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Highlights of Sicily

Depart:
Escorted Tour-Land Only

8 Days/ 7 Nights

2019 Departures:

Saturdays from April 6- October 26, 2019
Price per Person:

In a double room $1529
Single supplement $389

Package Includes:

7 nights first class hotels all with private facilities
Round trip airport transfers if arriving and/or departing on scheduled days- supplement will be charged for arrivals and/or departures from 10pm-8am
Breakfast each morning
2 lunches-drinks not included
7 dinners-drinks not included
Welcome cocktail
Sicilian typical products tasting (wine, chocolate, biscuits, etc) in Ragusa
Coach transportation
English speaking tour escort
Porterage at hotels( 1 piece per person)
Sightseeing as per itinerary
Entrance fees to the following: Neapolis in Siracusa, Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina, Valley of Temples in Agrigento, Acropolis in Selinunte, Palatine Chapel in Palermo, Cloister in Monreale, Doric Temple in Segesta
Hotel taxes and service charges

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Catania
Upon arrival at Catania you will be met and taken to your hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or begin your visit of the interesting city. Dinner and overnight Hotel Il Principe or similar.

Day 2 Catania-Siracusa-Ragusa
After a buffet breakfast, depart to Syracuse and visit the archaeological area including the famous Latomie of the Paradise and the Dyionisios “Ear”. Continue to the island of Ortigia, the small baroque old city center of Siracusa: visit of the Cathedral and Arethuse fountain. Lunch on your own. Depart for Ragusa and visit of the enchanting historical center “Ibla”, with its Baroque stunning palaces and churches. Enjoy a tasting of typical products and an aperitif in a nice bar in the main square by the Dome. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Poggio del Sole or similar.

Day 3 Ragusa-Caltagirone-Piazza Armerina-Agrigento
After a buffet breakfast, depart to Caltagirone famous for the production of ceramics and pottery and is on the UNESCO Heritage list. Panoramic visit and opportunity for shopping. Continue to Piazza Armerina and visit the worldwide known Villa Romana del Casale thanks to its well preserved mosaics. Lunch in a local restaurant with a special menu chosen to give the opportunity to taste the local specialties. Depart to Agrigento and visit the Valley of the Temples including the Temple of Juno, Concord, Heracles, Zeus and Castor & Pollux. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel Dioscuri Bay Palace or similar.

Day 4 Agrigento-Monreale-Palermo
After a buffet breakfast depart to Palermo. Time at leisure and lunch on your own. In the afternoon visit Monreale: the Cathedral, one of the most beautiful monuments of the world with its Moorish architecture, and the Benedictine Cloister in Arab-Norman style. Continue to visit the historical center of Palermo, one of the largest of Europe, including the Cathedral, the Palatine Chapel, the Royal Palace. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa or similar.

Day 5 Palermo-Segesta-Erice-Trapani-Palermo
After a buffet breakfast, depart to Segesta to admire the Temple and the Theater surrounded by a suggestive landscape. Continue to the medieval village of Erice placed on the top of a hill overlooking the city of Trapani and the Egadi Islands: walk through its tiny and characteristic streets. Lunch on your own. Down to Trapani for a panoramic tour of the salt windmills, still working. Return to Palermo. Dinner and overnight in your hotel.

Day 6 Palermo-Cefalu-Parco del Nebrodi-Taormina
After a buffet breakfast, depart to Cefalu a former fishing village, now a charming coastal town. Enjoy a walk to the city center and down main street to reach the Arab- Norman Cathedral and the medieval wash-house built in the rock. Drive through the Park of “Nebrodi” and stop at the Miraglia Forest for lunch with a typical menu. Continue to Cesaro, Randazzo and visit the Etna park from an unusual point of view, the north facing side, surrounded by beautiful landscapes. Arrival in Taormina. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Villa Diodoro, located near historic center of Taormina or similar.

Day 7 Taormina-Optional Mt. Etna Tour
After a buffet breakfast, morning at leisure or for those who will be interested, possibility of an optional excursion to Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. Weather conditions permitting, you will reach a height of 1800 meters, where you will enjoy a fantastic panorama of the Ionic Sea. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon return to Taormina, the small medieval village called “the pearl of the Ionic Sea”, and enjoy time at leisure for shopping or walking through the tiny streets. Possibility to visit the Roman-Greek theater on your own. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner in your hotel.

Day 8 Taormina-End of Tour
After breakfast you will be taken to the Catania airport. You can extend your stay in beautiful Sicily or continue to Rome or Florence.

Additional nights available in Catania and/or Taormina available.

Optional Mount Etna excursion approx. $55 per person to be paid on the spot in Sicily as a minimum number of passengers is required for tour to run.

City taxes are not included. Approx. $20 per person to be paid on the spot directly to the hotels.




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