Oct 12
Leave the U.S. for Italy, arriving the next day in Sicily at the Palermo airport (Falcone Borcellino)
Oct 13-14
(Fri) Our first two days will be spent in Palermo, the regional capital of Sicily. After settling into our hotel, located in a historic section of Palermo, we will have a chance to rest and then head out to explore the meandering lanes, enjoying an aperitivo and then dinner together, tasting traditional food and wine. (Sat) An expert local guide will lead us on a walking tour of the historic neighborhoods, markets and important sites of the city. In the afternoon we will visit the beautiful Norman cathedral, Monreale.
Oct 15
(Sun) From Palermo we take the short train ride to the town of Cefalù on Sicily's northern coast. Fishing is still important to this community which also boasts an impressive Norman Cathedral and an imposing hill to climb ("Il Rocco") for amazing views of the sea and islands.
Oct 16-17
(Mon) Early afternoon we drive to Regaleali for a 2-night stay at this historic Sicilian estate. We will be treated to aperitivi and then dinner of traditional Sicilian cuisine. Our lodging will be in the historic cottages on the estate. (Tues) In late morning we participate in a hands-on cooking lesson in the renown Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School and then for our lunch we will eat what we prepared! Also included is a visit to a local shepherd and cheese maker and a walk through the gardens on the estate. We will have leisure time to relax or take strolls in the surrounding countryside.
Oct 18
(Wed) After breakfast we drive to Trapani on the west coast and check into our hotel. Then a visit to Erice, a wonderfully preserved Medieval town 751m above the sea, offering breathtaking views and a palpable sense of ancient history. The goddess Aphrodite plays an important role in the legends associated with this mysterious place. We will return to Trapani for dinner and a stroll through the town.
Oct 19-20
(Thurs) On our route from Trapani to Agrigento, we will visit the ancient Phoenician ruins of Mozia on the tiny island of Pantaleo. We will also visit the legendary Marsala wine producer, Marco DeBartoli, for a tasting and tour. In late afternoon we will arrive at our charming Bed and Breakfast in Agrigento overlooking the temples and the sea. (Fri) Today we will have a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the greatest legacies of ancient Greece. In the afternoon we are free to explore the historic streets and sites in the town of Agrigento.
Oct 21-22
(Sat) On our way to Siracusa we will make a stop in the town of Caltagirone to tour the ceramic studio of my friend, Fabio Tangorra and his wife and uncle. Caltagirone and the surrounding area are known for beautiful ceramics. The museum displays some pieces dated before Christ. After checking into our hotel in Siracusa, we will explore the lanes and seafront and then have dinner together at one of its excellent eateries. (Sun) Siracusa was a powerful and important Greek city and today we will have a tour of the important archeological sites and historic center of the city and explore the interesting shops and markets.
Oct 23
(Mon) Today we drive to Taormina and check in to our lodging. In the 19th and early 20th century this place was a playground for the rich and famous. Still a lovely town above the Ionian Sea, it has many charming shops and restaurants and an ancient Greek/Roman theatre with a spectacular view of the sea and Mt Etna.
Oct 24
(Tues) Tonight we will stay in Sicily's second largest city, Catania. Dramatically situated between the active volcano of Mt Etna and the Ionian Sea, it boasts beautiful Sicilian Baroque architecture. But, before we reach Catania we will explore Mt Etna and villages and farms at its base and taste wines produced from grapes grown in this unique volcanic soil. A special treat planned, just for our group, is a meal with the family of our guide, Maurizio, at their farm. For our last night together we will enjoy a tasty arrivederci dinner and make a toast (or two) to our Sicilian adventure!
Oct 25
(Wed) Today we transfer to the Catania airport (Fontanarossa) for flights home, arriving in US the same day.
Leave the U.S. for Italy, arriving the next day in Sicily at the Palermo airport (Falcone Borcellino)
Oct 13-14
(Fri) Our first two days will be spent in Palermo, the regional capital of Sicily. After settling into our hotel, located in a historic section of Palermo, we will have a chance to rest and then head out to explore the meandering lanes, enjoying an aperitivo and then dinner together, tasting traditional food and wine. (Sat) An expert local guide will lead us on a walking tour of the historic neighborhoods, markets and important sites of the city. In the afternoon we will visit the beautiful Norman cathedral, Monreale.
Oct 15
(Sun) From Palermo we take the short train ride to the town of Cefalù on Sicily's northern coast. Fishing is still important to this community which also boasts an impressive Norman Cathedral and an imposing hill to climb ("Il Rocco") for amazing views of the sea and islands.
Oct 16-17
(Mon) Early afternoon we drive to Regaleali for a 2-night stay at this historic Sicilian estate. We will be treated to aperitivi and then dinner of traditional Sicilian cuisine. Our lodging will be in the historic cottages on the estate. (Tues) In late morning we participate in a hands-on cooking lesson in the renown Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School and then for our lunch we will eat what we prepared! Also included is a visit to a local shepherd and cheese maker and a walk through the gardens on the estate. We will have leisure time to relax or take strolls in the surrounding countryside.
Oct 18
(Wed) After breakfast we drive to Trapani on the west coast and check into our hotel. Then a visit to Erice, a wonderfully preserved Medieval town 751m above the sea, offering breathtaking views and a palpable sense of ancient history. The goddess Aphrodite plays an important role in the legends associated with this mysterious place. We will return to Trapani for dinner and a stroll through the town.
Oct 19-20
(Thurs) On our route from Trapani to Agrigento, we will visit the ancient Phoenician ruins of Mozia on the tiny island of Pantaleo. We will also visit the legendary Marsala wine producer, Marco DeBartoli, for a tasting and tour. In late afternoon we will arrive at our charming Bed and Breakfast in Agrigento overlooking the temples and the sea. (Fri) Today we will have a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the greatest legacies of ancient Greece. In the afternoon we are free to explore the historic streets and sites in the town of Agrigento.
Oct 21-22
(Sat) On our way to Siracusa we will make a stop in the town of Caltagirone to tour the ceramic studio of my friend, Fabio Tangorra and his wife and uncle. Caltagirone and the surrounding area are known for beautiful ceramics. The museum displays some pieces dated before Christ. After checking into our hotel in Siracusa, we will explore the lanes and seafront and then have dinner together at one of its excellent eateries. (Sun) Siracusa was a powerful and important Greek city and today we will have a tour of the important archeological sites and historic center of the city and explore the interesting shops and markets.
Oct 23
(Mon) Today we drive to Taormina and check in to our lodging. In the 19th and early 20th century this place was a playground for the rich and famous. Still a lovely town above the Ionian Sea, it has many charming shops and restaurants and an ancient Greek/Roman theatre with a spectacular view of the sea and Mt Etna.
Oct 24
(Tues) Tonight we will stay in Sicily's second largest city, Catania. Dramatically situated between the active volcano of Mt Etna and the Ionian Sea, it boasts beautiful Sicilian Baroque architecture. But, before we reach Catania we will explore Mt Etna and villages and farms at its base and taste wines produced from grapes grown in this unique volcanic soil. A special treat planned, just for our group, is a meal with the family of our guide, Maurizio, at their farm. For our last night together we will enjoy a tasty arrivederci dinner and make a toast (or two) to our Sicilian adventure!
Oct 25
(Wed) Today we transfer to the Catania airport (Fontanarossa) for flights home, arriving in US the same day.
