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Day 3
(Monday): Palermo/Cefalù/Polizzi Generosa/Taormina
Today depart for Cefalù, a charming coastal town home to
a massive Norman Cathedral with outstanding
mosaics. Visit the city center and stroll down main
street to reach the Cathedral. Afterwards, we drive
across the vast countryside of the Madonie Park
showcasing Sicily’s great variety of landscapes. The
territory of the Madonie mountains is a paradise of
earth and sky, tucked away on the island. We soon arrive
in Polizzi Generosa—a lovely town nestled in the
heart of the Madonie Natural Park. Step back in time
viewing the ancient masseria transformed into a
farmhouse, the flour mills evidencing the plentiful
water supply of the area, and the furnaces used today,
as in the past, to make ceramics. Light lunch at country
trattoria to taste typical local dishes. This afternoon
we will continue to Taormina,
the world famous resort town of Sicily.(BB L)
Day 4
(Tuesday): Taormina/Syracuse/Taormina
Today we leave for Syracuse. Upon arrival we will
visit the magnificent Archaeological Park where
we will admire the 5th-century BC Greek Theatre,
the stone quarries, the Roman Amphitheatre and
the Paradise Quarry. Later we will walk through
the island of Ortygia, the picturesque and
densely built original center of Syracuse. Enjoy lunch
at a local restaurant. This afternoon we drive back to
Taormina. (BB L)
Day 5 (Wednesday): Taormina
Today at leisure to relax, shop, explore or
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS.
(BB)
Day 6 (Thursday):
Taormina/Piazza Armerina/Agrigento
Following breakfast, we will drive through the interior
of Sicily to reach Piazza Armerina where we will
view the ruins of the Roman Villa of Casale. The
mosaics discovered here are celebrated among
scholars of antiquity. This afternoon continue to
Agrigento where we will visit the finest of all
ancient Greek sites—the complete Doric Temples.
Dinner at local restaurant. After dinner, we enjoy an
orientation tour of Agrigento by night to admire the
Illuminated Temples. (BB D)
Day 7 (Friday): Agrigento/Marsala
Winery/Salt Way Road/Erice/Palermo
Today we tour western Sicily and begin in Marsala.
The town is the most famous
wine producer on the entire island. Upon arrival, we
transfer to a local winery and visit the cellars.
Enjoy a Farewell Cocktail with snacks and wines.
Following this visit, we reach
the lovely Trapani province where we will admire the
Salt Way Road and Sicilian windmills. Then
continue on to the medieval hillside town of Erice.
Upon arrival, walk through the town to reach the
Castle built upon the remnants of the Venus Temple.
Afterwards, we stop at a local pastry shop to taste the
typical marzipans and almond pastries. Time at leisure.
This afternoon we will drive to Palermo for our last
night in Sicily. (BB FC)
Day 8 (Saturday): Palermo airport
Time to say goodbye to Sicily. Independent transfer to
Palermo airport. (BB)
Meal Legend:
BB Buffet Breakfast L
Lunch FC Farwell Cocktail D
Dinner
FEATURED PROPERTIES
USED:
featured properties
used:
Palermo: Hotel
Politeama or Hotel Mercure Palermo Centro or Hotel
Residenza d'Aragona
Agrigento: Dioscuri Bay
Palace Hotel or Hotel della Valle
Taormina: Hotel Miramare
or Hotel Lido Caparena
Hotel may be substituted with similar category.
List of Hotels will be advised 20 days before departure.
IMPORTANT:
In order to guarantee all departures with a minimum of 2
clients, we operate this tour either with a
Driver-Escort or Tour Director and driver. We do not
use licensed Local Guides for this tour. Driver-Escort
or Tour Director provide basic historical and site
information preparing you to visit sites on your own.
They may not accompany you on your visit of the sites.
If you require licensed Local Guides, it is your
responsibility to purchase on the spot (if available).
We cannot arrange licensed Local Guide services
for you in advance.
OPTIONAL
EXCURSIONS:
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS:
-(Sunday)
Segesta
-(Wednesday)
Etna Volcano experience by Jeep
ride with light lunch at farmhouse
-(Wednesday)
Etna Volcano experience with light
lunch at Etna Winery
-(Wednesday)
Taormina & Gourmet Cooking Course
OPTIONAL
EXCURSIONS
(Based on a minimum of 2 paying clients):
1)
Segesta
1)
Segesta
Day
2 (Sunday) Palermo/Segesta/Palermo
This
afternoon depart for Segesta -- it looks as if it were
built yesterday. Segesta's ancient Greek temple makes a
valid claim to being the best preserved in the world,
and its amphitheatre boasts a hilltop position on Mount
Barbaro second to none. The magnificent Doric
temple--whose roof was never added and the pillars never
fluted-- is impressive as one of the highlights of a
large archeological park. The archaeological site
reflects the presence of several ancient civilizations,
beginning with the elusive Elymians.
Later back to Palermo.Palermo.
