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Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon: After checking in at the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Program-related transportation will be primarily via motorcoach (unless specified otherwise), necessitating ascending/descending a few steps. Meals will include wine, coffee, and water with other beverages available for purchase. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. During the winter months, some stores are closed during the afternoon hours. Please note there are 5 sets of stairs for a total of 104 stairs, spaced by terraces, from the Continental Hotel to the Duomo square in Taormina. You will need to manage these steps on day 3 when we visit Taormina, in the evenings when we go to dinners and on your free time. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/weather conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We’ll then enjoy a welcome cocktail together at the hotel before dinner.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 1 mile, approximately 10 minutes. Walking about 2 miles on uneven terrain.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will set out on a walking field trip with our Group Leader who will provide commentary as we explore the ancient city of Taormina. Amid some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Italy, it boasts views of both the Ionian and Mediterranean seas below and on the southern side, the top of Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. Taormina has attracted people with its pleasant climate and remarkable setting for centuries. We can still find fine examples from its extraordinary history such as the tremendous Greek theater, the 10th century Palazzo Corvaja, and the 13th century Cathedral of Saint Nicolò that we will see as we walk. We will then take a minivan to the cooking school for our first hands-on cooking lesson with an expert local chef. We’ll be organized like a “brigata di cucina” — kitchen brigade — and help to prepare a complete menu, including serving. In our small groups, we’ll be assigned particular dishes.
Lunch: At the cooking school, we will enjoy the results of our class.
Afternoon: Returning to the hotel, the afternoon is free. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like in Taormina. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles throughout the day, approximately 2.5 hours total riding time. Walking about 1 mile, approximately 1.5 hours; cobblestone streets.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will board the motorcoach with our Group Leader for a field trip to Catania. On our way to Catania, we will drive along the enchanting Cyclops Coast and learn about Aci Castello, built by the Normans in 1076. In Catania, we will embark with our Group Leader on a walking field trip in the center of town and see the Duomo and Via Etnea. We will explore the Piscaria, a renowned fish market.
Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in Catania. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon: Free time. In the late afternoon, we will walk to a noble palace for a dessert lesson of the typical Sicilian pastries. We will enjoy the results of our class of the different pastries paired with the typical almond milk, local dessert wine such as Malvasia and Rosolio We’ll return to the hotel.
Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 7 miles approximately 3/4 hour riding time. Walking about 2 miles, approximately 1 hour throughout the day; cobblestone streets.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will board our motorcoach with our Group Leader for a field trip to the ancient village of Castelmola. At 1,800 feet above sea level, it has the most spectacular view in the region. As we walk, we will be able to see Mount Etna, the Gulf of Giardini Naxos, the straits of Messina, and much more (weather permitting). We will board our motorcoach and return to Taormina where we will meet our chef at the local market and learn how to recognize and buy quality products. We will then walk to the cooking school for another hands-on cooking lesson.
Lunch: At the cooking school.
Afternoon: Next, we will walk with our Group Leader by the 16th century Palace of the Dukes of Saint Stefano, the public gardens, and the Badia Vecchia (ancient abbey).
Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like in Taormina. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles throughout the day, approximately 2 hours total riding time. Walking about 1.5 mile, approximately 1 hour; generally flat terrain, cobblestones. In the evening, for the dinner we will use approximately 104 short, wide steps from the hotel to the main square.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will board a motorcoach with our Group Leader for a field trip to Messina, where we will explore the city. We will visit the Mu.Me Regional Museum of Messina. The art museum preserves sculptures, mosaics, and paintings of Antonello da Messina, Montorsoli and Caravaggio. At the extreme tip of the island, we’ll learn about aspects of geology, architecture, and urbanization. We’ll then ride to Ganzirri and visit a local mussel farm to learn about adaptations to the ecosystem and means of earning subsistence. We’ll then return to Taormina by motorcoach.
Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in Taormina. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon: The remainder of the afternoon is free.
Dinner: We will walk and use the stairs to a local restaurant.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Driving about 30 miles throughout the day, approximately 1 hour. Walking about 1.5 miles, approximately 1 hour; cobblestone streets.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: In the late morning, we will ride to the cooking school in Taormina for another hands-on cooking lesson and help prepare our lunch dishes.
Lunch: At the cooking school.
Afternoon: Next, we will board a motorcoach with our Group Leader for a field trip to Savoca, situated in the valley of Agrò, which was one of the most important agricultural areas during the Spanish period, the small country is also known as one of the settings of the movie” the Godfather” by Francis Ford Coppola. Returning to the hotel by minivan.
Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles throughout the day, approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Walking about 2.5 miles, approximately 1 hour; cobblestone streets. Getting on/off a boat. Approximately 1 hour boat ride. In the evening, for the dinner we will use approximately 104 short, wide steps from the hotel to the main square.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will board a motorcoach with our Group Leader and ride to Syracuse to explore and learn what made this the most important city in Magna Graecia. The city is notable for its rich history, culture, and as the birthplace of Archimedes. We will then board a boat for a ride in the Syracuse bay to admire the beauty of the city and the Ortigia island.
Lunch: At a local restaurant in Syracuse.
Afternoon: Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the afternoon is free.
Dinner: We will walk and use the stairs to a local restaurant.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 30 miles throughout the day, approximately 1.5 hour. Walking about 1.5 miles, approximately 1 hour; uneven terrain.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: Our next expert-led field trip will be to Mount Etna, the highest Mediterranean island mountain and one of the most active stratovolcanoes in the world. It has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. From the UNESCO inscription: “The eruptive history of the volcano can be traced back 500,000 years and at least 2,700 years of this activity has been documented. The almost continuous eruptive activity of Mount Etna continues to influence volcanology, geophysics and other Earth science disciplines. The volcano also supports important terrestrial ecosystems including endemic flora and fauna and its activity makes it a natural laboratory for the study of ecological and biological processes.” We’ll take a short walk upon volcanic soil. We will then ride to the nearby Gambino winery for a wine tasting. The vineyards are at an elevation of more than 2,600 feet above sea level on the Eastern side of Mount Etna where the terraces receive abundant sun and fresh air. The winery combines natural processes with modern technology to produce indigenous grape varietals with lower sulfites.
Lunch: At the winery. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell lunch.
Afternoon: Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the afternoon is free.
Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity note: Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast: At the hotel depending on departure time. This concludes our program.
Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!