Italy Sicilian Panorama Escorted Vacation

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure until you meet your fellow tour companions for dinner. (Night supplements will be charged for early morning/late evening transfers.) (D)

Enjoy this special day dedicated to one of the most famous social phenomena in Sicily. Depart for the inland of Sicily, to the area of Corleone, known for being the birthplace of the Mafia phenomena. Participate in an interesting cooking class and prepare some of the most genuine and traditional Sicilian dishes. After the cooking lesson, enjoy this special lunch. After lunch, experience an interesting lecture on the Mafia. One of the inhabitants of Corleone, born in the UK, will present a fascinating discussion on the topic of the Sicilian Mafia and explain its origins and the measures Corleone inhabitants have taken to eliminate organized crime. Return to Palermo. (B,L) 

Enjoy a morning tour of Palermo, a city full of character. See the Quattro Canti – a splendid example of Spanish Baroque architecture, the Palace of the Normans and its superb Palatine Chapel, the Cathedral, and the famous Benedictine Abbey of Monreale. Here, you will admire a 12th century cathedral, housing very fine mosaics representing a complete cycle of the Old and New Testaments. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or consider taking an optional tour to the picturesque fishing village of Cefalù. In the evening, enjoy a special dinner at local restaurant. (B,D) 

Drive to Segesta, a large archaeological zone with a magnificent Doric Temple (420 B.C to 430 B.C.) that ranks as one of the best-preserved Greek architectural sites. Continue to the town of Marsala, re-discovered in the 18th century by English merchant John Woodhouse and known for its sweet wines. Visit a wine cellar and sample some Marsala during a special wine tasting session. Drive along Trapani’s coastline and stop for a special Sicilian lunch in a restaurant. Return to Palermo where you will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D) 

Depart for Agrigento, a hillside town famous for its magnificent Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a guided tour of the valley, dating back to the 5th century B.C. The poet Pindar described the site “as the most beautiful city built by mortal men”. The Doric style temples, all constructed within a century, face east, a standard criteria for both Greek and Roman temples, so the statue of the god housed in each temple faced the rising sun. The best temple is that of Concordia (similar in design to the Parthenon in Athens) which is an almost perfectly preserved condition.  After visiting the Valley of the Temples, continue to Taormina where you will arrive in time for a relaxing dinner at your hotel. (B,D) 

Enjoy a morning walking tour of Taormina’s charming city center including the Greek/Roman amphitheater with its spectacular view of Giardini Naxos and Mt. Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. Drive to Mt. Etna and visit the Sylvester Craters. Consider taking an optional “Godfather” tour featuring the authentic villages chosen by Francis Coppola for most of the scenes in the Godfather movies. This is a good way to explore the real untouched Sicilian countryside, local lifestyle, and culture. (B) 

Today, drive to Siracusa for a guided tour of this venerable city, including the Archaeological Park, the Greek Theater, the Latomia del Paradiso, and the Cave of Dyonisius’ Ear. This evening, savor a special Sicilian dinner with wine in a restaurant characteristic of this region. (B,D) 

You will be transferred to the Catania airport for your return flight home. (B)