Its scenery possesses a natural and varied beauty that is truly breath-taking. Rugged, sometimes snow-capped mountains reaching for the sky are interspaced with rich meadows, adorned with wild flowers: during spring and autumn, spectacularly green and lush, yet during the sun-scorched summer, transformed into pastel shades of greens, yellows and browns.
Citrus and olive groves stretch into the distance and abundant pine forests lend the air that unmistakable Mediterranean aroma. Punctuated by the occasional farmhouse and Tuscan-like hilltop village the countryside is remarkably empty. The island has a spectacularly indented coastline, with sweeping bays and blood-red volcanic rocks plunging into the deep blue sea, and snowcapped Mount Etna providing a magnificent backdrop.
Although very much Italian today, Sicily has been at the crossroads of almost every Mediterranean civilisation for thousands of years and still retains traces of them all. Founded by the Phoenicians, home to the richest cities in the Greek Empire, Sicily was then over the centuries conquered by the Romans, the Moors, Normans, Spanish, French and finally the Italians. Their magnificent relics include temples, ancient amphitheatres, churches, monasteries, villas and atmospheric old towns, with many being the most outstanding of their type in the world and, due to the climate, in a truly remarkable state of preservation.
In character, Sicilians are noticeably different from the rest of Italy with their Sicilian language still in evidence. The food is wonderful but, again, sometimes a little different from the rest of the country, with nearby African influences present in dishes like couscous.
Our tour visits the finest this remarkable island has to offer. We start in Agrigento, founded by the ancient Greeks, and famous for its remarkable Valley of the Temples – nine of them, some in phenomenal condition and all the more impressive when you consider they are almost 2,500 years old. It never ceases to amaze us – our present day civilisation believes it is so sophisticated and supposedly at the cutting edge of technology, but we wonder how many of our buildings will last as long!
Next we visit Palermo, chaotic and vibrant capital of the island, and in a beautiful setting with an atmosphere of both Europe and the Orient. The architecture ranges in style from Arabic to Norman, Baroque to Art Nouveau.
The pretty little town of Piazza Armerina possesses one of the true archaeological gems of the ancient world: the Casale villa dating from Roman times, covering a huge area, decorated with the largest expanse of ancient mosaics ever discovered and, having been covered by a mud slide many centuries ago, their condition belies their age. We also visit Taormina, one of Sicily’s most beautiful towns. Select and tasteful, Taormina retains its medieval charm, with its main street a lovely collection of 15th to 19th century townhouses, small and intimate piazzas and twisting alleyways. D.H. Lawrence was aware of its charms, making his home here for several years. Taormina’s greatest claim to fame is its Greek theatre dating from the 3rd century BC, with its breath-taking views of the bay and Mount Etna.
Italians are famous for being a friendly and accommodating race and Sicilians especially so, so there is no doubt you will be made welcome on this beautiful island.
Itinerary
You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Catania. On arrival a coach will take us to the hotel, where we stay for three nights with breakfast and dinner. Depending on the date of departure you will stay at either the Della Valle or the Hotel Baia di Ulisse.
This morning we visit what can truly be described as one of the wonders of the ancient world: the amazing Greek remains in the Valley of the Temples. There are six of them in total, situated largely on a ridge looking out to sea. Visible for miles and standing proud as they do, they must have made a statement of sheer absolute power and confidence to any passing mariner or shepherd, leaving none in doubt as to who were the masters. The best of them, Concordia, similar in design to the Parthenon in Athens, is almost perfectly preserved, with just the roof missing. With its wonderful tapering columns and beautiful light golden colour it is absolutely captivating. One can only wonder as to what was going through the builders’ minds thousands of years ago, toiling under a hot sun whilst creating a masterpiece. We enjoy a guided tour of the site and you may also visit the excellent museum, displaying finds from both the temples and surrounding area, including a unique collection of vases. We also visit Agrigento itself, awash with medieval atmosphere, swimming in tiny stepped streets and quiet shady piazzas overlooking the blue Mediterranean in the distance. We return to our hotel during the afternoon to relax.
Today we visit the north coast of the island and during our journey we will experience some wonderful scenery. A rugged wild landscape, scorched by the sun and remarkably empty of both man and beast.
Firstly, we visit 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 will have a superb panoramic view of Palermo below, the surrounding countryside and onwards to the sea. The cloisters are another highlight, surrounded by columns, no two of which are alike, almost Moorish in appearance.
During the afternoon we visit Sicily’s capital, Palermo, which under Saracen and Norman rule became 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 our visit we will pass the Norman Palace, a gorgeous former Royal residence, now the seat of the regional government and see the Cathedral dating from the 10th century. We return to our hotel for dinner.
