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SPRING TOUR.
GENOVA'S GRAND TOUR OF SICILIA
MAY 9TH TO 20TH*
FRIDAY, MAY 10TH, DAY ONE
ARRIVAL
At Palermo Airport 4:30 p.m. Drive to Hotel.
SUPPER
Suggestion unusual old Sicilian style food at Trattoria Tipica Altri Tempi, Via Sammartine 65-67, Palermo 091 323 480
EVENING
We might either do a walking tour or a van tour of downtown Palermo that evening.
HOTEL
Hotel Porta Felice
Via Butera 45
90133 Palermo, Italy
+39 091 617.56.78
info@hotelportafelice.it
http://hotelportafelice.it/en/
SATUDAY, MAY 11TH, DAY TWO
MORNING
We will start at the City Council Square, which has been adorned for more than 400 years with the Pretoria Fountain. Close
by is the Piazza Bellini. There we admire the two small Norman churches La Martorana and San Cataldo, architectural jewels
from Medieval times.
We then visit the baroque square Quattro Canti right in the heart of the old city. We move up the street to the Palermo
Cathedral. This monumental edifice from the 12th century has been rebuilt several times since. Through the Bonanno Park with
its palm trees, an artificially created oasis in to the Norman Royal Palace with its Palatine Chapel of King Roger II famous
for its Byzantine mosaics and wooden Arabic Muqarna-ceiling.
We will also walk through the narrow streets of the Jewish quarter and its fascinating remains. We will visit to the site
of the Synagogue and with the help of some descriptions made by Jewish mediaeval travelers, we will discover the biggest Jewish
community of Palermo.
Travel over the famous Teatro Massimo and its restaurant district.
LUNCH
A restaurant the group agrees to or on your own.
AFTERNOON
Travel 15 km to the Cathedral of Monreale which is one of the greatest examples of Norman architecture in the world. The
monumental complex, consisting of the Basilica, the monastery and the Royal Palace was built in the twelfth century. The interior
of the church has scenes from the Bible in golden mosaics while the monastery's open court yard is one of the most beautiful
I have ever seen. The church is a national monument of Italy and one of the most important attractions of Sicily.
SUPPER
A restaurant the group agrees to or on your own.
EVENING
Free to wander on your own.
HOTEL
Hotel Porta Felice
Via Butera 45
90133 Palermo, Italy
+39 091 617.56.78
info@hotelportafelice.it
http://hotelportafelice.it/en/
SUNDAY, MAY 12TH, DAY THREE
MORNING
Visit to Market. Walking Tour visiting Palermo the capital of Sicily, one of the richest towns in Sicily for history,
tradition and art. We will start the visit to “Mercato del Capo-Capo Market”, a large street market that
captures some of the spirit of the city’s Saracens past. The most colourful part of this market converges around
Piazza Beati Paoli and the stalls wind toward the old gate, Porta Carini that used to be part of the city wall surrounding
Palermo.
LUNCH
Eat in Market or Monreale.
AFTERNOON
Drive to Trapani visit Segesta on the way.
Segesta It looks as if it were built yesterday. Segesta's ancient Greek temple can make a valid claim to being the best
preserved in the world, and its amphitheatre boasts a hilltop position on Mount Barbaro second to none. The archeological
site, about seventy kilometers southwest of Palermo, reflects the presence of several ancient civilizations, beginning with
the elusive Elymians. While the magnificent Doric temple, though (strictly speaking) never completed - as the roof was never
added and the pillars never fluted - is impressive, it is just the highlight of a large archeological park
SUPPER
On your own or I can recommend any number of places on the main street.
EVENING
We are one block from the pedestrianized main street of Trapani called Corso Vittorio Emanuele, or sometimes Rua Grande
by the locals. Many elegant baroque buildings are found along this street, which makes for a grand promenade. At the eastern
end of the street is the Palazzo Senatorio, the 17th-century town hall, done up in pinkish marble. The street is oriented
east to west. On a certain day the sun rises at the east end of the street and sets at the west end of the street.
HOTEL
HOTEL LA GANCIA
http://www.lagancia.com/en/Trapani-Sicily-Italy-and-surroundings.aspx
MONDAY, MAY 13TH, DAY FOUR
MORNING
Visit village of Erice a spectacular, naturally fortified position high above the natural harbour of Trapani, that it
is not surprising that the site has been occupied for millennia. It's perhaps not surprising either, that with the crag's
veil of shifting clouds and air of mystery it was an important sacred site. There was a temple of Venus here which outlasted
the different civilizations holding sway in the area. The female divinity to which the shrine was dedicated changed slightly
with each culture: Astarte for the Phoenicians, Aphrodite for the Greeks and Venus for the Romans. Fertility rites would probably
have taken place on or around the temple site, at the highest point of the town.
