SLOW TRAVEL IN THE PROVINCE OF PA L E R M O Gastronomy and Countryside from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Madonie Park The Madonie Park, a nature reserve, is an area of great natural beauty and magnificent countryside characterised by a variety of different types of agriculture whose products are the basis for the excellent gastronomic specialities of this mountainous region. 3 days – programme for individuals Prices from € 112.50 DAY 1 Between Cefalù and Finale di Pollina, the road winds up steep slopes dotted with manna ash trees, olive groves and cork oak trees. Little by little wonderful views of the Tyrrhenian coast open up including the beautiful Rocca di Cefalù and the Eolie islands. Pollina, a small medieval urban centre, is dominated by the Torre del Castello dei Ventimiglia, at the foot of which stands the Amphitheatre of Pietrarossa. From here the view over the valley of Castelbuono is absolutely enchanting! In the area between Pollina and Castelbuono, the production of manna, a sugary lymph that seeps out from incisions made in the bark of the ash trees, is still practised today. The manna is wrapped in cloths before being used in pharmaceutical products, cosmetics and confectionary. At the Azienda Agricola “Zabbra”, which specialises in organic farming, it is possible to buy excellent fresh fruit, natural vegetables and you can even taste the famous manna. You’ll soon arrive at Castelbuono, the town of the Ventimiglia family, where you can visit the Castle and its precious artefacts. This lovely town is also home to the most important museum in the Park, named after the naturalist Francesco Minà Palumbo, himself originally from Castelbuono. If you telephone first, you can visit the Frantoio (Oil Press) “Oro Petra”, where Signora Maddalena will let you taste the farm’s highly prized Extra Virgin Olive Oil with home-made bread. If you are visiting between October and December you can also watch the different phases of the production of olive oil. Do you have any idea of the intense, fruity fragrances that pervade the air in a working olive press? In the lovely piazza is the confectionary of the Fiasconaro Brothers, a truly excellent Shop of Flavours where Sicilian, and more specifically, Madonite traditions meet goodness. You will be invited to try the famous, fragrant “Mannetto” with citrus fruit and hazel nuts….a real delight! You will also be able to try the delicious torroncini (a kind of nougat) and jams…all accompanied by highly fragrant home-made lemon and Indian fig liquors. Your restaurant for the evening will be “Romitaggio San Guglielmo”, an authentic medieval monastery near Castelbuono. In an intimate, evocative atmosphere you will be able to try a menu based on local succulent meats and forest products such as mushrooms. For your accommodation you can choose to sleep by the sea at the Villaggio Camping Rais Gerbi, in Finale di Pollina, or in the mountains at Agriturismo Bergi, near Castelbuono. DAY 2 The second day will be dedicated to the discovery of small towns and their monuments, the surrounding nature and the green environment of the Madonie Park. Not to be missed is San Mauro Castelverde, a medieval town situated at 1015 metres above sea level, that boasts uncommonly breathtaking views over the countryside below. For lunch we recommend the trattoria “La Posada” in countryside Karsa. To learn more about the environment and its flora and fauna, it is possible to hire an expert guide who will help you to discover some lovely places including holm oak, beech, chestnut and centuries-old holly woods. Whilst going round you will be able to learn about the area’s history and legends as well as many anecdotes regarding traditions of the Madonie. Dinner will be served in the elegant restaurant “Nangalarruni”, in the heart of Castelbuono. Here you will meet Giuseppe Carollo, the chef and owner. Mr. Carollo moves around his kitchen with innate ease and consummate skill, magically creating the old flavours of Madonite cuisine. His skilful and refined use of herbs and flavourings that grow locally (wild fennel, mint, thyme and nettle) and the rediscovery of forgotten dishes, recreated using daring combinations, will delight the palate and ensure that you will want to return. You will stay in the same accommodation as the first night. DAY 3 During the third day you will be able to enjoy more time exploring the wonderful area of the Park and its towns. Near Collesano you will visit the Lo Curto organic dairy farm, where you will be able to taste local fragrant cheeses such as Provola delle Madonie, delicate mozzarella, freshly-made ricotta and many other specialities. However, what will enchant your senses most will be the aromas and taste of the smoked mozzarella which is made following