MEDITERRANEAN MYSTIQUE

Palermo sits seductively on a north-westerly tip of Sicily, bounded by the cobalt-blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Oscar Wilde fell under its spell, declaring it “lovely. The most beautifully situated town in the world. It dreams away its life in the Conca d’Oro, the exquisite valley that lies between two seas.”

Founded by the Phoenicians as far back as the 7th century BC and appropriately named Ziz, meaning flower, the city blooms with artistic marvels at every corner, delighting visitors with a rich bouquet of Byzantine mosaics, Moorish-style decorations, Baroque frescoes and Neoclassical palazzi. For millennia at the crossroads of civilizations, due to its strategic location at the heart of the Mediterranean, Palermo boasts an unparalleled historical legacy, reflecting traces left by a numerous succession of invaders, all eager to leave their indelible mark on the city. A heady, flamboyant mix of architectural styles attests to the coexistence of different traditions, customs and beliefs and lives on as an outstanding example of a fruitful syncretism between Western, Byzantine and Islamic cultures. The souk-like atmosphere of Palermo’s noisy markets rubs shoulders with the peaceful aura of hidden, hallowed cloisters, tropical date palms thrive alongside the sacred walls of Norman churches, interlocking Arabic motifs frame the glittering tesserae of Christian imagery. While you weave your way into the intricately knotted fabric of Palermo your guide will illustrate the history of the city and explain how a multicultural, cosmopolitan environment led it to flourish and become the full glory we witness today.

A visit to Palermo’s historic street market, dating back to the Moorish domination, will allow you to feel the pulse of daily life in Sicily. Amble through the bazaar enjoying the sensations of the scene: hear the raucous cries of hawkers calling out in dialect to encourage passing trade; admire stalls brimming with a tempting assortment of produce that will make your mouth water; feast your eyes on crisp green vegetables, juicy citrus fruits, the freshest of fish; watch bargainers as they haggle for the best deal. From here it only takes a tiny step of the imagination to picture the sights and scents of exotic wares and oriental spices that Arab merchants would have traded on this very spot 1,000 years ago.

You will then venture along Palermo’s lively streets, cross the Baroque square of Quattro Canti, and reach Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio. This church is renowned for its splendid interior, graced by 12th century Byzantine mosaics. Gaze up to receive a blessing from Christ Pantocrator gloriously seated on a throne at the centre of the gleaming cupola, surrounded by archangels and saints.

A short walk will bring you to the grandiose cathedral dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, one of Palermo’s most extraordinary monuments. Built on the site of a 9th century mosque, in turn erected over an earlier Byzantine basilica, the church is a true textbook of architectural history spanning hundreds of years. Norman towers, Arabic patterns, Gothic arches and crenellations, Baroque statues and 20th century bronze panels characterize the unforgettably beautiful exterior. Inside, heavily reworked 18th century naves host the tombs of the great and good, including kings and emperors as well as the earthly remains of the city’s patron saint Rosalia.

Crown your morning with a visit to the city’s most prized jewel, the sparkling Palatine Chapel, tucked away inside the Palace of the Normans, former seat of the Kings of Sicily. Built at the request of King Roger II between 1130 and 1144, the chapel reflects the rich cultural fervour experienced during the Norman rule over Sicily and superlative artistic heights reached by yesteryear’s craftsmen. The layout and decor of the interior, with its Western three-nave design, slender Corinthian columns, glimmering golden mosaics and elaborately carved Arabic-style wooden ceiling is a brilliant blend of Latin, Byzantine and Islamic traditions.

After some free time for lunch your chauffeur will pick you up and drive you to Monreale, 8 kilometres southwest of Palermo. Completed in 1267, the Arab-Norman cathedral is yet another striking example of the fabulous fusion of different architectural styles and artistic visions achieved in Sicily in the Middle Ages. An astonishing 6,500 square metres of tesserae, depicting biblical tales from the Creation of Man to the Ascension together with archangels, saints, prophets and intricate decorative patterns, cover the walls of the central nave and aisles, culminating with the glorious apse representation of Christ Pantocrator. Don’t forget to take a peek inside the adjoining cloister for a glimpse of Eden: a peaceful garden of palm trees and shrubs surrounded by an Arabic-style arcade.

After the visit your private chauffeur will drive you back to your accommodation in Palermo.

After breakfast and check out meet your private driver at your accommodation and relax on the ride to Sciacca. En route enjoy a guided tour of the archaeological site of Segesta and the unforgettable medieval town of Erice.

