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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 and the Italian Opera, discover Mount Etna and learn about the Roman and Greek history of Taormina.

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Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Program
At a Glance
Duration
8 days
Program Begins
Taormina
Program Concludes
Taormina
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
14 ( 6B, 4L, 4D )
Activity Level
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!
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 the southeastern side of Mount Etna, learning about one of the world’s most active volcanoes and taking in views of lava fields.
Profile Image
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 the program
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 3 to 4 miles on uneven terrain, standing for at least one hour, and stairs without railings.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List (7 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.






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