traditional techniques using burning hay. From the plateau on which the farm stands, you will be able to admire two wonderful views: on one side the Tyrrhenian sea and on the other the splendid mountains. Provincia Regionale di Palermo 3 days / 2 nights (minimum 2 people) Price in Euro, from January 2006 to March 2007 Price per person Accommodation *Supplement day 112,50 Villaggio Camping Rais Gerbi*** Finale di Pollina 8,00 128,50 Agriturismo Bergi*** Castelbuono 12,00 Single rooms: not available. No reduction for adults in a 3rd / 4th bed; Children: reduction of 20,00 *Dates subject to supplements ° All accommodation on Saturdays; ° 6th January; 16th, 23rd, 24th and 30th April; 2nd June; from 11th to 18th August; 8th, 25th, 29th, 31st December. N.B.Villaggio Camping Rais Gerbi is not available in the month of August. Prices include ° 2 nights’ accommodation including breakfast in the structures chosen; ° 2 dinners in restaurants, drinks not included; ° tastings of Oil and Confectionary in Castelbuono;cheese tasting in Collesano. Info and Bookings, special price air connection, complementary and updated services: LAND TOUR Palermo Tel. 091 51 32 21 – 091 52 09 70 Fax 091 51 77 95 e-mail [email protected] www.landtour.it Further information on the official site of AAPIT Palermo www.palermotourism.com Progetto grafico di Carlo Lauricella - Iside Web Solution - Assistenza tecnica SL&A - Stampa, Eurografica srl Palermo WINE AND GASTRONOMY IN THE PROVINCE OF PALERMO We are Sicilians. We are in love with our land and we want to share it with you. We are also convinced that our wines, our bread, our sweets and our cheeses (amongst a great many other things) are best tried here in Sicily where they are made. Sicily is not just sea and fish but wide open countryside where you can watch grapes mature, stroll along old paths in the woods and meet those who work and live in our beautiful island. The pleasure of living here is not only linked to eating and drinking, but also to everything you can see, smell, touch and feel. Once, it was not so easy to explore and get to know Palermo’s hinterland, but today we are proud to be able to welcome you here for a few, fascinating days of discovery.. There are many myths about Sicily: it is our aim to confirm that the one regarding our excel- lent sense of hospitality is true. Alessandro Traina, restaurant owner in San Cipirello Coop. Placido Rizzotto “Libera Terra” agriturismo in Alfredo Bocera, distribution typical Sicilian products in Portella delle Ginestre Palermo Daniela di Garbo, agriturismo in Castelbuono Angela Gaetani, tourist courier in Palermo Domenico Scimeca, Holiday homes in Caccamo Annibale Alpi, manifacture of Mediterranean fresh fish in F.lli Cucchiara, traditional cuisine in San Cipirello Aspra / Baheria F.lli Fiasconaro, confectioners in Castelbuono Antonio Barcia, rural tourism in Ficuzza Filippo Milazzo, restaurant owner in Prizzi Antonio Cascio, restaurant owner in Chiusa Sclafani Francesca Cicero, oil press in Castelbuono Antonio Cerniglia, confectioner in Caccamo Filippo Milazzo, restaurant owner in Prizzi Antonio Colletti, confectioner in Chiusa Sclafani Francesco Sole, restaurant owner in Misilmeri Antonio Gangi, local tourist authoirty in Roccapalumba Franco Sacco, vineyard in the territory of Monreale Antonio Lo Curto, organic farmer/cheese maker in Collesano Fulvio Li Castri, organic farmer in Marineo Cantina “Duca di Salaparuta”, in Casteldaccia Gaetano Ferrara, agriturismo in San Giuseppe Jato Cantina Calatrasi, in San Cipirello Gaspare Fiorini, agriturismo-equitourism in Godrano Cantina “Feotto dello Jato”, in San Giuseppe Jato Giovanni and Fabiola Fatta, agriturismo in Polizzi Generosa Cantina Sociale Alto Belice, in San Cipirello Giorgio Orlando, catering/ holiday homes in Ficuzza Cantina Tamburello, in the territory of Monreale Giovanni Aglialoro and Santo Galbo, cultural services in Carmelo Barbaccia, vehicle hire in Bolognetta Caccamo Giovanni Paternostro, cheesemaker in Corleone Maurizio Giordano and Giuseppe Mollica, vehicle hire in Giovanni Savarese, organic farmer in San Mauro Castelverde Monreale Giovanni Sparacio, restaurant owner in Prizzi Natale Conoscenti, restaurant owner in Castelbuono Girolamo Gelsi, organic farmer in San Giuseppe Jato Nicoletta Cicero, tourism services in Castelbuono Giuseppe Baronie, cheesemaker in San Giuseppe Jato Paolo Barbon, B&B in Contessa Entellina Giuseppe Capitano, confectioner in Caccamo Paolo Pipitone, oil press in Misilmeri Giuseppe Carollo, restaurant owner in Castelbuono Peppino Gangi, baker in Roccapalumba Giuseppe Dolce, agriturismo in Monreale/San Cipirello Pietro Galioto , organic agriturismo in Caccamo Giuseppe Gagliano, restaurant owner in Pietro Mirto, agriturismo in Monreale Porticello/Santa Flavia Pietro