JOIN US FOR A JOURNEY TO
A Taste of Sicily
Explore Sicily beyond the guidebook through unforgettable meals, local traditions, Mediterranean landscapes, and experiences shared around the table.
May 29 - June 5, 2027
Eat. Explore. Connect. Savor.
Join us for a week of food, wine, coastal adventures, and meaningful experiences beyond the typical tourist trail in Sicily.
Welcome to Sicily
A Week of Food, Sea & La Dolce Vita
From the vibrant streets of Palermo to the dramatic coastline of the Zingaro Nature Reserve, the ancient salt pans of Marsala, and the island of Favignana, Northwestern Sicily offers a captivating mix of food, tradition, landscapes, and coastal life. Here, centuries-old traditions meet the easy rhythm of Mediterranean living.
We’ll explore this corner of Sicily through its markets, kitchens, vineyards, olive groves, and seaside towns—meeting local people and experiencing the island beyond the usual tourist trail.
Discover Northwestern Sicily. Discover the Italy beyond the guidebook.
What You’ll Experience
A week of food, culture, coastal adventures, and local connections across Northwestern Sicily.
Day 1: Benvenuti in Palermo
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Arrive independently and make your way to our hotel. Your room will be ready for you to settle in and relax.
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That evening, we'll gather for a welcome aperitivo and meet our fellow travelers.
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The rest of the evening is yours to relax, explore nearby, or enjoy dinner on your own before our first full day together.
Day 2: Flavors & Stories of Palermo
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Explore Palermo’s vibrant food culture on a guided street food tour, tasting local specialties and discovering the stories behind the city’s iconic dishes.
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In the afternoon, choose between a guided visit to Teatro Massimo, Palermo’s magnificent opera house, or the atmospheric Capuchin Catacombs.
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Enjoy the evening at your leisure. If an opera is playing during our stay, we’ll offer the opportunity to attend together for an additional fee.
Day 3: Sailing the Sicilian Coast
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We will embark on a full-day sailing adventure along Sicily’s spectacular coastline, with time to swim, explore hidden coves, and enjoy the Mediterranean from the water.
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Enjoy a relaxed pranzo al sacco on board—a Sicilian-style picnic of fresh sandwiches, local bites, and drinks enjoyed at sea.
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The rest of the evening is yours to relax after our full day adventure. Explore nearby or enjoy dinner on your own.
Day 4: A Taste of Sicily
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Explore the beautiful hilltop town and its magnificent cathedral before continuing into the Sicilian countryside.
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Cook and enjoy lunch with local hosts, sharing a hands-on cooking experience and a relaxed meal together in the countryside.
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Continue to Marsala to check into our hotel, with the evening free to settle in, explore the town, or enjoy dinner on your own.
Day 5: Salt, Sea & Marsala
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Step into the salt pans and take part in the ancient salt-harvesting tradition, using the tools and techniques passed down through generations. Then enjoy a relaxed lunch overlooking the salt pans and the Stagnone Lagoon.
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Explore the archaeological ruins of Mozia, an ancient Phoenician settlement surrounded by the salt flats. Walk the island’s historic paths and discover its famous submerged road connecting Mozia to the mainland.
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End the day at a celebrated Marsala winery with a wine tasting and light bites showcasing the flavors of the region.
Day 6: Discover Favignana
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We’ll walk to the ferry together and set out for a day on the island, including a visit to the historic Florio Tuna Factory Museum to explore Favignana’s rich tuna-fishing heritage, followed by lunch together in town.
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After lunch on the island, hop on your included e-bike and discover Favignana’s beautiful coastline, including the spectacular Cala Rossa. Prefer a more relaxed afternoon? You can opt to visit a beach club instead, at an additional cost.
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Return to Marsala by ferry and enjoy the evening at your leisure. Explore the town, enjoy dinner, or simply unwind after a day of island adventures.
Day 7: Olive Groves & Farewell
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Enjoy a leisurely morning to explore Marsala at your own pace before we head into the countryside.
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Visit a local olive grove for a tour and tasting, discovering the traditions and flavors behind Sicilian olive oil.
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Continue to Palermo and gather for a farewell dinner, raising a glass to the people, places, and memories from our Sicilian adventure.
Day 8: Arrivederci Sicily
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Depart Palermo at your own pace and make your way to the airport for your journey home—or continue your Italian adventure.
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Want to see more of Italy or explore your Italian roots? We’re happy to help you plan an extension to another part of Sicily, Italy, or your ancestral town for a separate fee. We’re also offering a trip to Friuli Venezia Giulia if you’d like to join.
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Leave Sicily with new memories, new connections, and hopefully a desire to return.
8 Days / 7 Nights
What’s Included
Shared Room — $4,500 per person | Early Bird: $4,200
Private Room — $5,500 per person | Early Bird: $5,200
Early Bird savings: $300 per person | Limited time only
Our itinerary, taking place May 29 - June 5, 2027, is designed for a small group to experience the island through its food, traditions, landscapes, and local connections. This isn’t a checklist of Sicily’s most famous sights.
✓Accommodation
7 nights across two distinctive stays:
4 nights at a Hotel in Palermo
3 nights at a Hotel in Marsala
✓ Transportation
Travel from our Palermo hotel to all destinations and planned experiences throughout the itinerary, including our return to Palermo. All experiences noted in the itinerary are covered. Airport transfers to and from Palermo are not included.
