ARTS & CRAFTS
Traditions of Sicily
FOOD & WINE
To the roots
5-12 June 2021
Be one of the six Digging Deep Voyagers who will have the unique opportunity to explore Sicily through A Sicilian Journey, at a very special reduced price for a one and only experience.
Connect with locals discovering Sicilian traditions, with the craftsmen in their workshops, making your own piece of ceramic, attending the Teatro dei Pupi show and visiting the workshop where the marionettes are crafted.
Explore the nature and feel overwhelmed by the dramatic landscape of the Etna volcano or by the luxuriant Cava Carosello natural reserve where you can have a swim in one of the deep freshwater plunge pools.
Imagine the scent of wild herbs and inebriating orange blossom, while indulging in a delicious meal served at a farmer’s table or prepared by you at a special hands-on cooking class. Make Ricotta cheese in the traditional way with a local shepherd and rejoice in a tasting of splendid wines on the slopes of Etna.
Receive your Emotional Sicily Welcome Pack and a personalised digital photobook which we will carefully prepare for you.
A journey through the scents, flavours and tastes of Sicily and Etna Volcano
WHAT
Join us for a 5-day immersive experience in the Etna wine region of Sicily.
Embrace the culinary culture of Sicily with two exclusive cooking classes: one designed by Ben Tish at Palazzo Previtera in Linguaglossa, and another at a baroque palazzo in Catania. Explore the terroir of Etna while indulging in noble wines grown in volcanic soils, accompanied by the scent of warm bread infused with precious olive oil
WHEN
22 - 26 October 2023
5 days/4 nights
ACTIVITIES
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Cooking class led by Chef Ben Tish, following the theme of his latest book "Sicilia: A Love Letter to the Food of Sicily"
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Food tour and cooking class with local chef in baroque palazzo in Catania
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Masterclass on Etna DOC Wines: Nerello Cappuccio and Nerello Mascalese grape varieties with wine expert
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Visit to Noble Palazzo Previtera in Linguaglossa with owner Alfio Puglisi
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Hike on Etna volcano with expert nature guide
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Visit to a winery on the slopes of Etna volcano. Wine tasting from the estate and a paired dinner
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Foraging experience, picking edible wild herbs at a farm, and olive oil tasting at an olive grove in the Alcantara Valley
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Traditional Granita making and tasting by award-winning pastry chef Giovanna Musumeci.
Ben Tish
Ben Tish is an experienced Chef, Restaurateur, Food Consultant, Cookbook Author and Cookery Teacher.
His latest Cookbook is "Sicilia: A love letter to the food of Sicily" published by Bloomsbury.
"Sicilia is my letter of love to one of the oldest, most richly varied food cultures in Europe"
Ben will guide you on a private and intimate journey through the green and lush lands of Mt. Etna.
About Etna Volcano and Etna Wine Region
Etna is the greenest area of Sicily and the home to many pioneering agricultural entrepreneurs who have been producing Etna wine and exporting it globally since the late 1880s. The landscape of Etna is characterized by terraced hills where indigenous grapes and olive trees have been cultivated for centuries.
This region holds a significant place in Sicily's agricultural history, dating back to the time when the Previtera family settled here in the early 16th century, introducing diverse wine varieties such as Nerello Mascalese to their lands.
Linguaglossa is situated on the northern side of Etna, benefiting from a mild climate and the refreshing winds of the Ionian Coast.
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1 | OCTOBER 22
Arrival in Linguaglossa
Check-in at Palazzo Previtera and enjoy a welcome aperitif in the enclosed garden.
Explore Palazzo Previtera with Alfio, the owner who will be your host for the upcoming days.
Join a shared dinner at a winery located on the slopes of the volcano.
DAY 2 | OCTOBER 23
Prepare for a nature hike on Etna volcano, retracing the historical paths of German geologist Wolfgang Sartorius Freiherr von Waltershausen, Etna's first scholarly observer.
Discover the wildest part of the mountain during a 2-hour hike among the Sartorius Craters, a sequence of seven dormant craters, and the lava flow originating from the 1865 eruption.
