Itinerary

SICILY

Oct 26-Nov 3, 2025

Oct 26, Sunday – Arrive earlier, see more! (While we will make sure not to include any of the prime sights and essentials before the entire group is present, this may be an opportunity to get introduced to some of the lesser known and better hidden gems)

Today, we begin our acquaintance with Palermo, the capital and biggest city of the island, with its long and fascinating history. Enjoy the bustling via Maqueda, the baroque Quattro Canti, the Cassaro (when we say it is the oldest street of Palermo, we mean 2,700 years old, for it dates back to the Phoenician times), the impressive cathedral, Piazza Pretoria (aka The Square of Shame for its marble fountain was the first in the town to feature unclothed figures). Markets, monuments, churches, theatres – we are not planning on easing you gently into getting to know the treasures of Sicilian culture and art. Your very first encounter with Palermo will be memorably corporeal.

There is no plan to wear anyone out on the first day, of course.

After some time to rest and decompress at our elegant hotel in the city centre, we see each other again at the welcome dinner where classic Sicilian dishes and old Sicilian music meet Canadian Jews hungry for knowledge.

Oct 27, Monday – We’ll start the morning a bit on the late side, understanding many of us may still be jetlagged.

The entire day is dedicated to Palermo. From the visit to the Royal Palace with its marvelous Palatine Chapel (the Norman period, 12th c) to the private tour of the grand Teatro Massimo, one of the biggest opera theatres in Europe (the biggest in Italy), inaugurated with Verdi’s Falstaff in 1897. We will dedicate the afternoon to the rich history of Jewish presence in the city, that featured in its heyday not one but two ‘Giudecca’ neighbourhoods (we are visiting both of course), Mesquita and Guzzetta.

 Oct 28, Tuesday –

Today, we are venturing west. Not too far west, only about 90 minutes away, but west nevertheless. Our first and main destination for the day is the old hill town of Erice. This charming little town has seen Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Trojan exiles, Roman conquerors – you name it. Roaming its hilly narrow alleys today it’s easy to forget its many troubled days. The Jewish community here, for instance, had to face the choice between conversion and extinction a full 100 years before the Spanish exile.

I am also looking forward to introducing you here to an old friend, signora Maria Grammatico. Back in the 1950s, her impoverished mother sent Maria and her sister to a cloistered orphanage in Erice. The ensuing years were Dickensian. On the upside, Maria learned the secrets of the famous local sweets and marzipans, known locally as Frutta di Martorana, and later produced generations of disciples, thanks to whom Erice is famous for those exquisite delicacies.

After the initial tour of Erice, we are planning to offer here a choice; depending on your interests, you may opt for (1)a traditional Sicilian desserts workshop (or otherwise cooking - TBA) for the next few hours, (2)continue with the guide on an in-depth exploration of the town, or (3)choose to discover it on your own. A word to the wise; Erice is very hilly. Even if you have perfectly good knees, walking sticks might be a smart call.

On the way back to Palermo, we will stop at the must-see site of Segesta, an ancient Elymian city featuring a fabulous Hellenistic theatre and a magnificent Doric temple, surprisingly intact and older than the Pantheon in Athens.

 Oct 29, Wednesday –

Today we leave Palermo behind, moving to the east coast. On the way, we still need to visit the other two great cathedrals built by the great Norman king Roger II along with Palermo Cathedral; Monreale and Cefalu. (Note: Rabbi Eli passionately believes Roger to have been the greatest European king of all times. Feel free to ask him, but be prepared for a long flow of stories and superlatives.) The visit to Monreale will be fairly short, as the cathedral is pretty much our only point of interest there. Not so with Cefalu. This delightful ancient Greek colony turned fishing village boasts enchanting beaches, great harbour views, a splendid medieval old town, and more.

It is our longest bus ride on a single day. Total expected bus time for the day might be over 4 hours (about half of it, on the final stretch from Cefalu to Catania).

 Oct 30, Thursday –

Eastern Sicily truly discovers the island’s nature as the domain of Poseidon. Earthquakes, volcanoes, basalt formations and lava streaks are ample here. We start our first morning here with venturing straight to Mt Etna, Europe’s most active volcano. The fact is, we are fairly likely to see it erupt into the starry sky over Catania, resting right underneath the great fiery dome. (Afraid be not; in the seriously unlikely event the eruption gets hazardous, there will be ample warning for everyone to clear the area.) After exploring the area and some of the craters at the level of 2,000m above sea level, we will visit a local farm for lunch and a horizontal tasting of the typical wines produced on Etna. Taking advantage of its position on the great furnace of nature and the layers of ash fertilizing its grounds, the farm does not only run a winery but also maintains an apiary. We will certainly partake in their honey with our desserts.

And that, folks, is only half the day. Because from here, we are heading to Taormina, one of the oldest tourist destinations in the world (the rich and the famous have been flocking here for well over 200 years).

