God first made the world and then he made the Straits of Messina to separate men from madmen—Sicilian proverb
ITINERARY
DAY 0—TUESDAY
Departure for Catania, Italy.
DAY 1—WEDNESDAY
MORNING: Arrival at Catania's Fontanarossa airport. Transfer to the Grand Hotel Ortigia in Siracusa, a dynamic, modern town with many visible signs of its grand and noble past.
AFTERNOON: Lunch featuring local delicacies (included). Walking tour of the remarkable island of Ortigia, its three thousand years written in the narrow streets. The ancient Greek colony founded here was as important as Athens or Rome in the Mediterranean. Today it's a bustling mix of temples, churches, seaside bars, and shops. See the Duomo, built in the 7th-century AD on the remains of the ancient Doric temple of Athena (5th-century BC), the Fonte Artusa, an ancient spring, and the Castello Maniace, built by Frederick II in 1239. Dinner at a restaurant featuring local specialties (included).
HOTEL: Grand Hotel Ortigia / Siracusa
DAY 2—THURSDAY
MORNING: Visit Ortigia's colorful food market. Guided walking tour of Siracusa, once the wealthy and powerful heart of ancient Greek civilization (Magna Graecia). See the outstanding Parco Archeologico della Neapolis, which includes the massive Paradise Quarry, the Greek Theatre (one of the most impressive to survive since antiquity), the Orecchio di Dioniso, and gardens. Lunch at a local restaurant specializing in fresh-caught fish (included).
AFTERNOON: At leisure-explore the narrow streets, fine shops, and cafÈs of the lovely island of Ortigia. Early evening visit to Il Piccolo Teatro dei Pupi Fratelli Mauceri, where puppeteer Alfredo Mauceri directs traditional puppet performances. Tour the family workshop where puppets are made and antique puppets are restored.
Dinner at a private home in Siracusa with a cooking demonstration (included). Menu to include antipasti siciliani (typical Sicilian antipasto), homemade pasta, local wines, and homemade rosolio (dessert liqueur made by macerating rose petals in an alcoholic infusion).
HOTEL: Grand Hotel Ortigia / Siracusa
DAY 3—FRIDAY
MORNING: Travel to Buscemi, a living history museum of folk life. In the tiny village work rooms and living spaces have been preserved as they were in the early 1800's and include the home of a peasant farmer, a smithy, an olive press, and a water-powered mill.
AFTERNOON: Lunch at a local restaurant (not included). At leisure to explore Siracusa: take a late afternoon walk to watch the sunset over the water, shop in the unique stores in the historic center, or sightsee. Dinner at a local restaurant (not included).
HOTEL: Grand Hotel Ortigia / Siracusa
DAY 4—SATURDAY
MORNING: Departure from Siracusa stopping in mid-morning for a guided walking tour of the town of Noto, renowned for its splendid Sicilian Baroque architecture. Noto was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693 and has been recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage, along with several other towns in southeastern Sicily, as an "outstanding testimony to the exuberant genius of late Baroque art and architecture." Lunch in Noto (not included).
AFTERNOON: Travel west to Modica, the ancient capital of Contea. Walking tour with guide down Corso Umberto I to view some of the many interesting churches and buildings along the city's main street, including Teatro Garibaldi, Palazzo Tedeschi, Santa Maria del Soccorso, Palazzo Manenti, and the Church of San Pietro, which stands at the top of a monumental Baroque staircase flanked by statues of the Apostles. The church was built after the 1693 earthquake on the site of a 14th-century church. Dinner in Ragusa (included).
HOTEL: Eremo della Giubiliana / Ragusa
DAY 5—SUNDAY
MORNING/AFTERNOON: Full day excursion to Ragusa, the ancient city founded on the Hyblea Heraia when the Siculi moved into the interior to escape from the Greek colonists. The town is divided into two communities: new Baroque Ragusa, built on the plateau by the landowning nobility, and Ragusa Ibla, the lower part of the town, also rebuilt in the Baroque style after the terrible earthquake, but on the medieval town layout, with stairs and winding alleys. Lunch in Ragusa (included). Dinner at a local restaurant (not included).
HOTEL: Eremo della Giubiliana / Ragusa
DAY 6—MONDAY
MORNING: Winery tour and tasting at the Feudo Principi di Butera estate and lunch (included). The Feudo Principi di Butera estate once belonged to the noble Branciforte and Lanza di Scalea dynasties. Ambrogio Branciforte was, in 1543, the first Sicilian to be named a Prince. It was King Philip II of Spain who conferred upon him the rank of Prince of Butera, a title that remained the most important Sicilian feudal recognition until the 1800s.
| Moments in Sicilian History |
| The Syracusan tyrants Heiron I, Gelon, and Dionysus I assured the ascendancy of Greek Sicily, with Syracuse at the helm. The Greek colonies continued to fight among themselves, but united when necessary, including the defeat of the Carthaginians at Himera in 480 BC, calling a halt to 50 years of Carthaginian aggression. |
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AFTERNOON: Visit the well-preserved Villa Romana del Casale in the town of Piazza Armerina. The Imperial Roman villa is famous for its stunning floor mosaics in every room, including images of fishing scenes, ladies exercising, and African hunting scenes replete with lions, elephants, and leopards.
Late afternoon transfer to a characteristic Sicilian baglio (villa), originally built in the 1300's as a Benedictine monastery and now transformed into an agriturismo-a working farmhouse updated for travelers. Dinner in the elegant "Sala Grande" dining room to sample traditional Sicilian cuisine with a selection that includes local cheeses and sausages, grilled and roasted meats, and homemade pastas (included).
HOTEL: Agriturismo Gigliotto / Piazza Armerina
DAY 7—TUESDAY
MORNING: Travel east for a morning excursion to Mt. Etna. Weather and volcanic conditions permitting, experience the lava fields and incredible views of Europe's highest and most active volcano. Lunch, cantina visit, and wine tasting at the San Michele del Barone Scammacca del Murgo winery, situated on the slopes of Mt. Etna in the village of Santa Venerina (included). The estate also produces olive oil, grappa, sparkling wine, and artisanal food products.
AFTERNOON: Afternoon arrival in Taormina. Guided walking tour of Taormina, a mountaintop town of breathtaking beauty. The pedestrians-only center of the resort town includes stony piazzas with grand views interspersed with elegant shops and outdoor cafes. Dinner at a local restaurant situated high above the city with breath-taking views of the sea (included).
HOTEL: Hotel Villa Belvedere / Taormina
DAY 8—WEDNESDAY
MORNING: Boat excursion to discover the nearby Ionian Sea (weather conditions permitting). See Isola Bella, an idyllic island situated in the delightful bay below Taormina, the little bay of Mazzaro, which is riddled with caves and rocky grottoes, and the sandy beaches fronting the remarkably clear water. Lunch at a nearby restaurant (included).
AFTERNOON: At your leisure. Magnificent beaches and cliff walks are among the natural attractions. Dinner at a local restaurant (not included).
HOTEL: Hotel Villa Belvedere / Taormina
DAY 9—THURSDAY
MORNING/AFTERNOON: Free day to explore Taormina; visit the artist colony of Castelmola, swim in the crystal blue waters, sightsee—or just shop till you drop! Lunch at a local restaurant (not included). Savor a farewell dinner at a terraced restaurant with wonderful views (included).
HOTEL: Hotel Villa Belvedere / Taormina
DAY 10—FRIDAY
MORNING: Early morning group transfer to Catania's Fontanarossa airport and departure. Arrivederci!
