COLOURS OF SICILY

• Start your Sicilian journey in Palermo, whose rich trading history has left its unforgettable mark on the city’s Italian, Arab and Norman-styled piazzas, street markets and churches.
• Enjoy some free time to relax before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner to kick-start your Sicilian adventure.

Arrival Transfer: Depart the airport at 12:00, 15:00

Welcome Meet your Travel Director at 17:30

• Head to Monreale on the slopes of Monte Caputo where a Local Specialist will guide you through one of the greatest examples of Norman architecture, the 12th-century Cattedrale di Monreale.
• This evening, why not join an Optional Experience to the beautiful fishing village of Sferracavallo, at the foot of Mount Capo Gallo?
• Here you’ll feast on Palermitano specialties, perfectly paired with delicious Sicilian wine.

Included Experience: Visit Monreale Cathedral

Optional Experience: A Visit to Cefalù /  Sferracavallo with Dinner

• Discover hidden Palermo as you join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, where you’ll learn about the civil anti-mafia movement.
• Leaving Palermo behind, head to Erice to explore the hilltop ‘Town of a Hundred Churches’ and enjoy free time for lunch.
• Next, stop at the Infersa Mill salt pans and learn about the ancient ‘culture of salt’, an industry that has shaped this region for centuries.
• Later, arrive in Marsala, home to the wine which shares its name.
• During your evening at leisure, explore picture-perfect Marsala or opt to join the Optional Experience at a Marsala winery followed by a dinner of regional dishes.

Included Experience: Discover the Culture of Salt’ at the Salina Della Laguna, Explore the Ancient Town of Erice, Uncover Palermo’s Rich History

Optional Experience: Flavours of Marsala

• Today’s first stop is Agrigento where you’ll join a Local Specialist for a visit to the UNESCO-listed Valley of the Temples.
• You’ll explore one of the world’s most treasured centres of Greek art and architecture, including the seven sandstone Doric temples overlooking the city.
• There’s time for lunch before we head to Ragusa, a city with two very different souls – the lower and older Ragusa Ibla and higher Ragusa Superiore are separated dramatically by a deep ravine, the Valle dei Ponti.

Included Experience: Agrigento Valley of the Temples

• This morning we pay a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Modica.
• Your Travel Director will show you the sights on an orientation of this Baroque beauty before we Dive Into Culture  and learn the secrets of Modican chocolate.
• Later, we return to Ragusa to learn about the rebuilding of the city following a 17th-century earthquake which destroyed most of it.
• Your Local Specialist will reveal how this devastating seismic event led to the development of an entirely new city on a nearby ridge, while some of its brave residents remained to rebuild what was lost.
• You’ll hear how it was only in the early 20th century that the two were eventually fused together.
• This evening is yours to enjoy at leisure, or perhaps consider joining an Optional Experience to a unique local farm restaurant.

Included Experience: Discover the tastes of Modica Chocolate, Ragusa City Tour

Optional Experience: Aromas of Sicily

• Once a major Mediterranean power and the birthplace of Archimedes, the historic city of Syracuse takes centre stage this morning as you join your Local Specialist for in-depth insights into its colourful past.
• You’ll see some of its treasures at the Archaeological Museum, then visit the island of Ortygia, the ancient heart of the city connected to the mainland by a stone bridge.
• Your afternoon is open to spend as you wish.
• This evening you’ll join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.

Included Experience: Syracuse City Tour

• Continue up the coast to Catania, the city that lies in Mount Etna’s shadow.
• You’ll have some free time to explore on your own and perhaps sample arancini, a favourite Catania snack.
•  Later join a Local Specialist to delve into the history and culture of the ancient town of Taormina.
•  A particular highlight of this afternoon will be a visit to the beautifully preserved ruins of the Teatro di Taormina.
•  Imagine masked actors performing against the backdrop of glorious sea views more than 2,500 years ago.
•  You’ll have an evening on your own to spend as you wish or consider joining our Optional Experience evening enjoying Sicilian specialties.

Included Experience: Taormina Greek Amphitheatre Visit, Catania Orientation

• Catania is yours to discover today.
• During your free time, you might choose to browse the elegant boutiques along Via Etnea.
• Work up an appetite and sample one of the city’s iconic cannoli or cool down with a famous Sicilian granita – a semi-frozen dessert traditionally served with a piping-hot brioche.
• Movie buffs will enjoy an Optional Experience to Mount Etna and Savoca, the hilltop village featured in ‘The Godfather’.
• Later this evening, learn the art of Sicilian cuisine on a charming Be My Guest experience.

Included Experience: Dine on a Family Owned Lemon Farm Overlooking Mount Etna

Optional Experience: Mt Etna, Savoca and The Godfather

• Your journey through Sicily has come to an end. All that’s left is to say a fond farewell to new friends and take your airport transfer for your return journey home.

Departure Transfer: Arrive at Catania airport at 06:30, 08:30