A Sicily tour from Australia
If you live in Australia but want to visit Sicily, then joining this tour is one of the most exciting, fun and easy ways to tour the island. We take hundreds of Australian’s each year to Sicily to Indulge in the Italian way of life, history, food and culture. Carmel takes you on an immersive culinary food tour in Sicily, Italy and she will meet you at Catania Airport to kick things off.
The 2024 tour will travel to the best locations in the south of Italy from the beautiful seaside town of Ortigia to the historic city of Modica. This is a tour of Sicily for people from Australia that takes you to some of the most popular locations in Southern Italy on the island of Carmel’s beloved Sicily.
When you are choosing a vacation destination in Italy there are not too many locations that remain unspoilt by modernisation or tourism. Sicily is one of those, making it ideal for the discerning traveler.
Visit sicily from australia
Duration
7
NIGHTS
NIGHTS
price
AUD $4,900 PP
USD $3,199 PP
USD $3,199 PP
Guide
English &
Italian
Italian
Free time
2-3 hrs
per day
per day
group size
Up to
16
16
Arrival
CATANIA
Departure
CATANIA
accomodation
Hotel
meals
included
season
EARLY summer
Play Video about People enjoying lunch on a Food Tour in Sicily Italy
what's included in tour of sicily, italy?
- All inclusive food tour with meals
- Beach front accomodation
- Private vehicle transport
- english & italian speaking tour guide
- Airport transfers from Catania
- Small group up to 16 people
- Beaches and ancient sites
- Food markets and producers
- Up to 3 hours free time every day
- 7 x breakfasts & 11 x main meals per person
small group tours in italy from australia
Sicily is a place to visit in Italy where the mountains meet the sea. Carmel will help you explore this idyllic summer holiday island destination to experience a mix of food, wine, cooking, sightseeing & relaxing in the golden summer sunshine with its unspoilt coastlines.
Every moment of this tour of Italy has been perfectly chosen to create a beautifully balanced mix between leisure or travel time so that you can soak up the exquisite scenery and beautiful summer weather. It is a small group tour for those who love food and relaxation time on their holiday.
We know that each location we visit will have you wanting to eat everything you see & fill your phone camera with hundreds of photos. With more than 20 years experience as a restauranter you can trust Carmel to know the right places and people to give you a memorable travel experience – it is why so many foodies have written raving reviews about these tours.
"... I’d travelled to Sicily before, but Carmel provided a personal connection to our food tour experience by introducing us to incredible makers of gelato, pizza, pasta and restaurateurs throughout south eastern Sicily..."
An easy way to tour sicily from australia
Embark on trip to Sicily from Australia and join a food tour where flavours and history intertwine, led by an expert guide. This is the easiest way to visit Sicily if you live in Australia. Traverse Vittoria’s lush vineyards, experience Ragusa’s ancient recipes, and indulge in Ortigia’s seafood delights. Savour Modica’s world-renowned chocolate, relish the fresh catch in Scoglitti, and explore Agrigento’s rich culinary tapestry. In Noto, taste artistry in every bite amidst baroque splendour.
Every step is a journey through time; every flavour, a narrative of Sicily’s soul. Dive into a gastronomical experience where each meal transcends taste, weaving the rich, cultural fabric of Sicily into an unforgettable sensory symphony.
Go on a holiday that transcends the ordinary, where the golden hues of the Australian sun are exchanged for the mesmerising allure of Sicilian moonlight. Imagine stepping off the plane and being embraced by an air so rich in history and culture, it’s as if the soul of Sicily herself is wrapping you in a warm, welcoming hug.
Your senses are immediately awakened. The scent of fresh citrus blossoms intertwines with the aromatic waves of the salty Mediterranean Sea. Each breath is a dance of flavours, a testimony to the island’s bounteous nature. As you wander through ancient, narrow streets, every cobblestone beneath your feet echoes the tales of civilisations past, from the mighty Greeks to the artistic Normans.
But this is not just a tour – it’s an immersive experience. Indulge in cuisine that marries age-old traditions with a burst of contemporary flair, each bite a revelation of Sicily’s bountiful harvest and culinary mastery. Witness the awe-inspiring architecture, where every edifice is a canvas narrating epic tales of conquest, triumph, and unyielding spirit.