Erice was probably founded by the Elymians, a native Sicilian people who also built the nearby town and temple of Segesta.
After the Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans, the town was later ruled by the Arab, then the Norman rulers of Sicily. For the
Arabs it was Gebel-Hamed, for the Normans and their successors Monte San Giuliano, then in the 1930s the town became one of
several in Italy to be renamed under Mussolini in honour of its ancient past, and Monte San Giuliano, formerly Eryx, became
Erice. Nowadays as well as Catholic churches there are also monuments to new gods on the heights of Erice: gigantic communications
masts.
LUNCH
Restaurant in Erice
AFTERNOON
Travel along the coast passing some of Europe's oldest salt marshes, and is still home to some of the windmills once used
to drain water from the basins (containing ponds). Drawing salt from water remains a slow process, similar to desalination,
something talked about more and more with the serious water supply problems confronting Sicily. The evaporation procedure
utilizes the flat marshlands of Trapani's coast and the long, dry Sicilian summers.
The new city, Gibellina Nuova, was rebuilt some 11 kilometres (7 mi) distant from the old one. The new city was designed
by many of the most prominent artists and architects in Italy, but done in a piecemeal fashion so that the parts of the new
city bear little relation to one another or to the indigenous architecture of Sicily.
Time allowing passing through Salemi and the ancestral home of your guide Vita.
SUPPER
In Trapani
EVENING
HOTEL
HOTEL LA GANCIA
http://www.lagancia.com/en/Trapani-Sicily-Italy-and-surroundings.aspx
TUESDAY, MAY 14TH, DAY 5
MORNING
Visit Marsala and winery where the famous Marsala wine comes from. The town is also famous for the initial landing of
Garibaldi when he fought across Sicily and onto the mainland to unify Italy. It is built on the ancient ruins of the Carthaginian
city of Lilybaion which is Latin means "the town that looks to Libya".
Travel down the coast to Mazara del Valo.
LUNCH
In Mazzara del Vallo
AFTERNOON
Mazara del Valo is vaguely redolent of a North African kasbah (and still bearing the Casbah name), Mazara's historic quarter
is a labyrinth of narrow streets, sprinkled with magnificent baroque and Norman-period buildings. It's small enough that you
won't ever really get lost, and the dilapidated old buildings give it a rugged charm. Mazara was one of the key cities of
Saracen Sicily and the North African influence is still strongly felt here – the town has one of the highest percentages
of immigrants in Italy, with hundreds of people from Tunisia and Maghreb arriving annually to work on Mazara's fishing fleet.
In summer, Mazara is inundated with holidaymakers who head straight to Tonnarella beach, on the western side of the city.
Travel to Selunite
SUPPER
Any number of restaurants to choose from on the seashore
EVENING
A walk along the beach.
HOTEL
Hotel Ademto
Via Palinuro 3
Marinella di Selinunte
info@hoteladmeto.it
http://www.hoteladmeto.it/en/hotel.html#T
0924 46796
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, DAY 6
MORNING
Tour the 40 acres that make Selunite Archeological site. This site contains five temples centered on a acropolis Of the
five temples, only the Temple of Hera, also known as "Temple E", has been re-erected.
The life of Selinunte was very short. Built by the Greeks, was involved in a bitter rivalry with Segesta, before the Romans
destroyed it around 250 BC, after only two hundred years of history, but the remains of the city are still a very imposing
presence. The Archaeological Park of Selinunte is in fact, with its 1700 square meters, the largest in Europe. The site is
divided into three areas: the Acropolis, dedicated to the worship of gods, the Sanctuary of Demeter Malophoros, whose cult
was widespread at the time, and the area of the eastern hill, with its magnificent temples and shrines.
LUNCH
In Selinunte before departure.
Travel to Agrigento.
AFTERNOON
Agrigento the Valley of the Temples the fascination of ancient history blends with the beauty of nature. The sea on one
side, the old city-hill on the other, the majestic Doric style temples rising in the center of it all, and the tones of the
tufo with which they are constructed create a picture-perfect setting.
SUPPER
At nearby Porto Empedolce on the sea.
EVENING
Walk by the seaside and relax.
HOTEL
Hotel Grand Mose
Viale Leonardo Sciascia
Agrigento
0922 608388
http://www.iashotels.com/index.php?l=en
grandhotelmose@iashotels.com
THURSDAY, MAY 16, DAY 7
MORNING
Drive over to Piazza Armerina. This 3rd-century Roman villa features more than 40 beautiful mosaic floors, making it one
of the most cherished open-air museums in the region.
