TOUR of SICILY-WEST SIDE/2021 8 days

A unique experience along the paths of the mysterious West, where the border between history and myth is blurred. The ancient Elymian people, the Greeks, the Phoenicians of Carthage, the Romans, the Arabs, the Normans, to name only the most important. All civilizations that have "made" the history of the mare nostrum since ancient times and which today , after thousands of years, we still find them present in the culture of this strip of Sicily. From art to poetry, from crafts to gastronomy, not to mention the physiognomy of the people, everything is the result of centuries and centuries of different cultures, gradually assimilated by what today, with many nuances, represents the Sicilian civilization.

Arrival at Palermo airport, meeting with the driver and the local guide and start of the tour. As soon as we leave the aircraft we will be immediately struck by an intense and enveloping light: welcome to Sicily.  This light will keep us company throughout the journey, highlighting the colors and shapes of this extraordinary region. 

Along the way to reach the historic center, the guide will be able to introduce Palermo, a city with a thousand faces and a thousand contrasts. We will start with the most prestigious of the Arab-Norman circuit, awarded by UNESCO with the title of World Heritage Site in the 2015. The Palazzo dei Normanni, the oldest royal residence in Europe, home of the kings of the Kingdom of Sicily, imperial seat with Frederick the II and Corrado the IV, which houses the splendid Palatine Chapel and the Cathedral are certainly the most representative ones. Caskets of authentic treasures, these monuments recount the ancient glories of the imperial courts that animated Palermo and made it one of the most important cities in Europe. Continuing along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, we will reach Piazza Pretoria, where the Palazzo di Città stands and where the monumental sixteenth-century fountain makes a fine show. But shortly before we will find ourselves at the crossroads of the city, or the Quattro Canti: four corners in a balancing style, arranged on three floors that recall allegorical themes. Continuing, an immersion in the popular heart of the city with one of its historic markets where we will taste the now famous street food, certainly not for weak stomachs. In the afternoon, visit to the church of Santa Caterina, considered the best example of Baroque art in the city. On its roofs, therefore, to admire the city and in particular its historic center from a privileged position. Inside the monastery of the same name, tasting of conventual sweets, the scent of which will capture us well before arriving in the room. Following, a few steps away, the splendid Martorana, a famous church located in the center of Palermo Unesco heritage, will take us back to the Arab-Norman era, a tangible example of what Renan saied, french philosopher, philologist, historian of religions and writer,  about the monuments of Palermo: “like jewels thrown in bulk”. At the end, accommodation in the hotel, dinner and overnight stay

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Monreale, just outside the city, where we will admire the singular Norman Cathedral, third in the world for the extension of its golden mosaics, "it seems rather to be in a vast and regal palace" Gregorovius, a german historian and medievalist famous for his studies on medieval Rome and on his travels to Italy published between 1856-1877, stated in 1909. Read the bible on gold tiles will be an unforgettable experience. Followed by the Cloister attached to the Cathedral famous for its paired columns with artistic capitals each different from the other. From Monreale we will move to Cefalù where we will stop at a restaurant to taste a single dish based on fish appetizers. After lunch, tour of the Norman town characterized by the bulk of the Cathedral, a very important symbol of the temporal and papal powers of the time. Surely disproportionate to the town, but at the time an important symbol of the transition to Christianity on a very long coast like the one between Palermo and Messina. Of particular importance, then, the medieval wash house, used until a few decades ago, a meeting place and exchange of news between the women of the country. Free time to enjoy the typical alleys full of artisan shops.

Return to the hotel, dinner in external restaurant and overnight stay

Breakfast at the hotel, and day dedicated to an unusual and little known but no less fascinating Palermo. We start with the oldest district of the city and its many facets. The guide will be able to accompany us through the alleys less frequented by tourist circuits to learn more about the Baroque, religious, and even noble aspect of the city. The oratories, triumphs of stuccoes, and ancient aristocratic palaces will testify to an ancient and sumptuous city made famous throughout Europe. But culture is also gastronomic and what better way to grasp its aspects than through a cooking class. Tasting of the dish prepared and continuation of the tour to visit Palazzo Federico, a prestigious noble residence, where we will be welcomed by the Counts Federico in person. Visit of the sumptuous palace that will give us many surprises, and at the end an aperitif in the armory. Return to the hotel, free dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to the west to reach Segesta, the ancient political capital of the mysterious Elimo people, who settled in Sicily even before the Greeks. A temple, located in an area