We’ll start with a guided tour of the ancient Greek theatre, then take some free time to check out the city (and perhaps have dinner in one of the uncountable restaurants and eateries matching every taste and pocket).

Oct 31, Friday –

We’ll be visiting today two baroque towns in the centre of eastern Sicily, Ragusa and Modica.

Ragusa is magical. You will keep dreaming of its cobbled alleys, weirdest faces and gargoyles where you least expect them, many covered and uncovered semi-hidden steps and passages, churches both posh and unassuming, opulent parks and enticing archways.

Modica is remarkable in its own merit. We will enjoy the views on our walking tour, and visit one of its many chocolate parlours for a tasting, as the chocolate here is still made to the old (16th c) Spanish recipe, with minimum of ingredients, all very natural.

We’ll get back to the hotel so as to have time to freshen up for Shabbat.

Currently, the only Jewish community somewhat active in Sicily are the anusim in Catania; the descendants of those forced into conversion or hiding by the inquisition. Although dozens of the community members have been recognised as Jewish by the Israeli Rabbanut (and anyone who knows anything realizes that is no small achievement), the Italian Rabbinate, in a politically showy fit of pique, refused to accept them as Jews, putting the congregation in a rather precarious position.

The space being used as a synagogue by the community is only used so often. We are hoping to be able to arrange for a dinner to be served at the synagogue after Kabbalat Shabbat, so we can invite its members to share the seudah with us. Should it be logistically challenging, we will still invite them to join us for the dinner, served at either our hotel or another venue nearby.

The meal will be either catered by a kosher caterer from Rome, or prepared by Rabbi Eli’s own kosher crew (TBA).

 Nov 1, Shabbat –

We will let you have you Shabbat rest in the morning, but after lunch (fish/vegetarian, served in a restaurant nearby) we are taking you on a walking tour of Catania. Again, definitely nothing rushed or strenuous. It is still our day of rest.

In the evening, after Shabbat ends, we will invite you for either an opera at the local Teatro Massimo Bellini, or a traditional marionette show unique for Sicily. (Subject to the schedule for the season.)

 Nov 2, Sunday –

 The whole day is dedicated to Siracusa, the city of Archimedes and tyrant Dion that remained splendid for thousands of years.

The morning will find us in Neapolis, the vast archeological park with its caves, altars, ancient prisons, theatres, the Ear of Dionysus, and more.

From lunch onward, we relocate to the nearby isle of Ortygia. Enjoy the scents of exotic spices on your way through the market by the bridge, roam the streets, marvel at the calm of Arethusa spring, and visit Giudecca to go underground on a guided tour of the oldest known mikveh in Europe (6th c CE!).

We will end the evening with a farewell dinner for the benefit of those who will decide not to continue with the rest of the group to Malta.

 Nov 3, Monday –

We will say goodbye to Sicily with a visit to Noto. This town had the “good fortune” of having been nearly totally erased from the face of the earth by the terrible quake in 1693, thanks to which it’s been rebuilt in the gorgeous Spanish 18th c baroque.

As you will see for yourself, most any building on the main street, Corso Vittorio Immanuele, would be the talk of town were it miraculously moved elsewhere in Europe. And here, we have a whole street of those!

On the walking tour of Noto, Rabbi Eli also promised to introduce us to Café Sicilia, the unassumingly named café that’s been operating in the same place and by the same family for a century and a half now. He says we might even be lucky and run into chef Corrado Assenza, the 5th generation owner and a legend among dessert and pastry chefs in the world.

To enjoy your time in Noto fully, if flying from Catania the same day, please make sure your flight does not leave before 5 pm. We can drop you off at the airport or the city of Catania.

For those who continue with us to Malta – you will have a choice between a couple of flights, both same night and the next morning.

 MALTA

Here, you will find yourselves in a totally new world. Forget everything you’ve seen before (including even in Sicily; it is magnificent, and practically next door, but oh-so-different). Malta is a world apart, ever marching to its own drums. Its deeply Catholic population is part-European, part-African, part-Arab, accentuating different parts in different contexts.

For centuries it was the imposing abode of the Maltese knights, famous for their ability to carry out two tasks; fighting and construction. Think about it; there are barely over half a million residents in Malta, and… over 350 churches!

Malta also features a great depth of history of Jewish life – not always a positive experience, either; during most of the period of the knights’ rule the only way a Jew could come to Malta (unless by a special invitation from the Grand Master of the Order) was as a slave.

Fortunately, our own experience is to be much more comfortable and welcoming.

 Nov 4, Tuesday –

In the morning, we will head off from our hotel in Valletta to Hagar Qim – the awesome megalithic temple structures more than 5,000 years old (yep, you read that right, it’s not a typo. The temples were fully erect before the first stone of Stonehenge was laid in its foundation).

