A JOURNEY THROUGH THE MOST AUTHENTIC SICILY CATAniA / coMiso – PiAZZA ArMerinA – cAlTAGIRONE BORGO SANTA RITA – nARo – sAnt’AnGelo MuXArO PALMA DI MONTECHIARO - FAVArA – cAMPoBello di licATA AGriGento – rAGusA - ModicA A JOURNEY TO DISCOVER THE FLAVOURS, TRADITIONS, HISTORY... AGRIS ITINERE is a trip to the most genuine parts of Sicily, a trip to savour and to experience the strenuous beauty of its becoming. We do this through an itinerary that, although it varies depending on the season, we would like to summarize through what the Latins would call ITINERA PER AGROS (An itinerary through the fields), because Agris Itinere is an experiential trip that starts from truly genuine, engaging and transverse activities, whether they’re culinary, food and wine, sports, historical, artistic, adventurous or natural ones, stimulating the most demanding of travellers. The seasons and the cycle of the fruits of the earth mark the rhythm of the itineraries of AGRIS ITINERE. Choosing one rather than another means choosing always and in any case Sicily. The only things that will change are the landscapes, the flavours of the different dishes and the experiences endured. Six itineraries, six different scenarios, one single area: Sicily. AGRIS ITINERE is a new itinerary, which we will update constantly, both on our website www.agrisitinere.it and on social networks (Facebook, Instagram), launching various promotional campaigns. There are many new features compared to a more conventional circuit. First of all, the opportunity of participating in typical Patron-Saint Day Festivities (all important and very well known in Sicily), of visiting the weekly markets accompanied by a personal shopper, but also of following courses of the Sicilian dialect, of visiting the few wheelwrights still in business in order to become familiar with the history of Sicilian carts and their creation, and last but not least participating in the harvesting of crops. And more: themed cooking classes, strolls in the fields, visits to the most renowned wineries, to the best-known mills, to the cheese-making farms, and the opportunity of cooking in the homes where our grandmothers still today preserve the secrets of the traditional cuisine. It’s an itinerary that goes straight to the heart, enduring Sicily as a unique and unforgettable experience. We have not left out the extraordinary historical and monumental sites of Sicily’s ancient history, many of which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. In all Agris Itinere itineraries, travellers will be able to discover the Valle dei Templi in Agrigento, Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina, the Baroque beauty of Caltagirone, Ragusa and Modica, just to name a few, but also small/large town centres such as Palma di Montechiaro, Favara, Sant’Angelo Muxaro and Campobello di Licata, Licata and Naro. In Agris Itinere, in addition of fully enjoying the most genuine Sicilian countrysides, you can choose to stay in renowned farmhouses, surrounded by lush gardens or in comfortable and refined B&Bs | HOTELs. The traveller who chooses an AGRIS ITINERE tour is assisted and supported by a team. Besides authorized escorts and guides, various other key PLAYERS will animate the excursions: singers, personal shoppers, chefs and assistant chefs, ranchers and farmers, craftsmen, common people. Hospitality, in the broadest sense of the word, is our goal and also our means, because we want you to return to Sicily as if you were returning home. Day 1: ARRIVALS - CATANIA/COMISO Arrival of participants in Catania/Comiso. At 7.00 p.m. welcome cocktail and reception. Introduction of the schedule. Dinner and accommodation at the Hotel. Day 2: IN THE HEART OF THE ISLAND - THE VILLA DEL CASALE AND CALTAGIRONE Arrangement in a private vehicle and departure for a guided tour of Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina, part of the Unesco World Heritage since 1997. It is one of the most important archaeological areas of Sicily, for its splendid mosaics that were discovered only in the late twentieth century. The city lies on three hills in the area of Erei, surrounded by a forest of pine and eucalyptus trees, a green oasis in the arid heart of the island. Transfer to a renowned farm for a tour and sample-tasting of typical products. Continuation to Caltagirone. Rebuilt after the earthquake that destroyed it in 1693, it was revived in a late Baroque style that is expressed in original and wonderfully scenic forms, in its churches, palaces and fine eighteenth-century villas. For the exceptional value of its architectural heritage, in 2002 its historic centre was awarded the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO, along with the other 7 Towns of Val di Noto. Caltagirone is known for the production of artistic ceramics. The most beautiful ones can be found on the steps of Santa Maria