Food Travel by Chef Ric Orlando

Updates

Posted on Dec 8, 2019

Palermo is hot! It is one of the Mediterranean's cultural jewels. The art, architecture, culture and food is on fire right now! and then there is the street food. Come on my trip and experience it all in Palermo!

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Posted on Nov 28, 2019

Check out this short Sicily rocks video

Posted on Nov 23, 2019

We are heading across the Island, destination Agrigento! But on the way… We will visit San Cataldo where we will have an artisanal breadmaking experience and lunch. After lunch we will enjoy a visit to a cooperative olive oil mill with a tasting. We will arrive in Agri...

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Posted on Nov 23, 2019

First Stop. Taormina!
We will be staying at the Hotel Villa Schuler as our home base for the first 4 days. On our last trip the family run hotel overlooking the bay of Naxos was simply perfect; great views, cozy rooms and amazing hospitality. http://hotelvillaschuler.com ...

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Posted on Nov 23, 2019

Sicily May 2020 with RIc Orlando
Per person price USD $4,595.00
Price includes:
• Bus service for the days listed
• All hotels
• Personal expert guides from See Sicily team during your excursions
• Personal expert tour leader from See Sicily team during your journey
• All the wine tast...

Learn more

Posted on Nov 23, 2019

Sicily Immersion Tour May 2-12. 2020
Why I love Sicily …and you will too!

Traveling to Sicily is always a revelation for Americans. The history, food and drink, the landscape and of course the people of Sicily are unique in so many ways. She is an abundant Island, both in the center of the worl...

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Testimonials

3 weeks ago

I went on a New Orleans food tour that was run by Ric Orlando. We ate at wonderful restaurants, of course. The accommodations at the Hotel Monteleone were lovely. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip. I really liked having some time on my own to explore the area. I’ll hopefully go on another trip sponsored by Ric.

- Eileen P

2 weeks ago

Had an incredible trip to NOLA with Chef Ric! Super knowledgeable, picked historic tours that interested everyone. Food, drinks, & company was delightful. Looking forward to more traveling with his tours. If you've ever wanted a great tour guide, along with a memorable trip, sign up immediately!!

- Maria M

a week ago

I went on Ric's trip to New Orleans last fall and I would highly recommend any trip that Ric organizes. Ric Took us to such unique restaurants where he knows the chefs which made it even more fun. Ric takes a personal interest in each person on his trips. I would travel anywhere with Ric!

- Susan W

Sicily Immersion Tour May 2-12, 2020

Come to Sicily with me! I love Sicily …and you will too!

Traveling to Sicily is always a revelation for Americans. The history, food and drink, the landscape and of course the people of Sicily are unique in so many ways.

For 10 days we will meet the people, taste the food and wine, and explore the art, architecture and natural resources of this magical island.

Most of all , however, you will hear the stories directly from the locals.

This is what makes this trip priceless; the connections we will make with real people living real lives who are willing to share their experiences with you.

We will enjoy cooking classes and demonstrations, winery tours and tastings, historic art and architecture tours, nature walks and amazing meals. You will meet farmers and artisans that are keeping tome honored traditions alive and are still surprisingly modern.

We will have time for the beach or just to soak in the amazing culture. You will experience all of what Sicily has to offer.

I am so happy to share Sicily with all of you!

Itinerary and Pricing

Day 1, Saturday, May 2nd: Arrival Meet and Greet and Dinner Whether you fly into Palermo or Catania, plan to meet and check in at the Hotel Villa Schuler in Taormina by late afternoon. We will be staying at the Hotel Villa Schuler as our home base for the first 4 days. 6 PM: Meet and Greet at Hotel Villa Schuler overlooking the sea and Mount Etna 8 PM: Group Welcome dinner at a local restaurant

Day 2, Sunday, May 3rd: Taormina Breakfast at Hotel Schuler. Walking tour of Taormina, including the Greek Amphitheater. Enjoy the rest of the day in Taormina at your leisure.

Day 3, Monday, May 4th: Catania Market and Cooking Class We have a great day in store for you! We will be transferred by bus to Catania. We will be greeted by my chef friend Loradana who will give us a tour of the Cantania Market, one of the best and craziest daily markets in Sicily. We will gather ingredients for the cooking class Loradana will offer us. We will learn to make fresh cavatelli and many other local dishes, all based on what is in the market. The dishes we create will be our most amazing lunch!

Day 4, Tuesday May 5th, Mt Etna Experience, Wine and Hazelnuts After breakfast at the Hotel Schuler we will be transferred to an amazing Mt Etna experience. We will ride Jeeps and cable cars the top Mt. Etna. We will then enjoy a lunch at a local hazelnut farm, AND visit a winery on the slope of Etna that features Sicily’s famous Etna Rosso wine. Day 5, Wednesday May 6th, Bread, & Olive Oil After breakfast, Say goodbye to Taormina. We are heading across the Island, destination Agrigento! But on the way… We will visit San Cataldo where we will have an artisanal breadmaking experience and lunch. After lunch we will enjoy a visit to a cooperative olive oil mill with a tasting. We will arrive in Agrigento and check in to the Luna Minoica, which is a quick walk to the beach, where we will stay for 3 days. http:// www.lunaminoica.it

Day 6, Thursday, May 7th Sant’Angello Muxaro Today is one of the highlights of the trip. After breakfast at our inn we will visit my friend Pierfilippe Spoto for a true Agriturismo experience. Pierfilippe will introduce us the the local artisanal foods of the tiny hilltop village. As we walk the tiny hamlet, we even may meet the sheep whose milk makes the daily ricotta. After lunch we’ll transfer to “The Valley of the Temples” in Agrigento. We will walk among Greek temples erected over 2000 years ago.

Day 7, Friday, May 8th, Raffadali This is a full day “Best of the area” experience. We will tour Raffadali and both a cheese making and a pistachio experience with both lunch and dinner included.

Day 8, Saturday, May 9th, Erice and the Salt Pans While in Erice enjoy the Tunisian influence on the food such a local seafood cous cous. Also, taste the famous sweets of Erice.

Day 9, Sunday May 10th, Cefalu We will be given a walking tour of the old city (bring a bathing suit! If the weather cooperates you can take a dip in the sea!). We will have a wine tasting and lunch at Santa Anastasia winery, known for some of the Island’s finest Nero D’avolo. (Cefalu is also the city my mother’s family, the Fertitas, are from)

Day 10, Monday, May 11th, Palermo and Capo Mercato Today will will be given a fascinating tour of the city of Palermo including it’s stunning Opera House and churches. We will then lunch on the street, yes, eating street food with my friends at the Capo Market, one of the most vibrant markets in Sicily. The city of Palermo has been named the “Italian Capital of Culture” for 2018 by Italy’s Ministry of Culture, following the city’s selection of host for “Manifesta 12”, the European Biennial of Contemporary Art.

Tuesday, May 12th, End of Services

Per person price USD $4,595.00 Price includes:

Bus service for the days listed

All hotels Personal expert guides from See Sicily team during your excursions

All the wine tastings and meals above mentioned.

Entry fees to historic sites and museums.

Price doesn’t include:

Air travel to and from Sicily, Travel Insurance and All that is not mentioned in “Price includes”

CONTACT MYRNA at SEE ITALY TRAVEL for all details including deposit and final payment information email info@seeitalytravel.com

CONTACT WILLIS ORLANDO If you need help finding the best flights. My son, Willis is Flight Expert at Scott's Cheap Flights. He can help you find the best options that fit your budget and schedule. email worlando52@gmail.com