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Seductively beautiful, Sicily has been luring visitors for centuries. Experience the unique legacy of the Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, Normans, crusading Knights of St. John, the Bourbons and Ottoman Turks, all on this stunning island of Sicily. Staying at a luxury sea front villa in Marina di Modica, discover ancient towns, churches, Roman ruins, a rumbling stratovolcano and the delectable layer-cake of Sicilian culinary influences over 11 unforgettable days.
Hosted by Renato who has a passion for Italy, Italian food and the romantic Italian language. From an early age, under his Nonna’s guidance, Renato learned the correlation between choice, fresh ingredients (often gathered at local markets) and delicious meals. His childhood experiences together with the repertoire of tips and tricks learned while helping Nonna prepare family meals laid the foundations for Renato’s love of good food and traditional Italian cooking.
Inclusions
Tour inclusions:
• 7 nights villa stay in Marina di Modica
• 3 nights stay in Taormina
• Travel by mini coach as per itinerary
• Sightseeing per itinerary with entry fees
• Culinary art sessions
• 24 meals including a help-yourself breakfast daily, 6 lunches and 8 dinners with wine included.
• Services of professional guides at selected locations
• Pre-departure lunch and meet and greet
*Additional wine can be purchased
**Due to the nature of Italian Cuisine we are limited in our ability to cater for food allergies or food intolerances.
Itinerary
DAY 1 SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2026
CATANIA TO MARINA DI MODICA
Stay Villa Maya - 7 nights
Meet at Catania Hotel, for the transfer at 10.00am to Piazza Armerina and visit Villa del Casale. This ancient Roman Villa is grandiose and famous for its spectacular mosaic floors. After lunch, travel to Villa Maya in Marina di Modica. Enjoy a welcome dinner at the Villa. (L, D)
DAY 2 SUNDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2026
NOTO AND MARZAMEMI
Visit Baroque Noto and discover the beautiful churches and splendid palaces of the aristocracy. Enjoy some free time before journeying to Marzamemi, an enchanting 17th century fishing village on the southernmost point of Sicily. Dinner at a typical seaside restaurant. (B, D)
DAY 3 MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2026
TORRE MARABINO - ISPICA
Travel to Ispica for a hands on Sicilian cooking class with a professional chef at Torre Morabino. Make traditional Sicilian dishes for lunch all perfecty matched with some organic local wine. Dinner this evening is at the villa. (B, L, D) DAY 4 TUESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER SIRACUSA Travel to Siracusa, the most important city of Magna Grecia. Visit the archaeological park with its ancient Greek Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre then to Ortigia, the old city, to see the famous Piazza Duomo. Free time to meander through the narrow streets of the old city. Dinner this evening is at the villa. (B, D)
DAY 5 WEDNESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2026
VILLA MAYA
Morning at leisure. Later, partake in a culinary art session with Renato and indulge in the fruits of your labour at lunch. The afternoon is relaxed with aperitivo at sunset. Dinner at the La Moresca gourmet restaurant in Torre Marabino, a beautifully restored, medieval fortress surrounded by beautiful gardens (B, L, D)
DAY 6 THURSDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2026
RAGUSA AND MODICA
Set amid rocky peaks, visit beautiful Ragusa Ibla with its tangle of narrow streets and Baroque palazzi. Enjoy some free time before journeying to the atmospheric Modica with its steeply stacked medieval centre and spectacular baroque cathedral. Visit the oldest chocolate factory in Sicily. See traditional chocolate being made and savour the many different and unique flavours. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the villa. (B, L, D)
DAY 7 FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2026
MARINA DI MODICA
Enjoy a relaxing day at the villa. Join Renato in the kitchen as he prepares a delicious lunch and in the afternoon, relax and make preparations for next morning departure. Later, enjoy an aperitivo followed by dinner on the verandah. (B, L, D)
DAY 8 SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2026
MT ETNA AND TAORMINA
Stay Taormina – 3 nights
Bidding Marina di Modica farewell, travel to Mt Etna (3300m), the highest and most active volcano in Europe. Visit the Gambino winery on Mt Etna for a degustation lunch with some excellent organic wines. Proceed to the magical city of Taormina, renowned for the elegant buildings and gardens and most importantly for the magnificent Greek theatre. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. (B, L)
DAY 9 SUNDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2026
TAORMINA
A morning tour of Taormina concludes with a visit of the magnificent Greek theatre where views of the coast and Mt. Etna are simply breathtaking. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B)
DAY 10 MONDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2026
TAORMINA
Free day to explore the unspoilt commune of Taormina and its surrounding area and to enjoy the elegant and charming Capo Taormina hotel facilities. Later that evening, join Renato for farewell dinner. (B, D)
DAY 11 TUESDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2026
TAORMINA TO CATANIA
Farewell Taormina today with a 10:00 am group transfer to Catania airport. (B) Buon viaggio!
