School Food Technology Trip to Sicily

Return flights to Sicily

Airport transfers

Excursion transport

Full-Board accommodation

Featured excursions entrance fees and guides

1 teacher place for every 10 students

Insurance

24/7 emergency support on tour

Home » Trips » Food Technology School Trips To Sicily

An Unforgettable Experience Awaits

Experience popular cuisine and local food specialities with your food studies class amidst spectacular Italian and Sicilian scenery on a Food Technology school trip to Sicily.

In addition to the much-loved specialities that can be found in mainland Italy, Sicily has been a melting pot of different cultures over millennia. Each culture has introduced different elements, creating a rich and diverse cuisine, now famous throughout the world. The Ancient Greeks brought honey, almonds, olives and wine whilst the Arabic settlers introduced staples such as rice and spices. The mild Mediterranean climate and fertile soils have blessed the island with an abundance of fruit and vegetables. Fish and seafood are also popular staples.

Trip Highlights

Local producers on the fertile slopes of splendid Mount Etna

Hands-on cooking experiences

Guided market visit with food tastings

Beautiful Taormina with its Greek Theatre

Recommended excursions

Catania Fish Market

Take a guided tasting walk around bustling Catania Fish Market, which offers much more than an abundance of fish! This is a chance to try some Sicilian specialities. Your first stop will be at a dried fruit stall to taste Sicilian almonds and pistachios. Next stop is a hot food stall for a tuna and anchovies tasting. The third stop is a typical Salumeria to taste Salame Sant’Angelo with Pistachio and Piacentino dell’Ennese with saffron. Next is a tasting of mandarin with Lemon or Sciortini (non-alcoholic typical Sicilian drinks). Finally stop for a tasting of Arancinetti Fish and Fried Cartoccio, Fish and Vegetable Couscous.

View on map

Honey Laboratory

The village of Zafferana Etnea, on the slopes of Mount Etna, has the largest number of honey producers in Italy. Enjoy a visit to a local honey producer and taste the different varieties. Continue to a wine producer on the lower slopes of this volcanic mountain. The altitude and fertile volcanic soils contribute to some of Italy’s most exciting wines.

View on map

Pizza Lesson

The Pizza Lesson takes place in the seaside resort of Giardini Naxos, beneath the beautiful hillside town of Taormina. Learn about the history of pizza production before preparing a pizza with the local chef. You will then get to enjoy your pizza for dinner with a dessert.

View on map

Orange Plantation

Enjoy a guided visit around an orange plantation where you will learn about fruit production techniques. Taste the different types of oranges which are grown here and flourish in the special climate and fertile soils. Enjoy a special brunch of typical Sicilian produce, including marmalade on bread and an orange salad.

Arancino Making

This famous Sicilian street food can be traced back to the arrival of the Arabs in the 10^th century. Named after an orange ‘arancia’ whose shape and colour they resemble, these fried balls of rice encase delicious fillings, including creamy cheese and meat ragu. During this chef-led experience, students will learn about the history of Arancino production and will have the opportunity to prepare their own arancino.

Cannolo Making

The cannolo is probably the most famous of Sicily’s gastronomic specialities. These deep-fried dough cylinders are stuffed with a sweet ricotta filling in a variety of flavours. During this chef-led experience, students will learn about the history of Cannoli and will be able to prepare their own cannolo.

Granita or Gelato Tasting

Sicilian Gelato is a type of ice cream, and Granita is a type of granular slushy sorbet. The tasting includes three different flavours of mini-size granita or mini-size ice cream, enjoyed with the famous Sicilian brioche, Brioche Col Tuppo. The brioche is named after the traditional hair bun of the same shape worn by Sicilian women.

Mount Etna

One of the most active volcanoes in the world, Etna is known as a stratovolcano due to its conical shape made of layers of hardened lava and ash. The fertile soil supports agriculture with vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes. There is an option to take the cable car and jeeps to approach the crater with a mountain guide.

Half day View on map

Taormina (Roman Theatre)

The beautiful and popular hillside town of Taormina is known for its perfectly preserved medieval streets and dramatic views of Mount Etna but the main attraction is its ancient Greek-Roman theatre. It was built in the 7th century BC and was later enlarged by the Romans. Today it is still used for events from plays to concerts, fashion shows and film festivals.

Half day View on map

Siracusa

Known as the birthplace of Archimedes this was one of the most powerful cities in the Mediterranean in ancient times. Visit the archaeological park, Greek theatre and amphitheatre, the ear of Dionysius and Archimedes tomb. On Ortigia island see the mythological Arethusa Fountain, the ruins of the Temple of Apollo and fine baroque architecture.

1 day View on map

Alcantara Gorge

When Mount Etna erupted thousands of years ago, the river Alcantra was blocked by a lava flow. As the lava cooled it became crystallised by the water and over the next millennia the river eroded it, resulting in impressive gorges and ravines. Today, the stunning basalt formations set in luscious woodlands are fine examples of Etna’s geological influence.

Half day View on map

Typical accommodation

3-Star Hotel – Sicily

Why groups like it:

Accommodation in Sicily will be provided in 3-star hotel
Location will be in the Giardini Naxos area to facilitate the itinerary

Facilities:

All rooms feature private bathroom facilities
On-site restaurant

Itinerary suggestion

1 Fly to Sicily

2 Coach transfer to your accommodation

3 Evening meal

4 Granito or Gelato tasting

1 Breakfast and packed lunch

2 Visit of Mount Etna

3 Honey laboratory and canteen

4 Arancino making

5 Evening meal

1 Breakfast and packed lunch

2 Orange Plantation with brunch included

3 Visit Taormina

4 Pizza lesson and Pizza meal

1 Breakfast and packed lunch

2 Fish Market Catania and tasting walk (flight-time permitting)

3 Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK

Learning outcomes

Subject focus

Students can:

Learn about traditional Sicilian cuisine
Visit local producers and understand the manufacturing processes.
Understand the reasons why the soil in this region is so fertile.
Learn how to prepare Sicilian food specialities

Student outcomes

Students will have had an opportunity to:

Understand the importance of cooking within different cultures
Learn more about Sicilian food, cooking techniques and culture
Make the connection with local produce and regional specialities
Understand the importance of a food market to the local population
Study how climate and topography affect agriculture
Gain practical skills that can be used in the UK

“

We were very happy with the service from both the UK and local operators. The local companies used were excellent and our hotel in Sicily was well located to reach all the sites.

Darland High School

Book with confidence

Ready to arrange your next adventure?
Request a quote today. Enter your name and email to begin your no obligation quote tailored to your group and learning objectives.