Eastern Sicily
With the eminent Robin Lane Fox as our chief lecturer, we are exploring one of the most fascinating parts of the ancient Greek world.
Syracuse, once the rival of Athens herself, retains many of her ancient glories, while Taormina possesses an amphitheatre in an unrivalled position facing Mount Etna.
We will be crossing the Straits of Messina to visit the remarkable Riace bronzes, superb life-size statues recovered from the sea and dating the high point of Greek art in the 5th century BC. 2,000 years later the paintings of Caravaggio, and the churches and palaces of Noto, one of the most perfectly preserved Baroque towns in all Europe, show the depth and brilliance of Sicilian civilisation.
We have arranged a number of fascinating private visits to beautiful gardens, of great interest to Robin, and two of the most magnificent palaces in Syracuse and Catania.
Hotel: The first three nights will be spent at the Hotel Des Etrangers on the romantic Ortigia Island at Syracuse. All our rooms in this elegant five star hotel will look out to sea. The remaining three nights will be at the San Domenico Palace Hotel at Taormina. This hotel is famous for its setting in beautiful gardens overlooking the sea and Mount Etna. Our rooms are all in the 14th century former convent looking out across the gardens towards the sea.
Lecturers: Robin Lane Fox and Charles FitzRoy
Tour Leaders: Charles FitzRoy and Caroline Howard