✓ Meals
Daily breakfast at our hotels, plus lunch each day—including meals, sandwiches, or light bites depending on the experience. Two dinners are included: our Marsala wine tasting with light bites and our farewell dinner.
✓ Experiences
All planned experiences are included: Palermo food and museum experiences, Sicilian cooking class, full-day sailing, salt pans and Mozia, Marsala wine tasting, Favignana e-bikes and museums, and olive grove tour and tasting. Entrance fees and planned ferry trips are included.
✓ Hosts & Guides
Co-hosted by Christina and Anna, bringing a shared love of Italy, food, and travel. Anna’s Italian language skills help us connect with local hosts and communities, while we’re both there to make the journey welcoming and seamless.
Flights Not Included
Flights to and from Palermo are not included. Travelers are responsible for booking their own flights and meeting the group at our Palermo hotel.
Passport & Visa Not Included
A valid passport and any required travel documents are the responsibility of each traveler. Check current entry requirements before traveling.
Personal Expenses Not Included
Personal expenses, including shopping, souvenirs, additional drinks, meals, and activities not specifically listed as included, are not covered. Gratuities for guides, drivers, hotel staff, and other service providers are also not included.
READY TO JOIN US?
Limited spots available. Reserve your spot now!
Reserve your spot with a deposit.
Payment plans available. Final payment due 30 days before departure.
Traveling solo but interested in sharing a room with another solo traveler? Contact us before booking at hello@christinaminutillo.com and we’ll do our best to arrange a room share.
Your Hosts
We hope you’ll join us
We’re Christina Minutillo & Anna Maria Zilli, and we invite you to share our love of Italy, food, travel, and creating meaningful experiences around the table.
We’re not just your trip organizers—we’ll be traveling alongside you. We’ll be there throughout the journey to help things run smoothly, introduce you to local experiences, and create the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that makes traveling together feel like traveling with friends.
I’m Christina, and my Italian roots have inspired my cookbook, travels throughout Italy, and a hosted retreat in my ancestral town of Castel Morrone outside Naples. I’m passionate about sharing the food, traditions, and lesser-known places that make Italy feel like more than a destination. I’m hosting these trips with Anna Maria Zilli.
Anna Maria is originally from Friuli Venezia Giulia and has co-hosted trips to Sicily for many years. Now living in New Orleans, she regularly shares Italian traditions through her involvement in the Italian American community.
Want something different?
TRACE YOUR ROOTS
Walk the paths of your ancestors
We’ll help you trace your family’s hometown, meet locals who share your surname, and explore the streets, churches, and landmarks that connect you to your heritage. A journey that turns travel into homecoming.
JOIN OUR FRIULI JOURNEY
Explore Anna’s home region
Travel with us through Friuli Venezia Giulia in June 2027, experiencing Anna’s home region through its food, wine, traditions, landscapes, and local connections. Details coming soon.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR ESCAPE
Create a trip that’s all your own.
From private cooking classes to countryside hikes or coastal day trips, we’ll tailor every detail to your pace and passions — giving you the freedom to design your perfect Italian getaway. Consult the travel page.
FAQs
What is the payment schedule?
A deposit is required to secure your place. We’ll offer payment plan options so you can spread out the remaining balance, with full payment due 60 days before the trip.
What is your cancellation policy?
Because we make advance commitments to our hotels, transportation providers, and local hosts, trip payments are non-refundable and cancellations are not permitted. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and interruption coverage.
Do you offer a solo traveler rate?
Yes! We welcome solo travelers. You can choose our shared-room rate and be paired with another guest, or select our solo traveler rate if you prefer a private room.
How many people are in the group?
We keep our journeys intentionally intimate, with a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 10 guests. This allows us to create a more personal experience and connect more meaningfully with the people and places we visit.
Do I need to know Italian to participate?
Not at all! All experiences are designed for English-speaking guests, and we will guide you every step of the way. You’ll enjoy authentic connections and experiences without any language barriers.
Can I travel with a friend or partner?
Absolutely! You’re welcome to join with a friend, partner, or family member. If you're traveling with someone, you'll share your accommodation with them.
What happens if you need to cancel the trip?
Your deposit and payments are fully refundable if we have to cancel the trip. Our minimum group size is 6 guests, and we will communicate with you as soon as possible if the trip cannot operate.
Will we visit my ancestral town if I have Italian roots?
Not as part of the scheduled Sicily itinerary, but we’d love to help you plan a personalized extension to visit your ancestral town before or after the trip. Custom ancestral travel planning is available for a separate fee.
How active is the trip?
The itinerary includes walking, cycling, swimming, and time outdoors, but you don’t need to be an athlete to enjoy the journey. We’ll balance active experiences with plenty of time to relax and explore. On Favignana, you’ll have the option to take a taxi instead of riding an e-bike if you prefer.
What if I want to keep traveling outside of your retreat offering?
Absolutely! You’re welcome to extend your Italian adventure. We can help you plan additional time in Sicily, explore another part of Italy, or create a personalized journey around your interests for a separate planning fee. Be sure to check out Campania travel itineraries for curated trips and hidden gems. You can easily combine your trip with more exploration, creating a truly unforgettable Italian experience.
