Painter or discerning traveller
This tour caters for painters (professional
and student) and also for those travellers and photographers
interested in absorbing the culture, history and landscape
of Sicily. There is one tour leader for painters and another
for 'lookers'.
Travel is minimised, so that you maximise viewing and appreciation of each location, flying into Palermo and out of Catania. We offer the more picturesque of similar alternatives such as Vulcano rather than Etna or Stromboli, and the temples of Selinunte rather than Agrigento. Maximum enjoyment, minimum fatigue.
We include two essentials in the appreciation of the flavour of Sicily (both ignored by less well planned tours): the beauty of wild flowers in sunny Spring time and the colour of Trapani’s 16th Century Easter procession.
We follow a trail of civilisations and cultures,
from ancient Phoenicians and Greeks to Romans, Saracens, Normans
and Spanish. Each has passed through this diverse island leaving
its legacy in the magnificently preserved architecture, artworks
and in the spirit of today's Sicilians. |
Palermo |
Painting in the Pescheria (fish market),
Catania |
The artist and traveller
will find markets, fishing villages, ruins of temples and
theatres amidst a varied landscape: mountain views, plains,
and stunning coastlines.
We even visit the volcanic Aeolian Islands,
still so strongly evocative of their role in the mythology
of Homer. The cuisine encountered at each stopover is exquisite
and unforgettable: from couscous and panelle to cassata and
canoli. |
Western Sicily
We begin our tour in the busy capital of the
island, Palermo.
It nestles amongst impressive limestone mountains on the north
west coast of the island.
Superimposed over its Phoenician origins, and
strikingly evident today, is the architecture of Norman Sicily
when, in a golden age, Norman kings assumed the customs and
learning of their Arab predecessors. |
San Giovanni degli Eremiti, Palermo
|
High above Palermo and the Conca
d’Oro valley, once famed for its citrus groves, sits
Monreale. It boasts views to the port and a 12th century Norman
cathedral, which combines Byzantine mosaics, Islamic tiling
and sculpted Norman cloisters.
Our painting sites in Palermo are evocative
of their history – be it Arab-Norman or the Spanish Baroque
– yet they are also part of an exciting, living city. |
Mosaics, Monreale Cathedral
|
Cloister, Monreale Cathedral
|
Via dei Calderai (Street of the Tinkers),
Palermo |
We enjoy a special dinner
of authentic local cuisine and recommend various eating venues.
The painting (and non-painting) sites are easily accessible
by foot or we travel by coach.
For the non-painter there are many attractions from the
superb archeological museum to colourful markets, intricate
mosaics and elaborate Jesuit churches. |
| Next we move down the west coast
to the port city of Trapani, only a ferry ride away from North
Africa. The local fishing and naval scenes are great painting
subjects, and Trapani serves as a convenient base for day excursions.
Our highlight is the famous 16th century Easter pageant, the
Misteri, with 16 bands and choirs - a most moving experience,
a community on parade living a strongly felt tradition.
We visit the Phoenician island of Mozia and its salt pans
dotted with red-capped windmills. Above Trapani, perched on
the ancient site of a Phoenician temple, is the beautifully
preserved Norman town of Erice, where the almond biscuits
are irresistible |
The Misteri Easter festival,
Trapani |
Salt pans and windmill, Mozia
|
Erice |
Our next
base is Marinella, a quiet little fishing village at this
time of year, adjacent to the extraordinary archeological
park of Selinunte whose earliest ancient Greek temple dates
to the 6th century BC.
The local fishermen welcome us around their little port where
they mend nets or gossip at the bar. |
Selinunte Archeological Park |
Marinella |
Marinella |
|
