Sicily Tour: Art & Archaeology

Arrive in Catania, Sicily’s second-largest city and one of the UNESCO World Heritage late Baroque towns. Taste some of the city’s amazing street food as we enjoy an afternoon walking tour of the city.

Overnight in Catania for one night. (L/D)

Begin today with a drive to Cefalù, captured in the Oscar-winning film Cinema Paradiso. The Town’s Duomo, or Cathedral, designated among UNESCO’s Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches, is an incredible structure begun in 1131 and built in the Arab-Norman style. It is dedicated to the Redeemer which is reflected in the giant mosaic of Christ Pantocrator in the great cupola. Explore the cathedral’s cloister and admire the Byzantine motifs of the capitals that adorn the paired columns.

In the afternoon, travel to Palermo and visit the recently excavated Punic Necropolis which dates to the 7th century BC. Overnight for two nights in the luxurious Grand Hotel et Des Palmes, located in the heart of the city. (B/L/D)

Once the Norman capital of Sicily, Palermo is an amazing architectural testament to the island’s multicultural heritage and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start at the fascinating Palazzo dei Normanni, the royal palace built in the 12th century for the Norman King Roger II. Within the complex are displays revealing the city’s history, from its Phoenician past to modernity, as well as the Cappella Palatina, the royal chapel. Adorned with impressive glittering Norman-Byzantine mosaics and capped with a muqarna ceiling, an Arab honeycomb stalactite roofing system, the chapel is one of the finest examples of Arab-Norman art in Palermo.

Continue on to the church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio, ‘Saint Mary of the Admiral’, named after its founder George of Antioch, the admiral of King Roger. More commonly known as La Martorana, this Romanesque structure dates back to 1143. The extraordinary Norman-Byzantine mosaics that cover the interior include a depiction of King Roger II being crowned by Christ.

Nearby, we view the small Chiesa di San Cataldo, the exterior of which features Saracen-style red domes. Stop in a workshop to learn about puppeteers and how puppets are created. In the evening, enjoy an optional traditional Sicilian puppet show, listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. (B/L) 

A short drive this morning takes us to Monreale, another church designated among the Cathedral Churches. The Cattedrale di Santa Maria Nuova was begun in 1174 by order of King William II and was intended to outshine the Cappella Palatina which was built by his grandfather. The interior of this building is spectacularly decorated from floor to ceiling with shimmering Byzantine-style gold mosaics. Towering over the apse is an imposing depiction of Christ Pantocrator in blue robes with his hand blessing the people below.

In the afternoon, move on to Segesta, one of the three major cities of the indigenous Elymi people. The city contains two of the best-preserved Classical monuments in Sicily and they bear testimony of Segesta’s one-time prosperity – a 5th-century BC Doric temple and a theater from the 3rd-2nd century BC with a magnificent view over the landscape towards the nearby Gulf of Castellamare.

Continue to Marsala where we spend two nights. (B/L/D)

The origins of the lovely town of Erice are steeped in myth as its foundation is associated with the Greek hero Eryx. Perched on an enormous rock that rises steeply from the sea at the westernmost tip of the island, it is one of the last vestiges of medieval Sicily. Surrounded by a pine forest, protected from the world by imposing ramparts and city walls, and shadowed by an impressive castle, it is without a doubt the island’s most picturesque town.

We will walk the narrow, cobbled streets to view the Norman Castello del Venere, built on the remains of a temple to Venus. Also, see the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista with its 12th-century portal and valuable works of sacred art. Conclude the city visit at the Gothic Chiesa Matrice with its outstanding rose window.

In the afternoon, we travel by ferry through the area’s salt pans to the small island of Mozia, ancient Motya, and the Whitaker Museum which houses an impressive collection of Phoenician artifacts. In the evening return to Erice with dinner on our own. (B/L)

Drive to the charming fishing village of Mazara del Vallo and the former church of Saint Egidio, now a museum. Here we will view the Hellenistic bronze statue of the Satiro Danzante, the Dancing Satyr, found in the sea in 1997 by local fishermen. Greater than life-size, the stunning 2,500-year-old sculpture represents Silenus, a companion and tutor to the wine god Dionysus.

Continue to ancient Selinunte, named for the wild celery that still grows on the surrounding fertile plain. This was the wealthiest of Sicily’s Greek colonies and it is not only impressive for the acropolis and numerous temples but also for its long history of conflict with other Greek cities of the era. Here, we will meet with the archaeological staff for a private viewing of the ongoing excavations.

Drive to Favara, a town near Agrigento that has transformed its historic center into a contemporary art complex. Overnight for one night in the charming 4-star Alba Palace. (B/L/D)

Begin this morning in Agrigento, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city was founded by Greek colonists from Gela and went on to become one of the major cities of Magna Graecia. This archaeological complex, which includes the magnificent Valley of the Temples, contains some of the largest and most well-preserved ancient Greek constructions found outside of Greece.

