Treasures & Secrets of Sicily

Fly to Palermo, transfer to your centrally located hotel and enjoy a Welcome drink. Two nights at the 4-star Hotel Plaza Opera.

A city tour in Palermo includes the awe-inspiring Norman Byzantine churches, from the crypt and the carved stone columns of the mighty Cathedral, to the triple-domed church of San Cataldo, biblical old-gold mosaics in La Martorana church and the Palatine chapel of the Norman Palace, where barely an inch of wall or ceiling is left unadorned. Continue to the Cathedral of Monreale with its 6,000sqm of Byzantine mosaics.
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Travel west to Trapani province to visit the Greek temple in Segesta and ancient theatre set high on Monte Barbaro; and onward to the mountain-top medieval village of Erice, to enjoy terrific coastal views and taste the speciality almond pastries, traditionally made in the town’s many convents. Continue to Marsala for two nights at the 4-star Hotel Stella d’Italia.
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A major wine-producer, Marsala gave its name to its renowned dessert wine, so wine-tasting in a local winery is a ’must do’. The town was founded by the Phoenicians and (Englishman) Joseph Whitaker discovered and excavated a settlement from that era on the lagoon island of Mozia, to which we sail today.
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The first of today’s visits is to Selinunte, the westernmost of Greek colonies, its several temples, city walls and acropolis ruins set on a seafront cliff. Continue to Agrigento’s Valley of Temples, Concordia the best preserved of the seven striking Doric temples crowning a rocky ridge. Overnight in Agrigento at the 4-star Hotel Colleverde Park.
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Journey into Sicily’s central mountains to visit the 3^rd/4^th century AD Villa del Casale at Piazza Armerina, with the world’s richest collection of Roman mosaics, illustrating mundane and mythological life. Continue to Ragusa, visiting its Baroque cathedral and enjoying an ‘insider’ glance at the aristocratic Ibla area; and then to Noto for three nights at the historic ‘Villa Favorita’ country house, still owned by the original noble family.
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Follow the footsteps (and film sets) of Inspector Montalbano, from the mayor’s office in Scicli to Montalbano’s home in Punta Secca. Return to Noto, its ornate churches and palaces earning it the epithet “the stone garden”, for a walking tour through the Corso Vittorio Emanuele to the cathedral.
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A full day excursion begins in Syracuse, once ranked amongst Greek cities as second only to Athens, its archaeological area including a Roman amphitheatre and Greek theatre. Continue onto the Ortigia peninsula for Arethusa’s Fountain, and a Baroque cathedral on the site of the Temple of Minerva, with ancient temple columns re-utilised in its walls.
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Travel to Catania, where a walking tour of the city takes in the cathedral and baroque façades of the Via Crociferi; continue to Acireale to visit Palazzo Fiorini; and visit Sicily’s most famous landmark, and Europe’s highest and most active volcano, Mount Etna, climbing the 1,900m to the Rifugio Sapienza by bus (or, at an extra charge, reaching 2,920m by cable-car or 4-wheel drive). Drive to Castelmola, above Taormina, with fine views of Etna and the coast, for two nights at the historic Hotel Villa Sonia.
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Visit the small town of Savoca this morning, the setting for Francis Ford Coppola’s film The Godfather, and perhaps call at the ‘Café Vitelli’ haunt of Corleone. The afternoon in Taormina lets you stroll its medieval lanes, people-watch from a pavement café, and soak-up the spectacular views from its Greco-Roman theatre.
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Travel to Milazzo and sail to the Aeolian Islands, visiting Lipari to see is Citadel, and circling around the island to neighbouring Vulcano. Stay for two nights in the 4-star Hotel Les Sables Noirs, set on the shore with superb views of all the islands.
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Free day to relax at the hotel, enjoy your surroundings and explore the wonderful town of Lipari, or join an optional cruise (weather permitting), sailing late morning to visit Panarea, dropping anchor enroute for a swim in an island bay, and passing tiny Ginostra Island as you sail to Stromboli, with free time here till your sunset sail past Strombolicchio lava-flow reef (£55, pre-bookable). (B)
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Take the ferry back to Milazzo and continue to Cefalú whose Norman cathedral and cloisters dominate the medieval town, while contemporary Cefalú hems the beaches. Free time to relax or explore before returning to Palermo for two nights at the central 4-star Hotel Plaza Opera.
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Discover the less-visited Baroque part of Palermo, with a Palazzo visit and time at the Teatro Massimo and the Villa Malfitano residence of the (archeologist) Whitaker family.
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Transfer to airport for return flight.
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