"Our diner with Patrizia was excellent. The food was fresh, well prepare, and paired with wonderful wines. The setting was in a small apartment that over looked a small piazza in old Palermo city center. We had a lovely view of the piazza, so it was as if we were in our own private restaurant. Patrizia was our host and server while her daughter Giuliana was our chef. We had a truly lovely evening and experience. Grazie mille Patrizia!"
Review from Michael by Toursbylocals
Patrizia,
This is Garrett and Gwen, we took your class this past week (the only 2 Americans). I wanted to email you to tell you how much we enjoyed the class and to say thank you. It really was one of the best things we did on our trip and we are still talking about how much fun it was.
Thanks for all of your tips on Palermo. We had dinner at Gagini and it was one of the most unbelievable meals we have ever had. We also stopped at Mondello on our way out of town and it was beautiful, it is exactly what you think of when you think of Sicily.
Thanks again for making our trip so much fun. Also if you could please send along the recipes for what we made that would be great. We really want to try to make it here.
And finally I attached the pictures that you took of us using my phone.
Happychef13
Atlanta, Georgia
Chef Patrizia provided our group of 6 with an amazing Sicilian lunch. Her hospitality, culture, wine and food all contributed to a memorable event our group will talk about for a long time.Excellent experience!
tara5525
Clearwater, Florida
Unique experience in Palermo
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our day with Patrizia. She met us near the cruise port, since we were in for the day from a cruise. She walked us to the market where she selected fresh produce, bread, cheese, and seafood for our cooking class. We then went back to her apartment to start preparing the food. We listened to music, drank wine, ate some delicious cheese and fresh bread, and enjoyed hearing about Sicily. We then enjoyed a wonderful meal. This experience is one that I won't ever forget. It was such a unique way to spend our time in Palermo and if you are looking for something fun to do, and you enjoy food, book a day with Patrizia. She is such a sweet and kind woman.
pauleenf
Hong Kong, Cina
Fun experience for the family
My family of 4, including our 7 & 9 year olds, spent a lovely 4 hours with Patrizia & Giuliana (mother and daughter) on a days excursion from our cruise ship.
Patrizia very kindly accommodated us, as I had booked the wrong day. She made no fuss and took us on a tour of the food market, where we purchased our ingredients for the lunch we would prepare.
We got straight into pasta making and she very easily made our girls part of the experience- they loved it! We made 3 different types of pasta and sauces together with a beef dish and cassata dessert. We also enjoyed some typical Sicilian cheese, olives, bread and wine during the cooking process. Amazing!
It was an amazing banquet and we left so satisfied, with full bellies and a new found love for pasta making.
Thank you for opening your home to us and making us feel so welcome! You are truly hospitable and we will always remember Palermo from our unique experience with you.
FrankieW
Devon, Regno Unito
It made our holiday
What a wonderful experience. I did this cookery day with two friends. We met our charming and friendly hostess Patrizia and shopped at the fabulous Capo Market for fresh ingredients. Then we went to a lovely apartment nearby and she showed us how to make delicious authentic Sicilian food. She is a great teacher and creates a calm, happy relaxed atmosphere. You actually learn a lot as you chat and cook without realising it. It really made the holiday in Palermo extra special. Highly recommended. Oh and you get the recipes too!!
Annie2122
Londra, Regno Unito
Cooking Course Fantastic
We had a fabulous day cooking with Patrizia today. The tour started with a walk around the markets to buy our ingredients. We then went back to an apartment very close to the markets to cook. We had a small group of 4 so we were all involved in the cooking. I don't eat seafood so Patrizia kindly adapted the menu with alternatives for me. We made pasta with anchovies (puttanesca for me), rolled swordfish with breadcrumbs (rolled beef for me) with caponata and cassata for dessert.
Everything was delicious and Patrizia was great and showing us her methods as well as explaining alternatives for ingredients we may not be able to get in our countries.
The cooking space was cool and clean and we enjoyed chatting and sharing travel stories with our fellow students.
It was a lovely day and a great experience.
