We've put our heads together with some local experts (PhD-holding art historians, architects, archaeologists and historians who will also be your guides!) to create some unique special interest guided itineraries exclusively for clients of Think Sicily.
Designed to throw light on lesser-known but hugely fascinating aspects of Sicily, the itineraries offer something for everyone, including the youngest members of your group! Take a look and contact us at predeparture@thinksicily.com or +44 (0)20 7377 8518 for more details and pricing.
In the west
1. Exploring the fun side of Sicilian Baroque!
What: a creative workshop (i.e. with lots of hands-on activities) for children focusing on the artist Serpotta’s playful stuccos (recently featured on BBC's Sicily Unpacked with Giorgio Locatelli and Andrew Graham-Dixon).
Where: Palermo
Who: children aged between 4 to 10 (and their parents!)
How long: 3.5 hours approx.
Your expert guide: an art historian and restorer Sophie worked for several years at the Metropolitan Art Museum and the John Paul Getty Museum in New York. She now teaches at the University of Palermo and at the Academy of Fine Arts in Palermo. The Serpotta workshop has proved greatly popular with both children and adults alike (see the photos!).
2. The Belle Époque in Palermo
What: at the end of the 19th century, Palermo was one of Europe's most fashionable cities. Its vastly wealthy entrepreneurs (such as the Florios and Whitakers) commissioned the construction of sumptuous Art Nouveau-style villas, theatres, kiosks and hotels, attracting visits from distinguished guests and international celebrities in the process. The tour takes in and accesses some of Palermo's most iconic Art Nouveau (or Liberty as it was known locally) buildings and offers a fascinating insight into this intense artistic period.
Where: Palermo and Mondello
Who: anyone interested in art, architecture and history
How long: half-day (or three-quarter if lunch included)
Your expert guide: either an Art Historian with a PhD from the University of Oxford or a historian with PhD in Early Modern History from the University of Palermo... you'll be in good hands!
3. Marsala wine and archaeology
What: a fascinating itinerary based around Marsala and the island of Mothya. The link is the Whitaker family, who were central to both the unearthing of one of the world's most important Phoenician archaeological sites - on the tiny island of Mozia - and the development of Marsala's world-famous wine industry. The tour includes a guided visit of Mozia, the museum and the Whitaker family's house there and a visit to the historic Florio wine cellars, complete with wine-tasting.
Where: Mozia and Marsala (the western coast of Sicily)
Who: a great day out for anyone staying in western Sicily!
How long: full-day including lunch
Your expert guide: an archaeologist with a PhD from Rome's Sapienza University who now works as an excavation supervisor and consultant for Sicily’s Department of Archeological Heritage and the Whitaker Foundation.
4. Archaeological trekking
What: an exploration of the archaeological sites of Segesta or Selinunte on foot with a packed lunch in your rucksack! Set in delightful positions (Segesta in the hills of north-western Sicily and Selinunte between the sandy beaches of Sicily's south-western coastline), the two sites are a great excuse for a good walk - a good walk improved, one might say!
Where: Segesta and/or Selinunte
Who: anyone who likes walking and archaeology!
How long: half-day for Segesta, full-day for Selinunte
Your expert guide: an archaeologist with a PhD from Rome's Sapienza University who now works as an excavation supervisor and consultant for Sicily’s Department of Archeological Heritage and the Whitaker Foundation.
In the east
1. Barocolate - Where the Baroque meets Chocolate!
What: Modica is an architectural gem and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Val di Noto. But man cannot live on sublime Baroque architecture alone! So you'll also get to visit Bonajuto's chocolate shops (a kind of mini Willy Wonker's!) to find out how, for several hundred years, ever since the Spanish first bought cocoa back from South America, the Modicans have been making chocolate in the Aztec way! Obviously you'll get to taste lots of chocolate too!
Where: Modica
Who: anyone who likes to have a cultural excuse for eating chocolate! And children!
How long: half-day
Your expert guide: a historian, archaeologist, documentary-maker and Assistant Professor at the University of Catania.
2. Eureka! Discovering Archimedes' Syracuse
What: an archaeological workshop for children accompanied by their parents, during which the ancient history of Siracusa - home to Archimedes - is brought to life through visits to the Archaeological Museum and the Archaeological Park of Siracusa (complete with Greek theatre, Roman amphitheatre, a stone quarry and a huge ear-shaped prison!). Children are given a variety of materials and can take part in a variety of activities including discovery-games, drawing and colouring.
Where: Syracuse
Who: families with children
How long: half-day including ice-cream break!
Your expert guide: a historian, archaeologist, documentary-maker and Assistant Professor at the University of Catania.
Terms and Conditions
Think Experiences are provided by independent local companies which are neither owned not controlled by The Thinking Traveller and for whom we act only as an agent. Whilst every effort is made to keep the description of every Think Experience up to date, the provider may cancel or amend your experience at their discretion for many reasons including where it considers that there may be a risk to your comfort, health or safety. Some excursions/activities (i.e. helicopter rides, excursions on Mount Etna, boat charter, etc.) may contain an element of risk or require a good level of physical fitness, and, if in doubt, you should contact us so we can put you in contact directly with the local provider before deciding to buy. Please also check that you are covered for the activity(ies) in question by your travel insurance policy.
In acting in the capacity of an agent on behalf of the provider, your contract will be with that provider and will be subject to their standard terms and conditions, and it will not form part of your contracted holiday arrangements with us. Any complaint (including any allegation of breach of contract or negligence) should be taken up with the excursion/activity provider directly. We will do our best to assist you, but will have no liability in relation to the performance of that contract.