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Day
1
Welcome to Sicily
- Arrive at Catania’s Vincenzo Bellini Airport
- Private transfer to Relais San Giuliano, an 18th-century noble residence turned boutique hotel at the foot of Etna Park
- Welcome cocktails and dinner
Day
2
Granita, the gem of Sicily
- A morning with Giovanna Musumeci in the village of Randazzo, a master of traditional granita—that flaky, icy, smooth confection that is one of Sicily’s best-kept secrets.
- Private lunch at the Etna wine estate of Giralamo Russo with Carmelo Chiaramonte, the charismatic, effervescent Sicilian chef
- There is no exceptional granita without exceptional fruit, so in the afternoon we’ll visit some of the young producers who give their products to Giovanna. Also: there will be wine
- Dinner at the 16th-century wine estate Tenuta Rustica, featuring produce from its expansive farmlands
Day
3
Veni, Vidi, Vulcano
- Leisurely morning, beginning to mimic Sicilian rhythms of life: a good slow breakfast; a short, dark espresso; good conversation and much relaxation.
- An afternoon with Salvo Foti, champion of indigenous grape varietals, in his vineyards in Milo. We’ll lunch and walk the volcanic terrain that makes Etna such a prized wine region.
- Dinner at Quattro Archi, a classic trattoria high on the slopes of Mt Etna
Day
4
Into the Mountains
- Transfer to Susafa in the Madonie mountains in the heartland of Sicily
- Leisurely lunch at the Susafa family estate
- An afternoon swim with mountain vistas and plentiful Sicilian wines
- Private masterclass on Sicilian baking and traditional grains
Day
5
Cheese, ricotta, cannoli
- An indulgent breakfast, a lazy morning, a slow start toward Palermo
- Piana degli Albanesi is considered the best place to eat Italy’s pastry staple, the cannolo siciliano—the secret is the extraordinary local sheep ricotta
- Lunch with the Spera family, multigenerational farmers at Balzo Rosso, with breathtaking views of the Aeolian Sea and an extraordinary dairy that help make the region’s cannoli what they are
- Into Palermo! Check in at L’Hôtellerie, a boutique hotel built into the city’s ancient Arab walls
- Dinner at Quattro Mani, a creative trattoria in the heart of the city
Day
6
The Grandeur of Palermo
- Wake up in one of the most atmospheric port cities on earth: Palermo, a city so beautiful the Phoenicians just called it Flower.
- Afternoon walk discovering the bustling, buzzing Ballarò market, and the food traditions of sfincione, pane e panelle, pani ca meusa. In every bite, the soul of the city unfolds.
- Marsala tasting!
- Last night dinner at Corona Trattoria, a full-throated celebration of the seafood and the culinary life of Palermo
Day
7
Departure
- One last great Sicilian breakfast
- Private transfer to Palermo’s Falcone-Borsellino Airport
- Arrivederci!
What’s Included
- All breakfasts, lunches, dinners except when itinerary explicitly says “Independent Meals”
- Expertise and services of our experienced trip leaders: at least one guide and one host per trip
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region
- Transfers to and from the airport or wherever you are on the day the trip starts and ends
- Daily Roads & Kingdoms gifts related to the themes, activities and narratives of each trip
- All gratuities for accommodations, meals, guiding or transport
What’s Not Included
- International airfare to and from the journey (note: some trips begin and end at different airports)
- Personal bar tabs (when not with the group)
- Personal laundry or spa services
- Personal travel insurance
Katie Parla, a native of what she calls the 21st region of Italy (that’s New Jersey), always dreamed of moving to Italy. And now, 20 years after she made the leap, she’s one of the foremost authorities on Italian food and drink, in all its thousand variations. You may have seen her guiding Stanley Tucci around Rome for his CNN show, or perhaps you’ve read one of her many books (the most recent, Food of the Italian Islands, is a banger). Either way, we’re thrilled she’s helping us showcase Sicily.
There may not be a single person in all of the Republic better qualified to know what to eat, at what time of year, and with whom, than Eugenio Signoroni. After a long editorial career at the iconic Slow Food, he branched out to write prolifically on Italian food culture in all parts of the boot. In addition to editing the authoritative Osteria d’Italia guide, he is the host of Lievito Madre, one of Italy’s top food podcasts. A perfect host for this journey.
Relais San Giuliano is a charming 12-room boutique hotel at the foot of Etna Parkat the foot of Etna Park with perks like its “Sabbia Nera” spa with hammam and Jacuzzi. There’s an infinity pool too, of course, encircled by lush gardens. All in all, a perfect place to unwind from the day’s adventures.
A 200-year-old Sicilian farmstead turned sustainably minded countryside retreat, Susafa aims to give guests a slice of traditional rural life in Sicily’s heartland. Framed by the Madonie mountains, there’s a cherry orchard and an olive grove and gardens where chefs harvest produce for the restaurant. And of course there’s a pool overlooking the rolling Sicilian landscape.
Built into the ancient Arab walls that have guarded Palermo since the 9th century, L’Hotellerie offers breathtaking views of the sea and Porta Felice, the historic gateway to Corso Vittorio Emanuele. The nearby Kalsa district, once the Emir’s citadel, is now a treasure trove of historic sites like the Church of Santa Maria dello Spasimo and Palazzo Abatellis. Elegantly outfitted with design pieces, restored antiques, and luxury amenities, L’Hotellerie exemplifies Palermo’s legendary hospitality, making it a perfect base in the city Goethe deemed “the most beautiful place in the world.”
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This trip exceeded anything I could have imagined. Food and sights were incredible. Our hosts were next level.
Matt P.
La Vita Siciliana 2023 -
I did not anticipate the extent of our exceptionally curated tastings, the cultural authenticity and immersion of experiences.
Carrie M.
La Vita Siciliana 2023 -
The personalities—their commitment to serve us like hosts, hang out with us like friends… I had an absolute blast.
Traveler
La Vita Siciliana 2023
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The Best of Northern Italy
From Piedmont To Aosta 2024
This is a week of the prime cut of Northern Italy, from classic Torino to the rolling vinelands of the Langhe up to the high mountains of Valle d’Aosta. The story of this region in Autumn is the story of osterias and ochre forests, white truffles and big red wines. This journey unfolds easily, sumptuously, from one day to the next, staying in the finest hotels and drinking with the most renowned producers as we dive headlong into the Very Beautiful Lifestyle of the north.
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R&K Host
Writer, Eater, Raconteur Katie Parla
Local Guide
Editor of Osteria d’Italia Eugenio Signoroni
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Empires Old and New
Peru of the Many Dreams
Peru is a place where alternate histories live on. In the right light, looking over the same valleys as Inca Pachacutec did, you can squint and dream that the Spanish never arrived. And in Lima you can see the inevitably mestizo future, where Quechua and Japanese and Andalusians and countless other seekers arrived to tap into something deeper. To paraphrase Vargas Llosa, it’s impossible to know what’s really happening here, so stories and illusions become a refuge. We’ll follow those deep narratives and the people who tell them through this remarkable week of Peruvian food, drink, and dreams.
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R&K Host
Explorer, Fixer, Producer Alejo Sabugo
Local Guide
Scout, Gourmand, Resident of the Sacred Valley Gonzalo Gil Lavedra
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