Tastemaker Tours: Sicily with Melissa Kelly
A six-night small-group Sicily wine and culinary tour with Chef Melissa Kelly, visiting Palermo, Mt. Etna, and Taormina.
About the event
Small-group Sicily wine and culinary travel
Tastemaker Tours: Sicily with Melissa Kelly is a Modern Adventure small-group culinary, wine, and cultural guided adventure in Sicily. The program is a six-night tour with one exclusive departure, and the named route includes Palermo, Mt. Etna, and Taormina.
Wine, food, and places in the program
The itinerary centers on Sicily wine and culinary programming, with low-intervention wines named as a learning focus. The trip description also includes exclusive VIP access and tastings, guided activities and adventures, entrance fees, daily breakfasts, and most lunches and dinners.
Beyond Palermo, Mt. Etna, and Taormina, the broader itinerary names Modica, the Valley of the Temples / Agrigento, and the Ionian Sea coast. The trip is framed around ancient terroirs, island winemaking, and Sicily’s cultural layers rather than a single-city stay.
Melissa Kelly’s role
Melissa Kelly is the featured host and chef for the tour. She is identified as the chef-owner of Primo Restaurant in Maine and as a two-time James Beard Award winner, with the Sicily program connected to her Italian roots, Sicilian heritage, and farm-driven Mediterranean cooking.
Her background in the trip materials also includes work at Chez Panisse and An American Place before opening Primo. The program description links her perspective on Sicily to art, ingredients, identity, and the island’s mix of Arabesque mosaics, Norman architecture, citrus groves, and seafood risotto.
Included travel elements and price
The package includes unique four- and five-star accommodations, private travel for day trips and excursions, and private tours with local guides and cultural experts. The published price is $11,000 per person based on double occupancy.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Melissa Kelly?
Melissa Kelly is the featured host and chef, the chef-owner of Primo Restaurant in Maine, and a two-time James Beard Award winner.
What food and wine themes are included?
The tour includes Sicily wine and culinary programming, VIP access and tastings, daily breakfasts, most lunches and dinners, and a focus on learning about low-intervention wines.
Where does the itinerary go?
The itinerary names Palermo, Mt. Etna, and Taormina, with additional stops including Modica, the Valley of the Temples / Agrigento, and the Ionian Sea coast.
What is the format of the tour?
It is a small-group culinary, wine, and cultural guided adventure in Sicily, organized by Modern Adventure.
What is the published price?
The published price is $11,000 per person based on double occupancy.
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