paesaggi di mezzo
Journey in the Vallone's villages
The tour aims to discover two of the most significant "crown jewels" of Sicily: Sutera, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, and the "Manfredonico-Chiaramontano" castle in Mussomeli, which will also be the perfect occasion to visit the relevant archaeological site of Polizzello, its nearby village and its two farms of excellency: the Costanzo e le Aromatiche di Girafi cheese factories.
The small town of Mussomeli, which has Punic origins, is a village that begets more or less 10,000 inhabitants, with a strategic panoramic position, in which there are both hills and mountains (700 meters of altitude). Recently the town has implemented urban regeneration plans, also with the "houses for 1 euro" project, the outline has attracted many foreigners to invest in this enchanting place with medieval charm. Mussomeli's castle, with its Gothic-Norman style, it's not only the most beautiful castle in Sicily but also the most preserved, the structure has a unique charm, and it dominates the valley from a rocky spur of 778 meters. It is said that the fortress has been built on a previous Arab castle and it is also called "il Nido D'Aquila".
The Trabia's palace, The Langelo royal residence, Minneci's mansion and Sgadari's palace are also recommended to visit (this last attraction, is today an archaeological museum, with remains of the archaeological sites of Polizzello and Raffe). Sutera is a mediaeval village with 1250 inhabitants, located on a cliff of the Nisseno hinterland, boasts the nickname of "balcone di sicilia" as it offers a wonderful panorama that goes from Etna to the Gulf of Agrigento, is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, and is one of the stops on the Magna Via Francigena, an ancient route that already connected Palermo to Agrigento in the 11th century.
The area has been inhabited since the 7th century BC. C., as evidenced by the discovery, a few kilometres from today's urban centre, of pre-Hellenic burials attributed to a Sican village. Between the fourth and sixth centuries, the site may have also been frequented by Basilian monks of the Greek-Orthodox rite, as evidenced by the traces of frescoes (locally called figured) visible in an ancient Sican tomb later used as a chapel, in the locality of San Marco. The foundation of the village dates back to the Islamic domination of Sicily, the period in which the Rabato district was built, where in addition to the Mother Church it is possible to visit the church of Maria S.S. del Carmelo, built in 1185. A beautiful living nativity scene is also set up in this neighbourhood, which is another attraction for many tourists. Finally, the Ethno-anthropological Museum, located in the Convent of the Carmelite Fathers, presents the reproduction of typical environments of the houses of the late nineteenth century, with original tools, utensils and furnishings of the time.
target
Groups who want to know a less famous Sicily, but full of enchanting places, breathtaking landscapes and a lot of history and culture.
participants
Minimum 10 people
BOOKING PERIOD
Booking is possible on request in autumn/winter, spring/summer
TOUR’S PROGRAMM
On the first day of the tour: arrival at the Hotel in Mussomeli, check-in and welcome cocktail, dinner and overnight stay;
On the second day of the tour: breakfast and transfer for a guided tour of the Manfredonico Castle of Mussomeli; Departure for the farm "Le Aromatiche di Girafi" company of Sicilian products long forgotten, rediscovered and enhanced as bay leaf, chives or oregano, a plant with multiple uses in the kitchen and beneficial properties in the form of herbal tea or infusion, or like black chickpea, from which the company has wisely obtained derivatives of great interest and precious taste. Visit and tasting of local products; return to the hotel and some free time;
On the third day of the tour: breakfast and departure for Contrada Polizzello for a guided tour of the archaeological site and the village; return to Mussomeli for the lunch break at the typical restaurant; return to the hotel and free time; guided tour of Mussomeli and its cultural emergencies, return to the hotel, free time, dinner and overnight stay;
On the fourth day of the tour: breakfast and departure for the "Costanzo" farm and dairy, guided tour of the company, cheese making laboratory and tasting of local products; departure for Sutera (one of the most beautiful villages in Italy) to visit the Sanctuary of Monte San Paolino, the Arab quarter "Rabato" and the Civic Museum, tasting of the "Virciddrata" (typical product of the place entered in the Ark of Taste of Slow Food at the Malta Bakery); return to the hotel in Mussomeli, free time, dinner and overnight stay.
On the fifth day of the tour: breakfast, check out and departure.
BOOKING FEES
5 days / 4 nights tour.
Cost to be evaluated according to the period (high/medium / low season).
The tour includes accommodation in a boutique hotel, full board, excursions, welcome, guides and assistance, a minivan with a driver.
Airport/hotel transfers and vice versa are guaranteed only on request.
Recommended airport of arrival and departure Fontanarossa of Catania distance 2 hours 23 min 164 km - via A19 / E932 and SS192
Prenotazione tramite agenzia: Fabiola Rizza Viaggi di Caltanissetta - Tel.+39 0934 585984 / +39 3392246425