DAY 2 - APRIL  27, 2011  ARRIVAL - PALERMO

SICILY and Malta.

DAY 6 - MAY 01, 2010 - THE WESTERN COAST

Visit Marsala historical centre. At the conclusion of the visit, a brief visit to the Cantine Pellegrino for a tasting of Marsala Wines, conducted by an expert. Visit the salt marshes which still have interesting functioning medieval windmills.

We will also stop at a Baglio,  an 18th century country villa recently restored and converted into a charming and exclusive farm house surrounded by palm trees, olive trees and vineyards. The restoration of the farm house will be on the agenda.

Erice, a nearby medieval town, located at the top of the homonymous mountain rising 2300 feet above the sea level and overlooking the whole Western region, the Mediterranean Sea and the Egadi Islands. A stop at the Antique Convent Pastry Shop, one of the most renowned Sicilian bakeries. There, enjoy a taste of the fine Erician pastries first created within the convent walls and, as a special treat, sample some of the typical almond dough desserts filled with candied lemon. Afterwards, a guided architectural visit of the ancient town.

Check in at the hotel 3*. Dinner on your own and overnight (B, L)   

DAY 4 - APRIL 29, 2010 - RIVIERA CICLOPI – CATANIA - PIAZZA ARMERINA - ENNA

We’ll drive along the famous Cyclops Coast through Acireale, its most important town, and Acicastello, with its Medieval Norman Castle built in 1076 on a prehistoric basalt lava terrace.

As you gaze out over the Ionian Sea, you'll admire the Rocks of the Cyclops, imposing, spiky shards of black lava that rises up from the water. It is here, as told in Homer's Odyssey, that the Cyclops Polyphemus threw these rocks at the fleeing Ulysses, who had blinded him. Acitrezza is also the setting of the celebrated novel I Malavoglia by Giovanni Verga, as well as the film version it inspired, directed by Visconti.

Catania, the second-largest city of Sicily.  One of the most significant events that shaped Catania was the earthquake of 1693, which devastated most of south-eastern Sicily. The town was rebuilt in the Baroque style, and it was during this era that many of the town's finest buildings were constructed. Today we will visit its impressive Duomo and experience the city's strong personality during a visit to its ebullient Pescheria, the daily fish and vegetable market. You will have free time to complete your discoveries of the city. Lunch on your own

Then onto Piazza Armerina, a small town in the south-central part of the island.  Visit the Villa Romana del Casale, a Roman country villa of the 3rd century, famous for its precious mosaics

Check in a nice villa in Enna. Dinner and overnight (B, D)

DAY 5 - APRIL 30, 2010 - AGRIGENTO – SELINUNTE – MARSALA

This morning we drive through olive and fruit fields until we reach Agrigento. On arrival a visit to the beautiful Valley of the Temples, one of the most representative sites of Greek civilization in the Mediterranean area: the Temple of Hercules, the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Castor and Pollux and the wonderful Temple of Concord.

Picnic lunch at the Kolymbetra park, an agricultural jewel returned to life after decades of abandon. Archaeological treasures are still being unearthed in this extraordinary garden. This garden has fruit trees from every part of the world and some of the trees are over 1000 years old! Then surrounded by pomegranate, pistachio, orange and lemon trees and under the Mediterranean sun you will enjoy a typical Sicilian lunch served to you outdoors, complete with local fruit, cheese and wine.

Depart for Selinunte on the southern coast to visit one of the largest European archaeological sites. Continue to Marsala. Check in at a 4* hotel spa center. (B, L)

ACITREZZA

Photo by Galen Frysinger

Temple of Concord

Day 7 - MAY 02 - SCOPELLO – CASTELLAMARE - SEGESTA

Departure to Scopello, one of Sicily’s smallest towns, placed on a ridge high above the coastline. Once here, you may taste the local bread called CUNSATU with sardines, pecorino cheese, tomatoes and oregano. Continue to Castellamare del Golfo. It is an ancient fishing village whose main attraction is the 17th Century castle that gives its name to the bay. Lunch on your own. Stop in Segesta, to visit the Doric Temple, a masterpiece of Greek architecture.  Continue to Palermo. Check in at the hotel 4*.

Dinner on your own and overnight (B).

Segesta doric Temple

Some of the BEST GREEK MONUMENTS are in SICILY

Transfer to Parco delle Madonie passing through central Sicily. Check in at the farmhouse. Dinner and overnight. Concert, just for us, of Sicilian music.

Day 8 - MAY 03 - PALERMO – MONREALE – MADONIE

DAY 9 - MAY 04, 2010 - POLIZZI and CEFALU – DEPARTURE to NAPLES

Going to Polizzi generosa, a small village, surrounded by cheerful countryside and green pastures.

It lies in the Madonie Mountains' Natural Park. This internal region between the Northern Coast and Central Sicily has a wealth of ancient small villages, where many people still live ccording to the Sicilian traditions. The ancient village is rich in historical attractions. During the walk through the town's medieval streets, guests will have a break for a sampling of typical sweetmeats.

Now you’re off for a lovely walk through the beautiful Madonie Park to a local family  where you will enjoy a cooking lesson .

The owner will teach them to prepare some of the most popular and essential recipes according to the local tradition and the homemade pasta.  Lunch with our new friends

Afternoon : departure to Cefalù known for it's long golden beach as well as for other monumental and artistic "jewels", the Norman Duomo, initiated under Roger II in 1131, preserves precious mosaics which adorn the apse and a representation of Christ Pantocrator. In the same period the Osterio Magno was the probable residence of King Roger II. Of great interest is the striking medieval washhouse and the Mandralisca museum, the latter preserving the famous portrait of an unknown man by Antonello da Messina. A visit to Cefalù can not exclude a stroll along the lanes in the historical centre where you can linger amongst the numerous shops of ceramics and souvenirs.

Polizzi Generosa

Antonello da Messina (1430 ca. – 1479) -  Portrait of a Man (1465 ca.)

Cefalu - Il Duomo

APRIL 26 (leave the US) - MAY 9, 2010

Included in the Program :

· All accommodations in Hotels and farmhouses 4* as mentioned (based on double occupancy)

· Private transfer from  airport to the hotel in

· Private transfer from  Hotel to  

· Private minibus + English speaking driver

· Visits and excursions as listed in the program

· All the breakfasts

· Dinner in  April 27

· dinner at the villa gussio April 29

· Dinner in an olive oil farm May 01

· Dinner in the farm May 03

· Dinner in Sorrento May 07

· Dinner in Naples

· Picnic at the Kolimbetra Park - May 03

· Cooking and lunch May 04

· Lunch in Capri

· Books, Maps

·Accidental, Medical, Lost Luggage Insurance

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From the airport or from the ferry you will be taken to the hotel in the center of Palermo. That night we will have our 1st dinner together.

DAY 3 - APRIL  28, 2011 - PALERMO

Depart to Monreale where you will visit the cathedral, an architectural masterpiece that dates back to the Norman period. Its walls are almost completely covered by gold Byzantine mosaics. The magnificent cloister is surrounded by 228 columns with inlaid capitals.

Then back to Palermo to visit the  Palatine Chapel, a superb example of Arabic- Norman architecture built in the period 1130- 1140. Nearby is the church of St. John of the Hermit which was built by Roger II in 1132. The features of the structure are unique in that it was first constructed as a mosque and then later converted to Church.

Politeama Theater

Teatro Massimo opera house