Hartwick College Invites Travellers to Experience Sicily in 2027
Hartwick College will offer an eight-day trip to Sicily from May 29 through June 5, 2027, inviting alumni, parents, employees and friends of the College to explore the island’s history, culture, food and natural environment.
“Experience Sicily: A Journey of History, Culture & Cuisine” will be based in Siracusa, allowing participants to stay in one hotel while taking day trips throughout southeastern Sicily.
The itinerary includes guided visits to the historic island of Ortigia, the Archaeological Park of Neapolis and the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum. Participants will attend a classical performance at Siracusa’s Ancient Greek Theatre and take part in a sunset boating excursion along the Sicilian coast.
A day trip to Mount Etna will include a winery tour, tasting and lunch at Tenuta di Fessina, followed by a visit to the medieval town of Randazzo. Travelers will also experience Sicily’s culinary traditions through a market-to-table cooking class featuring local ingredients and regional dishes.
Mary Allen, professor of biology at Hartwick, will accompany the group and offer a faculty perspective informed by her work in microbiology, food systems and the biological processes that shape food. Allen has firsthand experience in Sicily and has taught several Hartwick January Term courses abroad.
Faculty members and local experts affiliated with the MADE School of Arts & Sciences in Siracusa will present guest lectures on Sicily’s history, culture, traditions and contemporary life. A MADE staff member will accompany the group throughout the program.
The early bird price is $4,500 per person, based on double occupancy. To receive this rate, travelers must register and pay a $500 nonrefundable deposit by Dec. 4, 2026.
Beginning Dec. 5, 2026, the regular price is $4,850 per person, based on double occupancy. Registration and the $500 nonrefundable deposit are due by Jan. 31, 2027. Final payment is due April 1, 2027. Register here.
Single-occupancy rooms are available upon request for an additional $700. Airfare is not included in either registration price. A portion of the program cost will support Hartwick’s Global Education initiatives.
The cost includes seven nights at the Grand Hotel Villa Politi in Siracusa, ground transportation, airport transfers between Catania Airport and Siracusa, guided tours, attraction and museum admission, daily breakfast, five dinners, three lunches, guest lectures, the cooking class, boating excursion, a Greek Theatre performance, a Mount Etna winery experience and 24-hour emergency support.
Travelers should expect to spend several hours on their feet on some days while visiting archaeological sites, museums, historic city centers and outdoor markets. Some streets and public spaces have uneven stone or cobblestone surfaces, and vehicle access is limited in certain historic areas.
The program is open to Hartwick alumni, parents, employees and friends of the College. It is not intended for current students or children. An info session will be held during True Blue Weekend from 3 – 4 p.m. Saturday, September 26, in the Larsen Lounge of Bresee Hall. Stop by to learn more about the trip from Professor Mary Allen, Vice President for Institutional Advancement & External Affairs Stacey Grady ’03 and Emily Nagle from MADE, Hartwick’s partner in Sicily.
The Division of Institutional Advancement is offering the program in partnership with the Griffiths Center.
For more information, contact Allen at [email protected] or Stacey Grady, vice president for institutional advancement and external relations, at [email protected]. Program information is available at hartwick.edu/travel.