RATE
PER PERSON: Euros 40,00
per person
What is Included:
üVehicle/coach
with air conditioning, no toilet
üEnglish
speaking Tour Director/Driver as per program
üAll
sightseeing, tasting and excursions as specified in the
itinerary
üCity
taxes
What Is Not Included:
üGratuities
üAdmission
fees
üAmphitheatre
shuttle bus
üLicensed
local guide
OPTIONAL EXCURSION
(Based on a minimum of 2 paying clients):
2) Etna Volcano experience by Jeep ride with light lunch
at farmhouse
2) Etna
Volcano Jeep ride experience with light lunch at
farmhouse
Day 5 (Wednesday) Taormina/Mount Etna by Jeep/Taormina
Today you will be picked up at your hotel by an
off-road driver/escort and transferred to Etna Volcano.
You will enjoy a lovely Jeep experience through the Etna
area: Mount Fontana (view of Bove Valley), the Thieves
Cave (grotta dei ladroni), extinct craters of Sartorius
Mounts, and lava flow from the 2002 eruption. Light
lunch at a farmhouse to taste typical Sicilian dishes.
Off-road drive along the Linguaglossa-Castiglione and
Alcantara Gorges area. This afternoon return to Taormina
hotel. (L)
RATE PER PERSON:
Euros 110,00
What is Included:
ü One
collective jeep ride to Etna Volcano with pick-up and
drop-off at Taormina hotel
ü Basic
English speaking jeep driver as per program
ü One
light lunch at farmhouse in Etna district, 3 course menu
including water and local wine
üAll
sightseeing and excursions as specified in the itinerary
üCity
Taxes
What Is Not Included:
üGratuities
to jeep driver
OPTIONAL EXCURSION
(Based on a minimum of 2 paying clients):
3) Etna Volcano experience with light lunch at Etna
Winery
3) Etna
Volcano experience with light lunch at Etna Winery
Day 5 (Wednesday) Taormina/Mount Etna Winery/Taormina
 A
short drive takes us to the main visitor elevation on
the slopes of Mt. Etna. Those interested in experiencing
the Etna craters will have the option to purchase cable
car tickets on the spot (weather and volcanic conditions
permitting) to experience the lava fields and incredible
landscape view from Europe’s highest and most active
volcano on their own. Then to a winery and farmhouse.
This estate also produces olive oil, grappa, sparkling
wine and artisan food. We indulge in a typical Sicilian
light lunch at the farmhouse.
This afternoon back to Taormina. (L)
RATE PER PERSON:
Euros 75,00
What is Included:
ü One
visit to Sicilian cellars with Sicilian wine tasting
üDeluxe
vehicle/coach with air conditioning
üEnglish
speaking Tour Director/Driver as per program
üOne
light lunch at winery/farmhouse with tasting of typical
Etna dishes
ü All
sightseeing, tasting and excursions as specified in the
itinerary
üCity
Taxes
What Is Not Included:
üGratuities
to Driver/Tour Director
üBasic
Etna cable car ride payable directly on the spot
ü Etna
cable car ride + crater Jeep ride + Alpine guide ticket
payable on the spot
üBeverages
not specified
OPTIONAL EXCURSION
(Based on a minimum of 2 paying clients):
4)
Taormina & Gourmet Cooking Course
4)
Taormina Gourmet Cooking Course
Day 5 (Wednesday) Taormina Gourmet Cooking Course
(h 9:00AM - h 1:00PM)
 This
morning independently transfer to a local restaurant in
Taormina where we are greeted by Chef Antonio Orlando
and Chef Donna Maria. A brief walk takes us to an
open air market where we'll purchase fresh fruit,
vegetables and all the ingredients necessary for the
cooking course. Then back to the restaurant to start
cooking. At the end of the cooking course, we will enjoy
our scrumptious creations with the perfect compliment—a
beautifully paired Sicilian wine. Dessert follows
accompanied by a typical local Dessert wine.
(L)
RATE PER PERSON:
Euros 110,00 per person
What is Included:
üOne
gourmet cooking course
üOne
lunch at the local restaurant to taste your creations
üBeverage:
water, ½ bottle local wine, dessert wine
üAll
sightseeing and tasting as specified in the itinerary
üCity
taxes
What Is Not Included:
üGratuities
ü Round
trip restaurant transfers
DEPARTURE DATES 2009
DEPARTURE DATES
2009
|
January: |
10, 24 |
|
February: |
7, 21 |
|
March: |
14, 28 |
|
April: |
4,
11 (Easter Departure), 18, 25 |
|
May: |
2, 9, 23, 30 |
|
June: |
13, 20, 27 |
|
July: |
4, 25 |
|
August: |
29 |
|
September: |
12, 19, 26 |
|
October: |
3, 10, 24, 31 |
|
November: |
7, 14 |
|
December: |
12 |
What is Included:
What is Included:
ü
Palermo: Two nights accommodation
ü
Taormina: Three nights accommodation, NO sea view rooms
ü
Agrigento: One night accommodation
ü
Palermo: One night accommodation
ü
Daily continental breakfast buffet
ü
Welcome Dinner with set group menu
ü
Farewell Cocktail and snacks at Marsala winery
ü
One visit to Sicilian cellars with Sicilian wine tasting
ü
Vehicle/coach with air conditioning, no toilet
ü
English speaking Tour Director/Driver as per program
ü
All sightseeing, tasting and excursions as specified in
the itinerary
ü
One light lunch at country restaurant in Polizzi
Generosa with tasting of several typical local dishes
ü
One lunch at local restaurant in Syracuse
ü
One dinner at local restaurant in Agrigento
ü
Hotel & city taxes |