del Monte. Transfer to Relais | Hotel for dinner. Overnight stay. Day 3: BAROQUE AND HERITAGE GRAINS - BORGO SANTA RITA AND NARO After breakfast, arrangement in a private vehicle and departure for Borgo Santa Rita, where only five families permanently live there. The town was relaunched thanks to the idea of Maurizio Spinello, the “best baker of Sicily”, who opened a bakery in this town which has become a true excellence. At the “Forno Santa Rita” bread is made using only heritage Sicilian grains, following ancient Sicilian recipes, using starter and baked in a wood oven. In 2016, thanks to the recovery and redevelopment of the Baronial Palace, the Micromuseo Immateriale del grano e del pane (Intangible Micro-museum of wheat and bread) was created. A museum where it’s possible to become familiar with and rediscover the places, traditions and culture of the Town, a place of learning and preservation of the know-how of wheat and breadmaking. Sample-tasting of the famous bread accompanied by olives, oils, cheeses and pizza, typical wines and beers produced in the area. The afternoon will be dedicated to a guided tour of Naro. The town was at its peak during the seventeenth century, in the full Baroque period. During this period the city was enriched with remarkable monuments, whereby notable creative artistic geniuses worked on their construction. We will visit the church of SS. Salvatore, the church of San Niccolò di Bari, the Mother Church and the former Jesuit college, the church of Sant’Agostino, the church and former convent of San Francesco and finally the church of San Calogero. Transfer to Relais | Hotel. Dinner and overnight stay. DaY 4: GENUINE SICILY - SANT’ANGELO MUXARO After breakfast, arrangement in a private vehicle and departure for Sant’Angelo Muxaro, a small town with an ancient history, 30 km away from Agrigento, which stands on a solitary hill in the middle of the river Platani Valley. Stroll along the quaint little town streets with stop-overs, sample-tastings and ENCOUNTERS. We’ll visit the dairy farm where we’ll taste typical cheeses produced daily by a local family, swing by the bakery and taste the “pani cunzatu” with local olive oil and pepper along with almond and honey biscuits, etc. and then stop by the local craftsman in his workshop to admire his work. It’s the story of a lesser Sicily as told through its people. The stroll continues to the outside of the town to visit the Tomba del Principe (Tomb of the Prince): the largest tholos tomb in all of Sicily. Continuing, we’ll reach the foot of the hill and go down until we reach the cave of the Riserva Naturale Grotta Ciavuli: one of the most important specimens of Sicilian karst. Continuing through the olive, almond, pistachio and prickly pear trees, we’ll arrive at the southern ridge of the archaeological area where about 110 new graves were unearthed in 2007. Using an old trail that farmers once travelled on with their mules and donkeys, we’ll return to the town, admiring scenic views of the Platani river valley and Monte Castello. Once in town, a buffet lunch prepared by the local families will be served to the guests in a courtyard. Among the narrow streets of the small village of Sant’Angelo Muxaro, we’ll listen to the stories of the inhabitants themselves. Return to Relais | Hotel. Dinner and overnight stay. DaY 5: THE LEOPARD AND CONTEMPORARY ART - PALMA DI MONTECHIARO AND FAVARA After breakfast, we load into a private vehicle and start off on the Leopard tracks to discover the magnificent monuments related to the Tomasi di Lampedusa family. Once in Palma di Montechiaro, our local guide will take us to visit the Chiaramonte Castle, the Ducal Palace, the Palace of the Piarists and the Benedictine Monastery, where you can taste the famous almond cookies prepared by the cloistered nuns with an ancient and secret recipe. Transfer to Favara, along which a fundamental stop is the visit to the FARM CULTURAL PARK, an independent cultural centre, located in the heart of its historic centre, in a neighbourhood called “The seven courtyards” for its urban structure characterized precisely by seven small courts. Once almost abandoned, the houses have been transformed into contemporary art exhibition spaces, meeting spaces, open kitchens for workshops and lunches, a cocktail bar, vintage shops, and more. Favara has thus become the second tourist destination in the province of Agrigento, after the Valley of the Temples. Among the Arab flavours and Sicilian dishes cooked on the premises of the FARM restaurant, you can enjoy a cocktail and buffet with local produce. Continuation of the visit of the Castle Chiaramonte, and then a stop at the Ancient Foundation of the Antonio Mendola Library Museum, among the baroque treasures of the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, including the recovered lanes in some parts of the city centre.