SICILY IN DEPTH
Crossroads of the Mediterranean ... the “toe” in Italy’s boot ... “God’s Kitchen” ... Sicily is all this, and much more, as we see on our stellar small group journey around this Italian island. It’s lively cities and ancient ruins, temples of man and of nature, hospitable people and delectable cuisine ... a feast for all the senses.
Physical Activity Level 3 - Moderate: Consistent amount of walking most days, about 2-4 miles per day. These trips feature long touring days and may include travel via various modes of transportation. Travelers are expected to board transportation without assistance as well as stand and walk over uneven terrain including cobblestones for extended periods of time. Some tours may include activities and travel at higher altitudes. Elevators are not always available at sights or all hotels.
Stephen has been on the faculty of the Department of English since 1990 and served as department chair 2015-2019. He teaches a broad range of courses on English and world literatures from 1700 to the present day, with specialties in the history and theory of the novel and in contemporary world fiction. The first volume of a two-volume History of the English Novel 1700-2020 is forthcoming in 2024. He is also a general editor of the The New Edinburgh Edition of the Collected Works of Robert Louis Stevenson.
Steve’s teaching has been honored with the Alumni Association Board of Trustees’ Teaching Award and with a three-year appointment (2007-2010) as the Richard A. and Sarah Mayo NEH Distinguished Teaching Professorship. He was also a Fulbright Teaching Scholar in Shillong, India (1999) and twice served on the faculty for the Semester at Sea Program (2011, 2013). With Cavalier Travels, Steve has journeyed to Oxford (2004), Ireland (2014), India (2017) and Iceland (2023)
DAY 2 – Friday, September 19, 2025
Arrive Palermo
We arrive today in Palermo, capital of Italy’s autonomous region of Sicily. This evening we gather at our hotel for a briefing on the journey ahead, followed by a welcome dinner.
Eurostars Centrale Palace
Dinner (D)
DAY 3 – Saturday, September 20, 2025
Palermo
On this morning’s walking tour, we discover 2,700-year-old Palermo’s twin claims to fame: impressive architecture and world-class street food. Highlights include Palermo Cathedral and Palazzo Reale, both part of Arab-Norman Palermo, a UNESCO site comprising nine civil and religious structures dating to Norman rule in Sicily (c. 12th century). We also see the Church of San Cataldo, another of Palermo’s Arab-Norman treasures. Along the way we pass through vibrant markets selling arancini, cannoli, and other Sicilian specialties – which, of course, we stop to sample. Following our tour, we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant then return to our hotel in the city center. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration. With dinner on our own tonight, perhaps a culinary adventure is in order – and thanks to Sicily’s strategic Mediterranean location that lured many invaders, Sicilian food incorporates Italian, Arabic, and African influences into a singular, and delicious, cuisine.
Eurostars Centrale Palace
Breakfast, Lunch (B,L)
DAY 4 – Sunday, September 21, 2025
Erice/Trapani
A full day of touring takes us first to the medieval walled town of Erice. Perched atop a mountain nearly 2,500 feet above sea level, Erice offers panoramic views of the valley below, the port town of Trapani, and the Tyrrhenian Sea beyond. We continue to Trapani, where we visit the region’s famed salt pans. Though the area is a desig¬nated Nature Reserve, Sicilians still harvest salt here using centuries-old methods; indeed, the oldest of the area’s 60 working windmills dates to the island’s Arabic regime. We tour the museum here then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Palermo.
Eurostars Centrale Palace
Breakfast, Lunch (B,L)
DAY 5 – Monday, September 22, 2025
Monreale/Agrigento
En route to Agrigento today, we stop in nearby Monreale. Sitting on the slopes of Monte Caputo, Monreale looks over La Conca d’Oro, or “the Golden Shell,” a richly fertile valley studded with groves of orange, olive, and almond trees. Here we visit the city’s celebrated cathedral, another gem of Arab-Norman Palermo and one of the finest examples of Norman architecture still in existence. The imposing main façade and ornate outer cloister serve to prepare us for the cathedral’s breathtaking main sanctuary, where every inch of wall and ceiling space is covered with painstakingly detailed mosaics. Crafted by artisans from Constantinople (now Istanbul), the dazzling mosaics contain some 4,850 pounds of pure gold. Next we visit a nearby family-owned winery, where we enjoy a wine tasting and lunch. Our journey then continues; late this afternoon we reach Agrigento and our hotel, where we dine together tonight.
Hotel Baia di Ulisse
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B,L,D)
DAY 6 – Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Agrigento
This morning we visit the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO site and archaeological zone whose ruins of fallen Doric temples and sanctuaries date to Greek rule in the 5th century bce. Known in its heyday as “the most beautiful city of mortals,” Agrigento was one of the leading cities during the Golden Age of ancient Greece. Our tour features both the eastern zone, where we see the beautifully preserved Temple of Concordia (c. 430 bce), and the western zone, with the massive temple of Olympian Zeus, believed to be the largest Doric temple ever built. From the outdoor sites, we then move on to Agrigento’s archaeological museum, with exhibits and artifacts that tell the story of this outpost of classical Greece. Then we return to our hotel for dinner together.
