Authentic Foods of Italy: Calabria and Sicily
A 7 Night Culinary Program in Calabria and Sicily
Experience local ingredients and southern Italian cooking with Chef Tony and Cathy Mantuano in the towns and villages of Calabria and Sicily.
Regarded internationally as an influential culinary force, Tony Mantuano is Chef/Partner at Spiaggia, the only four-star Italian restaurant in Chicago.
Before opening Spiaggia with Tony, Cathy Mantuano worked in several Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy. She also writes and manages wine lists, and presents classes on wine and wine & food pairing.
Together, on this journey, the Mantuano’s connect travelers with the foods and traditions of southern Italy at hand-selected restaurants, hands-on cooking demonstrations and by tasting some of the region's freshest agricultural products.
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Join hands-on cooking demonstrations with Chef Tony, Chef Pietro Lecce and other guest presenters to learn how locals work with traditional ingredients. |
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Regional wines feature prominently throughout the tour. In Calabria travelers will tour and taste at Librande Vineyards, a Ciro wine producer set in the Neto Valley. |
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Visit Bronte, on the slopes of Mount Etna to experience a highlight of the end of summer, the Sagra del Pastacchio, an open-air festival to celebrate the delicious fragrant fruit. |
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Enjoy guided tours of Catania, Sicily's 2nd largest city, and Taormina with its famous Greek Theatre. Also visit Siracusa, an ancient town on the sea with rich Greek history, and the baroque palaces and churches of Noto. |
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Price: $5,450 per person, based on double occupancy
Price Details: A $25 per person nonrefundable booking fee is charged at time of reservation. See Refund Policy below to learn how you can cancel for any reason and protect your trip investment.
Inclusions: Fare includes 7 nights deluxe accommodation with breakfast; meals with beverages (bottled water, wine); transfers; the services of your tour guide and local guides; all activities mentioned in the program with Tony and Cathy Mantuano including receptions, tastings, workshops.
Exclusions: Fare does not include international air, gratuities for guides and drivers, meals not stated in itinerary, optional activities not stated in itinerary
Disclaimer: Rate is based on a minimum number of travelers. Activities, special guests, properties and itinerary are subject to change. We strongly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to protect against injury, illness and unforeseen circumstances in the destination.
Authentic Foods of Italy: Calabria and Sicily: Accommodations
Borgo Saverona, Cirò Marina
October 1-3, 2012
Borgo Saverona is a charming hotel surrounded by vineyards and olive groves set in the countryside of Cirò Marina. The residence of a local noble family based in Cirò since the 11th century has been recently renewed by one of the family members. The 16 elegant rooms offer all comforts to guarantee an unforgettable stay.
Capo Vaticano Resort, Ricadi
October, 3 -5, 2012
Classic Double Room (Sea View)
The Capovaticano Resort Thalasso & Spa is located just 6.2 miles (10 km) from Tropea, the top destination on one of the most beautiful coasts in Italy in the heart of Calabria.
The hotel has 121 rooms with a modern design all equipped with TV, minibar, safe, hairdryer, air conditioning and phone. The resort offers a fantastic wellness area, fitness centre and private beach.
Romano House, Catania
October, 5 – 8, 2012
This luxury 4 star Catania hotel, in the heart of this wonderful, baroque city, is a harmonious cross between historical 17th century architecture and the most contemporary and exclusive design.
Each room in Romano House is a little pearl, a unique location where every single detail is in perfect harmony with the whole atmosphere.
Authentic Foods of Italy: Calabria and Sicily: Itinerary
DAY 1: Monday October 1 [D]
Arrive in Calabria
Arrival at the airport of Lamezia Terme or Crotone
Pick up and transfer to hotel
Welcome Dinner in hotel
DAY 2: Tuesday, October 2 [B, L, D]
Wine Day at Librandi Vineyards
In the morning drive 30 minutes to the “Librandi” vineyards set in the Neto Valley
Tour the spectacular vineyards in off-road vehicles followed by lunch “through the rows” with typical products of the area.
