The Sicilian Cookbook™

Tie on your aprons for a Sicilian food and wine adventure in Ragusa 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 Ragusa.

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 Ragusa 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 our chef .   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.

Ragusa

Ragusa, a charming city in the South East of Sicily, is a treasure trove of Baroque architecture and cultural history. Nestled in the heart of the island, it has a beautifully preserved historic center, Ragusa Ibla, with narrow winding streets, stunning churches, and picturesque squares. Explore the majestic Duomo di San Giorgio – a stunning cathedral – enjoy the serene Giardino Ibleo – a peaceful garden with sweeping views – and savor exquisite Sicilian cuisine in its many trattorias. Ragusa offers a perfect blend of its two souls: the past and the present. Its natural beauty is the perfect destination for those seeking authentic Italian charm.

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

Perched on the hilltop city of Ragusa, this historic Baroque Villa offers a perfect blend of classic Sicilian architecture with modern interior design. The Villa is surrounded by nature, featuring four beautiful Mediterranean gardens, a pond, and a sparkling blue swimming pool. Among the century-old trees and bushes, you’ll find numerous fruit trees and colorful flowers dotting the landscape. The Villa offers 14 rooms, each with sleek and modern stone walls and comfortable Italian linens on the beds. Every room includes a private ensuite bath. Daily maid service and breakfast are included with your stay. The chef prepares artisan breads, cakes, biscotti, cappuccino, espresso, tea, fruit, jam, and granola.  The professional staff is on-site to assist with any special request and can help with questions during your stay.

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Itinerary: 6 days, 5 nights

Day 1: Arrival & Welcome Dinner

• Arrival transfer from Ragusa Train Station.
• Check-in and enjoy a welcome Prosecco.
• Welcome Dinner featuring a Chef’s Tasting Menu with antipasto, fresh pasta and sauce, main course, and dessert. with local fare.  Wine is not included.

Day 2: 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 and landmarks, to 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 our chef.  Dinner follows and includes the foods that were prepared in class.  Wine is not included.

Day 3: 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 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.

Day 4: Tour of Ragusa Ibla & Cooking Class

• Breakfast is served.
• Following breakfast, discover Ragusa Ibla, famous for its 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 featuring a 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 our chef. Dinner follows with the foods that were prepared in class.  Wine is not included.

Day 5;  Winery Visit With Wine Tasting with Sicilian Finger Food & Cooking Class

• Breakfast is served.
• Following breakfast, visit one of the region’s most important wineries.  A visit to a winery with wine tasting and 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 our chef. Dinner follows with the foods that were prepared in class.  Wine is not included.

Day 6: Departure & Arrivederci

• Breakfast is served.
• Check-out and departure transfer from the 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.