Essential Sicily
March 2026
Dr Kathryn Welch
*** Preliminary Itinerary ***
Survey Sicily’s breathtaking heritage and culture with extended stays in two principal cities, exploring Greek temples, glittering medieval mosaics, exuberant baroque architecture and magnificent landscapes
OVERVIEW
No place in the Mediterranean rivals Sicily as a ‘crossroads of civilization’. This 15-day tour has been carefully planned to showcase the very best of Sicily’s 3,000-year heritage, while still providing long stays in two remarkable cities.
We begin with five nights in Siracusa (Syracuse), the largest city in the ancient Greek world after Athens. Siracusa is an excellent base for exploring Sicily’s south east. Two nights in the centre of the island let us explore some remote sites, while the last five nights of the tour are spent in the vibrant Kalsa district of Palermo with its with historical sites, cobbled streets and great restaurants.
TOUR LEADER
Dr Kathryn Welch has a PhD in Roman history from the University of Queensland and taught Roman and Greek history at the University of Sydney for 30 years. She has a strong interest in art, architecture and music, as well as Italian history, culture and language. She is co-director of the Pompeii Cast Project, together with Dr Estelle Lazer, and has led special interest tours to Italy since 1999.
Highlights
Unpack for a long-stay tour, with five nights each in Siracusa and Palermo
Investigate Sicily’s remarkable classical heritage, visiting Greek, Carthaginian and Roman sites
Travel to the lively small towns of the south-east, including Noto and Ragusa, famed for their baroque architecture
Visit remote sites in the centre of the island, such as the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Roman villa at Piazza Armerina
Discover spectacular monuments of Norman Sicily in and around Palermo, including the Palatine Chapel and Monreale
Questions?
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