Sicilian markets are colourful, crowded, and noisy, and the handicraft products are very refined: it is from the memory of ancient stories of knights that “pupi” (puppets) and Sicilian carts originate; laces and fabrics are produced by the patience of skilful hands.
Day 1
Catania-Caltagirone
Arrival in Catania. Transfer to Caltagirone and check-in at hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
2
The Art of Tombolo Lace in Mirabella Imbaccari
After breakfast, transfer to Mirabella Imbaccari, to see and admire the prized and renowned craft of the tombolo lace: a very fine cotton pillow lace obtained with the weaving of typical wooden spindles.
3
The Mosaics of Piazza Armerina and the Valley of the Temples
Breakfast and departure for Piazza Armerina, near which stands the Villa Romana del Casale (3rd century A.D.), with fine floor mosaics. Continuation on to Agrigento, with a visit to the Valley of the Temples by night.
4
The Pepoli Museum and the Coral of Trapani
In the ancient Annunziata suburb, the Pepoli Museum occupies the 14th-century former Carmelite convent. There is a vast collection of figurative arts, paintings and sculptures from the area of Trapani. Continuation on to Trapani. Visit to coral-working shops. Dinner and overnight stay.
5
Fabrics from Erice and Arts of Palermo 
After breakfast, departure for Erice for a visit to the atmospheric medieval village, famous for the ancient art of drawn-thread work and for the original production of the “frazzata”, a typical fabric with multi-coloured geometric patterns. Continuation on to Palermo. Here the handicraft activities range from the production and decoration of ceramics to that of refined needlepoint; from the construction of the Sicilian carts to that of the “pupi”, puppets depicting characters of the stories of the paladins of France. Visit to the Antonio Pasqualino International Puppet Museum. After dinner we will see a puppet show.
6
The Markets of Palermo
We will be able to discover an aspect of Palermo that is not very tourist in nature, but certainly authentic, by visiting its four markets: Ballarò, near the central train station; Capo, behind the Teatro Massimo; Vucciria, between Via Roma and Corso Vittorio Emanuele; and Borgo Vecchio, on Corso Scinà.
7
The Cart Painters and the Puppet Opera
After breakfast we will head for Catania, stopping off at Aci S. Antonio, renowned for its shops for the painting of Sicilian carts, and to Acireale, famous for the working of lavic stone and for the Folklore Theatre that stages “puppet
opera” shows. In the afternoon we will visit Catania, which boasts a prestigious tradition in the making of lutes, mandolins, and guitars.
8
Return
After breakfast, departure for airport.
