Experience the good life in Italy on one of the best and most complete tours of Sicily with A & L's Dolce Vita Small Group Journey. Explore the most notable archaeological sites and ancient ruins, stroll through medieval towns, immerse yourself in colourful culture and capture stunning panoramas. Visit the Regaleali winery to savour some of the island's best wines and indulge in delicious local cuisine. This trip has it all! Get off the beaten path to discover this magical isle while it still remains one of Italy's best kept secrets.

Trip Length: 11 days including roundtrip air from Toronto (other gateways available)
Price: $4,995 per person based on double occupancy (departure taxes and fees extra)
Feature Tour Dates: May 1 -11, 2007

Pasta With Sardines and Tomato Sauce

This recipe comes from our dear friend in Regaleali, Anna Tasca Lanza, as seen in her fantastic cookbook "The Flavors Of Sicily". In her own words, Anna stresses that "the sun, a powerful natural force in Sicily, blesses everything that grows there with intense flavor, and shapes the daily life and beliefs of the people". One can also expect seafood to play a major role in the cuisine of this beautiful Mediterranean island.

Our feature recipe this month is often considered Sicily's regional dish and is best prepared with freshly caught sardines.

1/2 lb wild fennel
1 onion, coarsely chopped
1 lbs fresh sardines, cleaned
2 salted anchovies, filleted and rinsed, or 4 canned anchovies
1/2 cup olive oil
1 heaping tbsp pine nuts
1 heaping tbsp dried currants
4 cups tomato sauce
1 lb spaghetti
3/4 cup fine dry crumbs
2 tbsp of sugar
salt & pepper to taste

Boil the wild fennel for 10 minutes or until tender. Drain and finely chop. Set aside. Combine the onion, sardines, anchovies, and olive oil in a large saucepan and saute until the onion is golden, the sardines break up, and the anchovies dissolve, about 10 minutes. Stir in the wild fennel, pine nuts, and currants and cook for 2-3 minutes. Reserve 3 tbsps of tomato sauce for the topping and add the rest to the sardine mixture. Cover and simmer until the sauce does not separate, 25 - 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt & pepper. Set aside. Toast the breadcrumbs in a large skillet. Remove from the heat and stir in the sugar and the reserved 3 tbsps of tomato sauce. Set aside. When ready to serve, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook until "al dente". Drain and mix with the sauce. Top with some of the breadcrumbs mixture.
Buon Appetito!

# 5 Discover Colourful Culture in La Kalsa, Palermo
Palermo's ancient quarter of La Kalsa is rich in Arab influence, creating a vibrant casbah ambience. This colourful town offers an abundance of things to do and see such as shopping the markets, visiting gothic churches and exploring remnants of elegant palaces. Discover the unique nature of Sicilian life for a riveting cultural experience.

# 4 Check out the Cappuccini Catacombs in Palermo
Wandering among the dimly lit corridors of this underground crypt is an absolute must for horror fanatics and history buffs, but it is definitely not for the faint of heart. Approximately 8,000 remarkably preserved mummies are housed in the catacombs categorized by gender, age and social class among other aspects. Their eerie presence casts a somber remembrance of days gone by and will certainly leave an unforgettable impression.

# 3 Stroll through Medieval Erice
Perched high above the sea and overlooking the northern coast of Sicily, lies the medieval town of Erice. Wind your way along cobblestone paths passing lush gardens and courtyards, gothic churches and captivating castles and be transported back to the middle ages. Explore the famous temple where Greeks, Phoenicians, and Romans, respectively, worshipped their goddess of love.

# 2 Explore the Valley of the Temples, Agrigento
Settled along a rocky ridge on the southern shores of Sicily, lies the Valley of the Temples, an extraordinary spectacle dating back to the 5th Century BC. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an archaeological wonder and one of the largest and most important collections of Greek ruins in the world. The grounds encompass Doric style temples and ancient monuments and is a highlight that should not be missed. Make sure to enjoy an evening stroll by this site to capture the unforgettable spectacle of the illuminated temples.

# 1 Climb Mount Etna, Catania
Mt Etna, also known as Mongibeddu in Sicilian, is Europe's largest active volcano and one of the most active volcanoes worldwide. Etna's dramatic and impressive eruptions have been a source of major interest and inspiration in Classical mythology up until present day. This natural marvel draws visitors with its billowing steam, to wander its crater filled moonscape, and to experience its awesome power firsthand. A definite must see!