Dates/Pricing
Commences in Sicily on SATURDAY 19th SEPTEMBER 2026
Twin Share
$9,495 per person
Single Supplement
$1,990 per person
Booking terms and conditions apply.
*
TOUR BOOKING CONDITIONS
Dietary Needs: Due to the nature of Italian cuisine, we may be unable to cater for some food allergies. Please advise us if you have any serious allergies and/or dietary needs.
Tour Changes: We endeavor to provide an accurate itinerary however, local operators
sometimes change arrangements and our itinerary may be adjusted to suit however,
the same standard will always be used.
Not Included on tour: Flights and airline taxes; transfers on first and last day of tour if arriving/departing on other dates/times; travel insurance; tips and gratuities; items of a personal nature eg drinks, laundry, phone calls, meals other than those indicated, additional sightseeing or optional tours; extensions and/or stopovers; amendments; arrangements other than those stated in tour itineraries.
Reservations: A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required upon booking.
The balance is due no later than 3 months prior to your tour start date. If a booking
is made after this date, the full tour price is due at the time of confirmation. Prices are subject to change at anytime until full payment has been received for entire group and tickets have been issued.
Booking Form & Booking Conditions: You are required to complete a Phil Hoffmann
Travel booking form which provide essential information we require to process your
booking. Please ensure you read these booking conditions in conjunction with the
Phil Hoffmann Travel ‘Schedule of Professionalism’ booking conditions.
Minimum Numbers: Prices quoted for these tours are subject to a minimum 10
and maximum 14 passengers travelling together. Phil Hoffmann Travel reserve the right to increase the tour price or cancel this tour should the numbers travelling not meet the required minimum. Host travels when minimum numbers are reached.
Passport: It is necessary for passengers to have a valid passport which has at least 6 months validity beyond your return into Australia.
Price Alterations: Tour prices specified are based on land arrangement tariffs applicable at the time of printing, therefore they may be subject to alteration with or without prior notice until final payment date (3 months prior to tour start date).
Children: participants must be over the age of 15.
Amendments/changes: A fee of $100 per amendment will be charged for any reservation changes after your booking is confirmed, unless change increases the value of your booking. This fee is in addition to any charges from land operators.
Twin share Room Match Policy: In the event of a cancellation for a twin share room match, the travelling passenger may be required to pay for a single room supplement cost, which will not be covered under their travel insurance policy. Similarly, if a traveller decides whilst travelling that they do not want to share any longer, they will be required to pay the full costs for a single room.
Refunds/Credits: No refund is available in respect of any sightseeing tours, accommodation, meals or any other services not utilised or required during this tour.
No refund is available for cancellations after the tour has commenced. Credit offers
cannot be refunded or taken as cash.
Cancellations: Cancellations of firm bookings will be subject to $500 per person service fee plus any charges imposed by principals involved in operating the tour. Therefore, the cancellation fee may be up to the total cost for land and/or airfares. Cancelled bookings are non-transferable.
Baggage: Whilst on tour one main bag and 1 piece of hand luggage per person is allowed. Please seek confirmation from your consultant as to the baggage allowance for all flights booked.
Medical Advice: It is wise to seek medical advice before travelling. Please seek advice
from a travel doctor, or from your own GP.
Insurance: Insurance is essential for cover against loss of deposit and loss of airfares, personal accident, medical cover etc. If you have an ongoing medical condition you may be required to complete a pre-existing medical form. If you are over 70 years of age, you are required to complete a seniors medical form. Your consultant will provide all details.
Responsibility: Phil Hoffmann Travel reserves the right to alter or omit any part of
the itinerary or change of reservation, features and/or means of conveyance without
any notice and for any reason whatsoever.
Phil Hoffmann Travel does not accept liability for failure on the part of transportation companies, hotel contractors and other principals whose responsibility is confined
to their own operations. Phil Hoffmann Travel reserves the right to alter hotels used
should the necessity arise. The transportation companies or firms shall be exempt
from all liabilities in respect of any detention, delay, loss, damage, sickness or injury
and by whom so ever caused and whatever kind occurring of or to the passenger at any time when the passenger is not on board a conveyance used or operated by the transportation companies or firms. We reserve the right to take any reasonable action should your health, actions or behaviour impinge on the rights, welfare or enjoyment of other passengers. Phil Hoffmann Travel reserve the right to cancel or withdraw any person
as a member of the tour at any time.
All ticket coupons and orders are furnished and issued subject in all respects to those terms and conditions under which the means of transportation or other services provided thereby are offered or supplied by the owners, operators, public carriers, management agents or agents. The Phil Hoffmann ‘Schedule of Professionalism’ applies. E&OE.
Brochure produced: April 2023
