Sicily Food Adventure

Sicily Food Adventure

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8 Days From

$2923

$2775

Sicily Food Adventure

8 Days Starting in Palermo and ending in Catania

Visiting: Palermo, Monreale, Erice, Marsala, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina, Ragusa, Noto, Catania, Mount Etna

Tour operator:

Exodus

Tour code:

ADY

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

6 - 18

Physical rating:

Leisurely

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:
English
From:
$2923
$2775 (USD) Operator discount: -$148

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

From cannoli to arancini, Sicilian food is world famous, but on this tour prepare to be overwhelmed at how varied and diverse Sicily’s cuisine really is! The various civilisations that have occupied the island over millennia have not only left an unparalleled cultural heritage, but also a culinary history that sets Sicily apart from mainland Italy. Sample Palermo’s fragrant street food in its vibrant markets, practise hands-on cooking with local chefs in Trapani, sip the finest wines in Marsala and Etna and indulge in mouth-watering gelatos whilst relaxing in sun-kissed Baroque piazzas. Let food lead the way in this captivating journey through culinary and cultural highlights.

Highlights

  • Visit heritage sights and Baroque cities, including Agrigento and Syracuse

  • Enjoy a hands-on cookery class with a local chef in Trapani

  • Wander through colourful markets and try Palermo's unique street food

  • Sample a variety of local specialities during the included produce and wine tastings

  • Visit heritage sights and Baroque cities, including Agrigento and Noto

  • Wander through colourful markets and try Palermo's unique street food

  • Visit unique heritage sites and Baroque cities, including Agrigento and Noto

  • Wander through colourful markets and try Palermo's unique street foodEnjoy a hands-on cookery class with a local chef in TrapaniSample a variety of local specialities during the included produce and wine tastingsVisit unique heritage sites and Baroque cities, including Agrigento and Noto

  • — Wander through colourful markets and try Palermo's unique street food — Enjoy a hands-on cookery class with a local chef in Trapani — Sample a variety of local specialities during the included produce and wine tastings — Visit unique heritage sites and Baroque cities, including Agrigento and Noto

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Start Palermo.

Location: Palermo

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: B&B Hotel Quattro Canti (or similar)

Meals Included: No Meals

This tour starts in Sicily's regional capital, Palermo. This busy port city situated on the north-western coast of the island encloses some very interesting and often overlooked attractions. There is some fine architecture to be admired, as well as good museums, palazzi and churches. It is the city's food scene, colourful local markets and long established food shops, however, that give the city a very original and eccentric character worth discovering.

Day 2 : Explore Palermo, Its Famous Markets And Indulge In The City's Fabulous Street Food; Afternoon Optional Visit Monreale And Its Duomo.

Location: Monreale, Palermo

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: B&B Hotel Quattro Canti (or similar)

Meals Included: breakfastlunch

We start our week with a special guided foodie tour through the historic centre of Palermo, ranked amongst the best cities in the world for street food. During our walk we wander through carts and kiosks of street vendors, colourful markets and local bakeries whilst trying some of the best local specialities. These may vary depending on the season and usually include arancini (fried rice balls stuffed with meat sauce and cheese), panelle (fried chick peas pancake), and sfincione (Palermo’s traditional pizza) - all absolutely delicious. As we walk, the local guide will reveal some of the secrets of Sicilian street cuisine and explain the history of the city, while pointing out notable monuments and historic streets such as Piazza San Domenico, Vucciria, Quattro Canti. The rest of the day is free; you may decide to continue sightseeing in Palermo at your own pace or take an optional visit to Monreale, famous for the extraordinary Duomo, considered the greatest example of Norman architecture in the world. Overnight in Palermo.

Day 3 : Transfer To Trapani; Hands On Cookery Class With A Local Chef; Continue To Marsala And Sample The Town's World Famous Wines.

