Springtime in Sicily

DAY 1

We meet up in Rome, either travelling overland or flying, and spend the first night in the Hotel Mediterraneo, perfectly located for Rome Termini station. Alternatively, fly into Catania tomorrow.

DAY 2

We join our inter-city train in the nearby Termini station for our journey south to Messina, crossing the water on one of the last train ferries in Europe. Our hotel is close to Messina Centrale station. Alternatively fly to Catania and transfer to Messina, where you'll meet the overland group.

DAY 3

We have a morning guided walking tour of Messina. Highlights are the cathedral and the largest mechanical clock mechanism in the world which chimes at 12:00. After time for lunch, we take the train along the scenic north coast of Sicily to Palermo, our home for the next four nights. Tonight, we have our Welcome Dinner.

DAY 4

We begin our day with different local guide and a guided walk in Monreale, where the highlight is the Cathedral, one of the greatest extant examples of Norman architecture and a National Monument. After time for lunch, we return to Palermo for another guided tour. Palermo's thousand-year history has given it a great artistic and architectural heritage ranging from the remains of the Punic walls to Art Nouveau villas. Use the remainder of the afternoon to do some souvenir shopping or explore Palermo's two quite separate tram systems.

DAY 5

Today we take an FS Trenitalia service train from Palermo Centrale to Agrigento, located two hours away on the southern coast of the island. We will have a guided visit to the Valley of the Temples, one of the most outstanding examples of Greater Greek art and architecture. The area became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 and includes the remains of seven temples, all in Doric style. Mid-afternoon we return to Palermo by train.

DAY 6

Once again, our local guide joins us as we explore the western side of Sicily, first visiting Trapani. Trapani sits on a low-lying promontory jutting out into the Mediterranean Sea in front of the Egadi Islands and much of its economy still depends on the sea; fishing and canning are the main local industries. Our coach then takes us to Erice, the old town located on a 750-metre hill, and a member of the I Borghi piu belli d'Italia ('The most beautiful villages of Italy') Association.

Rail option: there were two lines that linked Palermo and Trapani, but sadly the direct line closed a few years ago and shows no sign of reopening. However, as an alternative to the guided walk tour in Trapani, you can travel on the remaining line, a three-hour journey that loops right down to the south of the island before returning north to Trapani. Meet up with the culture group in Trapani and we all travel to Erice together. Return to Palermo by coach.

DAY 7

We say farewell to Palermo today as we travel on the railway line through the middle of Sicily to Catania, where we spend the next five nights. Our local guide joins us again for a walking tour around the attractive centre of Catania. Catania is located at the foot of the active Mount Etna Volcano and the city, founded in the 8th century BC, has had a long and eventful history. In the 14th century and the Renaissance, Catania was one of Italy's most important and flourishing cultural, artistic and political centres. Alternatively, spend the afternoon on an out and back rail trip to Caltagirone, a very scenic railway line, but sparsely served with only two trains per day each way.

DAY 8

Our charter coach takes us to Villarosa station to see the railway collection in the Treno Museo. The owner has built this up himself, and it is part of the UNESCO listed Global Geopark. We then go the short distance to Villarosa village where we have a good lunch in a local restaurant. After this we continue our trip to Piazza Armerina to visit the Roman Villa del Casale, famous for its splendid mosaics. According to the Grove Dictionary of Art, the mosaics are the richest, largest and most varied collection that remains, and because of these, the site has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The villa and artwork date to the early 4th century AD. We return to Catania on our coach.

DAY 9

We visit the hilltop town of Taormina, known for the Teatro Antico di Taormina, an ancient Greco-Roman theatre that is still used today. Near the theatre, cliffs drop to the sea forming coves with sandy beaches. We have a guided tour of both the city and the famous Greco-Roman theatre. Some time for your own exploration, before we return to sea level on the cable car and to Catania by train.

DAY 10

Today we travel to Syracuse by train where we will enjoy a whole-day guided tour of Syracuse - Ortigia and the Parco Archeologico Neapolis. Syracuse is located in the south-eastern corner of the island of Sicily on the Ionian Sea. The city is notable for its rich Greek history, amphitheatres, architecture and as the birthplace of the pre-eminent mathematician and engineer Archimedes. This 2,700-year-old city played a key role in ancient times, when it was one of the major powers of the Mediterranean world.

Rail option: There will also be a rail option of travelling along the rural line that heads south out of Syracuse to Ragusa, where we'll stop for lunch, and then on to Canicatti and Caltanissetta Xirbi, where we have a connecting train back to Catania. Alessandra will accompany the culture option.

DAY 11

Today our coach will take us to 1,935 metres (over 6,300 feet) above sea level to the Rifugio Sapienza on Mount Etna, which is as far as you can get by road. We will have a guided hike along the path that passes near the cableway crossing the lava fields of 2002/03. We visit the Silvestri Craters, the eruption of 1892 and from here we can admire the wonderful volcanic landscape. After the hike our bus will take us to the excellent Gambino Winery for our Farewell Lunch and wine tasting before returning to the hotel in Catania.

DAY 12

We return home, either by rail (via Rome) or from Catania airport. Direct flights to Gatwick and Luton and indirect flights to other UK airports.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner