DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN TRAPANI Fly to Palermo. On arrival you will be transferred to the four-star Hotel Crystal for three nights, fully air-conditioned, modern in character and ideally situated on the edge of Trapani’s historic centre.
DAY 2 - ERICE Western Sicily has always been more African than European and the first known settlers were the Elymians, probably Trojan refugees, about whom little is known. Trapani was the port for their capital, Erice, which today is a simply stunning spot crying out for exploration. Firstly it is renowned for its magnificent location, towering 750m above the nearby coast and offering astonishing views of the fertile valleys below, with rocky headlands stretching beyond and onwards out to the deep blue sea. Unmistakably medieval, Erice is home to a
collection of some of the most fascinating and beautifully decorated Churches, monasteries and abbeys you will ever find in one tiny place. The whole village is dominated by its Norman castle plus the original temple is still in evidence, so after our guided tour you can explore where you wish. There’s time for lunch here before returning to Trapani with the remainder of the afternoon unscripted, allowing you to immerse yourself in the gently paced Sicilian way of life whilst exploring Trapani’s genuinely traditional streets, shops, cafes, bars and harbour. For the next two evenings we have arranged dinner in two different and high standard local restaurants so you can sample the excellent local cuisine at its best.
DAY 3 - SEGESTA & MARSALA This morning, we take the short drive to Segesta, an outstanding archaeological site with a similar hilltop setting to Erice, dating from much the same era. Today its magnificent remains are so wonderfully peaceful compared with equivalent other European sites. It’s staggeringly important too, still largely unexcavated with its highlights including one of Europe’s finest preserved ancient Greek Doric Temples – virtually complete except for its roof and an amphitheatre with outstanding views over the valleys below. This afternoon we are guests of one of Marsala’s
finest producers and after the visit enjoy a tasting. There is an immensely attractive seascape to be enjoyed here, but the sea endows another gift to mankind; the extraction of salt by evaporation, exploited since Phoenician times. At a wonderful family-run museum, we learn about this ancient craft and the proprietor explains this arduous lifestyle and occasionally breaks into traditional songs! This evening we enjoy dinner in an excellent local restaurant gaining another view of Sicilian cuisine.
DAY 4 -PALERMO & MONREALE Driving eastwards our scenic coastal journey offers views of bright blue waters and pleasant vistas of Sicily’s mountainous interior, en-route to the capital, Palermo. We have a guided tour during which you will unravel the past’s mysteries. You will love some of Italy’s most brilliantly decorated Churches, plus tiny, almost timeless piazzas but most outstanding of them all, the Norman Palace. During our visit you will see the huge Carthaginian foundations, whilst upstairs is the Royal Church, literally covered in some of the finest gold medieval mosaics in existence and without doubt Palermo’s undisputed artistic gem. This afternoon we visit the nearby hillside town of Monreale and another of Sicily’s secrets – the superb abbey Cathedral, where the Normans reached their magnificent architectural zenith. We stay in the charming coastal town of
Cefalù, providing the perfect location for your four remaining nights. The four-star Alberi del Paradiso
21
is set just behind Cefalù on a small hill affording wonderful views of the town and sea beyond. The superbly comfortable lounge built in Sicilian style, is the perfect spot to relax. (2016 departures may
stay at the Hotel La Calette, dependent on date of travel)
DAY 5 - CEFALU Cefalù’s atmospheric medieval centre clings around
the base of a huge rocky outcrop called la Rocca which dominates the terracotta coloured roofs below and at whose summit is a temple dedicated
to the goddess Diana. This morning you will have a short orientation walk, with the rest of the day yours to enjoy. You will love Cefalù’s gentle pace - protected by the huge Saracen ramparts, the fishing port is lined by picturesque bars and excellent fish restaurants.
DAY 6 - THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS This morning’s drive takes us along the scenic coast road, then the ferry to the astonishing Aeolian Islands. Firstly as we pass Vulcano, you may get a hint of the characteristic aroma from this island’s sulphurous hot springs – then we land at another of Sicily’s secrets, Lipari. Still surrounded by its historic walls, Lipari has been the chief amongst these islands since Neolithic times and remains the most populous, so there is plenty to see. Perhaps you’ll take a long fish lunch with a crisp white wine in one of the delightful restaurants here, but you should not miss the astonishing archaeological museum tracing the islands’ history. The harbour and necropolis have yielded the contents of several wrecked ships from antiquity and implements for the afterlife of Greek and Roman origin. But there are so many ambiences here in Lipari, just amble where your feet take you and discover a true Shangri-la in a busy continent. All too soon it’s time to leave this fascinating spot and return to your hotel for dinner.
DAY 7 - MADONIE NATURAL PARK & CASTELBUONO In Cefalù’s lofty hinterland is the Madonie Natural Park, a wild and rugged mountain range, high enough to ski in winter, with its crags and forests home to wolves, eagles and wildcats, making it the islands most important natural habitat. After enjoying this wonderful topography with just the occasional shepherd tending their flocks for company, tucked away in this marvellously unspoilt corner, is the stunning hilltop village of Castelbuono. Descending to the coast, tantalising glimpses of the glittering Tyrrhenian Sea herald our return to delightful Cefalù for a final dinner.
DAY 8 - RETURN FLIGHT Today, at the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148