Location: Erice, Marsala

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Villa Favorita Bungalow (or similar)

Meals Included: breakfastlunch

In the morning we transfer to our next destination, the coastal town of Trapani. The local gastronomy in this part of Sicily is strongly influenced by the Arabs, who occupied the area for many centuries until the Normans took over. A hands-on cookery course with a local chef will give us the opportunity to learn more about the interesting culinary fusions, while practising (and tasting!) traditional regional recipes. In the afternoon we head to the southern town of Marsala, internationally famous for its finest fortified wines. A wine tasting will be offered after a tour of one of the best local wineries. Overnight in Marsala.

Day 4 : Morning Visit To Olive Farm For Olive Oil And Produce Tasting; Transfer To Agrigento For A Guided Tour Of The Valley Of The Temples.

Location: Agrigento

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel della Valle (or similar)

Meals Included: breakfast

In the morning we leave Marsala and transfer to a traditional organic olive farm, run by the Centonze family, owner of the estate since 1953. We will learn of the cultivation and production methods and sample some of the world's finest olive oil accompanied by local produce. In the afternoon we transfer to the iconic sight of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. A guided tour will allow us to discover and learn of the history of this splendid archaeological park, which consists of eight temples (and various other remains) built between about 510 BC and 430 BC. Overnight in Agrigento.

Day 5 : To Piazza Armerina; Guided Tour Of The Famous Villa Romana Del Casale Followed By A Delicious Produce Tasting; Afternoon Visit The Charming Town Of Ragusa Ibla.

Location: Piazza Armerina, Ragusa

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Mediterraneo or Hotel Barocco (or similar)

Meals Included: breakfastlunch

Today's destination is Piazza Armerina, home of world famous Villa Romana del Casale. Built in the 4th Century AD as a hunting lodge by a Roman patrician, the villa is home to some of the best preserved Roman mosaics spread over around 3500 square meters. After a guided tour of this extraordinary UNESCO sight, we enjoy a delicious produce tasting of local sicilian delicacies. In the afternoon we transfer to the Baroque gem of Ragusa, without doubt one of the most beautiful cities in Sicily and Italy. The town is part of the Val di Noto UNESCO Heritage site and 18 of its buildings are protected by UNESCO patronage. After a short orentiation walk we will have time to enjoy a relaxing and well deserved aperitivo (word for the traditional Italian pre-dinner drinks and snacks) in one of the town's elegant piazzas. Overnight in Ragusa.

Day 6 : Transfer To Rural Farm For Cheese Tasting; On To Unesco Baroque Town Of Noto; Time To Explore And Transfer To Catania.

Location: Noto, Catania

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: B&B Hotel Catania (or similar)

Meals Included: breakfast

We start our day with a transfer to a family-run farm in the countryside near Ragusa, a province where cheese making traditions are stonger than anywhere else in Sicily. After a cheese making demonstration and a tour around the farm we will sample some delicous cheese, including the famous ricotta, hand-made by the proud owners. Later, we transfer to the other Baroque gem of the Noto Valley, the town of Noto itself. After a relaxing stroll through what is considered one of Sicily's most beautiful historic centres, we have the opportunity to enjoy another staple of Sicilian cuisine: the famous 'granita' (thin flakes of ice flavored with fresh fruit or nuts and sugared) accompanied by the traditional 'brioche' (a soft and fragrant sweet delicacy). In the afternoon we transfer to Catania, our base for the last two nights of the tour.

Day 7 : Visit The Loud And Fast-Paced Fish Market; Travel To Etna For An Excellent Wine And Produce Tasting And Short Walk; Return To Catania.

Location: Mount Etna, Catania

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: B&B Hotel Catania (or similar)

Meals Included: breakfastlunch

After breakfast we visit the famous Pescheria, the colourful, loud and smelly fish market, which is one of the oldest and biggest in Italy. Held every morning except Sunday, this market is everything one expects an Italian market to be: following the local traditions, fishermen will try to attract buyers with their loud voices and lots of gesticulations. Nearby there are also fruit and vegetable stalls as well as other delicious local produce from the mountain villages around Etna. Later this morning we transfer to a famous wine cellar on Mount Etna and enjoy a delicious wine and produce tasting for lunch, followed by a short walk around the highest most active volcano in Europe (1 to 2 hours walking depending on time, 5 km maximum). We return to Catania in the afernoon and in the evening our leader will recommend an excellent local restaurant where to enjoy a celebratory farewell dinner.

