Eat, Drink, GO to Sicily with Lea Ann Vessels and Dania Mastacchini!
October 18 – 27, 2024
“I have travelled a lot in my life and this was, by far, one of the best trips I’ve ever taken.” Kenny Jaegers, October 2017 Sicily trip guest
“We are seasoned travelers who thought we were pretty worldly, but you opened up the most beautiful Sicilian experiences that we would have never known.” Carol and Tom Ferreri, October 2017 Sicily trip guest
Ciao!
Sicily is complex is exotic is Arab is Norman is Italian is Spanish…a tapestry woven by everyone who has conquered it in the last 2500 years, including also the French, the Greeks, and even the British….Who HASN’T invaded Sicily?!
From the Baroque and Byzantine architecture, to the North African import of capers, raisins, and mint, the island is a delicious overload to every one of your senses. You see, you smell and you feel these influences of Paris of Morocco of Spain in the food, in the architecture and in the Sicilian everyday way of life.
And it is roughly the size of New Hampshire.
Between the Sicilians’ over the top hospitality and their generosity, a day in Sicily feels like a warm hug. They live out loud and invite you to join them.
We’re returning to Sicily and we’re personally inviting YOU to join US!
Andiamo! Let’s go!
Lea Ann and Dania
Itinerary
DAY 1 | ARRIVE PALERMO
Arrive to Palermo, Sicily’s beautiful capital with its crumbling landmarks and historic center, its exciting art scene, its traditional restaurants, cozy osterias and cutting edge dining. Let’s all get to Sicily and relax, we’ll be waiting for you!
Welcome aperitivo at the splendid Hotel de Palmes Bar and casual dinner.
Hotel de Palmes
DAY 2 PALERMO | CAPO AND BALLARO MARKETS
Breakfast in hotel.
Walking Tour of Palermo, including the WILD, chaotic and vibrant Capo and Ballaro outdoor markets. Dating back to the 14th century, they are reminiscent of Morrocan souks tying Palermo to its Arab roots.
Tour of the ninth-century Norman Royal Palace with its glittering, mosaic-laden chapel and still in use today as the headquarters of Sicily’s Parliament.
Aperitivo at elegant DOBA overlooking the city and the famed Teatro Massimo before dinner at “Trattoria Carpaccio”, a much loved local restaurant.
Hotel de Palmes
DAY 3 PALERMO | SUNDAY LUNCH AT THE HOME OF GABRIELLA
Breakfast in hotel
Leisurely morning stroll through the Antique Market in Piazza Marina where you can buy everything from ancient postcards to a piano!
We’re invited to Gabriella’s home for family Sunday lunch and to enjoy wines paired by her partner, Ivo, an amazing sommelier who is also part of the famed Tasca Amerita winery, one of Sicily’s most important labels. The warmth and beauty of their home is only rivaled by their hospitality and food.
Evening and dinner off to explore on your own. Ask us for directions to our favorite wine bars!
Hotel de Palmes
DAY 4 PALERMO TO TRAPANI | A GLIMPSE OF ERICE EN ROUTE
Breakfast in hotel
We depart Palermo and head West to Trapani stopping en route to tour and lunch in the town of Erice, voted one of Italy’s most beautiful villages. Sitting nearly 2500 feet above the sea the views are incredible…especially while enjoying “Busiate alla Trapanese” , the local pasta specialty!
Walking tour of Trapani and dinner at local “La Perla”.
Il Poggio di Lidia (a spectacular apartment above the city with views rivaling those of Erice, private luxurious rooms each with bath, beautifully appointed kitchen and open space, outdoor terrace.) We want you to experience “living like a local”, a very, very lucky local.
DAY 5 TRAPANI | OLIVETO TOUR DINNER, ART AND CULTURAL EVENT AT “IL BAGLIO”
It’s October which means most of Sicily is in full harvest mode! Olives, wine, what else is there?!
We’ll tour Nicola’s oliveto and taste the new olive oil. We will “Cin-Cin”! the harvest gods and enjoy a charcuterie lunch at the main house.
In the evening we head to “Il Baglio”, an art and cultural and social project that is hard to describe and even more difficult to forget once you’ve been there. Please check out the link, it’s really something to behold. And we will!
