Sicily, with its rich history, diverse culture, and mouthwatering cuisine, is an extraordinary destination that is often overlooked and forgotten in the shadow of mainland Italy. But as the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, located just off the tip of Italy’s ‘boot,’ Sicily has been a crossroads of civilizations for millennia, and is home to a rich tapestry of cultures and influences that should be top of any traveler’s list to explore. From the ancient Greeks and Romans to the Arabs, Normans, and Spanish, Sicily’s historical legacy is woven from diverse threads. This is evident in its architecture, art, the local dialect–and especially the food. Exodus Adventure Specialist Shaelene Chapman recently returned from a Sicily Food Adventure and shared some of the best sights and bites with us.
Her journey began in Palermo, the vibrant capital of Sicily perched on the northwestern coast of the island, before spending eight days traveling the island, ending in the shadow of Mount Etna in Catania. “It’s an incredible destination to explore,” said Shaelene, “it feels like a hidden gem compared to a lot of places in mainland Italy, yet it has so much to offer. Each region has its own culture, history, and of course delicious food.” The food was the star attraction of this tour, and it lived up to expectations, with plenty of Pasta alla Norma, succulent seafood, and cannoli to indulge in.
On their first full day in Palermo, a guided foodie tour was Shaelene and her tour mates’ first taste of the Sicilian delicacies in store for them on the rest of their seven-night trip. As they explored the historic city center, Veronica, their local guide introduced them to street vendors, markets, and bakeries, all full of local specialties like arancini, panelle, and sfincione. “Veronica was amazing,” said Shaelene, “she was born in Palermo and is so passionate about Sicily. It really felt like a local was showing us her home!”
The tour included unique opportunities to not only taste the Sicilian delights but also to learn about the history and traditions behind them as well as how things are grown, produced, and prepared. In Marsala there was the opportunity to sample some of the region’s much-loved fortified wines, in UNESCO-listed baroque town Noto there was a cheese-making demonstration and farm tour, and in Catania there was La Pescheria, one of the oldest and biggest fish markets in Italy. They also ventured to traditional organic olive oil farms, home to some of the finest olive oil in the world, tasted fresh local produce, and of course sipped on a couple of well-deserved apertivo.
The stand-out moments of the trip were the hands-on experiences, like the pasta making class in Erice, a historic hilltop town with incredible views of the ocean and valley below. “We joined an authentic pasta making class with locals to learn how to make Tirpani pesto and Busiate noodles,” recalled Shaelene. “After making (and sampling!) the pesto, we rolled out the Busiate noodles then all sat down for lunch together. After the delicious lunch we had time to wander around the beautiful town of Erice and take in the views.” This hands-on experience with a skilled local chef immersed Shaelene and her fellow travelers in the incredible culinary tradition of the island.
The trip ended with an unforgettable wine tasting and tour of the Gambino winery on the eastern side of Europe’s highest and most active volcano, the incredible Mount Etna. “We were 800 meters above sea level overlooking Taormina, the pearl of the Ionian Sea, and then we drove even further up the volcano to do a short crater hike,” remembered Shaelene. “The views were breathtaking and the wine and lunch at the winery was incredible!”
Throughout the trip, tour guide Veronica was an invaluable resource. “She really helped us experience the destination like a local,” as she ensured that the group experienced everything her homeland had to offer, both on the plate and off. On the last night in Catania, she invited the group to a restaurant for a final authentic local meal at an off-the-beaten path spot.
Catania was a favorite destination for Shaelene, who recommends that future travelers on this trip treat themselves to an extra night in the town. “After an incredible week exploring so many places on the island, it is nice to stay an extra day to relax by the seaside or wander around the city of Catania.” Known for its stunning location at the foot of Mount Etna, its UNESCO-listed Baroque architecture, its lively street markets, and its vibrant cultural festivals, Catania is a city where ancient history meets natural beauty, and worth spending some extra time exploring.
From wandering colorful markets trying unique street food to sampling local specialties and visiting unique heritage sites and baroque cities, this trip had it all. As Shaelene says, “If you are wanting to experience a food tour in Italy, Sicily is the perfect place to go, with so much culture, history, and delicious food and wine!” If this has sparked your interest to discover Sicily for yourself, look at our Sicily Food Adventure itinerary, or contact a member of our team today.