We will stop above the Blue Grotto for a scenic photo on our way to M’dina/Rabat, the first capital of Malta. Visit St Paul catacombs boasting Christian, Pagan, and Jewish tombs from as early as the 4th c CE. (The Jewish ones are marked by menorahs carved into the limestone, and at times the archeologists were able to glean a surprising amount of information about the person or family entombed.)

Next, it is straight to the old town of M’dina – to lose ourselves on the exciting walking tour of its palaces, mansions, medieval streets and towers.

 Nov 5, Wednesday –

The entire day is reserved for Valletta, the old new capital of Malta.

We will learn of both the general and Jewish history of the island, roam the streets, and visit the palatially grandiose St John’s co-Cathedral (that tour alone will take us a good couple hours. Honestly, Not just because there are works by Caravaggio there. It is one of the most lavishly decorated buildings you’ve ever seen).

Nov 6, Thursday –

We are going across the Grand Harbour (by bus or ferry – TBA, neither will be a long ride) to explore the Three Cities: Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Conspicua.

Plenty to see and learn today. The impossible battles in which the knights, greatly outnumbered, managed to repel the Ottoman Turks. The rapid rhythms of construction (medieval and, alas, modern). The streets and gates still bearing the memory of the Jewish community that dwelled here. The French, the British, the modern history of independence. Parks, churches, fortresses, anecdotes and legends.

Optional:

Nov 7, Friday – The Island of Gozo.

If you wish to stay behind an extra day and explore the second biggest island of Malta, please contact us for the prices and availability

Pricing and conditions

 This message is for friends.

There are no tricks or sales pitches, such as quoting the prices in US$, adding hidden fees and taxes separately, etc. What you see is what you get, and the offer is as good as they come.

The prices for the members of The Lodzer are:

 Sicily - CAD$5,900 per person

Add Malta – CAD$1,750

 We also ask for a $180 donation to The Lodzer (with a charitable donation receipt, of course).

The offer is per person at double occupancy (see the single occupancy supplement rates below).

For the non-members of The Lodzer, the price will be a little higher;

         Sicily - $6,600 per person

Add Malta - $1,950 per person

$360 donation to The Lodzer

• Single occupancy surcharge: Sicily (8 nights) – CAD$2,760 | Malta (2 nights) – CAD$530

 The above prices are per person at double occupancy - luxury hotels (see below about star grading), with breakfasts, welcome dinner on the first night, lunch along with the wine tasting on Etna, full board on Shabbat, farewell dinner on the last night in Sicily, very high-quality bus, excellent local guide. Our very own Rabbi and Cantor staying by your side throughout the trip.

The package includes:

• Transfers as described

• 8/10 nights in excellent hotels throughout the trip

• 8/10 hotel breakfasts

• Full dinners presenting the best of Sicilian cuisine on the first night and the last night

• Lunch with wine pairings at a winery on Etna

• Full board on Shabbat (Glatt kosher dinner Friday night, fish/vegetarian lunch on Saturday)

• 9/12 days of travel with a comfortable tourist coach whenever applicable 

• Rabbi Eli, Cantor David and local English speaking guide staying with you throughout the way, barring free time

•  All sites and events' entry fees as described

• All applicable taxes and surcharges

 The package does not include:

• Insurance (cancellation, personal, luggage, etc); please do get it, as the small group commitment does not leave room for cancellation refunds 

• Flights

• Extra nights in Sicily, Malta, or other destinations

• Personal expense (e.g. souvenirs etc)

• Anything not covered by the program

• Meals other than specified

• Single occupancy surcharge: Sicily (8 nights) – CAD$2,760 | Malta (2 nights) – CAD$530

• Donation to The Lodzer ($180 per member, $360 non-member), tax receipt issued

• Tips for the local service providers (optional; will be collected at the end of the tour)

• Extra nights in Sicily or Malta – please contact for rates

Payment schedule:

•  30% upon registration 

•  70% by April 4, 2025

•  Donation by Oct 3, 2025

 Preferred methods of payment are by check or etransfer. 

It is possible to pay by Visa or Mastercard directly to the agency, but the payment (1) will incur 3.8% surcharge and (2) would be in euros at the current rate for the moment of payment.

!Please note that since the departure is guaranteed, each payment becomes non-refundable upon its collection date! Make sure to get good insurance covering cancellations and interruptions!

 Suggestions and ideas:

 There are no direct flights to Palermo from Toronto currently. There are a number of routes available via major European destinations. You may want to consider flying to Rome and perhaps spending some time in mainland Italy before or after the tour; talk to Rabbi Eli if you'd like to hear more about your options there.

Malta is conveniently connected to the rest of Europe with a network of direct, efficient flights. If you have the time and the spirit, this is a great opportunity to stay around and explore further after the tour.

