October 11 - 23, 2024: Sicily - Jewel of the Mediterranean
OCTOBER 11-23, 2024: SICILY: JEWEL OF THE MEDITERRANEAN
Sicily is the jewel of the Mediterranean. The island’s coastline varies from pristine sandy beaches to pebbly coves to jagged rock cliffs. Stamped upon Sicily’s natural beauty is a mosaic of European culture. Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and others left behind a legacy of architectural marvels that trace 3000 years of history.
Your trip begins when you land at the Catania airport and travel to Taormina, a hilltop city overlooking the sea with views of Mt. Etna. We’ll explore the nearby volcano Mt. Etna, visit a local vineyard, take a boat tour off the coast, and see the ancient Greek theater. Next up is Ortigia, a small Baroque island and historical center of Syracuse. Its impressive church buildings and elegant piazzas make it a perfect city for walking. The nearby Archeological Park site—home to both a Greek theater and Roman amphitheater—and the city of Noto will leave you awestruck.
Traveling west, we arrive in Agrigento for a sunset tour of the Valley of the Temples. These ruins are the most impressive testimony of the classical culture of Sicily. In Agrigento, we meet up with a professional chef and cook a Sicilian lunch. The following day, we’ll drive north to the Salt Flats along the coast and onto the stunning hilltop city of Erice.
We end our trip with three full days in Palermo. You’ll see the important royal and sacred sites, visit a private 18th-century palazzo, shop in the outdoor food markets, and eat lots of fantastic Sicilian food.