The first stop on your excursion will bring you to the fascinating remains of the ancient town of Segesta, situated in an unspoiled setting amidst peaceful green hills, north of Calatafimi. Although Segesta’s early beginnings are wrapped in mystery and legend, we know it was once the most powerful and prosperous settlement of the Elymians, a population that inhabited Western Sicily during the classical era. Your guide will lead you through the ruins and relate the history of the town, from its disputes with the nearby rival Greek colony of Selinunte, through timely alliances with Athens, Carthage and Rome, to its decline and abandonment in the Middle Ages.

Quite astoundingly, after 2,500 years, traces of Segesta’s glorious 5th and 4th century BC heyday still survive, allowing visitors insight into the customs and beliefs of the island’s early dwellers. The archaeological site features two impressive ancient monuments. The extraordinarily well preserved Doric temple, dating between 430 and 420 BC, boasts thirty-six original columns and sits solemnly in an isolated spot atop a 304-metre-high hill. The semicircular theatre, built between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, perches 400 metres above sea level on the northern slope of Mount Barbaro and still continues to stage theatrical events and Greek dramas throughout the summer months delighting spectators with the striking natural backdrop of the Gulf of Castellammare.

After some free time for lunch, rejoin your guide and driver and set off for your next destination. Nestled on the top of a mountain on the northwestern tip of Sicily, about 750 metres above sea level, Erice affords sweeping views of the surrounding landscape extending all the way to Mount Cofano, the city of Trapani and the Aegadian Islands. The town is located less than two hours drive from Palermo, but its culture, history and lifestyle are so totally different from those of Sicily’s capital that the visitor experiences the sensation of having travelled in a time capsule to another dimension. Soak up the magical atmosphere of Erice as you follow your guide through narrow winding streets adorned with blooming balconies and bordered by craft shops, cafes and churches. Every now and then a sudden opening between the buildings reveals a wonderful glimpse of the sun-parched countryside and cobalt-blue Mediterranean Sea beyond. Not to be missed are the 12th century Castle of Venus, built by the Normans on the site of a long lost Roman temple, the 14th century Gothic-style Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta with its splendid lace-patterned ceiling in stucco and the artisan stores selling brightly coloured woven carpets and minutely hand-painted ceramic pieces of irresistible charm.

No visit to Erice would be complete without tasting the town’s delicious, internationally acclaimed pastries. Sugary morsels of Bocconcini di Erice marzipan stuffed with jam, Genovesi ericine filled with cream, Mostaccioli cookies flavored with cinnamon and clove will ensure you carry away sweet memories of a delightful Sicilian day.

After the tour your private chauffeur will drive you to your hotel near Sciacca where you will be staying for 3 nights. Following check in spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Get ready for an educational experience in Sicilian gastronomy and archaeology on this full-day excursion from Sciacca.

Meet your private driver at your accommodation and relax on the ride to one of Sicily’s most highly esteemed estates. Founded in 1995, this winery, together with other five properties scattered across Sicily, belongs to a prestigious family of wine-makers that has been involved in farming for five centuries and whose efforts have contributed to Sicily’s oenological Renaissance. The owners boast a solid reputation, both locally and abroad, as leading and forward-thinking producers, capable of balancing innovative decisions with a steadfast respect for tradition and the territory.

The estate you will visit consists of a 16th century farmhouse located near the banks of Lake Arancio and surrounded by a deep green patchwork of vineyards and olive groves. Native and international grape varieties of Grillo, Grecanico, Chardonnay, Nero d’Avola and Merlot are carefully selected according to the property’s diverse terroirs and expertly turned into red and white DOC and IGT designated wines. It is the owners’ belief that “good wines are made in beautiful landscapes”… find out for yourself as you sip the morning away in this delightful corner of Sicily. Wine lovers will be treated to a tasting of four of the estate’s labels and enjoy a traditional homemade lunch featuring regional specialities. Depending on the season, tasty inclusions might be caponata with stewed aubergines, chick pea fritters, salads, baked timballo pasta, arancine rice balls, a selection of local cheeses and ricotta cake… Buon appetito!

In the early afternoon rejoin your driver and set off for a fascinating archaeological site. Immersed in a tranquil setting on a high plain overlooking the cobalt-blue Mediterranean Sea and the golden sandy beaches of the western coast of Sicily, the ruins of the one-time bustling city of Selinunte are a truly moving and impressive sight. Historians believe the settlement was founded by Greek colonists some time between 650 and 630 BC. Selinunte’s population, commercial power and financial prosperity grew rapidly, leading it to become one of Sicily’s most affluent and influential cities. The abundance of olive oil and wheat triggered a profitable agricultural exporting activity; its thriving port drew ships and wares from all over the Mediterranean giving impulse to trade and to the mass production of ceramic artefacts; grandiose temples in honour of the classical deities began to be erected as an expression of gratitude for such good fortune. The city’s ambitions and expansionist designs sparked the envy of nearby populations and especially of the Elymians from the rival town of Segesta, whose enmity would eventually be fatal.

