Join Us in Sicily
A gourmet Holiday you will cherish forever
May 20th – May 27th, 2025
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.
Janice Thomas will guide your culinary senses and daily adventures:
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 20th Our welcome dinner will be at one of my favorite restaurants that features a variety of scrumptious local flavors. A taste of Sicily you will not forget. We will meet in the Hotel lobby at 6:30 P.M.
Wednesday, May 21st We will enjoy a day 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 22nd Our morning visit to Monreale will be magical and memorable too! We will enjoy a walking tour of Palermo’s Mercato del Capo, which is the most famous in Palermo. We will have a flavorful lunch and city tour with a local guide. In the afternoon, we will drive into the countryside to Menfi and our Estate 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 23rd Our morning will include a hands-on cooking class with Chef Angelo Pumilia at our own 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. Afternoon tour at Selinunte Archaeological Ruins and then our evening at Porto Palo by the sea for a dinner in one of the area’s best restaurants.
Saturday, May 24th 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. Light dinner at Planeta accompanied by flights of their award winning wines.
Sunday, May 25th Today’s cooking class will feature the best of local flavors. We will feast on the delectables we have prepared in our morning class. Dining under the shade of the wisteria and a view of the sea. After class we can relax by the pool or visit a local winemaker, and tour the small winery which is next door to Planeta’s property We will return to Foresteria for relaxation and a lovely dinner with wine pairing.
Monday, May 26th Today’s journey to Planeta’s wine Estate called Ulmo where we will enjoy a delicious day sipping and savory in the hillside winery. 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. 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 27th Depart Planeta Estate to Palermo Airport.