The Museo Italo Americano of San Francisco presents
Enchanted April in the heart of Sicily:
Easter celebrations, art, history, food and wine
Famous for its Greek and Roman ruins, fascinating history, exotic food and delicious wines,
Sicily becomes even more interesting each year during the week leading up to Easter.
Ancient religious rites and customs make the island come alive with soulful and colorful
festivals and unforgettable Easter processions. Framing all of these attractions is the
blossoming of nature, full of fragrances, colours and incredible landscapes.
Sicily is so diverse that it feels much like a small continent. Your Sicilian sojourn will include a
visit to Siracusa (the most important colony of ancient Greece), the ancient Villa del Casale in
Piazza Armerina with its staggering mosaics, the well preserved Greek ruins at Agrigento and
the amazing Norman Cathedral of Monreale.
This small-group journey was designed especially for the Museo Italo Americano by
Alessandra G. Ranghiasci, the Italian countess who has led our members all over her beloved
country on past trips. Alessandra won’t just take you to look at things – she will also
introduce you to interesting local personalities, teach you how to cook regional specialties
and make sure you leave Sicily with a very good idea about what it means to be Sicilian. In
2011 several members of the Museo came on a very similar outing and they raved so much
about it when they came home that we were inspired to offer another, even better journey.
Day by day itinerary
Day 0 - April 10 – Thursday: Fly from the US to Catania, Sicily.
Day 1 - April 11 – Friday: Catania
Fly from the US to Catania, the best managed airport in Sicily. Rest up before meeting your
guide and co-travelers for a welcome talk and dinner. Sleep in Catania (D)
Day 2 - April 12 – Saturday: Taormina
This morning we will head to beautiful, Taormina, which is considered one the greatest
pearls of the Mediterranean Sea. We will start our day with a stroll along its most famous
promenade at one Sicily’s finest “pasticcerias”. After fueling up, we will enjoy a great cooking
class followed by a lunch of delicious local specialties. In the afternoon we will take a walking
tour that will include the city’s exquisite Greek theatre. If you have been to Taormina before,
you will have time on your own to browse in this bastion of elegance and grace. Sleep in
Catania (B, L)
Day 3 - April 13 – Sunday: Siracusa
Today we will explore Siracusa, the ancient Greek colony that outshined its master during
the decline of the Greek empire. First, we will wander through the unforgettable Piazza del
Duomo to behold the Fountain of Arethusa. The legends shared by our classically educated
guide will bring our walking tour alive. Later we will make our way to the great archeological
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park of Neapolis to explore ancient wonders including the limestone cave that the 17
century painter Caravaggio dubbed “Orecchio di Dionisio.” Sleep in Noto (B, D)
Day 4 - April 14 – Monday: Modica and Noto
Today you will tour the “Val di’ Noto,” a valley so beautiful and unique that it was declared a
World Heritage site in 2002. We will stop in the countryside to taste fresh ricotta cheese
(cooked over a hot stove in wooden barrels) and the most incredible hand-made Sicilian
Cannoli you will ever have. Later, you can wander the baroque jewel of Noto, an amazing city
built at the end of the 17th century after an earthquake destroyed Old Noto almost entirely.
Sleep in Noto (B, L)
Day 5 - April 15 – Tuesday: Piazza Armerina
You will start your day with a lovely drive across scenic agrarian landscapes to the Piazza
Armerina and the Imperial Roman Villa of Casale. This ancient Roman hunting lodge and
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beauty spa was well known among the Who’s Who of the 4 century. You will have plenty
of time to view the original mosaics that decorate the lodge’s exercise rooms and baths. We
will then make our way to Agrigento. Sleep at a resort near Agrigento (B, D)
Day 6 - April 16 – Wednesday: Agrigento
Visit the Ancient Valley of the Temples, one of the richest archaeological areas of the world.
Here a passionate and charismatic guide, known as “il professore”, will lead you among the
remains of approximately 20 ancient temples including the Temple of Concord, Castor, Pollux
and Hercule. Sleep at a resort near Agrigento (B, L)
Day 7 - April 17 – Thursday: Marsala and Holy Thursday Procession
You will continue north to Marsala for the Giovedi' Santo (Holy Thursday) Procession. This is
one of the greatest and most colorful of the island’s famed Easter Processions. The streets of
Marsala’s quaint historic center become a stage and the people of the city play different
roles involved in the Passion. It’s a performance you will never forget! You will also have
time to sample some of the fantastic local Marsala wine, and energy permitting; you will also
take in the local museum, which displays the remains of an awesome Phoenician ship. Sleep
in Marsala (B,D)
Day 8 - April 18 – Friday: Erice and Holy Friday Procession in Trapani
This morning you will visit Erice, a delightful medieval village nestled on a 2,200-foot hill.
