DAY 1 UK/Cefalu
We fly to Catania, meet our Tour Manager and transfer north to Cefalu and our hotel, where we stay for four nights on a half board basis. Cefalu is a pretty, relatively unspoilt seaside town fronted by a curve of golden sandy beach. You’ll find one of the finest Norman cathedrals in Sicily, its twin-towered facade dominating the skyline; inside are splendid mosaics.
DAY 2 Palermo
We spend the morning exploring Palermo, one of the most colourful and fascinating cities on Sicily. Lying in a natural amphitheatre known as the Conca d’Oro (the Golden Valley) and sheltered by Monte Pellegrino, the city occupies a stunning location. Its eclectic range of architecture ranges from Norman to Art Nouveau and our tour takes us to the Palazzo Reale, where we see the sumptuous Cappella Palatine. Its lavish interior is covered in mosaics and marble inlaid with glass, stone and gold. We also visit La Martorana, a 12th-century church with Arabic decoration; and the cathedral, the last resting place of many Sicilian kings.
DAY 3 Agrigento
Our full-day optional excursion today is to the site of Agrigento, an ancient city dating back to the 6th century. The Valley of the Temples is dramatically situated on a high ridge overlooking the sea and is one of the most impressive ancient Greek complexes outside Greece. We will walk down the Sacred Way; see the magnificent Temple of Concord with its surprisingly well-preserved columns; and the ruined Temple of Zeus, the largest temple built by the Greeks.
DAY 4 Monreale & Segesta
Today we visit the fine Norman cathedral at Monreale, famed for its majestic Romanesque cloisters. The interior glitters with magnificent Byzantine mosaics depicting tales from the Old Testament and the Gospels. In the afternoon our tour continues to the picturesque ruins at Segesta. Here we visit the massive unfinished acropolis, standing proudly on a remote hillside, and the ancient theatre, brought to life again by summer concerts.
DAY 5 Piazza Armerina & Giardini-Naxos
We head inland today to Piazza Armerina. Here we visit the luxurious Villa del Casale, which houses some of the finest Roman mosaics in existence. Adorning almost every room, the mosaics are renowned for their richness and high quality. We continue to Giardini-Naxos and our hotel for the next three nights. The welcoming resort of Giardini-Naxos is close to Taormina and offers a good choice of cafes and bars, a pebble beach and a waterfront promenade.
DAY 6 Siracusa
Our full-day optional excursion takes us to Siracusa, one of the most important sites in the ancient Greek world. It is home to a magnificent Greek theatre, carved into the hillside. We shall also spend some time in charming Ortigia, a self-contained town jutting out on a peninsula. A highlight here is the duomo, built on the site of an ancient temple to Athena. The cool, shady interior awaits your discovery.
DAY 7 Giardini-Naxos
The day is free to relax by the hotel’s lovely pool or explore Taormina, a charming and elegant town, poised between Mount Etna and the coastline. Enjoy a delicious lunch (at extra cost) in one of the many restaurants that make use of local produce including swordfish, ricotta, chillies, aubergines and olives; do some last-minute shopping and, of course, visit the famed theatre. With Mount Etna as its backdrop, this Greco-Roman marvel once rang with the applause of over 5,000 spectators.
DAY 8 Cetraro
We cross the Straits of Messina onto the toe of mainland Italy to the San Michele estate on the Calabrian coast. We stay here for five nights on a half board basis.
DAYS 9 – 12 Calabria
The San Michele estate enjoys a traditional and relaxed way of life and there is ample time to unwind and enjoy the excellent facilities of this lovely hotel, including a nine-hole golf course. During your stay we include an excursion to Altomonte, with its splendid Gothic church, as well as a range of optional excursions:
Cosenza & Paola (full day) Visit the Romanesque cathedral and Norman castle in Cosenza and the beautiful sanctuary in Paola, which dates back to 1435 and is fronted by a long piazza.
Sila (full day) We head inland to the plateau of the Sila Mountains, with their clean, fresh air, spectacular scenery and pretty villages.
Diamante (half day) We visit a local Calabrian market at Diamante for a little shopping and exploration of this nearby coastal resort where modern murals adorn the walls of the whitewashed houses.
DAY 13 Cetraro/UK
We transfer to Lamezia Terme airport for our homeward flight via Milan.