evocative, surrounded by agave and overhanging gorges, wonderfully intact in its perimeter, indisputably Doric but not Greek. The park is enriched by a Roman theater (still in use today) on top of Monte Barbaro, from which you can enjoy an unforgettable view of the coast. Continue to a smaller but very suggestive place: the trap of Scopello, which with its stacks offers an enchanting scenery, often used on TV as a film and advertising set. We will also visit the village, right on the faraglioni/stacks, where it will be possible to taste the typical cunzatu bread (seasoned), an essential gastronomic experience of the place. The afternoon will instead be dedicated to Erice, where you will immerse yourself in the Middle Ages. The city, perched at 751 m. high, with a triangular plan,  preserves intact the structure of the past, with stone streets, fortifications, towers and the inevitable castle, on the remains of the ancient sanctuary of Venus Ericina. The visit to the medieval village ends with a sweet parenthesis: a visit to the historic pastry shop of Maria Grammatico, one of the last witnesses of an ancient culture that gave rise to all the confectionery production of the island. The almond paste, the lemon creams, the fragrant and colorful biscuits are absolutely worth a stop. Accommodation in a hotel in the countryside of Marsala, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Selinunte, one of the most important archaeological parks in Europe, due to the grandeur and extent of its ruins. More than the glory of the gods it seems that Selinunte celebrates the glory of human effort in building a city that in less than two centuries became one of the richest in the Mediterranean. The archaeological remains of 2,650 years ago, the smell, the sound, the color of the Mediterranean and the typical Mediterranean scrub make this place a unique site in the world to be enjoyed slowly.

Then transfer to a farmhouse in the area for a tasting of olive oil, which in this part of Sicily holds one of the most prized cultivars, accompanied by local appetizers.

It is important ot know that In Italy we have 533 Cultivar or olive grafts while 70 are offered by Spain the 2nd country in the world.

Continue on to the Valle del Belìce for a stop in Gibellina Vecchia: visit the old historic center, or what remains of it, or the famous Cretto di Burri, a suggestive work of art that captures the visitor within an unusual and alienating. Transfer to Agrigento, hotel accommodation and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel and visit, together with a sui generis guide, the village of Sant’Angelo Muxaro starting from its small but precious museum. Then, step by step, we will meet the inhabitants of the place who, with their ancient crafts, support the local economy: the shepherd and his dairy, which produces authentic cheeses according to the rural tradition, the baker's shop that bakes fragrant breads and pizzas. Lunch-tasting of typical products along one of the alleys of the town and continuation around the Sant'Angelo hill to visit the Tomb of the Prince, a natural cave set on a rocky spur which in size and shape is supposed to have been an aristocratic burial. In the afternoon visit to the famous Valley of the Temples, "the most beautiful city of mortals". The Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, presents itself to tourists with all its charm: old olive trees and an always clear sky frame the millenary temples. We will start from above with the Temple of Juno in a dominant position; the harmonious and solemn Temple of Concordia in perfect condition, the best example of Doric art in Sicily; the columns of the Temple of Hercules; the colossal Temple of Jupiter, of which unfortunately only the ruins and a copy of Telamon (figure of a giant interposed between the columns) will be admired. At the end, continuation of an anthropological itinerary dedicated to the discovery of the territory and its inhabitants. Return to the hotel, free dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the heart of Sicily, where, among pines, elms, poplars and hazelnuts is located the monumental complex known as Villa Romana del Casale, a luxurious patrician residence dating back to the III and IV century AD. C. and today elected by Unesco "world heritage site". The late Roman villa has a particular plan consisting of four groups of rooms with galleries, peristyles (in Roman architecture, was the portico that surrounded the garden or internal courtyard in the center of the house, usually decorated with fruit trees, water features and small pools) courtyards and thermal rooms. With its over 3,500 square meters. of mosaic floors, offers one of the most extraordinary and extensive known texts of mosaic decoration of the time. Observing the unexpected "bikini room" or the colorful room of the great hunt will give you the feeling of being among the pages of a book. At the end, transfer to Catania airport, in time for boarding.

THE PRICE INCLUDES

• private car available (Mercedes E class or Vito or similar) for the entire duration of the inclusive tour;

• food and accommodation for the driver, parking, tolls:

• English speaking driver;

• 3 BB c / o 5 * hotel in Palermo;

• 2 BB c / o Hotel 5 * Marsala;

• 2 BB c / o 5 * Hotel in Agrigento;

• 1 dinner (3 courses) in a hotel in Palermo;

• 1 dinner (4 courses) in a restaurant in Palermo;

• 1 street food tasting in Palermo;

• 1 tasting of sweets in an ancient monastery in Palermo;

• 1 light lunch based on fish appetizers in Cefalù;

• 1 cooking class with lunch in Palermo;

• exclusive visit with aperitif in a historic building in Palermo;

• tasting of cunzato bread (seasoned) in Scopello;

• visit to the Tonnara di Scopello;

• 1 dinner (3 courses) at the hotel in Marsala;

• visit + wine tasting in a historic cellar in Marsala;

• light lunch based on local products in a farmhouse in Selinunte;

• experience (guided) in Sant'Angelo Muxaro (trekking, tastings, meetings, lunch);

• water with all meals;

• local guide service FD max 8 hours for: Palermo x 2, Monreale / Cefalù, Segesta / Erice, Mozia (Marsala, Selinunte / Gibellina;

• local guide service FD max 2 hours for: Agrigento (Valley of the Temples), Piazza Armerina (Villa Romana del Casale);

• city tax to be paid locally:

• entrances to sites and monuments;

• wine during meals;

• cancellation fee;

• anything not expressly mentioned under "the fee includes".