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    • Home
    • About
    • SHOP
    • Experience Sicily Tours
    • Puglia Experience Tour
    • Central Italy Food Tours
    • Think About Food Recipes
    • Pop ups. and Classes
    • Press
    • Contact
    • Recipes
    • Videos
    • Ric Orlando's Best Brand
    • DOBE recipes
    • Purple Haze
    • Ric on TV
    • Eating the Neighborhood
    • About
    • Thanksgiving recipes

  • Home
  • About
  • SHOP
  • Experience Sicily Tours
  • Puglia Experience Tour
  • Central Italy Food Tours
  • Think About Food Recipes
  • Pop ups. and Classes
  • Press
  • Contact
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Ric Orlando's Best Brand
  • DOBE recipes
  • Purple Haze
  • Ric on TV
  • Eating the Neighborhood
  • About
  • Thanksgiving recipes

Sicily, Puglia and "The Heart Of Italy" Tours

Sicily Experiences - Magical and Memorable

 "Wow, are we glad we signed up! It was the best trip of our lives" R .R. 2024


"To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is to not have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything" Goethe


I personally curate and host you through a nine day experience with a small group you will never forget. 

Join me in an experiential and immersive tour of magical Sicily, from stunning historic sites to agroturismos, modern wine and traditional farms. Sicily is an Experience very different from Italy that is a must see- It is its own thing! 


This is not a simple sightseeing tour, and it is much more than a food and wine tour. It is a Culture tour, with food being the focus because food is such a big part of the culture. You will experience the connection and love that the locals we visit wish to share with you! 



In that Deep Dive style of Bourdain, Zimmern, and Tucci I will introduce you to locals- farmers, cheesemakers, chefs, artists, and more.  We will break bread together, (and of course drink wine!) not just in restaurants but in some of these lovely Sicilian's homes and Agriturismi.   

This is Slow Food as it was meant to be. 

AND...  I am now offering a Springtime Experience Apulia Tour and and an autumn "Heart of Italy" Experience tour


  • TOUR OVERVIEW
  • ACCOMMODATIONS AND HIGHLIGHTS
  • GUEST REVIEWS
  • PHOTO GALLERY
  • GOOGLE REVIEWS 



SICILY, APULIA and HEART OF ITALY EXPERIENCE TOUR SCHEDULE


  • 2025 Schedule- Sicily, Puglia and The Heart of Italy
  • Sicily April 30-May 8 (6 Spaces left as of December 1, 2024)
  • Puglia May 11-19 (4 Spaces left as of February 1, 2025)
  • Sicily May 20-28 (4 spaces left as of March 15, 2025)
  • Sicily October 7-15 (Sold out)
  • The Heart of Italy  Oct 19-28 (4 Spaces left as of December 1, 2024)
  • NEW!!! Sicily, The Wild West! October 28-Nov 4 
  • Sicily November 4-12 with Me AND  Chef Samantha Buyskes  (6 Spaces left as of February 1, 2025)


  • Pricing varies by tour and season. 
  • Click for 2025 Sicily Experience Pricing
  • Email Tamara@seeitalytravel.com for all logistics of the trip you desire


I ALSO OFFER PRIVATE GROUP TOUR EXPERIENCES with a minimum of 8 guests.

Email me directly to discuss.


For current pricing, please email Tamara Roselli 

my partner and coordinator from See Italy travel

tamara@seeitalytravel.com



What Makes These Sicily Tours Unique 

 On my tours you EXPERIENCE life in Sicily like a local. 

I limit these tours to just 12 guests, so all can meet, connect and truly EXPERIENCE the magic charm and passion of the Sicilian people. 


On most other commercial tours you travel in a big crowd, are herded in long lines to see the top sites and eat in touristy restaurants and move on to the next cue. That is not my style!


On your Experience Sicily Tours  with me, you will of course see amazing Cathedrals, Ruins and Landmarks  (led by great and charming  local experts)  but you will also meet and bond with real people leading real lives in the markets, by the sea and in the country side. It's a deep dive. 


What is Sicily like?

SICILY IS

Where kindness and hospitality are a way of life.

Where I meet you in the street and hug you like family

Where neighbors are like good relatives and offer you coffee, food and wine

Where going out to eat is always a party

Where evening Aperitivo is a way of life

Where you go to a guest house on Sunday and you bring a tray of pastries

Where do you still see kids playing in parks and the street

Where elders are treated with respect and dignity

Where all social classes eat seasonal,  local, organic and clean food as way of life.

Where everything is surprisingly affordable

Sicilians are kind, honest, thoughful, tolerant, sociable, cheerful, sunny, artistic, and proud to share their homeland, history and culture with you.


Contact my partner Tamara Roselli  at See Italy Travel for all pricing details, logistical info and to make a deposit.    

Tamara@seeitalytravel.com

To hear more about our experiences contact me at chefric@ricorlando.com 


Below is a Sample Itinerary

Tour overview

Days 1-3 INTRODUCTION TO SICILY, Taormina, Etna and Catania

Days 1-3 INTRODUCTION TO SICILY, Taormina, Etna and Catania

Days 1-3 INTRODUCTION TO SICILY, Taormina, Etna and Catania

For our first 3 Days in on our Sicily tours we are based  in the stunning town of Taormina by the sea where we stay in the family operated Villa Schuler, well known for its fabulous views and old world hospitality. While in Taormina we will be shown the gardens, the Greek theater and many more of the fantastic sites and vistas in the brea

For our first 3 Days in on our Sicily tours we are based  in the stunning town of Taormina by the sea where we stay in the family operated Villa Schuler, well known for its fabulous views and old world hospitality. While in Taormina we will be shown the gardens, the Greek theater and many more of the fantastic sites and vistas in the breathtaking village. With Taormina as our home base we take daily excursions to very local experiences. Experience Sicily with a chef!  We have a HANDS ON COOKING CLASS in Catania hosted by my chef friends with COTUME´. We  break bread with owners of family  Hazelnut and Pistachio farms on Mount Etna. And of course we visit the best Etna Wineries. Sicily travel

Everyone will welcome you, not as tourists, but as friends for life!

