The Culture of Food in Eastern Sicily with Via Rosa
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Sicily
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April 11-17, 2027
Sicily is unlike any other part of Italy. Its size alone sets it apart, but it is the island’s many layers of history, culture and tradition that give it such a distinct character. There is far too much to experience in a single week, so on this journey we focus on Eastern Sicily, taking the time to get to know this part of the island properly.
This is not a journey about seeing as much as possible and moving quickly from one place to the next. We prefer to slow things down and spend time with the people who live here. Over the years, we have built friendships with winemakers, farmers, chefs, artisans and local hosts who welcome us into their homes, kitchens, vineyards and everyday lives.
These relationships are at the heart of how we experience Sicily. During our time together, you’ll meet some of the people we have come to know and discover Eastern Sicily through its food and wine, its landscapes and history, and, above all, through the people who call it home.
We’ll be based in Ortigia, the historic heart of Syracuse, where Baroque balconies overlook sun-washed streets and the sea is never far away. From here, we’ll head into the countryside, explore vibrant markets and ancient towns, discover local food and wine traditions, and experience the remarkable landscapes of Eastern Sicily.
There will also be time to slow down—to linger over a long lunch, browse a local shop, wander down a quiet lane or simply enjoy where we are.
Sicily is generous, surprising and full of character, and we look forward to sharing some of the places, people and experiences that make it so special to us. – The Via Rosa Team
Day 1: Arrival & Introductions
Hotel
We’ll be based in one of Sicily’s most beautiful cities: Ortigia, the small historic island off the coast of Siracusa. Our home for the week is Hotel Gutkowski, a small, family-run 3-star boutique hotel just steps from the sea. It’s simple, charming, and full of character.
You’ll have time to settle in and relax before we gather in the evening. In your room, you’ll find a welcome package that includes local snacks, a tote bag for any treasures you pick up throughout the week, and our personal guide to Ortigia with recommendations for places to eat and shop to help you make the most of your free evenings.
Drinks and Introductions
We’ll meet for a welcome drink at the hotel to kick off the week. You’ll get to know Toni and Mauro and your fellow travelers, and hear more about what the days ahead will hold.
Dinner
Our first dinner is at a contemporary Sicilian bistro, where the chef takes a fresh, seasonal approach to traditional dishes.
Day 2: Market & Cooking
Market Walk, Cooking Class, and Lunch
It’s our first full day in Sicily, and we’ll spend it getting to know our home base. This morning, we’ll meet our friend Angelo for a walk through the winding alleys to Ortigia’s famous vegetable and fish market where we will shop for our lunch. Along the way, we’ll stop for a coffee and a mid-morning pastry before heading back to our hotel for lunch.
One of the things we’ll explore is Sicily’s strong tradition of tinned tuna. We’ll taste several different types while learning more about how they’re produced and how best to use them in the kitchen.
Tour of Ortigia
In the afternoon, Alessandro will lead us on a walking tour of Ortigia. He’ll lead us on a leisurely passeggiata through the town, stopping at significant churches and exploring Ortigia’s heritage. It’s a perfect introduction to the history and rhythms of the city.
Aperitivo
We’ll end the walk at one of our favorite bars for an aperitivo—drinks and snacks, Italian-style.
Dinner
The rest of the evening is yours to rest or explore Ortigia on your own. A list of our favorite restaurants is in your room, and the hotel concierge is happy to assist with reservations.
Day 3: Architecture & Almonds
Noto
This morning we head south to Noto, one of Sicily’s most beautiful towns. We’ll meet up with Alessandro, who will guide us through its fascinating history. After an earthquake in 1693, the entire town was rebuilt in a distinctive local Baroque style, using honey-colored stone that gives the town its unique glow. It’s often described as looking like a wedding cake. After our walk, you’ll have free time to explore and maybe try a pastry from Noto’s famous Caffè Sicilia.
Concetto’s Almond Farm
At the end of the morning, we will head south to an area world-renowned for its almond cultivation, the Val di Noto. We will spend the afternoon at a farm, learning all about their traditions and hear stories from the owners Concetto and his wife Valentina.
Upon our arrival, we’ll be greeted with refreshing almond milk before we walk through the almond grove, home to the Romana and Pizzuto almond varieties. We will then join the family for an almond cookie cooking lesson. Lunch features almonds, of course, but also produce freshly picked from the vegetable garden.
Dinner
Tonight is free to enjoy Ortigia at your own pace.
Day 4: Ragusa & Ancient Grains
Ragusa and An Ancient Mill
Today we head west to the town of Ragusa, one of the island’s most scenic towns. Along the way, we’ll visit an ancient water-powered flour mill carved into the rock beneath the town. We’ll learn about traditional Sicilian grains and prepare scacce, a local stuffed flatbread, using flour milled just minutes before. We will also enjoy the delicious Sicilian pizza called sfince.
Ragusa Ibla
We then continue to Ragusa Ibla, the historic heart of the city, for a walking tour of its stunning medieval and baroque architecture with Alessandro as our guide. You might feel like you are walking in a movie set since so many movies and commercials are filmed in this gorgeous spot.
