depart Palermo this morning and head towards Ortigia, the old town center of Syracuse. En route stop at a local winery for an immersive lunch experience. After being welcomed with a tour of the vineyard, enjoy a typical Sicilian wine-paired lunch in the stunning Sicilian countryside. After, arrive to your hotel in Ortigia and enjoy the evening to explore the town. (b,l)

Today learn to fish like a true Sicilian fisherman. This exclusive opportunity to join local fishermen is bound to be a highlight of your adventure. Board your wooden boat and head out to the local fishing spot. After learning how to use the tools and tricks used every day to catch some local fish, enjoy time to swim in the shimmery blue waters. After, enjoy your freshly caught meal, cooked by a local chef and paired with fried food, dried fruit and sweet-and-sour sauces. Today will truly be a tribute to the Mediterranean Sea and the richness it provides to Sicilian cuisine. (b, l)

Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, soars over Sicily. Today you’ll visit this UNESCO World Heritage site by Jeep. As you walk along the impressive ‘Monte Fontana’, your local guide will show you the great variety of flora and fauna that populate the volcano. After, you will stop at Frank Cornelissen Winery – a winemaker proudly carried at Oberlin Restaurant! Enjoy a tour and a tasting of their famous Crus wines before lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Ortigia to relax and enjoy an evening at leisure. (b, l)

After breakfast a walking food tour of Catania awaits. Start in the local fish market where your local guide will unveil the secrets of shopping for fish and other seasonal products. Visit a local cheese maker before heading to the Benedettini area for an authentic overview of Catania. Stop at a syrup kiosk for a refreshment and a rest and enjoy time in Piazza Stesicoro for lunch on your own. This afternoon your adventure comes to a close with one last sweet note: a pastry class dedicated to cassata and cannoli. A resident Chef will provide an in-depth focus on the raw ingredients used and take you on a gastronomic journey through these sweet Sicilian traditions. (b)

Enjoy today entirely at leisure to relax or explore. Your Local Leader will be on hand with suggestions and to help you arrange any activities, like a winery visit. Tonight, gather together one final time for dinner in a local restaurant. (b, d)

Say Arriverderci to Italy as your adventure ends today. An included transfer will bring you to Catania Airport for your travels home. (b)