EXPLORE
THE HIDDEN TREASURES
OF ROME
AND
SICILY
WITH
THE HISTORIC
NEW ORLEANS
COLLECTION
NOVEMBER 4–13, 2007
Sunday, November 4
Arrive in Rome (travel arranged on your own)
Welcome reception with tour escort
Escorted passeggiata through pedestrian Rome
Dinner
Monday, November 5
Lunch at a typical trattoria
Guided tour of Villa Giulia (known for its impressive collection of Etruscan artifacts)
Tuesday, November 6
Visit the Vatican City. We will take guided tours of the Vatican Gardens (whose artifacts include the Casina of Pius IV, the Eagle Fountain, and the statue dedicated to the Madonna of Guadalupe); Conservation Studios (where we will learn how the Vatican restores and conserves the pieces within its collections); and the Vatican Apostolic Library (where a resident scholar will offer insight on this historic collection). The day concludes with a private after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums, featuring a viewing of Michelangelo’s recently restored Sistine Chapel.*
Wednesday, November 7
Visit Rome’s undiscovered museums. Our stops will include the Palazzo Altemps (home to a unique collection of ancient Roman relics) and Villa Farnesina (home to Raphael’s great fresco of Galatea)
Fly to Palermo, the capital of the region of Sicily.
Thursday, November 8
Tour Palermo. We begin with an escorted visit to the vucerria market, where hundreds of food vendors ply their wares, followed by a guided tour of the city, featuring stops at the Cathedral and Norman Palace, known for its intricate mosaics.
Visit nearby Monreale, with its majestic Cathedral and adjoining cloisters.
Dine in a stunning patrician palazzo, hosted by a local nobleman and his wife. Music will be provided by a tenor.
Friday, November 9
Explore northwest portion of Sicily. We will visit the Pasticceria Maria Grammatico in Erice for a demonstration of how marzipan is made and hand-painted; visit Trapani, a centuries-old fishing community; and eat lunch at one of the local ‘salt windmill’ restaurants in nearby Ettore ed Infersa.
Return to Palermo. During a visit to the International Marionette Museum, we will be treated to a private puppet show and short lecture on the history of Sicilian marionettes.
Saturday, November 10
Day trip to Agrigento (an ancient Greek colony) for a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples. En route to Agrigento, we will visit Segesta (another Greek site dotted with temples).
Please note that to minimize hotel transfers, November 9 and 10 will involve extensive bus travel and walking.
Sunday, November 11
Guided tour of Cefalù (a tiny town that maintains its medieval appearance), with a visit to the great Norman Cathedral built by Roger II
Return to Rome
Monday, November 12
Tour Rome at your leisure
Gala farewell dinner
Tuesday, November 13
Depart Rome for New Orleans
* Due to the nature of the Vatican museums, gardens, and library, unforeseen events could require that the visits be substituted with visits to other institutions.
