Saying goodbye to Palermo, we’ll travel to Agrigento where we will spend the next two days in an elegant countryside olive oil estate at the Mandranova Resort. On our way to Giuseppe and Silvia di Vincenzo’s beautiful estate, we’ll stop in a small village in the countryside. Together with our local guide you will stroll the town’s streets heading to the shepherd’s house to taste freshly made ricotta cheese that is still warm, step into a century-old bakery and have lunch with the family in the courtyard.

Spend a leisurely afternoon by the pool and the garden or join Silvia in the kitchen for a cooking class featuring Sicilian traditional cooking. Afterwards, you will dine together on the prepared food. 

The following day after breakfast join your hosts and the workers in the olive grove, pick your own olives and taste the oil just pressed, going straight from the press to your bruschetta. A traditional farmer’s lunch together will be a highlight of the day!  In the afternoon your guide will take you to the UNESCO Valley of the Temples, one of the most important archaeological sites in the world with eight temples built between 510 BC and 430 BC and surrounded by centuries-old olive and almond trees. We will spend the evening having dinner at the resort, at the Mandranova Resort. 

Enjoy one more delicious homemade breakfast and depart to the Baroque area, a quiet and authentic region filled with a wealth of historical, cultural and culinary attractions.Picture eight small towns built in honey-colored stone with old-world charm that are truly awe-inspiring. This area was destroyed by an incredible earthquake in 1693 and rebuilt entirely in a such a unique Sicilian version of the Baroque style that earned the area the UNESCO world heritage patronage.

Your home for the next two nights will be the lovely Baglio Occhipinti Resort and Farm. Our friend Fausta Occhipinti runs this refined country house and produces olive oil, fruits and vegetables, while her sister is the proud owner of the awarded Arianna Occhipinti Winery. You’ll stop at the winery for a tasting of her award-winning wines and continue to the Baglio to have lunch in the olive trees garden. In the afternoon, you’ll join us in the kitchen to do some home cooking and try your hand at old recipes while chatting, sharing, preparing and enjoying good food and wine together. 

After breakfast feel free to pick the oranges, mandarins and figs from the trees or go for a dip in the pool before heading off to explore the region. Your guide will take you to Ragusa Ibla, a hilltop town and a jewel of Baroque architecture. Modica, a lovely and authentic town nestled on the sides of two valleys filled with little houses, alleys and stairs. This area is a culinary paradise. You’ll sample the famous Modicano chocolate at the oldest factory in town and the stuffed bread Scacce at local spots, but leave room so you can indulge in a splendid lunch at a Michelin restaurant. Tonight, admire the stunning landscape around the farm and enjoy a light dinner in the lively atmosphere of the Baglio.

Before heading to Taormina for the last leg of the trip, we’ll stop en route to meet our expert truffle hunter and our amazing chef. We’ll go searching for truffles and, once in the kitchen, enjoy a glass of prosecco while Andrea will show you how to prepare the truffles before sitting down for lunch. 

In the afternoon, you’ll be in Taormina. One of the most beloved Italian towns for its charming history, stunning Greek theatre and unique panoramas, Taormina is by far the city in Sicily that embodies the good life. Oscar Wilde, Truman Capote, Pablo Picasso, Coco Chanel, and Greta Garbo have all indulged in the pleasures of its outdoor cafés and restaurants. Dinner will be on your own tonight. The accommodation for the next two evenings will be at NH Collection Taormina, Taormina 5 star hotel. 

Your final full day in Sicily will exploring Mount Etna. Known as Europe's highest active volcano, Etna has very unique energy and it’s now home to world-renowned pioneers of natural wines. Your guide will whisk you away on a fabulous day packed with stunning treks, lunar landscapes, natural wines and regional cuisine. On board the first class 4WD vehicles you’ll cross the lava fields and the craters of ancient and recent eruptions, explore a lava tunnel and hike along seven small aligned eruptive cones with epic vistas. Unwind during lunch in a lovely winery and discover why the wines coming out of Mount Etna are considered some of Italy’s most intriguing. We’ll gather in the evening for a farewell dinner at a popular restaurant in town. 

Spend your time at leisure before transferring to the Catania airport for your departure back to the USA.