Highlights |
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Escorted Package Includes
- Flights NYC-Palermo, Catania-NYC
Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices.
- Airline fuel surcharges
- 6 nights First Class accommodations
- All transfers
- 8 meals: 6 buffet breakfasts, 2 dinners with wine
- Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
- Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
- Services of local guides in all major cities
- Entrance fees per itinerary
Special Features
- Norman Cathedral, Monreale
- Old city of Palermo
- Wine tasting in Marsala
- Valley of the Temples, Agrigento
- Visit to Mt. Etna
- Greek Theatre, Taormina
- Wine & mineral water with all dinners
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Itinerary |
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DAY 1, Friday - Depart the USA
Depart the USA for Italy. Your flight includes
meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your
journey
DAY 2, Saturday - Arrive in
Palermo
Arrive in Palermo and transfer to your hotel.
Balance of the day at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a welcome cocktail and
orientation, followed by a welcome dinner
Overnight:
Palermo
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Sunday - Monreale Cathedral &
Palermo Old City Tour
This morning, travel to
Monreale and visit the Norman Cathedral, famous for its Byzantine and
Sicilian mosaics. Continue to visit the Old City of Palermo, where you
will admire such sights as the Norman Palace and the Cathedral. Afternoon
at leisure to explore Palermo on your own
Optional: Cefalu Tour
(PM)
Overnight: Palermo
Meals:
Breakfast
DAY 4, Monday - Erice, Marsala Tour
& Wine Tasting
This morning depart Palermo and
drive to Erice. En route, view the famous Temple of Segesta, constructed
in the 5th century B.C. which now stands as one of the world's most
perfectly preserved temples of antiquity. Travel on to Marsala, a city
famous for its namesake Marsala wine. View the island's landmark windmills
and salt mines before a wine tasting in one of the area's historic
wineries. Finally, continue to Agrigento
Overnight:
Agrigento
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5, Tuesday - Valley of the Temples
Tour, Arrive in Taormina-Giardini Naxos
Today, visit
the area's most celebrated site, the Valley of the Temples, where you will
see some of the largest and best preserved temple ruins outside of
mainland Greece. Continue to Piazza Armerina to view the intricate mosaics
of the Roman Villa del Casale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to
the popular coastal city of Taormina
Overnight:
Taormina-Giardini Naxos
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6, Wednesday - Mount Etna &
Taormina Tour
Begin the day with a visit to the
slopes of Mount Etna -- the highest active volcano in Europe. Ascend the
Mount to reach the Silvestri Craters where you may walk about the varied
layers of lava which have solidified over the centuries. In the afternoon
visit Taormina, a famous tourist center of Sicily. Start off with a
panoramic tour including a visit of the Greek Theater, one of the most
celebrated ruins of Sicily, from which you can enjoy magnificient views of
the surrounding countryside. Finally, enjoy time at leisure in the upper
town of Taormina to browse the city's shops and favored
sites
Overnight: Taormina-Giardini Naxos
Meals:
Breakfast
DAY 7, Thursday - Full Day in
Taormina-Giardini Naxos
Full day at leisure to
explore the area on your own. Tonight enjoy a farewell cocktail with your
tour director
Optional: Siracusa Tour
Overnight:
Taormina-Giardini Naxos
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Friday - Depart for the
USA
Transfer to the airport in Catania for your
departure flight
Meals:
Breakfast
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Optionals |
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Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, save money, and protect your investment. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Travel insurance only covers services purchased prior to departure.
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Cefalu Tour
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Day #3 |
01 Mar 2009 - 30 Nov 2009 $55
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Cefalù is first mentioned in 396 BC by the Scholar Diodoro Siculo and today the town distinguishes itself by its medieval settings. Starting from Piazza Garibaldi, following Corso Ruggero until reaching the magnificent Piazza del Duomo, where you will experience the splendidly intact atmosphere of this pearl of the Mediterranean Sea. The beautiful Norman/Byzantine cathedral dates to the 12th century, when King Roger II of Sicily had it built to make Cefalù the center of the Norman power together with Palermo. Of particular charm is the Fisherman Village with its ancient houses facing the sea on one of Sicily's most beautiful sand beaches. Pickup details to be advised locally.
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Siracusa Tour
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Day #7 |
01 Mar 2009 - 30 Nov 2009 $95
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Step back in time to the glorious days of Greek Sicily, and explore the birthplace of Archimedes. Get a glimpse of Siracusa as it was in ancient times with a visit to the archaeological park, the Roman amphitheater, and the "Ear of Dionysus," an awe-inspiring artificial limestone cave renowned for its outstanding acoustics. Then, admire it's old quarter, also known as Città Vecchia or "Old City" and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located on the island of Ortygia. Pick up details to be advised locally.
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Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, save money, and protect your investment. Tours purchased while traveling cost at least 10% more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment! Save your cash - many countries do not accept credit cards. Travel insurance only covers services purchased prior to departure.
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