Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean. Its shores are washed by three seas, the Tyrrhenian, Ionian and Central Mediterranean. Sicily is renowned not only for its beautiful and often dramatic scenery, fine beaches and rocky coves but for its fine archaelogical heritage. The island has had many different settlers throughout its past including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Normans and Saracens.
STS’s classical tour of Sicily includes the most important archaelogical sites and gives an insight into the rich history of the Mediterranean basin.
All of our arrangements are flexible and STS are happy to quote you for any variations you may choose.
Sample Itinerary - 8 DAYS CLASSICS TOUR TO SICILY BY AIR
Day 1
London to Palermo by Air where you will meet your coach. Transfer to your accommodation included in the tour price. Overnight: Palermo area.
Day 2
Have breakfast and collect your packed lunches. Spend the morning in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. The town was founded by the Phoenicians, conquered by the Romans and then fell under Byzantine rule. See the church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, built in 1132. Beside the church is a tropical garden and 13th Century cloisters. Visit the Cappella Palatina inside the Palazzo dei Normanni, it was built 1130-1140 and houses some of the finest mosaics in Europe. Visit the 12th Century Cathedral, built in Sicilian-Norman style. Continue to Monreale - Visit the Cathedral, it’s interior is decorated in multi-coloured marbles, paintings and mosaics. The decor is a combination of Moorish and Norman styles. The cloisters are equally famous, the galleries have beautifully carved capitals and there is also an interesting fountain that was used by the monks as a lavabo.Overnight: Palermo area.
Day 3
Have breakfast and collect your packed lunches. Depart for Segesta this archaelogical site was once one of the main cities in the Mediterranean basin. Visit the Greek theatre and Doric temple. Then continue on to visit Selinunte, the ruins of this ancient Greek city are impressive. The archeological site contains an esplanade around which are 3 temples. Temple G was probably dedicated to Apollo and was one of the largest in the ancient world. There is also a ruined Temple F and Temple E which have been rebuilt in 1958. Across the Gorgo Cottone is the Greek acropolis. There are also 5 other ruined temples in this area to explore. Continue to Agrigento. Evening dinner in the hotel. Overnight: Agrigento area.
Day 4
Have breakfast and collect your packed lunches. Depart for Temple Valley, Agrigento. Of the 10 temples built in the late 6th and 5th Century BC, parts of 9 are still visible. Visit the Temples of Hera, Concordia, Hercules, Zeus, Castor and Pollux. Also visit the Archeological Museum. Spend the afternoon at leisure in the new town of Agrigento. There is a medieval quarter above the modern town. The ancient ruins are on the ridge below. The town was founded in 550BC by people who originated from Rhodes. Return to your hotel in the Agrigento area for your evening meal.
Day 5
Have breakfast and collect your packed lunches. Depart for Giardini Naxos visiting the Piazza Armerina enroute. The immense Roman villa dating from the 3rd or 4th Century is famous for its floor mosaics which cover almost the entire floor space. Arrive in Giardini Naxos, on the outskirts of Taormina. Overnight Giardini Naxos.
Day 6
Have breakfast and collect your packed lunches. Depart for Siracusa. Colonised by the Greeks in the mid - 8C BC, by 5C-4C BC there was a population of 300,000. The Archaeological Zone of Siracusa overlooks the Ionian sea. The Greek theatre, dating from 5 BC, is one of the largest in the ancient world. The Roman amphitheatre is hewn out of rock. In the former quarry of Latomia del Paradiso is the Ear of Dionisio - see also the tomb of Archimedes. Overnight Giardini Naxos.
Day 7
Have breakfast and collect your packed lunches. Morning visit to Taormina - The Greco-Roman site is at an altitude of 250m, forming a balcony overlooking the sea and facing Etna. The Teatro Greco originally dates back to the 3rd Century BC but was later remodelled by the Romans. Also well worth a visit is the Giardino Pubblico, the Corso Umberto and the Belvedere. Optional visit to Mount Etna on this day (supplement applies). The mountain is the highest point on the island. There has been a series of eruptions since 1923, the volcano still smokes and could erupt at any time. The mountain looks like a large distorted black cone, the lower slopes are very fertile and covered with orange, mandarin, lemon and olive trees. Meet a mountain guide for a half hour walk near the crater. The visit to the main crater is by jeep. Also see the Alcantara Gorges. A wonderful landscape created by the cooling of magma following one of Mount Etna’s eruptions. Price on application. Overnight: Giardini Naxos.
Classical Classroom 
STS Classics School Trip, Segasta, Sicily, Italy
Sample Itinerary - 8 DAYS CLASSICS TOUR TO SICILY BY AIR
