BAROCCO (South-eastern Sicily)
...Discovering the South-Eastern history and culture immersed in emotions that evoke the past..
Program
7 days / 6 nights
day 1: ARRIVAL IN CATANIA
Arrival at Catania airport. Transfer to the farm or hotel.
day 2: - CATANIA> ACITREZZA> ACIREALE
Breakfast, departure for the tour of Catania: the Cathedral and its Duomo square, the baroque Crociferi street, the Collegiate Church, the area of the Convent of the Benedictines and the typical Fish Market (the Pescheria). The excursion continues with the visit to the villages on the Ionian coast of Catania where you will enjoy the wonderful view of the Faraglioni in Acitrezza. They are famous basaltic crags which, according to legend, Polyphemus, who had been blinded, launched against Ulysses during his flight. We will go on to Acireale, the cradle of baroque: the Churches of Saint Sebastian, Saints Peter and Paul and the Cathedral are the pride of this Ionian town.
day 3: AGRIGENTO> CALTAGIRONE
Breakfast, in the morning departure for the visit of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento with the Temple of Concord, the Temple of Hercules, the Temple of Hera and the Temple of Castor and Pollux. In the afternoon return to Caltagirone, famous for the production of artistic ceramics and filled with baroque buildings. The old center, rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, is connected to the lower part of the city by a suggestive 'staircase' of 142 steps decorated with colored majolica tiles.
day 4: - RAGUSA> MODICA
Breakfast, visit to Ragusa, a town of eighteenth-century mark with many magnificent buildings: the Cathedral of St. John, Cosentini and Bertini Palaces, the Portal of St. George, important examples of Baroque architecture. In the afternoon transfer to Modica, also called "the town of laces" because its refined decorated buildings and its baroque churches. Striking the Church of San Giorgio, with a steep flight of 250 steps and a beautiful facade, as well as the Cathedral of St. Peter, the Capuchin Monastery and Mercedari Palace. Worth a visit the "Dolcerie", famous for the typical chocolate of Modica.
day 5: NOTO> SIRACUSA
Breakfast, visit of Noto, UNESCO World Heritage Site and cradle of the Baroque in South-East Sicily. Not far from Noto, is Villa of Tellaro, the remains of a fourth-century Roman villa, whose recent restoration has brought to light the floors covered with extraordinary mosaics. In the afternoon we will continue to Syracuse, the largest and most beautiful Greek colony in Sicily. We will visit the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, the monuments of the fascinating island of Ortigia with its famous Fountain of Arethusa, the Heaven's quarries and the charming Ear of Dionysius, that has extraordinary acoustic qualities. You can enjoy the wonderful view of Ortigia with a boat trip around the island (optional).
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day 5: - ETNA> TAORMINA
Breakfast, departure for the excursion to Mount Etna, the highest volcano in Europe, a real giant that dominates and "protects" Eastern Sicily. Climbing to an altitude of 2,000 m. above sea level, along roads crossing ancient eruptions of lava, you will enjoy the breathtaking view of the Ionian coast of Sicily. You can climb to the summit craters to a height of 3,000 m. above sea level by means of a cableway and a Jeep (optional excursion). In the afternoon transfer to Taormina to take a walk along its charming little streets. This wonderful town was founded in the fourth century B.C. by the Siculi on Tauro mount. It then became a prosperous Greek town which eventually fell under the rule of Rome. The most famous monument is the theatre, which dates back to III century B.C. It is an archaeological heritage of inestimable value and it is a place of incomparable and suggestive scenic beauty.
day 6: CATANIA> DEPARTURE
Breakfast, free time until transfer to Catania airport
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