Venture off of the mainland and spend a heavenly eight days exploring Italy's largest island, Sicily. Its location amidst the beautiful deep blue waters of the Mediterranean make the views from Sicily that of which dreams are made of. Begin your vacation by discovering Sicily's Palermo with sightseeing, leisure time, and local dining. In the following days your itinerary will take you to other popular destinations in Sicily such as Marsala, Agrigento, Modica, Taormina, and Catania. Fill your days with guided tours and exciting excursions to sites such as Mt. Etna before winding down each evening to enjoy an authentic Sicilian meal to be toasted with a glass of fine wine.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Palermo, Marsala, Agrigento, Ragusa Ibla, Modica , Noto, Syracuse, Ortigia, Taormina, Savoca D'Agro Valley, Catania Escorted Group Tour
TRAVEL ITINERARY
Day 01 - Fri: PALERMO ;
Upon your morning arrival at Palermo Airport, you will be transferred to your first class hotel in the city. The rest of the day will be freely available to you to rest or explore Palermo on your own. In the evening, you will enjoy dinner at a typical restaurant in Palermo and have your first taste of stupendous Sicilian cuisine. (D)
Day 02 - Sat: PALERMO ;
After breakfast, you will embark on a guided city tour of Palermo featuring the Teatro Massimo, Quattro Canti (which is a superb example of Spanish Baroque architecture), the Palace of the Normans, and the Cathedral of Palermo which houses the ornate shrine of the beloved Saint Rosalia. The tour will then depart Palermo and we will travel to the nearby town of Monreale. Here you will enter the Benedictine Abbey and marvel at the mosaics from the Byzantine period as well as take in a breathtaking panoramic view overlooking the bay of Palermo. You will have the remainder of the day free to relax or enjoy an optional tour of a charming fishing village near Palermo called Cefalu’. (B)
Day 03 - Sun: PALERMO/ MARSALA / AGRIGENTO ;
Today after breakfast we will travel from Palermo to Marsala, a town famous for its pleasing wines. Marsala was actually only rediscovered in the 1700s by John Woodhouse, an English merchant. During the scenic drive through the Sicilian countryside, we will stop in the medieval town of Erice, which was originally founded by the Phoenicians. Erice’s coastline is unique because of the salt pyramids spread throughout representing the salt production that occurs in this area. Once we arrive in Marsala, we will stop for lunch at a typical farmhouse where you will enjoy a tasting of olive oil and Marsala wine. Afterwards, we will travel through the hills to Agrigento, where the remarkable Valley of the Temples is located. Before arriving in Agrigento, there will be a quick stop in Sciacca and then you will be transferred directly to your first class hotel in Agrigento where you will spend the night. (B,L)
Day 04 - Mon: AGRIGENTO / RAGUSA IBLA ;
After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you will have a guided walking tour of one of the most important archeological sites in the Mediterranean: the Valley of the Temples.
