Amber Road Tours

Sicily

12 days/11 nights

• Day 1

  Arrival at Palermo International Airport (see map) where you will be met by your tour escort and transferred to the 19th century Grand Hotel et Des Palmes (2 nights), one of Italy’s most famous hotels, located in the heart of Palermo’s historic district. At 6:30pm welcome meeting and aperitifs at the hotel bar Il Gattopardo. Sicilian cuisine, due to its unique history and mix of peoples, is distinctly different from that of any other Italian region. This evening we’ll begin your introduction with an included dinner of typical food and wines at a local ristorante.

• Day 2

  The history of Sicily is woven from a rich 3,000 year old fabric populated by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Germans, French, Spanish and Italians. Palermo, the capital of the island, has one of the largest historic centers in Europe with over 500 palaces, churches, monasteries, theaters and gardens - truly an architectural feast. Today our local guide will introduce us to this marvelous city with an Arab – Norman tour that includes visits to the 9th century Palazzo Reale, with its splendid Palatine Chapel; and the Mercato della Vucciria, the most popular outdoor food market in town with every kind of regional delicacy. Included lunch at the best typical tavern in Palermo. An afternoon trip up into the hills to Monreale, a lovely, small city best known for its splendid 12th century cathedral with a blend of Arab-Byzantine-Norman artistic styles and one of the world’s largest and most beautiful displays of mosaic artwork. Evening on your own on Palermo.

• Day 3

  Morning photo stop at the fabulous Greek temple at Segesta. Then, a visit to the ancient hilltop town of Erice, once home to a people known as the Elimi, conquered in turn by Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and then some. Today, it has a charming medieval appearance with cobblestone streets and spectacular castles – perhaps the loveliest village in all Sicily.  After lunch we’ll descend to sea level to the west coast town Mazara del Vallo where we'll be staying for two nights at the Hotel Mahara.
  Not so many years ago some area fishermen trawled up a rare and beautiful 2 meter high 4th century BC Greek bronze statue. Now it’s the centerpiece of the Museum of the Dancing Satyr, where we’ll begin our visit to Mazara. Evening and dinner on your own.

• Day 4

  A short drive and ferry ride will take us to Isola San Pantaleo for a fascinating archeological tour with local guide. The ancient name of this city/island was Motya, a powerful military and trading center founded by Phoenicians that thrived from the 8th to the 5th centuries BC.  On our return we'll stop at an enoteca in Marsala for a taste of the famous traditional local wine.
  Included lunch back in Mazara at the hotel. Late afternoon tour of a beautiful modern cantina and vineyards  in the countryside south of Mazara with an included tasting of a variety of wines. Evening and dinner on your own.

• Day 5

  Some say that in Sicily you find better preserved Greek temples than exist in Greece itself. This morning you’ll see for yourself when we visit the Valley of Temples in Agrigento. Originally called Akragas, it was founded as a Greek colony in the late 6th century BC. Our local guide will take us through this amazing archaeological park and recount the story of the rise and fall of one of Sicily’s most important ancient cities. Afternoon transfer to Ragusa, for a two night stay at the Hotel Il Barocco. Included dinner of refined flavors at a nearby restaurant, located in a 17th century palace.

• Day 6

  One of the most charming and picturesque hill towns in Sicily, Ragusa is divided into two parts - the ancient Ragusa Ibla with its labyrinth of crooked lanes, tiny squares and noble palazzos - and the slightly less old Ragusa Superiore. Late morning tour with local guide, followed by an afternoon visit to Donnafugata Castle, a medieval palace boasting more than 100 rooms, an engaging art collection and maze garden. Evening on your own.

• Day 7

  Our first stop is Modica to visit an historic factory that produces chocolate from an ancient recipe. Then, Noto, the magical Baroque city par excellence with its sandstone architecture, wide avenues and beautiful squares. After lunch, transfer to Syracuse, the once thriving metropolis of ancient Magna Graecia. You’ll be staying at the 19th century Hotel Roma in the heart of Ortygia Island (2 nights).  This afternoon you can take the lovely island perimeter walk, see the Greek Temple of Apollo, visit the 13th century Norman Castle, or simply wander winding streets and alleys. Evening on your own.

• Day 8

  Morning guided walking tour through the Neapolis Archaeological Zone for a visit to the impressive 16,000 seat Greek Theater, the Ear of Dionysius (a huge cavern) and the 3rd century AD Roman amphitheater. Afternoon free to explore the historic center of Syracuse, with its baroque palaces, narrow lanes, Greek ruins and the magnificent Piazza Duomo with the columns of the 5th century BC Temple of Athena still to be seen inside its cathedral. Included dinner.

• Day 9

  Mid-morning departure for a guided visit of the Villa Romana del Casale at Piazza Armerina. The villa, constructed in the late 3rd century AD for the Emperor Maximilian, was buried in a landslide during medieval times and only rediscovered in 1950. It contains the most splendid Roman mosaics still in existence, forty in all, covering 38,000 square feet.  Included lunch at an excellent nearby trattoria.

  Late afternoon arrival to the famous hilltop town of Taormina, where we’ll be staying at the Hotel Villa Belvedere, a 19th century former noble residence (3 nights) with dazzling sea views. Evening on your own.

• Day 10

  Taormina, once a rich, ancient Greek town of 12,000 inhabitants, lies up on a 300 meter high rocky promontory overlooking the Ionian Sea.  Picturesque and lively, a medieval aspect amidst bougainvillea and groves of lemons and oranges, it offers bustling cafes and boutiques as well as a deep immersion in art and archaeology surrounded by a spectacular landscape that seems almost unreal. The Greek theater, the second largest in Sicily and with Etna as its spectacular backdrop, deserves part of your morning. Then enter the long pedestrian Corso Umberto and the rest of the day will unfold by itself.

• Day 11

  Today we provide you with an adventure. Mount Etna, the biggest and most active of Europe’s volcanoes, rises majestically 11,000 feet above sea level, occasionally spewing forth flame, smoke and lava – the last serious eruption being in 2003. Our coach will take us up the side to the Sapienza Refuge, at a level of 6,266 ft, where you’ll witness a vast lunar landscape with open volcanic cones. You can walk at leisure or take your adventure further with the option to proceed higher up by funivia and then jeep. Farewell dinner in Taormina.

• Day 12

  End of tour – morning transfers to Catania airport.