EMBRACING SICILY – 8 Days

Itinerary

Day 1 Saturday: Palermo
Independent arrival at your hotel. Meeting with the participant. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2 Sunday: Palermo, Monreale, Palermo
Buffet breakfast at your hotel. In the morning visit the town of Palermo including: the Palatine Chapel, the Cathedral of Palermo. Continue to Monreale to visit the Cathedral and its Cloister. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon, time at leisure to enjoy this Sunday afternoon in the Sicilian capital or participate in an optional excursion (to be paid locally) to Cefalù where we will visit the famous Cathedral and Castelbuono, a beautiful village on the Madonie mountains which will give us an insight of the Sicilian inland's way of life. Return to Palermo.Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day 3 Monday: Palermo, Segesta, Erice, Marsala
Buffet breakfast at your hotel and then depart for Segesta to visit the Doric Temple placed on a hill surrounded by beautiful landscapes. After the visit continue on to the medieval village of Erice with it’s tiny, stony medieval streets, viewing the city of Trapani. Time at leisure for lunch.We will then continue to Trapani to view the salt windmills and then to Marsala.Wine tasting of the well-known Marsala wine.We will close this exciting day with a special dinner. Accommodation at your hotel.

Day 4 Tuesday: Marsala, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina, Catania
Buffet breakfast at your hotel and depart for Agrigento where we will visit the amazing Valley of the Temples, keeping in their stone the weight of an important history.These temples are better preserved than the temples in Greece. Continue to Piazza Armerina. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon visit on your own the Roman Villa del Casale famous for its more than 3500 sqm of well preserved mosaics. After the visit continue to Catania. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day 5 Wednesday: Catania, Siracusa, Ragusa
Buffet breakfast at your hotel. In the morning, panoramic visit of Catania and depart for Syracuse to visit the archeological area, including the Greek theatre,Dyonisios Ear, the Latomie of Paradise.The visit continues with the historical and baroque centre situated on Ortigia island. Enjoy the beautiful atmosphere which covers this small piece of land.Time at leisure for lunch and depart to Ragusa to visit the historical centre in Ragusa Ibla. After this amazing visit enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation at hotel.

Day 6 Thursday: Ragusa, Etna, Taormina
Buffet breakfast at your hotel and then, conditions permitting, depart for Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe.We will reach 1800 meters and visit some of the Sylvester craters. After this unforgettable experience with nature, enjoy a special lunch at a farmhouse where we will also have an Etna wine tasting. Continue to Taormina, called the Mediterranean pearl. Dinner and accommodation at your hotel.

Day 7 Friday: Taormina
Buffet breakfast at your hotel and visit, on your own, the Greek Theatre overlooking the beautiful bay of Naxos. Time at leisure for lunch. In the afternoon time at leisure or enjoy an optional excursion (to be paid locally) to visit the village of Savoca, the famous catacombs of the Cappuccini convent and Bar Vitelli – used in the shooting of the "Godfather" in 1971.Then a scenic drive to Forza D'Agrò. Includes a walking tour through the peaceful streets, churches and cathedrals. Return to Taormina. Dinner and overnight.

Day 8 Saturday: Taormina
After a buffet breakfast, end of your tour.

Tour Details

Prices per person:
Double: $1565 twin share.
Single rates on request.

The prices includes:
• Welcome drink
• 1 night 4 star hotel in Marsala
• 1 night 4 star hotel in Ragusa
• 8 buffet breakfast at hotel
• 2 lunches in restaurant
• 2 wine tastings
• English speaking tour escort
• Porterage at hotels
• 2 nights 4 star hotel in Palermo
• 1 night 4 star hotel in Catania
• 2 nights 4 star hotel in Taormina
• 7 dinners at hotel
• 1 dinner in restaurant
• Deluxe motorcoach
• Local guides where necessary

The prices does not include:
• Transfers in/out, entrance fees, beverages
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes"
* Easter departure supplement $139 per person

Our 4 Star Hotels
Hotels may be substituted with similar category
• Palermo: Hotel ai Cavalieri
• Marsala: Hotel Baglio Oneto
• Catania: Hotel Villa del Bosco
• Ragusa: Hotel Villa Carlotta
• Taormina: Hotel Monte Tauro

2008 Departure Dates:
March 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd*, 29th;
April 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th;
May 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st;
June 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th;
July 5th;
August 23rd, 30th;
September 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th;
October 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th;