Syracuse

Founded in 734 BC by Greek Colonists, Syracuse grew to become the largest city in the world, surpassing even Athens for a time, much to Athen's chagrin. Morning excursions will be available to tour the Parco Archeologico, which contains both Greek and Roman theaters originally used for gladiatorial combats and horse races. The limestone quarry is filled with catacombs that once held seven thousand Athenian prisoners captured in the war between Syracuse and Athens in 413 BC.

For lunch, we've arranged for a party at the Mayor's fabulous mansion that sits on the famed Piazza Duomo. This piazza, considered by many to be the most evocative and beautiful in all of Italy, contains a plethora of grand architecture: the Duomo, the Palazzo Senatorio, the Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco, the medieval Episcopal Palace, and several more. We'll tour the sites, eat to our hearts content, and perhaps sing a song or two before setting sail for Lipari.