The group members departed at different times, some as early as 3:30am for an early flight. Most were heading back to Virginia today but some were heading to Rome to extend their time in Italy.
Buonviaggi a tutti!
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| Early morning departure |
October 8th: Arrivederci Italia
Sadly it was time to say goodbye to Sicily this morning after a great 6 days in Taormina & Siracusa.
The group members departed at different times, some as early as 3:30am for an early flight. Most were heading back to Virginia today but some were heading to Rome to extend their time in Italy.
Buonviaggi a tutti!
The group members departed at different times, some as early as 3:30am for an early flight. Most were heading back to Virginia today but some were heading to Rome to extend their time in Italy.
Buonviaggi a tutti!
October 7th: Siracusa - The Island of Ortygia
We traveled like the locals do this morning, catching a tiny electric bus from close to our hotel to the entrance to Orygia island.
After arriving our local guide Eva met us & we began a morning walking tour of this most charming part of the ancient city. Amongst the sights we saw were the Temple of Apollo, the narrow backstreets, the spring of Arethusa, & most impressively Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square), home to the cathedral & the church of St. Lucy.
The incredible Duomo is built in an ancient Greek temple & we spent a long time exploring it before moving on to Santa Lucia (St. Lucy's) & it's resident Caravaggio masterpiece.
The afternoon was free to explore Siracusa at leisure - whether it be the Maniace Fortress at the southern tip of the island, the back streets & their many cafes & shops, or the archaeological museum & catacombs near our hotel.
This evening we regrouped once more for our final group dinner. Taxis took us to Ortygia again & we enjoyed a great evening at Dionisio restaurant, a memorable end to a memorable trip.
After arriving our local guide Eva met us & we began a morning walking tour of this most charming part of the ancient city. Amongst the sights we saw were the Temple of Apollo, the narrow backstreets, the spring of Arethusa, & most impressively Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square), home to the cathedral & the church of St. Lucy.
The incredible Duomo is built in an ancient Greek temple & we spent a long time exploring it before moving on to Santa Lucia (St. Lucy's) & it's resident Caravaggio masterpiece.
The afternoon was free to explore Siracusa at leisure - whether it be the Maniace Fortress at the southern tip of the island, the back streets & their many cafes & shops, or the archaeological museum & catacombs near our hotel.
This evening we regrouped once more for our final group dinner. Taxis took us to Ortygia again & we enjoyed a great evening at Dionisio restaurant, a memorable end to a memorable trip.
October 6th: Day Trip to Piazza Armerina & Agrigento
Our destinations today were Piazza Armerina & Agrigento as we took a full-day trip from Siracusa to explore Sicily's interior.
Piazza Armerina, in the very heart of the island, is the location of the Villa Romana del Casale, a Roman villa or hunting lodge that was buried under a landslide & whose mosaic floors - over 37,000 square feet - are incredibly well preserved.
Agrigento, on Sicily's southern coast, was a major Greek city, once an ally of Siracusa. It's religious buildings were constructed along a low ridge, below the city (thus known as the Valley of the Temples) & overlooking the sea. Upon arrival we met our local guide Enzo for a walking tour of this incredible site.
We didn't get back to our hotel until 7:30pm so it was a long day, but definitely a worthwhile day of visits that were enjoyed by all.
Piazza Armerina, in the very heart of the island, is the location of the Villa Romana del Casale, a Roman villa or hunting lodge that was buried under a landslide & whose mosaic floors - over 37,000 square feet - are incredibly well preserved.
Agrigento, on Sicily's southern coast, was a major Greek city, once an ally of Siracusa. It's religious buildings were constructed along a low ridge, below the city (thus known as the Valley of the Temples) & overlooking the sea. Upon arrival we met our local guide Enzo for a walking tour of this incredible site.
We didn't get back to our hotel until 7:30pm so it was a long day, but definitely a worthwhile day of visits that were enjoyed by all.
October 5th: Catania & Ancient Siracusa
Sadly it was time to depart Taormina this morning & to travel to Siracusa, our second destination in Sicily.
Our route took us via the city of Catania, largely built with black volcanic rock & actually rebuilt entirely in the 1700s after an eruption & later a devastating earthquake in the 1600s.
Our guide Eva led us on a short walking tour, including a visit to the cathedral, then took us to the famed & highly colorful fish market - a riot for the senses with sights, sounds & smells.
There was free time for lunch before we resumed our journey toward Siracusa.
Arriving in the late afternoon we dropped off our bags & met our next local guide, archaeologist Enrica, for a tour of the Neapolis Archaeological Park, the location of Siracusa's most notable ancient remains.
This evening we took taxis to the island of Ortygia, the most beautiful part of Siracusa. We had time for a short stroll through the charming streets then enjoyed a superb dinner at a local restaurant before heading back to our hotel ahead of our early start tomorrow morning.
Our route took us via the city of Catania, largely built with black volcanic rock & actually rebuilt entirely in the 1700s after an eruption & later a devastating earthquake in the 1600s.
Our guide Eva led us on a short walking tour, including a visit to the cathedral, then took us to the famed & highly colorful fish market - a riot for the senses with sights, sounds & smells.
There was free time for lunch before we resumed our journey toward Siracusa.
Arriving in the late afternoon we dropped off our bags & met our next local guide, archaeologist Enrica, for a tour of the Neapolis Archaeological Park, the location of Siracusa's most notable ancient remains.
This evening we took taxis to the island of Ortygia, the most beautiful part of Siracusa. We had time for a short stroll through the charming streets then enjoyed a superb dinner at a local restaurant before heading back to our hotel ahead of our early start tomorrow morning.
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