Apulia—Italy’s Rustic South A CULTURAL WALKING ADVENTURE Sicily—Island in the Sun A CULTURAL WALKING ADVENTURE
In more ways than one, Sicily is the ultimate Italy. Geographically, it’s the southernmost province—warm, golden, and sprinkled with blindingly white Greek temples that are amongthe world’s best preserved.And culturally it’s more like Italy as we’d have imagined it a hundred years ago. Farmers still get to market by donkey.Mt. Etna is active even today and is the backdrop to almost every view. Even the bread is rougher and crustier—better to match vibrant food unlike any other you’ll find in Italy.We’ve scouted a remarkably scenic circuit that captures the spirit of Sicily.There’s Palermo, of course… and the rock-clinging seaside beauty ofTaormina. From beautifully-sited lodgings,we set out on walks amongthe temples and alongspectacular seashores. Offshore,we wander the jewel-like Aeolian Islands.And we’re inclined to agree with the poet who wrote:“To have seen Italy without seeing Sicily is not to have seen Italy at all.”
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In sunny Palermo (1 night), we spend a leisurely afternoon exploring colorful piazzas and the spectacular Duomo of Monreale. Traveling into the heart of Sicily, we stop near Regaleali. A friend invites us into his kitchen for a special treat—a taste of the renowned local wines and a cooking instruction. Later in the day, we drive to the Valley of the Temples near Agrigento (2 nights). We’ll walk among the ancient Greek temples that are scattered amid lovely hills with wildflowers, sheep and the sea in the distance. By ferry we move on to Lipari, largest of the Aeolian Islands. We’ll have time for walks through olive plantations and vineyards, plus some café-hopping and shopping.
Clinging to the cliffs over the Ionian Sea, Taormina (3 nights) welcomes us back to Sicily with Mt. Etna’s snow-capped cone as a backdrop. We’ll explore the town and its Greek theater, then head into the lower foothills of the volcano to reach a breathtaking landscape of lava dunes before a memorable picnic of local specialties. After a final leisurely morning in Taormina, we part company in Catania.
Milan
Tour Dates: April 17-23, May 15-21, June 12-18, September 11-17, October 9-15
Trip Length: 7 days/6 nights
Price: From $3895 (includes all breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners and 1 cooking instruction) Single Supplement: From $795 Begins: Palermo Ends: Catania
16 Palermo
Taormina Catania
Agrigento
Florence Rome
Matera Bari
When we ask our Italian guides where they’d most like to take our friends who think they know Italy we get one response:Apulia.And then they use their hands.To paint a vista of gnarled olive trees silhouetted against a lapis lazuli sea.To express the amazing sunlight.To sketch the saw-toothed skyline of a village comprised entirely of “trulli”—the conical stone roofs unique to the region.You should see a good Italian describe the food you’ll find— pasta from the locally grown wheat, sea-fresh fish, peppery olive oil.The Italians love the heel of their boot and it’s easy to see why. Especially since it’s also a land where you’re as likely to find a Baroque city as a family of shep- herds tending700 sheep. Best of all,Apulia (pronounced ah-pooh-lya) passes the most important Classic Journeys test—it offers fine leisurely walking…elegant accommodations… and a glimpse into a region and culture that’s not quite like any you’ve encountered before.
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We gather in Bari (1 night), an important crossroads since ancient Greece, and take a lovely stroll through the port’s historic district before settling into our luxurious hotel.
Apulia is one of Italy’s most beautifully rural provinces, and we experience that firsthand with a visit to a prosperous family of shepherds near Altamura. Our hosts invite us into their kitchen to prepare and eat a typical local lunch of homemade orecchiette pasta, stuffed peppers and pecorino cheese. Later, we amble in countryside known for its shimmering silver-leaf olive trees.
Matera (2 nights) is a UNESCO world heritage site, an ancient city strung the length of a canyon. From our cliff-side lodgings, we explore nearby Alberobello—a local landmark and the largest collection of conically roofed trulli—a must-see. Later, we’ll walk to a walled farm where we are treated to lunch in an ancient olive mill.
A 16th century palace in Lecce, the “Florence of the South,” is our gracious home for 3 nights. One of the world’s largest mosaic floors is not far away in Otranto’s cathedral, so of course we visit. We’ll also journey to the frescoes of Galatina…the amazing fish markets of Gallipoli…and journey on foot to visit architect friends and see their stunning renovation of an ancient farmhouse. The last afternoon and morning are reserved for shopping and strolling before we end in Brindisi for departures to Rome or Milan.
Brindisi Lecce
Naples
AEOLIAN ISLANDS
Bari
Tour Dates: May 29-June 4, July 3-9, Sept 25-Oct 1, Oct 23-29 Trip Length: 7 days/6 nights Price: From $3895 (includes all breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners) Single Supplement: From $595 Begins: Bari Ends: Brindisi
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