ITINERARY ANDIAMO WEEK 1 / 07-14 SEPT • WEEK 2 / 14-21 SEPT SICILY ʻ18 BUONGIORNO! As you may know, my family comes from Sicily. Kerryn and I have recently arrived back and frankly can’t wait to get over again to the beautiful island of my ancestors, ‘Isola Bella’. You should come with us. After a lot of research, and some personal experiences, we have put together an itinerary that will showcase the best that Sicily has to offer. You will get a taste of what Sicily is all about including gorgeous beaches, live volcanoes, ancient Greek cities, spectacular seafood and amazing wines. WEEK 1 / 07-14 SEPT 2018 WEEK 2 / 14-21 SEPT 2018 The tour starts in Siracusa and includes all accommodation for 7 nights, one night in Siracusa with a cooking class by Alessia and 6 nights at the villa with cooking classes conducted by Sam. We will also tour Mount Etna, Taormina and Siracusa and dine at a local restaurant. All meals and drinks/alcohol are included. Once you arrive at the villa, you won’t have to worry about a thing. We’ll look after you. Beauty therapist, Venera, is an added feature to our tour. She was very popular on last year’s tour providing facials, massages, reflexology, manicures and pedicures. THE PRICE PER PERSON IS $3,950.00 I have attached all relevant information for your perusal. If you have any questions or wish to book a spot, please give me a call! CIAO Le Case di Tindari SAM FAZIO WATCH THE VIDEO 0408 329 392 ITINERARY DAY 1 DAY 2 FRIDAY 7 SEPT (WEEK 1) SATURDAY 8 SEPT (WEEK 1) FRIDAY 14 SEPT (WEEK 2) SATURDAY 15 SEPT (WEEK 2) The tour starts in the spectacular UNESCO The Fazio team will ensure you are appropriately fed and site of Siracusa at the beautiful Hotel Des caffeinated before being collected by our driver. We will come face to face with Europe’s highest active volcano, Etrangers right in the heart of Isola Ortigia. Mount Etna. Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is in an almost constant state of activity. Siracusa was the most important city of Magna Graecia. It defeated the mighty Athens in 413 and was home to many Our tour guide will take us to the Sartorius Craters, a great Greek, including the inimitable Archimedes. where we will explore a lava cave and the Alcantara Gorges. The fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture, with In Siracusa you will experience the flavours of Sicily during vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes. a cooking class with Alessia. The cooking class will begin at Etna has become one of Italy's most exciting wine regions. the Ortigia fresh food market. Here we will buy all the fresh Its volcanic soil and distinctive climate create wines with Sicilian produce that we will prepare, cook and then eat all intense minerality and effusive flavours. Ambitious together in Alessia’s very own kitchen. Later that afternoon winemakers from outside the area have joined local one of our guides will take you on a walking tour of the residents in recent years, drawn by the potential of island of Ortigia. Etna's fertile slopes. After all that walking, cooking and eating you will have free After our tour, we will visit Gambino Winery, one of Etna’s time in the late afternoon to relax, do some shopping or just most famous wineries for a tour, followed by a traditional sit in the magnificent piazza and enjoy a late afternoon Sicilian lunch and wine tasting. Aperol Spritz. The tour group will then be driven to the spectacular The evening is yours to explore some more, find one of the Case di Tindari where we will check in and settle into many little restaurants serving stunning local food. accommodation for the next week. In your room, you will find a Fazio’s cookbook and your very own personalised apron. You will have time to explore the villa grounds, relax and freshen up before welcome drinks and a typical Sicilian dinner prepared by the Fazio Team, which will take place on the terrace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, featuring local wines. ITINERARY DAY 3 DAY 4 SUNDAY 9 SEPT (WEEK 1) MONDAY 10 SEPT (WEEK 1) SUNDAY 16 SEPT (WEEK 2) MONDAY 17 SEPT (WEEK 2) In order to acclimatise to the Sicilian way of life, a late Monday is a completely free day. You will be at liberty to breakfast will be served by the Fazio team. sleep-in and enjoy the comforts of the villa or jump in a car and explore the nearby towns of Oliveri, Mongiove and After breakfast is free time. This is a good opportunity to Marinello. explore the town of Tindari and the local cathedral of the Madonna di