Il Poggio di Lidia
DAY 6 TRAPANI | SAILING TO FAVIGNANA | COOKING PARTY WITH BRUNA AND GASPARE
Weather permitting, we’ll sail with Vito and and his crew to the island of Favignana, one of the Egadi islands and roughly 4 miles off the coast of Trapani. We’ll explore the small port town and enjoy lunch on the water. Fun Fact: Nicola, our host at the Oliveto, is a medical doctor who works at the prison on Favignana.
Aperitivo and Evening Cooking Party at the apartment with Bruna and her husband, Gaspare, making the famous Trapanese Couscous and Pane Cunzato. Lidia, the owner of our apartment, owns a vineyard on Lake Garda and we will graciously be enjoying her family wines.
Il Poggio di Lidia
DAY 7 TRAPANI TO TAORMINA | TRIP ACROSS THE ISLAND
Breakfast in Hotel
We’re off to Taormina! …We may be crossing the entire island but in this case it’s the destination AND the journey! Dania knows every inch of Sicily and will share stories and descriptions along the way.
We’ll late lunch in Catania on the opposite coast and the Ionic sea then settle into our elegant rooms at the NH Collection, each with sea view from the highest point in Taormina.
Evening and dinner off, Taormina is absolutely beautiful and wonderfully easy to explore.
NH Collection
DAY 8 TAORMINA | JEEPS TO MT ETNA…AND WINE TASTING
Breakfast in Hotel
Excursion to Mt Etna – in jeeps! Mt Etna is haunting and strange and unfamiliar BUT SOOOO COOL! I You feel like you are on the moon. And jeeps are the best way to explore and trek the terrain.
Jeeps are also a great way to wine taste and lunch at “Dai Pennisi”. Dai Pennisi calls itself a local meat, cheese and wine market with kitchen… a meat and cheese market with connections to Michelin-starred restaurants! It also happens to be sitting in the most important wine region in Sicily!
Aperitivo and light fare and amazing vistas on the NH rooftop
NH Collection
DAY 9 TAORMINA | IONIC SEA TOUR WITH CAPITANO FILIPPO
Breakfast in Hotel
All aboard the private boat of Capitano Filippo for a 2 hr excursion exploring the Bays of Naxos and Taormina with Mt Etna looming in every vista.
Walking tour of Taormina including the Greek Theater
Arrivederci dinner
NH Collection
DAY 10 TAORMINA | ABBRACCI, BACI AND DEPART FOR CATANIA
Breakfast in Hotel
Transfers to Catania Airport for flights home!
CIAO! HUGS AND KISSES!
TOUR DETAILS AND PRICING
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY $10,495
SINGLE OCCUPANCY $11,895
WHAT IS INCLUDED
3 nights in Palermo – 5 Star Accomodations
3 nights in Trapani – Luxury Apartment
3 nights in Taormina – 5 Star Accomodations
Private Motor Coach and all Transportation
Breakfasts, lunches and dinners including alcohol except for 2 dinners at leisure
Guided tours and entrance tickets
All taxes and visitor fees
All tips including hotels, restaurants, drivers, guides, luggage porters (Everything)
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Airfare to Italy
Travel Insurance (a requirement)
Incidentals
OUR POLICIES
To proceed with booking, we require a $3,000 deposit by April 26, 2024 with the balance due 95 days from departure, July 14, 2024.
We request payment in the form of check or ACH wire transfer (please see the form below.).
We require that you purchase travel insurance and are happy to provide you with assistance. We recommend CFA, Cancel for Any Reason Insurance policies.
REFUND SCHEDULE
95 days prior to departure $500 charge
94-65 days prior to departure 75% refund
64-30 days prior to departure 50% refund
29 days prior to departure 0% refund unless you/we can find a substitute traveler
Lea Ann Vessels is the owner of Oliva Bella extra virgin olive oils. She was sent to Italy for a three year business assignment and has never fully recovered! She began sourcing and importing small family olive oils and balsamicos once the assignment ended.
Though she spends months each year in Italy, her heart and belly live there full time!
Dania Mastacchini was born in Udine, Italy and now calls Palermo home. She has guided tours in Italy for over 25 years with professionalism, knowledge, and love. She knows evvvverrrryyyone. These personal relationships make our trips intimate, local and exclusive.
Dania and Lea Ann have been heart friends and collaborators for years.