A 9-day, 7 night fully escorted tour of the Island of Sicily. Italy’s largest Island is steeped in history, it possesses an extraordinary range of art, archaeology, culture and folklore. This tour starts in Catania, a city which is located under the shoulder of smoldering Mt. Etna, Europe’s largest volcano. You will visit exciting cities and villages such as Syracuse, Ragusa, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Monreale, Palermo, Taormina, Cefalú, Trapani and much more. You will come back very much surprised with the beauty of this Island, a melting pot of the ancient world, with touches of every Mediterranean culture.

Price per person in double occupancy.
Holidays and special events may affect rates.
Other USA gateway prices available.

Services included:

• Roundtrip economy class air travel from selected city

• Arrival and depature transfers in Catania by private car

• 7 nights accommodations in 4-star first class hotels:
  Catania: Grand Hotel Excelsion; Ragusa: Mediterraneo;
  Agrigento: Grand hotel Dei Templi; Palermo: Grande Albergo Sole;
  Giardini Naxos: Hotel Caesar Palace. (Or similar)

• 16 meals: 7 buffet breakfasts, 2 lunches, 7 dinners

• Ground transportation by deluxe motor coach

• Spoken languages - English, Spanish, French

• Porterage, entrance fees, tips and beverages not included

Airport taxes and fuel surcharges are not included.

DAY 1 - FRI - USA-CATANIA
Departure from USA by scheduled service. Dinner and beverages will be served on board.

DAY 2 - SAT - CATANIA
Arrival at Catania airport where you will be met and transferred by private car to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to rest until this evening when you will gather for a welcome cocktail followed by dinner and overnight at your hotel.

DAY 3 - SUN - CATANIA / SYRACUSE / RAGUSA
Following a buffet breakfast, depart for Syracuse and visit the archaeological area including the famous Latomie of the Paradise and the Dionysius' "Ear". Continue to the island of Ortigia, the historical center of the city. Free time for lunch on your own. Then visit of the Cathedral and Arethuse Fountain. Depart for Ragusa and accommodation at the hotel. The evening will be dedicated to a fascinating visit of the historical center of Ibla and a dinner in a famous restaurant with a typical Sicilian menu. Overnight at your hotel.

DAY 4 - MON - RAGUSA / PIAZZA ARMERINA / AGRIGENTO
After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, depart for Caltagirone famous center of the Sicilian ceramics production. Continue to Piazza Armerina and visit the worldwide known Villa Romana del Casale with its well preserved mosaics. Lunch at a local restaurant with a special menu chosen to give you the opportunity to taste the local specialties. Depart for Agrigento and visit the Valley of the Temples. Accommodation and dinner is at your hotel. After dinner, enjoy an unforgettable tour of the Valley of the Temples illuminated at night. Overnight at your hotel.

DAY 5 - TUE - AGRIGENTO / PALERMO / MONREALE
Following a buffet breakfast, depart for Palermo and check in at the hotel. Time at leisure and lunch on your own. In the afternoon proceed to Monreale to visit the Cathedral, one of the most beautiful monuments of the world, and the Benedictine Cloister in Arab-Norman style. Return to Palermo to visit the historical center, one of the largest of Europe (including the Cathedral, the Palatine Chapel, and the Royal Palace). Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Palermo.

DAY 6 - WED - PALERMO / SEGESTA / ERICE / TRAPANI / PALERMO
After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, depart for Segesta to admire the Temple and the Theatre surrounded by a spectacular landscape. Continue to the medieval village of Erice located on the top of a hill, and walk in its small and characteristic streets. Free time for lunch on your own. Continue to Trapani viewing the salt windmills that are still working. Return to Palermo. Dinner is at a local restaurant. Overnight in Palermo.

DAY 7 - THU - PALERMO / CEFALÚ / PARCO DEI NEBRODI / TAORMINA / GIARDINI NAXOS
Following a buffet breakfast, depart for Cefalú and visit the Arab-Norman Cathedral. Enjoy a walk in the streets of the small village and continue to the Park of "Nebrodi". Stop at the Miraglia Forest for lunch with a typical menu including homemade pasta. Continue to Cesarò, Randazzo and visit the Etna Park from an unusual point of view, the North part of it. You will see indescribable landscapes before your eyes. Arrival in Giardini Naxos, dinner and overnight at your hotel.

DAY 8 - FRI - TAORMINA / GIARDINI NAXOS
After breakfast, full day at leisure in one of the most famous Mediterranean resorts. Enjoy this free day by walking in the streets of Taormina, a lovely coastal town, which has inspired many artists oer the years. For those who may be interested, you have the possibility of an optional excursion to the Mount Etna where, weather permitting, you can climb to the top of the smoldering volcano. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 9 - SAT - GIARDINI NAXOS / CATANIA / USA
Following breakfast at the hotel you will be transferred to the Catania airport in time to board your flight home.

2007:
June 9, 16,23,30 2007
July 7, 2007
September 1,8,15,22,29
October 6,13,20,27

*price per person in double occupancy; single supplement $395; weekend surcharges, airport taxes, fuel surcharges not included.

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