Your itinerary
DAY 1 FLY TO SICILY
Take an early easyJet flight from Gatwick to Palermo, and then transfer to Castellammare del Golfo. It is a traditional Sicilian fishing town, with winding alleyways leading to a gorgeous harbour. A light evening meal will be served at a local trattoria very close to your hotel.
DAY 2 ERICE & SEGESTA
We visit the medieval Arabic hilltop town of Erice, with free time for a snack for lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit the Greek temple and amphitheatre at Segesta, arriving back at the hotel in time for an evening meal at a typical local trattoria.
DAY 3 PALERMO
After breakfast, we will depart our hotel for a full day trip to Palermo. We will visit the Palatine Chapel, marvel at the gold leaf mosaics at Monreale, and stroll through a typical street market. After a short evening rest at the hotel, we will enjoy a meal at Baglio Fontana, which includes wine tasting and a traditional meal, plus an explanation of the tuna fishing industry.
DAY 4 SELINUNTE
Selinunte is one of the largest and most impressive Greek archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, on a par with many found in Greece itself. Afterwards enjoy a long, leisurely lunch at the fabulous Da Vittorio Ristorante, a fish restaurant located on the beach in Porto Palo di Menfi. There is no set menu – dishes depend on the catch that day. In the afternoon, take a scenic coastal drive to Agrigento, where we will check into our hotel and a light evening meal will be served.
DAY 5 VALLEY OF THE TEMPLES
Depart for a morning visit to the Greek archaeological site, the Valley of the Temples, in Agrigento. A Unesco World Heritage Site, and one of the finest of its kind anywhere, it consists of eight temples built between 510 BC and 430 BC. After a late lunch and a visit to the working olive oil farm of Mandranova (including, of course, an olive oil tasting), we will visit the hilltop town of Naro, with its medieval castle and fabulous views of the surrounding area, made even more special by being off the tourist trail. Return for a light evening meal at the hotel.
DAY 6 VILLA DEL CASALE
This morning, we will say farewell to Agrigento and drive to the Roman Villa del Casale, near Piazza Armerina. We will have a guided tour of the villa, and there’s free time for lunch at the site itself. We will then drive to the south east, where we arrive in the early evening at Modica and check in to our hotel. This evening, you will enjoy dinner at a local trattoria.
DAY 7 MODICA AND SCICLI
This morning, we will enjoy a leisurely morning walk around the baroque treasure of Modica, including a short guided tour. There will be free time for a snack lunch, and perhaps even sample the chocolate for which Modica is renowned. There will be an afternoon visit to Scicli, which features in the detective series Inspector Montalbano, to discover its fabulous churches and baroque architecture. We will return to our hotel for a short rest before dinner. Alex Polizzi will join you this evening for a talk about her favourite places in Sicily.
DAY 8 IBLA DI RAGUSA
Alex joins the group for a morning visit to the nearby baroque town of Ibla di Ragusa, a Unesco gem – and indeed, one of Alex’s favourite stops on the island. There will be free time for lunch before we return to Modica for some time at leisure in the afternoon. This evening, we will enjoy a farewell dinner at the superb boutique Agriturismo the Relais Torre Marabino, a former Norman fortress which produces its own organic fare and wines.
DAY 9 ORTIGIA (SIRACUSA)
We will have a morning visit to the stunning baroque peninsula of Ortigia (Siracusa), with a guided tour and lunch in a typical trattoria. We will check in to our final hotel, leaving you free time in the afternoon before an evening drinks reception.
DAY 10 FLY TO UK
After breakfast, transfer to Catania airport and your flight back to Gatwick.