Tindari. Each of these towns has a distinct atmosphere with their own festivals, mouth-watering food and wine. Pick a few The Fazio team will serve lunch on your return featuring towns in close proximity to each other and immerse yourself traditional Sicilian dishes such as homemade pasta with in the culture, architecture, history and hospitality. Lunch squid ink, stuffed eggplant and whitebait fritters. will be served for those who choose to remain nearby. You can then spend the afternoon enjoying the picturesque In the evening, the Fazio team will welcome you to the views from the balcony with a book in hand, swimming in the terrace for gin and tonics before our first master class pool, soaking up the Mediterranean sun or by enjoying a during which you will learn to cook some of Sam’s favourite favourite Italian pastime, opening the windows, letting the dishes from the cookbook including stuffed calamari, warm Sicilian breeze in and having a Siesta. involtini of swordfish and risotto. Sunday night is pizza night. We will make pizza from scratch. Sam, who knows a thing or two about making pizza, will show you step by step, using the 200-year-old wood fired oven which Sam is convinced has a soul. ITINERARY DAY 5 DAY 7 TUESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER (WEEK 1) THURSDAY 13 SEPTEMBER (WEEK 1) TUESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER (WEEK 2) THURSDAY 20 SEPTEMBER (WEEK 2) On Tuesday, we will be spending the day in the beautiful As Thursday will be our last full day at the villa, seaside town of Taormina. Spectacularly perched on the it is the perfect opportunity to take a final swim in the side of a mountain, Taormina is Sicily's most popular Mediterranean, laze by the pool or just hang out with Sam summer destination, a chic resort town beloved of while he prepares lunch. holidaying high-rollers and visiting celebs. And while the main street is lined with high-end designer shops, the town Thursday night will be our final night in Tindari and what remains an achingly beautiful spot with gorgeous medieval better way to end our fantastic Sicilian adventure than to churches, a stunning Greek theatre and sweeping views frock up and dine out at one of the very many fantastic over the Gulf of Naxos and Mt Etna. local restaurants. We will be travelling by boat to Isola Bella and we will enjoy DAY 8 the spectacular views of the coastline along the way. We will then take the cable car up to the top of the town, where we FRIDAY 14 SEPTEMBER (WEEK 1) will be guided on a walking tour that includes the ancient FRIDAY 21 SEPTEMBER (WEEK 2) Greek theatre. Lunch will be served at Granduca, which has arguably the best views in Taormina. Friday concludes our Sicilian Adventure with breakfast being served by the Fazio team out on the terrace followed DAY 6 by any final packing, if needed. WEDNESDAY 12 SEPTEMBER (WEEK 1) Once all packed and ready to go, you will be taken back to WEDNESDAY 19 SEPTEMBER (WEEK 2) Catania to get on flights or trains heading to other parts of Italy, Europe or home. A free day after all the activity and shopping from the trip to Taormina, you will be ready for a pool day or a trip to the beach. There are many beautiful beaches that the team can get you to. Also another opportunity if you haven’t already is to book in with our resident beauty therapist for that last facial or massage before the tour concludes. Wednesday night is gnocchi night, and our final cooking class of the tour. SALVATORE FAZIO Chef, Author, Tour Director and Restaurateur I was born on 26 January, 1960 in the Melbourne beachside suburb of Brighton. I am the first born of five to immigrant parents from Sicily, Italy. Although a qualified chef, I was first taught to cook by my mother, Angela. My father, Angelo, grew up on a vineyard in Sicily and fished in the summer not only for food but to supplement the very meagre income from the vineyard. My mum was the daughter of a fish merchant who sourced fish from the local fisherman, right off the beaches. They then whisked the fresh fish into the Sicilian countryside on the back of Vespa’s. Food has always been a big part of my family. Dad had an amazing ability to grow an array of vegetables from his back garden and fish for local fish, like calamari, snapper, flathead and garfish. Mum almost limitless recipes taught to her by her mother, meant my siblings and I grew up surrounded by beautiful produce lovingly cooked by their mum. I am married to Kerryn and we have 3 grown up children; 2 sons and a daughter.