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CULTURAL & GASTRONOMIC TOUR ● 24TH SEPTEMBER- 2ND OCTOBER 2016
WELCOME TO THE SOUTH, WELCOME TO SICILY! Join us on an unforgettable cultural and culinary trip: unique and outstanding gourmet experiences. For enquiries or further informations phone 0401 627 665 or email us info@italianconnections.com.au
#DAY 01 | SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER: PALERMO Arrival in Palermo and hotel check in. 7.30 pm Meet up with our guide and assistant. Dinner in typical restaurant. Overnight stay.
This is a boutique tour in a small group with excellent accommodation, meals and experiences.
#DAY 02 | SUNDAY 25 SEPTEMBER: PALERMO Breakfast in the hotel. Start guided tour of beautiful Palermo, a city that wears the marks of all the peoples who have lived there: the Arabs, Normans, the Spanish and the French. During the tour we stop for a cannoli and cassatelle tasting in one of the best known pastry shops of Palermo. We then continue the visit of the most significant monuments of the historic centre. Lunch in an iconic Friggitoria to taste the best of Palermo’s cuisine. In the afternoon we continue our tour of Palermo. Dinner at a traditional Sicilian Trattoria.
#DAY 03 | MONDAY 26 SEPTEMBER: MADONIE (Pollina, Castelbuono and Cefalù) After breakfast we will discover the beauty and specialities of the Madonie. We will visit the stunning village of Cefalù and then Pollina for lunch in a famous agriturismo where, together with the owner, we will gather seasonal products to use in our cooking lesson based on traditional dishes. In the afternoon we visit the ancient and charming village of Castelbuono and taste the best products from the oven made with manna. Free evening in Palermo.
#DAY 04 | TUESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER: PALERMO – MONREALE
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After breakfast we will have a wonderful experience of colours, smells and flavours. An expert guide will take us through the stalls and laneways of the traditional food markets of Palermo like Vucciria. We will stop at numerous bread makers, stalls, wine bars to taste the best street food of Palermo. In the afternoon we depart for Monreale and visit its Duomo, a masterpiece of architecture from Norman times with its golden mosaics and cloister. Return to Palermo and dinner at a renowned restaurant.
#DAY 05 | WEDNESDAY 28 SEPTEMBER: ERICE – MARSALA After breakfast departure for Erice, a magnificent medieval village famous for its churches and also for the delicious almond pastries from an old nuns’ recipe we will taste in a renowned pastry shop. Lunch in Erice and departure for Marsala. In the afternoon we visit the historical centre and then the beautiful Cantine Florio where we will enjoy a buffet of local specialities and wine tasting. Return to the hotel and free evening in Marsala.
#DAY 06 | THURSDAY 29 SEPTEMBER: SELINUNTE – MAZARA DEL VALLO Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the imposing archaeological site at Selinunte. We then move on to visit a magnificent wine estate which produces some of the finest Sicilian wines, indulge in wine tasting and lunch in the elegant cantina. In the afternoon we visit the fishing port of Mazara del Vallo, its historical centre with the Arab Kasbah and the famous Dancing Satyr. A delicious fish dinner will make this place unforgettable. Return to Marsala and overnight stay.
#DAY 07 | FRIDAY 30 SEPTEMBER: MOTHIA – MARSALA After breakfast we leave for Stagnone lagoon. A natural reserve with green islets, windmills and the Saline, artificial tubs used for the extraction of salt. We will visit the island of Mothia and engage in an interesting experience of salt tasting. Return to Marsala and visit the beautiful Donnafugata Cantina, one of the best known Sicilian wine labels with wine and food tasting for lunch. In the afternoon, under the expert guidance of a famous local chef, we will have a very interesting cooking lesson: we will uncover the secrets to the preparation of cous cous, as well as caponata and the delicious cassata.
#DAY 08 | SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER – EGADI ISLANDS After breakfast we will board our private boat and depart for the Tour of Egadi Islands. We will stop to admire the beautiful coves of Favignana where, on board a small train, we will admire the rugged and wild scenery and visit the ancient Tonnara. We then reboard for a delicious plate of spaghetti and proceed to Levanzo, the smallest maritime island. Here you can visit the island or swim in its limpid waters. Transfer to hotel, dinner at a local Osteria and overnight stay. 3
#DAY 09 | SUNDAY 2 OCTOBER: PALERMO - MONDELLO BEACH AND DEPARTURE After breakfast we depart for Mondello for a walk around this renowned beach of Palermo and then transfer to airport ready for departure. It is recommended that flights be booked for departure after 1pm.
THE PRICE INCLUDES: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Private bus for the whole trip. English speaking authorised guide/chaperone for the whole trip. 4 nights in 4 star hotel in Palermo (www.piazzaborsa.it or similar; 4 nights in Boutique Hotel Carmine at Marsala www.hotelcarmine.it). All meals mentioned in the brochure, including 250ml wine and 500ml mineral water. All tastings mentioned (street food, wines, salt, sweets etc.). Entrance tickets to Duomo and Cloister in Monreale, Museum of Dancing Satyr, Selinunte with internal train, Baglio Anselmi. Boat trip to Egadi Islands. Train in Favignana. Boat to Mothia. Entrance to private island of Mothia. Cooking class at Madonie agriturismo. Cooking class in Marsala. Italian Connections assistant for the whole trip. City taxes.
The price does not include: •
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Airfares, porterage, tips, tourism taxes and whatever is not specified under ‘The price includes’.
Mobile: 0401 627 665 Email: info@italianconnections.com.au Web: www.italianconnections.com.au