Palermo can be considered a synthesis of the numerous cultures and civilizations which reigned in succession over Sicily throughout the centuries.  The historical and artistic centre of the town, one of the largest in the world, contains wonderful masterpieces of art.

We will travel through the various periods of our history, visiting the most noteworthy testimonies of each era (the Arab-Norman period, the Baroque and the Liberty eras.) and "living" the strangest aspects of our culture and traditions (the veneration of Santa Rosalia, the cult of the dead, the redolent Arabian markets.)

A very interesting excursion that makes you feel really "Sicilian"!!!

Monreale, a small town 12 Km. from Palermo, famous for its marvelous Norman cathedral, entirely decorated with golden mosaics, and the splendid adjacent cloister. The "Duomo" was erected in 1174, at the behest of the Norman king William II. Islamic architects adapted Fatima art to Christian places of worship, creating a masterpiece whose value is unequalled in any other part of Italy.

The cloister brings to life the atmosphere of Muslim courtyards: the 228 twin columns, richly decorated with polychrome mosaics and relief, are surmounted by oval arches.

The visit to the "Catacombs", in the crypts of the Capuchin convent, is, without a doubt, very suggestive!

This place, which offers a very macabre sight, displays eight thousand mummified or embalmed corpses, buried there until 1881, when the custom was abolished. In the adjoining graveyard, there is the tomb of G. Tomasi di Lampedusa, the author of the famous novel "The Leopard".  An excursion which can't be missed!!!

The "Pitrè Ethnographic Museum", founded in 1909, is one of the most important ethnographic museums in Europe. 

It contains documents and testimonies of the life, art and traditions of the Sicilian people: agricultural implements, traditional costumes, magic amulets, ex-votos and ancient objects that help us to reconstruct the Sicilian ancient way of life, their habits, customs and working environment.

The museum is situated in the servants' quarters of the "Palazzina cinese", the original royal palace built by the famous architect Venanzio Marvuglia, in 1799, for the Bourbon king Ferdinand IV. This residence, built in the Chinese style, reflects the exotic taste of its period.

Construction of the Zisa was initiated during the reign of William I and completed by his son William II, around 1167. It was the favourite summer residence of the king. Its name derives from the Arabic "al-Aziz" which means "marvelous".
The palace's exterior is square, massive and quite simple. But the geometrical simplicity of the exterior does not reveal the complex interior arrangement, centred on the wonderful "Fountain Room" with its mosaic decoration, marble panels, medallions and "muqarnas", a typical Islamic decoration.
Another noteworthy element is the ventilation system based on pipes which, at that time, provided coolness during the summer.
This monument had several proprietors throughout the centuries. In the middle of the XVII century, it became property of the noble family Sandoval who transformed it into a Baroque residence.

Solunto, is a impressive archaeological site, in an enchanting panoramic position, which contains Punic, Hellenistic and Roman elements. The city plan was designed by the Greek, Ippodamo da Mileto.  Among the most important finds are a Punic open-air altar used for human sacrifices, the elegant Leda's house and the so called "Gymnasium", a peristyle with a double row of columns.

Some artifacts are preserved in a small but functional "Antiquarium" next to the ruins; but the most important artifacts, including two wonderful anthropoid sarcophagi made of stone, are found in the "Archaeological Museum" of Palermo.

We will admire, "beneath the stars", some of the most beautiful monuments of our rich historical center which is among the largest in the world. These include the Cathedral, "Pretoria square", the four corners known as "the theatre of the sun", the "Spasimo", "Massimo" and "Politeama" theatres and many others.

It is a very evocative excursion which let you enjoy the town in a very unusual way!

The ancient town of "Akragas", built by Greeks in 582 b.C., was defined by the poet Pindaro as a wonderful town, "the most beautiful of those inhabited by mortal men".

The suggestive Valley of temples is, without any doubt, the best known and most praised part of Agrigento. Among its splendid temples in Doric style, we mention the temple of Concord, an absolute masterpiece of forms and decorations in an excellent state of preservation.

The temple of Hercules, perhaps the most ancient of the Akragas temples (end of sixth century A.D.). The immense temple of Olympic Jove, described by Diodorus Siculus as one of the biggest in antiquity with two huge telamons which were an ideal support for the whole temple.

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Segesta is one of the foremost archaeological sites of the Mediterranean.
At this site two important monuments are found: a wonderful temple and a theatre. The first is an imposing temple (5^th century A.D.), and it is one of the most perfect and best preserved examples of Doric art. The theatre (end of the 4^th century b.C.), on a hill, enjoys a beautiful panoramic position. It has a semicircular "cavea" and an ample stage, now used for classical dramatic performances.

We will visit the most important of the nine Albanian colonies in Sicily: Piana degli Albanesi, a little town about 20 Km south-east of Palermo, in a valley surrounded by high mountains.  We will admire the most significant churches with their masterpieces by famous artists such as Pietro Novelli and an evocative Ethnographic Museum which contains testimonies of the rich Albanian cultural heritage. This "island within an island", after more than five centuries, still adopts Albanian language, customs and traditions and the Greek-Orthodox rite, keeping alive a strong national feeling. We will have the opportunity to admire the precious traditional costumes interwoven with gold thread, handed down from mother to daughter, and to taste the delicious "cannoli", a typical sweet made with ricotta cream.

We will visit the wonderful "Zingaro Regional Natural Riserve", established in 1981, that covers of 1650 hectares. This reserve, in the province of Trapani, is a real paradise for botanists, entomologists and for people who love going for a walk, following previously traced routes, nestled in lush vegetation and discovering small coves with unexpected beaches, rocky coastline and slopes. An uncontaminated oasis of Mediterranean vegetation.  There is also a great variety of fauna, not to be found in other places on the island. The reserve is also of notable archaeological importance: the spectacular Uzzo grotto was home to one of the first prehistoric settlements in Sicily.

A charming seaside-bathing center whose origins date back to the 5^th or the 4^th century b.C., even if the territory was already inhabited in prehistoric times, as confirmed by the traces of human settlements found in the grottoes on the mountainsides. The Greeks called it "Kephaloidion" (the head) because of the shape of the rock that overlooks the town. The splendid Duomo, founded in 1130 at the behest of the Norman king Roger II, has a painted-wooden ceiling and decorations with gilded mosaics, magnificent examples of Islamic art in Sicily. 

The "Mandralisca Museum" houses a remarkable collection of Greek, Roman and Byzantine archaeological finds, pottery and coins from various provinces and ages since the Bronze Age. Worthy of mention is the famous "Portrait of an Unknown Man", painted by Antonello da Messina, in the second half of the 16^th century.

Aboard a wonderful Turkish wooden "caicco" (28 metres) we will go, together, on a mini-cruise on the Sicilian sea, enjoying enchanting places such as Cefalù and San Vito lo Capo.

We also will have the opportunity to spend two days on board, reaching more distant places such as the islands of Ustica or Favignana.

An on-board cook will be at our disposal to let us taste delicious Sicilian specialties!