The ruins you see today have lain abandoned for almost 2,500 years, ever since a devastating 409 BC raid transformed Selinunte into a gigantic heap of rubble. The North African Carthaginians, who considered the city’s feats a threat to their dominance over Sicily, taking advantage of some minor border skirmishes between Selinunte and the Elymians, sent a 40,000 strong army against Selinunte on the pretext of defending the interests of their ally Segesta. After a nine-day siege the Carthaginians breached the walls of Selinunte, destroyed and plundered private homes and temples, slaughtered some 16,000 of the estimated 25,000 civilians and enslaved 6,000 men, women and children. This brutal massacre marked the end of Selinunte’s glories and, although the city was partially rebuilt and repopulated, it never again regained its former magnificence. A second, definitive attack was inflicted on the city by the Carthaginian troops during the first Punic War in 250 BC.

Despite ferocious pillage and plunder, a violent earthquake that shook the area in the Middle Ages and the inevitable assaults of time, a remarkable portion of Selinunte has miraculously survived, frozen for almost two and a half millennia. As you walk past the ruins of temples, residential quarters and workshops your guide will explain how this archaeological site continues to provide us with valuable knowledge about the customs, traditions and beliefs of a bygone civilization. What is striking about Selinunte is that its age-old metropolis is still preserved in its entirety, mostly hidden under layers of sand and earth, thus offering an exciting opportunity to unravel some enigmas surrounding the ancient Greeks. From one day to the next vibrant Selinunte became a ghost town and simply ceased to exist. Indeed one of the most appalling tragedies of the classical world may well prove to be a source of priceless information, enabling us to throw light on the mysteries of our ancestors’ way of life.

After your visit down the centuries turn the clock back to the present day as you return to your accommodation near Sciacca.

Enjoy a full day at leisure at your hotel near Sciacca.

After breakfast and check out meet your private driver at your accommodation and relax on the ride to Taormina. En route turn back the wheels of time and relive the extraordinary feats of Sicily’s early inhabitants on a tour of one of the island’s most enthralling archaeological sites.

The impressive remains of Akragas still stand at the summit of a rocky plateau in Agrigento, remarkable evidence of a once thriving, innovative Mediterranean civilization. You will discover the history of this age-old settlement, from its founding by Greek colonists as far back as 580 BC, to its rise and expansion under the reigns of tyrants Phalaris and Theron. It was then that Akragas became a formidable martial power and grandiose monuments were erected within its mighty twelve-kilometre-long walls. A population of about 200,000 lived in the city, a considerable number for those times. A period of decline and rivalry between Akragas and Syracuse culminated in the 406 BC Carthaginian siege and the subsequent destruction of the city by Hannibal and his troops. Despite successive reconstructions, struggles and lootings that occurred down the centuries as Akragas was taken over by the Romans, Byzantines, Moors and Normans, traces of the city’s glorious Greek heyday miraculously live on to this day and continue to offer a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era and culture.

Your guide will lead you through the ruins and illuminate the past with tales and curiosities of the city’s ancient residents, from ambitious rulers to faithful worshippers. The excavations, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, stretch over 1,300 hectares in a splendid setting, amidst almond groves and centuries-old olive trees. Surviving archaeological treasures include the gymnasium, where athletic, educational and recreational activities once took place; pagan and Palaeochristian necropolises; ruins of workshops, taverns and patrician villas.

The highlights of the site are the majestic Doric temples, originally built between 510 BC and 430 BC to celebrate the city’s military victories and financial prosperity. The Temple of Hera, perched atop a hill affording sweeping views of the countryside and dark blue Mediterranean Sea beyond, was once the ancient city’s voguish venue for weddings while the Temple of Asclepius, dedicated to the god of medicine, at one time attracted pilgrims in search of miracle cures. Not to be missed are the perfectly proportioned and astoundingly well preserved Temple of Concord, the eight surviving pillars belonging to the oldest shrine of Akragas, dedicated to Heracles, and the gigantic ruins of the Temple of Zeus, which would have been the largest Doric temple ever built had its construction not been interrupted by the Carthaginian invaders. The iconic Temple of Castor and Pollux, whose four columns have become the symbol of the city of Agrigento, is also among the poignant sights of this tour.

Although 2,500 years have gone by since Akragas reached the height of its opulence and magnificence, as you roam through the ruins you might well understand what prompted the ancient Greek poet Pindar to call this place “the most beautiful among the cities of mortals”.

