Ancient Sicily

Today, we delve into the rich history of Syracusa. We'll explore the Neapolis Archaeological Zone, home to a famous Greek theatre and a Roman amphitheatre. Later, we'll journey to Ortygia Island to admire its unique Baroque architecture. You'll have some free time to wander and soak up the atmosphere.

We leave Syracusa behind and head to Noto, the most beautiful Baroque city in Sicily. After exploring Noto, we continue to Ragusa, another Baroque town perched on two adjacent hills. Our day ends in the medieval town of Piazza Armerina, where we'll spend the next two nights.

We leave Piazza Armerina and drive via the hilltop stronghold of Enna to Agrigento, once one of the most prosperous cities in Sicily. We'll explore the complex of 5th-century BC Doric temples and the museum. The golden temples encircled by almond trees and gnarled silver-grey olives provide the perfect setting for the ancient stonework.

This morning, we'll drive to the Stair of the Turks for a photo stop. We then continue to the vast site of Selinunte, where some temples have been partially re-erected. After our visit, we'll head to our hotel in Marsala.

This morning, we'll head to picturesque Erice, a medieval town perched on a precipitous mountain. Next, we'll head to the Doric temple at Segesta, one of the best preserved in the region. After our visit, we drive on to Palermo.

This morning, we'll drive to the ruins of Solunto, a Roman town abandoned in AD 300. The excavations are beautifully situated high above the sea on the slopes of Monte Catalfano. The afternoon is free for you to explore more of Palermo.

After breakfast, we'll visit the Norman palace and the nearby San Giovanni degli Eremiti. Before lunch, we'll drive into the hills to the majestic Norman cathedral of Monreale. We'll eat and then go for a walking tour of the Gothic Cathedral and the area around Quattro Canti, the Baroque city centre.

Leaving Palermo this morning, we'll drive along the spectacular coastline to the picturesque fishing town of Cefalu. Here, we'll stop to visit the Norman Cathedral, and to see the extraordinary mosaic of Christ Pantocrator. Next, we'll continue along the coast road to the archaeological site of Tindaris. Our journey today ends in Giardini Naxos, near Taormina.

This morning, we'll take a local shuttle bus to Taormina, Sicily's most famous resort. We'll visit the Graeco-Roman theatre to get one of the most famous views in Sicily - that of snow-capped Etna acting as a backdrop to the remarkably preserved columned stage. When our tour is over, you're free to have lunch here, do some shopping and then head back to Giardini Naxos when you're ready. We'll meet again tonight for a final group meal in Giardini Naxos.