9-Nights Tailor Made Italy: Sicily West to East - Luxury Tailor Made Travel — CALL

Abercrombie & Kent: Tailor Made Italy: Sicily West to East

Day 1 Palermo, Italy

Arrive in Palermo, capital of Sicily, where you are met by your Guardian Angel and privately transferred to your hotel.

Begin with a privately guided city tour, starting with Monreale's stunning cathedral and cloisters. Proceed to Palermo's Palatine Chapel, a superb example of the 12th-century Arab-Norman-Byzantine architectural style. Afterward, wander through the Ballarò Market, soaking up the vibrant atmosphere. Then, in the heart of the city, discover the Palermo Duomo, built on the site of a Muslim mosque, which was in turn built over an early Christian basilica. Explore the Quattro Canti, where you see the medieval San Cataldo Church with its Moorish-style architecture, and La Martorana Church, decorated with Byzantine mosaics. Then, experience the captivating world of Sicilian puppetry. Witness a mesmerizing demonstration where vibrant puppets seemingly come to life with skillful precision and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Sicilian folklore as colorful costumes and intricate movements accompanied by music convey ancient stories, creating an enchanting atmosphere that transports you to another era.

Immerse yourself in the rugged beauty, dramatic sites and lively culture of northwest Sicily during a full day of exploration. Start near Trapani to view its salt windmills. First introduced during medieval times, they were built to extract salt from the brackish waters of surrounding marshes and salt pans. Afterward, drive through scenic countryside to the hill town of Erice, taking in some of Sicily’s most impressive views, including the stunning Trapani coast and the Egadi Islands. Arrive in Erice, a town noted for its traditional almond pastries, the most famous of which are made by renowned Sicilian confectioner Maria Grammatico. Maria was the subject of Mary Taylor Simeti’s biography Bitter Almonds, a story recounting Maria’s life growing up in a local convent where she learned the secrets behind these traditional treats from the nuns who originated them. Enjoy a visit to the Grammatico Pasticceria where, depending on Maria’s schedule, you are treated with a pastry tasting of these fine local sweets. Throughout your visit, admire the town’s perfectly-preserved medieval character, from its beautifully-paved streets, stone houses and numerous churches to its charming squares and fine city walls. Later, return to Palermo.

Travel this morning to Castelvetrano, where you visit a local tenuta (farm estate). Nestled among olive groves and vineyards, the farm is renowned for its delicious olive oil. Enjoy a guided visit before savoring a selection of oils, followed by lunch on site. Afterward, visit Selinunte, one of the most striking archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, led by an expert local guide. Explore its monumental Doric temples, and view the surrounding landscape and the turquoise sea below from the site’s lofty acropolis. Then, continue to your luxury hotel in Agrigento.

Journey to Favara, a Sicilian settlement that dates back several millennia, to sample its famed culinary delights. Stop at a local pasticceria to try a sweet “pasta di Elena” and learn the Sicilian way to stuff a cannoli shell. Next, attend a cooking class that includes a series of appetizers such as caponata or another local dish of your choosing. Then, enjoy the delicacies you helped create for lunch, along with a selection of local wines. Continue to the nearby Valley of the Temples, the jewel of southwestern Sicily. The impressive remains of five Doric temples comprise this richly preserved fifth-century BC site, resplendent with 1,000-year-old olive trees and diverse Mediterranean flora. Visit the 2,000-year-old Temple of Concord, one of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world.

Set out for Syracuse today, stopping en route in Piazza Armerina to view the stunning mosaics of the fourth-century Roman Villa del Casale. The remains of this beautiful aristocratic estate contain over 4,000 square yards of mosaics, preserved in near-perfect condition. Marvel at the colorful, 200-foot-long depiction of a hunt, in which groups of men struggle and sweat as they capture ferocious animals. Proceed to Caltagirone, well known for its ceramics. Sicilian ceramics date back to medieval times, when pottery was used especially for pharmaceutical purposes, tableware, and to decorate royal or noble homes. Enjoy lunch at your leisure before continuing to Syracuse, where you check in to your hotel.

Today, explore Syracuse on a guided tour that provides insights into the ancient history of the Mediterranean. Visit a vast archaeological site on the edge of the city, a treasure trove of temples and amphitheaters. Discover remarkable Greek and Roman ruins, such as the cave called “The Ear of Dionysius,” as well as Baroque buildings and classic churches such as the Duomo, built upon the old temple of Athena. Continue to your hotel in Taormina.

Discover Taormina during a walking tour. Perched atop a high cliff, Taormina appears to float above the azure waters of the Bay of Naxos. Stroll the city’s narrow streets full of local color and flavor, including its main street, Corso Umberto, discovering chic stores and a wealth of history. Finish your visit at the Greek Theater, from which you may enjoy spectacular views of Mount Etna before continuing your exploration of this charming city independently.

Today, experience iconic, volcanic Mount Etna by private Jeep. Pass through a pine wood to reach a lava cave called Grotta del Corruccio, which you explore by lamplight. Afterward, continue to the Sartorius craters that originated during the 1865 lava flow, and summit a crater rim to gaze at the surrounding volcanic landscape. Continue by Jeep in the direction of Dagala, site of a forest circled by a recent lava flow. Listen as your guide explains the flora and fauna that populate this unique environment. Enjoy a lunch at a local winery, and sample some local vintages, before returning to Taormina.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Catania for your departing flight, accompanied by your Guardian Angel who assists you with check-in.