BEN TISH

Etna is the greenest area of Sicily and home to many Sicilian agricultural entrepreneurs who pioneered the production of Etna wine and exported it around the world since the late 1880s. The landscape of Etna is characterized by terraced hills where native grapes and olive trees have been grown for centuries. This is one of the oldest agricultural areas in Sicily since the time when the Previtera family moved here at the beginning of the 16th century and introduced many varieties of wines such as Nerello Mascalese to their lands. Linguaglossa is located on the north side of Etna which offers a mild climate which benefits from the wind from the Ionian coast.

Activity

A cooking class led by chef Ben Tish following the leitmotif of his latest book "Sicily: a love letter to Sicilian food".​

Masterclass on Etna DOC wines: Nerello Cappuccio and Nerello Mascalese vines with the wine expert Barbara Liuzzo.

Visit to the historic Palazzo dei Previtera in Linguaglossa with the current owner Dr. Alfio Puglisi, an expert in contemporary art.

Excursion on the Etna volcano led by Vincenzo Romeo, an expert naturalistic guide

Visit to one of the oldest cellars on Etna.

Tasting of the wines of the estate and lunch for two ​ Foraging experience gathering edible wild herbs at Tenuta Rustica ​

Olive oil tasting at an olive grove in the Alcantara Valley

Traditional granita and tasting by the award-winning pastry chef Giovanna Musumeci

TRAVEL ITINERARY

DAY 1 | OCTOBER 22nd

Arrival in Linguaglossa Check-in at Palazzo Previtera at 4.30 pm and welcome aperitif in the Camellia garden at 6.00 pm. Visit the Palazzo together with the current owner, Alfio, who will host you for the following days. Take part in a shared dinner in an Etna winery and meet the participants of this unique trip.

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DAY 2 | OCTOBER 23rd

Wake up under the frescoed ceilings of Palazzo Previtera and enjoy one of the Sicilian breakfasts prepared from the historic family recipe book.

tracing the ancient routes of the German geologist Wofgang Sartorius Freiherr von Waltershausen, the first scholar of the volcanic activity of Etna. Explore the wildest part of the mountain on a 2-hour hike between the Sartorius Craters, a pulsating line of seven extinct craters, and the lava flow that originated during the 1865 eruption. Observe endemic species, local fauna and the bomb volcano.

In the afternoon, visit an ancient country estate in the Alcantara Valley, meet Lorenzo and Margherita the current owners who will take you on a naturalistic walk in their vineyards and fields. Learn about the farm's native crops with young farmers and participate in a foraging activity, gathering edible wild plants and herbs. Taste the oil and wine produced on the estate. Giovanna Musumeci, master pastry chef will show you the art of making granita. Granita with Etna snow is a local dessert.

Dinner at the country house.

DAY 3 | OCTOBER 24th

Visit the city of Catania and the famous fish market. Let's go shopping, choosing the freshest ingredients from local producers. We enter the kitchen of a Baroque palace in the Jewish quarter of Catania to cook the groceries with Ben. Back to linguaglossa. Free evening.

DAY 4 | OCTOBER 25th

It's the day of the Feast, Ben Tish will lead you through the streets of the village of Linguaglossa and you will go shopping with him. He will show you the fresh vegetables and fruit, an ancient butcher shop selling Sicilian meat and you will stop for a coffee in a local pastry shop to explore the ancient art of almond paste. In the afternoon, everyone in the kitchen to prepare a Sicilian lunch, a cooking class masterfully conducted by chef Ben Tish. During the afternoon, you will learn more about the wines of Etna thanks to a Masterclass held by an expert wine expert.

DAY 5 | OCTOBER 26th

Our time together has come to an end. If you have time, come with us for a walk in Catania, visit the fish market and get to know the history of this city. End of activity and excursion scheduled at 15:30. We hope the energy of the volcano and these insights into Sicilian culture will fuel and inspire your creativity for a long time to come.