Italian Mamma Sicily! Cooking In Her Private Home Kitchen™

Join Our Italian Mamma in the historic center of Siracusa for a market tour and hands-on Sicilian cooking class. Our Italian Mamma, located in one of the most beautiful parts of Siracusa, is sure to inspire your cooking skills with Sicilian eggplants, lemons, citrus and wine!  Visit the market early in the morning for the best farm-to-table blood oranges, fennel, artichokes, fish and produce of the season. Wind through the market stalls with Our Italian Mamma, stop at the butcher, fish monger, and artisan baker, and see fresh foods of the day. Your cooking class and pasta making will give you a taste of Siracusa and Southern Sicilian cuisine in this dream-like setting.

Tie on your apron and get cooking with Our Italian Mamma creating antipasti, fresh pasta and sauce, main courses and dessert.  Though there are many artisan-made products, wines, and olive oils that your friends and family would love, the best souvenir you can bring back to those at home is the promise of lunches and dinners with your new Sicilian recipes learned in class.

Market Tour

Meet Our Italian Mamma early in the morning for a market tour in the heart of Siracusa. This historic market offers everything from fruits and veggies, to meat, fresh-caught fish and artisan baked goods. Every day is different in the market, and Our Italian Mamma shows you how to select the fresh ingredients that will be brought back to the kitchen.  Along the way, taste some of the market offerings such as fresh brioche or cannoli, for those who love sweet, or a savory arancino, Sicily’s famous flash-fried stuffed rice balls.

Sicily Cooking Class

Our Italian Mamma is your teacher and her traditional kitchen is your classroom for your hands-on cooking class.  A member of the Accademia Italiana Della Cucina, Italian Cooking Academy, she provides a fun, informal environment where you will learn about Sicilian recipes of the region.  Not only will you be cooking up a storm, but you will be learning the history and culture behind each recipe, as well.

After the cooking class, dinner follows and includes the foods that were made in class with wine and beverages included.  Menus vary based on the season, and may include: fried pizzette with tuna and anchovies, Sicilian cheese with pepper, beccafico fish, cherry tomatoes, olives, impanate and caponata.  First courses include couscous with fresh fish or eggplant timbale.  You’ll be mixing and rolling out pasta while simmering a sauce or two.  Think ravioli, gnocchi, or pasta alla Norma.  Main courses are delicious and include fresh tuna fish with mint or seafood in a tomato sauce with basil and herbs.  One of Our Italian Mamma’s specialties is a local fennel and orange salad.  Sicilian desserts are exceptional with cannoli, cassata, and ricotta and fruit pie.  These are just a sample of Sicilian foods that you will make.

Siracusa

Your base for your cooking vacation is in Siracusa, in Sicily’s southeast. Dating back to when the Greeks ruled this land, Siracusa is steeped with ancient traditions of cuisine, history and folklore.  During your stay, you can also visit a most interesting part of Siracusa, a straight which is divided into nine neighborhoods – each with a name also in Sicilian dialect – Graziella (Razziedda), Bottari (‘Uttari), Mastrarua (Masciarrò), Spirduta (Spidduta), Maestranza (Mascianza), Duomo (Domu), Giudecca (Jureca), Turba (Tubba), and Castello Maniace (Casteddu).

The Piazza Duomo is the place to have a caffè and do a little people-watching, or simply admire the incredible architecture including an impressive Baroque-faced Duomo dedicated to Santa Lucia, the patron saint of Siracusa. The Duomo was originally a Greek temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, and the Doric columns can still be seen along the sides of the Duomo, though now built into the walls after two major earthquakes shook the ancient frame.

The island’s picturesque foot paths are beautiful for a sunset stroll.  Visit Castello Maniace at the southern tip of the island, and the seafront promenade along the western coast where trattorias, wine bars and artisan food shops line the streets.  The Castello, originally built in 1038 AD as a fort, was transformed into a castle in the 13th century. Today, events and exhibitions are held on the grounds inside the fortress walls.

The Fonte Aretusa, the freshwater spring on the western shore of the island, is named after the nymph Arethusa, who, according to Greek mythology, was transformed into this spring that flowed underground from Greece to Sicily.  This all happened while she was trying to flee from the river god, Alpheus. Papyrus plants grow in the spring today, and legend says that Greek flowers appear in the fountain, whose waters, they claim, flow directly from Greece.

Sicily Accommodations

Enchanting B&B

Nestled against the backdrop of a natural harbor, this enchanting B&B radiates the quintessential charm of Sicilian hospitality. The B&B prides itself on offering guests detailed and thoughtful recommendations for exploring the beautiful city of Syracuse, with its myriad stunning destinations. The neighborhood of Ortigia, beloved for its vibrant atmosphere, fine dining, and rich architecture, makes for an ideal base for travelers seeking an immersive experience. Each air-conditioned room boasts elegant parquet flooring and modern amenities, including a personal computer with complimentary Wi-Fi and an LCD TV. Comfy bedding and Italian linens adorn each room – complete with an ensuite private bath. Rooms feature a balcony overlooking the ancient temple of Apollo. Guests can enjoy a breakfast buffet on a terrace overlooking the sea, where both sweet and savory Sicilian delights are served. Breakfast is served daily, including homemade Italian cakes, breads, and biscotti made by the host, along with fresh fruit from the garden, coffee, tea, juices and jams.

Luxury 5 Star Siracusa

Nestled in the heart of historical Ortygia, the extravagant 5 star property stands as a testament to architectural grace since its construction in the late nineteenth century. The hotel maintains its original Liberty style and charm, offering an ambiance of subtle luxury. Each room features breathtaking views Syracuse over city rooftops, ensuring a stay that is as unforgettable as it is comfortable. Guests can easily reach key attractions, enjoy artisan to high-end shopping, and walk through layers of ancient history. Guests are treated to spacious and elegantly appointed rooms that provide comfort and serenity after a day spent exploring the city’s rich tapestry of sights and sounds. Comfy bedding and Italian linens adorn each room – complete with an ensuite private bath. Breakfast is served daily, including homemade Italian cakes, breads, and biscotti made by the host, along with fresh fruit from the garden, coffee, tea, juices and jams.

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Itinerary: 3 days, 2 nights

Day 1: Arrival & Check In

• Arrival transfer from Catania Airport.
• Check in and relax.  Enjoy a Prosecco.
• Welcome dinner with a tasting of Sicilian fare.  Wine not included.

Day 2: Seafood Market & Cooking Class

• Breakfast is served.
• Following breakfast, meet your chef for a tour of the fish market.  Discover the many varieties of Mediterranean fish caught off the coast, and learn how to choose the best fresh fish which will be used in the cooking class.
• Explore the market, do some shopping and stop for lunch on your own. Suggestion: Try the street foods available at the marketplace – such as arancini, fried rice balls and suppli’, fried potato and mozzarella.
• Later in the afternoon, tie on your apron for your cooking class preparing the fish that was bought at the market.  With the chef, prepare your two-course dinner.  Dinner follows and includes the food that was prepared in cooking class with wine included.
• After your cooking class, tour the quaint city of Siracusa with our English-speaking guide.

Day 3: Check Out & Departure

• Breakfast is served.
• Check out and departure.
• Transfer to Catania airport.