The area is unique because of its rural landscape complete with almond and olive trees that that date back centuries. The tour will be mostly downhill and it will extend for about one mile. The route of the tour will follow the “Via Sacra” (holy pathway) and you will see the Temple of Concordia (one of the most complete examples of ancient Greek architecture in the world), the Temple of Heracles, and the ruins of the momentous Temple of Zeus. After the tour, we will depart for the city of Ragusa southern Sicily. You will enjoy dinner in Ragusa and spend the night at your first class hotel. (B,D)
Day 05 - Tue: AGRIGENTO /MODICA / NOTO ORTIGIA (Syracuse) / TAORMINA ;
We will begin today by taking an excursion to Modica, a small town famous for its exceptional Baroque architecture, panoramic views, important historical sites, as well as its unique ancient chocolate. The chocolate has a powdery texture with a fragrant aroma because its recipe is based on the original Aztec recipe for chocolate brought to Sicily from the New World by the Spanish. You will have the opportunity to try this spectacular chocolate during a tasting session in the shop of one of Modica’s most esteemed chocolate-makers. The next stop will be the town of Noto, one of the towns in the Val di Noto that was completely rebuilt in a masterful way in the late Baroque style after the area was decimated by an earthquake in 1693. Once the tour of Noto concludes, we will travel to the island of Ortigia, the historical center of the city of Syracuse. In Ortigia you will see the cathedral, which is quite unique because it was built over an ancient Greek temple that was dedicated to Minerva. We will also stop at Syracuse’s promenade, which provides beautiful panoramic views of the sea and the bay of Syracuse, perfect photo opportunities. We will then leave Syracuse and travel to Taormina where you will enjoy dinner and then spend the night at your first class hotel. (B,D)
Day 06 Wed: TAORMINA ;
Today, you will have some free time in the morning to either relax or enjoy an optional excursion to Mt. Etna, one of Italy’s many volcanoes and Europe’s largest active volcano. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a walking tour of Taormina city center. A highlight of the tour is the Greek/Roman amphitheater that provides visitors with stunning panoramic views of the bay of Naxos.
You will have the rest of the day at your leisure to further explore this beautiful city or to relax.(B)
Day 07 Thu: TAORMINA /SAVOCA D'AGRO' VALLEY / TAORMINA ;
On your final day in Sicily you will en-joy a truly unique experience that is an offer you cannot refuse: “The Godfather” tour. During the tour you will continue to explore the most breathtaking areas of Sicily by visiting towns in the Savoca and D’Agro valley where the award-winning “The Godfather” trilogy was filmed. Afterwards, you will return to Taormina and have the afternoon at your leisure. Your last dinner in Sicily will be a farewell meal held in a stylish restaurant with unforgettable cuisine and delicious wine, during which you will say goodbye to your travel companions. (B, D)
Day 08 Fri: TAORMINA / CATANIA to USA (or extend your stay) ;
On your final morning, you will be transferred to Catania Airport to board your return flight home to the United States. Arrivederci! (B)
PACKAGE START AT $1,890.00 INCLUDES:
- First class hotel accommodations for 7 nights in four Sicilian cities
- 12 included meals comprising of:
- 7 buffet breakfasts
- 1 lunch at a local farmhouse in Marsala
- 2 dinners at the hotels
- 2 gourmet dinners with a mini a-la-carte menu at local restaurants
- Wine, mineral water, and coffee or cappuccino served with meals at hotels and restaurants
- Travel by private deluxe air-conditioned motor coach between cities as per itinerary
- Assistance of a professional Tour Director for the entire length of your stay in Sicily
- Sightseeing, with local guide and all entrance fees included, at the following places:
- Tour of Palermo featuring Quattro Canti, Cathedral, and Monreale
- Visit of Erice
- Olive oil tasting in Marsala
- Valley of the Temples tour in Agrigento
- Chocolate tasting in Modica
- Tour of Noto
- Visit of Ortigia (Syracuse)
- Walking tour of Taormina and visit of the Greek/Roman Amphitheater
- “Godfather” tour
- Arrival and departure airport transfers (restrictions apply)
- Luggage handling
- Personalized audio system during all guided tours
- Hotel taxes and service charges
- Hospitality Local City tax
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:
- All Land & Air prices: Additional U.S. & Foreign Departure Taxes and Surcharges Fee(s) assessed by the Airlines.
-beverages (where not indicated)
- Additional Porterage service (if requested).
- Entrance Fees to Monuments or Museums, Tips, Extras.
- All that is not listed under “PACKAGE INCLUDES”.
GENERAL CONDITIONS:
English Speaking escorted group tour.
All departure are Guaranteed.
(**) Rate based on two adults sharing a double or twin bedded room with private bathroom. Single rooms are available at an additional supplement. Children’s, triple room rates and alternative accommodation arrangements are available upon request. (Additional and different charges may apply).