ITINERARY

DAY 1 – Depart UK Airport for Arrival Palermo Airport.Courier Assisted Transfer to Hotel, Palermo. Visit the Archaeological Museum (repository of vast array of Phoenician, Sicel, Greek and Roman artefacts from across the Island), Catacombe dei Cappuccini, Duomo, Massimo Theatro, National Art Gallery or simply wander the streets amongst the contrasting architectural styles – Renaissance, Palladio, Neo Classical, Art Deco. Dinner. Evening at leisure.

DAY 2 – Leave Palermo after breakfast to drive westward to explore the Trapani Ring. The first visit will be Segesta, with unfinished 5C Doric Temple and Classical Theatre. Continue to mediaeval Erice, perched on a 2,500ft hilltop, complete with Norman Castle, fountains and cobbled streets. Originally an Elym village of Anatolian Colonists, occupied in turn by Pyrrhus, Carthaginians and Romans – evidence of its chequered history is still evident within its many Churches and Museums. Hotel and Dinner. Evening at leisure.

DAY 3 - Turn eastward to drive to Aggrigento, stopping at Selinute (Megara Hyblaea) to see the collection of ruined Greek Temples (Temples G, Jove, F,E and Juno, the latter now restored) and Acropolis (Temples, Houses, fortifications, multiple defensive gateways and small Museum). Aggrigento (Akragas) for Museum and vast array of temples (Juno, Herakles, Concordia, Jove and the Telamon Statues). Hotel and Dinner, Aggrigento.

DAY 4 - En route to Acireale, with a stops at Piazza Armerina (famous hunting lodge containing 36.000 square feet of intricate mosaics-including the world’s first bikini) and the ancient town of Morgantina (Sicel, Greek and Roman Settlements). Hotel and Dinner, Acireale. Evening at leisure to explore the Renaissance town, named originally after the Consul Aquilius. The Roman Sulphur Thermae have been incorporated into the Baths of Santa Venere.

DAY 5 – Drive through the National Park of Mount Aetna en route to Taormina. Snow capped Mount Aetna, at 11,000ft, is Europe’s largest volcano and the duration of visit will be determined by the volcano’s level of activity. The area itself is highly fertile, with mile after mile of citrus groves as well as figs, almonds, grapes, olives, pistachio and eucalyptus. Taormina (Sicil Tauromenion) enjoys a spectacular location on a terrace of Monte Tauro. The City with its wonderful Greco-Romano Theatre, small archaeological museum and mediaeval streets, played a prominent role in both Syracusan and Roman Politics before becoming a playground for the European Jet Set and Film Set for the ‘Godfather’ Movies. Hotel and Dinner in Acireale. Evening at leisure.

DAY 6 – Full Day Coach Excursion to Syracusa, once a city so powerful it rivalled Athens. Visits to Epipolae, the Theatre, Quarries and Museum before having some free time to explore the original settlement on the island of Ortigia, now joined by two causeways to the mainland and remains of Temple to Athena in the Duomo. Hotel and Dinner in Acireale. Evening at leisure.

DAY 7 -  Full Day Coach Excursion to Giardino-Naxos and Alcantara Gorge. Several thousand years ago, the river bed was blocked by a lava flow from Mount Etna. As the lava cooled it formed crystallised columns. Over the next millenia, the river naturally eroded a channel through these columns, resulting in impressive gorges and ravines. Giardini – Naxos,  now a  pleasant fishing port with beach, was the Site of the first Greek Cleruchy on Sicily and boasts a small museum and archaeological park largely ignored by Tourists. Hotel and Dinner in Acireale. Evening at leisure.

DAY 8 – Last Day to visit Catania, originally a 7C Sicil Polis which fell to Syracusan, Roman, Goth, Byzantine, Aragon and Bourbon rule. Archaeological remains include a Greco-Romano Theatre (where Alkibiades once spoke), Duomo, Museum and archaeological composite Elephant Fountain. Onwards to Airport for return Flight to UK Airport.