Overview
This journey explores eastern Sicily through the perspective of award-winning author, ethnobotanist, and Slow Drinks founder Danny Childs.
Beginning in the baroque streets and vibrant markets of Ortigia before continuing to the slopes of Mount Etna, the week follows the ingredients, landscapes, and traditions that shape Sicily’s food and drink culture. Along the way, guests meet artisans, farmers, distillers, and cooks whose work remains deeply connected to place.
From wild botanicals and blood orange groves to amaro, volcanic wines, and eastern Sicily’s pastry traditions, the journey combines cultural discovery with hands-on learning, guided tastings, and Danny-led Slow Drinks experiences.
What to expect: wild botanicals, slow drinks, citrus groves, volcanic wines, and Sicilian conviviality.
Dates
March 14-20, 2027
Price
From €6,600
Highlights
- Wander Ortigia’s market with Danny, tracing Sicily’s aromas, ingredients, and food traditions.
- Explore local botanicals at Casa Nepeta through a guided ecology and flavor session.
- Taste Modica’s chocolate and join Corrado Assenza for an exclusive tasting at Caffè Sicilia.
- Visit Amara’s blood orange groves before a hands-on Danny-led Slow Drinks 101 class.
- Walk Mount Etna’s volcanic slopes and taste expressive wines shaped by mineral soils.
- End with a cooking class and cocktail pairing inspired by the week’s discoveries.
Your Host
Danny Childs
Ethnobotanist, Author & Founder
Danny Childs is the James Beard Award-winning author of Slow Drinks and the founder of the company by the same name. He approaches drinks through plants, seasons, and place, transforming ingredients that are foraged, grown, or sourced from local farms into beverages that tell a deeper story.
Trained as an ethnobotanist before stepping behind the bar, Danny brings a rare perspective to food and drink culture: one that connects wild ingredients, local ecology, preservation, fermentation, and conviviality. His work has been featured in Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Imbibe, Punch, and Wine Enthusiast.
On this journey, Danny brings that same curiosity to eastern Sicily, helping guests read the island through its markets, citrus groves, volcanic wines, amaro, and deeply rooted food traditions.
Itinerary
In exceptional cases, the itinerary may slightly change.
← Scroll the Days across to see more Itinerary →
Arrival in Ortigia
Sunday, March 14
- Arrive independently in Ortigia and settle into a boutique hotel in the historic center.
- Meet Danny Childs and begin the journey with a walk through Ortigia’s winding streets and waterfront.
- Gather for a welcome dinner celebrating the flavors and traditions of southeastern Sicily.
Ortigia Market & Casa Nepéta
Monday, March 15
- Explore Ortigia’s daily market with Danny, meeting vendors and tracing the ingredients that shape Sicilian cooking.
- Continue into the countryside for a visit to Casa Nepeta, where local botanicals and rural traditions take center stage.
- Join a learning session with Danny and a local expert focused on Sicily’s plants, ecology, and drinking culture.
- Enjoy a BBQ lunch before returning to Ortigia for free time and dinner in Siracusa.
Modica, Noto & Pastry Traditions
Tuesday, March 16
- Travel to Modica for a walk through town and a visit to Sabadi, exploring Sicily’s chocolate-making traditions.
- Enjoy a light lunch inspired by local flavors before continuing through the Val di Noto landscape.
- Visit celebrated Caffè Sicilia in Noto for a tasting shaped by Corrado Assenza’s singular pastry vision.
- Return to Ortigia in the evening, with dinner at leisure and recommendations provided.
Catania, Amara & Slow Drinks
Wednesday, March 17
- Check out and depart Ortigia with a stop in Catania for a walk through the city’s historic Piscaria market.
- Continue to Amara to explore blood orange groves, the distillery, and the historic palmento.
- Gather for lunch followed by a Danny-led Slow Drinks 101 session inspired by citrus, amaro, and local botanicals.
- Arrive in Taormina in the late afternoon and settle in before dinner nearby.
Etna Hike & Volcanic Wines
Thursday, March 18
- Travel onto the slopes of Mount Etna for a guided walk through one of Sicily’s most dramatic landscapes.
- Visit Tenuta di Fessina for a winery tour, tasting, and lunch overlooking Etna’s volcanic vineyards.
- Return to Taormina for time to explore the Greek Theater, the centro storico and seaside views.
- Evening at leisure, with dinner on your own and recommendations provided.
Linguaglossa & A Slow Drinks Finale
Friday, March 19
- Visit Linguaglossa for a traditional sausage-making demonstration rooted in the food culture of the Etna region.
- Enjoy lunch at Dai Pennisi‘s, highlighting local ingredients and the culinary heritage of the mountain.
- Return to Taormina for time to relax before the final evening gathering.
- End the journey with a hands-on cooking class and a Danny-led cocktail pairing inspired by the week’s ingredients and discoveries.
Departure
Saturday, March 20
- Breakfast at the hotel, followed by check-out and independent transfers to Catania Airport.
Gallery
Testimonials
What an amazing, beautifully curated trip!! Gorgeous places, generous and gracious people, and gastronomical genius! Cannot wait to explore more!
Alice made our trip unforgettable. She truly listened to what we wanted, adjusted plans with care, and made everything seamless. Her timing was perfect — always checking in just when needed. The guides felt like old friends, and every hotel, restaurant, and activity was spot on. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience!
The total program was perfect including itinerary, guides, lodging, transportation,and food choices. Your recommendations and guidance was spot on!
We had an incredible trip! We are leaving with full hearts and endless memories. Thank you for being a constant source of help and information. The level of service we received from you was truly one of the biggest highlights from our trip. And the care each hotel put into receiving our children was heartwarming. I’m so grateful for you and all your attention to detail. Thank you for crafting such a well executed adventure for me and my family!
Authentic is the correct one word description. The tour guides were fantastic, and really portrayed to the local society tremendously. Thank You for a Great trip !!!
