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

Sicily Food and Culture Tours with Ric Orlando

Sicily Experiences - Magical and Memorable

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


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

In that Deep Dive style of Tucci, Bourdain and Zimmern, 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. 


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


2023 SICILY EXPERIENCE TOUR SCHEDULE

  • April 16-24, 2023 (SOLD OUT)
  • April 28  - May 6. 2023 (1 Rooms/Two Spaces remain as of 2.3.23)
  • October 7-15 2023 (1 Rooms/Two Spaces remain as of 2.3.23)
  • October 15-23  (2 Rooms/4 spaces remain as of 2.3.22)

I ALSO OFFER PRIVATE GROUP TOUR EXPERIENCES , 

Email me directly to discuss.


Group Trips are 4995.00 per person, double occupancy. .

For full itineraries and payment information and to make a deposit, email Laura Massoni 

from See Italy travel

laura@seeitalytravel.com


What Makes my Tours Unique 

Very simple, I  allow you to 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 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. 


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 real people leading real lives in the markets, by the sea and in the country side. It's a deep dive. 


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

Book Soon before the inevitable 2024 Price Increases.

 Laura@seeitalytravel.com  

To hear more about our experience 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 Chef hosted 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

For our first 3 Days in on our Chef hosted 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. 

Days 4-5-6 SICANI HILLS, AGRIGENTO AND MENFI

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), enjoy a fish auction and cook the fish ourselves. We will taste amazing olive oils at their

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), enjoy a fish auction and cook the fish ourselves. We will taste amazing olive oils at their source.  What about visiting a herbalist and shaman in the Sicani hills who makes us a lunch of wild food on his mountain property? 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.

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

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.

Case Graffeo, Menfi

Hotel Villa Schuler, Taormina

Case Graffeo, Menfi

Case Graffeo


The charming Case Graffeo is a cosy family run villa. It is on a wine and olive estate by the sea in lovely Menfi. The family cooks us an authentic home cooked meal, just like Nonna

More Highlights of Sicily 2022

Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa, Palermo

Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa, Palermo

Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa, Palermo

Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa

A grand hotel in the European tradion, The Borsa is a few steps from the exciting  Vucciria market place and Palermo's dynamic Nightlife. It is also a few walking blocks from the historic   Piazza Marina

Valley of the Temples, Agrigento

Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa, Palermo

Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa, Palermo

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

Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa, Palermo

Piana Degli Albanesi

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

Planeta Winery, Menfi

Capo Market and Historic District

Capo Market and Historic District

Planeta

the Planeta family has owned the land of this winery for 17 Generations. They are Sicily's biggest and best known winemaker. They are a benchmark for modern winemaking in Sicily making fresh, clean and delicious wines. This location is gorgeous and the lunch and wines are perfectly Sicilian.

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

Fontana Pretoria

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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