Our Italian Food Adventure in Sicily

For the past two years, we have partnered with Chef Bob Colosimo of Eleven Eleven Mississippi on a food adventure around Italy. This past month, we spent a week in one of our favorite parts of Italy—Sicily.

The trip, as always, was full of delicious food and wine—and we’re already putting the final touches on our next Italian adventure for next year.

Limitless Planet’s Travel Director, Christian, shares his highlights from the trip and what you can expect from traveling with LP.

What was your favorite part of the trip?

It's hard to pick a favorite, but I've gotten it down to two.

Firstly, visiting the village of Sant’Angelo Muxaro. This is a remote village high in the hills of the Sicilian countryside. Getting to meet the local Nonnos and Nonna's is something truly special! They greet you with hugs and smiles and can't wait to feed you. They treat you like family from the moment you meet, offering you wine, bread, and cheese all made locally by their friends and neighbors. I often have clients come back saying that they feel like they were having dinner with their parents or grandparents again and that's something truly special to me! 

Another favorite is truffle hunting! This is something I always recommend to anyone traveling in this area of Sicily. You begin the day by meeting your “tour guides,” the adorable and energetic Lagotto Romagnolo dogs. They lead you through the beautiful woodlands in search of delicious black and white truffles. After a successful 'hunt' you are rewarded with a 4-course lunch with a local chef who demonstrates all the ways that you can cook with truffles. 

What hotels did you stay at?

Palermo: The Grand Hotel et des Palmes is an iconic hotel in the heart of the historic center of Palermo. This hotel captures the eclectic elegance that Palermo is so known for. It's the perfect way to start off the trip on the right foot! 

Agrigento: Mandranova is a testament to the Sicilian's hard work and dedication to tradition. This family estate has gone from a private family farm to a thriving working olive oil orchard and charming countryside retreat. From its award-winning olive oils to the enthusiastic owner teaching you to prepare a traditional Sicilian feast this is a welcome stop on anyone's itinerary! 

Vittoria: Baglio Occhipinti. This is probably one of my favorite hotels! Nestled in wine country this gem of a resort offers you a relaxed and serene escape perfect for people looking to escape and recharge. It boasts incredible gardens with vegetables, herbs, citrus, and so much more. After picking produce from the garden and enjoying a cooking class you can relax by the pool with a glass of wine as the chef prepares you a beautiful meal!

Taormina: Hotel Villa Belvedere. This hotel allows you to relax in seaside luxury just as Taormina intended. Perched on the hillside covered in bougainvillea vines this hotel offers stunning views of the Mediterranean from almost every angle. Relaxing by the pool while enjoying the sunset is a perfect way to end your time in Sicily! 

What’s something you learned on the trip that you think others should know?

The Sicilians love their sardines! This is something that people always discover on food tours like this. Love them or hate them they're served with some frequency. I always say try something once and who knows, maybe you'll discover a new favorite dish! 

Any wine or food that tops the list that you had while there?

Arancini is always a favorite! This delicious street food can be made with a variety of fillings and never disappoints! The wine produced in the mineral-rich soils under Mount Etna is incredible! Because Mount Etna is continuously active the minerality of the soil is complex and can change a lot from year to year. This makes for some amazing and interesting wines that you won't find anywhere else! 

Any recommendations or things you think people should be aware of before doing a trip like this? 

Whenever you think of Sicily, you think of warm waters, sunny weather, and perfect temperatures. While that is true most of the time, the weather can vary quite a bit on the island, especially as you go from west to east and get on a higher elevation near Mount Etna. I always recommend packing a variety of layers when packing for this itinerary. You can be sitting in Palermo on a terrace in a tee shirt and it could be snowing on Mount Etna!

Want to join Limitless Planet on an adventure of your own? See our list of Group Trips or fill out the form to have us plan your own private trip!