This trip is entirely dedicated to Sicily, this enchanting island at the gates of the Arab world. Accompanied by our expert guides in archeology and history of art, you will discover a region with a thousand beauties and exceptional historical and artistic testimonies telling its history. You will discover Ragusa, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo Acreide, Militello Val di Catania and Catania with their architectural jewels and in particular the Sicilian baroque: noble and elegant palaces, monumental staircases, monasteries, refined fountains and majestic churches. You will also visit Caltagirone with its magnificent ceramics. This trip will conquer the curious but also the gourmets...you will savor excellent dishes and exquisite desserts of the local gastronomy accompanied by great wines.

RAGUSA AND MODICA, ARCHITECTURAL JEWELS. After you arrive we will meet with our Tour Leader, you will accommodate at the hotel in Ragusa ad visit its noble palaces and the district of Ibla, precious architectural jewels that were commissioned by sicilian aristocrats. Strolling along its roads we will be surprised by the joyful decorations of Cosenza palaces and La Rocca. After a stop in the beautiful Dome of San Giorgio we will go on to the prestigious Modica, ancient rich city. We will admire its cathedral dedicated to San Giorgio, one of the most important baroque works of art in the South of Italy. Its majestic facade rises towards the sky on a flight of two hundred and fifty steps. We will end our visit passing by the native home of Salvatore Quasimodo. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

NOTO AND PALAZZOLO ACREIDE, ELEGANT PALACES AND CHURCHES. After breakfast we will go on an excursion to Noto, considered the capital of baroque. We will go inside its extremely elegant Dome that was restored in 2006 to then admire the facade framed by palm trees of the Church of San Domenico. Passing by Palace Ducezio we will enter the scenographic and beautiful Villa Dorata. Our sight will be overwhelmed by its facade adorned by balconies supported by shelves in decorated stone. After having lunch in a restaurant we will go on to Palazzolo Acreide, famous for its numerous palaces and churches. Our guide will tell us about the lives of the famous local people, like baron Gabriele Judica that fell into poverty to finance the excavations of the ancient Akrai. Going through the Churches of San Sebastiano and San Paolo we will reach the amazing doorway and twisted columns of the Annunziata. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

MILITELLO VAL DI CATANIA AND CALTAGIRONE, CONVENTS AND CERAMIC. After breakfast we will go on an excursion to Militello val di Catania, interesting city for the number and the prestige of its buildings in baroque style. We will discover its reconstruction by the Benedictines and the architectural complex of noble palaces and convents on its small surface. We will go on to Caltagirone to dive into its refined production of artistic ceramics. We will admire the decorations of the Villa Comunale and most of all the monumental staircase of Santa Maria del Monte. After visiting the Church of san Giuseppe we will have lunch in a restaurant. In the afternoon we will meet with a ceramics master in his workshop. He will tell us about its ancient production history. You will enjoy free time and dinner at the hotel. In the late afternoon we will go on an excursion to Scicli to discover its suggestive side, when palaces and streets are illuminated by warm golden lights. We will live its historic dimension and we will fully appreciate its artistic representation of stone decorations. Overnight stay at hotel.

CATANIA, BAROQUE IN BLACK STONE. After breakfast we will leave for Catania. We will discover sumptuous palaces, convents, churches and refined fountains. Most of all we will find ourselves amongst baroque monuments of great prominence and characterised by the blackness of the lava stone. Lunch in a typical restaurant and departure.

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