Chloe H
Londra, Regno Unito
Fantastic local cooking experience in homely environment
Patricia was a fantastic host and teacher, she met my husband and I at the local food market where we bought our ingredients before heading back to cook a delicious meal. Local delicacies (cheeses, olives, oil...) were provided for us to try throughout the cooking class, as well as some delicious local wines. The cookery class took place round her kitchen table, which made us feel as though we were in the kitchen learning to cook from an old friend. It was familiar, friendly and just what we had wanted. The food was absolutely delicious too!!
SpartyGirl888
Chicago, Illinois
WONDERFUL Walking Tour and Cooking Class (2 separate days)
We did a market shopping trip and cooking class with Giuliana and her mom Patrizia one day and had such a fabulous time that we decided to do a City walking tour with Patrizia the next day! First - the cooking class and Capo market shopping. It was a lot of fun to experience a Sicilian market with a local. We were able to buy the ingredients we would cook later in the afternoon. Giuliana was a wonderful tour guide and even showed us some secret spots for beautiful photos of the city. She is a well traveled young women who speaks English very well. Once we returned to the apartment where we would cook, she (a professionally trained Italian chef), showed us how to prepare and cook the food one dish at a time. She was patient with all of our questions and very generous with the wine! :) Her mom Patrizia joined us and was just as friendly and welcoming as Guilliana. We ate, drank and talked all through the afternoon. We never felt rushed and were at "lunch" until almost 4:30 PM.
We had so much fun with Giuliana and Patrizia that we went on a walking tour the following day. Patrizia has a wonderful love for the city of Palermo and Sicily. Her English is perfect! She openly answered our questions and gave us a nice, relaxed tour of the city, catering to whatever we wanted to see or were more interested in. I particularly loved the family stories of growing up in Sicily and the Sicilian folk tales. Truly an unforgettable day. I found myself talking about Patrizia and Guilliana all through the trip in Sicily, remembering stories they told or things they taught us that applied throughout the entire island.
Our time with Giuliana and Patrizia made us love Palermo and Sicily more than we ever expected. It set the tone for a memorable experience in one of the worlds most beautiful places. It felt as though we made true Sicilian friends in the short amount of time we spent with this family. No matter what sort of outing or event you do, do it with this family. When we come back, we cannot wait to reconnect with them again. Bellisimo!
lwsw20
Like a day with a Sicilian friend - recommended
We spent five very enjoyable hours with Marieluisa who was knowledgeable and we thoroughly enjoyed our relaxing walking tour in Palermo with her. Her English is excellent and she is a charming companion showing us hidden areas of the city and giving us an insight to Palermo life. This culminated in an excellent sicilian lunch personally by her in cooked in a sweet apartment overlooking a beautiful square. It was a great start to our days in Palermo and she also gave us many tips to further hidden delights - including having drinks on the roof terrace of the Ambassador Hotel which with its fantastic views was a joy in the spring sunshine. We had a private tour which was a bit of a treat -we were 4- and despite our varied interests we all thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you Marialuisa!
kumlotto
Sicilian wine and cheese tour at home away from home
CanNOT recommend this tour enough. Patricia was the most inviting and generous hostess. The home from which she usually conducts these tours was being renovated, so she met us at Piazza San Domenico from where we walked just a few steps to a very quaint apartment which overlooked the square for our tasting. We sampled 6 delicious Sicilian wines with cheese, bread, olive oil and THE most delicious caponata ever. She also teaches cooking classes, so her caponata is seriously to die for! We finished the tasting with cake with ricotta cream. AGAIN...to die for. But wine, cheese and delicious food aside, Patricia was the one who made this experience what it was. From the moment you meet her, you feel as if you have reconnected with a long lost friend. She never meets a stranger. Instead, she invites you into her home and teaches you the Palermitan culture through wine and food which is such an integral part of their way of life. Even if you don't like wine, I would recommend this tour to anyone coming to Sicily, just to be able to indulge in an authentic Palermitan experience.
Reviewed by:
John – United States
Booking: GYG55150319
“Great way to get acquainted with the city”
We did this tour on our first day in Palermo and it was a great way to get acquainted with the city. Plus our guide was great and so was the food and hospitality.
