Ancient Sicily

Ancient Sicily

Here is the key to Everything

Classical History and Archaeological Tours

Ancient Sicily

Here is the key to Everything

Classical History and Archaeological Tours

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Tour Introduction

Nowhere is the classical past more alive than on the beautiful island of Sicily. This wide-ranging archaeological tour, in the company of historian and author Harry Sidebottom, will take us through a millennium of history from the early Greek colony of Naxos (734BC) to the late Roman villa of Piazza Armerina (c.AD320), with its world-famous mosaics. On the way we will explore the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento, the archaeological park and museum at Syracuse and the theatre at Taormina, with its breath-taking views of Mount Etna.

As Plato said, “Sicilians build things like they will live forever and eat like they will die tomorrow” which means that much of our tour requires a certain agility as we explore extensive remains often on our feet for a few hours at a time and an appetite to do justice to the local cuisine. But there will be plenty of time for recuperation as we listen to a series of in-situ talks which put each site in to its historical context.

Background

Sicilians call their island the House of the Sun. Throughout history its climate and fertile agriculture, combined with its strategic location, have drawn every major power in the Mediterranean to the island. The Greeks began their colonisation in the 8th Century BC. The wealthy and cultured cities they founded fought endlessly against each other, and against the Carthaginians who had settled in the west. The Romans arrived in the 3rd Century BC. Having vanquished the Carthaginians in the Punic Wars, Sicily became the first overseas province of the Roman empire. In the 2nd Century BC, the use of slave labour on great landed estates led to two revolts, each as cataclysmic as the more famous uprising of Spartacus. The riches of the island were a temptation to its Roman governors. Cicero, in his Verrine Orations, castigates the corruption and crimes of the most notorious. Under the rule of the emperors, Sicily settled down to become one of the wealthiest and most peaceful provinces of the Roman empire. Every step of the history of the island has left evocative archaeology for us to explore.

Highlights

  • Spend a full day at Agrigento, exploring the magnificent Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World heritage site
  • Visit the Temple of Victory at Himera
  • Explore the Island of Ortigia
  • Explore Selinunte Archaeological Park
  • Visit the site of Segesta
  • Explore Piazza Armerina, which contains the largest series of Roman mosaics still in situ
  • Visit the Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi
  • Explore the mysterious catacombs of Latomia del Paradiso
  • Explore the Archaeological site of Naxos

What's Included

  • Return flights from London (optional)
  • 4 Star Hotels
  • Buffet breakfast each morning
  • A three-course dinner party on 6 evenings hosted by your expert historian and tour manager
  • Two drinks i,e wine or beer at each dinner and a welcome drink on first evening
  • Dedicated Tour Manager
  • Entrance fees for sites included in itinerary
  • Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned coach
  • Tour information booklet
  • Access to the Cultural Experience app
  • Helpful and friendly travel advice
  • The company of like-minded travelers

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart
Fly London to Palermo. Drive to Marsala and check-in to our hotel for three nights.

Day 2: Selinunte
We visit Selinus (Selinunte), the most westerly of the Greek colonies where we spend the entire day exploring its Archaeological Park, one of the most expansive and incredible archaeological sites in the Mediterranean.

Day 3: Segesta and Marsala
An early morning departure to the site of Segesta, one of the most important cities of the Elymians, an indigenous group of Sicily. Next, to Erice, where we make a generous stop for lunch to explore Erice (ancient Eryx) and enjoy magnificent views over Trapani. We finish the day at Marsala, where we visit the Regional Archaeological Museum Baglio Anselmi with its Punic Warship and archaeological remains which relate the tale of the Carthaginian stronghold of Lilybaeum.

Day 4: Agrigento
We spend a full day at Agrigento, exploring the magnificent Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World heritage site which is known for its unspoiled Doric temples dedicated to Greek divinities. This site has served as inspiration for many artists, poets and philosophers throughout history. We visit the Temple of Hercules or Heracles, the oldest Doric temple in Agrigento, from which Cicero claims the governor Verres attempted to steal the cult statue of the god.

Day 5: Piazza Armerina (Villa Romana del Casale) and Morgantina
An early start to the Piazza Armerina, a 4th Century AD villa, perhaps a hunting lodge of one of the emperors, which contains the largest series of Roman mosaics still in situ. We explore Morgantina, an ancient Greek city which was occupied from the Bronze Age onwards. Thence to Syracuse, where we check-in to our hotel for two nights.

Day 6: Ortigia
Explore the Island of Ortigia, the historical centre of Syracuse where we find the Greek temples of Apollo and Athena. We visit the Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi, one of the principal archaeological museums of Europe and the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis with its Greek theatre, the mysterious catacombs of Latomia del Paradiso and the imposing Orecchio di Dionisios. Dinner is not included this evening and you are free to find your own restaurant. There is also the option to dine with your tour manager and historian at your own expense.

Day 7: Taormina
We spend the morning at the Archaeological site of Naxos, the earliest Greek colony on the island, and its museum which houses finds from the ongoing excavations. Thence to Taormina to visit the Teatro Antico which dates from the 3rd Century BC, the “small theatre” or Roman Odeon and the Naumachia di Taormina, a Roman wall with 18 niches dating from the 1st Century BC.

Day 8: Giardini Naxos and Return
Drive to Catania Airport for our return flight to London.

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