Activity note: Hotel check-in from 12:00 Noon.

Afternoon: After checking in at the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before a light snack and 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. Unless specified otherwise, the majority of transportation will be provided via motorcoach, thereby necessitating ascending and descending a few steps. All meals include wine, coffee, and water. 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. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/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, we’ll enjoy a set, plated meal featuring regional cuisine and fresh seafood plus a glass of wine, mineral water, and coffee; other beverages available for purchase

Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know each other, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the full day ahead.

Activity note: Walking approximately 15 minutes to Taormina and 20 minutes to Casa Cuseni. Walking approximately 1 hour in Taormina on cobblestone streets..

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will walk with the group leader to Taormina and enjoy an expert-led visit of Taormina. The ancient city of Taormina is at the center of some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Italy; it boasts views of both the Ionian and Mediterranean seas below and on the southern side, the top of Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. Taormina has attracted people with its pleasant climate and remarkable setting for centuries. Today we can still find fine examples of Taormina’s extraordinary history: the tremendous Greek theater, the 10th century Palazzo Corvaja, the 13th century Cathedral of Saint Nicolò, the 16th century Palace of the Dukes of Saint Stefano, the public gardens, the Badia Vecchia (Ancient Abbey), and many others. We will then walk to the cooking school for our first cooking lesson with an expert local chef. We’ll be organized like a “brigata di cucina,” or a kitchen’s staff, with the aim of preparing a complete menu, including serving. In our small groups, we’ll be assigned particular dishes to prepare.

Lunch: At the restaurant where our cooking class took place, we will enjoy the results of our cooking lesson along with other dishes prepared by the chef himself, plus wine and water.

Afternoon: We will then walk with the group leader to Casa Cuseni in Taormina, and visit the most fascinating home in Taormina. Afterwards, we will return to the hotel.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Walking approximately 20 minutes to the cooking school. Getting on/off motorcoach, approximately 40 minute drive to Castelmola. Walking approximately 30 minutes on cobblestone streets.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will walk to the local market in Taormina with chef to learn how to buy and recognize quality products followed by a cooking lesson at the restaurant.

Lunch: Cooking school meal.

Afternoon: We will ride with our Group Leader to the ancient village of Castelmola. Floating 1,800 feet above sea level, it has the most spectacular view in the region. Sitting above Taormina, we can see Mount Etna, the Gulf of Giardini Naxos, the straits of Messina, and much more.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Ride is approximately 45 minutes. Walking approximately 1 hour.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will transfer to Messina and explore the city with our Group Leader. We will then transfer to Ganzirri to visit a local mussel farm.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Afternoon: We’ll return to the hotel and enjoy free time.

Dinner: At a local restaurant, we will enjoy a plated meal, with coffee, tea, water included.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Walking approximately 1 hour. Ride is approximately 40 minutes.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will transfer to the Azienda Vinicola Barone Villagrande for a wine tasting.

Lunch: At the winery, we’ll enjoy a set, plated meal, featuring regional cuisine and wine.

Afternoon: We will enjoy a trip with our Group Leader to Mount Etna, the highest Mediterranean island mountain and one of the most active volcanoes in the world, with almost continuous eruptive activity. Due to its scientific value supporting endemic flora and fauna, and its historical significance, Mount Etna was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dinner: Plated meal at the local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Walking approximately 15 minutes to the cooking school.

Breakfast: At the hotel, our breakfast buffet’s choices include an egg dish, a variety of sliced cold cuts and cheeses, breakfast breads, jams, hot and cold cereals, and fresh fruit with coffee, tea and water.

Morning: We will walk to the cooking school in Taormina for a cooking lesson.

Lunch: At the cooking school, we will enjoy the results of our cooking lesson along with other dishes prepared by the chef, plus wine and water.

Afternoon: We'll return to the hotel and enjoy free time.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Ride to Catania is approximately 1 hour. Walking approximately 1 hour on cobblestone streets in Catania. The ride from Catania to Aci Castello is about 20 minutes. Walking approximately 30 minutes on cobblestone streets in Aci Castello.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will enjoy a field trip to Catania with our Group Leader to visit to the Piscaria, the world-famous fish market.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: We will transfer to Aci Castello with our Group Leader to visit the castle. We will return to the hotel afterwards along the enchanting Cyclops Coast.

Dinner: Plated meal at the local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Walking approximately 45 minutes on cobblestone streets in Syracuse. Ride is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Walking approximately 30 minutes.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will drive to the archaeological park of Syracuse with our Group Leader and explore what made this the most important city in Magna Graecia. The city is notable for its rich history and culture and as the birthplace of Archimedes. We will then transfer to the cooking school in Ortigia for another hands-on cooking lesson.

Lunch: Cooking school meal.

Afternoon: Free time. We will return to the hotel for the evening.

Dinner: At the hotel, we’ll have a plated and served farewell meal with wine, coffee and water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure. We can share some of our favorite experiences from the program with our fellow Road Scholars. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See the travel information section regarding transfers.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet depending on the 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!