DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN SICILY You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Catania. On arrival a coach will take us to our four-star hotel where we stay for three nights on a dinner bed and breakfast basis. The Hotel Kaos is situated in a quiet area three miles from Agrigento with extensive views over the surrounding countryside. The hotel Baia di Ulisse is set inside a beautiful pine forest which runs down to the hotel's private beach in San Leone, just a few miles from Agrigento. The hotel boasts an outdoor swimming pool, bar and elegant restaurant. There are several relaxing lounges with a variety of seating from carved hardwood chairs to soft leather sofa’s plus an outside terrace with spectacular views across the bay. The Dioscuri Bay Palace is situated overlooking the picturesque harbour in San Leone, just eight kilometres from Agrigento, right on the coast.
DAY 2 - VALLEY OF THE TEMPLES This morning we visit what can truly be described as one of the wonders of the ancient world: the amazing Greek remains in the Valley of the Temples. There are six of them in total, situated largely on a ridge looking out to sea. The best of them, Concordia, similar in design to the Parthenon in Athens, is almost perfectly preserved, with just the roof missing. We enjoy a guided tour of the site and you may also visit the excellent museum, displaying finds from both the temples and surrounding area. We also visit Agrigento itself, awash with medieval atmosphere, swimming in tiny stepped streets and quiet shady piazzas overlooking the blue Mediterranean in the distance. We return to our hotel during the afternoon to relax.
DAY 3 - MONREALE & PALERMO Today we visit the north coast of the island experiencing some wonderful scenery en-route. A rugged wild landscape, scorched by the sun and remarkably empty of both man and beast. Firstly we visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey at Monreale, founded in the 12th century. The cloisters are another highlight, surrounded by columns, no two of which are alike, almost Moorish in appearance. During the afternoon we visit Sicily’s capital, Palermo, which under Saracen and Norman rule became one of the most important cities in Europe, famous for the wealth of its court and as a great centre of learning. Today it has more of a 17th century appearance and during our visit we see the Norman Palace, a gorgeous former Royal residence. We return to our hotel for dinner.
DAY 4 - PIAZZA ARMERINA & TAORMINA We leave Agrigento and take the drive to the small town of Piazza Armerina, where one of the most amazing archaeological discoveries of the last century was made: a huge, richly decorated 4th century Roman villa, possibly owned by one of the joint Emperors. Buried for centuries, you can still see the remains of pastel-coloured frescoes, but the mosaics, showing animals and hunting scenes, are simply the finest we have from Roman antiquity. We have a guided tour of the villa before continuing our drive to Taormina: where we have a choice of three hotels, depending on date of departure, in different locations, staying for four nights with dinner, bed and breakfast. In central Taormina is the four-star Hotel Excelsior Palace, which during its long history has welcomed guests as diverse as the King of
Italy to Antonio Banderas! It is superbly situated on a promontory with panoramic views of the sea and Mount Etna, in its own lush, extensive landscape gardens and yet steps from the Old Town. Neighbouring Taormina is Giardini Naxos; a charming typically Sicilian town with a seashore lined with seafood restaurants and fishing boats drawn up onto the beach, and the beautiful family run four-star Hotel Sant’Alphio Garden. This hotel sits just a few minutes from the sea with views of nearby Taormina and Mount Etna. Finally, just eight kilometres north of
Taormina, built in Sicilian style and set into the coastal cliff itself, overlooking the stunning Bay of Taormina, is the luxurious, four-star Hotel Baia Taormina. This superb hotel with its stone-faced walls, terracotta tiles and wide arches has a wonderful welcoming atmosphere.
DAY 5 - FREE DAY This morning we are free in Taormina, one of the smartest and most exclusive small towns in Italy – it has everything! Retaining much of its medieval charm, wonderfully situated on a high balcony, facing Etna and
overlooking the sea, it is renowned for its beautiful
gardens and charming atmosphere. Today, its main street is lined by smart, designer boutiques, with the tiny side streets, some so narrow you can touch both sides at once, leading to intimate piazzas, lined with atmospheric family- run restaurants. Wonderfully preserved with its panoramic view of Etna in the background; to attend one of the occasional classical music concerts in this most special of venues must rank as one of life’s more pleasurable moments. This afternoon you are free to explore as you wish.
DAY 6 - SIRACUSA Today we take the drive to Siracusa, once one of the richest and most beautiful cities in the ancient world, even rivalling Athens. Its most famous resident was Archimedes, that genius of a man who, whilst in the bath discovered the principle of displacement, and ran through the streets naked, exclaiming “Eureka”. The old port area is extremely attractive; full of small fishing boats unloading their catch. You will be free to explore the Old Town at the eastern end of the city, called Ortygia; actually an island, connected to the mainland by three bridges. You will have the option to take a boat trip around the bay before returning to our hotel.
DAY 7 - MOUNT ETNA Dominating eastern Sicily is Europe’s highest volcano, Etna, and this morning we take the drive to as near to the snow-capped summit as possible. As we near the cable car station itself you can enjoy extensive views over the whole area. Subject to certain regulations, and additional cost, you will have the opportunity to join a guide and take the cable car and jeep to explore even higher levels. We return to our hotel during the afternoon.
DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT Today, at the appropriate time, a coach will return us to the airport to take our return flight home.
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