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| Twice in the history
of the world, a Sicilian city has reigned supreme. Greek Syracuse,
now Siracusa, was for four hundred years the foremost power
in the ancient world, until it fell to the Romans in 211BC.
A thousand years later, first under the Arabs and then the Normans,
Palermo was the greatest metropolis in Europe, famous for the
beauty of its buildings and its wealth and learning. This Learn
Italy holiday, the first to be centred in more than one city,
will visit both of these historic and fascinating cities. |
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| We will spend four nights in
Palermo. We will visit mediaeval buildings which bring together
Norman, Byzantine and Islamic influences, such as the Palatine
Chapel, which in 1200 was one of the most spectacular architectural
creations in Christendom. However there is much more to Palermo
than the relics of Norman rule. The city is full of churches
decorated in the astonishingly ornate Sicilian Baroque. And
there are palaces of all kinds, ranging from the Islamic La
Siza to the eighteenth-century Palazzo Mirto. Outside Palermo
we will visit the Norman cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale,
both gloriously decorated with mediaeval mosaics. |
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| From Palermo we will move for
one night to Agrigento, to see the much celebrated Valley of
the Temples, a spectacular group of Greek remains, surpassing
anything to be found in Greece itself; without seeing this,
a visit to Sicily would be incomplete. |
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| Our visit to Sicily will finish
with three nights in Siracusa, where we will see more fascinating
remains of the ancient world, including the Greek theatre, and
the city's cathedral, built around a Doric temple. As a contrast
there will be the chance to visit the nearby city of Noto, rebuilt
entirely in exuberant Baroque after the earthquake of 1693.
We will also have plenty of time to enjoy Ortygia, Siracusa's
ancient island centre. |
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| From our coach as we travel
across Sicily we will see some of the island's spectacular landscapes
of mountains and fertile valleys, illuminated by spring sunshine,
and colourful with wild flowers. Our four-star hotels in Palermo
and Siracusa are in the centre of the cities; in Agrigento we
will be within walking distance of the temples. |
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| Evening lectures will prepare
us for what we will see on the following day. Alice Foster,
who has led many study holidays during the past five years,
and therefore needs no introduction to most friends of Learn
Italy, will be our tutor. |
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| The tour organiser will be
Martin Gray. For those who want company in the evening, some
group dinners will be organised. Please see overleaf for a draft
programme and guideline prices. |
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flight to Palermo airport; optional group meal; first of four
nights at Palermo hotel |
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full day visit to Palermo by coach, to see the Cathedral, the
Palatine Chapel and Palazzo dei Normanni, La Zisa and La Martorana,
and the National Gallery of Sicily |
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morning free, afternoon visit to Cathedral of Monreale by coach |
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visit to Cefalù by coach |
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morning departure for Agrigento;
afternoon: visit to Valley of the Temples: group meal in hotel;
one night at Agrigento hotel |
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morning; second opportunity to visit the Valley of the Temples;
afternoon: depart for Siracusa via Roman villa at Piazza Armerina
(if mosaics are on show):
first of three nights at Siracusa hotel |
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coach to archaeological sites of Siracusa, and to Ragusa and
Noto |
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free day in Ortygia; optional group meal |
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leave Siracusa for Catania airport and return flight to UK |
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Per person,
single use of double room:
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| Per person,
sharing a double room: |
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These prices do not include flights.
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| eight nights bed and
breakfast in four-star hotels in Palermo, Agrigento and
Siracusa; |
| lectures on the art,
architecture and history of Sicily; |
| entrance fees to museums
and churches; |
| transfers between the
Cotswolds and Heathrow; |
| transfers from Palermo
airport to central Palermo, and from Siracusa to Catania
airport; |
| coach travel to sites
around Palermo and Siracusa and between the three major
cities of our visit; |
| services of art history
tutor; services of tour organiser. |
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| Flights from a London
airport to Palermo, with return from Catania currently cost
about £200. Information about how and when tickets can
be purchased will be supplied when the group has arrived at
about twenty persons. If you wish to join this study tour, or
require any more information, please contact Martin Gray on
01865 860984 or by e-mail to martin.gray9@btopenworld.com. Places
on this study holiday will be first-come, first-served, based
on receipt of the booking form and deposit. |
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If you wish to
join this study week, please contact Martin Gray
at
01865 860984 or
enquiries@learn-italy.com
to receive a booking form.
Places on the holiday will be first-come, first-served,
based on receipt of the booking form and deposit.
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Guideline prices, excluding flights:
