Classic Sicily

Valley of the Temples • Taormina • Siracusa • Ragusa • Noto • Villa Romana del Casale • Mount Etna

Discover the classic sights and hidden secrets of this unspoilt Italian island. From the winding streets of pretty hilltop towns to the soaring slopes of mighty Mount Etna, an incredible history and unique landscape make Sicily a spellbinding slice of the Mediterranean.

Siracusa

Your itinerary

DAY 1 – Arrive in Sicily

Fly to Catania and transfer to the hotel in Agrigento. Settle in before welcome drinks and dinner. (D)

DAY 2 – Valley of the Temples

We visit one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites, the ancient Greek Valley of the Temples - the ruins of seven Doric temples dating back to the 6thcentury BC. Situated on a rocky ridge overlooking the surrounding valleys and across the sea towards Tunisia, these temples must have dominated the skyline in an incredible show of power. We’ll explore with our guide and see the archaeological museum before visiting Agrigento itself. (B,D) + Included Experience – Visit the Valley of the Temples

DAY 3 – Ragusa & Noto

We drive to Ragusa, a city divided into a historic old town and a ‘new’ town, which sit on adjacent hills. Following the 1693 earthquake Ragusa Superiore was built. However, many locals simply couldn’t leave Ragusa Ibla behind and decided to rebuild.

As we explore the tangle of sloping streets and winding alleyways of the old town with a local guide, we’ll come to the Piazza Duomo, where faded pastel buildings are overlooked by a beautifully adorned Baroque cathedral.

As this is a multi-centre tour, we stay at hand-picked hotels in Agrigento, Siracusa and Letojanni, with daily breakfast and dinner.

Hotel Baia di Ulisse – Agrigento

HHHH Hotel Mercure Siracusa HHHH Albatros Hotel – Letojanni HHH Superior

We continue to Noto, which sits on a hilltop surrounded by olive groves. Almost entirely rebuilt after the earthquake, Noto is the home of Sicilian Baroque, and its cathedral is its centrepiece. Climb the bell tower of the Church of San Carlo for incredible views. Later we drive to Siracusa. (B,D). + Included Experiences – Guided tour of Ragusa and visit Noto

DAY 4 – Siracusa

Discover the city’s striking architecture on our coach tour, including the Art Decostyle Pantheon overlooking manicured gardens, and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Tears with its towering spire. You may be surprised to learn that the historic centre of Siracusa lies just across the water.

We arrive in beautiful Ortygia, Siracusa’s island heart jutting out into the Ionian Sea, filled with more than 2,500 years of history, Greek and Roman remains, Norman buildings and fine Baroque landmarks. We’ll explore the labyrinth of narrow alleys on a walking tour, seeing the cathedral, originally a Greek Doric temple. As we reach the tip of the peninsula, the Fountain of Arethusa sits shrouded in myth and mystery. Later you may choose to take a boat trip around the peninsula or explore further at your own pace. (B,D) + Included Experiences – Guided tour of Siracusa and Ortygia

DAY 5 – Villa Romana Del Casale

We visit one of the most extensive and best-preserved collections of Roman mosaics in the world at the Villa Romana del Casale near Piazza Armerina, home of one of the Roman co-emperors of the Diocletian era. During our guided tour of this 4th-century Roman villa, we’ll see the Great Hunt mosaic and the famous

KEY Arrive Depart

Mount

Etna Taormina

SICILY

Piazza Armerina Agrigento Catania

Siracusa Ragusa Hotel Baia di Ulisse

‘Bikini Girls’ mosaic depicting ladies playing sports in skimpy togas. The villa lay partially buried for hundreds of years before its rediscovery and excavations during the 19th and 20th centuries. Later we transfer to our hotel in Letojanni, located just north of Taormina. (B,D) + Included Experience – Guided tour of Villa Romana del Casale

DAY 6 – Taormina

Perched on a jutting hilltop some 250 metres above the coastline, with the sea in front and magnificent Mount Etna behind, Taormina is a coastal retreat merging medieval charm with colour, elegance and glamour. Streets are festooned with flowerpots, window boxes brim with vibrant blooms, and fragrant citrus and almond trees fringe the shady squares. Shop for souvenirs aling the Corso Umberto, Taormina’s pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare. Peach-hued townhouses give way to the Piazza IX April, which looks down the tree-covered hill to the sea. Why not look for a family-run ‘minimarket’ with tiny tables and sample some Marsala wine? (B,D)

DAY 7 – Mount Etna with wine tasting

We head to Mount Etna, the highest volcano in Europe. Ascending the winding road, the landscape becomes increasingly eerie and alien, with razor sharp black rocks in contorted formations, and some areas devoid of almost all vegetation. As we near the cable car station itself you can enjoy extensive views over the whole area. We then head to the fertile lower slopes dotted with farms and villages to our destination, to an organic family-run winery. On our tour we’ll learn how the volcanic soil and fluctuating temperatures combine to grow a grape unlike any other. Our day concludes with a final dinner in a wonderful vineyard setting, where local dishes will be paired with perfectly robust red and crisp, fragrant white wines. (B,D) + Included Experiences – Guided tour of Mount Etna and wine tasting

DAY 8 – Return flight

Transfer to Catania for your return flight. (B)

Please note: The use of air-conditioning in hotels in Italy is at the hotel’s discretion and is normally restricted to the summer months (mid-May to midSeptember), depending on the temperature.

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Your tour includes

• Return flights from a selection of regional airports with hotel transfers, plus porterage of one item of luggage • Seven nights in three-star superior to four-star accommodation inclusive of all local taxes • A welcome drinks reception to meet your fellow travellers • The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

(B) Daily Breakfast, (D) 7 Dinners For departure dates, prices and flights, please call or visit our website.

YOUR EXPERIENCES • 4 guided tours including the Valley of the Temples, Siracusa, Villa Romana del Casale and Ragusa • 2 visits including Noto and

Mount Etna • Visit a vineyard on the lower slopes of Etna for a tour and wine-tasting and dinner

Valley of the Temples