Italy
Cooking in Sicily
Program No. 22069RJ
Learn the time-honored art of Sicilian cooking as you visit a historic winery and enjoy chef-led cooking classes!
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DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Nov 1 - Nov 10, 2025
Starting at
3,349DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Mar 1 - Mar 10, 2025
Starting at
3,839Nov 1 - Nov 10, 2025
Starting at
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10 days
9 nights
16 meals
8B 3L 5D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
4
Syracuse, Ortigia, Boat Ride
Taormina
6
Messina, Ganzirri, Free Time
Taormina
7
Savoca, Cooking Lesson
Taormina
8
Mount Etna, Local Winery
Taormina
At a Glance
Sicily takes immense pride in a cuisine that reflects the influences of many cultures — Italian, Greek, Spanish and Arab — but is separate from any of them, as only an island can be. It’s a cuisine that showcases incredible abundance: fresh fish; eggplants, peppers and tomatoes nurtured by plentiful sun; grapes grown in Mount Etna’s volcanic soil. Savor a Sicilian cooking adventure including lessons from a cookbook author and a chef. Visit bustling produce markets and a historic winery. Enjoy great meals (and the satisfaction of having made them) and return with new recipes and techniques.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 2 miles at a time and standing for up to an hour and a half. Some cobblestones and other uneven terrain, stairs without railings. There are steps everywhere in Taormina and they can be steep and narrow in some areas.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Get cooking during hands-on lessons.
- Experience Sicilians’ passion for food and wine at bustling daily markets and a historic estate winery.
- Delve into the island’s ancient history on expert-led excursions in Syracuse and the lovely town of Taormina.
General Notes
• This is an introductory program suitable for participants who wish to learn the basics of Italian cuisine. • Group size limited to 16 participants.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Massimo Tomarchio
Massimo was a curious child. He spent hours in the kitchen with his mother and grandmother as a child, preparing typical Sicilian foods. “My fondest memories are those hours passed in the kitchen with my grandmother,” says Massimo. He is inspired by Sicilian cuisine not only because of the variety of ingredients offered from the land but also “by the love that is cooked up behind the stove when cooking for loved ones.” Today Massimo is a private chef and teaches cooking classes in Sicily.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Massimo Tomarchio
View biography
Massimo was a curious child. He spent hours in the kitchen with his mother and grandmother as a child, preparing typical Sicilian foods. “My fondest memories are those hours passed in the kitchen with my grandmother,” says Massimo. He is inspired by Sicilian cuisine not only because of the variety of ingredients offered from the land but also “by the love that is cooked up behind the stove when cooking for loved ones.” Today Massimo is a private chef and teaches cooking classes in Sicily.
Rosa Rizza
View biography
Rosa Rizza was born in Palazzolo Acreide in the province of Syracuse in Sicily. She emigrated with her parents to the U.S. in 1967. After earning her high school diploma, she returned to Sicily in 1978 and made her home there. Rosa became a certified group leader in 1995, and has been working with Italian Exclusive Vacations ever since. She is passionate about her native island, art, culture, food, and wine.
Rita Tarantino
View biography
Rita Tarantino has worked in the travel industry since 2002, first as a MICE (Meeting, Incentive Travel, Conferences and Exhibitions) and event organizer then as a consultant in Palermo. She has been a group leader since 2016, accompanying groups in Sicily and in other countries. Her greatest passion is to travel and to discover all of the heritage that a place offers. She loves the idea of being able to share the emotions and the experiences of traveling with others.
