"222" Days To Go!!!!

Two Hundred & Twenty Two Days? Where did I get that # from you ask?

222 days until our Slow Food convivium travels to Sicily. The last time our convivium traveled to Turino & Florence in 2006 with the guidence of Mariann Vandenberg and the Diva herself, Judy Francini.

We will be leaving Kansas City for Sicily in October and you can only imagine the trip we have planned. There is only one problem. There are only 4 seats left. So.....if you are interested, you need to contact Mariann at travelberg@aol.com TODAY!!!

Our trip will include exclusive tours of Olio Verde, the famed olive oil factory, cooking class luncheon at Gangi, a taste and tour of Marsala wine at Florio, a visit to the oldest chocolate factory in Sicily, many restaurants and a lot of sightseeing. We will tour the famous markets, enjoy a dessert at Maria Grammatica pastry shop, tour the salt flats, eat SLOW FOOD, even a brief sidetrip to my family's gelateria 'THE GOLDEN BAR' in Gibilina. We will get VERY LITTLE REST, I GURANTEE you!

The countown is ON!!! If someone can put or show me how to make a countdown clock on my blog, I would really appreciate this!

Slow Food Kansas City “Sizzling Sicily” October 14-23, 2008

This culinary experience will be led by Judy Witts Francini of “Divina Cucina,”
coordinated by Mariann Vandenberg of “Travels With Taste ,”
and accompanied by Jasper Mirabile

Monday, October 13, 2008 Depart USA

Tuesday, October 14 Arrive Catania, Sicily Hotel Etrangers e Miramare. Dinner this evening at a local restaurant.

Wednesday, October 15 Morning visit to Catania and its famous market. Then on to Taormina for a visit to the Greek Theater, a walking tour of the old town and free time for lunch and shopping. Return to Syracuse along the road below Mt. Etna.

Thursday, October 16 This is a day of baroque architecture and sweets as we visit the towns of Modica and Noto. We plan visits to Café Sicilia, the pastry shop of Corrado Costanzo and enjoy a walking tour of Noto. In Modica we’ll visit Antica Dolceria Bonajuto. Return to Syracuse for an evening at leisure.

Friday, October 17In the morning will be a tour of the major Greek archeological sites of Syracuse. The remainder of the day will be free for your personal pursuits. This evening we will dine at another local restaurant.

Saturday, October 18 Depart Syracuse and travel north to the slopes of Mt. Etna to the community of Bronte where they grow the famous pistachio’s that are a Slow Food Presidia. Then on to Gangivecchio, a 14th century abbey in the Madonie Mountains where there will be lunch and a cooking demonstration by Wanda and Giovanna Tornabene. Their cookbook on Sicily won the James Beard Award. Then on to Palermo and the Hotel Excelsior Palace. (

Sunday, October 19 Morning tour of Palermo and Monreale, ending mid afternoon. Time to rest and relax.

Monday, October 20 Travel south of Palermo to the community of Castelvetrano and the producer of “Olio Verde”, one of the finest olive oils in the world. With luck we will observe the harvest and pressing of the first oil, then enjoy a tasting of the oil, cooking demonstration, and lunch. Later in the afternoon, as we return to Palermo, we plan to make a stop in Gibellina to enjoy a gelato and granita tasting at the shop of Jasper’s cousin, “Renoo”. Word has it, it is some of the best in Sicily. Evening is free.

Tuesday, October 21 Today we head for the west coast of Sicily, beginning in Marsala and a tasting of its famous wine. Sea salt is a very important industry along the marshy coast line and the old salt pans and mill of Ettore and Infersa Saltworks are a very interesting visit near Trapani. In the ancient hill-top town of Erice we will enjoy a lunch of the famous “cous cous” followed by a visit to the pastry shop of Maria Grammatico.

Wednesday, October 22 Judy Witts Francini joins local restaurateur Vincenzo Clemente to lead a tour of one of Palermo’s famous markets. Concluding late morning the remainder of the day is free to sightsee, shop and relax. Tonight we dine at Vincenzo’s reataurant “CinCin”. (Breakfast and dinner included today)

Thursday, October 23 Early morning transfers are included for those returning to the USA