Itinerary
Sicily Sardinia Corsica
Mediterranean Mosaic 29 May - 16 June 2012
Itinerary
Sicily
Day One: 29 May
Guests will be meet at the airport on arrival and escorted to Hotel Ucciardhome in the heart of Palermo.
There are direct flights from Rome to Palermo and also flights from Paris via Florence.
The afternoon and evening at leisure.
A welcome cocktail party at the hotel.
Overnight Hotel Ucciardhome in Palermo. Four Star.
Day Two: 30 May
A tour of Norman Palermo will introduce you to this wonderful city and its truly extraordinary history that started with foundations by the Phoenicians whose successors, were the Carthaginians. Palermo finally fell to the Greeks in 276 BC then became part of the Ancient Roman Empire from eventually falling to the invading Saracen Arabs ("Moors"), who turned many of the churches into mosques. The Arabs brought the lemon and the orange, cane sugar, and the cultivation of mulberry trees, dates, cotton and hard wheat. They introduced innovative irrigation systems and a novel system of aqueducts.
Palermo became one of the Muslim world's most splendid cities, surpassed only by Baghdad.
A welcome Dinner tonight in one of Palermo’s prized restaurants.
Overnight Hotel Ucciardhome in Palermo. Four Star.
Day Three: 31 May
A short coach journey to Monreale to visit The Duomo which is a dazzling mixture of Arab, Byzantine and Norman artistic styles framed by traditional Romanesque architecture, all combined in a perfect blend of the best that both the Christian and Muslim worlds of the 12th century had to offer.
Monreale's mosaics emblazon 6,340 square meters of the duomo's interior surface, more than those of the splendid church of Saint Mark in Venice and are said to be one of the world's largest displays.
Drive via the wonderful coastal scenery around the Golfo di Castellammare to Erice. With its delightful medieval ambience and splendid location, Erice is a very interesting “foodie” town to visit with its charming old stone streets and medieval churches.
After lunch a drive on to Menfi and the Ravida family Villa.
Dinner at the Ravida Villa.
Overnight The Ravida Private villa and also a nearby Estate.
Day Four: 1 June
Breakfast at Ravida Family villa.
A visit to Azienda Agricola RAVIDA, La Gurra, for a tour of the vineyards, lemon and olive groves.
An olive oil tasting, followed by a truly Sicillian lunch in the courtyard.
This afternoon the tour drives through the center of Sicily to the ancient city of Agrigento.
Located on a plateau overlooking Sicily's southern coast, Agrigento was founded around 582 BC by a group of immediate descendants of Greeks from Rhodes and Crete. Agrigento was destroyed several times, but always rebuilt.
A visit to the museum of Agrigento is a wonderful experience. The collection of Greek vases is world famous.
Overnight Villa Athena 4 Star Hotel overlooking the temples.
Day Five: 2 June
Drive up into into the hills of central Sicily.
Set on a plateau almost 700 meters above sea level is the city of Piazza Armerina. Founded during the Norman era, its historical quarter has some beautiful churches, including a Baroque cathedral, as well as a well-preserved fortress. Most notable is the extraordinary Roman Villa with its magnificent mosaics. The "Villa del Casale" was built between 330 and 360 AD. and is one of the largest Roman dwellings of its kind to have survived antiquity.
Tonight you will be accommodated at Agriturismo Gigliotto, a fief of 300 hectares of fertile land cultivated with grapevines ,olives, prickleypear and grain. The farm-house was an ancient monastery built in 1300. A regional dinner will be served with wines grown and made on the Estate.
Day Six: 3 June
Travel to Taromina through majestic mountains with a stop on the way to visit Mount Etna, the highest volcano in Europe.
Taormina, a nineteenth century haunt of the English aristocracy has long been Sicily's most famous resort town with its endlessly winding medieval streets and tiny passages, each with its own secrets:-great restaurants and cafés often on terraces with views of the coast. One of the most famous views is overlooking the Greco-Roman amphitheatre with Mount Etna and the sea in the background.
Overnight Hotel Belvedere 4 Star.
Day Seven: 4 June
This morning time to enjoy the hotel before a pre-luncheon visit to the famous Greek Ampitheatre.
This afternoon there will be time to shop and or visit the beautiful nearby beach.
The afternoon at leisure before a farewell Sicilian dinner at a Slow Food restaurant with a wonderful host who has expert knowledge of local produce and Nero D’avola wines.
Overnight Hotel Belvedere 4 Star.
Sardinia
Day Eight: 5 June
The morning will be involved in flying from Catania to Sardinia via Rome, as even though both islands are Italian, Catania is not linked to Cagliari, capital of Sardinia by air.
Arrive Cagliari early afternoon.
Tour the city and visit to the remarkable new museum cleverly built into the ancient castle.|
The venue for dinner this evening is a small favourite local bistro in the historical centre of Cagliari.
Overnight Hotel Mediterrano 4 Star In Cagliari.
Day Nine: 6 June
A very scenic drive north through the mountains and valleys to the province of Ogliastra, truly a paradise of remarkable beauty.
Lunch in the pretty seaside village of Santa Maria Navarrese before taking the steep drive up into the National Park.
The Cooperativa Goloritze, is a coop of local shepherds who sing and dance and serve wonderful rural fare.
Overnight The Rifugio with a wonderful a regional dinner.
Day Ten: 7 June
After breakfast with the shepherds.there is a breathtaking walk over the range to the exquisite Cala di Goloritze beach.
The non-walkers will travel up the coastline in a superb specially chartered sailing boat for the tour. Lunch will be served as a picnic on the beach.