Join us, step into a world where every moment is a masterpiece, every sight a testament to the rich tapestry of Sicilian life. From Australia to Sicily, embark on the voyage of a lifetime. This isn’t just travel; this is an odyssey of the soul.
What's Included in this tour of Sicily, Italy?
You get a chance during the tour to throw on a vibrant red Sicilian Food Tour apron to try your hand at rolling fresh dough to make a pizza, making cannoli, picking vine ripened tomatoes to make traditional sauce and more. Novice cook or experienced chef, this tour of Italy will appeal to anyone who loves food and wants to travel to Italy to tickle every taste bud & fulfill culinary dreams, escaping the world of mass produced, preservative laden shelf bought food.
Our small group tour let’s you absorb the history created within the different regions of Italy and the unique cuisines that hail from different villages or families. Every day we only eat the freshest, seasonal, produce that is sourced locally. Most holiday makers will know Sicily as a type of crossroad in the Mediterranean with its proximity to Algeria, Malta, Tunisia and Libya, it’s food and wine has an alluring, storied history with many influences.
- English and Italian speaking tour guide
- All tour transportation
- Behind the scenes access
- Cooking classes and demonstrations
- Historic location site seeting
- Plenty of free time each day
2024 Sicily tour Itinerary
Welcome to the fishing village of Scoglitti on the South Coast of Sicily.
This tiny, coastal town will be our home for the first few days of our tour. Immerse yourself in the true Sicilian way of life. Brioche and granita for breakfast, afternoon gelatos, a stroll on the boardwalk down by the beach or just sitting in the piazza witnessing the timeless scene of the locals as they walk on by with their rich accents and animated gestures, their words carrying the weight of history and tradition.
We start our tour with a walk through town and we stop for our first sunset aperitivo followed by a feast for the senses, a seafood degustation at one of Scoglitti’s famous seafood restaurants.
- Overnight: Scoglitti
- Meals: Dinner
Today we find out why cannoli and scacce reign supreme in Sicilian culture. We stop at the local pasticerria and hear all about these famous pastry shells filled with ricotta that has been mixed with a hint of citrus, vanilla and cinnamon. We fill cannoli and indulge in the different flavours while enjoying a smooth espresso coffee.
We move on to Vittoria’s best bakery and here we savour the famous savoury pastry called scacce. Roll up your sleeves and learn how to make this Ragusane street food.
This evening we visit the cobblestone town of Ragusa Ibla. Ragusa Ibla is a captivating and historic district located in the city of Ragusa. Known for its charming medieval architecture, narrow winding streets, and picturesque views, Ragusa Ibla is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that transports visitors back in time.
Perched on a hilltop, Ragusa Ibla is characterized by its stunning Baroque buildings, ornate churches, and quaint piazzas. The district’s architectural beauty is exemplified by the magnificent Cathedral of San Giorgio, a masterpiece that dominates the skyline with its grandeur.
Dinner this evening is at the Michelin Star restaurant Locanda Don Serafino, this restaurant has earned it’s place amongst the finest dining establishments in the region.
- Overnight: Scoglitti
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
As we head to the East coast we stop for lunch at an enchanting winery in Noto. With a rich history dating back centuries, the winery boasts vineyards that benefit from the Mediterranean climate, fertile soils and cooling sea breezes.
After lunch, we visit the UNESCO heritage town of spectacular Noto, one of Sicily’s most beautiful towns, flanked by grandeur baroque palazzi and churches.
When you step into Noto you’ll feel like you are on a movie set. Then onto the island of Ortigia (joined to the mainland by a bridge), also known as Città Vecchia, contains many historical landmarks including the Duomo di Siracusa. We dine in front of this spectacular Duomo by night.
This piazza is one of my favourites in the whole of Italy.
- Overnight: Scoglitti
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Today we discover the beautiful Baroque Valley of Modica. Narrow lanes, alleys and staircases climb up the slopes on both sides of picturesque Corso Umberto. Always one of the favourites on our tours. We visit Antica Dolceria Bonajuto, the oldest chocolate factory in Sicily founded in 1880. Here we taste a variety of chocolate and one of the best cannoliin Sicily.
