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The Enviroment:
10 Days / 9 Nights Private Tours
Valley of the Temples • Greek & Roman Archaeological Sites • Scenic Countryside & Villages
Sicily is home to superb Norman architecture, exuberant Roman floor mosaics, Arabinspired gardens, and probably the finest Greek temples to be found anywhere. Alongside this, the island has some magnificent natural scenery. Taormina, Palermo Cathedral, Selinunte and Piazza Armerina.
Day 1 To Syracuse: Fly from Milan to Catania. Transfer to the Hotel Villa Politi in Syracuse or similar, for 2 nights.
Day 2 Syracuse: Morning visit to Ortygia, the centre of the old city, with its delightful streets and baroque palaces. Continue to the Archaeological Museum and the Greek Theatre, one of the most important examples of ancient theatre architecture.
Day 3 To Agrigento: Morning drive to Piazza Armerina to see the mosaics of the UNESCO listed Villa Romana del Casale. Continue to the NH Dioscuri Bay Palace in Agrigento or similar for 2 nights.
Day 4 Agrigento: Morning visit to the ‘Valley of the Temples’, one of the most atmospheric sites of the Ancient World, with two almost complete Doric temples and a museum. Afternoon visit to Eraclea Minoa, founded during the Mycenaean age.
Day 5 To Palermo: Drive to Palermo, visiting two of the world’s most impressive ancient Greek sites en route: the temples at Selinunte and Segesta. In Palermo, stay 3 nights at the Centrale Palace Hotel or similar.
Day 6 Palermo: Morning visit to the magnificent 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. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 7 Monreale, Solunto & Palermo: Drive to Monreale to see the Norman cathedral, founded in 1172 and considered the pinnacle achievement of Norman-Arab art. Continue to the remains of the Hellenistic-Roman town of Solunto, located on the slopes of Mount Catalfano, before returning to Palermo for a tour of the historic Old Town.
Day 8 To Taormina: Morning coastal drive to Cefalù and the cliff-top ruins at Tyndaris. Continue to the elegant resort town of Taormina in the foothills of Mount Etna, seeing some of Sicily’s most scenic villages en route. Stay 2 nights at the Hotel Villa Diodora or similar.
Day 9 Taormina: Full day at leisure or optional visit to Mount Etna, Sicily’s most famous natural landmark, and the Greek Theatre in Taormina.
Day 10 To Milan: Transfer to Catania airport, and fly to Milan or to other European destinations as London Gatwick with British Airways.
After the Tour we suggest 1 week relaxing at Villa Baglio Sicilia
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