Hotel Baia di Ulisse
Breakfast, Dinner (B,D)
DAY 7 – Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Piazza Armenia/Syracuse
We travel across Sicily’s southern reaches today to Syracuse (Siracusa), stopping along the way in Piazza Armerina to visit Villa Romana del Casale, an elaborate 4th-century ce villa and UNESCO site boasting one of the richest, and largest, collections of mosaics in the Roman world. Thanks to having been buried by landslides, the villa, its vivid frescoes, and the more than 3,200 square feet of mosaics survived the millennia in remarkably good shape. Following our tour here, we continue on to Syracuse, arriving late this afternoon. Once the largest city in the ancient world, Syracuse today is an alluring spot known for its superb archaeological sites and the relaxed seaside ambience of its Baroque old town.
Hotel Borgo Pantano
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B,L,D)
DAY 8 – Thursday, September 25, 2025
Syracuse
Today we discover what this city is best known for: the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, a UNESCO site that comprises a range of ancient monuments. We begin our explorations at the 5th-century bce Greek theater, the 16,000-seat amphitheater where the tragedies of Aeschylus were staged – in his presence – and still in use today. Next: Latomia del Paradiso (Paradise Quarry), the now overgrown shaft from which the white limestone used to build Syracuse was cut. Because it has excellent acoustics, the quarry also is known as the Ear of Dionysius. We continue on to the Roman amphitheater, the 1st-century bce arena that once held gladiator spectacles; today it hosts musicals on its ancient stones. Then we take a walking tour of Ortigia, the “white pearl” of Sicily, the historical center of Syracuse, and a UNESCO site.
Hotel Borgo Pantano
Breakfast, Dinner (B,D)
DAY 9 – Friday, September 26, 2025
Syracuse
This morning we embark on a cruise along Sicily’s Ionian coast dotted with tiny islands and caves. We see the Spanish Wall, 13th-century Castello Maniace that served as a bulwark against invaders in the Middle Ages, and historic Ortigia Island. We disembark on Ortigia, where we’re free to explore and enjoy lunch on our own. Late this afternoon we return to our hotel, where we dine tonight.
Hotel Borgo Pantano
Breakfast, Dinner (B,D)
DAY 10 – Saturday, September 27, 2025
Mt. Etna/Taormina
We depart Syracuse this morning and make our way up the coast to Mt. Etna, one of Europe’s largest active volcanoes. The ancients believed conical snow-topped Etna to be the forge of Vulcan, god of fire; today, Sicilians have a very personal relationship with the volcano, which fre-quently erupts but is seldom destructive. Descending from the volcano, we stop at a private farm set amidst acres of lemon and kiwi groves, where we enjoy a small group highlight: a homemade lunch prepared by the family who lives here. To accompany our meal, we sample some excellent Sicilian wines. Then we resume our journey to Taormina, arriving late this afternoon. This evening is at leisure, with dinner tonight on our own.
NH Collection Taormina
(B,L)
DAY 11 – Sunday, September 28, 2025
Taormina
This morning we embark on a walking tour of this delightful medieval town set on a rocky terrace overlooking the Ionian Sea. Highlights include the 3rd-century bce Greek theater, where gladiators once battled; the 13th-century fortress-like Duomo; and grand Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, site of the ancient agora and today an inviting plaza. This afternoon is at leisure to enjoy Taormina as we wish; tonight we celebrate our Sicily adventure over a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
NH Collection Taormina
Breakfast, Dinner (B,D)
DAY 12 – Monday, September 29, 2025
Depart for U.S.
We transfer today to the Catania airport for our return flight to the U.S.
Breakfast (B)
- Eurostars Centrale Palace – 3 nights
- Hotel Baia di Ulisse – 2 nights
- Hotel Borgo Pantano – 3 nights
- NH Collection Taormina – 2 nights
22 meals: 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
$5,295 per person, double occupancy, land only
$5,795 per person, double occupancy, with economy class round-trip airfare from Washington, DC, plus $679 airline taxes and fees, which are subject to change until final payment is made.
$5,995 per person, double occupancy, with economy class round-trip airfare from Charlottesville, VA, plus $679 airline taxes and fees
Other Gateway Cities Are Available
A limited number of single rooms will be available for a supplement of $1,095 to the per person, double occupancy rates.
Airline upgrades (subject to availability; pricing subject to change) on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight:
Business Class: $3,995 per person
Premium Economy: $1,795
Price includes:
Round-trip air transportation from specific cities; 10 nights’ accommodations in Deluxe, Superior Frist Class, and First Class hotels; extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees; services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director; private motor coach transportation throughout your trip; luggage handling for one bag per person; gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers.
Price Does not include:
Airfare and airport transfers when purchasing a Land Only package; airfare from your hometown to your departure city; costs of passports and visas; immunizations and inoculations; personal expenses such as beverages, laundry, room service, and meals not specified; communication charges; optional sightseeing; gratuities to your Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director, which are at your discretion (suggested gratuities: $10–$15 per traveler, per day); and travel protection insurance. Additional baggage fees may apply and are subject to change at any time. You should confirm directly with your airline(s) prior to departure.