After lunch transfer to Cirò Marina to visit the Librandi Winery
The guided tour includes production and aging areas and ends with a professional guided tasting of five Librandi wines, including the winery’s best crus.
Seafood Dinner at Ciro Marina to taste the fish specialties of the area.
DAY 3: Wednesday, October 3 [B, L, D]
Mountains to the Sea
Check out and enjoy a scenic drive of approximately one hour thirty mintues to “the Sila” to discover the wonderful mountains of Calabria
Morning Funghi Workshop
Learn how to recognize, pick up and prepare mushrooms followed by the lunch prepared by the celebrated Chef Pietro Lecce
In the afternoon transfer approximately two hours thirty minutes to the Tyrrhenian coast
Check In at beautiful luxury Beach Resort in Tropea
Welcome Cocktail and Dinner in hotel
DAY 4: Thursday, October 4 [B, L, D]
Tasting Regional Specialties
Visit one of the most important Italian tuna fish productions in Italy and taste the delicious products
The high plateau of Monte Poro, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, is famous for the production of ‘Nduja and Pecorino, two of the most famous typical products of Calabria. During our trip to the Mount Poro we will visit a ‘Nduja production site and taste this delicacy.
At the Ristorante “La Cavallerizza” (farmhouse style), 10 minutes drive from Spilinga, we will have lunch tasting all the other specialities of the area.
After lunch relax in Pizzo Calabro followed by a Gelato Workshop
Discover the secrets of the preparation of the famous “Tartufo di Pizzo” with master ice cream makers
*The tartufo is a large ball of chocolate and hazelnut ice cream, filled with melted chocolate fudge sauce and rolled in cocoa powder
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Afternoon dedicated to relax and enjoy the wellness area (Thalassotherapy and Thermal Spa) of the Resort hotel
The restaurant Il Principe Di Scilla, set in the heart of the picturesque ancient village of “Chianalea,” offers great seafood and wonderful views.
DAY 5: Friday, October 5 [B, L, D]
Tour Taormina and Catania
Check Out and transfer to Sicily two hours thirty minutes, including the ferry boat
Guided tour of Taormina and its famous Greek Theatre
Enjoy lunch at “Ristorante Al Duomo” in the Old Town of Taormina. Typical local cuisine with particular attention to the tastes and flavors of food in Eastern Sicily.
After lunch transfer 50 minutes to Catania and check in at the hotel in the artistic and commercial heart of Catania.
Guided walk-around tour of Catania
Dinner tonight will be at "Nuova Trattoria Del Forestiero" in the baroque heart of Catania to taste the best pasta norma of Sicily, prepared by the Signora Rosanna.
DAY 6: Saturday, October 6 [B, L, D]
Excursion to Mount Etna
Visit Bronte, approximately one hour away, on the slopes of Mount Etna.
This characteristic town is well known for the production of a superior variety of pistachio, known as ‘Bronte pistachio.’ It is so good and fragrant that it has been re-baptized ‘Etna’s green gold.’
The fruit is harvested every other year (2012 the fruit will not be harvested), and at the end of the summer the town of Bronte holds a festival, which turns into an open air banquet to celebrate this fruit.*
Lunch
In the afternoon visit an important winery of the Mount Etna area with wine tasting
Dinner in the old fishing village of SAN GIOVANNI LI CUTI, with its charming harbour next to the beach with "rina niura" (black sand).
*The dates of the Sagra del Pistacchio are not yet confirmed.
DAY 7: Sunday, October 7 [B, L, D]
Sightseeing in Syracuse and Noto
Morning guided tour of Siracusa, an ancient town on the sea, which was of immense importance during the Great Greek Times.
It has a superb archaeological zone and a lovely historic centre on the island of Ortigia.
Lunch in a Trattoria
After lunch guided tour of Noto, one of the 'must-see' tourist attractions of this part of Sicily.
Noto is a pleasant and attractive little town, with a historic centre that is composed almost entirely of crumbling Baroque palaces, churches and houses.
Farewell Dinner at the hotel
DAY 8: Tuesday, October 8 [B]
Departures
Check Out and transfer to Catania Airport
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