- Sicilian Dinner with Wine
in Taormina
- Benedictine Abbey of
Monreale
- Wine Tasting in Marsala
- Valley of Temples in
Agrigento
- Excursion on Slopes of
Mount Etna
- Greek Ruins in Syracuse
- Opportunities to Relax in
Resorts
Your Hotels:
Stay at the following (or similar):
- Hotel Politeama - Palermo
- 2 night(s)
- Jolly Della Valle Hotel -
Agrigento - 1 night(s)
- Hotel Caparena - Taormina
- 3 night(s)
- Hotel Villa Diodoro -
Taormina - 1 night(s)
- 9 days/7 nights/12 meals
- Half day sightseeing tour
of Palermo and Mondello with a local guide
- Round trip flights between
U.S. & Palermo
- Half day sightseeing tour
of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento with a local guide
- Group transfers on arrival
and departure
- Half day sightseeing tour
of the Roman Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina with a
local guide
- Transportation by private
deluxe air-conditioned motor coach throughout
- Half day sightseeing tour
of Neapolis Archaeological Park in Syracuse with a local
guide
- Services of a professional
English-speaking tour director
- Marsala winery tour with
tastings
- First class hotels with
private bath/shower for 7 nights
- Excursion to slopes of
Mount Etna
- 7 buffet breakfasts with
selection of cold dishes (BB)
- Visits and admissions to
Palace of the Normans, Palatine Chapel, Palermo Cathedral,
Benedictine Abbey of Monreale, Segesta Archeological Site
and Greek Theater in Syracuse
- 4 dinners (D) with mineral
water or coffee including a typical Sicilian dinner in a
local restaurant in Taormina
- Deluxe flight bag, ticket
wallet, luggage tags & strap
- 1 lunch (L)
- All local taxes, hotel
service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person
Day 1:
Fly to Sicily
Depart the United States and travel on an
overnight flight to reach the island of
Sicily.
Day 2: Palermo Arrival
Land at Palermo Airport where your tour
escort will meet you and transfer you to
your hotel. The afternoon is free so you may
rest or explore Palermo, the capital of
Sicily, a little on your own. Sicily,
strategically located in the Mediterranean,
has been influenced by Greek, Roman and
Ottoman cultures as well as by medieval
traders and Crusaders en route to the Holy
Land. With many archaeological remains,
charming coastal scenery and wonderful
flowers and fruit, this island has much to
offer visitors. In the evening enjoy a
welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day 3: Palermo Touring
Your morning tour starts at the highest part
of the old city at the Palace of the
Normans, seat of the rulers of the island
for centuries. Visit its superb Palatine
Chapel, which dates from 1132 AD and is one
of the finest Norman- Saracenic buildings
with rich decorations and carvings. Palermo
Cathedral has a long history also, dating
back to the 9th century when it was a
mosque. Today it is a blend of many styles.
See the Quattro Canti (Four Corners) in the
city center where the four most important
streets of the city intersect. A few miles
from the city center visit the Benedictine
Abbey of Monreale to see the 12th century
cathedral with mosaics and the cloisters.
Continue to Monte Pellegrino, where you may
visit thesanctuary of Santa Rosalia. End
your tour in Mondello, a pretty resortarea
with a long, sandy beach. The evening is
free for dining. (BB)
Day 4: Marsala & Agrigento
Head west to Segesta to view the famous
picturesque ruins of a 5thcentury Greek
Doric temple standing on a hilltop. Then
drive along the Via del Sale (Salt Road) to
Marsala. This attractive town is in the most
importantwine-producing region on the island
and is best-known for its dessert wines.