Suggested Reading List
(7 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Cooking in Sicily
Program Number: 22069
Sicilian Cookery: The Best Recipes of the Regional Cookery
Southern Italian Desserts: Rediscovering the Sweet Traditions of Calabria, Campania, Basilicata, Puglia, and Sicily
Coming Home to Sicily: Seasonal Harvests and Cooking from Case Vecchie
Cucina Siciliana: Authentic Recipes and Culinary Secrets from Sicily
Sicily: Art, History and Culture
Sicilia in Cucina: The Flavours of Sicily
Sicilian Home Cooking: Family Recipes from Gangivecchio
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
10 days
9 nights
What's Included
16 meals (
8B, 3L, 5D
)
9 expert-led field trips
4 hands-on experiences
An experienced Group Leader
8 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive Catania, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Taormina
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hotel Continental
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously)
Afternoon:
After checking in at the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Program-related transportation will be primarily via motorcoach (unless specified otherwise), necessitating ascending/descending a few steps. Meals will include wine, coffee, and water with other beverages available for purchase. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. During the winter months, some stores are closed during the afternoon hours. Please note there are 5 sets of stairs for a total of 104 stairs, spaced by terraces, from the Continental Hotel to the Duomo square in Taormina. You will need to manage these steps on day 3 when we visit Taormina, in the evenings when we go to dinners and on your free time. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/weather conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We’ll then enjoy a welcome cocktail together at the hotel before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
3
Taormina, Free Time, Cooking Lesson
Location:
Taormina
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hotel Continental
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles on uneven terrain. We will use approximately 104 short, wide steps from the hotel to the main square. Getting on/off a motorcoach to the cooking school; driving about 1 mile, approximately 10 minutes.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out on a walking field trip with our Group Leader who will provide commentary as we explore the ancient city of Taormina. The charm of this place lies in a unique, breathtaking panorama, dominated by Etna: the volcano named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013, which dominates the scene and offers great emotions. Taormina, described by Goethe as “the patch of Paradise”, is intoxicating like no other city. Whoever goes there is bound to fall under its spell. It's like being transported to another realm of existence. It generates an emotion, so intense that it takes your breath away, captures every traveler in front of the Greek-Roman Theatre, an incredible work of man that merges into the mountain, from which the gaze is lost observing the intense blue sea and Etna, a disturbing presence, but in harmony with the landscape. The history of Taormina is shrouded in charm and mystery. According to ancient sources it was founded by the Siculi in 396 BC. A few years later, Dionigi, the tyrant of Syracuse, conquered it. In 358 BC, however, the survivors of the Greek colony of Naxos were welcomed here and Tauromènion was founded, a Greek city complete with agora, acropolis and theatre. It remained under Syracusan rule until the Romans declared the whole of Sicily a Roman province. After the fall of Rome, Taormina became a strategic point for the Eastern Roman Empire. In 902, it was conquered by the Arabs who reigned there for a long time. In 1078 the Norman Roger I conquered the city after having conquered the rest of the island. During the Norman period the city enjoyed long prosperity. Taormina was less fortunate under the rule of the Spanish and French, until it was rediscovered in recent times as a tourist destination full of splendor. We can still find fine examples from its extraordinary history such as the 10th century Palazzo Corvaja, and the 13th century Cathedral of Saint Nicolò that we will see as we walk. We will visit the tremendous Greek theater.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like in Taormina. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. In the late afternoon, we will ride from the hotel to the cooking school in Taormina for our first hands-on cooking lesson with an expert local chef. We’ll be organized like a “brigata di cucina” — kitchen brigade — and help to prepare a complete menu, including serving. In our small groups, we’ll be assigned particular dishes.
Dinner:
At the cooking school, we will enjoy the results of our class.
Evening:
We will return to the hotel in the late evening.
Day
4
Syracuse, Ortigia, Boat Ride
Location:
Taormina
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Continental
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles throughout the day, approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Walking about 2.5 miles, approximately 1 hour; cobblestone streets. Getting on/off a boat. Approximately 1 hour boat ride.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board a motorcoach with our Group Leader and ride to Syracuse declared world heritage site by UNESCO, is a town with timeless charm. Greek origins, homeland of Archimedes, capital of the Byzantine empire, then Norman county, Spanish fortress and baroque jewel. Syracuse has a thousand-year history that has continuously rewritten its beauty, layer by layer. Syracuse encompasses the timeless beauty of Sicily. Ancient Greek ruins spill over into baroque squares and medieval streets with eye-popping decorations leading to the crisp blue sea. It's hard to imagine now, but in its heyday, this was the largest city in the ancient world, even larger than Athens. We will walk through the island of Ortigia, the oldest part of Syracuse, and stroll our way up to PIazza Duomo, and we will visit the Duomo.
Lunch:
At a restaurant in Syracuse.
