Yoga & Cooking in Sicily

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A 7 days-tour to feel and live the beautiful land of Sicily in all its multifaceted aspects: cultural, gastronomical and naturalistic.
This tour combines the positive energies of Yoga with the beauty of the Sicilian Baroque and the taste of its culinary tradition. Travelers will be deeply involved in hands-on experiences and tailor-made excursions led by our local buddies, who are archaeologists, art historians, food & wine producers, chefs, brought up with a passion for their homeland.

Type of tour: Small group tour
Min/max people: from 2 to 12 pax (the tour departure is guarantee with a min of 2 participants)
Length of stay: 7 days/ 6 nights
Arrival/Departure: Catania/ Catania airport (possibility to arrive to Comiso airport)
Dates 2019: On request

Description

Map

Highlights

  • An intimate tour of 12 people or fewer will give participants the chance to really immerse themselves in the Sicilian mood: observe the light, hear the sounds, breathe in the essences, feel the elements and above all taste the flavours.
  • Private yoga classes to start the day in the best and most energetic way. The lesson will be held by an expert teacher in an intimate family-run countryhouse surrounded by the incredible panorama of the natural canyons of Cave d’Ispica.
  • Hands-on culinary experiences to learn and taste the best of Sicilian gastronomy: a unique palimpsest of customs and fusions stratified over nearly 3000 years, from Greeks to Arabs, from Normans to Spanish. In the spirit of the millenary tradition that car travellers will prepare dishes with the true custodians of Sicilian cooking Mums and Grandmas.
  • A unique trekking tour with an expert hiking guide will take travelers among prehistoric rock-cut tombs and medieval rupestrian settlements within the Hyblaen mountains to finally enjoy lunch in a shelter among the cliffs.
  • Cultural sightseeing in the most charming Baroque cities of Eastern Sicily: Modica, Noto, Scicli, Ragusa and Syracuse
  • Meet the locals: from a local diary farm to a “women’s” winery, from a pottery artisan to a chocolate maker, our local experiences will uncover the deepest parts of an island defined by its people and stories. These stories narrate centuries-old traditions, the efforts and genius of Sicilian inhabitants, friendly and passionate people that hardly try to perpetuate the tradition of almost extinct jobs

Itinerary

Day 1: Catania-Modica, Welcome dinner with Paolo and Mimì

Arrival at Catania airport. You will be picked up outside of the baggage claim area. (Possibility to arrive to Comiso Airport and reach the guesthouse by private transfer)

Transfer to Casa al Castello, a charming and fascinating guest house in the land of Modica, located in a unique position, on a rocky spur overlooking the famous canyon of “Cava d’Ispica.”

Paolo and Mimì will welcome guests in their house with a delicious Sicilian dinner. What a perfect start to be introduced in the Sicilian tradition and get to know your travel mates!

After dinner time to relax in the beautiful garden of the house.

Overnight.

Day 2:  Yoga, Modica & Chocolate Experience, Dinner


AM Buffet breakfast after a Hatha Yoga class.

Guided visit to Modica, the capital of one of the most important feudal states in Southern Italy.

Simple, because Modica is the only city in Sicily with a chocolate making tradition which goes back to the 17th century. You will discover the local ancient method to make chocolate Then you will have a sweet dive into the world of the “Modica Chocolate” by visiting a local laboratory where you will assist to a show cooking before tasting the “food of the Gods”

Free time in Modica for lunch at leisure (not included).

PM Return to the guest house and time for relaxing along the pool before a Sicilian dinner at Casa al Castello. Overnight.

Day 3: Wine tasting & Cooking class in local winery, Noto & Marzamemi fishing village


AM Buffet breakfast after a Hatha Yoga class.

