Gourmet Tour - Ganzirri Lake's & Messina

OVERVIEW

Visit a lake where plump, succulent mussels and clams are farmed and view the landmarks in Messina, a city that the Greeks settled in the 7th century BC. Ganzirri Lake offers an ideal brackish environment for the aquaculture of mollusks, and if you are lucky, you will see fishermen collecting them. Their basic technique hasn’t changed in centuries. The fishermen, known as cocciulari, still row wooden boats around the lake and use rakes outfitted with nets to pluck the bivalves from the bottom of the lake. You can expect to sample the clams in your lunch of spaghetti alle vongole, a much-loved dish in Sicily. The attention will turn to architecture in Messina. The Duomo is adorned with what may be the world’s largest astronomical clock. Nearby stands the Shrine of Christ the King, a somber World War II memorial. Bronze from World War I enemy cannons was melted down for its bells.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See how clams and mussels are farmed using traditional methods in Ganzirri Lake.
• Enjoy a lunch that will likely include freshly cultivated seafood from the lake.
• Settle in for a panoramic drive through Messina and view its iconic architecture.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.