Driving to western part of Sicily from Palermo, our first stop will be at the magnificent Temple of Segesta. It was built by the Elimian, an old population whose origins maybe are Turkish but were later colonised by the Greeks.
(Pick up from Palermo port) Driving to western part of Sicily from Palermo, our first stop will be at the magnificent Temple of Segesta. It was built by the Elimian, an old population whose origins maybe are Turkish but were later colonised by the Greeks to become one of the most important Greek colonies in the west side of Sicily. It is the first Greek Temple built in Doric style. The Temple has 36 columns, still intact despite the several earthquakes which effected this area in the history. We also visit the theatre, which is a typical example of the Greek semi circular theatre style. We then move on to the medieval town of Erice, situated 880 metres above the sea level and surrounded by ancient Elimi and Phoenician walls on the northeastern side of the city. Two castles make for a spectacular skyline to this town, Pepoli Castle, with foundations dating from Saracen times, and Venus Castle, dating from the Norman era but built on ruins of the ancient Temple of Venus. Surrounded by a lush park, the hilltop castles alone are worth a stop in Erice, which offers charming old stone streets and medieval churches. Pepoli Castle was at first a feudal stronghold, though Erice was eventually ceded to the Crown as a demesnial city. The view from the castle towers is stupendous. Though both castles have been modified somewhat over the centuries, they still have that distinctively medieval character one expects of such fortresses. Interesting is to visit the Cathedral built in the 1300 in Gothic Catalan style with mirable decorations where we can see the picture of the famous black Virgin venerated in the area. We will stroll the village and taste the famous marzipan cakes made with almonds in different flavors (pistachio, pinots, orange, lemon and so on..) by the famous pastries shop "Grammatico". No licensed guide booked in this tour.]]>Agrigento was founded as Akragas around 582 BC by a group of colonists from Gela, who themselves were the immediate descendants of Greeks from Rhodes and Crete.
(Pick up from Palermo port) Located on a plateau overlooking Sicily's southern coast, Agrigento was founded as Akragas around 582 BC by a group of colonists from Gela, who themselves were the immediate descendants of Greeks from Rhodes and Crete. The area was inhabited much earlier; a female skull (that of the "girl of Mandrascava") found near Cannatello is half a million years old. The medieval city of Agrigento is not without a certain charm. High in the historical center of the city, the Romanesque Gothic cathedral, built during the fourteenth century still displays some of its medieval character, as does the thirteenth-century Church of San Nicola. Unfortunately, the Saracen fortress believed to have stood at Agrigento has not stood the test of time. The Greek temples, theatres and ruins, and even the archaeological museums, are located outside the city proper. Agrigento was destroyed several times during the Punic Wars, suffering particularly extensive damage during a siege by Roman forces in 261 BC, but always rebuilt. The Greek poet Pindar (518-438 BC) described Akragas as "the most beautiful city of the mortals." Akragas' most famous citizen was the philosopher and scientist Empedocles (490-430 BC). In the Valley of the Temples are the ruins of numerous temples but also necropoli, houses, streets and everything else one would expect to find in an ancient city. There is a small amphitheatre, as well as several auditoria, and a fine archeological museum. Unfortunately, most of the temples at Agrigento are in ruins, with pieces strewn about, and several appear to have never even been completed. Part of the Temple of Juno, built around 450 BC, is still intact. Its style has been compared to that of the temples at Paestum, near Salerno. The Temple of Concord (named retroactively), built around 440 BC, is in far better condition, and at night the illuminated temple is a sight to behold. A number of telamons (large segmented stone columns in the form of human figures) have been preserved. Agrigento's importance declined under the Byzantines and Saracens, who encouraged settlement of the medieval city (present-day Agrigento) several kilometers from the Valley of the Temples. We will arrive in Agrigento where we meet your licensed Guide to visit the famous Greek Valley of Temples and its unique and world renowned museum of Greek artifacts. Licensed guide included. With your driver can be visit the sea area of Agrigento, called "San Leone" where you can enjoy a sea side lunch before returning to your ship.]]>Palermo is the capital and the most important city of all Sicily located between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Conca D'oro Mountains. We start to approach the city, and meet you personal licensed guide.
(Pick up from Palermo port) Palermo is the capital and the most important city of all Sicily located between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Conca D'oro Mountains. We start to approach the city, and meet you personal licensed guide. You start to visit the Medieval area of Palermo where the main features are from Baroque and Arabian-Norman period. ...“Piazza Pretoria” with its beautiful Renaissance fountain – the heart of the city, called: "Quattro Canti" - the magnificent Cathedral – “San Cataldo” church and son on… A must is the visit of a local market where you can experience the colorful local life and taste some street food. We then drive to outside Palermo to the village of Monreale, driving along a wonderful road overlooking the "Conca D'Oro" valley. We will visit the magnificent Duomo of Monreale and on request the “Chiostro dei Cappuccini”. According with your guide and keeping into the 4 hours guided tour, you can choice to visit the following sights: Cappella Palatina - Palazzo dei Normanni - Zisa castle - Catacombs of Cappuccini… of course cutting off some of the previous listed sights. The main area of Palermo is all pedestrian and your driver is not able to escort in that area so we book and include a walking tour with a licensed Guide for approx. 4 hours.]]>