BAROQUE SICILY The stone embroidery

1° Day Catania – Acireale

Your group arrives in Catania not just for a scenic tour of the Riviera dei Ciclopi including the seaside towns of Acitrezza and Acicastello, but above all to visit the beatiful old part of Acireale, where the stone used for the buildings and the iron used for the balconies mingle and create a unique Baroque wonder. Arrival at hotel, evening meal and accommodation.

2° Day Catania – Palazzolo Acreide

After breakfast in the hotel you will go on a tour of the old part of Catania, whose Baroque buildings are characterized by the contrast between the white sandstone and the black lava rock. Next a stroll along the Via dei Crociferi and the Via Etnea, both rich in seventeenth century churches and monasteries, as far as the Baroque Piazza Duomo, from where you can feel the magic atmosphere of the “piscaria” (fish), the folkloristic fish market, in the air. Lunch, then departure for a tour of the old part of the interesting hinterland town of Siracusa, Palazzolo Acreide: the portal of the Church of the Annunziata, the Church of San Paolo, the mother Church of San Nicolò, and Palazzo Zocco, all fine examples of Baroque architecture. Next destination Siracusa for your evening meal and accommodation in the hotel.

3° Day Siracusa – Noto

Breakfast in hotel then a guided tour of the old part of the seventeenth century city of Siracusa, on the island of Ortigia. The Baroque Cathedral, built on top of the remains of the Temple of Athena, is truly beautiful, and so are the Fonte Aretusa and the many buildings facing the sea. Lunch in hotel. In the afternoon a trip to Noto, the capital of Baroque cities in Sicily thanks to the richness of the ornamentation of the balconies and façades of the buildings. When the sun starts to go down, the sandstone turns to different shades of amber, and the narrow lanes in the old parts come to life with the sound of songs and local nursery rhymes. Return to hotel for evening meal and accommodation.

4° Day Scicli – Modica

Departure for the ancient town of Scicli, on the suggestive hills of San Matteo, after breakfast. Lunch in a farm holiday centre then on to Modica, also called “città merletto” ( “lace town”) thanks to the delicate decoracy used to adorn the Baroque buildings and churches. The Church of San Giorgio, whose 250 steps and its magnificent façade make it stand out, is of outstanding beauty, as is also the Dome of San Pietro. Arrival at hotel for evening meal and accommodation.

5° Day Ragusa – Donnafugata

The morning will be spent on a tour of the eighteenth century Ibla, the ancient part of Ragusa, sometimes called the “paese presepio” (“crib town”), where here too you can see many Baroque style buildings: the Cathedral of San Giovanni, the Bertini and Cosentini Palazzi, the Portal of San Giorgio vecchio, etc. In the afternoon you will visit the Castle of Donnafugata, where many films have been made in its rooms and gardens. Full board in a hotel.

6° Day Caltagirone – Palermo

After breakfast you will leave for Caltagirone, famous for its artistic ceramics, and like the others , rich in Baroque buildings. The very old part of the town, restructured after the terrible earthquake in 1693, is connected to the lower part of the town by a stairway (called a scalazza) consisting of 142 steps covered in brightly coloured ceramic tiles. A stop in the atelier of a master potter then lunch in a restaurant, after which you will leave for Palermo, chief town of the island that underwent a strong Spanish Baroque influence until the year 1700. Preliminary tour of the city then arrival at hotel for evening meal and accommodation.

7° Day Palermo – Bagheria

Guided tour of the old part of Palermo whose majestic monuments enhance the political power, and whose finely decorated churches amaze you. The ideal route to follow of this pompous Baroque city starts at the Quattro Canti, at the crossroads of the two main roads , Via Maqueda and Corso Vittorio Emanuele, across Piazza Pretoria, past the Churches of Santa Caterina, Gesù, and San Domenico, then the Cathedral, until you reach the magnificent building work of the Serpotta in the Oratory of Santa Cita. The villas of Bagheria with their allegorical figures, dragons, gnomes and mythological peolpe, are equally amazing. Full board in the hotel.

8° Day Palermo

After breakfast you have time to yourselves if you want to go sightseeing. Depending on departure time, there might be time for a visit to the Dome and the Cloister right next to it in Monreale. Departure on behalf of guests after this.