Enjoy amazing almond pastries in one of the traditional pastry shops. But don't forget to try
the Cannoli and Cassata! These delicious treats will complement the breathtaking views over
the Egadi Islands below. In the afternoon you will behold the Mysteries of Trapani, the oldest
continuously running religious event in Europe! The guilds of Trapani parade 20 sculpted
religious statues that portray individual scenes from the events of the Passion. The
procession has been happening right here for nearly 400 years!
Sleep in Marsala (B, L)
Day 9 - April 19 – Saturday: Monreale
This morning we will make our way to one of the artistic highlights of our trip: the mosaics at
the Norman Cathedral in Monreale. This amazing monument is a dazzling mixture of Arab,
Byzantine and Norman artistic styles all framed by traditional Romanesque architecture.
Nowhere else on the planet can you find such a perfect blend between the Christian and
Muslim artistic worlds of the 12th century. Sleep in Palermo (B, L)
Day 10 - April 20 – Sunday: Easter Events of Piana degli Albanesi
Today we will visit the small village of Piana degli Albanesi where you will hear sacred music
narrating the passion of Christ and observe Greek-Orthodox rites along with other customs
and practices. Rare Greek-Albanian traditions are still alive here including the “Divine
Liturgy” - the reading of the Gospel in seven languages (including Arabic). During the
procession of Piana degli Albanesi, the people dress in traditional Arbëresh costumes and
distribute red eggs as a sign of Christ's resurrection. In the afternoon you will have some
time on own in Palermo. Sleep in Palermo (B, L, D)
Day 11 - April 21 – Monday: Cefalu' and Palermo
This morning we will discover Cefalu, a quaint town famous for both its amazing beaches and
the beauty of its historical centre. We will visit Cefalu’s imposing Norman Cathedral and
intriguing Arab laundries. We will then take the time to visit the local museum, where you
will marvel at the smallest painting you will probably ever see: Portrait of a Stranger, by
famed Renaissance artist Antonello da Messina. Sleep in Palermo (B)
Day 12 - April 22 – Tuesday: Palermo
We will spend the morning visiting Palermo’s greatest attractions including the recently refurbished
Palatine Chapel, Piazza Pretoria and narrow alleys packed with merchandise from all corners of the
Mediterranean. This afternoon you will go back in time to enjoy a special Sicilian puppet show. The
puppet theatre conveys ideals which are dear to Sicilian people: chivalry, honour, justice, faith and
love. Its main themes are related to the legendary stories of Charlemagne’s knights. You will be
amazed by this experience because it is unlike any other theatre on earth. Here the crowd is
expected to take part...to jeer when a villain plots a dastardly deed or cheer with the victories of
hero. Sleep in Palermo (B, D)
Day 13 - April 23 – Wednesday: End of Tour
This morning you can either start your extension in Sicily, or you can make your way to the
airport of Palermo for your flight back to the States. Please note that there are no direct
flights from Palermo to the USA and that you will need to pass through Rome, Milano or
another gateway.
We hope that you will return home with an idea of what it means to be Sicilian!
Trip Details:
2 nights in Catania
2 nights in Val di Noto
2 nights outside Agrigento 2 nights in Marsala
4
nights in Palermo
Price: 3,895 USD per person, double occupancy Single room supplement: 680 USD
Deposit: 500 USD
What’s included in the trip:
All accommodation in comfortable four-star hotels and country inns with private bathroom,
all breakfasts, either lunch or dinner every day including wine, all sightseeing and guided
tours as per the itinerary, the puppet show, all entrances to the sights, all transportation in a
deluxe bus with air conditioning, professional tour leader and local guides and postdeparture travel insurance
What is not included in the trip:
International airfare to and from Italy, personal expenses, tips for guides and driver
Important: group size will not exceed 20 travelers, with a minimum number of 10
This journey has been designed for you by Paola Bagnatori together with Alessandra of
M&G Expeditions. M&G Expeditions is a USA-based tourism operator owned by
Alessandra.
How to sign up for the trip:
If you decide you would like to be part of this adventure, you will need to fill in the
booking form as well as the medical form and send them to the Museo Italo Americano
together with your deposit check (500 USD deposit per person).
The address of the
Museo is Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd, Building C San Francisco, CA 94123
If you would like to receive the sign up forms please contact the Museo at 415 673 2200
or email the Museo at sfmuseo@sbcglobal.net
If you need any information regarding the trip, Alessandra or a member of her staff will
be happy to help, you can contact them by phone or email.
M&G by phone: 503 715 5583 (please leave a message if nobody is available to take your
call). Email: ale.gardino@earthlink.net or info@mg-expeditions.com or
mgexpeditions@earthlink.net
Thank you!
Montgomery & Gardino Expeditions, LLC - www.mg-expeditions.com
Italy: Belvedere Montaldo 1/12A Genova Tel. + 39 347 0689027 Fax. + 39 010 5701150
USA: 25 NW 23rd PL. Suite 6 PMB # 478 - Portland, OR 97210
Tel. + 503 715
5583 or toll free: 866 322 8958