Begin with a scenic motorcoach ride to Villa Malfitano, one of Palermo's most spectacular villa palaces, surrounded by 22 acres of formal gardens. It was built in 1886 by Joseph Isaac Whitaker, owner and fervent botanist, who shipped trees from around the world to plant at his villa. Rare species include the Dragon's Blood, a banyan tree-the only one of its kind in Europe, along with a fountain filled with gold fish, a lion statue and flowers. The villa is designed in the liberty style and is a showplace for antiques and dramatic trompe l'oeil frescoes. Next, visit the Botanical Gardens of Palermo, one of the oldest centers for botanical studies in the Mediterranean region. A neoclassical 10-hectare masterpiece of fragrant blooms, manicured grounds, and plants and trees imported from around the globe, it is also a haven for birds and wildlife. Be sure to see the 150-year-old "strangler fig" and the tallest tree in Palermo. Relax on the ride back to port.