Day 1 | Arriving Palermo – Madonie Park
Arrival in Palermo Airport and welcome by our driver guide
Transfer to the Madonie Park that spreads from the sea-level coast-line up to the 1,979 m of Pizzo Carbonara.
It includes fifteen Communes, among which Cefalu, a wonderful old Norman town open like a window on the sea-like vast-ness of the Park, and Castellana Sicula, covered with murales.
The small towns in the protected area have a unique heritage of art and archaeology and represent an occasion to get in touch with the daily life and the traditions of local people. Here the food and the land products are so tasty and genuine that you must stop at a "trattoria".
Check in at our farm house: Donalegge where we’ll stay x 6 nights
A little manor immersed in greenery, in the heart of Sicily, far from the frenetic city life. It offers its guests the unique chance of staying in a bio-architectonic structure managed with human warmth and simplicity.
Dinner and overnight (BB, D)
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Day 2 | ONE DAY WITH FISHERMANS - COOKING CLASS - CEFALU’
This morning, you are invited to cruise the spectacular coastline of Northwestern Sicily with one of Cefalù’s fishermen aboard his colourful fishing boat. The rugged coastline contains marvellous caves and rock formations.
The Excursion is organized with stops to bathe in the enchanting blue sea during the breaks that fishermen usually have several miles away from the coast.
After such a day on the boat, nothing better than a : cooking class prepared with fresh fish (vegetarian dishes on request) and white Sicilian wine in a nice restaurant with a fantastic view on the Coast
Afternoon: visit of Cefalù, famous for its rich historical centre (the Norman Cathedral and the medieval quarter) as well as for its beautiful beach and blue sea
Come back at the manor house. Overnight ( BB, L)
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Day 3 | Excursion TAORMINA
After the breakfast departure for a full day excursion in the beautiful Taormina. It has been an exclusive Sicilian hotspot, since the beginning of the 19th century, and is where many noble and rich families of Northern Europe spent winter due to its mild climate. Nowadays, Taormina is famous for its "dolce vita" life style, its beautiful beach, and its shops
Lunch on your own.
Come back at the farm in the late afternoon : Dinner at the farm . Overnight ( BB, D) |
Day 4 | Excursion in PIAZZA ARMERINA – COOKING CLASS in DONALEGGE
Morning: breakfast in the hotel. Departure to Piazza Armerina, a small town in the south-central part of the island, and visit to the Villa Romana del Casale, a Roman country villa of the 3rd century, famous for its precious mosaics.
Lunch on your own
Come back at the farm
In the afternoon participate at our second: Cooking class
Your instructor, Chef Mrs Anna, will teach you to prepare the family recipes passed down to her by her grandmother...
Mrs Anna will teach you how to prepare some of the most popular and essential recipes according to the local tradition.
The cooking class will be followed by a dinner. Overnight at the manor (BB, D)
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Day 5 | RICOTTA CHEESEMAKING – PASTRY DEMONSTRATION - POLIZZI
After the breakfast we will leave the farm by van and go up to the surrounding hills to see the best view of the Madonie Park . From there we will proceed to one of the oldest traditional cheese factories and watch the production of old-fashioned ricotta , fresh cheese produced in this area
Come back in Polizzi and have a pastry demonstration at Pino Agliata’s shop.You’ll learn how cannoli are made
A lunch in a nice little restaurant of t Afternoon: visit of Polizzi Generosa. It lies in the Madonie Mountains' Natural Park. This internal region between the Northern Coast and Central Sicily has a wealth of ancient small villages, where many people still live according to the Sicilian traditions.
Come back at the farm. Dinner on your own. Overnight (BB ,L)
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Day 6 | PETRALIA and The ARTISANS – COOKING CLASS
Morning: After our breakfast departure to Petralia a nice and medieval village in the madonie Park. Visit of the historical centre and stop in a private “Shop” where embroideries and laccets are made
Embroidery is an ornament carried out through needlework usually on cloth even using precious materials like gold, silver and precious stones. The art of embroidery is one of the most ancient and widespread among primitive peoples. This art was used to decorate formal dresses to wear in ceremonies since it was a sign of distinction as it is related in many ancient books
Lunch on your own
Come back at the farm and time to relax
In the late afternoon transfer in Polizzi and have a half-day cooking lesson in an authentic Sicily’s family. The host will teach them to prepare pasta made home and some special sauce
Dinner at our new “friend’s”
Come back at the farm. Overnight ( BB,
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Day 7 | PALERMO
After our breakfast, proceed to Palermo
Chech in at the hotel 4*. Time for rest and do shopping
Afternoon: Half -day visit to this ancient town that has been a crossroads for civilization in the Mediterranean for ages and ages. Here, visit and seek out signs of its ancient "grandeur": the Norman Palace and the Palatine Chapel, the church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, the Cathedral, Quattro Canti square, etc. Walk through the streets of the historical center, and visit to the town's popular Vucciria market.
Evening: before to get our typical restaurant for our special Farewell Dinner , we’ll stop in one of the most beautiful palaces in Palermo: Palazzo Alliata to have a cocktail
Palazzo Alliata is located in the heart of the historical centre of Palermo, just a few steps from other important monuments and close to the main means of transportation
Reception is personally taken care of by the Palazzo's owners.
Guests are free to wander in the XV century loggia or the garden terrace,
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Day 8 | Departure
Morning: breakfast in hotel. Transfer to the airport in Palermo, assistance with check-in and departure
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