Afternoon:
We will then board a boat for a ride in the Syracuse Bay to admire the beauty of the city and the Ortigia island. Returning to the hotel.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Castelmola, Cooking Lesson, Taormina
Location:
Taormina
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Continental
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 7 miles approximately 3/4 hour riding time. Walking about 2 miles, approximately 1 hour throughout the day; cobblestone streets. We will use approximately 104 short, wide steps from the main square to the hotel.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our motorcoach with our Group Leader for a field trip to the ancient village of Castelmola, a beautiful medieval village, a hidden treasure between history and enchanting landscapes. Once we reach the entrance to this small village, a breathtaking panorama will open before our eyes. The view from the main square embraces the entire Ionian coast, from the bays of Taormina to Etna, up to the Calabrian coasts. We will be fascinated and truly enchanted by this village that will linger long in our memory. The original urban layout is medieval and very well preserved, divided into a maze of narrow streets, collected squares , and little buildings full of character, with their flower-filled balconies and orange-ochre colors. We will board our motorcoach and return to Taormina where we will meet our chef at the local market and learn how to recognize and buy quality products. We will then walk to the cooking school for another hands-on cooking lesson.
Lunch:
At the cooking school.
Afternoon:
Next, we will walk with our Group Leader by the 16th century Palace of the Dukes of Saint Stefano, the Badia Vecchia (ancient abbey) and we will explore the enchanting Public Garden of Villa Comunale which offers magnificent panoramic views of the coast and Mount Etna, making our experience even more magical. We will walk to the hotel.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Messina, Ganzirri, Free Time
Location:
Taormina
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hotel Continental
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles throughout the day, approximately 2 hours total riding time. Walking about 1.5 mile, approximately 1 hour; generally flat terrain, cobblestones. In the evening, for the dinner we will use approximately 104 short, wide steps from the hotel to the main square.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board a motorcoach with our Group Leader for a field trip to Messina, where we will explore the city. We will discover how the city was rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1908, admire the Orion Fountain, built in 1500 by a disciple and collaborator of Michelangelo Buonarroti, the largest astronomical clock in the world, and the mosaics in Sicily's second largest cathedral. We will visit the Museum of Messina Accascina. The art museum preserves sculptures, mosaics, and paintings of Antonello da Messina, Montorsoli and Caravaggio. The museum’s holdings are arranged in nine exhibition sections, from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century. At the extreme tip of the island, we’ll learn about aspects of geology, architecture, and urbanization. We will then drive around the Ganzirri Lakes so as to have an idea of where and the mussels’ farms are and how they function. The Ganzirri lakes are natural salt lakes which are ideal for growing mussels. We’ll then return to Taormina by motorcoach.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
The remainder of the afternoon is free.
Dinner:
We will walk and use the stairs to a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
7
Savoca, Cooking Lesson
Location:
Taormina
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hotel Continental
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach. Driving about 30 miles throughout the day, approximately 1 hour. Walking about 1.5 miles, approximately 1 hour; cobblestone streets.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board a motorcoach with our Group Leader for a field trip to Savoca, one of the hidden gems of Sicily, a precious stone set in the mountain that enchants visitors with its thousand-year history, Savoca is an enchanting village with spectacular views and the authenticity of its intricate labyrinth of medieval streets, stairways and squares. The town is known for its well-preserved architecture and its old-world charm. We will visit the Cathedral of San Nicolò, a magnificent example of Sicilian religious architecture with its frescoes and its imposing bell tower, the Church of San Michele, with its origins dating back to the Norman period. Each church and historic building in Savoca tells a fascinating story, testifying to the importance of this village over the centuries. Returning to the hotel.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
Free time. In the late afternoon, we will ride from the hotel to the cooking school in Taormina for another hands-on cooking lesson and help prepare our lunch dishes.
Dinner:
At the cooking school.
Evening:
We will return to the hotel in the late evening.
Day
8
Mount Etna, Local Winery
Location:
Taormina
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Continental
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 30 miles throughout the day, approximately 1.5 hour. Walking about 1.5 miles, approximately 1 hour; uneven terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Our next expert-led field trip will be to Mount Etna, the highest Mediterranean island mountain and one of the most active stratovolcanoes in the world. It’s entry into the list of UNESCO Heritage sites is given by the fact that the mountain is considered testimony to life, geological processes, and terrestrial developments. Visiting Etna means discovering a land that is rooted in myths and legends. Among the most curious is that regarding the origin of the volcano said to have been born from the union of Uranus god of the sky and Gaia goddess of earth, thus symbolizing the volcano reaching towards the sky. The almost continuous eruptive activity of Mount Etna continues to influence volcanology, geophysics and other Earth science disciplines. The volcano also supports important terrestrial ecosystems including endemic flora and fauna and its activity makes it a natural laboratory for the study of ecological and biological processes. It is the mountain “par excellence” and reminds that the power of fire is the true, immortal soul of the island. Approaching Etna and admiring such an evocative place we will experience an emotion that will remain in our heart forever. We’ll take a short walk upon volcanic soil. Pure charm, something amazing, relaxing and at the same time fantastic... the silence and the clean, fresh air will oxygenate our soul and make us reflect. We will then ride to a local winery for a wine tasting. The vineyards are at an elevation of more than 2,600 feet above sea level on the Eastern side of Mount Etna where the terraces receive abundant sun and fresh air. The winery combines natural processes with modern technology to produce indigenous grape varietals with lower sulfites.
