The pioneers of the Valdibella cooperative invite you on a journey of pleasure and experience in the original, agricultural hinterland of Palermo. Three days of Sicilian hospitality, good food and deep insights into sustainable agriculture await you.

Valdibella

Since its foundation in June 1998, the Valdibella Agricultural Cooperative has endeavored to challenge the centuries-old imprint of Sicilian society and restore dignity to the farming population. It continues to do this successfully today by combating the commercial exploitation of producers and harvest workers and introducing innovative farming methods that respect biodiversity and local crops such as the Timilia grain take center stage.

Crowd Container has been closely associated with Valdibella since 2017; happy to have found in this cooperative a first European partner that shares our core values - both in the human and ecological sense.

Arrival and return journey

The journey to Palermo and the return journey to Switzerland are not part of this offer. The transfer from Palermo to Camporeale and back (either from/to the train station or airport) is organized by the Valdibella Cooperative.

Location

The Valdibella cooperative is based in picturesque Camporeale, a small town in the hilly hinterland of Palermo. The excursion will mainly focus on the fields and farms around Camporeale. Selected activities will also take place in Partinico ("Food Forest") and Palermo.

Accommodation

The Valdibella cooperative has its own guest house, the "Casa Gialla", with a total of five rooms: There is one double room and two twin and two triple rooms. The double room and the two twin rooms have their own bathroom with shower, while the two triple rooms share two bathrooms on the same floor.

Program

Monday (Camporeale)

• Morning: transfer from Palermo to Camporeale and check-in to your room
• Welcome lunch made from local ingredients
• Afternoon: Presentation of Valdibella; visit to the processing plants in and around Camporeale; guided tour of the wine cellar and tasting of the company's own wines
• Dinner made from local ingredients

Tuesday (Camporeale)

• Breakfast made from local ingredients
• Morning: Farm visit to a member of the cooperative near Camporeale
• Lunch made from local ingredients
• Afternoon: Farm visit to a member of the cooperative near Camporeale; presentation and documentary film on the subject of "free seeds"
• Dinner with members of the Valdibella cooperative

Wednesday (Camporeale, Partinico)

• Breakfast made from local ingredients
• Morning: Visit to the "Food Forest" of the NoE cooperative, an innovation project for dealing with former mafia land in Partinico (the "Food Forest" was launched in collaboration with Crowd Container)
• Joint lunch with members of the NoE cooperative
• Afternoon: Visit to a nature reserve and transfer to Palermo.

Language

English & Italian

Price

The price is CHF 560 / person. The price includes the following services:

• Two nights in the "Casa Gialla" (in a double, twin or triple room)
• Seven meals (two mornings, three lunches and two dinners)
• Transfer from Palermo to Camporeale and back (train station or airport)
• German-speaking contact person on site
• Activities according to the program above

The journey to Palermo and the return journey to Switzerland are not part of this offer.

Cancellation policy

Cancellations up to 10 days before the start of the excursion will receive a full refund. Cancellations made later will be refunded 50% of the price paid.

Insurance

Accident and travel insurance is the responsibility of the participants.