LUNCH
Lovely restaurant beside ruins at Trattoria Ruota.
AFTERNOON
Drive over to Taormina one of Sicily's top travel destinations since it became part of the European Grand Tour in the
19th century and Sicily's first resort. Taormina has remnants of its Greek and Roman habitation, a fine medieval quarter and
castle ruins, and modern shops and restaurants. We will visit the former Jewish section and the site of the great Synagogue.
Perched on the side of Monte Tauro, the town offers fantastic views of the coast and Mt. Etna volcano. Below the town are
excellent beaches where you can swim in the clear ++sea water.
The climate is a dream, its position, perfect panoramas, monuments and luxurious flora and fauna render Taormina a location
admired by all who visit it. The city lies on a terrace, with a view of the ancient Amphitheater against a backdrop of citrus
groves with Mount Etna engulfed in the glory of the Ionian Seabeyond. Our hotel is just off the main street and steps away
from the Amphitheater.
We've taken to describing Taormina, a nineteenth century haunt of the English aristocracy, as a Sicilian Monte Carlo,
without the casino or royal family. But anybody who has been to Monte Carlo, or even Positano (on the Amalfitan coast south
of Naples), will find Taormina faintly similar yet very different. It has long been Sicily's most famous resort town. It was
here, in romantic Taormina, that a self-exiled D.H. Lawrence was inspired to write Lady Chatterly's Lover, one of the most
passionate and erotic love stories of its era. Taormina has endlessly winding medieval streets and tiny passages, each with
its own secrets - great restaurants, cafés and ice cream bars.
There are a number of restaurants that offer seafood, exceptional pizza and other local cuisine. Taormina's main streets
are full of places to buy craft items, especially fashion, jewelry, ceramics, mosaics, puppets and even porcelain dolls. While
few of these items are actually made at Taormina, many are of the highest quality. The beach at Giardini-Naxos is a short
cable car ride down to the sea.
An orientation tour with Jewish highlights pointed out.
SUPPER
Any number of restaurants in Taormina.
EVENING
Continued touring of Taormina along its main street called Corso Umberto with group or on your own.
HOTEL
HOTEL TAODOMUS
Corso Umberto, 224, 98039
Taormina ME, Italy
http://www.hoteltaodomustaormina.com/it/index.php
FRIDAY, MAY 17TH, DAY 8
MORNING
Wander Taormina on your own and take in the main street and the Greco Roman Theatre or take a cable car down to the seaside
or take a day trip to Mt Etna.
LUNCH
My suggestion or you are on your own.
AFTERNOON
Wander Taormina on your own.
SUPPER
Tour with Bill or you are on your own.
EVENING
Continued touring of Taormina with group or on your own. Stay in Taormina.
HOTEL
HOTEL TAODOMUS
Corso Umberto, 224, 98039
Taormina ME, Italy
http://www.hoteltaodomustaormina.com/it/index.php
SATURDAY, MAY 18TH, DAY 9
MORNING (Early morning drive 8 a.m. to Syracuse).
Drive south to Syracuse one of the most historic cities in Sicily, the capital of the province of Syracuse. The city is
notable for its rich Greek history, culture, amphitheatres, architecture, and as the birthplace of the preeminent mathematician
and engineer Archimedes. The vibrant modern city is interesting as well and Ortygia Island has ruins and a small historic
center.
Ortygia is a small island which is the historical centre of the city of Syracuse Sicily. The island, also known as Città
Vecchia (Old City), contains many historical landmarks. The name originates from the Ancient Greek ortyx which means "Quail".
Ortygia is located at the eastern end of Syracuse and is separated from it by a narrow channel. Three bridges connect the
island to mainland Sicily. The island is an extremely popular place for tourism, shopping, entertainment and also a residential
area.
A familiarization tour with Syracuse and some of the sights. Highlighted will be the fountain of Arethusa, the Temple
of Apollo, Piazza del Duomo, and the great Cathedral incorporating the Doric columns of the Temple of Athena that once stood
on the same spot.
Many Jewish highlights are to be found in Ortygia. Up until their expulsion by the Spanish sovereign occurred in 1492,
Jews constituted a very important part of Syracuse, amounting at times to a third of the population, which is to say several
thousand people. The Jewish community of Syracuse was, in fact, the most populous in Sicily after that of Palermo.. The Jewish
presence in Syracuse is already documented in Roman times and counted among its ranks numerous and rich merchants and bankers.
These neighborhoods were called in Italian "Giudecche" ("Jewries"), and that of Syracuse is defined
by the principal street that continues to bear the name today of "Via della Giudecca". Here arose not only homes
but also the seat of the community: the synagogue, the schools, the kosher butchers’ shops and bakeries, in short,
everything that was of service to the Jewish community Many buildings were constructed around a courtyard at the center of
which, according to ancient custom, soared a palm tree and a citrus tree, that in several cases survive even today.