Visit one of the wineries to sample some
vintage wines and then savor lunch in a
local restaurant. Enjoy the pleasant scenery
with views of the shoreline as you drive to
Agrigento on the south coast. This town
flourished under the Greek civilization but
today is a collection of medieval streets
and shady squares. Check into your hotel
where dinner is served this evening. (BB, L,
D)
Day 5: Piazza Armerina& Taormina
This morning visit the magnificent Valley of
the Temples, where some of the greatest
Greek ruins in the world are found. Enjoy a
guided tour here to see the Temple of Zeus,
with huge Doric pillars forming a huge
square; the elegant and wellpreserved Temple
of Concord with 34 columns; the Temple of
Hercules, showing traces of fire; and the
Temple of Castor & Pollux in addition to the
Tomb of Theron and the Porta Aurea. Continue
your journey through the hilly countryside
with olive groves and stop in Piazza
Armerina to view the extraordinary mosaics
of the Roman Villa del Casale. End your day
in Taormina, a charming town set on the
slopes of Monte Tauro overlooking the sea.
With a wonderful winter climate and lush
vegetation, this became a popular
internationalresort in the 19th century, a
trend that continues to the present. (BB, D)
Day 6: Explore Mount Etna
Today visit the slopes of the largest active
volcano in Europe, Mount Etna. The cone is
about 25 miles in diameter and looks
perfectly symmetrical in outline. See how
lava flows have carved out craters and
shaped the landscape. With themany rich lava
deposits accumulated throughout the
centuries, vegetation all around is
especially lush. You will see orange and
lemon groves, fruit trees and, further up
the slopes, huge forest trees. Return to
Taormina where you have the afternoon to
relax or explore the beautiful surroundings
of one of Italy’s most attractive resorts.
In the evening, find a restaurant for
dinner. (BB)
Day 7: Syracuse Excursion
Travel to Syracuse, a city founded by the
ancient Greeks, which at its peak rivaled
Athens in magnificence. A guided tour of
this venerable city highlights the Neapolis
Archaeological Park, where you will see the
Latomie (stone quarries) used in the
construction of the many temples and public
buildings of the original city. Also see the
Ear of Dionysius, a naturally-formed
S-shaped cavern with amazing acoustic
properties. Visit the Greek Theatre, one of
the largest of its kind, which dates back
over two millennia. You can see the
semi-circular rows of seats and the
foundations of the stage. Return to Taormina
where you will join your traveling
companions as you savor a special Sicilian
dinner with wine in a popular local
restaurant. (BB, D)
Day 8: Messina & Cefalù
Drive to Messina and stop for views across
the "Strait of Messina," the narrow body of
water dividing the island of Sicily from the
Italian mainland. Travel along the north
coast of the island, passing many little
beaches and villages. Stop in the charming
fishing village of Cefalù and enjoy some
free time to relax and look around. Continue
your journey to Palermo, completing your
circular tour of Sicily. After checking into
your hotel, you will have time to do some
last minute shopping or sightseeing on your
own. This evening you can choose a nice
restaurant to dine independently. (BB)
Day 9: Depart Palermo for the USA
Transfer to Palermo Airport for your return
flight to the United States, which will
arrive the same day. If you wish you may
extend your stay in Palermo with additional
hotel nights. (BB)
B=Breakfast, CB=Continental Breakfast,
D=Dinner
|
Depart USA - PMO |
Return PMO - USA |
Land Price
Twin Sharing |
Land w/ Air
Twin Sharing |
|
April
5, 2008 |
April
13, 2008 |
$1,398
|
$2,485
|
|
May
17, 2008 |
May
25, 2008 |
$1,448
|
$3,105
|
|
June
14, 2008 |
June
22, 2008 |
$1,498
|
$3,155
|
|
September 13, 2008 |
September 21, 2008 |
$1,498
|
$2,471
|
|
October 4, 2008 |
October 12, 2008 |
$1,458
|
$2,431
|
|
October 11, 2008 |
October 19, 2008 |
$1,458
|
$2,431
|
|
November 15, 2008 |
November 23, 2008 |
$1,458
|
$2,342
|
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This list
indicates brochure rates and dates.
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based on departures from New York. Additional add-on
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recommend that you review our general conditions page for
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