Lunch:
At the winery. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell lunch.
Afternoon:
Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the afternoon is free.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
9
Cyclops Coast, Catania, Cooking Lesson
Location:
Taormina
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hotel Continental
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles throughout the day, approximately 2.5 hours total riding time. Walking about 1 mile, approximately 1.5 hours; cobblestone streets.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board the motorcoach with our Group Leader for a field trip to Catania. On our way to Catania, we will drive along the enchanting Cyclops Coast. Catania is a Sicilian jewel that allows to breathe the authenticity of life in contact with the sea and nature. Like the phoenix that is reborn from its ashes, Catania has also been able to rise again from nine events which, in the course of its history, destroyed it: the last one was the famous earthquake of 1693. The reconstruction, which took place subsequently, shaped the city as we know it today, but when wondering what to see in Catania it is important to say that there is not only baroque architecture to discover in this city. Catania, in fact, is full of life, picturesque corners and natural wonders, one of which is Etna. We will see the Duomo and walk along Via Etnea and admire the baroque facades of the buildings. The name of the street derives from the fact that, with its three kilometers in length, it winds in the direction of Etna, whose outline is always clearly visible while walking along this road. We will stop at the fish market. Not only foodies will appreciate this corner of Catania, because whether you love fish or not, this market is a place to visit as much as an experience to live. It is not a glamorous or purpose-built place, with an aftertaste of fiction, it does not wink at the tourist but catapults him into the life of those who live in close contact with the sea. At the Pescheria, as the Catania fish market is also known, we will hear the voices of the fish sellers overlapping and creating a chaos full of life and we will see the catch of the day displayed and often cleaned and sectioned on the spot, all the above will be a real... dive into the world of fishing.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like in Catania.
Afternoon:
Free time. We will return to the hotel. In the late afternoon, we will ride from the hotel to the cooking school in Taormina for another hands-on cooking lesson and help prepare our lunch dishes.
Dinner:
At the cooking school.
Evening:
We will return to the hotel in the late evening. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
10
Program Concludes, In Transit From Program
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel depending on departure time. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
16 Meals
8 Breakfasts
3 Lunches
5 Dinners
LODGING
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Participant Reviews
Based on 48 Reviews
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I highly recommend the "Cooking in Sicily" program to anyone who wants to learn about the history of this amazing "belly button" island of the Mediterranean. We learned so much, and are still learning a month after returning back to the USA. FIVE STARS !!!
— Review left December 10, 2024
This was one of the best trip taken. The itinerary was great with a balance of cooking classes and tours. Rosa, our tour leader was just the best. She is very knowledgeable in the areas that we have toured and I have learned a lot of insights to the culture of Sicily.
Chef Massimo, who taught all four classes was also great. His humor and character was just a delight. He made everyone feel at ease and made learning to cook the various pasta dishes easy.
Overall I would recommend this tour to anyone who would both like to learn about Sicily and do some cooking as well. The small group size was also a plus. Everyone in the tour group just "clicked" and it made it for a very great tour.
— Review left December 9, 2024
Enjoyed the sites and people I met on this trip. Our guide was very knowledgeable and the chefs who taught our cooking classes were friendly and gave us a lot of tips on how to prepare meals. It was an enjoyable experience.
— Review left November 27, 2024
I don’t think you would like me to do this—-I will not do another Road Scholar trip. The activity level was too slow for me. Maybe in another 10 years!
— Review left November 7, 2024
Decidedly mixed. On positive side, the hotel was lovely with stunning views. The cooking class excellent with chef Massimo wonderful as he guided us through the rigors of cooking many dishes with apt detail spiced with humor and warmth. On the negative side, our guide was poor. He tended to get lost in historical details and was long-winded. He was also rude to a number of us, scorning our questions and mocking if we needed to go to the bathroom. I found there was too much time touring on the minibus(after extensive travel to get to Sicily). On the tour of a museum, the guide focused exclusively on relevant history for the artifacts instead of us allowing to look at the paintings and other artifacts and let us take in the wonderful works. Best day on the trip was skipping the long ride to visit Catania and instead going on our own to a local beach and swimming in the gorgeous Mediterranean.