Signature Experience:
Experience Palazzo Conte Federico, one of the oldest buildings in Palermo (parts of which date back from the 12th century), where you will be able to get a glimpse of aristocratic Sicilian life as the one of the family members personally welcomes you and shows you around some of the exquisitely decorated rooms of what has been their family home for generations, while sharing unique stories and insights into Count Federico’s family history.
We leave Agrigento and take the drive to the small town of Piazza Armerina, where one of the most amazing archaeological discoveries of the last century was made: a 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. We have a guided tour of the villa before stopping at a local agriturismo for a light lunch on the way to Taormina.
Taormina is one of the most beautiful towns on the island towering 250 metres above the sweeping coastline below, and we will stay either at the Sant Alphio hotel in nearby Giardini Naxos or at the Excelsior Palace Hotel in Taormina itself for the remaining four nights. Neighbouring Taormina is Giardini Naxos, a charming typically Sicilian town with a seashore lined by seafood restaurants and fishing boats drawn up onto the beach and the beautiful family run fourstar Hotel Sant’Alphio Garden, situated just a few minutes’ walk from the sea itself. This hotel sits in a very picturesque spot with views of nearby Taormina and Mount Etna.
In Taormina itself, you can choose the four-star Hotel Excelsior Palace, a classic building, over a hundred years old, which during its long history has welcomed guests as diverse as the King of Italy to Antonio Banderas! It is superbly situated on a promontory with panoramic views of the sea to one side and Mount Etna on the other, set in its own lush, extensive landscape gardens and yet centrally located in the old town.
This morning we are free in Taormina, one of the smartest and most exclusive small towns in Italy – it has everything!
Retaining much of its medieval charm, wonderfully situated on a high balcony, facing Etna and overlooking the sea, it is renowned for its beautiful gardens and charming atmosphere. Today, its main street is lined by smart, designer boutiques and exclusive jewellers, with the tiny side streets, some of which are so narrow you can touch both sides at once, leading to intimate piazzas, lined with atmospheric family-run restaurants. As you would expect in a country so famous for its cuisine, speciality food shops are everywhere, selling fresh pasta, olives, Sicilian wine and the local Marsala. Taormina’s greatest claim to fame is its amazing theatre, a legacy of the ancient Greeks and still in use today. Wonderfully preserved with its panoramic view of Etna in the background; to attend one of the occasional classical music concerts in this most special of venues must rank as one of life’s more pleasurable moments.
Signature Experience:
Quintessential to the Italian lifestyle, the aperitivo is the moment of the day to relax with a drink. We’ll do this in style with a delicious array of delicacies, whilst enjoying the sensational views over Taormina and the surrounding coastline.
Today we take the drive to Siracusa, once one of the richest and most beautiful cities in the ancient world, even rivalling Athens. Its most famous resident was Archimedes, that genius of a man who, whilst in the bath discovered the principle of displacement, ran through the streets naked, exclaiming “Eureka” (I’ve found it!) in a story that has entered folklore. Today the city is one of Sicily’s most attractive, a wonderful collection of limestone buildings, dating mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries. There is an extraordinary Baroque Cathedral incorporating an ancient temple, with a lovely interior, and just opposite is the Bosco Palace. The old port area is extremely attractive and very traditional, full of small fishing boats unloading their catch. You will be free to explore the old town at the eastern end of the city, called Ortygia; actually an island, connected to mainland by three bridges. You will have the option to take a boat trip around the bay before returning to the hotel.
Dominating eastern Sicily is Europe’s highest volcano, Etna, and this morning we take the drive to as near to the snow-capped summit as possible. Ascending the winding road, the landscape becomes increasingly eerie and alien, with razor sharp black rocks in contorted formations, and some areas devoid of almost all vegetation. As we near the cable car station itself 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. We return to our hotel during the afternoon.
Signature Experience:
End your morning with a tour and lunch at an historic winery on the fertile lower slopes of Mount Etna with breath-taking views over the lush vineyards. You’ll learn about the unique conditions that produce such interesting organic wines. A wonderful lunch will follow, and local dishes will be paired with a perfect selection of robust red and fragrant white wine.
At the appropriate time a coach will return us to the airport to take our return flight home after a very varied tour.
What's Included
Holiday Highlights
Guided tour of Agrigento’s ancient Greek ruins in the Valley of the Temples, one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites - entrance fees included
Visit Palermo, Sicily’s capital with its gorgeous medieval and baroque centre, Italy’s finest outside of Rome
Visit stunning Taormina, one of Italy’s most beautiful and stylish hilltop towns
Guided tour of Piazza Armerina’s Roman villa, remarkably preserved with stunning frescoes and ancient mosaics - entrance fees included
Enjoy authentic Sicilian food at a farmhouse
Visit Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe
Guided tour of Monreale Cathedral with the world’s finest medieval mosaics – entrance fees included
Visit Siracusa, one of the ancient Greek empire’s richest cities and home of Archimedes
Seven nights in 4-star accommodation inclusive of all local taxes, plus breakfast and dinner
The Signature Tour option includes all of the above as well as:
Experience Palazzo Conte Federico, one of the oldest and most prestigious buildings in Palermo, on a guided tour by the family who have been residing here for generations.
