Day 1: Palermo
Our tour starts today in the vibrant city of Palermo, with its fabulous and eclectic mix of styles and flavours from every era. Arrive at your leisure and settle in to your accommodation before you are joined by your travelling companions this evening for a welcome dinner. (D)
Overnight: Hotel Centrale Palace Palermo or similar
Day 2: Palermo
Palermo is one of the most conquered cities in the world. The streets of old Palermo are an intriguing maze of alleyways and squares, and the churches, castles and palaces are a mix of classical, medieval and baroque styles. The only way to understand Palermo is to experience it yourself, and this morning you will with a local guide. This afternoon we head out of the city to the wonderful 12th century cathedral of Monreale (Royal Mountain), which was built by Sicilian and Byzantine craftsmen, resulting in a magnificent fusion of eastern and western influences. The undisputed highlight of the cathedral is its richly mosaiced interior – golden mosaics completely cover the walls of the nave, aisles, transept and apse. After returning to Palermo, the rest of the day is yours to spend at your leisure. (B)
Overnight: Hotel Centrale Palace Palermo or similar
Day 3: Palermo – Fontanasala – Valley of the Temples
Today we leave the capital of Sicily behind and make our way to the Nature Reserve of Trapani and Paceco, which was established to protect one of the last coastal wetlands in Western Sicily. The primary activity in the lagoons of this region was the production of salt and this morning we will visit a restored salt mill before continuing to Fontanasalsa for an olive oil tasting and lunch. We then travel to a winery in the Marsala region, to sample the distinctive and eponymous wine, not dissimilar to port or Madeira. Tonight’s accommodation is located between the Valley of the Temples and Agrigento. (B, L, D)
Overnight: Hotel Domus Aurea or similar
Day 4: Valley of the Temples – Syracuse
Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples is one of the greatest legacies of ancient Greece and is, not surprisingly, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your local guide brings the past to life as we explore this stunning historical site, which consists of eight temples built between 510 BC and 430 BC. We then visit Piazza Armerina, a charming town where we will find Villa del Casale. One of the largest Roman dwellings of its kind to have survived antiquity, this villa has 3,500 square metres of mosaics on its floors. Our final stop today is in Syracuse, an ancient town by the sea that once rivalled Athens as the most important city of the Greek world. (B)
Overnight: Hotel Alfeo or similar
Day 5: Syracuse
This morning we explore the island of Ortigia in Syracuse with our local guide. The best way to appreciate Ortigia is to just wander as it is packed with over 2,500 years of history. Highlights on our walking tour include Arethusa’s Spring, the Piazzo del Duomo and the 6th century BC Temple of Apollo, which is the oldest known Doric temple in Western Europe. This afternoon is free for you to explore more of this ancient town at your own pace. (B, L)
Overnight: Hotel Alfeo or similar
Day 6: Syracuse – Modica – Noto – Taormina
Our first visit today is to Modica, the capital of Sicilian baroque art. After a walk through the Old Town to see the splendid Cathedral of San Giorgio, which is one of the most important religious monuments of Sicily, we visit a local chocolatier for a chocolate demonstration and tasting. We then continue to Noto, a Sicilian Baroque town built in the wake of a 17th century earthquake. This afternoon we travel further north to Taormina, a delightful town built high on the cliffs, offering breathtaking and memorable views over the Mediterranean. (B)
Overnight: Baia delle Sirene or similar
Day 7: Taormina – Mount Etna – Taormina
Our morning destination today is Mount Etna, a slumbering, though certainly not dormant, volcano that dominates the landscape for miles around. Our drive will take us through several Sicilian towns and we will visit some old lava flows along the way. This afternoon we return to Taormina where you may wish to visit the splendid Greek Theatre, or perhaps the 13th century Cathedral of San Nicola. This evening we will come together for a farewell dinner. (B, D)
Overnight: Baia delle Sirene or similar
Day 8: Taormina – Catania
After a leisurely breakfast we make our way to Catania where the tour ends. (B)
Tour departs at 1830hrs from:
Centrale Palace Hotel
Via Vittorio Emanuele 327
90134 Palermo
Tour returns at approximately 1100hrs to:
Il Principe Hotel
Via Alessi 20-26
Centro Storico, 95124 Catania
The Splendours of Sicily
