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• I Pupi in Siracusa

Sicily has been aptly described as a triangular ark of stone floating on the seas of millennia and its rich history is testimony to its central position in the Mediterranean. Already a deeply civilized place when the Romans arrive in the 2nd Century BC, its extraordinary patrimony of Carthaginian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Arab influences, together with the Norman, French and Spanish that prevailed from the early middle ages through to the coming of Garibaldi, make for a destination of unparalleled fascination and cultural richness.

Throughout the centuries, Sicily has seen fashions in religion wash over it like successive tides but it would be a mistake to imagine that the new always obliterates the old. Emblematic is the cathedral of Siracusa in which the ancient Greek temple to Athena is clearly visible under the Christian additions. But more generally, the whole cult of the saints, so much a focus to this day of the religious life of the towns of Sicily, and indeed the south of Italy as a whole, is clearly the survival of the old pantheism in a new guise. Going back even further, the spectacular hilltown of Erice has retained interesting vestiges, though not the temple prostitution!, of what was once one of the bronze age mediterranean’s most important cult centres of the great mother goddess, the “Madre Dea” whose worship predates the arrival of the Greeks themselves. And on your way to visit the spectacular late roman mosaics at Piazza Armerina you will pass a lake which was thought by both Greeks and Romans to be the entrance to the underworld used by Demeter as she came and went to make the seasons.

Amongst the many works of art that you will see on this tour are two masterpieces that represent the highest levels of ancient art. These are the justly famous Bronzes of Riace, currently in the museum of Reggio Calabria just across the straits of Messina, and the breathtaking young man of Mozia at Trapani on the western coast of the island. And of course all this will be set in a context of Greek temples, Norman mosaics and Sicilian Baroque architecture that has no equal in the world.

Two performances will be included; at Teatro Massimo Bellini in Catania and at the superb Teatro Massimo, Palermo. The tour will also feature a number of meals with excellent Sicilian seafood and citrus as well as wine-tastings of several of the most distinctive local wines including Nero d’Avola.

IN CATANIA  A 4 star hotel in Catania's historical centre, close to the theatre.

IN TAORMINA   Shady terraced gardens surround our elegant turn-of-the-century hotel with stupendous views; centrally located. Views are spectacular with breakfast on the terrace a highlight.  The location is right down a flight of steps from the main pedestrian street in Taormina and near the sights, restaurants, shops and other attractions.

• A puppet show with life-sized puppets in Siracusa

• The ancient theatres at Siracusa and Taormina

• A visit to the slopes of Mount Etna

• The temples at Segesta, Selinunte and Agrigento

• Erice, the mountain-top home of the mother goddess

• The 12th century Byzantine mosaics in the Cathedral of Monreale

• The seaside resort of Cefalu

Sun 25 April 2010      Arrival                                           D           Overnight Catania
The tour begins at  Catania's Fontanarossa Airport with a group transfer into Catania. The afternoon is at leisure and we meet for an early welcome dinner under the shadow of Mount Etna.

 Mon 26 April            Sant Agata in Catania                       B   O'night Catania
Our morning tour introduces us to Sant' Agata, the virgin and martyred patron saint of the city.

The daughter of a wealthy Christian family in the early 300's she refused an attempted seduction by a Roman official and was punished and tortured by him ostensibly for her faith. Her breasts were removed but she miraculously recovered after a vision. The official ordered her to be burned but he died shortly afterwards when an earthquake shook Catania.

 

Tue 27 April                   Catania & Etna                        B        Overnight Catania 
An afternoon visit to Mount Etna with a vulcanologist, then return to Catania

Wed 28 April               San Pancrazio, Taormina          B      Overnight Taormina
Morning transfer to Taormina then guided tour of the town with its world famous Greek theatre and spectacular views of Mount Etna.

 

San Pancrazio is a venerated saint from the eastern Mediterranean was particularly encouraged during the period of Byzantine rule. The afternoon is at leisure to stroll around the town.

Thu 29 April            Taormina                                   B         Overnight Taormina
Day at leisure to fully enjoy this delightful resort town

 

Fri 30 April                Siracusa                 B          Overnight Siracusa
Today we transfer south to Siracusa, the greatest of the ancient Greek cities with a wealth of archaeological treasures. In the afternoon we explore the old city of Ortiga including Piazza Duomo and the spectacular baroque cathedral which was originally an ancient Greek temple.

