Food and Wine Villas in Sicily
Book Cookery Classes or a Private Chef on a Culinary Holiday
Apr 3, 2009
Sicilian cuisine is quite different to that of other regions of Italy. It’s both delicious and distinctive. The island’s varied history (it was colonised by everyone from the Greeks and Romans to the Arabs and the Normans) is reflected in its dishes. The Greeks are said to have brought grapes and olives; the Romans fava beans and lentils. The influence of the Arabs was particularly strong. They brought almonds, artichokes, oranges, spices and dishes in which raisins and pine nuts are combined with vegetables and fish. The Arabs are also believed to have taken ice-cream to Sicily – and where would Italian cuisine be without ice-cream?
SoloSicily Villas
Now villa specialist, soloSicily (tel: 020 7193 0158 UK), has a collection of 'food and wine' villas offering a variety of 'foodie' extras. Take a holiday in one of these Sicilian villas and you might be able to enjoy the services of an in-house cook, or take a cookery course. You also have the option of staying on a working winery.
Hire a Personal Chef
At 25 of soloSicily’s villas, you can hire a cook for one night or more. At The Poet's Corner for instance, once the Grimaldi family's summer holiday villa, you can book a personal chef or organise a private cookery class: a great way to learn how to cook Sicilian dishes. The villa, in central Sicily, has an ultra-modern dining-room, though you’re more likely to take the opportunity to eat outside on the outdoor terrace, surrounded by centuries-old cypress trees. One week at The Poet's Corner in June starts at 285 euros per person (based on 17 sharing) per week. A good option for big families.
Learn About Sicilian Cuisine
If you’re keen to see the magnificent Greek temples at Agrigento, in south western Sicily, then the Villa Elena might make a great holiday base. It’s a new soloSicily villa, situated in the small town of Camastra, which is near Agrigento. When you stay here you can learn the art of Sicilian cooking. It’s a contemporary villa (sleeps 12) with a stunning orange and chrome kitchen that leads out to a huge veranda and garden, with herb garden, wood-burning oven and barbecue area. One week at Villa Elena in June starts at 314 euros per person (based on 12 sharing) per week.
Stay on a Winery in Sicily
If you’re a wine buff, then you might like the chance to stay on a working winery in Sicily. Cantine Virzi, which has 180 hectares of vineyards, has six apartments, sleeping two people. It sits on the popular wine route, the 'Strade del Vino', in western Sicily. In addition to wine-tastings, guided tours of the wine cellar and cookery classes, there's an on-site restaurant and large pool. A 3-night short break in one of the apartments costs 210 euros per person (based on 2 sharing).
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