5 Day of Sicilian Wonders: Food and Culture Vacation in Palermo, West Sicily

This vacation is ideal for those who will love to discover some hidden gems of West Sicily, beyond the clichès, off the beaten tracks, to fully enjoy the treasures, delights, and traditions. You will explore destinations such as Palermo, Monreale, Trapani, Erice, and Marsala, the pearls of this side of the island.

Day 1 - Palermo

• Transfer from the airport, check in, and welcome dinner

Ciao e benvenuto in Sicilia! or Welcome to Sicily! Your driver will wait for you at the airport to take you to your Sicilian home in the heart of Palermo, cozy and curated in the smallest details with a unique style. You will enjoy an amazing welcome dinner at one of the top food parlors of Palermo in the evening.

Day 2 - Palermo

• Walk with a local tour and lunch

Get an insight into local culture, typical districts, and way of living the multicultural regional capital with an enthusiast local guide. With this introduction to the beautiful Palermo, you can now wander around and not get lost. Lunch will give you energy for the next adventure!

• Cooking class and market tour with a local chef

Hands in the dough, put the apron on, and enjoy a cooking class with the best chef in town. Follow the maze of colors and sounds of the local market, and learn how to choose the freshest products and become an expert shopper. Then, join the chef’s table and cook some good traditional delights and of course, eat it till it is all gone.

Day 3 - Palermo and Monreale

• Antimafia tour and lunch

Wake up and get ready for the third day of wonders. Join the Antimafia tour and learn about the mafia walking through the city center and listening to how the habits of the locals changed through the years thanks to a group of young Palermitanos that created AddioPizzo, a movement that help entrepreneurs rebel to Pizzo, the money-protection imposed by Mafia. Lunch will be another opportunity to learn about the well-kept traditional recipes of this magical island.

• Tour of Duomo di Monreale in the afternoon

A transfer will get you to Monreale for the guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the view of Palermo and the Conca D’Oro from the hill.

Day 4 - Trapani, Erice, and Marsala

• Discover the Western pearls: Trapani, Erice, and Marsala

Get on board for a short drive to Trapani (1 hour 30 minutes) and take some time to wander freely in the old town, through old narrow streets, discover churches and monuments, and a fabulous seafront. Then, leave for a 30 minutes' unbelievable drive with a view, up to reach Erice, a medieval town perched on the side of the mountain with divine views over the coast.

• Lunch in Marsala and sunset in a magical location

Change location, and have lunch at one of the best wineries in all Sicily. Take a walk through the royal vineyards and learn about the well-kept secret of Sicilian winemaking. Get a glimpse of Marsala, the city of the wine, the wind, and the national hero Garibaldi.

End the day with a stunning sunset at the salt pans of Marsala for a daydream scenery of bucolic windmills, heavenly reflections, salty shining hills, and painted skies. Transfer to Palermo (1 hour 50 minutes drive)

Day 5 - Check out

Your transfer will take you to Palermo airport. You will not say goodbye, you will say 'A presto, see you next time!'.

Your discovery starts here, far from the beaten tracks yet full of wonders! Wonderful Italy will take you into a five-day tour where you will experience not only breathtaking views, beautiful buildings, and historic monuments, but also authentic experiences:

• Walk with a local tour of the city in Palermo
• Cooking class and market tour with a local chef
• Antimafia tour in Palermo
• Guided tour of Monreale cathedral
• Excursions to Trapani, Erice, and Marsala (with free time to explore these destinations)

This vacation will take you on a discovery of West Sicily. You will get to know the highlights of this magical land:

• Palermo
• Monreale
• Trapani
• Erice
• Marsala

Sicily

Sicily is an amazing land. It is the cradle of flavors and professions, and Palermo is no different. The city lies between the sea and the mountains, between traditions and an ever more quivering social revolution.

Cosmopolitan, mysterious, and sensual at the same time, Palermo is the capital of the island, and you can truly feel the different influences of its melting pot. You’ll feel Palermo and its embracing welcoming energy.

It was elected a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016 and more recently, the Italian Capital of Culture and hosting city of Manifesta 12, the biennial of contemporary art. Culture is a tool of contrast, knowledge of the other, and helps to overcome differences as an obstacle to peaceful coexistence.

Palermo

Palermo, in its history, is the expression of European cultures that have engaged in dialogue with the Arab world. It is the product of dominions that, throughout the centuries, took place here, as well as the ability of its inhabitants to be capable of welcoming different cultural influences and being able to produce a new culture through processes of the original redevelopment of knowledge acquired at the same time.

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This vacation includes three lunches, a dinner, and a cooking class and market tour with a local chef.

Additionally, Wonderful Italy's team will help you select the best ingredients from the territory and the most authentic experiences, customized to your preferences and needs. You can taste seafood, as well as organic and vegetarian specialties. However, the attention will be stolen by amazing pasta dishes, which play a big role in the daily life of Italians. What better way to live like a local?

Moreover, you can customize your trip as you want to. Meals can be added to your vacation for an additional cost, Wonderful Italy can accommodate any dietary requirements, just share your thoughts with them and they will be more than happy to arrange it for you.

There is a wide variety of experiences that you can try during your stay, from the ones centered around food, such as cooking classes, wine and local products tastings, brewery tours, and tasting of craft beers, to the ones focused on the Sicilian culture: the anti-mafia movement tour, the street art tour, the tour of craft workshops: old and new traditions, and many more.

There are options for the more outdoorsy type, such as bike-riding, yoga, and boat sailing. Share your preferences with Wonderful Italy and they will make it happen.

Additionally, there is no shortage of attractions in the area. The best idea is to mingle together with the locals and let them advise you on the upcoming events and shows. It is not unusual that you will end up spending the night at someone's place, sharing stories and good wine.

• 4 nights accommodation in a typical Palermitan home
• Transfer from the airport of Palermo to your accommodation and return
• Welcome dinner in a local restaurant (Palermo)
• Walk with a local tour of the city, followed by a lunch (Palermo)
• Cooking class and market tour with a local chef (Palermo)
• Antimafia tour, followed by a lunch (Palermo)
• Guided tour of Monreale cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Monreale)
• Free time to explore the Western Pearls: Trapani, Erice, and Marsala
• Lunch in Marsala and free afternoon to explore this wonderful destination while enjoying a beautiful sunset in a one-of-a-kind location
• Private transfer to reach Monreale, Trapani, Erice, and Marsala

• Breakfast
• Flights
• Extra snacks and beverages
• Everything else that is not mentioned

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• A reservation requires a deposit of 100% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.