Rome & Sicily Adventure, April 17-29, 2027, with Barnard Griffin Winery

Day 1: Saturday, April 17

ARRIVAL IN ROME / WELCOME DINNER

Guests of Barnard Griffin will be met upon arrival at Rome Fiumicino International Airport (code: FCO) and transferred to the Rose Garden Palace Hotel. Tonight enjoy an aperitivo and Welcome Dinner with your Expanding Horizons escort and fellow passengers at the hotel. (D)

OVERNIGHT: Rose Garden Palace Hotel (3 Nights)

KEY FOR INCLUDED MEALS: B = Breakfast   /   L = Lunch   /   D = Dinner / T = Tasting

Day 2: Sunday, April 18

COLOSSEUM & ROMAN FORUM

Following breakfast, we have a guided tour of the Colosseum, the largest ancient amphitheater ever built. We tour the Roman Forum, once the beating heart of ancient Rome that has been called the most celebrated meeting place in world history. Walk among temple ruins and monuments that speak to the glory days of the Roman Empire. This afternoon and evening are at leisure upon return to the hotel area. (B)

Day 3: Monday, April 19

VATICAN MUSEUMS & SISTINE CHAPEL 

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was the immense Vatican, a country its own right and world headquarters of the Catholic Church. Enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel, where we explore the immense collections of art, archaeology, and ethnology gathered by popes throughout the centuries. Marvel at Michaelangelo’s ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the famous frescoes, ancient sculptures, and rich collections of Egyptian, Etruscan, and Renaissance art. Return to the hotel area this afternoon where lunch, exploring Rome’s city center, and dinner are at your leisure. (B)

Day 4: Tuesday, April 20

FLY ROME TO PALERMO / SICILY DINNER

After breakfast and hotel check-out, we depart Rome, the “Cradle of Western Civilization”, to Rome Fiumicino International Airport (code: FCO). We fly to Palermo International Airport (code: PMO, flight is included in the program price). Upon arrival transfer to the Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa, an historic, 4-star hotel in the heart of the city. Tonight enjoy dinner at the hotel or a local restaurant nearby. (B,D)

OVERNIGHT: Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa (4 Nights)

Day 5: Wednesday, April 21

PALERMO 

After breakfast we take a guided walking tour through the historic Sicilian capital of Palermo, where we visit Palermo Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 12th century showcasing the fascinating multicultural influence of Sicily’s origins. Step back in time at the Royal Palace of Palermo to experience the infinite beauty of Palatine Chapel with its mixture of European, Sicilian, Byzantine and Arab architecture, the unparalleled elegance of the mosaics, and the intricate muqarnas ceiling, a form of three-dimensional decoration in Islamic architecture. Next experience the famous Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele, the biggest opera house in Italy. Lunch is at leisure to explore Palermo’s local street food, followed by a special trip for an afternoon wine tasting experience at Baglio di Pianetto Wine Estate. In the early evening we enjoy an authentic historic Sicilian puppet show at Antonio Pasqualino International Puppet Museum, seen in the Godfather II film. Dinner is at leisure tonight. (B,T)

Day 6: Thursday, April 22

MONREALE / CEFALÙ

Today after breakfast we depart for Monreale to enjoy a guided tour of the Cathedral and Cloister of Monreale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the greatest extant examples of Norman architecture. We then take a guided walk through Cefalù, one of Sicily’s most famous coastal towns, followed by a group lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon is at leisure to explore this coastal medieval treasure known as the “Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea”, home to the stunning mosaics in the Cathedral of Cefalù and charming medieval squares. Several scenes the HBO series The White Lotus were filmed here. Return to Palermo for dinner at leisure. (B,L)

Day 7: Friday, April 23

PALERMO / COOKING CLASS & MARKET TOUR / WINERY

After breakfast at the hotel, we have a guided visit to Ballarò or Capo Market with a local chef, followed by a hands-on cooking class featuring dishes like arancini, caponata and fresh pasta. Wash this repast down with Sicilian wine, and an Old World vs. New World tasting with our host, Rob Griffin. Later visit Alessandro di Camporeale winery for a guided tour and tasting. Dinner and the evening is at leisure, with time to enjoy free live music and dancing in the Piazza Sant’Anna. (B,L,T)

Day 8: Saturday, April 24

AGRIGENTO / VALLEY OF THE TEMPLES / WINERY / CATANIA

We have an early departure after breakfast for a full day ahead, starting with a trip to Agrigento for a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore this amazing archaeological site with Greek temples built on a hillside facing the sea. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant followed by a tour & wine tasting nearby at the lovely Tenute Camilleri winery. We depart for a 2.5-hour drive to Catania. Arrive in Catania for evening check-in to the 4-star luxury Una Palace Hotel. (B,L,T)

OVERNIGHT: Una Palace Catania (5 Nights)

Day 9: Sunday, April 25

CATANIA / PIAZZA ARMERINA

After breakfast we have an early morning departure from Catania – Sicily’s ancient port city at the foot of Mount Etna – for a guided tour of Piazza Armerina and the Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rare ancient mosaics and opus sectile floors here are in an excellent state of preservation. Lunch will be served in Piazza Armerina. Dinner this evening will be in the hotel or at a local restaurant in the city center. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Monday, April 26

CATANIA / MOUNT ETNA / WINERY

After breakfast, we have an early departure. Board our Jeep 4×4 vehicles for a guided excursion to legendary Mount Etna, one of the tallest active volcanoes in Europe known for its moon-like lava surfaces. Lunch followed by a tour and wine tasting will be at either Barone di Villagrande or Tenuta Delle Terre Nere wineries. Return to Catania in the early evening. Dinner is at leisure tonight. (B,L,T)

Day 11: Tuesday, April 27

SIRACUSA / ORTIGIA

After breakfast we take a day trip to Siracusa for a guided tour of Siracusa Greak Theatre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built into the rock of the Temenite Hill, an ancient metropolis that once rivalled Athens. This impressive site is located in the Neapolis Archaeological Park, the major site of what was ancient Siracusa city. Then on to Ortigia, a small, walkable Sicilian island packed with 2,500 years of history, Baroque architecture, and vibrant street life. We have lunch here followed by a wine tasting “Origins” experience at Cantine Pupillo. Learn about the unique Sicilian terroir and the beloved and historical wines of this region. Afterward return to Catania. Tonight dinner is at leisure. (B,L,T)

Day 12: Wednesday, April 28

TAORMINA / FAREWELL DINNER

Depart early to Taormina for a “Godfather” excursion and a guided scenic tour. En route visit both Savoca & Forza d’Agrò, charming, historic hilltop villages that were key filming locations for Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather II. Stop in Savoca for coffee and photos at Bar Vitelli, take a short walk through Savoca’s narrow, medieval streets then stop at Chiesa di San Nicolò where Michael and Apollonia’s famous wedding scene was filmed. This afternoon we discover Forza d’Agrò, home to an incredible historical center and picturesque views overlooking the coast, with a Norman Castle, beautiful church and wonderful piazzas. Return to Taormina for a light lunch on your own. Next visit the ancient Greek Theatre and Taormina’s main thoroughfare. Return to Catania for our Barnard-Griffin “Ciao Sicily!” Farewell Dinner at a local scenic restaurant. (B,D)

Day 13: Thursday, April 29

DEPART CATANIA

After breakfast and check-out at the hotel we transfer to Catania–Fontanarossa Airport (code: CTA) for onward flights home. (B)