Western Sicily
Island in a Sea of Light
Known in antiquity as Trinakria, which literally means “three-pointed”, the island of Sicily held a deep fascination for ancient civilizations. Exploring Sicily, modern visitors will quickly understand why the ancients held the island in such awe. Sicily formed a significant portion of the Greek empire, was strategically vital to Rome, and was invaded in succession by the Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, French Spanish, and Bourbons, before unifying with Italy. Each conquest left its mark, to create a palimpsest of cultures.
The warm, sunny climate makes its fertile lowlands areas ideal for growing wheat and fruit, while the blue waters that lie around the coast are crystal-clear. The inland hills, green in spring and burnt brown in summer, the heat, the scents and colors of the local produce, the active volcanoes, and the beauty of its impressive monuments all contribute to the charm of this delightful Mediterranean island.
Guests on the Western Sicily: Island in a Sea of Light journey will be introduced to many of the island's spectacular Greek ruins as well as its rugged coastline. Day trips include a visit to see the splendid medieval town of Cefalù as well as the ancient Greek temples of Agrigento, a guided tour of all of the principal sites of Palermo. Sicilian cuisine, one of Italy's most varied, will form an integral part of each day's activities, and guests will have the opportunity to savor both traditional fare as well as recipes updated for the 21st-century.
During the tour many facets of Sicily's rich cultural heritage will be revealed in the style and design of ancient amphitheaters, breathtaking cathedrals, intricate mosaics, baroque palaces, and dramatic churches. And there will be ample leisure time during the 10-day sojourn for ambling through the streets of charming villages; for capturing moments on camera; and for taking an aperitivo with the locals.
Highlights of this journey include:
• Tour the charming medieval town of Erice and see the Norman castle impressively sited on a sheer cliff face
• Travel to the Via del Sale to tour the historic saltworks, where the ancient tradition of harvesting salt from the sea is still practiced
• Marvel at the temple at Segesta, one of the most beautiful and best-preserved examples of Doric architecture
• Tour the ruins of ancient Selinunte, one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe and one of the largest Greek temples in the world
• Explore Agrigento's Valle dei Templi (Valley of the Temples), a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Sample the region's wines at top local wineries
• Enjoy guided tours of Palermo, Sicily's bustling capital, and the magnificent mosaics of Monreale
• Take an excursion to the splendid medieval town of Cefalù, built on the site of an ancient Sicanian and Greek settlement.
• Visit a traditional puppet theater where four generations of artisans have worked to produce shows based on the popular picaresque stories of chivalry,
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