Discover the rich culture, beautiful landscapes and intriguing archaeology of Sicily

Itinerary

1. Day

   1

   Arrive in Sicily

   Catania, Italy

   Today, you'll arrive at the airport to take your flight to Catania. On arrival, a coach will meet you to take you to your hotel.

2. Day

   2

   Valley of the Temples

   Valley of the Temples , Italy

   After breakfast at your hotel this morning, you'll visit one of the wonders of the ancient world, the incredible Greek ruins in the Valley of the Temples.

   The most famous of these impressive temples is Concordia, similar in design to the Parthenon in Athens, which is almost perfectly preserved, with just the roof missing. Marvel at the wonderful tapering columns with their beautiful light golden colour.

   You'll enjoy a guided tour of the site, and may also have time to visit the excellent museum, where you'll see finds from within the temples and surrounding area, including a unique collection of vases.

   You'll also visit Agrigento itself and see its medieval architecture, with narrow, stepped streets and quiet shady piazzas overlooking the blue Mediterranean, before returning to your hotel.

3. Day

   3

   Monreale and Palermo

   Palermo, Italy

   You'll head to the north coast of Sicily today, soaking in some wonderful scenery along the way.

   Your first stop is the magnificent Benedictine Abbey at Monreale, founded in the 12th century. Still used today, it boasts outstanding medieval mosaics covering almost the entire interior, depicting stories from the Old Testament. If you can manage the steps to the roof, you'll enjoy a superb panoramic view of Palermo below, the surrounding countryside and the sea beyond.

   Later in the afternoon, you'll visit Sicily's capital, Palermo, which was once one of the most important cities in Europe, famous for the wealth of its court and as a great centre of learning. Today it has more of a 17th century appearance and during your visit, you'll pass the Norman Palace, an elegant former royal residence, now the seat of the regional government and see the Cathedral dating from the 10th century.

4. Day

   4

   Piazza Armerina and Taormina

   Taormina, Italy

   This morning you'll leave Agrigento and take a drive to the small town of Piazza Armerina, where one of the most amazing archaeological discoveries of the last century was made. You'll enjoy a guided tour of the 4th-century Roman villa, possibly owned by one of the joint Emperors, which explains its size and richness of decoration.

   Buried for centuries, you can still see the remains of pastel-coloured frescoes on the walls, but the mosaics, showing animals and hunting scenes, are simply the finest we have from Roman antiquity. This palatial building, complete with its baths, illustrates with great clarity the evident high standard of living of the Roman elite.

   Today your lunch will be at a traditional 'Agritourism', a rural house serving farm-to-table produce.

   After your visit, you'll continue your journey to Taormina. This is one of the most beautiful towns on the island towering 250 metres above the sweeping coastline below, where you'll stay in your choice of hotel for four nights with breakfast and dinner.

5. Day

   5

   Free day

   Taormina, Italy

   Today you'll have a free day to spend as you wish in Taormina. Perhaps take the chance to relax at your hotel, making the most of the facilities, or walk into the town and wander through pretty alleyways lined with boutiques until you reach Palazzo Corvaja, a historic building that houses the Museum of Taormina Arts and Traditions.

6. Day

   6

   Siracusa

   Siracusa, Italy

   Today you'll take a drive to Siracusa, once one of the richest cities in the ancient world, even rivalling Athens. Its most famous resident was Archimedes, who discovered the principle of displacement whilst in the bath, before running through the streets naked, exclaiming "Eureka" (I've found it!)

   Today the city is one of Sicily's most attractive, with a wonderful collection of limestone buildings, dating mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries. There's an extraordinary Baroque Cathedral which houses an ancient temple, with a lovely interior, as well as the Bosco Palace, a grand urban palace in the heart of Syracuse's Ortigia island.

   You'll be free to explore the old town of Ortigia; actually, which is connected to the mainland by three bridges. There's a chance to take a boat trip around the bay before returning to the hotel.

7. Day

   7

   Mount Etna

   Mount Etna, Italy

   Today you'll see Europe's highest volcano, Etna, with a morning drive as near to the snow-capped summit as possible.

   Ascending the winding road, the landscape becomes increasingly barren, with razor sharp black rocks in contorted formations, and some areas devoid of almost all vegetation.

   As you approach the cable car station you can enjoy extensive views over the whole area. Subject to certain regulations you will have the opportunity to take the cable car, jeep and guide to explore even higher levels.

8. Day

   8

   Return home

   Catania, Italy

   Today a coach will take you back to the airport to catch your return flight home as your Sicilian adventure draws to an end.