The Culture of Food in Eastern Sicily with Shauna Niequist
-
Sicily
-
October 3-9, 2027
The first time I visited Italy, I felt something shift inside me immediately—I fell in love with the food, of course, but also the people, the architecture, the sense of beauty. I love the traditions and the deep respect for history. I love the fashion and the language and the expressiveness of peoples’ voices and faces. I love the chaotic swirl of colors and sounds and smells of a street market, the sacred hush of a church that’s been standing for centuries, the apertivo hour when the light turns golden and people stop to enjoy a bite, a sip, and the company of people they love.
I’ve learned so much about food—about how local and seasonal ingredients and simple preparations can yield such delicious meals. And I’ve learned so much about hosting and how to create meaningful rhythms around the table. I’ve learned about the importance of understanding history and supporting artisans who are committed to the preservation of traditions. And so much of what I’ve learned has come from my friendship with Elizabeth and Sophie Minchilli and the time I’ve spent on Via Rosa tours.
One week, one hotel home base, twelve people, a knowledgeable local guide. A thoughtful itinerary, charming spots you’d never find on your own, plenty of downtime to do your own thing in the evenings—I really love the Via Rosa style of traveling, and I’ve fallen in love with Sicily through their tours. This time around we’ll be on Sicily’s eastern coast—known for its gorgeous coastline, of course, but also stunning architecture and beautiful inland countrysides. We’ll be based on Ortigia, a small island, with day trips to Noto and Ragusa. We’ll stay at a charming family-run hotel, and our days will be full of adventures: a market walk, a cooking class, an architectural tour, and farm visits in an area known for olive oil, almonds, and fresh seafood. I’d love for you to join us! —Shauna
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 Shauna and your fellow travelers, and hear more about what the days ahead will hold. You will also meet Mauro, our local guide and Tour Leader for the week.
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 Alessia for a walk through the winding alleys to Ortigia’s famous vegetable and fish market. Along the way, we’ll stop at several stands, including a renowned salumeria, for tastings of local cured meats, cheeses, and a glass of wine. We’ll pick up ingredients for our cooking class, where we’ll have a hands-on lesson preparing a few classic dishes for lunch.
Tour of Ortigia
In the afternoon, we will have a casual walking tour of Ortigia. Our Tour Leader Angelo will 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 one of Noto’s famous pastry shops.
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.
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 before sitting down to feast. Lunch features almonds, of course, but also produce freshly picked from the vegetable garden in a dizzying succession of small plates including home made cheeses, salads and of course home made pasta.
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.
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. We will finish the day with a special treat: freshly filled cannoli and Alessandro’s favorite bakery.
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): €6900 per person
Single occupancy (1 person in 1 room): €7600 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
- Gratuities
Not included:
- Transportation to and from Italy
- Transportation to and from the airport
Each tour is limited to 12 participants
*Hotel Gutkowski – A charming, family-run three-star hotel with a wonderfully relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. While it is intentionally simple and chic rather than luxurious, its warmth, character, and waterfront location are what make it so special. This is a place to enjoy the genuine hospitality and easygoing spirit of a much-loved local hotel, rather than a traditional five-star experience.
**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 for curating such a wonderful trip that was a feast for the senses - as well as having plenty of down time to absorb what we were experiencing. Your part of the world is exceptional: the history, the art and the people - thank you for sharing it with us!
Janet
Your Host for the Week
Shauna Niequist
Shauna Niequist is a New York Times-bestselling author of several books, and she is currently writing a cookbook. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband Aaron and their two sons Henry and Will and spends as much time as possible with her family on the Michigan lakeshore. She’s a bookworm, a beachbum, and a passionate gatherer of people, especially around the table. You can find her on Instagram at @sniequist and on Substack at Reading & Eating.