Cook with a cookbook author · Sicily
Eastern Sicily with a local food guide
Via Rosa's April 11-17, 2027 Eastern Sicily week, led by local hosts Toni Brancatisano and Mauro Castorina rather than a celebrity host (listed as 'with Via Rosa'; status available). It follows the same markets, almonds, grains and olive oil route from Ortigia.
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What you will do
- Ortigia market walk and lunch with a Sicilian tinned-tuna tasting
- Noto and an almond farm with cookie lesson
- Water-powered flour mill and scacce at Ragusa
- Day at a heritage-grain farm in the Hyblaean Mountains
- Neapolis Archaeological Park
- Family olive oil estate lunch
- Farewell seafood dinner in Ortigia
Before you go
Eat the region first, then cook it. Everything here is free and saves to your trip.
Who leads it
Toni Brancatisano
Australian-born, 28 years in Italy, author of An Italian Kitchen (2025); has guided food travelers for over a decade.
Mauro Castorina
Raised between Etna and the Ionian Sea; works with local farms and wineries to tell the region's food stories.
Alessandro
Leads walking tours in Ortigia, Noto, Ragusa Ibla and Neapolis.
Day by day
- Day 1Arrival and welcomeCheck in at Hotel Gutkowski, welcome drink with the hosts, dinner at a contemporary Sicilian bistro.
- Day 2Market, tuna and OrtigiaMarket walk with Angelo, hotel lunch built around a tasting of Sicilian tinned tuna, walking tour of Ortigia and aperitivo. Evening free.
- Day 3Noto and almondsBaroque Noto, then Concetto and Valentina's almond farm for almond milk, a grove walk, cookie lesson and lunch.
- Day 4Ragusa and ancient grainsRock-cut flour mill, make scacce, sample sfince, then Ragusa Ibla on foot.
- Day 5Giuseppe's farmA day on a sustainable heritage-grain farm with a long lunch and wines from a notable producer.
- Day 6Ruins and olive oilNeapolis archaeological park, then Dario's family olive oil estate for tasting and lunch. Farewell seafood dinner in Ortigia.
- Day 7DepartureCheck out; the trip ends.
Itineraries can shift with weather, season and host availability.
What is included
Included
- 6 nights at Hotel Gutkowski
- Daily breakfast
- Listed meals and activities
- All transportation during the tour
- Coupon for dinner at Gutkowskino
- Gratuities
Not included
- Transportation to and from Italy
- Transportation to and from the airport/hotel
Practical details
- Where you base
- Ortigia, Siracusa (Hotel Gutkowski), with day trips to Noto, Ragusa and the Hyblaean Mountains
- Where you stay
- Hotel Gutkowski, a small family-run 3-star boutique hotel by the sea in Ortigia.
- Group size
- Maximum 12 guests
- Pace
- Slow and unhurried; up to an hour or more of walking daily, sometimes hills, stairs, uneven ground. Not strenuous but must keep up unaided.
- Arrival and departure
- Hotel Gutkowski, Ortigia, Day 1; checkout Day 7.
- Who it suits
- Travelers wanting the Eastern Sicily food route at a lower price, without a name-brand host.
Good to know
- Dietary restrictions are fed but may miss parts of the experience
- Not ideal for small appetites or selective eaters
- Itinerary may change; update within 30 days
Dates and prices
EUR 5,300 per person double; EUR 5,900 single (EUR 600 supplement).
More trips in Sicily
Trip details are compiled from the published information of Via Rosa (Via Rosa Italy), who runs this trip. Dates, prices and availability change; we reconfirm everything with you before you commit.
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