Past Trip: September 22 - October 3, 2022: Sicily
SEPTEMBER 22 - OCTOBER 3, 2022: SICILY
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.
We begin our trip in Taormina, a hilltop city overlooking the sea with views of Mt. Etna. From here, we’ll hike on the nearby volcano, visit a local vineyard, and attend a concert at the ancient Greek theater. Our next stop is Ortigia, a small Baroque island and historical center of Syracuse. The nearby Archeological Park site will leave you awestruck; it’s home to a Greek theater and a Roman amphitheater.
Traveling inland, we visit an artisan town famous for ceramics on our way to Agrigento. The ruins near Agrigento—the Valley of the Temples—are the most impressive testimony of the classical culture of Sicily. Then, heading north, we take a boat cruise among the salt flats near Trapani, where the Phoenicians landed and first began harvesting salt. Finally, a visit to the medieval hilltop town of Erice reveals breathtaking views of the coastline as we wander the cobblestone streets and stop to sample local wines and pastries.
Our trip concludes with three days in Palermo. We’ll tour the royal, sacred, and secular sites of Palermo and Monreale and spend time relaxing in the waterfront city of Cefalu. In addition, we’ll do a cooking class, check out outdoor food markets, shop, and eat lots of fantastic Sicilian food.
