Festive weekend in Sicily

A Festive Weekend in Sicily: Sicily’s living traditions

Begin the new year with a weekend in Sicily, soaking in the sunshine and glimpsing the Sicilian way of life. This festive weekend is a two day intensive ‘Sicilian experience’ filled with history, culture and gastronomy.

Re-enacting the nativity scene and traditional Sicilian rural life, artists, craftsmen, farmers and shepherds come together at the living museum and nativity scene of Custonaci in the hope to preserve Sicily’s traditions. The living nativity scene, set in a prehistoric cave at the foot of mount Cofano will certainly entice you, and so are the villagers who, throughout the village, tend to their respective occupations, making pots, spinning wool, making ricotta cheese and olive oil, cutting stones and so on. On this occasion, the little village turns into a veritable art and craft market.
Besides taking in the full Christmas spirit of Sicily at the nativity scene of Custonaci, other highlights of the weekend include a visit to the medieval town of Erice, the archeological site of Segesta, the tonnara of Scopello and the Museo Regionale Pepoli.

: The Cathedral of Erice

: The sea at the Tonnara of Scopello

: The Castle of Erice

: The Greek Temple of Segesta

: The Greek Temple of Segesta, front view

: Custonaci, location for the Living Nativity Scene

: Nativity Scene in the Mangiapane Cave, Custonaci

: Living Nativity Scene, Mangiapane Cave, Custonaci

: Making Pasta, Mangiapane Cave in Custonaci

: Cotton and Wool Spinning, Mangiapane Cave, Custonaci

: Baglio Catalano, Custonaci

: Baglio Catalano, Custonaci

: Baglio Catalano, Custonaci

: Baglio Catalano, Custonaci

: Baglio Catalano, Custonaci

Itinerary

Friday:
Arrival at Trapani-Birgi airport and transfer to the Baglio Catalano, a recently restored Sicilian country house, where you will be staying. Upon your arrival, you will be served a buffet dinner, along with Sicilian wines.
In the evening, presentation of the programme and short projection of the living nativity scene of Custonaci.

Saturday:
Breakfast at Baglio Catalano.
Trip to the archaeological park of Segesta and guided tour of the Greek temple and open-air theatre.
Visit of the Tonnara of Scopello. For lunch, you will have the opportunity to try out the local specialty, pane conzato, a warm bread seasoned with local extra-virgin olive oil, oregano, salt and either finely sliced, aged pecorino or anchovies).
Trip to Custonaci’s anthropological museum and living nativity scene (http://www.presepeviventedicustonaci.it).
Dinner at Il Cortile in Custonaci.

Sunday:
Breakfast at Baglio Catalano.
Trip to Trapani and guided visit to the Museo Regionale Pepoli, which is housed in a stunning former Carmelite convent, and holds a superb collection of artefacts. The museum also has a few rooms devoted to archeology, paintings and sculptures, (including works by Gagini). Lunch on your own (we will make suggestions on where to eat local specialties such as couscous or typical Sicilian finger food).
Trip to Erice. Walk through the medieval streets with a stop to taste Erice’s famous pastries.
Upon our return to the Baglio, you will enjoy a farewell drink served with local specialities.
Transfer to the airport of Trapani.

Lengthen your stay in Sicily!
If you wish to lengthen your stay, we can arrange guided trips to other archeological sites, a visit to the world-famous salt flats & guided tour of the salt museum (Museo del sale), a local marble quarry and a marble sculpture workshop, a trekking trip to the Natural Reserve of Zingaro, a workshop where you will learn to model and colour traditional marzipan fruits , and more. Contact us for more information on these activities.

The rates given below are per person, and include:
-           2 nights at Baglio Catalano
-           Transfer to/from the airport of Trapani
-           Guided visits led by an art historian
-          All transport to places of interest mentioned in the itinerary
-          All breakfasts and dinners
-           Organisation and booking costs

Number of participants	Prices per participant in euro
5-10	345,00
3-4	445,00

Prices exclude flights, 1 lunch and tickets to the Museo Pepoli and Custonaci’s anthropological museum and living crèche (about € 12.00 for adults).

Contact us to book this cultural weekend in Sicily for your private group. We will let you know about our availabilities and answer any questions you may have.