DAYS 1 – 3

Arrive in Palermo on Day 2. Palermo was a cradle of civilization, a transit point, and battlefield for territorial ambitions. Its personality comes from the Byzantines, Arabs and Normans. Stroll its intricate streets and admire the blending of architectural styles that mark its history. Visit Palermo’s 12th-century cathedral, lively Capo markets, and the Norman’s Royal Palace. Later, travel to Monreale, world-renowned for its 12th-century cathedral, a dazzling mixture of Arab, Byzantine and Norman artistic styles and beautiful mosaics. A special treat awaits you as you will be welcomed by the Countess Federico for delightful conversation over aperitifs at her mansion.

Villa Igiea Hilton, Palermo

DAYS 4 & 5

Explore Segesta, an abandoned ancient city located in the province of Trapani. Continue to the beautiful Phoenician and Hellenistic town of Erice, dedicated to Aphrodite. On Day 5 travel to Selinunte, an abandoned ancient Greek city, with ruins of an acropolis and numerous temples that overlook the Mediterranean Sea. Selinunte's glorious zenith lasted for a period of about two centuries, when it was one of the most progressive Greek cities in Sicily, famous throughout Magna Grecia.

Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sciacca

DAY 6

This morning arrive in the classical city of Agrigento. Visit the Valley of the Temples, a series of temples erected in the 5th century B.C. as a testimony to the city’s prosperity. After lunch, enjoy a guided visit to the Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina. The highlight of your visit will be the mosaics — almost every room in the villa is decorated with some of the finest mosaics found anywhere in the Roman world. Next, it is on to Siracusa, the great city of legend and home of Archimedes. Take an expert-guided walk around the island discovering the rich history and tides of conquest that have shaped this city since its birth.

Grand Hotel Des Etrangers, Siracusa

DAYS 7 – 10

Ancient Siracusa was a Greek city that flourished from 733 until 211 B.C. when it was conquered by Rome. The highlight of your visit to Siracusa will be the archaeological park, including the ruins of the Teatro Greco, built in the 5th century B.C., where the great dramatist Aeschylus staged plays. Then proceed to Taormina. With its fabulous position high on the rocky plateau opposite dramatic Mount Etna, it is considered one of the world’s most picturesque resort cities. German poet Johann Wolfgang Goethe described this place as “a strip of paradise on the earth” and it was a favorite resort of the 19th-century English aristocracy. 

On Day 8 take a funicular ride to the top of Mt. Etna, Sicily’s tallest peak and Europe’s tallest active volcano. Later, a walking tour will reveal the fine pa laces that dot the old town center. The highlight of your tour is a visit to the Greek Theater, built just before the Roman occupation of Sicily. 

On Day 9 drive to Messina to board a ferry and cruise across the Straits of Messina to Reggio di Calabria in mainland Italy. This small town of less than two hundred inhabitants is surrounded by rich groves of olives, vines and citrus trees. In fact, half of the world’s production of Bergamot comes from the region. Your destination is the National Archeological Museum, famed for its mysterious bronze warriors. The two Riace Warriors are notable for their remarkable expressive features, enhanced by the mixed media used in the detail of their eyes; ivory and limestone corneas, vitreous pupils and silver eyelashes. 

On Day 10 you will be transferred to the airport in Catania for your flight back home or to your next destination.

San Domenico Palace Hotel, Taormina

Package price is per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies. Intra-tour air pricing is subject to change. International airfare is additional. Other restrictions may apply. Contact us for complete journey details.

Villa Igiea Hilton
Palermo, Sicily

For more than a century, the Villa Igiea Hilton, one of the most famous buildings in Sicily and in Italy, has stood on a privileged location overlooking the Sea of Palermo. Created by the family Florio, it marks a moment of architectural splendor in the cultural life of the people of Palermo. The hotel has a beautiful stone vaulted ceiling lounge and bar, where live piano is played until midnight. The restaurant Bella Epofue serves Sicilian and international dishes. Guests have at their disposal a magnificent swimming pool with sea water, a tennis court, water sports and the Jasmine Garden.

The 116 rooms and suites are spacious, each with a direct line telephone, color TV, mini bar, radio and adjustable air-conditioning. You will have a deluxe sea--view room.
Room Categories: Select – Deluxe Rooms; Grand – Senior Suite

Verdura Golf & Spa Resort
Sciacca, Sicily

Furnished in a fresh contemporary style that reflects the essence of Sicily, the guest rooms at Verdura Golf & Spa Resort provide an elegant and relaxing personal space. There are 203 in total, each with its own uninterrupted view across the sparkling Mediterranean Sea from a private terrace.

Set across 230 hectares of olive groves and countryside, the rooms are in two distinct types of building, Courtyard and Landscape, which are woven subtly into the landscape and offer a real sense of privacy and space. Natural materials such as stone, sand, wood and cane echo the traditional architecture of Sicily, and rooms make imaginative use of both outdoor and indoor space.

Created by Olga Polizzi, The Rocco Forte Collection’s Director of Design, the interiors are beautifully appointed and encapsulate The Art of Simple Luxury. She has used a rich palette of earth tones and bright printed fabrics to reflect the character of Sicily, with a design motif inspired by a classic Sicilian tile. Bedrooms feature four-poster wooden beds, polished concrete floors and artful Italian lighting, and are decorated with locally fired earthenware. The bathrooms are naturally lit with stone vanity tops, and some have outside courtyards with fig trees. Room Categories: Select – Sea-view Rooms

Grand Hotel des Etrangers
Siracusa, Sicily

The prestigious Grand Hotel Des Etrangers is located in the historical center, in the heart of Ortigia, and faces the sea. The hotel is close to the Spring of Arethusa and only 150 meters from the Cathedral.

The hotel has 70 rooms and 10 suites and a panoramic roof garden restaurant with breathtaking view on the coast. Room facilities include air conditioning, cable television, direct dial telephone, mini bar, hair dryer, safe deposit box and internet connection.

Room Categories: Select – Sea-view rooms; Grand – Sea-view Junior Suites

San Domenico Palace Hotel
Taormina, Sicily

The San Domenico, in the citadel’s historic heart, has hosted history’s luminaries amid the entrancing charms of its ancient surroundings. Built on the site of a 15th‐century monastery, the San Domenico Palace Hotel still conserves the original structure. It frames a scene of rare beauty, which sweeps from the ancient Greek Theatre to the peak of Mount Etna. To enhance your stay, the hotel features and services include an outdoor pool, fitness center, beauty salon, boutique shops, and a wonderful 1-acre Mediterranean garden. There’s also a choice of dining venues and a lounge.

Grand Hotel Deluxe sea-view rooms have a breathtaking view of the Bay of Taormina. Sea-view
Junior Suites offer an open space bedroom with sitting area and a large and comfortable terrace overlooking the stunning Taormina Bay. Room amenities include cable television, mini bar and a hair dryer. Room Categories: Select – Grand Hotel Sea-view Rooms; Grand – Junior Suites

Amber Medkiff

Amber speaks French, Italian and Spanish, and is a member of the Italian Institute and the French Institute of San Francisco, where she resides. She has published a travel article on Italy and was the subject of a Condé Nast Travel magazine article titled “How to Travel Like a Millionaire.” She has conducted travel programs all over the world for 18 years.

Travel Dates: May 30, 2012

Yvonne Buheiry

The Baroness Yvonne Buheiry Daller von Fleschenberg has been escorting travelers for over 20 years. She is conversant in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and some Arabic. Yvonne specializes in Western and Mediterranean Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Travel Dates: October 10, 2012