Sicilian Seduction
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Highlights:
- Sicily is beautiful and its attractions have brought the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Normans to the island. Admittedly it was for conquest or treasure but the climate didn't hurt.
- Now it's your turn to experience Sicily, not as an invader but as an intellectually curious traveler interested in history, art, food and wine, all of which Sicily has in abundance.
SKU:
Explore: Sicily
Customizable Itinerary - 14 Days (from $7,866 / person)
.Day 1: Depart USA
Board your aircraft for the overnight flight to Italy connecting to Sicily.
Day 2: Arrival in Palermo
You will arrive in Palermo, founded by Phoenicians, located at the foot of Monte Pellegrino and the gateway to Sicily’s treasures. Your driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel where you can relax and enjoy the Seaview’s from your room.
Day 3: Palermo and Monreale
After breakfast you meet your guide for the day’s sightseeing. Serving as a bridge between Europe and Africa, both geographically and culturally, the city also served as the Capital of the Norman Kingdom of Sicily in the 12th Century. You will tour the Palatine Chapel, an excellent example of Arabic-Norman architecture and the church of St. John the Hermit converted from a mosque. Your next stop is Il Mercato della Vucciria, one of the oldest and most frequented markets in the city. As your guide takes you through you can taste some samples and purchase other items to serve as lunch. You then take a short drive to Monreale overlooking the Conca d’Oro Valley. You will visit the 12th Century cathedral which rivals Saint Sophia in Istanbul and Saint Mark’s in Venice in its use of decorative mosaics. While it is Romanesque in overall style, the cathedral combines aspects of Arab, Byzantine and Norman architecture.
Breakfast
Day 4: Castelbuono and the Wines of Azia Santa Anastazia
Your guide will take you into the hills to the medieval village of Castelbuono where you have the chance to explore its quaint, narrow streets. The town is virtually unchanged since medieval times. You will then visit Azia Santa Anastazia whose organic wine is building a strong following. You will tour the vineyard and taste the wine. Part of the complex is a medieval abbey that has been converted into a Relais. We will reserve a table at the restaurant where you can enjoy the view along with the tasting menu. You return to Palermo in the late afternoon.
Breakfast
Day 5: Segesta, Erice and Trapani
Today, you will visit several interesting sites with your guide. Your first experience will be a visit to the abandoned Greek city of Segesta built around 500 BC. The highlight of the visit will be the Doric Temple considered to be one of the best preserved in the world. You then continue to Erice which was originally built to honor Aphrodite and later expanded in medieval times. While the cobblestone streets are an attraction, many people enjoy the views, from 2,000 feet, over the western part of Sicily. Finish the day on the coast at Trapani with scenic coastal roads around the peninsula.
Breakfast
Day 6: An Interesting Drive to Agrigento
Today you will depart Palermo. Meet your guide and make your first stop at the site of a major Roman Villa complex thought to have belonged to a pro-consul or other important Roman person. The villa is of particular interest because of the amount of intact mosaics still part of the complex. After your visit, continue to Agrigento. Breakfast
Day 7: The Valley of the Temples
Your visit today will be to the Valley of the Temples so-called because the Greeks, in the 5th Century built a number of them in honor of their gods and as a testament to their wealth. As in Greece, all the temples face east to catch the life giving sun in the morning. The ruined temples include those dedicated to Juno, Jupiter, Castor and Pollux, Hercules, Vulcan and Esculapio. The only one in a good state of preservation is the Concordia temple which was converted to a Christian church in the 6th Century A.D. After your tour you can rest in the afternoon and then re-visit the temples in the evening when they are illuminated.
Breakfast
Day 8: Modica and Ragusa
In the 17th Century, the area that we will be traveling through was devastated by an earthquake with the result that the re-built towns mostly followed the baroque style of architecture. The first town you will visit is Modica where you can see an example of Baroque in the Cathedral of St. George. Another interesting place to visit is the Chocolate Museum where samples are available. You then make your way to the hilltop town of Ragusa with a look and views similar to those found in Umbria and Tuscany. Explore the Duomo de san Giorgio with its paintings and stained glass windows before finishing your journey in Syracuse.