Sample the unique wines of Mount Etna and enjoy traditional Sicilian hospitality and an unforgettable lunch amidst the glorious surroundings of an historic winery
Relax and unwind with an aperitivo, whilst soaking up the spectacular views of Taormina
Enjoy the more exclusive atmosphere of travelling in a small group with an average of 22 guests
Our Price Includes
The price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single and sea view rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. The price includes:
Return flights
Seven nights’ accommodation
Daily breakfast, dinner and one light lunch at a rural restaurant
All local taxes and transfers
All tours as mentioned,
Entrances to Valley of the Temples Villa at Piazza Armerina and Monreale
The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager
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Dates and Prices
Accommodation
4* Hotel Sant' Alphio Garden - Giardini Naxos -
★★★★
Why choose the Hotel Sant’ Alphio Garden?
This hotel was carefully selected by our team of experienced Product Managers for it’s ideal location by the seafront which is lined with quaint seafood restaurants and fishing boats drawn up onto the beach.
About the hotel
The Sant’ Alphio Garden Hotel has a host of fantastic facilities including a restaurant serving local and international cuisine, two bars, an outdoor pool surrounded by shady palm trees and beautiful bougainvillaea and even a poolside bar where you can relax and soak up the sun after a hard day’s sightseeing. The hotel also boasts a private beach just a short walk away and spa with indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and gym (available at extra cost). Rooms are modern, air-conditioned and equipped with private facilities, mini-bar, safe and all have a terrace or balcony affording views over the surrounding area. There is a varied buffet breakfast, and dinner offers a three course meal including starter, main and dessert. This hotel can cater for gluten free diets, just let us know in advance.
Location
Giardini Naxos is a charming typically Sicilian town on the sea with beautiful beach. The hotel sits in a very picturesque spot with amazing views of nearby Taormina and Mount Etna.
4* Hotel Excelsior Palace - Taormina -
★★★★
Why choose the Hotel Excelsior Palace?
This hotel was carefully selected by our Product Managers as it is superbly situated on a promontory, with panoramic views of the sea to one side and Mount Etna to the other, set in its own lush, extensive landscape gardens, and yet centrally located in the old town.
About the hotel
Set in a classic building, over a hundred years old, which during its long history has welcomed guests as diverse as the King of Italy to Antonio Banderas! All rooms are air-conditioned and elegantly styled, in keeping with the rest of the hotel, and very tastefully decorated. The large swimming pool, set in the terraced gardens on the end of the promontory, enjoys the same breathtaking views as the hotel itself and has its own bar. The restaurant specialises in international favourites and Mediterranean cuisine. There is a buffet breakfast including pastries, fresh fruit, eggs and traditional Italian coffee. Offered at dinner is a three course meal consisting of a starter, main and dessert. Gluten free diets can be catered for, just let us know in advance.
Location
The hotel is located in the centre of Taormina on the main street, with delightful views of the Ionian Sea. There are plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants close by. The Greek Theatre and public gardens are easily accessible.
4* Albatros Hotel - Letojanni -
★★★★
The Albatros Hotel is located in the coastal town of Letojanni, just north of Taormina, with direct access to the promenade facing the Ionian Sea. Recently refurbished this hotel features a restaurant and a bar, whilst the air conditioned rooms are contemporary and neutrally decorated.
4* Hotel Baia di Ulisse - Agrigento -
★★★★
Why choose the Baia di Ulisse?
Our team of experienced Product Managers carefully selected this hotel due to its stunning coastal location and private beach. This stylish and tasteful hotel is lovingly cared for by its owner with his own antique furniture, fine paintings and exquisite ornaments displayed throughout.
About the hotel
Set beside a beautiful pine forest which runs down to the hotel’s private beach, San Leone, just a few miles from Agrigento. Dining at the hotel includes a varied breakfast and a three course dinner including dessert. The hotel can cater for gluten free diets, just let us know in advance.
Location
The town of Agrigento is a few miles away, and the peaceful San Leone beach is just a short walk from the hotel through a small pine forest.
4* Della Valle -
★★★★
The new Della Valle Hotel, under new ownership and now refurbished, is located near Agrigento's Valley of the Temples and offers an outdoor pool (open summer months, weather permitting), as well as a restaurant.
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Other Information
Holiday code
R035
Holiday provided by Riviera Travel
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