Santa Lucia (283-304) the patron saint of Siracusa. Legend has it that Lucia (whose name means "light") was a Christian while Diocletian was persecuting the new faith. She consecrated her virginity to God, refused to marry a pagan, and had her dowry distributed to the poor. Her would-be husband denounced her as a Christian to the governor of Syracuse. Miraculously unable to move her or burn her, the guards stabbed her and killed her. In medieval accounts, St. Lucy's eyes are gouged out prior to her execution. In art, her eyes sometimes appear on a plate that she's holding.

Sat 31 April                 Siracusa  & 'I Pupi'                     B    Overnight Siracusa
Today we visit the Greek theatre, the archaeological museum and the Latomie – stone quarries - with the spectacular hand cut cavern called the 'ear of Dionysis', where the Athenian prisoners were held after the failed invasion of  415 BC. I Pupi in Siracusa

Sun 01 May                  Ragusa Ibla & Noto                         B    Overnight Siracusa
We drive to the Baroque town of Ragusa for a stroll through this delightful town and free time for lunch

Mon 02 May                Agrigento, Selinunte                    B D    Overnight Marsala
Depart Siracusa and travel to the west side of the island stopping at Agrigento and then later at Selinunte, two of the most striking archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. Tonight we settle into our new accommodation on the west coast

 

Tue 03 May                  Mozia, Erice                                 B D     Overnight Marsala
The isolated Mount Eryx is about 750 meters high and dominates the western part of Sicily. From the top, you can see Africa. In Antiquity, there was a Phoenician sanctuary to the goddess Tanit, who was later identified with Aphrodite and Venus.The sanctuary was known for its religious prostitution, a happy ritual - for the farmers at least - which was intended to guarantee fertility to the crops below. In the Roman age, the temple was considered to be dedicated by the legendary hero Aeneas to his mother Venus, now referred to simply as the Madre Dea or mother godess.

The day includes the island of Mozia, originally settled by Arabs

                                    
Wed 04 May                   Segesta                                     B D    O'night Santa Flavia
Transfer to the east side of Palermo at Santa Flavia near Bagheria, where we stay for four nights, travelling via Segesta to visit  the spectacular ruins of an ancient Greek city.  Seafood dinner at our new accommodation in the villa.

Thu 05 May            Bagheria, Monreale, Solunto           B D     O'night Santa Flavia
Today we stay close to the home base and explore the nearby town of Bagheria, once a retreat for the aristocracy of Palermo with many of their mansions and villas. A visit to the Duomo of Monreale and the Cripta dei Cappuccini. At sunset to fully take advantage of the setting we visit the stunning archeological site of Solunto on the slopes of Mt. Catalfamo overlooking the ocean from its perched position. This was originally a Phoenician settlement before falling to the Greeks and then Romans ultimately being abandoned. Dinner at the villa.

Fri 06 May               Palermo                                           B D    O'night Santa Flavia
Our guided tour of the main sites in Palermo include the Palazzo dei Normanni, Palazzo Abatellis, the Cappella Palatina and the Cathedral at Monreale. Lunch at Foccacceria di San Francesco then time to explore the streets around the antiques restoration area.   Dinner at the villa.
Saint Rosalia (1130 to 1166 ) is the patron saint of Palermo.  In 1624 a plague haunted Palermo, and St. Rosalia appeared first to a sick woman, then to a hunter to whom she indicated where her remains were to be found. She ordered him to bring her bones to Palermo and have them carried in procession through the city. The hunter climbed the mountain and found her bones in the cave as described. He did what she had asked in the apparition, and after the procession the plague ceased.
 

Sat 07 May         Cefalu                                        B D      O'night Santa Flavia
Day trip to Cefalu, a popular arty beach town is only 40km away, and home to one of Sicily’s most striking examples of Norman architecture. If the weather is good and the seas are amiable we can use Villa's 18 seater boat. We will have a back-up bus in any case also for the trip back.

Sun 09 May          Departure                                 B

If your flight leaves before this time we can arrange a separate transfer for you from the accommodation. Additional charges will apply.