What are we doing each day?
Day 1 Fly to Palermo On arrival we meet our tour manager ready for our transfer to our hotel, the charming Al Madarig in the picturesque north-coast fishing town of Castellammare del Golfo. We enjoy a coffee stop en route and after arrival at the Madarig, relax over a welcome drink. Later, we make the short stroll to a local trattoria for a light evening meal - our first opportunity to relish the island’s distinctive cuisine. Meals included: Dinner Day 2 Erice & Segesta Today is devoted to two of Sicily’s lesser-known gems: Erice and Segesta. First, we travel to Erice, a walled town crowned by the Castello di Venere (Castle of Venus). We uncover its ancient Greek origins as we trace the medieval lanes past noble palaces and churches, and admire majestic views towards Trapani and the Egadi Islands. After time for an independent lunch, we journey to Segesta to see its magnificent Greek temple - an unfinished Doric jewel perched on a hilltop - and its Greek amphitheatre, dating from the 2nd century BC. There is time to mull over our fantastic discoveries during dinner at the stylish La Cambusa trattoria in Castellammare tonight, which specialises in mouth-watering pastas and seafood. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Day 3 Monreale & Palermo A full day of sightseeing awaits, with guided tours of Monreale and Palermo. In Monreale, we focus on the splendid Norman Cathedral, an architectural wonder awash with 12th-century gold-leaf mosaics. In Palermo, a guided tour through the bustling streets takes us to a typically lively street market and the Palatine Chapel, famous for its marble paintings and glittering mosaics. We cap today with a wine-tasting, traditional meal, and fascinating talk on Sicily’s tuna fishing industry at the wonderful Baglio Fontana, a 19th century agritourism farm framed by lemon orchards. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Day 4 Selinunte & Agrigento We set off for Selinunte, one of the Mediterranean’s greatest archaeological parks, whose sun-baked remnants date from the 7th to the 4th century BCE, and include Greek temples, an agora and residential dwellings. After exploring here, we sit down to a long and leisurely lunch at the fabulous Da Vittorio ristorante, which is famous for its freshly caught seafood and featured on both Rick Stein’s Great Mediterranean Escapes and BBC2’s Sicily Unpacked TV series. Having earlier checked out of our Castellammare hotel, a scenic afternoon drive now takes us to the hilltop south-western town of Agrigento, our base for the next two nights. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch Day 5 Agrigento Valley of the Temples, Olive Farm & Naro This morning brings a walking tour of Agrigento’s stunning Valley of the Temples, a globally important archaeological site awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. Marvel at the well-preserved Greek temples as a local guide charts their history. We then stop at the family-run Mandranova olive oil farm for a delicious olive oil tasting and home- grown lunch before continuing to Naro, a charming town with a
medieval fortress and panoramic views. Dinner this evening will be in a local trattoria. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 6 Villa de Casale & Modica After saying ‘arrivederci’ to Agrigento, we make our way to the Villa del Casale, a UNESCO-listed Roman villa, which houses 40 stunning floor mosaics, each depicting scenes from imperial Roman life. From here, we travel to our hotel in Modica, one of Sicily’s eight Val di Noto towns rebuilt in Baroque style after a 1693 earthquake, and known for its chocolate-making. After an early-evening welcome drink at our hotel, we head for supper at Osteria dei Sapori Perduti, a restaurant just 5 minutes walk away from our hotel, and whose name means ‘forgotten flavours’, so expect a real Sicilian treat for our taste buds! Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Day 7 Modica We join a local guide for a walking tour of Modica; admiring its Baroque buildings as we roam its tiny lanes and staircases, before we visit the Antica Dolceria Bonajuto, the town’s oldest chocolaterie, where we sample some of its classic, rich chocolate. Afterwards, we have free time for a snack lunch. We then continue to Scicli, another Val di Noto jewel and filming location for the popular Inspector Montalbano TV series. Discover its Baroque streets before returning to Modica for dinner at a local osteria. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Day 8 Ibla di Ragusa & Modica The UNESCO-protected Baroque gem of Ibla di Ragusa boasts elegant palaces and churches, and is dominated by the magnificent Cathedral of San Giorgio. After experiencing the town, we return to Modica, where the afternoon is left free for you to sample its sights and shops as you wish or just to relax at your hotel. Dinner tonight is at the prestigious Relais Torre Marabino, an agritourism estate based in a Norman fortress, which produces its own organic fare and wines.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Day 9 Modica & Ortigia
We depart Modica for Ortigia, the island-based old quarter of Syracuse, which is connected to the main city by three bridges. A guided walk reveals its quaint alleys and Baroque piazzas, before a delicious lunch at the Taberna Sveva restaurant which showcases its old-school local cuisine. After lunch, we check in to our Ortigia hotel, leaving the afternoon and evening free for you to enjoy this wonderful town and its eateries. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch Day 10 Departure We transfer to the airport to return to the UK. Meals included: Breakfast The order of visits & attractions may change PRICE INCLUDES Return flights London (specific airport will be advised once schedules are available) Fully escorted holiday Meals as stated above and Handpicked Highlights listed
Purposefully handpicked • www.magaritours.com
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