In the afternoon, visit the nearby Regional Archaeological Museum before continuing on to Piazza Armerina to visit the Villa Romana del Casale, another UNESCO World Heritage site. After nearly 1,000 years of use, this Roman luxury villa was destroyed by flood in the 12th century. The mud preserved the superb mosaic floors throughout the villa which have been carefully restored, depicting mythical figures, hunting scenes, and the famous “Bikini Girls.”

Overnight for one night in the Agriturismo Gigliotto, a traditional farmhouse inside a 15th-century monastery in Piazza Armerina. (B/L/D)

Our first stop today is Morgantina, a site that has been inhabited during several periods from the late Bronze Age to the Roman Republic, and the Aidone Museum that houses the finds from the various excavations, including a renowned Venus statue and the Morgantina silver.

Continue to Caltagirone, famous for over 1,000 years for its production of vibrantly colored ceramics. Prehistoric earthenware has been found in the surrounding hills, and local potters were world-famous during the Middle Ages; today the tradition is still maintained. Here, walk up the dazzling Santa Maria del Monte Stairway, built in 1608, where each of the 142 steps is decorated with local tiles.

Our final stop is Ragusa, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto, where we will spend two nights. (B/L/D)

We depart this morning for Modica, another UNESCO World Heritage Late Baroque Town, and enjoy a visit to the small Franco Libero Belgiorno Museum which has a unique collection of local Greek artifacts. Move on to the Duomo di San Giorgio which impresses with its Baroque splendor. The nearby Duomo di San Pietro, constructed in the 14th century and rebuilt in the 18th, boasts a Baroque style enriched by Rococò ornaments. Its beautiful facade depicts the 12 Apostles.

In the afternoon we return to explore Ragusa which has two distinct sections, the lower and older town of Ragusa Ibla, and the higher and newer Ragusa Superiore. Dinner is on our own to savor one of Ragusa’s fine restaurants. (B/L)

Today takes us into Noto in southeastern Sicily, the heart of UNESCO’s Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto. Devastated by the 1693 earthquake, the towns of Val di Noto rose from the ashes and were rebuilt in the 18th century with splendid monuments, churches, and distinguished palaces in the Baroque style. The central Cattedrale di San Nicolò which was completed in 1776 has unique Neo-Classical elements woven into its design.

In the afternoon, we continue to Palazzolo Acrèide and visit the hilltop Greek Theater that is part of the settlement of Akrai.

Next, we stop at the Castello Eurialo, the Fortress of Euryalus, constructed in 402 BC by Dionysius I as protection against the Carthaginians. Today, it is the finest surviving example of Greek military architecture in Sicily.

Depart for Syracuse and overnight for two nights on Ortygia, a small island that is the historical center of the city of Syracuse. (B/L/D)

The most important Greek city in Magna Graecia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Syracuse was first colonized by the Corinthians in the 8th century BC. Our explorations begin in the Neapolis Archaeological Park where we see the great Altar of Hieron built for the public celebration of animal sacrifices; the Greek Theater, one of the largest in the Greek world and still in use today; and a stunning 2nd-century Roman amphitheater. Walk through the latomie, great stone quarries that provided the building materials for the Greek city and later served as an ancient prison. At one end lies the Orecchio di Dionisio, the Ear of Dionysius, a cave with an ear-shaped entrance and unusual acoustics. Legend says that Dionysius listened at the top of the quarry to hear what the slaves were plotting below.

Continue to the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum where Sicily’s long history can be seen in the artifacts excavated from beneath the city.

After a private boat ride on Siracusa Bay, this evening’s dinner is on our own. (B/L)

The oldest sector of Syracuse is on the island of Ortygia. The island’s long history is still visible in many buildings, particularly the Temple of Apollo which dates to the 6th century BC.

Leave Ortygia for the nearby 4th-century Catacombs of San Giovanni Evangelista and marvel at the frescoes decorating the cavern walls above the ancient crypts.

Drive on to Taormina to enjoy the evening at our own pace. Overnight for two nights in a hotel overlooking the sea in Taormina. (B/L)

Start with a walking tour of Taormina, where we will wander the streets from the Piazza del Duomo, the heart of the town. We will climb to the Roman theater, the second largest in Sicily with its magnificent view of the sea and Mt. Etna. A short drive takes us to Mt. Etna, the still-smoking volcano towering over the surrounding landscape, its snow-capped peak visible for many miles.

After lunch at a local winery, we wind through the fantastic landscapes of rugged lava rivers marking the flanks of the volcano. Enjoy some free time to explore the meandering streets of this charming town to search for last-minute gifts to take home before joining the rest of the group for a farewell dinner at one of the city’s fine restaurants. (B/L/D)

Transfer to the airport for our return flights home. (B)