After the tour and free time for lunch rejoin your private chauffeur and reach your hotel in Taormina where you will be staying for 3 nights. Following check in spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Explore the spectacular slopes of Mount Etna on an action-packed off-road adventure. Rising 3,320 metres above sea level, the tallest active volcano in Europe derives its name from the Greek term aithō, meaning “I burn”. It is here that the Greek god of fire and blacksmith Hephaestus was believed to have set up a foundry with his co-worker Cyclops, causing volcanic eruptions as he forged his metal tools. Other ancient legends claim that the giant Typhon lies beneath Mount Etna, making the earth tremble when he moves.

Perceived both as a constant threat by eastern Sicily’s inhabitants and, at the same time, as the very source of their livelihood, the volcano has deeply shaped the myths that have grown up around the island, its architecture and culture, and continues to impact life here even today. Devastating catastrophes have indeed caused death and destruction. But the volcano has also provided the conditions for a unique and varied vegetation, the benefit of fertile mineral-rich soil as well as a mine of plentiful building materials which has earned the city of Catania its World Heritage status.

Meet your private guide at your accommodation and hop on to your chauffeured jeep for a riveting ride up the slopes of mighty Mount Etna. Your vehicle will stop several times along the way so you may take in the volcano’s most striking features and enjoy a hike to the top of an extinct crater. You will drive through centuries-old forests, walk across fields strewn with the rocks stirred up by ancient eruptions and admire the amazing views of Mount Etna’s lunar-like landscape. Equipped with helmets and lamps you will also take a peek inside one of the volcanic caves that were created hundreds of years ago by molten lava flows. Your guide will enrich your experience by recounting the history of the volcano and the way of life of those who settled in its shadow, from the earliest recorded 475 BC eruption, through the calamitous 1669 outburst, up to the most recent volcanic activity.

Now, it’s time to head for a winery to savour the fruits of this special terroir. Nestled at the foot of Mount Etna, this estate is one of the most highly esteemed on the island. The winery was established by a trend-setting entrepreneur who decided to transform his passion for wine and reverence for this bountiful but unpredictable territory into a challenging venture. The founder’s family had been involved in wine making for several generations, ever since 1734, when King Victor Amadeus II presented his ancestors with a piece of land as a reward for their loyalty. However, until 1988, when the current owner founded the company, wine was largely produced for private consumption. The new management aimed to create quality wines for a wider market and to make the most of the extraordinary potential of Mount Etna’s soil. Here native Etnean grape varieties of Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante and Minnella blend in exquisite wines which have received many an accolade and worldwide recognition.

Sit down to a traditional Sicilian lunch made with prime quality ingredients and paired with a selection of the estate’s wines, then rejoin your driver and return to your accommodation.

Delve deep into the art of cooking on this Michelin-star culinary class. Under the guidance of a top-rated chef, highly acclaimed by gastronomic critics both nationally and abroad, you will dip a finger into the region’s tastiest traditions and learn how to create a meal in true Sicilian style.

After a period spent travelling, concocting specialities for high calibre guests, including Queen Elizabeth II, the Sultan of Brunei, international soccer stars and managers of the award-winning Juventus team, your chef decided to return to his hometown Taormina to set up what has since become one of the most celebrated restaurants in town. His masterful, creative reinterpretation of regional dishes, strict use of fresh prime quality ingredients and, of course, outstanding culinary skills, soon resulted in the distinction of being awarded a Michelin star. He now continues to delight the most discerning of palates with unforgettable dining experiences, by combining only the best, locally sourced ingredients, such as ricotta and cheese from the Nebrodi Mountains, salami from Brolo, lentils from Ustica, almonds from Noto, pistachios from Bronte, Modica chocolate, capers from Salina and Interdonato lemons. “Research, work, intransigence, modesty and creativity” are the five terms which he frequently uses to define himself and his rigorous approach to a stellar performance in the kitchen.

In the wake of the restaurant’s success, and motivated by the desire to share his passion and philosophy with enthusiastic gourmands, your chef decided to open the doors of his kitchen to both adults and children and reveal his secrets in hands-on cooking classes. Indeed, young foodies too are welcome to partake in this activity, which is enjoyable, stimulating and educational for the whole family. Participants of all ages will discover the importance of eating seasonally and respecting nature’s cycles, develop a critical approach to gastronomy, exercise their sense of smell and taste and have fun recreating traditional Sicilian dishes with a contemporary twist. As your chef guides you through the preparation of a delicious lunch, you will get to know regional recipes, try out infallible cooking techniques and pick up tricks that are sure to wow your friends back home at the dinner table.

As a local saying goes Cu va a mannara mancia ricotta – literally “Those who go grazing will eat ricotta” – meaning “Those who work hard deserve a reward”. After the cooking class feast on the meal you just prepared, washed down with a glass of Sicilian wine. A toast to all the chefs!

After breakfast and check out, which will take place before 10:00 or 11:00 AM, meet your private driver at your accommodation and head for the airport or your next travel destination.