Ready to register? The best way to do this is by phone so that we can ensure we are meeting all of your needs. Please call us at 866-765-2646 or e-mail cavaliertravels@virginia.edu with your contact information and the best time to reach you.
A deposit of $500 per person (a $200 service fee is non-refundable) is required to reserve your spot. Final invoicing will be done approximately 110 days prior to departure. Final payment is due 95 days prior to departure (June 15, 2025).
Your reservation is not confirmed until your deposit is paid and processed. Payment may be made by American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or VISA, or by personal check. If paying by check, please make check payable to our tour operator, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc.
Odysseys Unlimited, Inc., reserves the right to cancel any reservations that are not paid in full at any time after final payment is due. If you make your reservation after the final payment date, payment in full will be required upon reservation.
Early registration is encouraged as space is limited.
The following is intended to provide you with a description of what to expect when you reserve this tour. Upon booking, you will be asked to acknowledge your acceptance of the full Terms and Conditions on the secure on-line portal, My Odyssey
Cavalier Travels reserves the right to use photos that might include you in marketing materials and for other purposes unless you specify otherwise.
Payment Schedule: A deposit of $500 per person (a $200 service fee is non-refundable) confirms your reservation. The balance of your invoice is due 95 days (June 15, 2025) before departure.
Cancellation, Refunds, and Changes: If you must cancel your trip, the effective date of cancellation will be upon the University of Virginia’s receipt of your notification. Refunds for cancellations are subject to the following per person charges: cancel 95 days or more before departure: $200 charge; cancel 94-65 days before departure: 25% of tour price; cancel 64-45 days before departure: 50% of tour price; cancel 44-30 days before departure: 75% of tour price; cancel 29-0 days before departure: no refund. If you make any changes to your reservation from 94 to 30 days prior to departure, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. will apply a $100 per person administrative fee, in addition to any fees or penalties imposed by third parties. Changes are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. If your reservation changes from double occupancy to single occupancy for any reason, you will be charged the single supplement. No changes are allowed within 30 days of departure.
Upon reservation, you must provide your full legal name as it appears on your passport, as well as your date of birth and gender. In the event an airline ticket is issued with incorrect information you have provided, you will be responsible for charges associated with the ticket’s reissue.
Responsibility: The liability of the University of Virginia, as sponsor, and Odysseys Unlimited, Inc., as tour operator, is strictly limited. Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. purchases transportation, hotel accommodations, and restaurant and other services from independent suppliers not under our control. We serve only as agents for these suppliers in securing tour arrangements, and therefore will not accept responsibility for wrongful, negligent, or arbitrary acts or omissions of these independent contractors, or of their employees, agents, servants, or representatives. The University of Virginia and Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. are not liable for injury, damage, loss, accident, or delay that may be caused by events not within our control, including, without limitation, acts of terrorism, war, strikes, the defect of any vehicle, or the negligence or default of any third party. All coupons, receipts, and tickets issued are subject to the terms and conditions specified by the air carriers, cruise lines, and other independent suppliers. We will make every effort to operate our tours as planned, but we reserve the right to make itinerary changes as necessary. If unforeseen circumstances require us to change a hotel, we will select alternative accommodations of the same or better quality.
Health and Medical Issues: We request that you be in good health to participate in this University of Virginia tour. There is a considerable amount of walking, and you must be able to get on and off motorcoaches on your own. We regret that we cannot offer individual assistance; in such cases you must be accompanied by a companion who will assist you. Please note that many of our itineraries, for reasons beyond our control, cannot accommodate wheelchairs. Please call or e-mail us to inquire and we will do our best to answer any questions you may have. We reserve the right to remove anyone whose physical or mental condition, in our opinion, compromises the operation of the tour or detracts from the enjoyment or safety of the other passengers. In that event, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and the University of Virginia assume no financial responsibility for any unused portion of the tour.
Air Transportation – Important Information: Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. includes in its tour price round-trip economy air from designated gateway cities, and contracts with those airlines the company feels provide the level of service, routings, and value necessary for your entire trip. While another airline may offer a more direct connection, it may be at a price unavailable at the lower group rates. You will receive your preliminary air schedule approximately 2½ months prior to departure. Please note that seat assignment on your international flight is usually done at airport check-in. Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. is unable to guarantee any seat assignments. Due to the nature of tour operator tickets, other restrictions apply, including, but not limited to, frequent flyer mileage accrual, stopovers, alternate travel dates, upgrades, and airline taxes and fees. If you prefer to make your own travel arrangements, Land Only is available on most tours. Since international and domestic air schedules are subject to change at any time, we recommend that if you choose to make your own airline reservations, you do not purchase non-refundable tickets or those with high penalties for changes. If you choose to make your own air arrangements, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. shall not have any liability for any loss resulting from cancellation of this tour or changes in this tour.