— Review left November 6, 2024
Wow! What fun this was. Great itinerary, hotel, weather, tour guide...just awesome.. The cooking classes with Massimo, were a delight, food, lessons, and the view! Can't wait to book my next trip with Road Scholar. You guys do a great job.
— Review left November 1, 2024
What a wonderful tour! Rita, our guide, was fantastic and our Caruso-driver (Giovanni) kept the group in high spirits singing popular Italian songs. In Taormina, the Hotel Continental was perfect: breakfasts were magnificent, as were our meals. Our cooking "maestro", Chef Massimo was organized, knowledgeable, sharing tips as we prepared our bountiful meals, and he ensured everyone had a task. His cooking school was beautiful, his helpers most efficient.
We lost one of our participants to a home emergency, so there were only 12 of us. Thanks to Rita, Giovanni and Massimo, our group became one extended family. The days when we weren't cooking allowed us to explore other cities in Sicily, where we enjoyed excellent meals and free time to explore.
I'd like to see included, given good weather, an organized trip to a lido. We did this on our own time, but I'm certain several in the group would have enjoyed that.
My husband, who has walking pace issues, felt he was never left behind. In this, our guide, not only looked after us, but anticipated our needs and constantly made sure they were met, whether walking, exploring, or at the table.
Taormina, as base camp, proved to be perfect: we could visit other towns and not have to be on the bus forever.
Well planned!
— Review left October 20, 2024
I cannot say enough good things about this trip. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Rosa went above and beyond to give us the experience of a lifetime. Her knowledge of Sicily, its culture, its history, and its people far exceeded what I expected. She was an amazing tour guide and a great human to be around during our tour. Our chef was equally as good. I learned so much from him and enjoyed being in his kitchen. He greeted us each day with a smile and enthusiasm in his voice. I would do another road scholar trip and I'm looking into it very soon. I think this one would be hard to beat.
— Review left October 9, 2024
Cooking in Sicily was a blast! Life-changing program.
— Review left October 2, 2024
I highly recommend the Cooking in Sicily trip. If you are fortunate enough to have Rosa as your guide and Massimo as your chef, you will have the experience of a lifetime! Fabulous, fabulous trip!
— Review left September 20, 2024
The Road Scholar program “Cooking in Sicily” was a dream come true for me. I always wanted to visit Sicily, I had been wanting to try a Road Scholar program, I love to cook, especially Italian food, and my husband and I had been looking for a “nice” vacation getaway. It checked all the boxes and then some. It was more than we normally spend on our vacations but was worth every penny.
— Review left September 15, 2024
Cooking in Sicily offered an amazing combination of wonderful instruction in culinary arts and insightful tours to sites in a beautiful region of Italy. The chef was amazing and the size of the group facilitated all aspects of the trip. Highly recommend this journey.
— Review left May 15, 2024
This program was a great introduction to the beautiful east coast of Sicily and offered a nice balance between the fabulous cooking lessons and the many field trips between Messina and Syracusa. Taormina was the ideal home base for the trip and offered great opportunities for exploration during free time.
— Review left April 20, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this program of "hands on" learning of Sicilian cuisine and the fascinating myths, history and many historical sites found eastern Sicily. I highly recommend this program.
— Review left April 15, 2024
If you enjoy cooking and/or hands-on activities, this is the program for you. Both our guide and the chef were amazing with just the right amount of time for enjoying both the country and the cuisine.
— Review left February 20, 2024
It is with pleasure that I write a review for the program "Cooking in Sicily." The program instructors were experienced, informative and passionate about conveying meaning and substance to individuals participating in the program. Food is one of the main ingredients when learning about a country. Group participants learned about Sicilian culture and history through food. Grazie mille
— Review left February 3, 2024
Highly recommend the Cooking in Sicily trip. Great scenery in beautiful Taormina, warm and welcoming instructors, and memorable meals prepared by the participants. What more can you want?
— Review left November 20, 2023
Incredible experience cooking in Sicily! I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys cooking and visiting other countries
— Review left October 22, 2023
This is an absolutely wonderful tour. The cooking school was awesome. The tours of the surrounding area was breathtaking. I loved the little group of 12 - we received so much personal care during out trip. Our days were packed with adventure, but given enough time to explore locally on our own.