Breakfast
Day 9: Syracuse
For an extended period, Syracuse was one of the most important cities in the Greek Empire and one of the wealthiest. It was totally part of Greece and Archimedes was born here. You will visit the Teatro Greco where Aeschylus put on plays and the theatre is still in use today. As Greece declined and Rome emerged this city bridged the gap so a Roman Amphitheatre shares space with a Greek theater. Ortigia Island, where your hotel is located is home to the temple of Apollo and the mythical spring of Arethusa. Your guide will put it all into context.
Breakfast
Day 10: Journey to Taormina
Along with your guide you make your way to Taormina. Along the way you stop at the foothills of Mount Etna and climb up to a vineyard where you can sample their vintages. You can also stay and have lunch along with their wine before continuing to your final destination. Taormina is blessed with a temperate climate, a beautiful setting and unsurpassed water views. Goethe sang its praises and it was, in the 19th Century a place where the English wealthy came to escape the cold winters. It was here, in fact, that D.H. Lawrence wrote “Lady Chatterley’s Lover."
Breakfast
Day 11: Discovering Taormina
After breakfast, your guide will take you on a tour of the major sights within the city ranging from the Greeks to the English aristocrat. There is in fact another Greek Theatre here in Taormina where the Greeks put on plays, the Romans gladiatorial Contests and today, rock concerts. You return to the hotel where Corso Umberto, one of the best streets for people watching is a few steps from the hotel. There are many restaurants available.
Breakfast
Day 12: Mount Etna Expedition
In the morning you will be picked up at your hotel for a trip to the highest level of Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest volcano. Most of the journey will be by 4 X 4 vehicles but there will be some moderate hiking. You will cross lava fields and forests and enjoy spectacular views at all levels of the Ascent. Return to the hotel for some beach time or time around the pool.
Breakfast
Day 13: Scenes from the Godfather
The morning is left open for you to do some last minute shopping. In the afternoon you will be taken inland to visit some of the well-known locations from the Godfather Saga including the church where Michael and Apollonia walk from along with the band and the cafe where Michael meets Apollonia’s father for the first time.
Breakfast
Day 14: Return to USA
Your driver will be waiting to take you to the airport to begin your journey back to the USA.
Breakfast
Board your aircraft for the overnight flight to Italy connecting to Sicily.
Day 2: Arrival in Palermo
You will arrive in Palermo, founded by Phoenicians, located at the foot of Monte Pellegrino and the gateway to Sicily’s treasures. Your driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel where you can relax and enjoy the Seaview’s from your room.
Day 3: Palermo and Monreale
After breakfast you meet your guide for the day’s sightseeing. Serving as a bridge between Europe and Africa, both geographically and culturally, the city also served as the Capital of the Norman Kingdom of Sicily in the 12th Century. You will tour the Palatine Chapel, an excellent example of Arabic-Norman architecture and the church of St. John the Hermit converted from a mosque. Your next stop is Il Mercato della Vucciria, one of the oldest and most frequented markets in the city. As your guide takes you through you can taste some samples and purchase other items to serve as lunch. You then take a short drive to Monreale overlooking the Conca d’Oro Valley. You will visit the 12th Century cathedral which rivals Saint Sophia in Istanbul and Saint Mark’s in Venice in its use of decorative mosaics. While it is Romanesque in overall style, the cathedral combines aspects of Arab, Byzantine and Norman architecture.
Breakfast
Day 4: Castelbuono and the Wines of Azia Santa Anastazia
Your guide will take you into the hills to the medieval village of Castelbuono where you have the chance to explore its quaint, narrow streets. The town is virtually unchanged since medieval times. You will then visit Azia Santa Anastazia whose organic wine is building a strong following. You will tour the vineyard and taste the wine. Part of the complex is a medieval abbey that has been converted into a Relais. We will reserve a table at the restaurant where you can enjoy the view along with the tasting menu. You return to Palermo in the late afternoon.
