The Crossroad of cultures and ancient peoples enfolded in myth and history. More Greek than Roman, more Norman than Italian, the island always surpasses visitors’ expectations with an incredible array of historical remains. The land that attracted the Phoenicians and the Carthaginians is surrounded by sea once sailed by Ulysses' ship. It enticed the Arabs, the Normans, the Spaniards and Swabians all leaving their footprints on the island surviving in the genes and traditions of modern-day Sicilians. One of the highlights of our tour is a rarely seen opera performance at the famous Teatro Massimo by Scarlatti, “father” of the classical Italian opera. We will also pay homage to Vincenzo Bellini, the blond and “etheric” Sicilian composer by visiting his modest birth place in the city of Catania.

ITINERARY

Nov 10. Arrival in Palermo. Meet your tour guide, then transfer to your hotel. Free time to recover from jet-lag. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Nov 11. After breakfast city tour of Palermo, once capital of the Normans. Visit to Monreale to view the Duomo with the world famous golden mosaics and the Benedictin Cloister in Pure Norman style. Tonight we’ll attend a Baroque opera
performance at the beautiful Teatro Massimo, Europe’s third largest opera house. On the program one of the works by Alessandro Scarlatti, the first great master of the famous Napolitan School. Dinner and overnight in Palermo.

Nov 12. Departure to Segesta to visit the majestic Temple and Theatre, momentos of the once flourishing town surrounded by a unique landscape. Proceed to Erice, the medieval hilltop village originally founded by the Elymians. Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Normans and Spaniards all left their traces in the town surrounded by cyclopean walls. Erice has fully maintained a fascinating medieval atmosphere with characteristic arts and crafts: finely decorated pottery, colourful hand-woven rugs and the traditional pastries made of almond paste and candied fruit. View the Norman castle, the Spanish quarter, stroll around the winding alleys and courtyards full of flowers. Dinner and overnight in Trapani, the ancient Drepanon, renowned for its coral works and salt-pans.

Nov 13. Departure to Selinunte to visit the Acropolis, then to Marsala, the city rich in Carthagian, Norman and Arab monuments. Proceed to Agrigento, the once rich and powerful city of Magna Grecia. After dinner coach ride around the illuminated Greek Temples. Overnight in Agrigento.

Nov 14. After breakfast visit the Valley of the Temples with the best preserved Greek monuments in the world, including the Temples of Juno, Concord, Heracles, Zeus, Castor and Pollux. In the afternoon proceed to Piazza Armenia. Dinner and overnight at a typical Sicilian farm house where you can pick oranges fresh from the trees and watch how your typical Sicilian dinner is prepared.

Nov 15. Breakfast, then visit to the famed Villa Romana del Casale with the colourful Roman mosaics and then proceed to Syracuse. Dinner and overnight in Syracuse.

Nov 16. City tour of Syracuse, the “New York” of the ancient Greek world. Visit the Greek Theatre and the Roman Amphitheatre, the Tomb of Archimedes, the stone quarry with “Dionusios’ Ear”, the rope-makers grotto and the sacrificial altar of Jerome II. Guided tour of the Archeological Museum, one of the world’s most important museums of ancient Greek civilisation with relics from Sicilian prehistory and the cities of Magna Grecia. Today, we’ll have dinner at a typical restaurant in ancient Ortygia, the old city centre that has witnessed more than three thousand years of history. Overnight in Syracuse.

Nov 17. After breakfast departure to Taormina with a stop in Catania to visit Vincenzo Bellini’s home town and birthplace. Accommodation and dinner near Taormina at a seaside hotel.

Nov 18. Visit Taormina, often called: “Pearl of the Ionian Sea”. This beautiful hillside town is renowned for its mild climate, gorgeous views and the famous ruins of the Greek Theatre eternalised by many distinguished painters. After visiting all the important sights you will have plenty of time for shopping or exploring the enchanting narrow streets lined by palatial mansions, elegant shops and souvenir stores. Dinner and overnight at your seaside hotel.

Nov 19. Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to Catania airport to board the flight back to North America.


TOUR INCLUDES:

· Arrival in Palermo, transfer from airport to hotel
· 9 nights first class hotel accommodation with daily breakfast and dinner
· Deluxe motorcoach transportation with English speaking guide throughout the tour
· Services of local guides and sightseeing as per itinerary
· Air and land taxes and service charges
· Entrance fees
· Services of an escort from departure point to return.

Land only Price: on Request             Single supplement:   RQ

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