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Italy

Winter in Italy: Taormina & Sicily’s Culture & Cuisine

Program No. 22850RJ
There’s no better time to experience Sicily than winter! Delight in local cuisine, discover Mount Etna and learn about the Roman and Greek history of Taormina.

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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
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Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Nov 1 - Nov 8, 2023
Starting at
2,149
Nov 25 - Dec 2, 2023
Starting at
2,149
Dec 1 - Dec 8, 2023
Starting at
2,149
Dec 8 - Dec 15, 2023
Starting at
2,149
Jan 10 - Jan 17, 2024
Starting at
2,199
Jan 17 - Jan 24, 2024
Starting at
2,199
Feb 18 - Feb 25, 2024
Starting at
2,199
Feb 25 - Mar 3, 2024
Starting at
2,199
Mar 3 - Mar 10, 2024
Starting at
2,199
Mar 10 - Mar 17, 2024
Starting at
2,199
Oct 30 - Nov 6, 2024
Starting at
2,199
Nov 6 - Nov 13, 2024
Starting at
2,199
Dec 8 - Dec 15, 2024
Starting at
2,199
Dec 14 - Dec 21, 2024
Starting at
2,199
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Nov 1 - Nov 8, 2023
Starting at
2,509
Nov 25 - Dec 2, 2023
Starting at
2,509
Dec 1 - Dec 8, 2023
Starting at
2,509
Dec 8 - Dec 15, 2023
Starting at
2,509
Jan 10 - Jan 17, 2024
Starting at
2,569
Jan 17 - Jan 24, 2024
Starting at
2,569
Feb 18 - Feb 25, 2024
Starting at
2,569
Feb 25 - Mar 3, 2024
Starting at
2,569
Mar 3 - Mar 10, 2024
Starting at
2,569
Mar 10 - Mar 17, 2024
Starting at
2,569
Oct 30 - Nov 6, 2024
Starting at
2,569
Nov 6 - Nov 13, 2024
Starting at
2,569
Dec 8 - Dec 15, 2024
Starting at
2,569
Dec 14 - Dec 21, 2024
Starting at
2,569

At a Glance

Sicily’s idyllic location on the Mediterranean Sea has long made it a place of inspiration and respite for multiple cultures. In the heart of Taormina, experience the sights, sounds and flavors of Sicily as you explore this historic island during the quieter months, and learn how the Byzantines, Greeks, Romans and others influenced Sicilian life through the years. Marvel in the views of Mount Etna as you enjoy a field trip to a local market, sample ricotta cheese at a local family-run caseificio, try your hand at creating traditional cuisine and much more!
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to a mile and half over varied terrain and standing for at least one hour; stairs without railings.
Small Group
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…

  • Savor traditional Sicilian cuisine during a hands-on cooking class with Chef Massimo Tomarchio.
  • Get a taste of Sicily and learn all about ricotta cheese production during an exploration of a local family-run caseificio and enjoy a full Sicilian lunch.
  • Ride along the Circumetnea Railway around the base of Mount Etna, learning about one of the world’s most active volcanoes and taking in views of lava fields.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Profile Image
Boris Behncke
Boris Behncke is a volcanologist at the Osservatorio Etneo of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV-OE). He works predominantly on Sicilian volcanoes: their histories, eruptions, and their impact on nearby populations. He is coordinator of the working area “Observation of volcanic phenomena” and key contact person for Communication and Information during volcanic emergencies via Internet and social media. Boris is also part of the Communications and Public Outreach group at the INGV-OE that organizes events and activities with schools and the general public.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Massimo Tomarchio
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.
Profile Image of Rosa Rizza
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.
Profile Image of Katerina Proftova
Katerina Proftova View biography
Katerina Proftova earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Florence in Literature and Philosophy. She subsequently studied Renaissance art in Florence in order to obtain her guide license. She has been leading groups around Italy and further afield until she settled down in Sicily ten years ago. She lives on the slopes of Mount Etna — the highest volcano of Europe — and has developed a passion for volcanology. Katerina has worked with Road Scholar since 2016 and is fluent in English, Italian, German, and Czech.
Profile Image of Boris Behncke
Boris Behncke View biography
Boris Behncke is a volcanologist at the Osservatorio Etneo of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV-OE). He works predominantly on Sicilian volcanoes: their histories, eruptions, and their impact on nearby populations. He is coordinator of the working area “Observation of volcanic phenomena” and key contact person for Communication and Information during volcanic emergencies via Internet and social media. Boris is also part of the Communications and Public Outreach group at the INGV-OE that organizes events and activities with schools and the general public.
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.
Sicily: Three Thousand Years of Human History
by Sandra Benjamin
Sicily: An Island at the Crossroads of History
by John Julius Norwich
Sicily: Art, History and Culture
by Enzo Russo
Blue Guide Sicily
by Ellen Grady
Seeking Sicily: A Cultural Journey Through Myth and Reality in the Heart of the Mediterranean
by John Keahey
Cucina Siciliana: Authentic Recipes and Culinary Secrets from Sicily
by Clarissa Hyman
Sicilia in Cucina: The Flavours of Sicily
by William Dello Russo





Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.