Observe endemic species, local wildlife, and volcanic formations.
In the afternoon, visit a farm in the Alcantara Valley, known for its volcanic soil and water streams. Learn about the farm's native crops, engage with young farmers in a foraging activity for wild edible herbs and plants, and savour the estate's precious oil and wine during dinner.
Delve into Sicilian gastronomy as an award-winning pastry chef demonstrates traditional Granita-making, using methods from before the advent of electricity and machines.
DAY 3 | OCTOBER 24
Explore the vibrant streets of Catania and delve into the local roots of the world-famous fish market.
With a local guide, select fruits and vegetables for the upcoming cooking class.
Enter the kitchen of a baroque palazzo in Catania's Jewish quarter and learn to cook Sicilian dishes from a local chef guided by Ben Tish.
DAY 4 | OCTOBER 25
Embark on a day of culinary celebration.
Join Ben Tish for grocery shopping after breakfast, visiting the local grocery store to gather all necessary ingredients.
Take a break for an espresso and master the art of crafting Pasta di Mandorla (almond pastries).
After a siesta, participate in dinner preparation in Palazzo Previtera's kitchen. Engage in cheerful conversations and savour a glass of Etna wine.
Experience a masterful cooking class led by Chef Ben Tish.
Enhance your understanding of Etna wines during a Masterclass guided by a knowledgeable wine expert.
DAY 4 | OCTOBER 26
- Our time together comes to a close. We trust that the energy of the volcano and the insights into Sicilian culture will nurture and inspire your creativity for years to come.
ACCOMMODATION
Palazzo Previtera - Linguaglossa
Palazzo Previtera is a family-run boutique hotel located on the northern slopes of Etna. Dating back to 1649, it offers eight uniquely designed rooms that encapsulate the history of Etna, the greenest area of Sicily.
Prepare to be captivated by the original decorative ceilings adorning its rooms; the intricate geometric tiles and the exquisite antique furnishings eloquently narrate the evolution of interior design in Sicily.
Immerse yourself in the culinary heart of Palazzo Previtera, where food takes center stage in daily life. Experience the art of preparing a traditional Sicilian family gathering, where food acts as a binding force in social interactions.
EXPERIENCE DESIGNER
Emotional Sicily
TRAVEL BY SENSES
Emotional Sicily is an Italian DMC and Tour Operator based in Sicily.
We craft immersive journeys connecting travellers with people, local culture and nature while sharing experiences with our community of like-minded and "like-hearted" partners.
Our team has a very in-depth knowledge of our region. This allows us to co-design meaningful and transformative journeys revealing the most intimate Sicily while supporting projects and small businesses committed with sustainability and community.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
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One exclusive cooking classes led by Chef Ben Tish
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Four nights at the unique Palazzo Previtera in Linguaglossa in double occupancy (extra charge of 1,000€ for single occupancy)
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Daily breakfasts, lunches and dinners
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Local beverages with meals
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All ground transportation except transfer from/to airport
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Wine tasting, activities and experiences mentioned in the itinerary
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Welcome pack including Ben Tish's latest cookbook
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
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International roundtrip airfare
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Transportation from/to the trip’s starting point
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Activities not included in the trip itinerary
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Hotel incidentals (including room service, laundry service)
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DETAILS
The experience will take place at Palazzo Previtera in Linguaglossa. The nearest airport is Catania Fontanarossa CTA which has daily direct flights from London.
A taxi from Catania airport to Linguaglossa costs 100/120€.
BOOKINGS
A deposit of £860/€1,000 per person is required to reserve a space in the program. The balance is due 30 days prior to departure (September 22, 2023). If making a reservation within 30 days of departure, the payment is due in full at the time of booking.
CANCELLATION POLICY
For cancellations made 31 days or more prior to departure, fees paid are refunded, less the deposit paid.
Cancellations made 30 days prior to departure will result in a refund of 30% of the total amount paid, issued as a voucher. This voucher can be used for other experiences and events by Emotional Sicily or for a stay at Palazzo Previtera. The duration of the voucher is 1 year from the date of issue.
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance as we are not able to make exceptions to this policy.