— Review left October 13, 2023
Whether you are an experienced cook or just interested in learning more about cooking, this is the adventure for you.
— Review left September 17, 2023
Cooking in Sicily was a fantastic experience! Chef Massimo presented a wide variety of regional specialties for us to make. Each meal was a delight and made even more special by having had a hand in their creation. The side trips to places in Sicily really enhanced the experience, giving us great insight into the cuisine and people. Taormina is a wonderful town to explore. A truly great Road Scholar program!
— Review left April 21, 2023
Cooking in Sicily is a wonderful adventure. Food, drinks, culture...such an amazing combination. Chef Massimo is a gem. Our tour guide Rita, was professional, knowledgable, and so sweet. Well worth every euro!
— Review left April 13, 2023
Taormina is charming, and our guide, Katarina, was spectacular: knowledgeable and fluent in American idioms. But I had chosen this tour to learn to cook, and I was profoundly disappointed. This was a sous-chef class, and the cooking, except for frying stuffed anchovy fillets and stuffed zucchini flowers, was all done by the chef and/or his 2 assistants, out of sight of tour participants. I learned how to make 3 different types of pasta, but not how to cook them, or how to make the sauces. We cleaned shrimp, and they were whisked away to the kitchen, along with the raviolis we made. For lunch we were served beautifully plated raviolis topped with a shrimp and zucchini sauce, but we didn’t make the sauce or see it made. The chef was charming, but we did not get the recipes until a week after the 3rd class. The recipes included some things we didn’t make, and at least one recipe, the sun dried tomato pesto, called for an ingredient, olive oil, which he had specifically told us not to use. I emailed him about this change, and his response was that safflower oil was better, but olive oil could be used. So the question is why the poorly written (in English) recipe called for an ingredient he didn’t use. Then there was the advertised “visit a local mussel farm” which was just our spectacular guide, Katarina, telling us about how locals were cultivating mussels as we drove around a lake. On the other hand, the baking afternoon was fabulous: we made, from scratch, 3 separate desserts, that were fried or baked in front of us, and we were given the recipes before we tasted our desserts.
— Review left April 7, 2023
What a wonderful town to have us based in. Great guide. Much stair climbing, so be ready -- and in a Sicilian hilltop scenario, there are many uneven 'stairs' each day at almost every activity. The huge block granite 'steps' in the town itself were a challenge with NO handrails. When they classify this as a 3 on the activity scale, they are right! All that said, we visited wonderful places aside from doing our cooking classes with Massimo. Early November was the perfect time to be in Sicily....still warm enough to enjoy.....but the bulk of the tourists were gone so we could really enjoy everything. The local people were very appreciative of our patronage at their stores and told us that on numerous occasions. Taormina is absolutely the most picturesque town. Our hotel Continental was wonderful. The staff are great and the food was lovely - prices very reasonable. Must have Aperol Spritzes! Our group was only 12 people....really perfect!!!
— Review left March 19, 2023
This trip was spectacular. Moishe, the guide, was amazing!!! He made the history in Sicily come alive with all the history and stories of the region. He loves his job and Sicily and he made a great trip for all of us. Mossimo, the chef, taught us so much. He used humor and skill to teach us the art of Sicilian cooking. This trip had a great itinerary, we saw beautiful scenery and historic archeology sites. If you love cooking and history, this is the tour for you!
— Review left December 29, 2022
This is my 4th trip with Road Scholar and I am sorry to say I won't be taking another one with them. The first flight they booked us on was cancelled and this was the start of the nightmare. The airline was blocked by ITA (Italian airline) from issuing a new ticket and asked us to call Road Scholar to issue it because they issued the original ticket. We called their emergency # from the ticket desk.
After going through a lengthy recording we finally got someone who didn't seem to know what to do and we were disconnected.
Another call made to the emergency # went to a person who said it wasn't her job and transferred me back to the recording. It took the airline 3 1/2 hours to issue a ticket because Road Scholar did not know what to do. After missing the connection in Paris my ticket could not be issued by the airline because ITA again blocked the ticket and it took 4 employees at Delta to issue the ticket.
