Day 8 (Friday, June 13): Noto, Siracusa and Ortygia

Silver Dekadrachm of Syracuse, c. 405-400 BCE

Left (obverse): charioteer crowned by Nike; right (reverse): head of Arethusa, surrounded by dolphins

Our coach takes us first to the Baroque jewel of Noto, a tiny city entirely rebuilt following the catastrophic earthquake of 1693. The center features palazzi and churches, not forgetting the Caffè Sicilia, famed for its almond or lemon granita Siciliana! Then, driving through Avola, birthplace of a favorite wine grape, the Nero d’Avola, we arrive at Siracusa, an Ancient Greek city that rivaled Athens. Here we cross over to Ortygia for lunch which you may choose to suit your own appetite: one recommendation is an historic seafront restaurant, ‘The Old Laundry,’ but it’s your choice! Then we wander the streets of this elegant and historic island where Archimedes made his discoveries, and where sight-seeing and shopping opportunities abound. In the late afternoon we return to our Catania hotel for rest and relaxation before dinner.