essential sicily

• Enjoy extended stays in Siracusa and Palermo, exploring the island’s history and culture in detail

• Investigate Sicily’s remarkable classical heritage, visiting Greek, Carthaginian and Roman sites, and learning about the ancient civilizations that populated the island

• Travel to the elegant towns of the south-east, including Noto and Ragusa, famed for their baroque architecture

• Visit remote sites in the island’s centre, such as the World Heritage-listed Roman villa at Piazza Armerina

• Discover monuments of Norman Sicily in and around Palermo, including the Palatine Chapel and Monreale

• Sample Sicily’s food and wine culture, from the mountains to the sea

SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER – ARRIVAL (D)

A transfer from Catania airport is available for all group members: contact us for more information. You can also make your own way to our centrally-located hotel in Siracusa (Syracuse) by 6.00pm. This evening we gather for drinks in the hotel, followed by a light dinner in a nearby restaurant. Overnight Siracusa.

MONDAY 28 OCTOBER – ORTYGIA, ISLAND OF THE QUAIL (B, L)

This morning we explore the island of Ortygia, the site of the original Greek colony at Siracusa. At first one is aware of the medieval street plan and the exuberant Sicilian baroque architectural detail. But as we scratch the surface the ancient city soon emerges: the papyrus-fringed Spring of Arethusa, which provided fresh water to the Corinthians who came here in 733 BCE, the ruins of the Temple of Apollo and, most spectacularly, the cathedral built from the fifth-century BCE temple of Athena. After a welcome lunch, there is time at leisure to enjoy Ortygia further. In the early evening we meet to visit a medieval Jewish ritual bath, today in a basement, followed by a talk by your tour leader providing an overview of Sicilian history. Overnight Siracusa.

TUESDAY 29 OCTOBER – NOTO AND NERO D’ÀVOLA (B)

South-east Sicily was struck by a devastating earthquake in 1693. In the decades that followed, Sicily’s Spanish and Bourbon rulers directed significant resources to the reconstruction and enhancement of the cities and towns affected. Today this has given us a string of beautiful cities and towns to enjoy, whose baroque architecture is quirkier and has more local characteristics than the better-known Roman Baroque. Today’s excursion takes us first to Noto, where the Sicilian Baroque is on full display in the city’s layout, its public buildings, churches and private palaces. The region is also known for the red wine produced around the town of Avola, so intense it is named ‘nero’. We visit a highly regarded local wine producer, where we’ll learn more about local viniculture while sampling the production. Overnight Siracusa.

WEDNESDAY 30 OCTOBER – RAGUSA & SCICLI (B)

Today we take a day trip into Sicily’s south-east. Our circuit takes in UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ragusa and Scicli, remote and characterful baroque towns that were built after the devastating seventeenth-century earthquake, and later functioned as open-air sets for the popular Montalbano television series. After visiting Scicli, we have a break for lunch in Ragusa after which we have time to explore this beautiful mountainside town with its panoramic views. Returning to Siracusa, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Siracusa.

THURSDAY 31 OCTOBER – ANCIENT SIRACUSA (B)

Most of the day is spent exploring Siracusa’s rich archaeological heritage. After a morning talk on Greek colonisation in Sicily, we tour the archaeological park on the mainland, with its famous theatre, sacrificial altars and quarries. After a break for lunch, we visit Caravaggio’s Burial of St Lucy, an exceptional late masterpiece which is now shown in the church for which it was painted. We then visit the nearby archaeological museum. The museum, universally regarded as Sicily’s best, displays finds from the paleolithic period to the Middle Ages, but with a particular focus on the Greek and Roman periods. Returning to Ortygia, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Siracusa.

FRIDAY 1 NOVEMBER – TAORMINA (B)

Taormina, with its theatre and other remains of its ancient past, is spectacularly situated at the end of a high ridge overlooking the Ionian Sea. Today we leave Siracusa and travel by coach to Taormina, where we take a walking tour of the city and explore its Greek, Roman, Arab and Norman past. After a break for lunch and time to enjoy Taormina independently, we make our way to Catania. In the evening there is a lecture in the hotel, followed by time at leisure. Overnight Catania

SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER – CATANIA (B)

Catania, at the foot of Mount Etna, is Sicily’s bustling second city, and while its history extends back to the Greek period, much of the city was rebuilt in the Sicilian Baroque style following a major earthquake in 1693. Today we take a walking tour of central Catania, taking in many of the city’s most important buildings and monuments along Via Etnea, including Roman ruins, the baroque cathedral and the lively outdoor market. After a break for lunch, we visit the Palazzo Biscari, Catania’s most important private palace, where we enjoy the seventeenth-century interiors and hear about this noble family’s complex past. In the early evening, there is a talk in the hotel followed by an evening at leisure. Overnight Catania.

SUNDAY 3 NOVEMBER – MORGANTINA & AIDONE (B, D)

Today we leave the coast for Sicily’s rugged interior. Our first stop is Morgantina, an ancient hilltop city with a fascinating history, from its pre-Greek foundations to its roles in the Punic and Slave Wars. The city was abandoned in the ancient period, and remained relatively untouched until excavations began in the nineteenth century. After a guided tour of the archaeological site, we continue to Aidone where we have a break for lunch, followed by a visit to the archaeological museum. In the mid-afternoon, we continue to Vecchia Masseria, a beautiful and remote agriturismo in the Sicilian countryside. In the evening, there is a lecture followed by dinner together. Overnight Vecchia Masseria, near Caltagirone.

