Italy: Sicily

Sicily embraces warmly, like a glass of its own sweet moscato. Its radiance stems from a gloriously
temperate climate paired with the Sicilian love of visitors. You revel in these qualities during your eight-day exploration that combines diverse elements such as quiet walks through extraordinary natural areas, visits to culturally rich Syracuse and picturesque Taormina, and excursions to two of the volcanic Aeolian Islands.
     Each foray during your stay on this largest and most historically complex of all the Mediterranean
islands proves novel and fascinating owing to its unique natural features. White limestone cliffs that rise dramatically above an aquamarine sea, deep canyons that hold rare Eastern plane trees, greenish-blue rivers that feed thick groves of Egyptian papyrus, and Mt. Etna, still smoking, which towers nearly 11,000 feet.  On the islands, a different topography awaits at each disembarkation. Lipari boasts lush cliff-top meadows, while Vulcano has a rugged and lunar-like terrain.
     The walks are enriched by relics from past civilizations. Magna Graecia (Greater Greece) and other civilizations attest to Sicily’s colorful, and at times, violent past. You walk through burial grounds from prehistoric times, enter gold-tinted palaces from the 7th century, and stroll cobbled medieval roads.
     The cuisine and wine of Sicily enhance your adventures. Evening meals feature the sea’s bounty—from fresh swordfish and bright orange mussels to couscous, pasta, and all the finishing touches, including various pastries and ice creams, essential parts of the Sicilian palate.