Sicilian Sojourn

You are met and privately transferred to your hotel, located in Palermo’s historic center. Later, join your Tour Director and fellow travellers for welcome drinks and dinner in a local restaurant.

Explore Palermo, Sicily’s chief port, to see its Cathedral, Pretoria Fountain and Norman Royal Palace. After a leisurely lunch, visit the 12th-century hillside Cathedral of Monreale, lavishly decorated with mosaics depicting events from the Old and New Testaments. Continue to the cloistered gardens whose 228 twin columns feature carved capitals and inlaid mosaics. Return to Palermo to enjoy a relaxing evening at leisure.

Drive to Erice, a medieval town perched 2,600 feet above the bay of Castellammare del Golfo. From there, the views of the surrounding area are magnificent. You have time at leisure to explore the ancient cobbled lanes. Continue to Segesta to see its beautifully preserved fifth-century-BC temple. Travel along the Via del Sale (“salt way”) toward Marsala, stopping to admire the windmills and learn about salt production. In Marsala, visit a local wine cellar, where you discover the history of making Marsala fortified wine. Afterward, taste some of the different varieties.

Explore Sciacca, overlooking the splendid beaches of the southern coast; then continue to Selinunte. Walk around this vast archaeological site that displays the remains of eight temples set against the blue Mediterranean Sea. After lunch, the afternoon is at leisure to relax and enjoy the facilities at your resort.

Drive to Agrigento to view the magnificent Valley of Temples that includes the famous Temple of Concord, one of the world’s best-preserved examples of sacred classical architecture. Continue to Piazza Armerina, a graceful old town set in forested countryside. Explore Villa Romana del Casale, originally home to Maximianus Herculeus, Diocletian’s co-emperor. While little remains of the building’s structure, the mosaics are unparalleled and depict scenes of mythology, hunting and domestic life in beautiful detail.

The entire Val di Noto region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is seven towns influenced by the Greeks, Arabs, Byzantines, Romans, Normans and Spaniards. Explore Ragusa, destroyed by an earthquake in 1693; the “new” city is an explosion of Sicilian Baroque architecture. Continue to the village of Modica, known for its chocolate. Enjoy a private chocolate-making demonstration and a tasting in the laboratory of an artisan chocolate maker.

The Greek Theater in Syracuse is one of the most important examples of theater architecture anywhere. Previously, the theater site was a stone quarry that contained vast rock-cut chambers, including Dionysius’ Ear, a cave with amazing acoustic qualities. Also visit Ortygia, a charming island connected to Syracuse and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterward, travel to Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its Baroque architecture. The afternoon is at leisure to wander the town’s narrow streets.

Depart this morning for Catania, located at the foot of Mount Etna and known for its seismic history. Dating back almost 2,700 years, its urban design and Baroque architecture have turned a once-crumbled city into a fascinating area to visit. After lunch, continue to Taormina to meet your local guide for a walking tour of the city that includes a stop at the Greek Theatre.

This morning, head into the fertile lava flow country of Europe’s largest active volcano. Ascend to 6,000 feet and admire the stunning views as you go. From here, take a cable car up to the next level where the landscape appears to be more and more lunar-like. Return to Taormina; the balance of the day is at leisure. Later, gather with your fellow travellers and Tour Director for a farewell dinner that celebrates your fascinating journey.

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight home.