Art Pursuits - Sicily I

Art Pursuits Study Tour Programme

Sicily
Part I: Palermo and the West

13 – 19 October 2008

Day 1	Fly mid-morning with Alitalia from London Heathrow via Milan to Palermo. Transfer to your 4* hotel in the city centre, followed by a short walk. Dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 2	A day in Palermo. In the morning we will visit the Duomo with the tombs of the Hohenstaufen emperor, the Palazzo dei Normanni, with its stunning mosaic-encrusted chapel, and the charming cloister of San Giovanni degli Eremiti. After lunch (included) a walk through the city will take us to some of the city’s churches from the Byzantine splendour of the Church of La Martorana to the Rococo stuccowork of Santa Cita. Dinner in a restaurant near the hotel.
Day 3	All-day coach excursion to Greek and Roman cities: In the morning we will visit the splendid remains of Selinunte, majestically situated overlooking the southern coast. After lunch (included) a drive into the mountains will take us to Segesta with its well-preserved Greek temple and a Roman theatre with magnificent views of the surrounding bucolic countryside. Return to Palermo and independent dinner.
Day 4	A second day in Palermo will complement the excursion to the Ancient monuments seen the previous day with a visit to the Archaeological Museum. At Palazzo Abatellis we will see some fine paintings, including Antonello da Messina’s Annunciate Virgin. The afternoon will be free for you to explore the city. Independent dinner.
Day 5	All-day coach excursion. In the morning, we will visit the unspoilt hilltop town of Erice, occupying a unique and beautiful setting. After lunch (independent), we will return towards Palermo to study the dazzling mosaics in the cathedral of Monreale, blending Moorish and Byzantine styles. Return to Palermo and independent dinner.
Day 6	A day in Palermo by coach and on foot will take us to see some of the city’s impressive historic villas and palaces (some by private appointment) from the Middle Ages to Art Nouveau. In the evening, dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 7	Transfer to the airport for a mid-morning flight with Alitalia via Milan to London Heathrow, arriving at 15:45.

Please note that at this stage the programme is still provisional. Although we aim at the greatest degree of accuracy from the outset, some details, especially the order of visits, may be subject to change.