2018 Primetime Emmy
& James Beard Award Winner

Roam

  • How else should you live?

    Sicily, East to West 2024

    October 20-26, 2024

    ?

    Ice cream for breakfast. Evening aperitivos. Leisurely late-night meals: Lean in to the rhythms of Sicilian life with an unparalleled food bounty shaped by the Mediterranean and centuries of conquest and exchange. Many of Italian cuisine’s best-loved dishes are rooted in Sicilian soil—join us for a tour of some of the best ingredients and meals Europe has to offer.

    Sold Out
    Katie Parla

    R&K Host

    Writer, Eater, Raconteur
    Katie Parla

    Eugenio Signoroni

    Local Guide

    Editor of Osteria d’Italia
    Eugenio Signoroni

Overview

Sicily, East to West 2024

Ice cream for breakfast. Evening aperitivos. Leisurely late-night meals: Lean in to the rhythms of Sicilian life with an unparalleled food bounty shaped by the Mediterranean and centuries of conquest and exchange. Many of Italian cuisine’s best-loved dishes are rooted in Sicilian soil—join us for a tour of some of the best ingredients and meals Europe has to offer. Our weeklong journey moves across the island for a deep dive into the cuisine and the cultures that continue shaping it. From the wine country around Mt Etna to the food markets of Palermo, embrace Sicily’s multi-faceted bounty.

  • Italy
  • October 20-26, 2024
Map
  • Italy
  • October 20-26, 2024
Sicily, East to West 2024 Sold Out

DISCOVER SICILY:
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY

Day
1

Welcome to Sicily

  • Arrive at Catania’s Vincenzo Bellini Airport
  • Private transfer to Relais San Giuliano, an 18th-century noble residence turned boutique hotel at the foot of Etna Park
  • Welcome cocktails and dinner
Day
2

Granita, the gem of Sicily

  • A morning with Giovanna Musumeci in the village of Randazzo, a master of traditional granita—that flaky, icy, smooth confection that is one of Sicily’s best-kept secrets.
  • Private lunch at the Etna wine estate of Giralamo Russo with Carmelo Chiaramonte, the charismatic, effervescent Sicilian chef
  • There is no exceptional granita without exceptional fruit, so in the afternoon we’ll visit some of the young producers who give their products to Giovanna. Also: there will be wine
  • Dinner at the 16th-century wine estate Tenuta Rustica, featuring produce from its expansive farmlands
Day
3

Veni, Vidi, Vulcano

  • Leisurely morning, beginning to mimic Sicilian rhythms of life: a good slow breakfast; a short, dark espresso; good conversation and much relaxation.
  • An afternoon with Salvo Foti, champion of indigenous grape varietals, in his vineyards in Milo. We’ll lunch and walk the volcanic terrain that makes Etna such a prized wine region.
  • Dinner at Quattro Archi, a classic trattoria high on the slopes of Mt Etna
Day
4

Into the Mountains

  • Susafa Resort
  • Contrada Susafa, 90028 Polizzi generosa PA, Italy
  • +393389608713
  • Transfer to Susafa in the Madonie mountains in the heartland of Sicily
  • Leisurely lunch at the Susafa family estate
  • An afternoon swim with mountain vistas and plentiful Sicilian wines
  • Private masterclass on Sicilian baking and traditional grains
Day
5

Cheese, ricotta, cannoli

  • An indulgent breakfast, a lazy morning, a slow start toward Palermo
  • Piana degli Albanesi is considered the best place to eat Italy’s pastry staple, the cannolo siciliano—the secret is the extraordinary local sheep ricotta
  • Lunch with the Spera family, multigenerational farmers at Balzo Rosso, with breathtaking views of the Aeolian Sea and an extraordinary dairy that help make the region’s cannoli what they are
  • Into Palermo! Check in at L’Hôtellerie, a boutique hotel built into the city’s ancient Arab walls
  • Dinner at Quattro Mani, a creative trattoria in the heart of the city
Day
6

