Throughout the centuries new religions have not obliterated the old in Sicily, which has seen fashions in faith wash over it like successive tides.

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 is clearly the survival of the old pantheism in a new guise.

The spectacular hilltown of Erice has retained interesting vestiges, though not the temple to 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.

Palermo   Grand Hotel et des Palmes a 4 star hotel in the historical centre of Palermo nearby the opera house

Marsala   Baglio Donna Franca  an elegant four star hotel, once the country estate of a prince. It overlooks the ocean on the west coast of the island in the Marsala wine growing area.

Agrigento

Siracusa on the island of Ortigia, in the heart of Siracusa's historical centre, one of the most picturesque in Sicily. The main centre including piazza Duomo is easily reached on foot.

Catania   Il Principe a recently restored boutique hotel in the baroque heart of the historical centre of the city a short walk to Piazza Duomo.

Taormina   Shady terraced gardens surround Villa Schuler, our elegant turn-of-the-century hotel. 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.

• Messina's Annunciation in Palermo

• The optional opera *Ask for your tickets now !*

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

• The seaside resort of Cefalu

• The temples at Segesta, Selinunte and Agrigento

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

• Siracusa's piazza - one of Italy's most impressive - and it's temple cathedral

• The ancient theatres at Siracusa and Taormina

• A visit to the slopes of Mount Etna with Sandro our favourite vulcanologist

Sun 19 September          Arrival  Palermo                  D        Overnight Palermo

The tour begins at  Palermo's Falcone-Borsellino Airport (Punta Raisi) at 3pm with a group transfer into the city centre, where we stay for four nights. A welcome dinner this evening in our host city. The one hour flight from Rome to Palermo are easily booked on Alitalia.

Mon 20 September        Palermo                                  B        Overnight Palermo

Our tour of the main sites in Palermo include the Palazzo dei Normanni, Cappella Palatina and the Palermo National Gallery in Palazzo Abatellis holding the totally captivating oil painting of the Annunciation by Antonello di Messina.  Painted in 1476, with a clearly Sicilian Madonna, it can be said that this painting, where the observer stands in the position normally granted to the  angel of the annunciation, revolutionized the way artists thought about the scene. Free time for lunch and to explore the streets around the antiques restoration area.

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.

Tue 21 September         Monreale, Solunto & Opera           B      O'night Palermo

Today we visit the Duomo of Monreale its beautiful cloister 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.

Optional: But highly recommended !

8.30pm  The Barber of Seville at Palermo's Teatro Massimo. Please email me now if you would like one of the tickets in excellent 6TH ROW CENTRE AISLE seats that I am holding. Euro 132 each. There are also tickets available for around EUR 90 also in excellent seats (as at 10 Feb)

Wed 22 September       Cefalu                                         B       O'night Palermo

Day trip to Cefalu, a popular beach town only 40km away, and home to one of Sicily’s most striking examples of Norman architecture.     

Thu 23 September       Segesta                                     B D    Overnight Marsala

We transfer to the west coast travelling via Segesta to visit  the spectacular ruins of an ancient Greek city.

Fri 24 September       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 goddess.

The day includes a visit to the tiny island of Mozia, the most important Phoenician colony of Sicily. Founded at the end of the 8th century BC it soon became a flourishing colony. The name means spinning-mill and the island was a centre for wool working. It was destroyed in 397 B.C. by Dionysus the despot of Siracusa; the inhabitants moved from the town to today's Marsala. One of the most important works of art ever found in Sicily is the Young Man of Mozia, the breathtakingly realistic marble statue of a young man, perhaps an athlete, perhaps Hercules, perhaps Dedalaeus, others claim he is Apollo. Dressed in a finely-pleated, clinging tunic, his insolent hand-on-hip pose expresses confidence in his youth, power and beauty. Dated c. 440 bc, according to some scholars it could be the work of Pheidias. The young man in exquisite cream coloured marble, beautifully worked stands out as a feature of our visit.

Sat 25 September         Selinunte, Agrigento              B D    Overnight Agrigento

Today we visit two of the most striking archaeological sites in the Mediterranean.  Selinunte was once one of the most important Greek colonies in Sicily, established in the 7th century BC and now has numerous temple ruins including one reconstructed - to the Greek goddess Hera. Others may possibly have been dedicated to the Bacchanalian deity, Dionysos. In Agrigento where we stop overnight.

Sun 26 September     Catania                                          B  Overnight Catania 

We transfer to Catania where our tour introduces us to the intrigues and monuments of the city's fascinating central piazza including 'u Liotru' the elephant sculpture symbol of Catania standing on a stone platform and bearing an ancient Egyptian obelisk covered with hieroglyphics that celebrate the cult of Isis. We are also introduced to Bellini's operatic heroine 'Norma' and to Sant' Agata, the virgin and martyred patron saint of the city.
Sant Agata, the daughter of a wealthy Christian family in Catania in the early 300's 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.

Mon 27 September          Mt  Etna                                   B      Overnight Catania

A morning visit to Mount Etna with a vulcanologist, then we return to Catania where the afternoon is at leisure 

Tue 28 September        Taormina                                 B D   Overnight Taormina

Morning transfer to Taormina then free time for lunch. In the early afternoon a guided tour of the town with its world famous Greek theatre and spectacular views of Mount Etna. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to stroll around the town. We dine together this evening at a local restaurant. 
 
San Pancrazio is a venerated saint from the eastern Mediterranean was particularly encouraged during the period of Byzantine rule.
 
Wed 29 September       Taormina                              B D     Overnight Taormina

Day at leisure to fully enjoy this delightful resort town. Dinner tonight in our favourite restaurant.  

Thu 30 September         Siracusa                              B D        Overnight Siracusa

Today we transfer to Siracusa, the greatest of the ancient Greek cities with a wealth of archaeological treasures. Dinner this evening is in an atmospheric setting in a hidden piazza in the old city of Ortigia.

Fri 1 October                  Ortigia, Ragusa                        B      Overnight Siracusa

This morning we explore the old city of Ortigia including Piazza Duomo and the spectacular Baroque cathedral which was originally an ancient Greek temple. In the afternoon we drive to the Baroque town of Ragusa with time for a stroll through this delightful place.

Santa Lucia (283-304 - 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 2 October                Siracusa                              B D       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. Our final dinner tonight in an atmospheric setting in this ancient city.

Sun 3 October       Transfer to Catania's Fontanarossa Airport                        B

The tour ends at Catania's Fontanarossa Airport with a group transfer to the airport arriving not before 11.30am. If your flight leaves before or after this time we can arrange a separate transfer for you from the accommodation. Additional charges will apply.