Review By Sharon B - Edmonton, AB - CA (October 2014)
Solo Travelers don't be afraid. GO!
If you go, relax. Go with the flow. Try EVERYTHING. I didn’t think I would like sea urchins, but I did. I didn’t think I would like eel, but I LOVED it.
| Written By: | Sharon B |
| Rating: | |
| Location: | Edmonton - AB - CA |
| Review Source: | Trip Advisor |
| Type of Traveler: | Solo Traveler |
| Itinerary: | Sicily - Favignana |
Full Review
It’s taken me a couple of weeks to formulate a review after an amazing week in Sicily (Sept. 13-20).
I was the lone solo traveller in a group of couples and one foursome and although I had trepidations prior to my arrival that I would be a fifth wheel (or in my case, the 11th wheel), the experience I had was wonderful and I will certainly be back to take part in another CDV tour.
From the moment I was greeted by the lovely Sophie at the airport in Palermo, I knew this was going to be a great experience. The food was made from the best ingredients, fresh, rustic and delicious. The outings were amazing (especially jumping off the top “deck” of the boat with Ivano), but it was the people we encountered along the way that make this trip marvelous. From Francisco, who insisted on giving us, not only a tutorial on making ricotta cheese and collecting honey, but an explanation on the Sicilian dialect, to his beautiful family for making us feel so welcome. Then there was Adelina, Rita and Graciella– the kitchen goddesses – and of course Ivano, Shepio, Paulo (Maria) and Laura and the fishermen - this is what makes CDV a rich and fulfilling experience.
If you go, relax. Go with the flow. Try EVERYTHING. I didn’t think I would like sea urchins, but I did. I didn’t think I would like eel, but I LOVED it. This is probably not the holiday for you if you don’t like fish, as the meals on this excursion are fish dominated. Favignana is very proud of its rich tuna heritage. I love tuna, so it was paradise for me.
The accommodation at Nido del Pellegrino was fantastic. The little apartment style villas were perfect. Despite several of my fellow travellers commenting on the beds being hard and the pillows being too flat, I found the bed and pillows very comfortable. The rooms were clean, spacious and each had a private front and back patio. The sea view from the villa was beautiful. What more could you ask for?
I will be back. Alone. I loved being able to be part of a group or just take the time to relax and unwind by myself. I had the ‘safety net’ of a group to take part in the various cooking classes, wine drinking, salt harvesting, sausage making, wine drinking, cheese making, honey pressing, wine drinking, swimming and fishing in the Mediterranean, but plenty of down time to nap, read a book, drink some more wine and eat. See you in a couple of years. Hmmm… wonder which tour I’ll try next..
Ciao.
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| Sample Photo from this Itinerary |