The Grandeur of Palermo

  • Wake up in one of the most atmospheric port cities on earth: Palermo, a city so beautiful the Phoenicians just called it Flower.
  • Afternoon walk discovering the bustling, buzzing Ballarò market, and the food traditions of sfincione, pane e panelle, pani ca meusa. In every bite, the soul of the city unfolds.
  • Marsala tasting!
  • Last night dinner at Corona Trattoria, a full-throated celebration of the seafood and the culinary life of Palermo
Day
7

Departure

  • Palermo
  • One last great Sicilian breakfast
  • Private transfer to Palermo’s Falcone-Borsellino Airport
  • Arrivederci!

What’s Included

  • All breakfasts, lunches, dinners except when itinerary explicitly says “Independent Meals”
  • Expertise and services of our experienced trip leaders: at least one guide and one host per trip
  • Snacks and beverages between meals
  • Additional guides and experts from the region
  • Transfers to and from the airport or wherever you are on the day the trip starts and ends
  • Daily Roads & Kingdoms gifts related to the themes, activities and narratives of each trip
  • All gratuities for accommodations, meals, guiding or transport

What’s Not Included

  • International airfare to and from the journey (note: some trips begin and end at different airports)
  • Personal bar tabs (when not with the group)
  • Personal laundry or spa services
  • Personal travel insurance

Meet Our Hosts

Katie Parla

R&K Host

Katie Parla

Writer, Eater, Raconteur

Katie Parla, a native of what she calls the 21st region of Italy (that’s New Jersey), always dreamed of moving to Italy. And now, 20 years after she made the leap, she’s one of the foremost authorities on Italian food and drink, in all its thousand variations. You may have seen her guiding Stanley Tucci around Rome for his CNN show, or perhaps you’ve read one of her many books (the most recent, Food of the Italian Islands, is a banger). Either way, we’re thrilled she’s helping us showcase Sicily.

Eugenio Signoroni

Local Guide

Eugenio Signoroni

Cook, traveler, editor of the Osteria d’Italia guide

There may not be a single person in all of the Republic better qualified to know what to eat, at what time of year, and with whom, than Eugenio Signoroni. After a long editorial career at the iconic Slow Food, he branched out to write prolifically on Italian food culture in all parts of the boot. In addition to editing the authoritative Osteria d’Italia guide, he is the host of Lievito Madre, one of Italy’s top food podcasts. A perfect host for this journey.

Where You’ll Stay

Relais San Giuliano

Relais San Giuliano

Etna Boutique Hotel

Relais San Giuliano is a charming 12-room boutique hotel at the foot of Etna Parkat the foot of Etna Park with perks like its “Sabbia Nera” spa with hammam and Jacuzzi. There’s an infinity pool too, of course, encircled by lush gardens. All in all, a perfect place to unwind from the day’s adventures.

Susafa Resort

Susafa Resort

Centuries-Old Farmstead

A 200-year-old Sicilian farmstead turned sustainably minded countryside retreat, Susafa aims to give guests a slice of traditional rural life in Sicily’s heartland. Framed by the Madonie mountains, there’s a cherry orchard and an olive grove and gardens where chefs harvest produce for the restaurant. And of course there’s a pool overlooking the rolling Sicilian landscape.

L'Hotellerie

L’Hotellerie

Palermo Heritage Haven

Built into the ancient Arab walls that have guarded Palermo since the 9th century, L’Hotellerie offers breathtaking views of the sea and Porta Felice, the historic gateway to Corso Vittorio Emanuele. The nearby Kalsa district, once the Emir’s citadel, is now a treasure trove of historic sites like the Church of Santa Maria dello Spasimo and Palazzo Abatellis. Elegantly outfitted with design pieces, restored antiques, and luxury amenities, L’Hotellerie exemplifies Palermo’s legendary hospitality, making it a perfect base in the city Goethe deemed “the most beautiful place in the world.”

