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Eastern Sicily's TreasuresTimeless landscapes and Baroque treasures
Nights: 6
Day 1: There is a choice of walking near the hotel, including a walk near limestone cliffs harbouring ancient burial chambers. The hotel can also organise various activities (pay locally), including a gastronomic tour that introduces you to Sicily's honey, wine, olive oil, pistachios, almonds and cheeses, or a guided excursions to explore the lower slopes of the volcano. Accommodation: Villa Paradiso dell’Etna, as above. Day 2: Today you head southwards to Siracusa, a one-hour drive. On arrival, take time to wander around this fascinating city and absorb its varied atmosphere. There are two main parts: Tyche, and Ortigia Island, where you find the labyrinthine Old Town and the old Jewish quarter. Accommodation: Hotel Gutkowski (3*), Siracusa. Your second, delightful, hotel offers a friendly, welcoming ambience, and is set by the sea in historic Ortigia. It has been restored in a fresh, contemporary style from traditional artisans’ dwellings, with the cool colours of furnishings reflecting the sea views from many rooms. You stay on a bed and breakfast basis, leaving you free to take your pick of Siracusa's restaurants.
Accommodation: Hotel Gutkowski, as above. Day 4: Today you head on to Ragusa (two-hour drive), and you may wish to stop off for a walk – a gentle stroll in the peaceful Vendicari nature reserve, carpeted with aromatic herbs, or a more challenging 10-kilometre walk taking in Sicily's ‘Grand Canyon', a wild and dramatic gorge where ancient burial chambers have been found. Ragusa Ibla is a hill-top city renowned for distinctive Baroque architecture: the outcome of extensive rebuilding after Sicily’s major 1693 earthquake, when craftsmen evolved their own Sicilian Baroque style with many curves, flourishes, and putti (little angels). Accommodation: Locanda Don Serafino (4*), Ragusa. Located in the Baroque part of the town, this is an intimate (and romantic) hotel that has been carefully converted from a 19th-century mansion. The exposed stonework, original archways, spiral staircase and other such features lend it great character, while the ten bedrooms are all very well-equipped. Our arrangements include dinner on your first night at the La Rosa family's restaurant, a short stroll away, where you can enjoy refined cuisine in the atmospheric setting of an 18th-century mansion's former stables. On your second night and for even greater indulgence, you could treat yourselves to dinner at the town's renowned Michelin-starred restaurant (pay locally). Day 5: You could simply spend today exploring Ragusa and nearby Scicli, the Baroque parts of which are now Unesco World Heritage Sites in recognition of the handsome architecture. Scicli was once an Arab stronghold and later a royal city under Norman rule, and boasts a ruined Arab castle and numerous mansions. Alternatively, we suggest an easy 10-kilometre walk that starts in Ragusa itself then follows an old cobbled mule track through terraced carob and olive groves into a wooded valley, from where you return the same way. Accommodation: Locanda Don Serafino, as above. Other information: if you would like to see the brochure page, you can download this (and the pages for any other holidays you are interested in) by using our brochure creation system. Similar holidays: Western Sicily's Highlights (grade 2), Citrus Groves & Dramatic Coast (grades 1 & 2), Timeless Northern Extremadura, Andalucia & Southern Extremadura Prices & travel 2007/08:
Room upgrades: Ragusa, junior suite £8pppn; San Giovanni, suite £44pppn *Included travel: 6 days’ category B car hire from Catania or Palermo airport |
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Eastern Sicily’s wealth of architecture and fine countryside offer much of beauty and historic interest to explore. Your starting point lies close to the imposing snowy cone of Mount Etna. From here, with the freedom of a hire car and two nights at three different hotels you have time to explore your surroundings at your own pace. Using our notes, choose from easy strolls or more challenging walks. You can also admire the Baroque architecture and atmospheric ruins, particularly peaceful in autumn and spring. Then return to relax in the quiet of our delightful hotels, each of them offering an individual charm and elegance, sometimes echoing features of the island’s history and culture.
Starting point: The Villa Paradiso dell’Etna (4*), San Giovanni. This idyllic hotel has been carefully converted to retain the aura of a private Sicilian villa. It is set in grounds luxuriant with citrus groves, palms and sub-tropical shrubs, while its delightful breakfast room offers panoramic views of Mount Etna. Each room is individually decorated with 19th-century Sicilian antique features. 
Day 3: There are various wonderful classical sites to explore in Siracusa. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the magnificent Greek theatre carved from the hillside, and the Roman amphitheatre, each so well preserved they vividly evoke the distant past.