Dinner
The evening is free.
Day 5: A Day in the Countryside
Giuseppe’s farm
Today we head west into the Hyblaean Mountains to spend the day with our friend Giuseppe and his family on their stunning farm. The drive takes us through a landscape shaped by grain cultivation and livestock farming, two pillars of Sicily’s rural economy.
Giuseppe’s farm is a model of biodiversity and sustainability. We’ll meet his family and explore the land, where they grow heritage grains and raise cows, horses, and other animals. You’ll see how the grains are used to make local pasta and bread, and experience firsthand the rhythms of rural life.
Lunch
We’ll enjoy a long, abundant lunch featuring products from the farm and wines from one of Sicily’s most interesting producers.
Dinner
Evening at leisure.
Day 6: Ruins & Olive Oil
Neapolis Archaeological Park
This morning we’ll visit one of the most important archaeological parks in Italy: Neapolis, just outside Siracusa. Alessandro will lead us through the Greek and Roman amphitheaters, the Altar of Hieron, and the Ear of Dionysius, an ancient limestone cave steeped in myth.
Olive oil
Next, we’ll travel to the Hyblaean countryside to visit Dario’s family-owned olive oil estate. We’ll tour the groves and learn about Sicily’s native cultivars—Tonda Iblea, Nocellara, Biancolilla, and Ogliarola—before enjoying a guided tasting in the farm’s light-filled tasting room.
Lunch will be served in the family’s dining room, set amid the citrus garden for an olive oil-centric meal. Each course is centered around their award-winning olive oil.
Free time and farewell dinner
You’ll have some free time this afternoon before we gather for our farewell dinner at our favorite seafood restaurant in Ortigia. We’ll toast our week together over a spread of Sicilian seafood dishes.
Day 7: Departure
Our tour is officially over, and you will be checking out of the hotel.
Is This Tour For You?
The Culture of Food
All of our tours are designed around experiencing a place through its food culture. Nearly all activities are food-focused, with generous meals and often snacks in between. If you have a small appetite, significant dietary restrictions, are squeamish, or a particularly selective eater, this tour may not be the right fit. Our trips are best suited for those who are excited to eat adventurously, try new things, and fully engage with the local culinary traditions.
Food Intolerances
Southern Italy’s cuisine is deeply rooted in the Mediterranean diet, with an emphasis on vegetables, grains, and seasonal ingredients. That said, many of the traditional dishes we enjoy together include gluten, fish, meat, and cheese. While guests with dietary restrictions will always be fed, they may not experience the full range of the food culture we showcase. We’re happy to accommodate where possible, but flexibility is key.
Activity Level
Each day involves visiting a new town or village, often on foot. Expect up to an hour or more of walking per day, occasionally on uneven terrain, hills, or stairs. While not strenuous, our pace is steady, and all guests must be able to move comfortably with the group without assistance.
Travel Companions
Many of our guests find us through social media and come knowing what to expect: immersive food experiences, visits to farms and markets, hands-on activities, and shared meals in rustic, authentic settings. If you’re bringing a friend, partner, or family member, please ensure they’re equally excited about this kind of travel. If they’re not enthusiastic about food, long meals, or rural experiences, they may not find this tour enjoyable.
Pricing:
Double occupancy (2 people in 1 room): €5300 per person
Single occupancy (1 person in 1 room): €5900 per person
The fee includes:
- Lodging: six nights in 3-star Hotel Gutkowski
- Daily breakfast at the hotel
- All specified meals and activities in the tour description (subject to change*)
- All transportation during the tour
- Coupon for dinner at Gutkowskino (the restaurant in the hotel)
- Gratuities
Not included:
- Transportation to and from Italy
- Transportation to and from the airport
Each tour is limited to 12 participants
*Since our tours are based on small family-run businesses, we reserve the right to vary the specifics of the itinerary. We may switch days, add/change activities, or substitute locations. We send out an updated itinerary within 30 days prior to the start date.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you for a trip is a lifetime. The combination of the food, the guide, the hotels and the locations was beyond my imagination. I cannot thank you enough for giving my mom and me this incredible experience."
Salli
Your Hosts for the Week
Toni Brancatisano
Australian-born cook, author and culinary guide Toni Brancatisano has called Italy home for 28 years. Her life and career have been shaped by a deep love of Italian food, culture and the simple pleasure of bringing people together around a table.
Author of An Italian Kitchen (2025), Toni has spent more than a decade sharing Italy with travellers through its regional flavours, traditions and people. Combining an insider’s knowledge with the curiosity of someone who still delights in discovering Italy, Toni loves creating meaningful experiences—meeting local producers, hearing their stories, tasting their food and sharing it all around the table.
Mauro Castorina
Born and raised between Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea, Mauro has a deep connection to the land he calls home. His career has been shaped by working alongside local farms and wineries, helping to share the stories, traditions and distinctive products of this remarkable part of Sicily.
Passionate about nature, agriculture and the relationship between people and the land, Mauro loves introducing guests to the flavours and producers of his region. For him, every tasting is an opportunity to go deeper—exploring not only how something is made, but the landscape, knowledge and people behind it.