- Overnight: Scoglitti
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Today we make our way to the region of Agrigento. One of Sicily’s most famous historical attractions is without a doubt the Valley of the Temples, just outside Agrigento city. The Valley of the Temples. This archaeological park consists of eight temples built between about 510 BC and 430 BC:
- the Temple of Hera
- the Temple of Concordia
- the Temple of Heracles
- the Temple of Olympian Zeus
- the Temple of Castor and Pollux
- the Temple of Hephaestos
- the Temple of Demeter and the Temple of Asclepius.
All are situated in the same area on rocky crests south of modern day Agrigento.
We stop and see the famous Turkish steps. This unique geological formation is renowned for it’s striking white cliffs that resemble a grand staircase, hence it’s name.
- Overnight: Scoglitti
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
We visit my cousin’s tomato farm on the outskirts of Scoglitti. Sicilian tomatoes are like sweet plums, a taste sensation you will never forget. Walking through these Serre (hot houses) is definitely a unique experience.
On our final day we enjoy a traditional Sicilian Sunday feast at Carmel’s family home, where food and wine will be aplenty.
A BBQ feast with the whole family where we enjoy Sicilian salsiccia and local salamis. Nonna Maria will demonstrate a few Sicilian classics like eggplant caponata and everyone’s favourite dessert sfingi (a type of Sicilian donut). Time to roll up your sleeves, join in and have some fun cooking or just sit back with a vino in hand and enjoy this traditional family Sunday.
- Overnight: Scoglitti
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 7 | Monday 30 September - Catania
Departure day. Our Sicilian Food Tour concludes. Depart for Catania airport.
a tour in Sicily from Australia with Amazing reviews
Carmel’s charm, planning and “personality plus” made our group of disparate travelers aged 23-80 happy and at ease throughout a creative, comprehensive and fascinating itinerary.
If you enjoy great food and wine, and a mix of history, culture, laughter and local color, this is the tour for you.
I’d visited Sicily before, but Carmel provided a personal connection to our experience by introducing us to her family and friends, who just happen to be incredible makers of gelato, pizza, pasta and restaurateurs throughout southeastern Sicily.
Having traveled with Tauck, Rick Steves and National Trust for Historic Preservation Group tours over the years, I can honestly say that Sicilian Food Tours far exceeded my expectations and may have spoiled me for more conventional group experiences henceforth.
Can’t recommend Sicilian Food Tours highly enough. Hat tip to Valter DiCecco for adding so much to our journey with his humor and chef expertise!
The week that we spent with Carmel and her extended family was amazing! The food was incredible, the scenery spectacular, but what makes this tour a "not to miss" event is Carmel and her generous extended family.
All the Sicilians we met were warm and inclusive - I felt that we had made friends in a few short days. Having lunch at Zia Maria's place and playing handball with Sicilian teenagers that hardly spoke English, chatting to fisherman on the shore outside our hotel, meeting Carmel's numerous cousins at the bar - these are experiences that you will never get on a standard tour.
I cannot rate this tour highly enough! If you are reading these reviews then do yourself a favour and book-you won't regret it!
Carmel's Sicilian Food Tour is truly outstanding. If you want to experience all Sicily has to offer ... it's history, culture, food, family life and fun then this is the tour for you !
You will make authentic Sicilian Food and then delight in eating the fruits of your labour. The small group allows a friendly fun filled tour and Carmel and her team put their hearts and souls into making sure everyone has the greatest time.
What makes this tour so very special is how you are so warmly welcomed by Sicilian families throughout the tour and how you become immersed in their lifestyle.
We would have no hesitation in recommending Sicilian Food Tours.
a tour in sicily for food lovers from Australia
Culinary experiences
Unleash your senses on a culinary odyssey unlike any other, where the essence of Italy is captured, savoured, and celebrated in every bite. Sicilian Food Tours is orchestrated by your passionate host, Carmel, a restaurateur who is a bilingual Italo Australian, whose family is from the region of Ragusa in Sicily. This is not just your average Italy food tour; it is a meticulously crafted journey where every step, every aroma, and every flavour is a sonnet, echoing the rich tapestry of culture and history that defines this land.