We will then proceed to the southern area of Sicily to delve into the world of the “Nero d’Avola” wine. After a pleasant walk among vineyards and a visit to a winery, we will enjoy a tasting of wines and local products. (light lunch)

Deep within the unique scenery of the country surrounding the Vendicari Nature Reserve, among endless rows of the “Nero d’Avola” vineyards and the soft undulations of the Hyblaean mountains as the backdrop, the “Paternòs” women will open the door of their home and winery for an unforgettable experience. By using exclusively the seasonal vegetables and fruits of their land, the “Paternòs” Mum will let you into the secrets of her recipes, where tastes and smells take you back to the rural cooking of days gone by. Marilina and Federica will then accompany us on a visit to the winery, where the wines chosen will perfectly complement the food cooked by you. But where is the dad in all this? Come with us and you’ll find out…!

PM In the afternoon, after a walk among the enchanting Baroque façades of Noto’s palaces, churches and convents, we will move towards the charming fishing village of Marzamemi, to learn everything about the tuna-fishing within one of the most ancient fish factories in Sicily.

Time at disposal for a dinner at leisure on the seaside in Marzamemi (not included).
Return to Casa al Castello for the overnight.

Day 4: Yoga, Trekking Cava d’Ispica , Lunch in shelter & Scicli night stroll


AM Buffet breakfast after a Hatha Yoga class.

Archaeological trekking in Cava d’Ispica, a fascinating canyon within the Hyblaean Mountains, which was inhabited from the prehistoric period to the 1950s. After trekking among prehistoric rock-cut tombs and medieval rupestrian settlements, we will enjoy lunch in a shelter among the cliffs.

Return to the hotel for some rest. In the late afternoon, enjoy an aperitif and a night stroll before a dinner at leisure(not included) in Scicli, a Baroque town set in a stage-set location characterised by canyons.

Return for the overnight stay to Casa al Castello.

Day 5:  Syracuse & Cheese experience


AM the visit of an authentic Sicilian farm, cheese tasting, traditional food tasting – oil, cheese, sun dried tomatoes – and a typical Sicilian lunch.

This private day-trip with local tour guide has been designed to let our guest live with the farmers for one day, discovering some of the most genuine products of our land in the beauty countryside of our east coast.

You’ll be welcomed in a typical Sicilian farm, with a first tasting of extra virgin olive oil and other delicious locally grown products.

The following walk around the farm will let you be surrounded by different animals species: geese and ducks, hens and roosters, cows and pigs, ostriches and pheasants.

We will then offer you a real demonstration of how to work diligently with milk to create the delicious Ricotta cheese, fresh mozzarella and other typical Sicilian cheeses, followed by a lunch in a friendly feeling of a small and intimate group of food lovers.

Enjoy the best cheese – making demonstrations in Sicily, from the first drop of milk to the delicious final products.

PM Walk along the narrow lanes of Ortygia, whose urban setting contains the complex historical events of Syracuse among the streets of Greek origin, the walls of the Medieval buildings and the façades of the Baroque churches. Dinner at leisure (not included) in Syracuse and return to Casa al Castello for relaxing and the overnight.

 Day 6: Yoga, Ragusa & Cooking class “Sicilian Pasta”


Buffet breakfast after your Hatha Yoga class.

Visit to Ragusa Ibla, the older part of the city, which is a unique Baroque jewel shining  in the heart of the Hyblaean Mountains. Negozio di ceramiche di Giuliana- KRETE’
Free time for lunch  in typical restaurant in Ragusa LA STERIA

Traditional cooking class followed by lunch in Casa al Castello where Mrs. Mimì Frasca will help you discover the secrets of a Hyblaean Grandma’s home cooking, preparing fresh pasta with tomato sauce (“ravioli” with ricotta cheese and “cavatelli”), “caponata” vegetables and other courses according to the seasons. 

Day 7: Departure


Transfer to Catania or Comiso Airport and departure. End of services.

PRICE:

from 1970 euro per person

SGL supplement -390 euro

(small group max 12 pax or fewer)

The tour includes:

  • 6 nights at Casa al Castello in double room
  • A personal English speaking “buddy” guide during your excursions
  • Transport in spacious, air-conditioned vehicle
  • 3 Yoga Classes with expert teacher (possibility to reserve extra classes)
  • All meals and wine except for lunches and dinners “at leisure”
  • Cooking classes and tasting as per programme

The tour does not include:

Flights, local city taxes, everything not specified under the item “the tour includes”

ENQUIRE NOW