Sicily: Crossroads of Mediterranean Civilizations

Fly from the U.S. to Palermo, Sicily

Arrive in Palermo, one of Europe’s most visually stunning and energetic cities and Sicily’s capital. Built around a bay at the foot of Mt. Pellegrino, Palermo was one of the world’s most important cities from the 9th to the 12th centuries. Transfer to the port to board Corinthian II. Spend the night aboard ship docked in port.

In the morning, visit the Cappella Palatina, a wonder of Norman-Saracenic artistry built by Roger II around 1132-40, and the Archaeological Museum, housing one of the most interesting collections in Italy. Notable among its treasures are the famous metopes of Selinunte. In the afternoon, drive to Monreale to visit its Norman Cathedral whose interior
contains a magnificent series of mosaics. Sail for Naxos late in the evening.

In the morning, Corinthian II will navigate the Strait of Messina, the mythical narrow waterway of Scylla and Charybdis that separates Sicily from the Italian mainland,
to arrive in the spacious bay of Naxos early in the afternoon for an excursion to nearby Taormina. Clinging to the edge of Mount Tauro, Taormina looks out to the sea and the dramatic cone of Mt. Etna. A Greek colony was founded here in 403 B.C. and prospered
throughout the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Visit the magnificent Greek theater. Then, spend time at leisure to explore on your own. While enjoying dinner aboard, sail along to the coast of Syracuse and arrive late in the evening.

In the morning, explore Syracuse, which once rivaled Athens as the most important city of the ancient world. Visit the spectacular 15,000-seat Greek theater, among the most impressive to survive from antiquity; the elliptical Roman Amphitheater, one of the largest
of its kind; and the Archaeological Museum, with its rare Sicilian artifacts. Also enjoy a walking tour of Syracuse’s old town on the island of Ortygia. An afternoon excursion brings us to Noto, the best-preserved and loveliest of Sicily’s 18th-century Baroque cities.

Enjoy the morning aboard ship as Corinthian II cruises along the south coast of Sicily. After our early afternoon arrival in Porto Empedocle, we enjoy an excursion to Agrigento. Set on a ridge facing the sea, Agrigento’s series of superb Doric temples are among Sicily’s most captivating Greek ruins. View the Temple of Hercules, constructed in the 6th century B.C.; the remarkably-preserved Temple of Concord; and the Temple of Juno, noted for its graceful proportions. Also visit the impressive Archaeological Museum. Return to Porto Empedocle to reboard Corinthian II and sail to Marsala.

From lovely Marsala, drive to Selinunte, the most westerly Greek colony in Sicily, founded in 650 B.C. The extensive remains of the ancient city are spread along the edge of the sea, with the acropolis built on a terrace above the sea.

Drive to the town of Erice, magnificently situated on a plateau high above the sea. Explore the shops and streets of this beautifully-preserved medieval town, noting the 12th-century Castle of Venus. Continue to Segesta to view its unfinished temple, situated in majestic solitude atop a rural hill. Begun in 424 B.C., it is one of the grandest surviving Doric monuments. Reboard Corinthian II and sail to Palermo, arriving late in the evening.

Disembark in Palermo and transfer to the airport for return flights to the U.S.