ITALO POP SICILY COOKING, FOOD & WINE RETREAT- 5 Nights – Part 3
An immersion into the cookbook ITALO -POP- with award winning author Vanja van der Leeden
SICILIAN COOKING, FOOD & WINE RETREAT
Join us into the world of Vanja’s Italo – Pop version of Sicily, where we will travel through her cookbook in real life with 4 days & 5 nights of full immersive experiences with Chefs, recipes and places that are featured in her cookbook.
Stay in a traditional Sicilian Masseria which has been transformed into a peaceful stay during your trip here to Sicily. The Masseria is located on the nineteenth-century train line, between Syracuse, Scicli and Ragusa which passes through numerous towns declared by UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A magical experience that will punctuate the long spring, summer & autumn days.
THE DATES: Late arrival Saturday evening 25th October – Thursday Morning 30th October 2025
THE DETAILS:
- Saturday 25th October 2025 arrival evening at Catania Airport with a group transfer to the Masseria
- Departure Thursday 30th October 2025 Morning check out 10am leaving from
- Scicli to Catania Airport
- 5 Nights & 4 Days in a classically transformed Masseria in the middle of the Ragusano countryside 10 minutes from the UNESCO town of Scicli, Southeast Sicily
- All transfers included in the price (from and to Catania airport and all excursions in the itinerary)
- Includes all breakfasts, lunches and dinners in & out
- Includes all experiences, cooking classes & excursions
- Includes 1 x private double bedroom per person in your own apartment with private bathroom, mini kitchen and outdoor private space (Shared apartments for friends or couples also available with your own double bedroom per person)
- Includes access to the swimming pool and all communal areas at the Masseria
- Price: 2200 euros per person
- Price: 550 euros a day for an all inclusive retreat with all experiences, transfers, food and accommodation
- 10% discount per person when booking in 2 to share an apartment
THE ITINERARY: please note this is an example itinerary the full itinerary will be sent on receipt of deposit & may change due to weather/availability of suppliers etc
Saturday: Arrival and group pick up from Catania airport, Sicily
Saturday: Arrival and check in at the Masseria with snacks in apartments
Sunday: Morning breakfast and welcome coffee with a cooking class and lunch at the Masseria
Sunday: In the early evening a short drive into Scicli for a walk around the UNESCO town and dinner in a wonderful local restaurant
Monday: A morning cooking class with Vanja & Emilia, an Arancini masterclass and lunch at the Masseria
Monday: A afternoon drive to Punta Secca with a fish Masterclass & dinner by Joseph Micieli
Tuesday: Morning walk and foraging in the iblea cavas with lunch in the countryside
Tuesday: In the evening a slow relaxed cooking class and dinner at the Masseria with Vanja & Emilia
Wednesday: Local DOP cheese farm visit and tasting & olive oil tasting visit and tasting
Wednesday: A dinner together at the Masseria with Vanja & Emilia where we cook altogether recipes from Italopop
Thursday: Morning departure from the Masseria in a group transfer to Catania airport, Sicily
(please note if other transfers are required that are not part of the itinerary we can organize this for you at an extra cost).
What's Included
- 5 Nights & 4 Days in a classically transformed Masseria in the middle of the Ragusano countryside 10 minutes from the UNESCO town of Scicli, Southeast Sicily
- All transfers included in the price (from and to Catania airport and all excursions in the itinerary)
- Includes all breakfasts, lunches and dinners
- Includes all experiences, cooking classes & excursions
- Includes 1 x private double bedroom per person in your own apartment with private bathroom, mini kitchen and outdoor private space (Shared apartments for friends or couples also available with your own double bedroom per person)
- Includes access to the swimming pool and all communal areas at the Masseria
- If other transfers are required that are not part of the itinerary we can organize this for you at an extra cost
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About your accommodation
- 5 Night & 4 Days in a classically transformed Masseria in the middle of the Ragusano countryside 10 minutes from the UNESCO town of Scicli, Southeast Sicily.
- Includes access to the swimming pool and all communal areas at the Masseria.
- Includes 1 x private double bedroom per person or a shared apartment with 1 x other person with whom they share a bathroom, mini kitchen and outdoor private space but with own private double bedroom.
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Your hosts
- Vanja van der Leeden: is a chef, culinary journalist and award winning cookbook author. Vanja studied Italian and lived in Rome and Florence in the past and worked in some of the best restaurants in Amsterdam. Her most recent cookbook Italopop explores the new Italian kitchen including interviews with open minded Italian chefs and recipes that are rooted in tradition but are also open to evolution and creativity.
- Our Founder & Chef: Emilia Strazzanti: is proud to showcase the food & wine artisans of Sicily who strive to continue Sicilian traditions and pass them down to the next generation just as her Sicilian grandparents did for her growing up in the UK. Emilia cooks dishes she learnt growing up from her Nonni “Come una volta” (how they used to it) using only locally sourced ingredients from Sicily to promote & continue the traditions of the Sicilian Land.
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Duration
5 nights & 4 Days -
Accommodates
6 - 12 people -
Price per person all inclusive except all flights
All inclusive 2200 euros per person 550 euros per day 10% discount per person when booking in 2 to share an apartment -
Availability
25th - 30th October 2025 -
Location
Between Scicli & Sampieri (RG)
The Masseria are located in south east Sicily between the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Baroque town Scicli & Sampieri beach.
Located in the Province of Ragusa, south east Sicily offers an array of history and culture from Baroque churches to small fishing ports, the ancient Greek towns of Siracusa Ortigia to the most picturesque fishing village Marzamemi. The landscape is full of stunning diversity with olive groves, almond trees, canyons and valleys transforming your drives into a Sicilian dream. < -
How it works
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To request your experience please contact us via the request form here link with the following information of any dietary requirements and any questions you may have :