Sicily: A Cultural Interlude - For Group Leaders

Introduction

Since ancient times, Sicily has been regarded as an island of great strategic importance and fertility. Thus, it was colonised by some of the richest civilisations in the western world; Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Norman, Spanish, etc. The legacy of this remarkable mix of traditions is evident in its outstanding art and architecture, the distinctive Sicilian culture and, not least, in its excellent cuisine.

The capital, Palermo, under the Arabs and Normans was perhaps Europe’s greatest city. The Palatine Chapel there and the nearby Cathedrals of Monreale and Cefalu are masterpieces of Norman architecture with the finest mosaic interiors in the world. Monte Pellegrino, ‘the Mount of the Pilgrims’, overlooks Palermo and is home to the shrine of its patron, Saint Rosalia. On the east coast, Catania, full of grand baroque architecture, lies in the shadow of the towering 10,000ft volcano. Mount Etna. It is the City of Saint Agatha who was martyred there in 252AD and no less than nine churches are dedicated to her.

Syracuse, south of Catania, rivalled Athens as the largest and most beautiful city of the Greek world. Much of the ancient Greek city, where Plato and Archimedes worked, can still be seen; indeed even the Cathedral is constructed out of the Doric Temple of Athene. St Paul, on his way to Rome, preached in this city, supposedly on the site of the Norman Church of St John. Nearby, the City’s patron, Saint Lucy was martyred in 304 AD and below ground are the most extensive catacombs outside of Rome. There are many beautiful and historic coastal and hilltop towns to visit, such as Taormina and Erice as well as other stunning archaeological sites, for example, Agrigento, Selinunte and Piazza Armerina. However, the landscape and flora are among the island’s greatest pleasures. As for the climate, Cicero exaggerated only a little when he said ‘It knows no day without sun’.

This pilgrimage and example itinerary are available all year round for private groups of between 15 - 45 people

Basic Itinerary

DAY ONE

London - Palermo

Scheduled flight from London Stansted to Palermo. On arrival transfer by coach to the seaside town of Cinisi near to Palermo, for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY TWO

Palermo - Cefalu'

This morning we will travel by coach to the enchanting town of Palermo. There will be a guided tour of the old quarter of the town, which is evidence of the city’s multi-racial past, having been ruled by Arab, Norman and Spanish regimes before it was finally linked to the mainland by Garibaldi in 1860! There will be time to have lunch before we transfer by coach along the coast of Cefalu’, where we check in to our rooms at the Capuchin friars of Gibilmanna, for dinner and four night stay.

DAY THREE

Cefalu'

Today we drive along the coast to the lovely resort of Cefalu’, which offers both a pleasant promenade by the beach and a fascinating medieval quarter. Roger II established a town down by the coast in the 12th century with, at its centre, another magnificent cathedral, which it is said he had built in thanks for arriving safely after having been caught in a storm at sea. The striking feature of the interior is the mosaic in the apse of ‘Christ Pantocrator’, which, unusually for Byzantine art, features the human nature of Christ, looking out at the world with a compassionate and gentle expression. What remains of the once magnificent cloisters has recently been reopened and demonstrates much of the skill and mastery that you find in Monreale. There will be time for lunch and everyone will also have time to browse in the medieval town, before driving back up the hill to the guesthouse for dinner.

DAY FOUR

Agrigento

Today we drive south for a day’s visit to Agrigento (the ancient Greek city – state, ARKAGAS) on the

south–eastern coast of the Island, where we will see the valley of temples. The best known archaeological site in Sicily. We shall also visit the 14th century cathedral at the top of the ancient town, and have some time to browse and to have lunch (at choice) before returning to the guesthouse for dinner.

DAY FIVE

Castelbuono - Cefalu'

Today we depart for a trip to the enchanting medieval town of Castelbuono (which is not far from Gibilmanna). We will have the opportunity to browse and visit the 12th century Castello dei Ventimiglia (Ventimiglia’s castle), the imposing medieval fortification which houses the Civic Museum as well as the remarkable 16th century Chapel of St Anne famous for its stuccoes. The medieval church of San Francesco houses the octagonal funerary chapel of the Ventimiglia family enriched by beautiful paintings worth also a visit. There will be time for lunch before we transfer back to Cefalu’ where we will have time at leisure. Dinner will be in the guesthouse.

DAY SIX

Taormina - Syracuse

We make an early start this morning to drive to the exotic resort of Taormina, where we will have a guided tour of the Greek theatre, which dates from 3rd century B.C. There is a wonderful view of Mount Etna and the coastline from the top. Also not to be missed in Taormina are the gardens of the Villa Communale described by many as one of the most beautiful public parks in the world, consisting of terraced gardens of exotic plants and flowers. Over 100 years ago, it was the private garden of an English lady. There will be time to browse and have lunch (at choice) in the town, before we transfer to our three-star hotel in Syracuse (Hotel Del Santuario), situated near to the archaeological area of Syracuse. Dinner will be in our hotel.

DAY SEVEN

Syracuse

Today we will have a guided tour including the ancient Ortygia district of Syracuse, where we will have the opportunity to admire the cathedral which was originally a Greek temple. Lunch is at choice and the rest of the afternoon will be at leisure in Ortygia. Dinner will be in our hotel.

DAY EIGHT

Monreale - Palermo - Stansted

After breakfast, we visit the enchanting hilltop town of Monreale which boasts one of the most splendid Norman cathedrals ever built. The cathedral was built after a vision received by King William II in the 12th century, and its great glory is the mosaics, more extensive than those in St Mark’s, Venice. The cloisters too are not to be missed. There will be time for lunch before we transfer to Palermo Airport for our return flight to London Stansted.