A Sicilian Adventure
Programme Overview
Duration: 13 days
A fascinating exploration of Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean and a less visited destination than the Italian mainland.
Highlights: Palermo, Monreale, Cefalu', Segesta, Trapani, Erice, Marsala, Masala del Vallo, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina, Syracuse, Noto, Modica, Chiramonte Gulfi, Catania, Taormina and Mount Etna.
Arrive Palermo
Upon arrival at Palermo airport you will be welcomed to Italy and privately transferred to your hotel overlooking the beautiful bay of Palermo. Meet fellow travellers in the stunning hotel bar for pre-dinner cocktails followed by dinner on the terrace.
Overnight: Grand Hotel Villa Igeia
Meal Plan: B
Cefalu’
Today visit the splendid medieval town of Cefalu’ located on the north western coast of Sicily.
You may wish to explore the narrow streets of the city centre, the old fisherman’s quarter, and the magnificent Cathedral and the Rocca, ancient fortifications upon which the ruins of a 12th century castle stand. On the way back to Palermo stop for wine tasting in one of the wineries in Sicily famous for its Nero d’Avolo wines.
Dinner will be in a lively local restaurant.
Overnight: Grand Hotel Villa Igeia
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Segesta – Trapani – Erice – Marsala – Masala del Vallo
Head along the stunning western coast of Sicily towards Segesta, set in splendid isolation amid rolling hills and known for its splendid Doric temple and theatre. Continue to the rosy-red saltpans of Trapani to visit the 17th century saltworks. Lunch will be in the charming medieval town of Erice, located on a bluff high above the sea and noted for its marzipan. End the day with a well deserved visit to a winery in Marsala to learn more about why and how these world-famous fortified wines are produced.
The evening is spent at a luxurious hotel with Sicily’s largest and most modern spa.
Overnight: Kempinski Giardino di Costanza
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Agrigento
Located on Sicily’s southern coast, Agrigento was founded in 581 BC by the Greek colonists from Gela who named the town Akragas. One of the great cities remaining from the Magna Graeca, Agrigento has seen many conquerers, from the Romans and Byzantines to the Arabs. What remains today are the magnificent ruins of the Greek colony in the Valley of Temples, and the rocky hill where the medieval town was built.
Our historic hotel looks out over the valley and is just a short walk from the private beach.
Overnight: Baglio della Luna
Meal Plan: B
Piazza Armerina - Syracuse
Today drive to Piazza Armerina, Sicily’s finest Roman site. A luxurious country mansion built in the third and fourth centuries as a summer retreat for a member of the imperial family, the site is known for the incredibly well-preserved mosaic pavements that cover almost the entire floor space (35,000 sq. feet), and depict scenes of mythology, hunting and domestic life in beautiful detail.
Lunch is truly memorable in a traditional masseria before visiting Caltagirone, famous since Arab times for its brilliantly coloured ceramics. Spend the evening on the island of Ortigia, inhabited since Greek times, and eat dinner al fresco.
Overnight: Hotel Des Etrangers
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Syracuse
Syracuse is the city that overcame Athens in the Peloponnesian War and put an end to her imperial dream. Your visit will include the fifth century BC Temple of Athena and an archaeological site which features a Greek theatre, Roman amphitheatre and Latomia del Paradiso. Also visit the cave known as Dionysos’ ear - be sure to test out the acoustics.
The afternoon is yours to relax by the sea or take in the sights and sounds of Syracuse at your leisure.
Overnight: Hotel Des Etrangers
Meal Plan: B
Noto
This morning head to a truly impressive private palazzo for a hands-on cooking class to learn Syracusan specialties in the kitchens of a local baron. At lunch reap the rewards of your efforts.
In the afternoon, travel to nearby Noto, the most charming of all the 18th century baroque cities in Sicily, and to the River Ciano with its thick clumps of papyrus.
Tonight’s dinner will be typical Sicilian cuisine in one of the best trattorias in Sicily.
Overnight: Hotel Des Etrangers
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Syracuse - Modica - Chiramonte Gulfi
Today experience the best of a new found gourmet revival in the southernmost part of the island as you travel to Modica, one of the oldest towns in Sicily. Modica sits quietly in a deep valley among the limestone cliffs of the area, and is a centre for cheeses, chocolates and almonds. Stop at the chocolate factory of the Bonajuto family to learn about the different phases involved in the production. Taste some of the local cheeses before driving on to Chiramonte Gulfi, a small inland village famous for its food. The town sits on a hill surrounded by lush pine forests. Enjoy lunch in one of Sicily’s best-known restaurants, Majore, which specialises in pork dishes.
After lunch, return to Syracuse, stopping en route for a visit to an almond factory.
Overnight: Hotel Des Etrangers
Meal Plan: B,L
Syracuse - Catania - Taormina
Today you will be met in the lobby of the hotel by your tour director and privately transferred to Taormina.
En route, stop in Sicily’s other major city, Catania. Characterised by the unique black buildings made from Mount Etna’s cooled lava, the city is more relaxed than Palermo but the buzzing street market with fish straight out of the sea is not to be missed. Continue on to Taormina, stopping by the coast to enjoy a refreshing granita on the way.
Overnight: Grand Hotel Timeo
Meal Plan: B
Taormina and the Godfather Connection
This morning you will enjoy a walking tour of Taormina, including a visit to the impressive Greek Theatre and a walk along the Corso Umberto, the town’s main street.
In the afternoon, join in a reception at the estate just outside Taormina where The Godfather was filmed. Tour the Castello which served as the primary location for outdoor filming of the film, and meet the fascinating baron who lives here as he recounts stories of the filming here. The villa itself is also unique, built from black lava rock it is an interesting Baroque structure including a private chapel and vast wine cellars.
This evening enjoy dinner in an elegant Sicilian restaurant with amazing views from the rooftop terrace.
Overnight: Grand Hotel Timeo
Meal Plan: B,D
Mount Etna
Mount Etna, one of the world’s most famous volcanoes, is still live with molten lava continuously flowing downs its slopes. There are two ways to view the volcano. Go off-road by Land Rover into the amazing network of caverns and caves formed over the millennia by the flowing lava. Alternatively head for the skies by cable car and then 4x4 bus across the landscape which is strangely lunar in appearance. Depart the volcano for lunch and tasting of uniquely smooth almond wines.
This evening say goodbye in style with a gala dinner on the terrace of the hotel.
Overnight: Grand Hotel Timeo
Meal Plan: B,L,D