South-Eastern Sicily: visiting the Baroque of Val di Noto

Arrived at the airport (Catania). Coach transfer to Pozzallo with the tour operator of the agency "Check in Sicily"( Day 1 CATANIA-POZZALLO

At the "B&B Brezza Marina***Pozzallo", situated a few steps from the sea (Blue Flag). Cell: +39 333 3195454. Tel/Fax: +39 0932 955432 E-mail: info@brezzamarinapozzallo.it URL:

Transfer to "POZZALLO", a splendid little town that looks out for 2 km over the Mediterranean, offering its inhabitants and tourists two large beaches of fine golden sand right inside the town itself. Since 2002 it has received its first Blue Flag, repeated year after year, the latest in 2008 — an award that only the cleanest and best-equipped beaches in Italy can boast. The points of interest are: the churches; the "Torre Cabrera", a National Monument and symbol of the town, rising imposingly, lapped by the sea and to be admired from a walkway that runs along it and allows a broader view; the "Villa Tedeschi", built in the early 1900s, the summer residence of the marquis... In summer, the splendid free beaches are accessible to all, and are equipped with bathing establishments, kiosks, showers and various services.

We stayed at the "B&B Brezza Marina", where the owners welcomed us with the greatest courtesy and hospitality; thanks for their warm helpfulness, thanks for the cleanliness and the kindness shown, and above all thanks for the... coffees. A B&B recommended for its excellent management and for the enchanting places that surround it. The tour operator of the agency "Check in Sicily"( ever very helpful and thorough, led us through the places of the Hyblaean area. Day 2 NOTO- Visit to the capital of late Sicilian Baroque, called a garden of stone, with its honey-coloured concave and convex forms... the walk through the centre, where you can admire the imposing staircases of the churches and the Cathedral, as well as the intricate geometries which find their highest expression in "Palazzo Nicolaci". A tasting of typical local products...

Day 3 MODICA After crossing the Gurrieri bridge, one of the highest in Europe, you can admire the city spread out along the quarry and dominated by the Church of San Giorgio. A visit to the old town, through a phantasmagorical whirl of staircases and narrow alleys that ooze antiquity... Day 4 RAGUSA IBLA Once in Ragusa Ibla you remain fascinated by the refined late-Baroque and Neoclassical structures. The Cathedral of San Giorgio, the Church of San Giuseppe and the noble palaces stand out... Day 5 SCICLI Visit to the town and its architectural heritage of undisputed value, dating from the Baroque and Late Baroque era... Day 6 SYRACUSE The visit begins from the archaeological area of "NEAPOLIS" to admire the splendour of Magna Graecia with the "Greek Theatre", the Roman Amphitheatre, the Altar of Hieron and the Latomia del Paradiso with the Ear of Dionysius.........

Continuing to the island of Ortygia with a visit to the Cathedral, the first Christian church founded on a Greek temple (dedicated to the goddess Athena), and the Fonte Aretusa... Day 7 POZZALLO-CATANIA Breakfast and departure for the transfer to the airport