Traditional food
In the heart of Ragusa, your food tour of Italy will feel like every alleyway whispers secrets of ancient recipes, and every dish becomes a narrative woven with flavours that dance gracefully upon the palate. With Carmel at your helm, you’re not just a visitor; you are an honoured guest being ushered into the soul of the city.
Mouth watering flavours
The elegance of Ortigia unfolds like a sonnet, where our Italy food and wine tour finds its melody. Here, the azure embrace of sea and sky crafts a backdrop where food and artistry unite, painting plates with colours and flavours as vibrant as the city’s illustrious history. When you say food and wine tour in Italy, it isn’t just a phrase, but an experience that lingers, echoing the passion of Sicilian chefs who craft every dish as a masterpiece.
Small group food tour
Among all the different small group food tours in Italy that are on offer, Carmel’s curated journey stands unparalleled. As you meander through Modica, renowned for its intoxicating chocolate and baroque splendour, you’ll swiftly realise this isn’t just a Sicily food tour, it’s a passage through time, where we marry history and gastronomy, crafting an experience as enduring as the architectural masterpieces that adorn the city.
Amazing dishes
Our food tour in Sicily finds its rhythm in the bustling fish markets of Scoglitti, where the fresh catch of the day becomes a canvas for culinary artistry. Every dish you get to eat becomes a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, echoing the untamed beauty of the landscape.
More than just a tour
In Agrigento and Noto these locales are not just stops on a typical food tour of Italy but gems where every bite is a narrative, and every aroma tells tales of empires, artists, and epochs that have graced this land.As one of the best tour companies in Sicily, Carmel’s Sicilian Food Tours offers more than a standard culinary tour package because our small group tour is like travelling with a family. It is intimate, small, private and you get to really immerse yourself in one of the best gourmet culinary tours of Italy.
With Carmel, every one of her small group tours through southern Italy and Sicily become personal narratives, people can’t stop talking about them for years to come. Every meal is a celebration, every flavour a sonnet, and every guest, a cherished friend.
Essential tour Information to visit Sicily
Accommodation
Accommodation is included in the price of the tour. We stay in a local hotel while you are in Sicily & base ourselves there. This provides more time to enjoy each day on the tour.
Transportation
We start and end the tour in Scoglitti. We include an airport transfer from Catania Airport which is one of the major airports on the island. There are other ways you can get to Sicily depending if you are flying or driving. There are international flights to Italy that arrive in Rome with transfers available to Catania. Alternatively you might be driving through Italy, if so you can get a ferry across to Catania that runs all year round.
Read our tour information for more details & advice
Meals
Where indicated meals are provided during the tour plus additional tastings during cooking classes or demonstrations.
As you will see from the reviews there is no shortage of food, our goal is to make sure you enjoy everything Sicilian food has to offer.
Unlike large tours where food is made to suit large groups with high volume processing techniques, our tours are small so we can be accommodated like locals.
If you have food allergies we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Traveling from Australia to Sicily can be accomplished by air, which is the most convenient and fastest mode of transportation. The journey will typically involve at least one stopover, often in a major European city, as there are no direct flights from Australia to Sicily.
Here are general steps to travel from Australia to Sicily:
1. Flight from Australia to a Major European City:
Departure: Major airports in Australia such as Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane.
Arrival: Major European hubs like Rome, Milan, Paris, or London.
Duration: Approximately 20-24 hours, depending on the specific route and duration of the stopover.
2. Connecting Flight or Other Transportation to Sicily:
By Air: Flights from major European cities to airports in Sicily like Catania or Palermo, which takes around 2-3 hours.
By Train/Ferry: If arriving in Rome or Milan, one can also opt to take a scenic train journey to the ferry ports and then a ferry to Sicily.
Total Travel Time:
The total travel time can vary greatly depending on the length of the layovers and specific flight routes but generally might take anywhere from 24 to 30 hours.
Key Points to Consider:
Visa Requirements: Ensure to check the visa requirements for Australians traveling to Italy. via Smart Traveller.