May 18th – 25th, 2027
Join Us in Sicily
A gourmet Holiday you will cherish forever
Join us on a journey and path of discovery in Sicily. La Foresteria is an Estate immersed in the vineyards which stretch to the beach of Porto Palo on the Crystalline Sea at Menfi in the Province of Agrigento near the Planeta wineries. It is the perfect place for a gourmet holiday in the heart of ancient sun kissed Sicily.
Sicily’s kitchen is packed with fresh ingredients, shiny fish fresh from the Mediterranean, almonds, pistachios and delectable combinations of pasta, sardines and saffron.
We will fly into Palermo on the west coast of Sicily, which has one easily accessible airport. A driver will pick you up and transport you to our Hotel. Upon arrival on our first two nights in Palermo, we will stay at one of our favorite hotels, The Grand Hotel Wagner. The location is perfect for getting around the city and a day trip to the village on the sea of Cefalu.
Our private driver will transport us on day three to Menfi and the Foresteria Planeta; a lovely estate known for its great wine and agritourism. Our location near the sea is the perfect destination for our daily adventures to surrounding areas to sip, savor and shop. We have planned the perfect combination of cooking, cultural touring and relaxation.
Each day we will venture out on side trips especially designed for us to give a true taste of the traditional Sicily and an intimate look at the soul of the island. Aside from history, architecture and natural beauty, one of Sicily’s greatest attractions is its great food. Every village, town and city have markets exploding with fresh produce, fish and a lively culinary scene. Sicilians’ attitude towards food is much like its character, including lots of tradition and just a taste of the modern.
Our accommodations in the countryside will be at Foresteria Planeta
Itinerary
Tuesday, May 18th Welcome to Sicily one of my favorite Islands in the Mediterranean. Our welcome dinner will be at one of my favorite restaurants that features a variety of scrumptious local flavors and a rooftop terrace view of the historic city.
Wednesday, May 19th We will have a morning visit to Monreal Cathedral, famous for its intricate and beautiful mosaic walls, and will enjoy an outing to Cefalu on the sea. This picturesque historic village is known for its unpretentious charm perched on a rocky headland. It has grandeur in its past and fabulous ceramics in its present. Lunch by the sea will give us breathtaking views while we dine. Dinner in Palermo this night at a Historic Restaurant.
Thursday, May 20th We will enjoy a walking tour of Palermo’s Mercato del Capo, which is the most famous in Palermo and explore all the history Palermo has to offer. We will enjoy a marzipan class with a tasting and a famous cannoli on the way. We will have a city tour with a local guide followed by a flavorful lunch in a quiet neighborhood. You’re welcome to have a bit more shopping and then in the afternoon, we will drive into the countryside to Menfi and our Estate La Foresteria Planeta, where we will call home for the rest of the week. We will enjoy poolside relaxation, a walk and a great sunset before dinner with wine pairing at Planeta.
Friday, May 21st Our morning will include a hands-on cooking class with Chef Angelo Pumilia at our own La Foresteria. The class will feature all the best of the local flavors and the culinary crafts of the true authentic Sicily, in their state-of-the-art blue and white tiled kitchen, followed by feasting on the lunch we have prepared. We will enjoy an afternoon tour at Selinunte Archaeological Ruins and then our evening at Porta Palo by the sea for our dinner at Da Vittorio, one of the area’s best restaurants.
Saturday, May 22nd Our adventure today will lead us to the village of Trapani, which hugs the harbor and is the capital of the province. Trapani is laden with elegant baroque palazzi and impressive churches. We will also visit the famous salt flats of Trapani and the town of Marsala with a tour of the prestigious Marsala house of production. Our lunch will be alfresco and at the edge of the brilliant blue sea. On our return, we will enjoy a light dinner at Planet accompanied by flights of their award – winning wines, the perfect and magical finish to our day of exploring the Island.
Sunday, May 23rd Today’s cooking class will feature the best of local flavors. We will feast on the delectables we have prepared in our morning class alfresco, under the shade of the wisteria and a spectacular view of the sea and vineyards. After class we can relax by the pool with our book, go for a stroll on the beach or visit a local winemaker. This Sunday afternoon is as you wish. We will return to La Foresteria for relaxation and another lovely candlelight dinner with wine pairing.
Monday, May 24th Today’s journey to Planeta’s wine Estate called Ulmo, is where we will enjoy cooking with fresh ricotta by a local sheep farmer and realize his magic touch creating this traditional cheese. Our morning will also include an Alfresco cooking class and feature the best of local flavors then dine surrounded by these old vines and lots of sunshine. In the afternoon we will enjoy a wine tour in the vineyards that overlook the picturesque lakes below and breathtaking views all around. After class we will visit one of my favorite small fishing villages on our return home. Our farewell dinner will be delicious and delightful and remind us of why we don’t want to leave.
Tuesday, May 25th Depart Planeta Estate to Palermo Airport. Some might choose to fly into Palermo and fly out of Catania, as they continue to explore the Island.