Reviewed by:
Linda – United States
Booking: GYG41677266
“Our tour was exceptional.”
Simon was a great tour guide and our lunch was fantastic.
Palermo Half-Day Cooking Class & Market Tour
Reviewed by:
Jennifer – United States
Booking: GYG42648663
“A friendly and delicious experience for the family!”
I took my parents - in their 70's - on this tour and it was perfect for us as a family! Patricia's demeanor and expertise were outstanding, both in the market as we purchased food and in the kitchen as we sipped wine and made a yummy lunch. Culturally and culinarily, it was an A+ experience.
Reviewed by:
Tanya – Australia
Booking: GYG41287275
Comment:
Enjoyed spending time with Patrizia. Loved her knowledge on the produce. Very friendly and hospitable. It was a very personalized tasting. We enjoyed it very much and highly recommend.
Reviewed by:
a GetYourGuide customer – United S…
Booking: GYG27696636
“Good activity. Excellent information by tour guide.”
Excellent.
Reviewed by:
Kanchan – Italy
Booking: GYG36920634
“Window to Sicilian wines!”
I enjoyed the personal attention and warm introduction by Patricia. She was very flexible in accommodating my schedule. The cheese and wines were very good. Additional home made caponata and cassata were excellent. Thank you
Cooking Class|Palermo Half-Day Cooking Class & Market Tour
Option:default|Palermo Half-Day Cooking Class & Market Tour
Reviewed by:
Erica – United States
Booking: GYG34059705
“A remarkably personal and fabulous experience.”
Option:default|Historical Center Private Walking Tour with Sicilian Lunch
Reviewed by:
John – United States
Booking: GYG35061113
“Great way to see the city”
Patrizia was a great guide. She know the historical places and great places to get street food or a full dinner.
Cooking Class|Palermo Half-Day Cooking Class & Market Tour
Option:default|Palermo Half-Day Cooking Class & Market Tour
Reviewed by:
a GetYourGuide customer – United S…
Booking: GYG28648197
“Absolutely fantastic - the food is authentic and delicious!”
Very personalized market tour and cooking experience with wonderful selection of local wines. Patrizia is an experienced chef and gracious hostess who was able to easily accommodate changes to the menu for our group’s preferences. It was the highlight of our time in Palermo.
03|Palermo Private Walking Tour, Palatine Chapel Ticket & Lunch
Option:default|Palermo Walking Tour, Palatine Chapel Ticket, and Lunch
Reviewed by:
Catherine – United Kingdom
Booking: GYG28177587
“walking part was very informative and the food was amazing!”
Catacombs & Monreale|Capuchin Catacombs and Monreale Cathedral Private Tour
Option:default|Capuchin Catacombs and Monreale Cathedral Private Tour
Reviewed by:
James – Australia
Booking: GYG26979662
“Excellent tour, our guide Patrizia was brilliant.”
Great tour, the Catacombs were amazing and Montreale Cathedral was magnificent. Our guide Patrizia was very good and at the end of the tour prepared a terrific meal for us. I recommend this tour.
Cooking Class|Palermo Half-Day Cooking Class & Market Tour
Option:default|Palermo Half-Day Cooking Class & Market Tour
Reviewed by:
Francesca – United States
Booking: GYG23262104
Comment:
This was the best experience we’ve had !!!! It was so much fun , Patrizia & her daughter Giuliana where very polite & informative & also fun to be with from the moment we started until the end . The food was amazing & we left with the recipes!!!!! Would definitely recommend this class to all ( including hubbies) the wine was great too
Cooking Class|Palermo Half-Day Cooking Class & Market Tour
Option:default|Palermo Half-Day Cooking Class & Market Tour
Reviewed by:
Robert – United States
Booking: GYG30204851
“Highlight of our trip to Palermo!”
Reviewed by:
Lois – United Kingdom
Booking: GYG24927681
“Authetic Italian Cooking in a Traditional Italian Kitchen!”