Arrive in the pretty port town of Cala Conone. Dine in the port in an excellent seafood restaurant.
Overnight a 3 Star Hotel with views of the sea. Cala Conone.
Day Eleven: 8 June
The tour departs the coast for the mysterious inland reaches of Sardinia.
The numerous nuraghi which are spread all over Sardinia, are among the most important archeological sites that have been left in the Western Mediterranean basin by past cultures. These majestic buildings have a prominent role in the Sardinian landscape and make a lasting impression. You will visit some of the best examples on today’s journey.
Drive across the full width of Sardinia to the west coast visiting the very pretty medieval town of Bosa for lunch on the mouth of the river Temo.
Continue to “Catalan” Alghero, which retains a distinct Catalan influence in the shops, language, the life style of the people and the cuisine not founf in other areas of Sardinia.
Overnight Villa Las Tronas 5 star Alghero.
Day Twelve: 9 June
Brunch at Villa Las Tronas, an exquisite hotel, formerly the summer residence of Italian Royalty set on a headland overlooking Alghero Bay.
Afternoon free to enjoy Alghero or visit Neptune’s cave..
Dinner in a fine restaurant in the walled town of Alghero.
Overnight Villa Las Tronas, Five Star, Alghero.
Day Thirteen: 10 June
CANNONAU, is a red wine and Sardinian symbol. It is produced all over the island but has its natural habitat on the eastern coast of Sardinia. Today visit the most famous winery complex in Sardinia, Sella Mosca and taste their Cannonau and learn about Sardinian wine making at its best. We have planned the tour to join in the “Cantine Aperte”, the spring wine festival at Sella Mosca.
Travel to the northern most tip of Sardinia, to Santa Teresa Gallura, a pretty port town and the staging station for the ferries to Corsica.
Corsica
In the mid afternoon board the ferry for a one hour crossing to Corsica.
Approaching and entering the dramatic cliff lined port of Bonifiacio is unforgettable.
Tour this remarkable town during the afternoon. Dine at a fine restaurant within these majestic and dramatic ramparts.
Overnight Hotel Caravelle Four Star Bonifiacio.
Day Fourteen: 11June
An introduction to the awesome Corsican landsacpe with a drive of the Bavella.
This rocky massif is the backbone of the isle, rising to 1218 metres and covered in an immense forest makes this place one of the most beautiful on Corsica with peaks of porphyry spared by the glacial erosion of the Quaternary, called "Needles". Lunch in the mountains.
Overnight Hotel Caravelle Four Star Bonifiacio.
Day Fifteen: 12 June
The tour sets off up the east coast of Corsica to St Florent.
The sailing harbour of Saint-Florent nestles at the foot of the Cap Corse and is a bustling, attractive waterfront town, with boats, bars, excellent fish restaurants and an almost permanent game of boules in the square, but when you stroll into the old town you discover a charming, ageless quarter of old houses, little shops and wine bars., at the end of a Gulf which shares its name. the tour will visit them tomorrow.
Overnight Hotel La Roya, St Florent. 4 star
Wine tasting in the afternoon in the nearby Patrimonio wine region, one of the most beautiful small wine regions in the world. that produces much of Corsica's best and distinctive wines.
Overnight Hotel La Roya. 4 Star.
Day Sixteen: 13 June
In the late morning a chartered boat will visit the remarkable cove beaches, with their views over Cape Corse. Swimming and a picnic lunch.
Overnight Hotel La Roya. 4 Star.
Day Seventeen: 14 June
Depart south for I’lle-Rouse, named after the russet coloured rocks which jut out into the sea and founded by Pascal Paoli, the Corsican leader who gave his country a liberal constitution and freed it from Genoese rule. With its white sandy beaches and bustling market place, Ile Rousse has become the third busiest resort of the island.
Coffee and shopping in I’lle Rouse.
The tour will depart into the nearby mountain villages of the most beautiful Balagne region. Tight clusters of haphazard houses are gathered around the pretty market squares in the shadow of village churches. A drive through the villages of the Balange, a memorable “European” experience. Lunch overlooking the Balange.
On to Calvi.
Calvi port is lined with colourful bars and restaurants with terraces looking across the bay to the mountains beyond. The beautiful sandy beach which stretches for nearly 6km and the gentle waters of Calvi bay are clear, warm and protected, making them ideal for swimming.
The imposing 15th Century Citadel towers above the town. When you pass through the ancient gateway, you find a world steeped in atmosphere and history. Nelson was reported to have said that he 'never wanted to see Calvi again' after a siege in 1794. His wish was to come true, as during fighting on the 40th day, shrapnel from one of his own men hit him in the face and he lost his right eye.
Dinner in the old city of Calvi.
Overnight La Signoria, a true gem of a hotel. 5 Star.
Day Eighteen: 15 June
A gentle day to soak up the hotel and beaches and shopping in Calvi. Even perhaps packing, as tomorrow the tour comes to an end.
Lunch at the Hotel La Signoria.
Tonight is the grand finale dinner and has been arranged at La Signoria.
Overnight La Signoria. 5 Star.
Day Nineteen: 16 June
Breakfastat La Signoria.
Departure for the nearby Calvi Airport and onward flights. Most guests will have made plans to go to Paris.
The flight Calvi / Orley is not till the afternoon.
Arrangements have been made with the hotel for a changing room later in the day. So much will be made of the beach during the day.
End of Tour.
C. This Itinerary is the Copyright of The Inspired Traveller. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary at any time, in the best interests of our clients, in the event that exciting new excursions, accommodation, restaurants, events or artisans are discovered, and in circumstances beyond our control.
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