2012 Itinerary

Palermo. Fly at c. 12.20pm from London Heathrow, via Rome, to Palermo, the largest and by far the most interesting city on the island; capital of Sicily from the period of Saracenic occupation in the 9th century, it reached a peak under the Normans and again during the Age of Baroque. First of six nights in Palermo.

Palermo. Morning walk through the old centre includes a visit to several oratories and outstanding Norman buildings include the Martorana and San Cataldo with fine mosaics. Drinks at a private palace, usually closed to the public. In the afternoon see the excellent collection of pictures in the 15th-century Palazzo Abatellis. Overnight Palermo.

Monreale, Cefalù. Monreale dominates a verdant valley west of Palermo, and its cathedral is one of the finest Norman churches with the largest scheme of mosaic decoration to survive from the Middle Ages. Cefalù, a charming coastal town, has a massive Norman cathedral with outstanding mosaics and an art gallery with painting by Antonello da Messina. Overnight Palermo.

Segesta, Selinunte. With its magnificently sited temple and theatre, Segesta is one of the most evocative of Greek sites. Selinunte, founded c. 650 bc is a vast archaeological site, renowned for its well-preserved temples on the eastern hill and the acropolis. Return to Palermo.

Agrigento. A full day in Agrigento to see the ‘Valley of the Temples’, one of the finest of all ancient Greek sites, with two virtually complete Doric temples, other ruins and a good museum. Overnight Palermo.

Palermo. Visit the 12th-century Palace of the Normans, containing the Palatine Chapel and Hall of King Roger, both with outstanding mosaics. S. Giovanni degli Eremiti is a Norman church with five cupolas and a charming garden. The cathedral, a building of many periods, has grand royal and imperial tombs. Free afternoon. Overnight Palermo.

Palermo, Piazza Armerina. In Palermo visit the Zisa, an Arab-Norman Palace. Drive through the interior of Sicily. At Piazza Armerina are the remains of one of the most sumptuous villas of the late-Roman Empire, whose floor mosaics comprise the most vital and colourful manifestation of Roman figurative art in Europe. Continue across the island for the first of four nights in Taormina.

Taormina. Visit the famed Roman theatre, with spectacular views over the sea to Calabria and inland to Mount Etna, an active volcano. The rest of the day free: one of the earliest and still one of the most attractive of Mediterranean resorts, Taormina has an area of secluded beaches joined by funicular to the delightful hilltop town. Overnight Taormina.

Messina, Reggio di Calabria. North to Messina to see the Romanesque cathedral, Baroque fountain and the art gallery with paintings by Caravaggio and Antonello da Messina. Cross by ferry to Reggio di Calabria on the mainland of Italy and see the Riace Bronzes, over–life–size male nudes possibly by Phidias, and among the finest Greek sculpture to survive. Overnight Taormina.

Catania. Drive along the coast to Catania, with a fine Baroque centre. Here there are special visits to a private palazzo and a Byzantine chapel, where we have a light lunch with tasters of local produce. Free afternoon. Overnight Taormina.

Noto, Syracuse. Rebuilt after an earthquake in 1693, Noto is one of the loveliest and most homogenous Baroque towns in Italy. Founded as a Greek colony in 733 bc, Syracuse became the most important city of Magna Græcia. Overnight Syracuse.

Syracuse. Walk on the island of Ortygia, the picturesque and densely built original centre of Syracuse and see the Caravaggio painting in the church of Santa Lucia alla Badia. Visit the 5th-century bc Greek theatre, the largest of its type to survive, the stone quarries and the Roman amphitheatre. Overnight Syracuse.

Syracuse. Visit the excellent museum of antiquities in Syracuse. Fly from Catania, via Rome, to London, arriving Heathrow at c. 7.00pm.