GRATTERI AND COLLESANO, FRIDAY 25 MORNING AND AFTERNOON

A trip between art and traditions. By Vespa; duration about 5 hours.

The Madonie Mountains are a part of the Sicilian Apennines, with the Peloritani and Nebrodi Mountains (in the province of Messina). They are the second largest and highest mountain chain in Sicily. The flora is predominant in the territory of the natural Park. In this botanic paradise, which summits may reach a quote of 1979 meters, you can find half of the 2.600 species existing in Sicily. About fauna, more than 65% of nest makers birds and mammal animals live there. Interesting are the geologic and landscape points, from many places you have the possibility to watch lovely landscapes like the Etna Volcano, the Nebrodi Mountains and the Eolian Isles.

The name Gratteri from the Greek word “Krater’’ means basin; originally it was a byzantine fortress, later conquered by the Arabs. The first settlement sprang up at the end of XIII century by the Noble Family Ventimiglia, who built a castle, nowadays destroyed. The actual urban settlement is dates back to the XVI century, on an area flown by a torrent. Among a maze of alleys stands up the church “Matrice Vecchia”, built by the Ventimiglia family and where are buried some members of this family. Interesting to visit is the Church of Santa Maria di Gesù, the most ancient of the town. The cathedral is dedicated to San Michael Archangel. The St. George’s Abbey belongs to the Augustin monks order, with remains of the convent, the porch and part of the apse of the old church. Return to Cefalù driving towards Gibilmanna.

Pic-nic on open air with the packed lunch and continuation to Collesano (www.comune.collesano.pa.it), famous because of the car race “Targa Florio”, whom is dedicated the local museum, that worth a visit (discounted admission € 1,00). Tasting of typical products and continuation along the downhill ancient race track of the Targa Florio. Return to Cefalù.

BIG PARADE TOWARDS PALERMO – SATURDAY 26

Discovering the Capital of Sicily; saturday from h. 10.00 to 15.00

Visit Palermo is like to read a book of history: you find remains of the first human settlements of the prehistory, of the Punic, Roman and most of all Arab-Norman civilizations mixed harmoniously to the sumptuous Baroque style of the aristocratic palaces. The modern Palermo is interesting as well, with its large avenues and elegant shops of the most famous international griffes. We will reach Palermo, 72 km from Cefalù, all together riding our Vespas, on the panoramic National Road n. 113, longing on a side the Tyrrenian sea, growings of olives and citrus fruits on the other side; along the way we will meet first the shapes of the Mt. Calogero and later Mt. Catalfano and Cape Zafferano, at least, reaching Palermo, the beautiful shape of Monte Pellegrino (called by the German writer Johan Wolfgang Goethe, “the most beautiful promontory of the world”). We will cross the towns of Termini Imerese, Trabia, San Nicola l’Arena, Bagheria (famous because of its baroque villas and the painter Renato Guttuso), Ficarazzi and, near Palermo, the seaside suburbs. After our entrance in Palermo we will gather together in a proper area and from there we will begin our parade trough the historical centre of the city: along the port street we will reach the pleasant Liberty Avenue flanked by the plane trees and its elegant shops with the most famous griffes. We will pass through Politeama Square (the "hearth of the city) where it will be hosted an exhibition of the Piaggio Museum, in front of and the Politeama Theatre. Continuation to Via Ruggero Settimo, the Massimo Theatre, in a splendid Liberty Style (the 3rd greatest theatre in the world);  from here we will drive along Via Maqueda, flanked by its Baroque buildings, the churches Martorana, San Cataldo, San Giuseppe; furthermore driving through the Pretoria Square (with the Town Hall and the spectacular Pretoria Fountain), the magnificent “Four Corners Square” (heart of the ancient town), we reach via Lincoln adn the fishing village of Sant'Erasmo, where is located the ancient deposit of the locomotives, where the farewell lunch will take place. At the end of the lunch, individual return to Cefalù; but we suggest to widen the visit of Palermo, or going around the typical, popular and coloured popular markets: Vucciria, Capo and Ballarò, and, why not, to reach Mondello, crossing the Park of the Favorita in order to relax taking the sun on its tropical beach, or climbing towards Mt. Pellegrino, from which you can admire the spectacular panorama of Palermo and the “tropical” beach of Mondello.

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