Breakfast
Day 5: Segesta, Erice and Trapani
Today, you will visit several interesting sites with your guide. Your first experience will be a visit to the abandoned Greek city of Segesta built around 500 BC. The highlight of the visit will be the Doric Temple considered to be one of the best preserved in the world. You then continue to Erice which was originally built to honor Aphrodite and later expanded in medieval times. While the cobblestone streets are an attraction, many people enjoy the views, from 2,000 feet, over the western part of Sicily. Finish the day on the coast at Trapani with scenic coastal roads around the peninsula.
Breakfast
Day 6: An Interesting Drive to Agrigento
Today you will depart Palermo. Meet your guide and make your first stop at the site of a major Roman Villa complex thought to have belonged to a pro-consul or other important Roman person. The villa is of particular interest because of the amount of intact mosaics still part of the complex. After your visit, continue to Agrigento. Breakfast
Day 7: The Valley of the Temples
Your visit today will be to the Valley of the Temples so-called because the Greeks, in the 5th Century built a number of them in honor of their gods and as a testament to their wealth. As in Greece, all the temples face east to catch the life giving sun in the morning. The ruined temples include those dedicated to Juno, Jupiter, Castor and Pollux, Hercules, Vulcan and Esculapio. The only one in a good state of preservation is the Concordia temple which was converted to a Christian church in the 6th Century A.D. After your tour you can rest in the afternoon and then re-visit the temples in the evening when they are illuminated.
Breakfast
Day 8: Modica and Ragusa
In the 17th Century, the area that we will be traveling through was devastated by an earthquake with the result that the re-built towns mostly followed the baroque style of architecture. The first town you will visit is Modica where you can see an example of Baroque in the Cathedral of St. George. Another interesting place to visit is the Chocolate Museum where samples are available. You then make your way to the hilltop town of Ragusa with a look and views similar to those found in Umbria and Tuscany. Explore the Duomo de san Giorgio with its paintings and stained glass windows before finishing your journey in Syracuse.
Breakfast
Day 9: Syracuse
For an extended period, Syracuse was one of the most important cities in the Greek Empire and one of the wealthiest. It was totally part of Greece and Archimedes was born here. You will visit the Teatro Greco where Aeschylus put on plays and the theatre is still in use today. As Greece declined and Rome emerged this city bridged the gap so a Roman Amphitheatre shares space with a Greek theater. Ortigia Island, where your hotel is located is home to the temple of Apollo and the mythical spring of Arethusa. Your guide will put it all into context.
Breakfast
Day 10: Journey to Taormina
Along with your guide you make your way to Taormina. Along the way you stop at the foothills of Mount Etna and climb up to a vineyard where you can sample their vintages. You can also stay and have lunch along with their wine before continuing to your final destination. Taormina is blessed with a temperate climate, a beautiful setting and unsurpassed water views. Goethe sang its praises and it was, in the 19th Century a place where the English wealthy came to escape the cold winters. It was here, in fact, that D.H. Lawrence wrote “Lady Chatterley’s Lover."
Breakfast
Day 11: Discovering Taormina
After breakfast, your guide will take you on a tour of the major sights within the city ranging from the Greeks to the English aristocrat. There is in fact another Greek Theatre here in Taormina where the Greeks put on plays, the Romans gladiatorial Contests and today, rock concerts. You return to the hotel where Corso Umberto, one of the best streets for people watching is a few steps from the hotel. There are many restaurants available.
Breakfast
Day 12: Mount Etna Expedition
In the morning you will be picked up at your hotel for a trip to the highest level of Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest volcano. Most of the journey will be by 4 X 4 vehicles but there will be some moderate hiking. You will cross lava fields and forests and enjoy spectacular views at all levels of the Ascent. Return to the hotel for some beach time or time around the pool.
Breakfast
Day 13: Scenes from the Godfather
The morning is left open for you to do some last minute shopping. In the afternoon you will be taken inland to visit some of the well-known locations from the Godfather Saga including the church where Michael and Apollonia walk from along with the band and the cafe where Michael meets Apollonia’s father for the first time.
Breakfast
Day 14: Return to USA
Your driver will be waiting to take you to the airport to begin your journey back to the USA.
Breakfast
