Day 13 Explore Siracusa, Sicily

Destination: Siracusa
Meals included: B L D
Accommodations: M/V Clio

Breakfast: Onboard the ship.

Morning: Of all the Greek cities of antiquity that flourished outside of Greece, Siracusa was the most important in all of the Mediterranean, and a formidable seafaring power nearly equal to Athens. In the heyday of its power, it dared to take on both Carthage and Rome. At one time, its wealth and size were unmatched by any other city in the ancient world, and today it is one of the richest historical sites in Europe.

Our guided tour of Siracusa begins in Ortigia, the historical gem of the city. Admire the architectural splendor of ancient medieval streets, Baroque structures, and the cathedral—which was fashioned out of an ancient Greek temple. We’ll also tour the Giudecca, or Jewish quarter, where Sicilian Jews lived harmoniously alongside their neighbors until the Spanish decree of expulsion in 1492.

After our tour ends, we’ll have some time to explore on our own before lunch. You might join your Trip Experience Leader for a short visit to the mikveh, or underground baths in the Jewish quarter, one of the oldest ritual baths in Europe.

Lunch: Onboard the ship.

Afternoon: The rest of the afternoon is free to explore Siracusa on your own. Nearby, you'll find remarkable Greek and Roman ruins a short taxi drive away, including the cave called "the Ear of Dionysius," because of its unusual shape, resembling a human ear. The cave is more than 200 feet long, and has such good acoustics that the ripping of paper can sound like a gunshot. It is said that the tyrant Dionysius forced his prisoners into the cave at night and was able to hear every word they said.

Tonight, we’ll join our Trip Experience Leader for a Port Talk about our next destination before dinner.

Dinner: Onboard the ship.

Evening: Enjoy a performance of Sicilian folk music when local musicians come aboard. The rest of the evening is at leisure. Perhaps you’ll take advantage of the ship’s amenities as you share a nightcap in the lounge with your fellow travelers.

12/15/24