Andante Travels

Introduction

This is the very heart of the Mediterranean: ‘the stepping stone between Europe and Africa, the gateway between the East and the West, the link between the Latin world and the Greek’ (John Julius Norwich). This is an island of powerful rivalries and great wealth.

Phoenicans and Greeks fought over Sicily for centuries, after colonists from both cultures had staked a claim on their share of the island. The Greeks expressed their wealth in constructing ever bigger and better temples to their gods, using prisoners of war as manpower. The innovative architectural decoration of these temples of ‘Magna Graecia’ reflect the  reative spark often ignited where cultures meet - and they leave a wonderful array of ruins for 21st century travellers to explore and compare.

This struggle was not fully resolved until another rapidly growing power, Rome, entered the fray. 700 years of Roman rule followed, and their rich villas with exquisite mosaics are a memorable feature of this tour. The Normans, known elsewhere for their austere architecture, here continued the tradition of creating pictures from tiny tesserae, in glass and gold leaf, on the walls of their cathedrals and churches.

Sicily has wonderful archaeological sites, and our Bare Bones week introduces you to the best of these, with time and opportunity to try the local culinary specialities as well. Based in Syracuse, Selinunte and Palermo, there will be lots of choice for restaurants, and time to explore the sites you choose to.

Itinerary

day two
Syracuse was one of the most powerful Greek colonies in Sicily, and famously came into conflict with Athens during the Peloponnesian War and emerged victorious. We visit the Archaeological Park with huge theatre and stone quarries, later used for imprisoning thousands of enemy soldiers, most of whom died. Continue to the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum. Late afternoon walk around the narrow streets of the former island of Ortygia (where our hotel lies). The Temple of Athena still dominates the main square, standing within the core of the cathedral - the 5th century BC Doric columns are an integral part of the later walls.

day three
Free day for further exploration of catacombs, churches, or temples. Or travel inland to the prehistoric Sikel tombs at Pantalica, the grave goods from which are in the Paolo Orsi Museum. Or if you prefer Baroque architecture you could visit the famous town of Noto together with the nearby Roman Villa Tellaro - your Guide Lecturer can advise.

day four
Remarkable Greek outer defences of Syracuse at Euryalus, now some way outside the city on a high ridge. Continue to the Roman Villa of Piazza Armerina, once a wealthy establishment whose colourful and lively mosaics still lie in situ, and can be viewed from raised walkways. Continue to Agrigento.

day five
All day exploring the temples and museum at Agrigento. This powerful colony displayed its considerable wealth in the construction of huge temples along a ridge behind the walls - all those approaching the city could not fail to be impressed. Some of the architectural plans were so over-ambitious they were never finished, and still lie in an abandoned state.

day six
Impressive ruins at Selinunte, beautifully situated beside the sea, including city defences and many temples. The famous carved metopes from two of these are in the archaeological museum in Palermo, and will be seen tomorrow. We then continue north to Segesta, which has an unfinished temple - very informative for understanding the temple-building process - and a theatre high on the hill. Continue to Palermo.

day seven
Morning in Palermo, including the archaeological museum, which houses the metopes from Selinunte, as well as many artefacts from sites in western Sicily. Free afternoon which could be spent visiting the sites of Palermo, including the Cappella Palatina (golden chapel of Roger II), some of the other splendid Norman churches, or the famously rather gruesome but fascinating catacombs.

day eight

Visit the Norman cathedrals in Monreale and in Cefalu, both adorned with walls of gleaming gold-in-glass mosaics. Cefalu was built by Roger II, and Monreale by William II, keen to emulate his grandfather. Both have mosaics which are both impressive in their wealth of gold leaf, and also full of humanity in the way in which bibilical scenes are depicted. The cloisters at Monreale are particulary beautiful, and there is the opportunity to climb to the roof of the cathedral for exceptional views over the plain of Palermo. We then drive back to Catania for a late flight home.

Included

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Flights scheduled flights London/Catania or arrange your own
• Transfers private coach provided to coincide with group flights - join this or make your own way between hotel & airport
• Local Travel Private a/c coach
• Guide Lecturer Not to be confused with "guest lecturers"!  The guide lecturer will be with you from breakfast to supper, and probably even a drink in the bar afterwards.  There is the occasional site where they may not be allowed to guide because of local regulations (we normally manage to circumnavigate these) but otherwise the guides are just that.  They will have been chosen because of specialist knowledge and their ability to communicate and interest you.  After 22 years of making tours worldwide, we are highly appreciative of the attributes of a good guide, and intensely critical of people who do not possess them.  If you would like to know more about  Dr Denise Allen, please click her name.
• Fieldnotes written for the tour
• Entry Entry to all sites in programme
• We tip the driver and if there is one, the local guide, on your behalf

You Arrange

• Flights if you prefer. It may suit you better, and you may get a good deal, on flights from your local airport - see above for price without flights
• Meals except for dinners in Agrigento on Days 4 & 5. Siciliy has a very particular cuisine, a fusion of Italian and Arabic.

Flights & Visa

Flights with BA
BA2595         London Gatwick/ Catania           14:10/18:15
BA2594         Catania/ London Gatwick           19:00/ 21:15
Please note these flights are an indication of what the flights are likely to be. Please contact the office for exact details

Hotels

3 nights B&B in a sinple and stylish hotel on Ortygia, Syracuse;
2 nights HB in a hotel overlooking the temples of Agrigento;
2 nights B&B in Palermo, close to the archaeological museum.

All hotels within easy reach of ristorante and trattorie.

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