Day 1 – To Syracuse: Fly from London
Gatwick to Catania with British Airways.
Transfer to Grand Hotel Villa Politi or similar
in Syracuse for 2 nights. (D)
Day 2 – Syracuse: Morning tour of Ortigia,
including visits to the cathedral and
the Temple of Apollo. Continue to the
archaeological museum, Roman amphitheatre
and the great Hellenistic theatre, one of the
most important examples of ancient theatre
architecture. (B)
Day 3 – To Agrigento: Morning drive to the
Unesco-listed town of Noto, renowned for its
striking baroque architecture. Continue to the
archaeological museum in Aidone and then
visit the Morgantina archaeological site. Stay
2 nights at the Hotel Dioscuri Bay Palace or
similar. (B)
Day 4 – Agrigento: This morning, visit
the Valley of the Temples, one of the most
atmospheric sites of the ancient world, with
two almost complete Doric temples. This
afternoon, visit the archaeological museum,
which introduces the splendours of ancient
Akragas and offers an insight into the life of
the Greek settlers. (B)
Day 5 – To Palermo: Drive to Palermo to visit the magni. cent Arab-Norman cathedral, the
palatine chapel – located within the Norman
palace and covered in Byzantine influenced
mosaics – and the Church of San Giovanni
degli Eremiti. In the afternoon, make a special
private visit to the Palazzo Gangi, which
is especially noted for its Sicilian baroque
ballroom decorated with Murano chandeliers,
gold fittings and glittering mirrors. Continue
to Palazzo Abatellis. Stay 2 nights at the
Centrale Palace Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 6 – Palermo: Visit Palermo’s
archaeological museum, with its collection
from all over Sicily, and the Church of San
Cataldo. The interior walls are faced by spolia
columns with Byzantine-style arcades and the
floor features excellent mosaics. This afternoon,
drive to Monreale to see the Norman
cathedral, founded in 1172 it is considered the
pinnacle achievement of Norman-Arab art. (B)
Day 7 – To Taormina: Morning drive to
Taormina via Piazza Armerina to see the
Unesco-listed Villa Romana del Casale. One of the grandest late Roman country houses
ever discovered, the villa has more than 50
rooms and beautiful mosaics. Stay 2 nights at
the Hotel Villa Diadoro or similar. (B)
Day 8 – Mount Etna: Morning excursion to
Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in
Europe. Ascend the volcano to visit the extinct
Silvestri craters at 2,000 metres above sea level.
Return to Taormina to visit the Roman odeon
and the Graeco-Roman theatre. (B, D)
Day 9 – To London: Day at leisure in the
elegant resort town of Taormina. Transfer
to Catania for your British Airways flight to
London Gatwick. (B)
Extensions: If you wish to extend your stay
in Sicily to explore more of this fascinating
country independently, please contact us for
details.
Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals
