The tour starts at 12.00pm on Friday 21 March, at Rome Fiumicino airport, for our group flight to Catania.

The tour ends at 4.45pm on Sunday 6 April, at Rome Fiumicino airport, for departing flights home.

Meet your tour leader at Rome Fiumicino airport at 12.00pm to commence the tour. There is a group flight to Catania, before we transfer by coach to our hotel in Siracusa. The afternoon is at leisure, and you might like to unwind after the day’s travels with an aperitif on the hotel’s rooftop terrace, overlooking the harbour, or relax under a parasol on the private beach. This evening we meet for a light dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Siracusa (D)

This morning we visit the main archaeological sites of the town. Highlights of our visit include the famed theatre of Siracusa, the altar of Hieron II, and the ancient quarries (where thousands of Greek prisoners were held during the Peloponnesian War). In the later afternoon we’ll visit the Museo Aretuseo dei Pupi, housing a collection of traditional Sicilian puppets, followed by a performance of traditional puppetry at the adjoining theatre. This evening we have our welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Siracusa (B, D)

This morning we make our way to the excellent Paolo Orsi Regional Archaeological Museum. Extensively renovated in recent years, the Paolo Orsi is one of the most important archaeological museums in southern Italy. Its artefacts, found throughout Sicily, survey the Greek, Roman, and early Christian epochs. In the afternoon we’ll visit the Byzantine-era Jewish baths which are over 1,500 years old. Overnight Siracusa (B)

Today we take a round trip of the south-east tip of Sicily, with a full day excursion to the towns of Ragusa and Noto. These towns are famed for their exuberant ‘Sicilian Baroque’ architecture, created after a devastating earthquake of 1693 that destroyed the earlier towns. Overnight Siracusa (B)

We depart Siracusa this morning, heading westward through the geographic centre of Sicily. Today’s highlight is the Villa Romana del Casale at Piazza Armerina, featuring a series of intact floor mosaics from the 4th century CE, created by North African artisans. After a break for lunch, we continue to Agrigento on the south coast of Sicily, arriving in the late afternoon. Dinner tonight is in our hotel. Overnight Agrigento (B, D)

Agrigento – ancient ‘Akragas’ — was founded in the 6th century BCE and enjoyed a reputation as one of the wealthiest colonies of the Greek world. The extensive and well-preserved sacred area is testament to these riches, comprising four wonderfully preserved large temples as well as a number of smaller structures. Today we tour the temple site with a local guide and visit the nearby archaeological museum. The afternoon is free to relax. Tonight, we have dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Agrigento (B, D)

Our first stop is to see the larger than life-size Dancing Satyr of Mazara del Vallo, a Greek bronze statue that was found by a Sicilian fisherman in 1998 in the waters of the Mediterranean. We continue to Selinunte (ancient Selinus), the last of the important Greek cities on our itinerary. At its peak, Selinus had a population of 25,000 but it was comprehensively sacked and its ruins inspired generations of Romantic poets and artists, such as Goethe. Dinner tonight is in a local restaurant. Overnight Palermo (B, D)

Palermo is a colourful city, with the atmosphere of North Africa or perhaps Asia rather than of Europe. Its heritage as a meeting point between European civilisation and the Arab and Byzantine worlds is borne out in the splendid medieval buildings of the Norman kingdoms. Today we tour some of the main historic sites of the old city, including the Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel, with its gold mosaics, and the Byzantine-influenced church of La Martorana. After lunch we visit one of the oldest museums in Sicily, the Archaeological museum, which posseses one of the richest collections of Punic and Ancient Greek art in Italy. Overnight Palermo (B)

The cathedral and abbey of Monreale, in the hills overlooking Palermo, were founded by the Norman King William II in the 12th century to demonstrate the power of the Norman Kingdom of Sicily. There are more than 6,000 square metres of mosaics here, using 2,200 kg of real gold. We spend the morning visiting the cathedral and enjoying the surrounding medieval hill town. After returning to Palermo, the afternoon is at leisure. Overnight Palermo (B)

Today we take a ferry to Mozia where, among the salt pans, we explore the ruins of the former Carthaginian settlement. The island also houses a small museum with some unique pieces. We then continue to Segesta, an evocative ruin perched on a hill. The theatre and temple here are truly memorable, and have inspired artists and writers for centuries. In the late afternoon we head back to Palermo. Overnight Palermo (B, L)

We depart Palermo this morning, heading along the north coast. We spend the greater part of the day in Cefalù, a fishing town dominated by a splendid Norman cathedral, reputedly built after King Roger II survived a shipwreck near the town. There is also a Greek sanctuary above the town (a steep walk) and an idiosyncratic art gallery with some fine works. These include a wonderful portrait by Antonello da Messina. After lunch we travel to Milazzo where we take a ferry to the island of Lipari, our base on the Aeolian Islands for the next three nights. Dinner is served in our hotel. Overnight Lipari (B, D)

A local guide shows us the main archaeological site of Lipari this morning, an island inhabited since at least 5,000 BCE. Later on, weather permitting, we take an afternoon boat excursion to the islands of Panarea and Stromboli, 20km from Lipari, enjoying the natural beauty and unspoilt traditional lifestyle of these islands. A highlight of the excursion is the chance to view the volcano of Stromboli. We have a light dinner on Stromboli before returning to Lipari in the early evening. (Alternative plans, such as a visit to the nearby island of Vulcano, or to Milazzo, will be made if the weather is too rough for the excursion). Overnight Lipari (B, D)

This morning is free to explore the town or relax in the hotel. You may like to visit the fortified acropolis and the Aeolian Archaeological Museum, beautiful in itself and home to neolithic vases, Roman amphorae and an extraordinary collection of theatrical masks and statuettes commissioned by Sophocles and Euripides, among others. Later in the afternoon we take a trip around the island by coach, enjoying the landscape and views to the other islands. This evening there will be a talk in the hotel. Overnight Lipari (B)

Returning to the mainland, we travel to the city of Messina to visit the fine Norman cathedral and the Regional Museum of Messina, home to masterpieces by Caravaggio and Antonello da Messina. We then continue on to Taormina on the east coast of Sicily. This gorgeous seaside town is perched on a hilltop and dotted with intimate piazzas and 15-century palazzi. After checking into our hotel, we have a welcome drink on the terrace, enjoying the beautiful views across the Ionian Sea. Overnight Taormina (B)

Taormina is a memorable final destination for our journey, sitting above the sea with superb views to Mount Etna. The views from the town have inspired visitors for centuries, including DH Lawrence, who lived here between 1920 and 1923. We spend this morning visiting the Graeco-Roman theatre and other highlights of the town. The afternoon and evening are at leisure. Overnight Taormina (B)

Today we join our coach for an excursion to the summit of Mount Etna itself. Europe’s largest and most spectacular volcano, Mt Etna is still very active. Assuming conditions are safe we will explore the south side of the volcano, travelling by coach, cable car and finally jeep to a height of 2,900 metres. The landscape and the views are unforgettable. (Please note that the last part of the excursion involves walking over uneven surfaces. It may not be possible for all passengers to undertake this segment.) Returning to Taormina there is time for a stroll around the town before we meet for our farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Taormina (B, D)

The morning is at leisure in Toarmina, before departing at Midday for our mid-afternoon flight for Rome, arriving in time to meet the late evening departing flights for Australia. (B)

Hotels have been selected principally for their central location. All hotels are a comfortable four-star standard.

Siracusa, Grand Hotel Ortigia (4 nights)

Agrigento, Hotel Colleverde Park (2 nights)

Palermo, Eurostars Central Palace (4 nights)

Lipari, Hotel Tritone (3 nights)

Taormina, Hotel Monte Tauro (3 nights)