Day 8 : End Catania.

Location: Catania

Meals Included: breakfast

This tour ends in Catania in the morning of day 8.

What's Included

  • Special guided tours in main UNESCO sights and cities

  • All accommodation

  • All breakfasts, 2 wine tastings, 1 cookery class and 5 food tastings/lunches included.

  • London flights (if booking incl. flights)

  • Airport transfers (if booking group flights or alternative flights arriving before or at the same time as the group)

  • Transport by private air-conditioned minibus throughout the trip

  • Meals

    7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 0 dinners.

  • All accommodationAll breakfasts, 2 wine tastings, 1 cookery class and 5 food tastings/lunches included.London flights (if booking incl. flights)Airport transfers (if booking group flights or alternative flights arriving before or at the same time as the g

  • All accommodationAll breakfasts, 2 wine tastings, 1 cookery class/lunch and 4 produce tastings (3 of which are also considered lunch)London flights (if booking incl. flights)Airport transfers (if booking group flights or alternative flights arriving befor

  • — All accommodation — All breakfasts, 2 wine tastings, 1 cookery class/lunch and 4 produce tastings (3 of which are also considered lunch) — London flights (if booking incl. flights) — Airport transfers (if booking group flights or alternative flights arr

What's Not Included

  • City taxes (approx. €10-15)

  • Travel insurance 

  • Single accommodation 

  • Visa or vaccinations

  • Travel insurance Single accommodation Visa or vaccinationsCity taxes (approx. €10-15)

  • — Travel insurance — Single accommodation — Visa or vaccinations — City taxes (approx. €10-15)

Food

All breakfasts, 2 wine tastings, 1 cookery class/lunch and 4 produce tastings (3 of which are also considered lunch) are included.



Sicilian cuisine is a melting pot of all the different cultures that have occupied the island, from the Arabs to the Normans. The island itself is incredibly fertile, enjoying a perfect climate which is ideal for the cultivation of fresh produce such as olives, oranges, lemons, eggplants, tomatoes, pistachios, almonds, grapes, and more—not to mention all of the seafood, tuna and swordfish fished right off the coast. The result? A cuisine that’s fresh, varied, and absolutely delicious! Sicilian wines are also superb and known to be strong and syrupy, like Marsala and Moscato. These are some of the regional specialities we recommend to try during this trip:



Caponata: a tasty salad made with eggplant (aubergines), olives, capers and celery, makes a great appetizer.

Sfincione: a local form of pizza made with tomatoes, onions and (sometimes) anchovies. Prepared on a thick bread and more likely found in a bakery than in a pizzeria.

Pane e pannelle: A favorite street food of Palermo, panelle—or chickpea fritters—are served between bread, like a sandwich.

Arancini (also known as arancine): fried rice balls stuffed with meat or cheese.

Pani ca meusa: The name of this street food means, literally bread with spleen! But don’t let that scare you. It is delicious speciality of Palermo!

Cannoli: tubular crusts with creamy ricotta (made from sheep's milk) and sugar filling. A must!

Cassata siciliana: A sponge cake is soaked in liqueur, its slices layered with sweetened ricotta, and the whole thing covered in almond paste, then icing. It is also studded with candied fruits and other goodies.

Pasta alla Norma: it’s made with fried eggplant, tomatoes, basil, and salted ricotta.

Pasta with pistachio pesto.

Pasta con le sarde: Sardines are popular in Sicily, so it’s common to see them as a topping for pasta. One common variety is bucatini with sardines, fennel, saffron, pine nuts, and raisins.

Frutta martorana: Other places call this 'marzipan' but here in Sicily, the almond paste is molded into little (incredibly realistic) fruits—hence fruits of Martora, or frutta martorana.

Granita: The perfect summer refreshment, granita, originally from Sicily, can now be found all over Italy. It’s just ground ice with sugar and fresh fruit, simple but truly delicious.