Let us know if you need special dietary, mobility, or other accommodations. We'll try our best.

 Hotels list:

• Palermo, 3 nights:  https://piazzaborsa.it/

• Catania, 5 nights:   https://www.gruppouna.it/esperienze/palace-catania

• Valletta, 2 nights:    https://www.palaislebrun.com/en/home.htm

 *  As always, we may have to change the hotels for logistical reasons. We will not downgrade.

General Notes and FAQs:

For most of us, this is the first, and for some, only opportunity to visit Sicily and Malta. As always, for that very reason some of you would like having as tightly packed a schedule as ever, while others prefer having some time on their own to relax and explore at own pace. We are doing what we can in order to cater to both tastes by arranging the entire itinerary in flexible parts, sort of modules. You will find some plans and activities here that you will be able to skip without missing out on the trip as a whole. Contact us for suggestions on what are the absolute must-do’s and what can be missed if you need more “you-time”.

Why Sicily?

It is a magnificent destination. It has it all; great history, vast heritage from dozens of cultures, art, architecture, gastronomic variety, mind blowing nature – all that on a fairly compact piece of land, about 2.5% of Ontario in area. And we didn’t even mention yet thousands of years of Jewish presence. According to the recent genetic studies, as many as 25% of modern Sicilians have a significant percentage of Jewish ancestry.

Fair enough. Why Malta though?

Firstly, because very few organized tours (Jewish or otherwise) include Malta. It is not exactly “on the way” anywhere, you normally get to Malta because you specifically go to Malta. Mainly though, because it is an extremely underrated destination, still not known or explored to the tune of what it deserves. Featuring a great balance of tradition, art, adventure, and nature, this small nation on the convergence of Europe, Asia, and Africa will uncover for you such angles of history that even the more experienced travellers in our midst may not have suspected to exist.

And – of course, at the risk of repeating ourselves – the Jewish side of the story is ample.

What are reasons for which I should not add Malta to my trip?

One obvious reason would be if you need to urgently be elsewhere just as the Sicilian portion of the trip ends.

Another, if you really take an issue with hilly areas. Sicily is fairly hilly, but the steepest walks on the tour may be avoided if absolutely necessary. In the terms of Maltese topography, however, that would be nearly impossible.

How fit do I have to be overall to enjoy this trip?

We do not expect anyone to stand up to serious athletic challenges. If you can walk for a few hours on a moderately paced guided tour with stops, including some urban ascents and descents, you’ll fit in.

Usually, the hotels on your tours are 5 stars. I noticed some of the ones offered here are only 4 stars.

You are absolutely correct. In Sicily, the hotels are not always star-graded in direct proportion to the quality of the hotel. That has to do mostly with the local taxation laws. Basically, the hotel is allowed to decide for itself how many stars it wants to claim, based on whether its administration believes the stars will help generate more revenue than the extra payments made in taxes.

We always choose the hotels that are best for our needs in terms of luxury, convenience, location, and services, regardless of its name or other “formal” expressions of prestige. In fact, we could have offered 5-star hotels in Sicily at a lower price than the current 4-stars in the program; but that would have come at the expense of your comfort.

What about the flight to Malta and the hotel for Monday night (Nov 3rd)? I noticed those are not included in the offer.

That’s right. We realize that some of our guests will prefer staying an extra night in Catania, while others would rather travel to Malta right away. Buying your own flight tickets will allow you more flexibility. These flights are inexpensive. In fact, even if you buy your one-way ticket less than a month or 2 ahead, the price starts at less than 50 euro (CAD$75) per person.

We’ll be happy to help you book your flights, as well as the hotel for the extra night(s) in Catania and/or Malta.

Should I stay for an extra day in Malta in order to visit the Island of Gozo?

That depends. Gozo is considered by many to be Malta in the miniature. In the previous 3 days we will, of course, cover a fair bit of the core Malta.

You will definitely find Gozo interesting if you:

-          Are seeking out the more serene, laid-back and overall chill sights of Malta

-          Are a buff of Maltese history

-          Have familial or otherwise personal connections to Malta

-          Love our tours and just don’t want to let go so easily

It might not be for you if you:

-          Do not enjoy schlepping those (often cobbled) ups and downs more than necessary

-          Have to be elsewhere for Shabbat (the optional Gozo tour is on Friday)

-          Find that getting a general impression of Malta is sufficient to satisfy your curiosity and craving of adventure

Can I upgrade my hotel room?

If you are looking for a suite, a bigger room, or something special, it might be possible in comes cases. Please contact us for options.

Can I come only to Malta without joining the Sicilian part of the trip?

We would not recommend it, as our tours are built as whole experiences with a central storyline, and joining towards the end would mean you’ve lost that part of the experience.

I have a question that is not covered here.

Please contact us! We love hearing from you. Write to, or call Rabbi Eli directly.