Day 0
Leave the U.S. for Italy, arriving the next day in Sicily at the Palermo airport (Falcone Borcellino)
Days 1-3
(Thurs) Our first three nights will be in Palermo, the regional capital of Sicily. After arriving and 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. (Fri) In the morning 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 of Monreale. (Sat) Today we drive south of Palermo to take a short boat ride to reach the ancient Phoenician ruins of Mozia on the tiny island of Pantaleo. After lunch we drive 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.
Days 4 & 5
(Sun & Mon) From Palermo we drive 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 ("La Rocca"), for those open to the challenge, for amazing views of the sea and islands. Our hotel sits right in front of the beautiful public beach and a dip in the sea is encouraged!
Days 6 & 7
(Tues) After breakfast we drive to the renown Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School for a cooking lesson and lunch at this historic Sicilian estate. In the late afternoon we will arrive at our charming Bed and Breakfast in Agrigento. For our breakfasts we will be seated on terraces overlooking the temples and the sea. (Wed) 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.
Days 8 & 9
(Thurs) On our way to Siracusa we will stop along the route to visit the towns of Noto or Ragusa. 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. (Fri) Siracusa was a powerful and important Greek city and this morning we will have a tour of the important archeological sites and historic center of the city. The afternoon is all yours to explore the interesting shops and markets and stroll along the sea wall.
Day 10
(Sat) Today 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 geologist expert will lead us on a short trek on the volcano to explain the volcanic activity and the unique vegetation that survives in this seemingly inhospitable climate. Then we will visit one of the wineries on the slopes of the volcano for a tasting and luncheon. In the afternoon we drive to Taormina and check into our lodging, where all our rooms have sea views. In the 19th and early 20th century this town was a heaven 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.
Day 11
(Sun) In the early afternoon we will head for 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. For our last night together we will enjoy a tasty arrivederci dinner and make a toast (or two) to Sicily!
Day 00
(Mon) 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)
Days 1-3
(Thurs) Our first three nights will be in Palermo, the regional capital of Sicily. After arriving and 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. (Fri) In the morning 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 of Monreale. (Sat) Today we drive south of Palermo to take a short boat ride to reach the ancient Phoenician ruins of Mozia on the tiny island of Pantaleo. After lunch we drive 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.
Days 4 & 5
(Sun & Mon) From Palermo we drive 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 ("La Rocca"), for those open to the challenge, for amazing views of the sea and islands. Our hotel sits right in front of the beautiful public beach and a dip in the sea is encouraged!
Days 6 & 7
(Tues) After breakfast we drive to the renown Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School for a cooking lesson and lunch at this historic Sicilian estate. In the late afternoon we will arrive at our charming Bed and Breakfast in Agrigento. For our breakfasts we will be seated on terraces overlooking the temples and the sea. (Wed) 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.
Days 8 & 9
(Thurs) On our way to Siracusa we will stop along the route to visit the towns of Noto or Ragusa. 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. (Fri) Siracusa was a powerful and important Greek city and this morning we will have a tour of the important archeological sites and historic center of the city. The afternoon is all yours to explore the interesting shops and markets and stroll along the sea wall.
Day 10
(Sat) Today 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 geologist expert will lead us on a short trek on the volcano to explain the volcanic activity and the unique vegetation that survives in this seemingly inhospitable climate. Then we will visit one of the wineries on the slopes of the volcano for a tasting and luncheon. In the afternoon we drive to Taormina and check into our lodging, where all our rooms have sea views. In the 19th and early 20th century this town was a heaven 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.
Day 11
(Sun) In the early afternoon we will head for 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. For our last night together we will enjoy a tasty arrivederci dinner and make a toast (or two) to Sicily!
Day 00
(Mon) Today we transfer to the Catania airport (Fontanarossa) for flights home, arriving in US the same day.
