Sicily, the land of the Greek myth, scene of the encounter between great civilizations which created art treasures that are unique the world over. The Greco-Roman buildings, Byzantine mosaics, Norman and Baroque art, contaminated by Arabic elements, will accompany you on a fascinating trip.
Day 1
Taormina
Arrival at Catania and transfer to hotel at Giardini Naxos. Visit at Taormina of the Greco-Roman Theatre and Palazzo Corvaja. Dinner and overnight stay.
2
Medieval Messina and the Byzantine Mosaics of Cefalù
After breakfast, tour, in Messina, of the Norman Cathedral, the Annunziata dei Catalani, and the church of Cristo Re. Continue to Santo Stefano di Camastra, a center of artisan pottery. In Cefalù, visit to the Cathedral, full of refined Byzantine mosaics. Arrival at hotel in Palermo.
3
Palermo and Vicinity
Breakfast and departure for Monreale: tour of the Cathedral, with its splendid 12th-century mosaics, and the Cloister of the Benedicine monastery, with Moorish architecture. On returning to Palermo, visit to the Palatine Chapel in the Normal Royal Palace; the Cathedral, featuring different styles from different periods; Piazza Pretoria, the Massimo and Politeama theatres. Dinner and overnight stay.
4
The Ancient Ruins of Segesta and Erice
Breakfast and departure for Segesta, where you will see an intact Doric temple and a
Hellenistic theatre. Continue to Erice, an atmospheric medieval village of ancient Greek origin, and the salt pans of Trapani. Dinner and overnight stay in Marsala.
5
Selinunte and the Valley of the Temples
After breakfast and a tour of Marsala, departure for the temples and necropolis of Selinunte. Continue to Agrigento, where you will see medieval and Byzantine remains, as well as the majestic Valley of the Temples.
6
The Villa Romana del Casale and the Island of Ortigia
Breakfast and departure for the Villa Romana del Casale, 10 km from Piazza Armerina, with incomparable floor mosaics. Continue to Caltagirone, known
for its ceramic production. On arrival in Siracusa, you will visit the ancient quarter of Ortigia, with its Cathedral and remains of the Temple of Apollo, the oldest in Sicily. Dinner and overnight stay.
7
The Sicilian Baroque: Noto and Ragusa
After breakfast, you will visit the archaeological park, the Roman amphitheatre, the Greek theatre, the Ear of Dionysus, and the Cordari Grotto. Continue to Noto and, in the evening, to Ragusa Ibla, both exemplary for the Sicilian Baroque style.
8
Catania
Breakfast and transfer to Catania to visit the Cathedral, dedicated to St. Agatha, the square with the Fountain of the Elephant, the city’s symbol; going along Via dei Crociferi, full of Baroque buildings, you will reach the former Benedictine Convent. Departure from the airport.
