The Spirit of Sicily

On this journey led by our extremely knowledgeable tour leader, Canon Eric Woods; Vicar of Sherborne, you will discover the enchanting town of Ragusa Ibla, the art-rich exuberance of Palermo, the great cathedral of Mazara del Vallo and Syracuse, one of the most important cities of the Greek World.

Day 1: Tuesday, 17th April

London / Syracuse

Depart from Gatwick on direct British Airways afternoon flight to Catania. On arrival transfer to Syracuse to The Grand Hotel Ortigia, in this historic, largely pedestrianised area of Syracuse, dinner tonight will be at the hotel.

Day 2: Wednesday, 18th April

Syracuse

Walking from the hotel with our guide, this morning we will explore the small peninsula of Ortigia, with its spectacular Baroque churches and palaces built of brilliant white stone, including the Duomo decorated in 1728 by the architect Andrea di Palma; the piazza is one of Sicily’s most elegant. After lunch the afternoon will be free for your own explorations before dinner in a local trattoria.  

Day 3: Thursday, 19th April

Ragusa Ibla & Noto  

Departing after breakfast we travel south to one of Sicily’s most enchanting towns – Ragusa Ibla, with its labyrinth of alleys and tiny piazzas. Our guided walk will include the high-domed Basilica di San Giorgio dating from the early 18th century before lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon we visit Baroque Noto, a theatrical collection of sweeping staircases, grand squares, churches, monasteries and convents before returning Syracuse for dinner at the hotel.

Day 4: Friday, 20th April

Syracuse

In Syracuse this morning we venture to the ancient Theatre and the Latomie - the Neapolis Quarter of Syracuse, one of the most important cities of the Greek World, including the Roman theatre, Greek theatre and the beautiful ancient gardens. Lunch will be at the hotel before an afternoon at leisure to explore Oritigia further and an opportunity to dine where you choose amongst the many trattorias nearby. 

Day 5: Saturday, 21st April

Syracuse / Enna / Mazara del Vallo 

Crossing the heart of the island today affords us an opportunity to experience inland Sicily, so different from the coast, with its villages built to repel invaders, including mountain-top Enna, so old no one knows when it was first settled. Our visits here will include the Duomo, founded in 1307 with carvings of allegorical monsters by Gagini before lunch. In the afternoon we continue to Mazara del Vallo. Dinner will be at our hotel tonight, the Mahara Hotel.

Day 6: Sunday, 22nd April

Selinunte & Mazara del Vallo

After a morning at leisure with time to explore this delightful Baroque port and visit the great cathedral, after lunch at the hotel, we depart for nearby  Selinunte, founded in 651 BC.  Selinunte was one of the great cities of Magna Grecia and its toppled ruins are among Italy's most important historic sites, afterwards we visit one of Sicily’s finest Norman churches Santissima Trinita di Delia set in a garden near Lago di Trinita. Dinner tonight will be in town at one of the trattorias near our hotel.

Day 7: Monday, 23rd April

Mazara del Vallo / Marsala / Palermo

This morning we stroll the lively streets and tiny piazza of ancient Marsala to visit the superb Museo Archaelogico; its Phoenician galley, Greek artefacts and Roman mosaics are housed in a superb house dating from Marsala’s golden age. Lunch today includes a special tasting of Marsala wine, fortified by Englishman John Woodhouse and much favoured by Nelson. Driving north after lunch we arrive at our centrally located hotel in Palermo in time for dinner at the hotel, the Centrale Palace.

Day 8: Tuesday, 24th April

Palermo  

In this exuberant ‘art’ city, our morning starts at the  Oratorio di Santa Zita dedicated to the Virgin of the Rosary, it is decorated with stucco reliefs by Giacomo Serpotta (1688). We continue to the Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, this deconsecrated church was built in the grounds of a mosque reflecting its Islamic origins with bulbous domes, corner arches and filigreed windows; we also visit the Capella Palatina, a dazzling 12th century chapel, built by Roger the II, blending Byzantine, Islamic and Norman styles of craftsmanship, lavishly adorned with mosaics, as well as marble inlaid with gold, stone and glass. After lunch the afternoon is free for you to explore further, perhaps visit the Catacombs or Botanical Gardens and to find your choice of restaurant for the evening.  

Day 9: Wednesday, 25th April

Monreale & Palazzo Lanza Tomasi

This morning we drive the short distance to Monreale, the cathedral here is one of the great sights in of Norman Sicily. The interior glitters with mosaics created by Sicilian and Byzantine artists. We return to Palermo for lunch where you wish and a free afternoon before our Grand Finale dinner with a private reception and dinner at Palazzo Lanza Tomasi as guests of the  Duca e Duchessa Gioacchino Lanza Tomasi. The Palace was the last residence of the author of the “Leopard,” Principe di Lampedusa, and is now lived in by his descendants.

Day 10: Thursday, 26th April

Palermo / Cefalu / Catania / London

There is time this morning to enjoy the vibrant fruit and vegetable markets on your own before we depart for Cefalu, with its curved sandy beach and towering rock peak. We visit the Norman cathedral, magnificent with shimmering mosaics before lunch in a trattoria and the onward drive to the airport for our British Airways direct return flight to London Gatwick arriving late evening.