Involtini di Pesce Spada: Little rolls of thinly sliced swordfish are stuffed with pine nuts, raisins, bread crumbs, anchovy filets, orange juice and lemon juice, eggs and grated pecorino.

Tonno e Spada Affumicata: Smoked tuna and swordfish shaved paper thin, and layered on a plate. These can be accented with shaved fennel and oranges, or olives and sun-dried tomatoes, or can be served with just a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and some good crusty bread.

Accommodation

On this Sicily trip, we use comfortable three- and four-star hotels. Some have been chosen for their warm hospitality and typically Sicilian character and others for their convenient location. They are often near the historic centres we visit so we can easily explore the towns in the evenings or during our free time. Below are the hotels normally used: 



Palermo: B&B Hotel Quattro Canti (nights 1-2) 







Our first stop is Quattro Canti, a three-star hotel in the historic centre of Palermo. For foodies, the highlight may well be the rooftop restaurant, which serves Italian cuisine with views over the city. 



Marsala: Villa Favorita bungalow (night 3) 







In Marsala, we stay at the Villa Favorita resort. It was built by wine entrepreneur Salvatore Amodeo in 1860 and we typically stay in simple igloo-style accommodations within the property. There’s also a pool with loungers, plus plenty of green space to wander.  



Agrigento: Hotel della Valle (night 4) 







After visiting the Valley of the Temples, we head to the nearby Hotel della Valle. Relax post-exploration with a dip in the pool or dine together in one of the two restaurants, which serve a mixture of Sicilian and international cuisines.  



Ragusa: Hotel Mediterraneo or Hotel Barocco (night 5) 







In Ragusa, we either stay at Hotel Mediterraneo (above) or Hotel Barocco, depending on availability. The former is a modern hotel within a few minutes’ walk of Ragusa Ibla (the old town); it has a restaurant-bar serving Mediterranean cuisine. The latter is within Ragusa Ibla and has a restaurant-pizzeria. 



Catania area: B&B Hotel Catania (nights 6-7) 







We spend our final two nights at the modern Hotel Catania. It’s well placed for our activities, and, when we’re not out exploring, it has a lobby shop for food and drink and a solarium with showers and loungers on the terrace.  

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Check out our Q&As

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    International flights are not included with this tour.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes, our local guides are English speaking.

  • Who is Exodus Travels?

    At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from Travellers on this Tour

An excellent return

This was my first holiday outside the UK since the

This was my first holiday outside the UK since the first covid lockdown and it was excellent. The group remained covid-free for the entire week - a bonus! Rosario was enthusiastic and energetic throughout. As his first group in 2 years, he was determined to ensure we enjoyed ourselves!

A brilliant mix of foodie and cultural delights

This trip is a wonderful mixture of food and cultu

This trip is a wonderful mixture of food and culture, with Etna thrown in for good measure! From sampling spleen sandwiches (yes, really) on the Palermo street food tour to a Marsala wine tasting and eating ricotta, still warm, that we had watched being made just minutes before, all the gastronomic experiences were enjoyable and delicious (even the spleen wasn't that horrendous). The cultural highlights for me were the amazing mosaics at the Villa del Casale and the Duomo and cloisters at Monreale, whilst experiencing Etna in the snow was simply stunning. Our guide, Rosario, was brilliant, and our group, made up of mostly couples and with around 30 years from oldest to youngest, bonded really well - as one of the three singles, and one of the youngest, I never felt isolated.

Immerse yourself in Sicily!

Sicily is a fascinating treasure trove of history

Sicily is a fascinating treasure trove of history and beauty. This trip allows you to experience the Sicilian way of life using food as a lure to explore its villages, towns and landscape as you move from one side of the island to the other.

Frizzante Sicilia

A gastronomic delight!. From the hands on cookery

A gastronomic delight!. From the hands on cookery class and wine tasting tasting to sampling Sicilian delicacies in the historical Capo market. Plus a big thank you to the team for arranging gluten free alternatives throughout the tour, from fusilli pasta to wheat free desserts, it truly exceeded all my expectations.

a lovely trip

I travelled with my husband and we have both enjoy

I travelled with my husband and we have both enjoyed our trip. our guide Titsiana was excellent, being informative, friendly, accommodating and anxious to ensure we all enjoyed our trip. Timings of all pick ups and activities was perfect. Activities including wine tasting, cheese making, cookery and olive oil tastings were all enjoyable and very well organised.

