Explore bustling Palermo with your specialist local guide who takes you to the church of Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio, the magnificent cathedral, and the Ballar? produce market. After lunch visit the 12th-century hillside Cathedral of Monreale, lavishly decorated with mosaics. Dine independently this evening.
Grand Hotel Wagner B L
Days 1-2: USA or Canada/Palermo, Italy
Stop to see Segesta's fifth-century BC Doric temple en route to the medieval hilltop town of Erice. On arrival in Erice, amble along its cobbled lanes and visit Maria Grammatico's pastry shop. Maria's story of growing up in an orphanage in Erice and learning the Nuns' secrets of making almond sweets was lovingly retold in Mary Taylor Simeri's Bitter Almonds: Recollections and Recipes from a Sicilian Girlhood - see the busy workshop and sample some of the sweet delicacies produced. Then travel along the 'Salt way' stopping at a local Trattoria for a rustic lunch followed by a brief visit to the Salt Museum. In Marsala, learn out about making the fortified wine of the same name then sample different varieties. Dinner is ? la carte in your country hotel.
Kempinski Hotel Giardino di Costanza B D
Day 3: Palermo/Monreale/Palermo
Selinunte, formerly a wealthy trading center, is known for the remains of eight ancient Greek temples. Continue to an olive oil producing estate for lunch followed by an introduction to the process of making extra virgin olive oil and a tasting. Later proceed to nearby Castelvetrano for a visit to the estate's Palazzo Pignatelli, a former administrative seat of the Sicilian Viceroys, which has been lovingly restored and will house a Sicilian Heritage Center and agriculture museum. Return to the hotel, where the evening is at leisure.
Kempinski Hotel Giardino di Costanza B L
Day 4: Palermo/Erice/Mazara del Vallo
This morning travel to Monteallegro and join chef Damiano Ferraro for a cookery lesson - Damiano has worked in Michelin star restaurants around the world and has now decided to return to his roots and open his own restaurant, where he fuses modern cuisine with traditional Sicilian quality ingredients and recipes. Later visit fifth-century BC Agrigento, whose Valley of Temples is one of Sicily's most significant archaeological sites because of its classical architecture. Dine ? la carte tonight in our country hotel.
Villa Gussio Nicoletti B L D
Day 5: Mazara del Vallo/Selinunte/Mazara del Vallo
Travel to Piazza Armerina and neighboring Villa Romana del Casale to see its display of third-century mosaics, one of Sicily's most prized archaeological treasures. After an al fresco lunch at a traditional country farmhouse, travel to Caltagirone, for a look at St Mary of the Mount, a pilgrimage stairway edged in majolica tiles, and a visit to a pottery studio for a hands-on Sicilian ceramic painting workshop.
Villa Gussio Nicoletti B L D
Day 6: Mazara del Vallo/Agrigento/Leonforte
In Syracuse, stroll through Ortygia, the old town area, to see its
remarkable fifth-century BC cathedral. Built first as a Greek temple
and then consecrated as Siracusa's (Syracuse's) first Christian
cathedral, its original Greek columns are still clearly visible. Then
attend a private wine tasting and lunch in the Baroque Palazzo
Beneventano. Visit the Greek Theater and the extraordinary
Paradise Quarry, which once served as a prison for the defeated
Athenians. A coastal drive brings you to Taormina, perched atop a
cliff and overlooking the Bay of Naxos. Enjoy a farewell dinner at
your hotel this evening.
Grand Hotel San Pietro B L D
Day 7: Leonforte/Piazza Armerina/Caltagirone/Leonforte
Discover Taormina's charms on a walk through the Old Town. See the Palazzo Corvaja and visit the baroque cathedral and the stunning site of the Greek Theater with views across the Mediterranean to Mount Etna. The afternoon is at leisure. Later join English-born Wendy Mazza, a journalist and author, for a talk about her life both as a woman and foreigner in Sicily. Later gather for farewell drinks to end this fascinating tour.
Grand Hotel San Pietro B
Day 8: Leonforte/Syracuse/Taormina
Transfer to the airport to board your homebound flight. B
B
Day 9: Taormina
Day 10: Taormina/Catania/USA or Canada