It’s an hour’s drive to Syracuse where a guided tuk tuk tour will be waiting to show us the small alleyways and hidden corners of Ortigia. Then we’ll have some time to explore the local food market. If you are looking to go back in time to when the ancient Greeks ruled the world, Syracuse is undoubtedly the place to begin your journey as more than 2,700 years of art and history are concentrated in this extraordinary city. When the Greeks landed here in the 8th century BC, they established their colony on the small but strategically important island of Ortigia which became the central core of Syracuse. Over the centuries its buildings have been influenced by the styles of the time, not only by the ancient Greeks, but also by the Romans, Arabs and Normans. After our stop in Syracuse, we’ll transfer to Castello Di San Marco, a baroque residence situated south of Taormina. This unique 17th century castle is set in a private park, where Sicily reveals itself in all its splendour, celebrating culture, history and identity.