Bridge in Sicily at the Acacia Resort

Meet us at the airport and fly from Gatwick to Catania.

Alongside your varied bridge programme, we have two fantastic excursions included on this holiday.

Siracusa (Day 3)

We visit one of the most ancient towns in the world, founded by Greek settlers in the 8th century B.C. Over three centuries, it became one of the most powerful and rich cities in the Mediterranean, rivaling in beauty with Athens. The oldest nucleus of Syracuse was founded on the small island Ortigia, which today is the historical centre of the town, with Greek remains standing side by side with Renaissance buildings and Baroque churches.

Here, we’ll visit the Cathedral, built in the 8th century using the structure of an ellenistic temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. This beautiful church stands on an equally beautiful square, Piazza Duomo. It is entirely surrounded by elegant palazzi and churches, including Santa Lucia alla Badia, where a priceless painting by Caravaggio is kept, depicting the burial of the saint. The visit of Ortigia continues along the promenade and the small side streets, lined with shops and cafés. We’ll see the Aretusa fountain, the Fonte Diana, and the ruins of the Temple of Apollo.

After lunch, we proceed to the Archaeological Park and admire the 5th-century BC Greek Theatre – still used, in summer, for classic theatre performances – the so-called ear of Dionisus, the stone quarries, the huge Ierone alter, and the Roman Amphitheatre.

Ragusa Ibla (Day 5)

An ancient historical centre of the city of Ragusa, Ragusa Ibla is famous for its 50+ Baroque churches, including the lavish Duomo of San Giorgio. Perched on a hill, it dominates the valley and enjoys increased notoriety thanks to the TV series Inspector Montalbano, where it features as the setting for various glimpses of Vigata and Montelusa.

The Donnafugata Castle is located in the municipality of Ragusa, about 15 kilometers from the city. The current building, contrary to what the name might suggest, is a sumptuous noble residence from the late 1800s. The residence overlooked what were the possessions of the rich Arezzo De Spuches family. From the moment you arrive, the castle reveals its sumptuousness: the building covers an area of over 7500 square meters on 3 floors in a neo-Gothic style, crowned by two lateral towers, welcoming visitors. Entry into Donnafugata Castle is included along with a fabulous mini train ride that takes in the sights of Ragusa Ibla.

After breakfast, we depart for our return flight to London.