Slow Food Kansas City

Check out the 2nd trip for Slow Food KC in October!! Information below

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

The program begins at Catania International Airport. Afternoon transfers will be provided to Syracuse and the Hotel des Etrangers e Miramare where the group will stay for 4 nights. From “Siracusa” there will be included day trips to the surrounding cities of Taormina, Modica and Noto.

Then across the island to the city of Palermo and 5 nights at Excelsior Palace Hotel. This will be the base point for day trips to Castelvetrano, Trapani, Erice, and Marsala.

Itinerary (subject to amendment)

Monday, October 13, 2008

Depart USA

Tuesday, October 14

Arrive Catania, Sicily before 2:00pm. Transfer provided to Syracuse and Hotel Etrangers e Miramare. Dinner this evening at a local restaurant. (Dinner included today)

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. (Breakfast included today)

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. There will be time for lunch on your own (if you’re hungry). Return to Syracuse for an evening at leisure. (Breakfast included today)

Friday, October 17

In 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. (Breakfast and dinner included today)

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 14^th 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. (Breakfast and lunch included today)

Sunday, October 19

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

(Breakfast included today)

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, “Rico”. Word has it, it is some of the best in Sicily. Evening is free. (Breakfast and lunch included today)

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. Back in Palermo, the evening is free. (Breakfast and lunch are included today)

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.

Because major US carriers do not offer special group contracts to Sicily, it will be necessary to

book air transportation individually. This does allow for flexibility to extend your stay in Italy,

either before or after the tour. Call Mariann Vandenberg for recommended flight schedule.

What is included?

4 nights city view accommodation in Syracuse at Hotel Etrangers e Miramar

(sea view rooms available at additional cost)

5 nights deluxe accommodation in Palermo at Excelsior Palace Hotel

Breakfast daily, 3 dinners and 3 lunches with wine

Tours and tastings as indicated in the itinerary

Land Only Price: $3,587.00 per person, based on 2 people sharing a room and a minimum of 20 participants. Single Supplement: $953.00

Payment: Please make checks payable to Travels With Taste Holding Account

Deposit: $500 per person

Cancellations and refunds: All cancellations are subject to a $50 administrative fee. Deposit (less administrative fee) is refundable up until July 18, 2008. Cancellation after July 18 will result in loss of deposit. Refunds for cancellations received on or after August 18, 2008 will be dependent upon monies recovered from suppliers. The price is also subject to increase due to imposition of taxes or fuel surcharges not in effect at the time of pricing, an increase in the exchange rate of more than 3%, or should the number of participants fall below twenty.

Insurance: Trip cancellation/baggage/emergency medical evacuation/accident and sickness insurance protection is highly recommended. Full information will be provided by Travels With Taste upon receipt of deposit.

Mail completed reservation form (available at www.slowfoodkc.org ) to:

Travels With Taste, 5921 W. 88^th Terrace, Overland Park, KS 66207

Registration deadline: July 18, 2006 Final Payment Due: August 18, 2006

For more information, contact Mariann Vandenberg, Travels with Taste, at 913/648-0858 or e-mail Travelberg@Travels-With-Taste.com . We look forward to hearing from you.

                            SLOW FOOD KANSAS CITY Presents
                                            “Sizzling Sicily"
                                      October 14th-23rd, 2008
                                         RESERVATION FORM

To secure a reservation for ______ person(s) for this travel program, please find check in the amount of _____ . Checks should be made payable to Travels With Taste Holding Account.

I. Name (as it appears on your passport):

(Mr./Mrs./Ms)_

Please Print (Last) (First)

(Mr./Mrs./Ms)_

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II. Mailing Address:

Street__

City__ State____ Zip______

Daytime Phone Home (if different) _____

E-mail Address:_____

III. Credit Card Information (for purchase of airline tickets, if you wish)

Mastercard: ___ Visa: __ American Express: ______ Discover: _____

Card number________________________________________ Expiration___________

Card holder Signature______________________________________________________

IV. Passport Information:

Name__ Date of Birth__

Passport No.___ Date of Issue__

Exp. Date___ Place of Issue__

Name__ Date of Birth__

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V. I (we) would prefer to have the following sleeping accommodations:

Single_____ 2 beds_____ King/Queen bed_____

VI. In case of emergency, please contact:

Name Phone: (______ )______

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VIII. Frequent Flyer Membership Number_____________________

IX. Responsibility Clause

Travels With Taste/All About Travel, Inc. and/or their agents, in arranging travel accommodations or in rendering other services in connection therewith, does so as agent for the individual desiring such accommodations upon the express agreement that it shall not be liable for loss or damage of any sort arising from any act or omission of any individual, firm or corporation furnishing transportation, sightseeing, hotel accommodations or any other service in connection with such travel plan, nor for any additional cost or expense due to disruption or change of advertised schedules, rates or services, or for any other cause beyond its own control The tour participant agrees that neither the Operator nor its affiliates shall be liable for any damage, loss (including personal injury, death and property loss) or expenses occasioned by any act or omission or any supplier providing tour services or of any other person. The right is reserved to amend the advertised itinerary whenever transportation schedules or other factors make this necessary or advisable. Travels With Taste/All About Travel, Inc. is not responsible for funds which might be due to tour members from transportation companies and for unused travel facilities, accommodations and services. All such claims for refunds must be made by the individual for whom the travel plan is prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of such transportation companies or company firm or corporation furnishing such facility, accommodation or service. Baggage and articles carried by individuals during the tours are “at owner’s own risk.” All cost, rates, tariffs and other charges are subject to adjustment at any time without prior notice. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event, during the time passengers are not on board their planes or conveyances. The passage contract in use by the airlines concerned, when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the purchaser of these tours and/or passenger. The acceptance of any travel plan or other service by any individual shall be deemed to constitute an acceptance of this limitation or responsibility.

AIR TRANSPORTATION, in conjunction with this trip may be over any member of the Air Traffic Conference of America or the International Air Transport Association. All carriers reserve the right to substitute types of aircraft equipment.

I/we accept the terms and conditions that pertain to the program as described above. I understand the cancellation penalties that have been set forth.

______ ______ ______

(Signature) (Date) (Signature) (Date)

Please sign and return to:

Travels With Taste

5921 West 88 Terr – Overland Park, KS 66207 – 913-648-0858

Last updated March 02, 2008