  • This trip exceeded anything I could have imagined. Food and sights were incredible. Our hosts were next level.

    Matt P.
    La Vita Siciliana 2023

  • I did not anticipate the extent of our exceptionally curated tastings, the cultural authenticity and immersion of experiences.

    Carrie M.
    La Vita Siciliana 2023

  • The personalities—their commitment to serve us like hosts, hang out with us like friends… I had an absolute blast.

    Traveler
    La Vita Siciliana 2023

DISCOVER SICILY:
PAST TRIPS GALLERY

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Sicily, East to West 2024 Sold Out
R&K League of Travelers

Ready for a new adventure?

Inquire Now.

    Fill out the form to join the waitlist. We’ll reach out if space opens up.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How large are your groups?

    We have a maximum of 12 travelers for each trip. Our guiding light: how many people could cram into a perfectly-sized bar in Ginza? That’s how many we want to travel with, that’s how we came up with that number. Each trip has at least two members from the R&K team.

    Do I really have to do an interview?

    Yes! We don’t offer a way to book online, because we want the chance to talk to each of you about how you like to travel, and about what we do on our trips. That includes spouses and partners! Don’t sweat it, we have an appropriately high acceptance rate, but it is a requirement, whether by Zoom or by WhatsApp.

    Is there a solo traveler supplement?

    Yes, we have an $1800 solo traveler supplement ($1o00 for four-night trips).

    Should I get travel insurance?

    Roads & Kingdoms is a fully insured travel provider but we recommend you purchase travel insurance for yourself to cover costs you might incur through change of plans, flights, etc. We do not have a recommended provider, but there are many reputable providers available online and the signup process is not onerous.

    What is included in the price?

    Our journeys are meant to free you from any financial decision-making whatsoever during the week, if you choose. You’re responsible for your own international airfare to our starting city. But then we take care of everything else, from tipping to transportation to hotels and meals and drinks along the way. You’re only responsible for personal bar tabs (when not with the group), personal laundry, or personal spa services.

    What happens if R&K cancels a journey?

    This has not happened in the post-acute-COVID period—nor do we anticipate it happening—but we do reserve the right to cancel or postpone a trip up to 100 days before departure. In that case, you would receive a full refund, including the $1500 deposit.

    CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE VEGETARIANS?

    The short answer is yes! Any trip can be adapted, but some work better than others. Salamanca and the World of Jamón, for instance, would probably not make sense for a vegetarian, whereas Tbilisi and the Western Winelands works well. Animal products do feature heavily throughout our journeys, and many include whole-animal barbecues, ceremonial slaughter, or other traditional culinary methods that might be off-putting to those who abstain.

    Traveler Rights And Responsibilities

    The League of Travelers is meant to be that: an intimate group of travelers who accompany us to some of our favorite places to spend time with some of our favorite people. That is why we interview all potential travelers. These trips are not for everyone, and we just want to be sure the vibe matches. Mostly, for you, that means treating the people who make these trips possible, from drivers to somms to waiters to hotel staff, with decency. We will do our best to accommodate special requests, but we don’t have fulltime concierge or waitstaff on these trips, we have chefs and writers and storytellers. Our groups are a diverse bunch, so please also come with an open mind and heart for your fellow travelers. And in exchange, we pledge to open all doors we can to you. We promise we will have poured our whole selves into these journeys, and we will do everything in our power to make it a wondrous experience.

    Refund And Deposit Policy

    We require 50% downpayment to secure a spot. Second payment due 60 days after first payment. If you cancel up to 60 days before the start of the trip, the trips are fully refundable except for a nonrefundable $1500 deposit. Within 60 days we will refund everything except the $1500 deposit if we are able to replace your seat, otherwise you must contact us to see if a transfer to a later journey is possible. If we cancel a trip for any reason, the entire trip, including the $1500 deposit, is fully refundable.

    Dates

    2025

    Destinations

    Europe

    Asia-Pacific

    Latin America

    Africa