Classical Sites Tour In Sicily

The tour starts in Syracusa. The ancient city was a colony of Corinth which once rivalled Athens as the most important and beautiful city in the Greek world. Its fascinating history is associated with such famous names as Alcibiades, Aeschylus, Pindar, Demosthenes and Archimedes.

Overnight Standard Hotel

This morning we will visit the Neapolis Archaeological Zone with its famous Greek theatre hewn out of the hillside and the fine Roman amphitheatre where gladiators once fought. We then continue to Ortygia Island before leaving Syracusa and driving to Piazza Amerina, our stop for the night.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we’ll drive to the impressive Villa Romana at Casale, a magnificent country mansion containing some beautiful Roman mosaics.We then continue to Agrigento, once one of the most prosperous cities in Sicily. The ancient Acropolis, now the modern city, overlooks the valley where the lower city stood and the southern ridge where the temples still stand. After a visit to the Temple of Zeus, we visit the Valley of the Temples including the Temple of Hercules, the oldest in the complex and the perfectly proportioned Doric columns of the Temple of Concord. From this ancient Acropolis, we continue along the coast to our stop for the night in Petrosino. A small agricultural town, Petrosino is located 13km south of Marsala.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we take a short boat ride out to the tiny island of Mozia, whose role in the events of Sicily’s early Phoenician period (before 600BC) far transcends its diminutive size. Our visit will include Mozias unique museum and the ruins of a remarkable civilisation, complete with harbour. Moving on from the island, we continue on to Erice, where we will take in the medieval ambiance of this ancient hill town. Early afternoon will see us travelling on to Segesta - one of the best-preserved ancient Greek sites that exists anywhere today. A visit to Segesta is a wonder, not only for the structures themselves, the Doric Temple and the amphitheatre on the slopes of Mount Barbaro, but for the stunning natural setting in which they are to be found. No modern day structures mar your appreciation of the site. On leaving magnificent Segesta, we will reach our hotel situated on the outskirts of Palermo.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning, we will visit the Palatine Chapel before departing Palermo and driving into the hills to the majestic Norman Cathedral of Monreale. Founded in 1174 by William the Good, the cathedral is famous for its extensive mosiacs and the beautiful cloisters showing both Romanesque and Islamic influences. We will return to Sicily’s capital where the afternoon is free for you to enjoy Palermo. The city stands at the foot of Monte Pellegrino with the fertile valley of Concha d’Oro behind. It was one of the richest cities in Europe from the 9th to the 12th centuries AD when Islamic culture, Byzantine magnificence and the vigorous world of medieval Europe were merging into a fascinating civilisation.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Leaving Palermo we drive along the spectacular coastline to the picturesque fishing village of Cefalu. Here we stop to visit the Norman Cathedral to see the stupendous mosaic of Christ Pantocrator. Next we’ll drive via the coastal road to Aquadolci, then into the mountains via Cesaro and Randazzo, with spectacular views of Mount Etna in the distance, to Giardini Naxos, a small beach resort just outside Taormina. Please note we may take the coastal road from Cefalu, depending on weather conditions.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning there is the opportunity to visit the lunar landscape and lava fields of Etna one of the most active volcanoes in Europe! Taormina, Sicily’s most famous resort, is situated 213m up on the slopes of Monte Tauro and overlooked by Castel Mola. This afternoon we’ll visit the Greek Theatre for possibly the most famous view in Sicily – the snow capped Mount Etna acting as a backdrop to the remarkably preserved columned stage.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we drive to Catania Airport where the tour ends.

Included meals: Breakfast