Sicily: Culture Through the Ages

We recently returned from Sicily: Culture through the Ages April 24 departure - our sixth Tauck tour and one of our best! Sicily was an amazing blend of ancient history, beautiful coastline, intriguing sights, wonderfully agricultural interior, and happy people.

Our tour director, Melisa, was beyond excellent. Through her Sicilian background eyes, we could understand the culture and nature of the island and its people. Her enthusiasm, kindness and attention to detail was incomparable.

The stay in Palermo was too long - not much to see there, gritty (which is fine), Hotel Wagner not up to standards - there is NO restaurant, also fine, but at least have a coffee machine so guests can relax in the lovely public rooms after a day of touring. Our room had a view of office buildings and interior cement structures; but at least it was quiet compared to the street view rooms. We understand Tauck is changing the itinerary next year to two nights in Palermo and 2 at the Verdura Spa Resort, which was spectacular. We arrived one day early and found not much to do. The visit next year will hopefully include Segesta and Monreale, and skip Erice and the second mosaic-filled, smaller church - two of those in one day is too much.

This trip felt more like a Culturious trip - back roads, wine tastings (fabulous!), beautiful vistas, and ancient structures. The special events with the Principesa and the Barone were illuminating and fun, most of the food throughout was excellent. Fun to try all the Sicilian (very good) wines too!

Agrigento and Siricusa were top notch sights not to be missed; Taormina was perhaps one of the most beautiful places on earth we've seen, but not much else to do there but the Greek Theatre and great shopping. We stayed two extra nights to relax, but really one would have been enough.

If you do this trip, consider a 20 minute flight over to Malta, as we did, after - spent 4 wonderful days there.

We met some wonderful new friends, and have many special memories. Highly recommend this trip, especially with the changes being made for 2015.

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