My daughter Jane's and my wonderful holiday

My daughter Jane and I enjoyed a most wonderful ho

My daughter Jane and I enjoyed a most wonderful holiday in Sicily last April 22nd to 29th. There was so much to see and do and Rosario looked after us so weii from meeting us in Palermo airport til we said goodbye at Catania. He went to so much trouble to find us lovely restaurants with delicious food. He helped us understand the menu and it was lovely for our group to dine with the local people. Our tour was amazing and Rosario and his colleagues had such a wealth of knowledge about all the wonderful places they showed us and their history. The opportunity to visit the farm and see the cheese being made and of course taste it was wonderful. Also to see the Masala wine being made and taste it. The market, the olive farm the winery and wine tasting was brilliant. The cookery class was amazing and it was great to learn how to make the dishes and then be able to eat them. The hotels were all excellent and Guiseppe was an excellent driver and all our travel was very comfortable.

Great mix of food and culture packed into just 8 days

Great way to spend a week in Sicily. The trip is p

Great way to spend a week in Sicily. The trip is pretty busy, moving on most days, packing in the main sights and a lot of food! I enjoyed the mix of history (valley of the temples and the roman villa) with the food and culture aspect, particularly the visits to the local producers and food market trips.

Excellent trip!

The tour was well organised and interesting. The

The tour was well organised and interesting. The group dynamics worked well and we were given the opportunity to experience many aspects of Sicily including the delicious food, fascinating history, fantastic archaeology and beautiful scenery.

Sicily food adventure

This was a lovely introduction to Sicily and the i

This was a lovely introduction to Sicily and the itinerary was well designed and covered lots of food highlights as well as interesting historical sights

A packed week of food and culture

It's incredible the amount of activities and exper

It's incredible the amount of activities and experiences that this trip packs in. It's pretty full on. But extremely interesting and rewarding, in terms of the amount you learn about Sicily... especially its food and culture.

Read all 33 reviews

Dates & Availability

Sunday - Sunday

May 05, 2024 - May 12, 2024
$3150 (USD)
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Sunday - Sunday

May 12, 2024 - May 19, 2024
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Sunday - Sunday

Jun 02, 2024 - Jun 09, 2024
$3148 $3000 (USD)

Operator discount: -$148 (USD)

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Sunday - Sunday

Jun 16, 2024 - Jun 23, 2024
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Sunday - Sunday

Sep 01, 2024 - Sep 08, 2024
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Sunday - Sunday

Sep 08, 2024 - Sep 15, 2024
$2968 $2820 (USD)

Operator discount: -$148 (USD)

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Sunday - Sunday

Sep 22, 2024 - Sep 29, 2024
$3150 (USD)
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Sunday - Sunday

Sep 29, 2024 - Oct 06, 2024
$2923 $2775 (USD)

Operator discount: -$148 (USD)

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Sunday - Sunday

Oct 13, 2024 - Oct 20, 2024
$2925 (USD)
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Sunday - Sunday

Oct 20, 2024 - Oct 27, 2024
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Sunday - Sunday

Apr 06, 2025 - Apr 13, 2025
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Apr 20, 2025 - Apr 27, 2025
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Sunday - Sunday

May 04, 2025 - May 11, 2025
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May 11, 2025 - May 18, 2025
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Jun 01, 2025 - Jun 08, 2025
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Sunday - Sunday

Jun 15, 2025 - Jun 22, 2025
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Sunday - Sunday

Aug 31, 2025 - Sep 07, 2025
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Sunday - Sunday

Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025
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Sunday - Sunday

Sep 21, 2025 - Sep 28, 2025
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Sunday - Sunday

Sep 28, 2025 - Oct 05, 2025
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Sunday - Sunday

Oct 12, 2025 - Oct 19, 2025
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Sunday - Sunday

Oct 19, 2025 - Oct 26, 2025
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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.