Actually, many apparently modern buildings have incorporated the structures of the Jewish period, as is revealed little
by little by the restoration work that was done in this part of Ortigia. Thanks to this work the discoveries (and surprises)
are not few. The most sensational is that of the Mikvah (ritual Jewish bath).. Recent discoveries moreover made it possible
to locate the space occupied by the synagogue (which was previously identified with the church of San Filippo the Apostle)
in the church of San Giovanni Battista (San Giovannello), transformed into the church of the community of newly baptized who
stayed put.
The newly renovated Museum Bellomo host a fine collection of painting and sculpture from over the years created in the
Syracuse area. At the entrance are three Jewish sarcophagus which have been brought from other sites in the Syracuse area.
LUNCH
My suggestion for group a great fish restaurant on harbours edge next to the fountain of Artemis or you are on your own.
AFTERNOON
Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum. This is the most extensive archaeological museum in Sicily, with its wide collection
of fossils and figures of Ancient Syracuse including the famous statue "Venus Anadiomene," in which Venus rises
from the sea. It tells the story of Sicily from caveman through all its civilizations to the present time. When you visit
archeological parks here are the objects that were removed from these sites.
SUPPER
Tour with Bill as a group visiting another fabulous restaurant throughout Syracuse or you are on your own.
EVENING
Continued touring of Syracuse with group or on your own. Stay in Syracuse right on the harbour.
HOTEL
Grand Hotel Ortigia
Viale Massini 12
Syracuse
0931 464600
http://www.grandhotelortigia.it/index.php?lang=en
info@grandhotelortigia.it
SUNDAY, MAY 19TH, DAY 10
MORNING
Visit the Saturday morning market early and is optional. I am up at 7 a.m. Depending on the time of the year they might
have a whole carcass of a large tuna which they butcher on the street. The blood runs down the gutters into the sewers. You
can say you saw in Sicily that the streets ran red with blood. Continue visiting on your own or revisit some of the sites
from the day before or wander on your own into the many art shops, churches museums and passageways.
Next is the Syracuse's Archaeological Park contains the town's most important Greek and Roman buildings. Included are
the Greek Theatre, ancient quarries including the Ear of Dionysius, the Roman amphitheatre, the altar of Heron on which 1,000's
of animals were sacrificed at once.
LUNCH.
My suggestion or dine on your own.
Travel to Cefalu.
AFTERNOON
Take a tour with me. Beautiful Cefalù offers a rare combination of tourist attractions: one of Sicily's finest beaches
side-by-side with one of its greatest Arab-Norman architectural masterpieces. The squares, streets and churches of this medieval
town are so postcard-pretty that it's no wonder director Giuseppe Tornatore chose to set parts of his much-loved film Cinema
Paradiso here.
You won't be alone in admiring Cefalù's honey-hued stone buildings, mosaic-adorned cathedral and dramatic mountain backdrop;
during summer, holidaymakers from all over Europe flock here to relax in resort hotels, stroll the narrow cobbled streets
and sun themselves on the long sandy beach.
The town is perfectly suited to slow, pedestrianised exploration. The little port is lined with fishing boats and populated
with fishermen who can be observed maintaining their boats, mending their nets and discussing the day's catch. The lungomare
(seafront promenade) is popular for the passeggiata (evening stroll), as is the main street, Corso Ruggero
SUPPER
fabulous restaurant throughout Cefalu or you are on your own.
EVENING
Hotel Riva del Sole;
Viale Lungomare G. Giardina, 25, 90015 Cefalù PA, Italy
+39 0921 421230
SUNDAY, OCT 22ND, DAY ELEVEN
MORNING
Free time as well to tour Cefalu.
LUNCH
Dine with group or on your own.
AFTERNOON
Travel to Hotel Magaggiari.
SUPPER
Dine with group or on own.
EVENING
Hotel Magaggiari
Via Impastato Peppino, 7, 90045 Cinisi PA, Italy
hotelmagaggiari.com
+39 091 866 5351
MONDAY, OCT 23, DAY ELEVEN
MORNING
Leave for at 7 a.m. airport for departure at 10:30 a.m.
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR BILL GENOVA
IN SICILY
PHONE; Determined when SIM card bought.
EMAIL; billgenova@gmail.com
IN CANADA
PHONE; 416-367-0380
EMAIL; billgenova@gmail.com
*ITINERARY MAY VARY.
*ALL TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS BY ONTARIO SARRACINI TRAVEL TICO REGISTRATION NO. 50014459.
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