My friend and I did the cooking course with Patrizia last weekend. We started by going to the market and seeing all the beautiful produce and picking out what we needed for our dishes.
We arrived at Patrizia's beautiful apartment shortly afterwards. The kitchen was lovely with authentic Sicilian tiles and everything we needed for cooking. She open up some olives, bread, cheese and olive oil for us to enjoy whilst we cooked. We also had a delicious glass of Nero D'Avalo and were told to help ourselves throughout the time we were cooking.
Patrizia's attitude to cooking was so calming and relaxing, it felt like we were at a friend's house helping her make dinner. She was so friendly and approachable and answered any questions we had.
Once we had finished cooking, we took a seat at the table and Patrizia served up our cooking. It was absolutely delicious!
The whole experience was excellent and I recommend it to anyone who is looking to learn more about Italian cooking! :)
Wine Cheese Tasting|Palermo: 2-Hour Sicilian Cheese and Wine Tasting Tour
Option:default|Palermo: 2-Hour Sicilian Cheese and Wine Tasting Tour
Reviewed by:
Janne – Sweden
Booking: GYG23053241
“Lovely evening with a passionated guide and good company.”
Reviewed by:
William – Italy
Booking: GYG22551680
“Marialuisa was knowledgeable, sensitive, caring and flexible. ”
What a great idea -a walking tour in Palermo with Marialuisa! What a nice personality ... she knows the merchants in the market and the hidden treasures and byways of the city. With a good command of English, she showed a great read of our interests and physical capabilities as we made our way around this bustling, fascinating city. A highlight was the very personal meal she prepared for us in her nearby apartment at the tour's end.
Cooking Class|Palermo Half-Day Cooking Class & Market Tour
Option:default|Palermo Half-Day Cooking Class & Market Tour
Reviewed by:
Erica – United States
Booking: GYG18150346
“Warm host, delicious food, and so many nice people.”
Cooking Class|Palermo Half-Day Cooking Class & Market Tour
Option:default|Palermo Half-Day Cooking Class & Market Tour
Reviewed by:
John – United States
Booking: GYG20442488
“We had a wonderful time!”
Catacombs & Monreale|Capuchin Catacombs and Monreale Cathedral Private Tour
Option:default|Capuchin Catacombs and Monreale Cathedral Private Tour
Reviewed by:
Nichole – Australia
Booking: GYG19208743
“Excellent”
Patricia was a excellent guide and excellent cook. The food was amazing
Cooking Class|Palermo Half-Day Cooking Class & Market Tour
Option:default|Palermo Half-Day Cooking Class & Market Tour
Reviewed by:
Gregory – United States
Booking: GYG21102144
“The class and tour were fantastic.”
Patricia was courteous, fun, patient and a great teacher. It felt like you were making dinner with a friend in their home.
Wine Cheese Tasting|Palermo: 2-Hour Sicilian Cheese and Wine Tasting Tour
Option:default|Palermo: 2-Hour Sicilian Cheese and Wine Tasting Tour
Reviewed by:
Joe – United States
Booking: GYG21390597
“Magnifico”
What a great tour. Patrizia was wonderful and very knowledgeable when it came to the different wines and the cheeses that went with those wine. Her capanota was out of the world. It was a great 2 hours. I would highly recommend this tour.
Catacombs & Monreale|Capuchin Catacombs and Monreale Cathedral Private Tour
Option:default|Capuchin Catacombs and Monreale Cathedral Private Tour
Reviewed by:
Christopher – Australia
Booking: GYG09110703
“Outstanding tour most memorable dinner to complete the day”
Patricia was a splendid guide, knowledgeable understanding and a great communicator. In encouraging our interaction and meeting our interests we could learn so much more about Palermo, Sicilian culture and lifestyle in addition to the history before our eyes. The home cooked meal allowed us to share recipes, techniques and cooking preferences in congenial surroundings. A cooking lesson in her studio apartment kitchen would be a wonderful experience and greatly to be recommended. Its position amid a maze of dark and narrow lanes allowed it to stand out as a true centre of good taste and impressive hospitality.