MONDAY 4 NOVEMBER – THE ROMAN VILLA AT CASALE, CALTAGIRONE (B, D)

The vast Roman farm villa at Piazza Armerina is justly famous for its spectacular mosaics, depicting mythological subjects, hunting, exotic African animals and people. We spend the morning at the villa to gain an in-depth understanding. This afternoon we visit the nearby town of Caltagirone, famous since the Middle Ages for its ceramics, which reflect Arab and Spanish heritage. Dinner is back in our farm-hotel, preceded by a talk. Overnight Vecchia Masseria, near Caltagirone.

TUESDAY 5 NOVEMBER – AGRIGENTO AND ON TO PALERMO (B, L)

The archaeological park at Agrigento is Sicily’s most spectacular, with a line of Greek temples stretched out along a ridge, overlooking the valleys and the coast. We walk along the ridge, learning about the history of this famous site from a local specialist. After a break for lunch we visit the excellent archaeological museum, whose treasures include the giant anthropomorphic ‘Telamones’ which supported the enormous Temple of Zeus, now in ruins. We then head to Palermo, our base for the next five nights. Your tour leader is at hand to help with suggestions and reservations for dinner at leisure. Overnight Palermo.

WEDNESDAY 6 NOVEMBER – NORMAN PALERMO (B)

At the same time that they were invading England, groups of French-speaking Normans arrived in southern Italy. Within decades they had carved out a kingdom for themselves, choosing the old Arab capital Palermo as their seat. We start the day with a highlight of our tour, Palermo’s Norman Palace, with its glittering, mosaic-filled Palatine Chapel. Its decorations are unparalleled in medieval art, and it is now protected by a UNESCO World Heritage listing. After a break for lunch at the nearby markets, we continue exploring this historic neighbourhood, including the magnificent mosaics of La Martorana, a small UNESCO-listed church commissioned by the Muslim-born, Greek-speaking admiral of the Norman Navy. We conclude the day with a visit to a private museum dedicated to Sicily’s distinctive majolica. Overnight Palermo.

THURSDAY 7 NOVEMBER – LA KALSA (B)

Palermo is a world unto itself, strikingly different from the rest of Sicily, with the Arab and Norman coming to the fore. This morning we explore the neighbourhood of La Kalsa, which gets its name from the Arabic ‘al-Khalisa’, or private ground of the Emir of Arabic Palermo. Once in a dilapidated condition, it has undergone considerable urban renewal and is now a delightful precinct of historic buildings, museums, cafés and restaurants. Our walking tour takes in medieval and baroque architecture, striking contemporary murals, and Sicily’s excellent regional art gallery in the Palazzo Abatellis, whose highlights include the large medieval fresco depicting the Triumph of Death and Antonello da Messina’s Virgin Annunciate. After a break for lunch, we visit Palermo’s archaeology museum, one of the finest in Sicily, and the nearby Santa Cita oratory, with its world-renowned and unique stucco decorations by the eminent Serpotta workshop. Evening at leisure. Overnight Palermo.

FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER – CARTHAGINIANS AND ELYMIANS (B, L)

The territories to the west of Palermo have longstanding connections with north Africa, just a short distance away. We begin by travelling to Mozia, a fascinating island and one of Carthage’s most important colonies and the scene of fierce competition with Greek and Roman combatants, as we discover. After a guided tour of the site, which includes time to admire a superlative work of sculpture, and a simple lunch, we return to Palermo. We call in on our way back at the fifth-century BCE temple at Segesta. Built by the local Elymian population in the Doric style, it is Sicily’s most beautifully situated ancient structure. Overnight Palermo.

SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER – MONREALE (B, D)

This morning we travel by coach to Monreale, with its stunning views across Palermo and its the exceptional cathedral built by the Norman kings. It contains over 7,000 square metres of mosaics and, together with its beautiful cloister, is unforgettable, as we discover on our guided tour. After time at leisure in Monreale to stroll and enjoy lunch, we return to Palermo. The later afternoon is at leisure before we share a farewell meal in one of Palermo’s leading restaurants. Overnight Palermo.

SUNDAY 10 NOVEMBER – DEPARTURE (B)

Our tour arrangements conclude after breakfast in our hotel. Our travel partner, Mary Rossi Travel, will be pleased to assist with any onward travel arrangements, including flights, private transfers, and additional accommodation. Contact us for more information.

Hotel Roma 4* Siracusa (Syracuse), 6 nights
https://www.hotelromasiracusa.it/en/
Well situated in the centre of Ortygia, Siracusa’s historic island. Rooms are elegant and simple, and the hotel is carrying out a renovation in early 2023.

Hotel UNA Palace 4* Catania, 2 nights
https://www.gruppouna.it/esperienze/palace-catania
Comfortable, modern hotel in the heart of Catania.

Vecchia Masseria 4* Caltagirone, 2 nights
https://www.vecchiamasseria.com/en/
A refurbished country manor house that is now an agriturismo, or farm-hotel, in the countryside just outside Caltagirone. Rooms are comfortable and modern and there is a restaurant on site.

Hotel Porta Felice 4* Palermo, 5 nights
https://hotelportafelice.it/
A well located hotel in the heart of Palermo, with a rooftop terrace and modern rooms.

NB: hotels of a similar standard may be substituted.

• 14 nights’ accommodation at 4* hotels

• All breakfasts and 7 lunches or dinners

• All ground transport, guided tours and entrance fees to sites as mentioned in the itinerary, and tipping

• Commentary by and expertise of an Australian tour leader throughout

A $1,500pp deposit is required at the time of booking to hold your place on tour.

We will invoice you for final payment for the tour, due on 13 August 2023.

When you book on one of tours, we ask you to accept our terms and conditions. You can read our terms and conditions here.