Day 8 Explore Mazara del Vallo, Sicily Controversial Topic: The Sicilian Mafia Home-Hosted Dinner

Destination: Mazara del Vallo
Meals included: B L D
Accommodations: M/V Clio

Breakfast: Onboard the ship.

Morning: Our ship docks in Mazara del Vallo, Sicily this morning, where we’ll disembark and head into town for a walking tour with a local guide. Mazara is known for its historic Kasbah quarter, where some 3,000 Tunisians and other Maghreb Arabs live and work. We’ll learn more about Mazara’s unique blend of cultures during our guided explorations.

After our tour, we’ll have some free time to explore independently.

Lunch: Onboard the ship.

Afternoon: Gather onboard the ship for a conversation about a Controversial Topic: the influence of the Sicilian Mafia, also known as Cosa Nostra. We’ll get an overview of the Mafia’s history and inner workings—from its 19th century roots that sprung from cynicism and distrust of public institutions, to its rise and spread to America during World War II, and the shadow it casts over Sicilian business, politics, criminal justice, and day-to-day life today. Our guest speakers will be two men who are intimately familiar with the Mafia: One who was forced to flee Sicily as a child after a family member was murdered by members of the organization, and another who is the son of a former crime boss. While this experience will reveal ugly truths about Sicilian history and culture, it offers a personal perspective that no newspaper or history book can provide—made possible by O.A.T.’s local connections in Sicily.

After our conversation, we’ll have rest of the afternoon free to explore independently. Later, we’ll join our Trip Experience Leader for a Port Talk about our next destination.

Dinner: We’ll break into smaller groups and drive to enjoy a Home-Hosted Dinner with local families in Mazara del Vallo. With our small group size, we’ll have a rare opportunity to connect closely with our hosts and enjoy intimate conversation.

As Sicilians take their cuisine very seriously, the meal we share together is likely to be a highlight of your trip. Our dinner will be chosen by our hosts, and will reflect the type of meal that locals of this region would typically share in their day-to-day lives.

Evening: The rest of the evening is free. Perhaps you’ll observe the sea and the stars from on deck or from your cabin’s outside window.

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