OVERVIEW
We begin our visit to this storied corner of Italy on the Sorrento Peninsula overlooking the Bay of Naples. Renowned panoramic vistas of the Amalfi Coast, with a delightful lemon walk, the sun-drenched island of Capri, and a visit to view the results of the stunning 1st century AD eruption of Vesuvius at Pompeii precede an overnight ferry to the island of Sicily.
A less-visited corner of Italy awaits us, a more traditional lifestyle on this fabled island of bucolic rural landscapes, charming hill towns, ancient Greek ruins, and delectable cuisine. Few places in Europe have such a concentrated influence from diverse cultures as this crossroads of the Mediterranean. Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Carthaginians, Arabs, and Normans—all left visible and dramatic evidence of their dominance during various seasons of Sicily’s long and fascinating story. What remains is a treasure trove of archeological sites, scenic Mediterranean island delights, and intriguing traditional Sicilian culture.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Pompeii Archeological Site – buried by the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius, encasing the entire area in a embalming layer of ash which provided modern generations with a nearly perfectly preserved record of the decadent life-style of the 1st century AD Roman Empire.
- Isle of Capri – a lemon-grove covered gem in the Tyrrhenian Sea accessed via a delightful ferry ride from the Sorrento Penisula
- Amalfi – with a surprising visit to the Amalfi Paper Museum and fun walk into coastal forests through lemon orchards
- Selinunte Greek Archeological Site – a Greek city destroyed in a day by invaders from Carthage (northern Africa) leaving behind better Greek ruins than Greece and the basis of the largest archeological park in Europe
- Syracuse – its ancient island center was home to Archimedes, famed Greek mathematician, and provides a walk and visit to the Syracuse Greek Archeological Park
- Delightful Taormina – situated on Sicily’s eastern coast in the shadow of volatile Mount Etna, with a pleasant stroll and an afternoon to wander the charming lanes