Days 4-5-6 AGRIGENTO, AGRITURISMO and A DAY IN THE LIFE

Days 1-3 INTRODUCTION TO SICILY, Taormina, Etna and Catania

Days 1-3 INTRODUCTION TO SICILY, Taormina, Etna and Catania

This is what really makes my tours different and priceless. We will connect with my great friend Pierfilippo Spoto for a true immersion into everyday life in the small villages. We will  witness  the making of fabulous cheeses (of course we taste),  We will taste amazing olive oils at their source.  What about being invited into a local f

This is what really makes my tours different and priceless. We will connect with my great friend Pierfilippo Spoto for a true immersion into everyday life in the small villages. We will  witness  the making of fabulous cheeses (of course we taste),  We will taste amazing olive oils at their source.  What about being invited into a local families home for a Nonna cooked lunch under the sun? We will do that too. and of course, while we are Agrigento, we MUST visit the Valley of the Temples where will will be given a tour of some of the Mediterranean's best preserved Greek Ruins and connect with Slow Food Sicilia for a tasting of Girgentana goat cheese and more foodie experiences. Sicily travel

Days 7-8 The PALERMO EXPERIENCE.

Days 1-3 INTRODUCTION TO SICILY, Taormina, Etna and Catania

Days 7-8 The PALERMO EXPERIENCE.

I must say, that since I have begun visiting here, Palermo has become one of my Favorite cities in the world. It's simultaneously ancient and modern. It is lively, full of energy and pride. We will see some of the world renown sites like Teattro Massimo Opera House, Fontana Pretoria, and magnificent catherdrals. We will walk the Corsos, s

I must say, that since I have begun visiting here, Palermo has become one of my Favorite cities in the world. It's simultaneously ancient and modern. It is lively, full of energy and pride. We will see some of the world renown sites like Teattro Massimo Opera House, Fontana Pretoria, and magnificent catherdrals. We will walk the Corsos, shop (AND EAT)  with the local rock star chef  Ariana in the CAPO market, Enjoy apertivos in the Vuccheria and just immerse ourselves in this thriving, constantly evolving tragically beautiful city while staying at the Grand Hotel Piazza Bor

Reviews

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The Best Ever!

A Few of Our Accommodations and Highlights

Fontes Episcopi, Aragona

Hotel Villa Schuler, Taormina

Hotel Villa Schuler, Taormina

Fontes Episcopi.

One of our homes near Agrigento, The Bio Resort Fontes Episcopi is only 12 km from the archaeological area of ​​the Valley of the Temples and from the historic center of Agrigento. The hearth kitchen and agrarian grounds will lure you into the  kitchen for our cooking class lunch. (Lunch is more like Sunday Dinner!) and...we get t be instructed by the amazing MADDALENA!

Hotel Villa Schuler, Taormina

Hotel Villa Schuler, Taormina

Hotel Villa Schuler, Taormina

Hotel Villa Schuler 

This family owned hotel is our home in Taormina as we explore Etna, Bronte, Catania and the North East of the Island. Each breakfast on the terrace offers gorgeous views of the Bay of Naxos AND Mt Etna! and It is walking distance to the lovely village.

More Highlights of Sicily 2022

Valley of the Temples, Agrigento

Valley of the Temples, Agrigento

Valley of the Temples, Agrigento

Valley of the Temples and More 

The stunning Valley of the Temples is home to amazingly preserved Greek temples. We will get a private tour of these magnificent structures overlooking the sea, because you can't visit Sicily without experiencing this. We also enjoy a SLOW FOOD Lunch in the shadow of the temples hosted by Chef Fabio, Gulotta  Slow Food chair of the region.

Piana Degli Albanesi

Valley of the Temples, Agrigento

Valley of the Temples, Agrigento

Piana  Degli Albanesi is a 500+ year old Albanian settlement in the Hills just outside of Palermo.  Yes, they are known for the world's best Cannoli, but there is so much more. We will meet my friend  and local charactor  iGiovanni Scalora and his family. We will make cheese and enjoy an Al Fresco lunch made in the wood fired oven. It is truly a family cookout.

More of our connections

Capo Market and Historic District

Capo Market and Historic District

Capo Market and Historic District

Capo Mercato .

One of Europe's Oldest street markets, Capo is the home of some of Palermo's best street food. We will get a lunch from Arianna, the famous woman who makes amazing Arancini, panelle, croquette and of course the legendary pani cà meusa, or spleen sandwich. This vibrant market is just a short walk from the Teatro Massimo opera house and Corso Cassaro

Fontana Pretoria

Capo Market and Historic District

Capo Market and Historic District

On our walking tour of Palermo, the historic buildings, fountains and cathedrals are everywhere. The Fontana Pretoria is one of my personal favorites. Just outside the Church of Santa Caterina, the  Piazza Bellini is the site of many important historic gatherings and now of site for assemblies for peace, anti mafia e , and human rights marches.

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Sicily Photo Gallery

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    West Hurley, New York, 12491

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