DAILY ITINERARY: 

Day 1 - DEPART US
Depart the US on your overnight flight(s) to Palermo, Italy.

Day 2 - ARRIVE PALERMO
Arrive at Palermo airport. There you will meet your guide, and transfer to our centrally located hotel. Time to freshen up, and then enjoy an introductory talk from our accompanying study leader, Professor Perani, before a Welcome Dinner of local Sicilian specialties. Hotel Principe di Villafranca (D)

Day 3 - PALERMO
Today enjoy a morning guided visit around the historic city center, including visits to the synagogue and the Jewish Quarter, ‚Mosquita‛. We also visit the imposing 12thc castle of Zisa, built in the Norman Arab style, which still holds Hebrew inscriptions. Lunch is at your leisure in the city center. Afterwards, join your study leader for a visit to the Duomo and the Norman Palace, where we discuss the role of the Jewish community through the centuries. Later, partake in a cooking lesson and dinner at a local trattoria. Hotel Principe di Villafranca (B,D)

Day 4 – PALERMO
Our morning guided sightseeing takes us to one of Europe’s greatest architectural treasures, the cathedral of Monreale, situated in Palermo’s outskirts, housing magnificent mosaics and traces of the Jewish community that flourished here until the 16th century. Later, we visit the Museo Civico to view rich documentation about Sicily’s Jewish communities through the ages. Hotel Principe di Villafranca (B,D)

Day 5 – ERICE - TRAPANI
Depart this morning by coach to the atmospheric medieval town of Erice. Walking through the cobblestoned streets of this ancient town, a variety of delicious aromas waft from the numerous pastry shops, including that of internationally renowned pastry chef, Maria Grammatico, who shares with us some of her cooking secrets. In Trapani, visit the Ferdelliana Library to view the oldest manuscript of the Qabbalah known in Western Europe. Walk through the Giudecca at the Ciambra Palace. At the Pepoli Museum, see an artisanal collection of Judaic-Arabi coral jewelery. Hotel Principe di Villafranca (B,D)

Day 6 – AGRIGENTO - PIAZZA ARMERINA
Travel to the incredible ruins of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This ancient Greek site was one of the leading cities of the Magna Graecia before it was sacked by the Romans and the Carthaginians in the third century B.C. Explore beautifully preserved temples to Zeus, Castor and Pollux, and Heracles. Sit down to a specially arranged lunch in the Kolymbetra Garden, just steps from the ruins. Then journey by coach into the mountainous interior of the island to another UNESCO World Heritage site - that of Villa Romana del Casale at Piazza Armerina. Arrive early evening at our hotel nearby, with the rest of the day at your leisure. Hotel Villa Gussio (B, L)

Day 7 - PIAZZA ARMERINA - SIRACUSA
Head to Noto, a charming town that was restored with fine architectural details after its near destruction in the earthquake of 1693. On a walking tour, view the decorative facades and balconies, as well as a wealth of frescoes and paintings that have earned the town UNESCO World Heritage status. Continue to Siracusa, stopping en route to wander through the Roman villa of Tellaro, a recently opened site with beautiful mosaics. Arrive in historic Siracusa late this afternoon and check into our centrally located hotel, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Grand Hotel Ortigia (B, D)

Day 8 - SIRACUSA
Venture down the winding streets of Ortigia, an ancient town linked to Siracusa and the mainland by a bridge, accompanied by your local guide. Pass the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, which served as a church and a mosque, and the ‘Giudecca’, with its synagogue. Visit the Catacombs in Vigna Cassia, and the oldest Mikveh in Western Europe, still with flowing water, that was discovered only in 1999 and dates back to the 7th century. This afternoon, examine treasures of the Archaeological Park, dating back to a Corinthian settlement from 734 B.C.E. Grand Hotel Ortigia (B, D)

Day 9 – SIRACUSA - CATANIA - TAORMINA
After a morning lecture about the region’s Jewish and Roman history, visit the museum dedicated to Jewish Archeologist Paolo Orsi, where we view many important Jewish relics. Drive to Catania, to visit the Castello Ursino, where two menorahs were inserted on the castle’s towers. Later, we arrive at the seaside town of Taormina and take a guided walking tour, including the impressive Greco-Roman amphitheater. Enjoy a free evening to explore on your own. Villa Sant'Andrea (B, L)

Day 10 – TAORMINA - AGIRA
Europe's largest active volcano Mount Etna, dominates eastern Sicily and is a landmark far and wide. Ascend by cable car and then by jeep to the rim of the volcano, for some incredible views of the island. After descending again, travel to the mountain village of Agira, where one of the oldest holy arks (circa 1454) or ‘Aron’, a repository for Torah scrolls, can be found stored for safe-keeping in the Norman church San Salvatore, until the original site is restored. Later, celebrate our Sicilian journey with a festive farewell luncheon at a local winery. Return to the hotel in the early evening and enjoy time at leisure. Villa Sant'Andrea (B, D)

Day 11 – TAORMINA - U.S.
After an early breakfast, we transfer this morning by coach to Catania airport for your flights home via Rome, or continue your journey of discovery of ‘The Path of Sicily’s Jews’ by joining our optional post-tour extension in Rome. (B)

 

POST-TOUR OPTIONAL EXTENSION IN ROME - OCT. 20 - 22, 2010

Day 1 TAORMINA - CATANIA - ROME
We transfer this morning to Catania airport for your flight to Rome. Upon arrival, tour the Jewish Quarter of ancient Rome with your local guide, including the Great Synagogue. See also the Coliseum, renowned for the events held there in ancient and modern times, and visit the Roman Forum, where the ruins of temples, shops and the central Forum itself continue to evoke a powerful sense of the city’s history. Check in at your hotel, a restored Renaissance palazzo located near the Tiber in the heart of Baroque Rome, near Piazza Navona and the Jewish Quarter. Evening at leisure. Hotel Ponte Sisto (L)

Day 2 ROME
After breakfast, board your coach for the Vatican to visit its famed museums. Pass through the monumental colonnade that surrounds St. Peter’s Square. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica, within which are Michelangelo’s beloved Pietà and other masterworks. Your guided tour includes a visit to the Sistine Chapel where you will stand surrounded by Michelangelo’s great frescoes with scenes from the Old Testament. Your guide will conclude your tour with a visit to the Jewish Museum in the afternoon. Gather this evening for a farewell dinner in a delightful restaurant near your hotel. Hotel Ponte Sisto (B, D)

Day 3 ROME - U.S.
Leave after breakfast for Rome Fiumicino Airport and your return flight to the U.S. (B)