After paying the single supplement the room I was given should not have been used by anyone from Road Scholar, it wasn't remodeled (other rooms used by fellow travelers were) there was an 8 inch step going into the bathroom, no place to charge devices and 5 steps to get to the room in a small alcove. It was 100 steps to get from the hotel to the main tourist area. 3 days before leaving we could not find the first flight coming back on the airline site. I emailed Road Scholar asking that they check the flight. Again no help, I was emailed back, not my job. Upon my return I asked for the single supplement to be returned, it was refused because the hotel did ask if I wanted to change rooms. I didn't because I was too tired to pack and unpack again and some of the other rooms were noisy. All I am getting from Road scholar is it isn't their fault, the only require a hotel have a clean and comfortable room not a safe room. They take no responsibility for an emergency # that can't deal with emergencies. The only redeem thing about this trip was the cooking .
— Review left November 21, 2022
This class was perfect. the venue is enchanted; the cooking class chef/teacher was fabulous; the filed trips informative. themeals we lerned to make and had for lunch wwwere snply Divine! athe exercise of wlaking up and down steps allowed me to not even gain a pound after 4-course meals!
— Review left November 16, 2022
Loved every minute of this
Highly recommend
— Review left November 15, 2022
A very good trip, and I disagree with the commenter who said the cooking recipes were basic. I have been making pasta for over 30 years, and much more so in the last 2 years, but I picked up several tips with that and learned many other new recipes.
— Review left October 8, 2022
Cooking in Sicily was all I had hoped for in a travel adventure, and more. Our guide Mara Boscarino was very organized, kind, and knowledgeable, and the cooking classes with Massimo Tomarchio were my best of many wonderful memories.Beautiful scenery and interesting culture.
— Review left September 30, 2022
Cooking in Silly is a real hands on cooking experience in a heavenly setting. I highly recommend it!
— Review left September 17, 2022
Great program. Our Group Leader Katerina was outstanding. Lots of fun and amazing breadth of knowledge
— Review left May 13, 2022
Our group consisted of six seasoned travelers ready to cook. Our chef, Massimo, is talented and was eager to teach us his Nonna's recipes. We had fun cooking and eating the delicious food. Moshe, our guide, was patient and helpful. His commentary about the history of the area was interesting. He made sure that everyone got the most out of the trip. Our driver, Carmello, was excellent. He handled the hairpin turns with ease and was a cautious driver. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip.
— Review left March 6, 2022
I loved the Cooking in Sicily program! We stayed in one hotel for the entire program and it was located in the beautiful town of Taormina. We had three cooking classes with chef Massimo in Taormina. He was a great teacher and the food we prepared was delicious. We had a fourth class in Siracusa which was also fun, but a bit rushed. In addition, there were several interesting field trips to other towns in the region. We had enough free time to allow for relaxation and exploration on our own.
— Review left February 24, 2022
All together wonderful, and highly recommended! The cooking with Massimo was delightful, fun and delicious. Our guide was so knowledgeable and paced things very well. The accommodations were perfect. This gets a very high rating from me and my traveling companions!
— Review left February 20, 2022
I give the highest marks available for this RS trip. As a non-culinary person, it seemed funny to my friends that I would pick this trip, but it was so much fun. Our group leader, Katerina, might have been the best RS trip leader I've ever had, and I've had some great ones. She was welcoming, had an amazing depth of knowledge about virtually every topic on the program (and some that weren't) and was just an overall wonderful, encouraging, and positive-energy-providing leader.
But the star of the trip is Massimo. “Hands on” does not even begin to describe his cooking class experience. He is passionate about Sicilian cuisine, personable, funny, patient, and all those other words you would use to describe a great teacher. No matter if you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, Massimo can teach you something (or in my case, a lot of things!) The food we cooked was fantastic, healthy, and quite frankly, some of the best I’ve ever eaten on a RS trip. His classes are truly the great reward on this Road Scholar trip.
As always on a RS trip, I came away with new knowledge and an expanded view of the world. In Sicily, we learned both the historical background and how life in Sicily works today. I’d go back tomorrow!
— Review left January 12, 2022
An amazing experience. A perfect combination of cooking and exploring ancient an modern Sicily.
Loved the hotel with its view of Mt Etna.
Massimo is a great chef instructor and came back with a new way of combining flavors and textures, as well as with his clear recipes.
Moshe ben Simon was a personable and very knowledgeable guide who took care of every detail with enthusiasm and perfection.
I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to be stimulated in Mediterranean cooking in a fascinating environment.
