Sicily

November 3 to 13, 2018

Nov. 3:  Meet in Rome.  Afternoon tour of Rome's historic center, with several Caravaggio's along the way, since we will be seeing more of his work in Sicily.  Dinner.

Nov. 4:  Mid-day flight to Reggio Calabria to see the Riace Bronzes, among the most important archeological finds of the past century.  Then cross to Sicily and arrive in Taormina where we spend the next 2 nights.  Dinner.

Nov. 5:  Explore Taormina, perhaps the prettiest spot in Sicily, with views of Etna, best seen from the ruins of the Greek/Roman theater.  Hikes, strolls, lovely shops.  Dinner.

Nov. 6: Drive to Siracusa, an appealing port city with a wealth of Greek ruins and a beautiful harbor.  Afternoon tour of Ortigia, the historic center of Siracusa, ending with a puppet show.  Lunch.

Nov. 7: Visit the Catacombs of San Giovanni and Siracusa's archeological park with its Greek theater, haunting stone quarry and Roman amphitheater.  Lunch.

Nov. 8:  Drive inland to visit the stunning Villa Casale in Piazza Armerina.  Acres of late-Roman mosaic floors. There's nothing else quite like this.  We will also visit the local museum in Aidone where artworks smuggled from Sicily, acquired by US museums, and then, ultimately, repatriated, now reside.  A very interesting story.  Lunch and dinner.

Nov. 9:  Visit the temples and museum of Agrigento.  Lunch.

Nov. 10:  Drive to Palermo.  Afternoon tour of the historic center:  Baroque stucco-works of Giacomo Serpotta, the Palazzo Abatellis with its collection of artworks, and more.  Lunch.

Nov. 11:  Excursion to the Greek temple and theater of Segesta and the beguiling hill town of Erice, a place long associated with Aphrodite.  Lunch.

Nov. 12:  More treasures of Palermo and environs:  La Zisa, a 12th c. Norman pleasure palace; the glittering cathedral of Monreale and, perhaps the very best in all of Sicily, the Palatine Chapel in the Norman Palace.  A jewel of medieval art.  Dinner.

Nov. 13:  The tour ends with breakfast. 

Regarding flights:  You should plan to arrive in Rome no later than the morning of November 3 and depart from Palermo the morning of November 13.  Recommended airlines are Alitalia and Delta, both of which have flights out of Palermo.  

Optional Rome Walk on the afternoon of November 2, for people who arrive early.  

Accommodations

The trip begins with one night in Rome with superior rooms at the 3-star Albergo Santa Chiara.  Upgrades to the nearby, 5-star Grand Hotel de la Minerve are available at extra cost.

Then two nights in Taormina at the luxurious old-world Grand Hotel Timeo.  

And another two at the Grand Hotel Ortigia on the waterfront in Siracusa.

In Agrigento, we stay at the 5-star Villa Athena that overlooks the Temple ridge.

We finish the tour with three nights at the 4-star Centrale Palace Hotel in Palermo's historic center. 

Costs

Per person in double occupancy:  $5700

Per person in single occupancy:  $6500

These rates include ten nights in hotels, all breakfasts, meals as outlined in the itinerary, entrance fees for all sites in the itinerary, private bus transportation in Rome and in Sicily; all tips to guides and drivers, the flight on November 1 from Rome to Reggio Calabria.

Not included are flights to and from Italy, airport transpiration associated with these flights, unscheduled meals, and items of a personal nature.

In Rome, we are staying at the 3-star Albergo Santa Chiara.  Upgrades are available to the 5-star Grand Hotel de la Minerve, which is just down the street.  Rates available upon request.