Drive from your hotel along the Sicilian coast you will pass through small fishing villages of the Cyclops Riviera. The area owes its name to the “Faraglioni”, huge outcrops of rock forged by underwater lava. About 600 thousand years ago the primitive underwater lava, gave rise to Mount Etna.

The first stop of the day is in the arm of the Ionian Sea in front of Acicastello and Acitrezza villages - Acicastello takes its name by the Norman Fortress built of black lava stone which is nestled atop a rocky spur on the sea. The castle houses the small City Museum, collecting archaeological relics and mineral specimens.

Your private tour continues a few miles away to the Etna vineyards, where there will be a stop at a local winery which produces an excellent Etna DOC wine. Here you can sample the local food and taste some of the wines. Driving up to the top of Mount Etna, the differences in the terrain may well surprise you as we pass from the man-made terrace systems comprised of vineyards, citrus groves and fruit trees to the road which is bordered by chestnuts and pine forests to the lunar landscape of lava fields formed by the 2001-2002 last eruptions. Etna offers an enormous range of outings. A stroll on the northern slope of the volcano is a fabulous experience and you will get much more from it taking advantage of the knowledge of the qualified guide (Additional costs).

Before leaving Etna, you will stop at one of the villages for a sampling of typical Sicilian cookies made by flour, honey and almond or pistachio or hazelnut. Your private tour finishes with a drive along the panoramic road back to your hotel.

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Posted on April 11th, 2008 in the Italy Attractions Category
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Cefalu is a medieval town 75 kilometers east of Palermo built on the site of an ancient Sicanian and Greek settlement. Nestled between the Madonie Mountains and the sea, the view from the summit is inspiring. Seaside town beneath a steep mountain, Cefalu has a beach, narrow and medieval streets overlooking a rocky coast. It is a important town not only for the beauty of the sea landscape but also for the magnificent Norman-Arab-Byzantine cathedral - one of the greatest churches of southern Europe with its famous mosaics - and the Mandralisca Museum.

Then, you continue towards Castelbuono, a charming locality about 25 kilometers from Cefalu. Castelbuono is a rustic and little medieval village in an attractive wooded location of the Madonie Mountains, where the castle dominates the whole of the little town and the small valley. It boasts a castle - which has vestiges of medieval architecture - once owned by the Ventimiglia family, feudal lords of several towns in the area. Time permitting it may be possible for a short visit to “Santo Stefano di Camastra”, one of the most important Sicilian ceramics’ town with Caltagirone, Monreale and Sciacca.

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Posted on April 11th, 2008 in the Italy Attractions Category
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Palermo was an important capital of “Kingdom of Sicily” for centuries. Founded by the Phoenicians, who named it Ziz, Palermo was settled in the 18th century BC as a port. Its development paralleled that of Solunto and Motia. The Greeks called the city Panormos, meaning “all port.” Panormus (the Latin name) was part of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire from 535 until 831, when it fell to the invading Saracen Arabs (”Moors”), who turned many of the churches into mosques and it became one of the Muslim world’s most splendid cities, surpassed only by Baghdad.

The exotic mixture of Moorish, Norman and Spanish Baroque styles makes this city special. It is rich in monuments, royal palaces and churches and remains a great fascination up to now. Amidst the bustle of 21st-century life, you will be led to tucked-away churches, ancient mosaics and lively street markets, where innumerable reminders of history are woven within the modern city splendor. The most important monuments are: the Cathedral, Martorana Church, St. John of the Hermits and the Norman Palace with the Palatine Chapel in Norman-Arab style; the “Quattro Canti”, Piazza Pretoria, St. Joseph of the Theatines and other ones in Baroque style.

Also view the Palace of the Normans, La Martorana Church, and the Cathedral, which houses the imperial crown of Constance of Aragon in its treasury. No trip to Palermo is truly complete without a visit to Monreale about 7 kilometers south of Palermo’s center. Monreale overlooks the “Conca d’Oro,” the beautiful valley beyond Palermo. The beautiful mosaics in Monreale Cathedral are said to be one of the world’s largest displays of this art. The splendid cloister of the Benedictine abbey alone would make Monreale famous. Located next to the cathedral, these 228 columns, some with mosaic inlay, each with a meticulously stone carved capital, enclose the gardens of the cloister.

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Posted on April 11th, 2008 in the Italy Attractions Category
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Discover why Bologna has many nicknames: La Dotta (The Learned), for its ancient university, La Rossa (The Red) for the warm colors of its roofs and houses and La Grassa (The Fat) for the wonderful food!

See some of the most important buildings in the city such as Palazzo Accursio, Palazzo del Protesta, The Sala Borsa, Palazzo re Enzo and the famous Fountain of Neptune which dates back to the 16th century.

Also see the Medieval Market and Loggia Dei Mercanti, The Anatomy Theatre (closed Saturday afternoon and Sunday), Basilica of San Petronio, the Archiginnasio, Two Towers and the Complex of Santo Stefano.

For those with a little extra time to explore the city, an extended tour may include San Giacomo, The Oratory of Santa Cecilia, San Domenico of the Sanctuary of San Luca.

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Posted on April 11th, 2008 in the Italy Attractions Category
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When you hear the words “sports car” the mind drifts to Italy. Take this opportunity to visit the prestigious stomping ground of some of the most well known brands in the world.

Ferrari, Ducati and Lamborghini, the choices are endless as you get up close with the machines of these famous names. View displays of these well known manufacturers, or visit the private collections of Righini, Panini, Maranello Rosso and Stanguellini. The day is yours to decide and you will have time to visit two individual establishments.

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Posted on April 11th, 2008 in the Italy Attractions Category
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