— Review left October 27, 2021
This trip was a true joy! I would recommend arriving a few days early prior to the start of the tour to become acclimated to the jet lag issue from the United States. If you like to eat and drink, this is your tour. We were fed constantly to the point of nausea. I would even suggest that there be fewer group meals. Food and drink is plentiful and cheap in Taormina, and it might have been nice to beg off of another group meal and either opt out on your own or just skip the meal altogether. The cooking “classes” were less a culinary learning experience than an exercise in collectively making a meal for the entire group by stirring or chopping something. It’s okay. The food was wonderful anyways. Our tour guide Rosa was very experienced and informative and assertive when it was necessary, like when the local pharmacy changed the rules of our Covid tests for our return trip, and she absolutely made sure that we would all be tested, which we were. Final thoughts? Make sure that you book business class airline tickets the entire round trip. Second thoughts? If you arrive early, book your passage from Catania airport to Taormina with Taxi Taormina. They were not only reliable, but inexpensive, and no prepayment required. Taormina is like Italian Disneyland. It was a great trip!!
— Review left October 26, 2021
As an experienced cook I found the cooking classes weren't at all challenging. I would recommend that you advertise that it is for novice cooks. I would have liked more free time in the towns we visited rather than so much time on our own in Taormina. Taormina is lovely, but very expensive compared to other cities in Sicily. The hotel was nice, but there wasn't much to do except have a cocktail on the terrace. I did like that the group was so small. Our guide, Moshe, was excellent. And he really was helpful. My luggage was lost by the airline and didn't come until the trip was more than halfway over. My sister and I extended out trip to Palermo on our own. When our accommodations in Palermo fell through, he helped us obtain other housing. He went above and beyond.
— Review left October 24, 2021
Novice or experienced chef you cannot fail to enjoy your time with Chef Massimo - and Taormina and Sicily generally is a wonderful place to visit off season, very few tourists and mostly mild sunny days. I thoroughly reccomentd it.
— Review left December 15, 2019
If you love to cook, eat and learn about great "food" this is the trip for you.
— Review left December 15, 2019
This is the best Road Scholar program I have been on so far. Just an amazing experience!
— Review left October 10, 2019
This was my first Roads Scholar trip. I had high expectations based on comments from friends who had been on previous programs. This program exceeded my expectations and I would highly recommend Roads Scholars' programs to anyone who wants to learn and enjoy the wonders of our world. Considering all I received during the trip, I feel it was a great value and worth the money spent. I will definitely be taking more Roads Scholars trips.
— Review left September 11, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed the Cooking in Sicily program. The Road Scholar group leader and the cooking school instructor were outstanding. Thoroughly enjoyed the cooking lessons - great fun and very informative. The program was a good mix of cooking lessons, organized tours and free time. Loved Sicily.
— Review left July 10, 2019
This was the best group tour we’ve ever taken. We wish our tour guide Katerina could lead all of them. She was informative and delightful. We loved the places we visited. Massimo our cooking instructor was fun. My husband and I will be cooking his recipes together. What a great time !
— Review left June 1, 2019
This trip was a wonderful way to learn the culture of Sicily through the cuisine. It was a great combination of' hands on' cooking activity combined with touring ancient sites and markets. Since the town of Taormina is on a mountainside there is alot of climbing required to get from the main street to the hotel lobby. Although the walls in the hotel are 'paper thin' it offered a rooftop open lounge with a fantastic view. The hotel is well situated to the main pedestrian area which I found to be safe to walk through even on my own since I was traveling solo. Our guide Katarina was well organized and had a lively personality which made the trip most interesting.
— Review left February 21, 2019
A truly wonderful trip. So much to see and do, it is a true gem and the instructor, Rosa, is truly the very best. There is so much history, beauty, good food, wine, friendly people in this area. The field trips and cooking classes were superb.
— Review left February 14, 2019
This was a wonderful experience that I would recommend without reservation to anyone interested in fascinating, beautiful places, nice people, and delicious food. The best aspect of our tour was without any doubt our group leader, Rosa Rizza. Rosa was an exceptional & knowledgeable speaker and a very warm and supportive friend to all members of our group. Having lived her teen-age years in the States, she really understood her American group members, yet she is through and through Sicilian. Our cooking classes were great. Chef Massimo is an engaging and talented young culinary artist who gave us excellent, fun lessons. What a wonderful introduction to the food of Sicily. The hotel was comfortable. The staff there efficient and pleasant. Our driver, Marchello, amazed us daily as he navigated narrow streets with ease, even backwards at times. It was a great trip!
— Review left February 12, 2019
