Day By Day

OVERNIGHTS:
Palermo 2 nights + Taormina 3 nights + Malta 2 nights

ITINERARY:
Day 1 (Saturday) Palermo
Welcome to the warm, beautiful and pleasant island of Sicily!
Upon arrival at Palermo airport please proceed through the Passport Control and collect your luggage inside the customs area. Driver will transfer you to your hotel. Tonight, after a brief introduction made by your Tour Director, enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Day 2 (Sunday) Monreale & Palermo
Breakfast at hotel. Our first stop will be Monreale to see where the Arab-Norman art and architecture reached the pinnacle of its glory with the Duomo, launched in 1174 by William II. Scenes from the Old and New Testaments are depicted in golden mosaics. Then on to Palermo to visit the Palatine Chapel, which was the crowning architectural achievement of William II’s grandfather, Roger II. We then continue by seeing: Piazza Pretoria and Via Maqueda with its “four corners converging Palermo at a quartet of Baroque palaces left over from the heyday of Spanish rule dating back to 1560. This afternoon at leisure to explore the town on your own or OPTIONAL EXCURSION (BB)

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. Here we will 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 in the heart of the Madonie Natural Park in Palermo province. Step back in time viewing the ancient masserie 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 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 EXCURSION. (BB)

Day 6 (Thursday) Taormina/Catania/Malta
Time to say goodbye to Sicily.?Today transfer to Catania airport to independent flight to Malta. Upon arrival at Malta-Luga airport please proceed through the Passport Control and collect your luggage inside the customs area. Then driver will transfer you to your hotel. (BB)

Day 7 (Friday) Malta, Valletta, Mosta Dome, Mdina & Rabat Tour
Following breakfast, our first visit is Valletta, here we include the Barraka Gardens which offer stunning views of the Grand Harbour and magnificent fortifications, a walk down Triq Republikka where you can admire numerous historical buildings built by the Knights of St. John including the Aubereges, the Grand Masters Palace and the St. John's Co. Cathedral, the church of the order and also home to Caravaggio's masterpiece "Beheading of St. John" amongst other treasures. Our next stop will be to Mdina. Mdina is a unique medieval city, built in the 9th century, the city was built on a plateau in the centre of the island and from the high bastion walls you can admire stunning views of the island. This medieval city is a maze of narrow alleys and magnificent architecture, the only way to appreciate this special city is to stroll through it and admire the living history. Free time will be given for lunch. After lunch we continue by visiting the old town of Rabat. Here we will make our way through the narrow streets to the centre which is dominated by the imposing St. Paul's Church which overlooks the piazza. Rabat, can claim the origins of Maltese Christianity.?It was here in AD60 that the Apostle St Paul is said to have stayed after being shipwrecked on the Islands. We visit the St. Paul's Grotto which is said to be the resting place of St. Paul during his visit to the islands. Our final stop is one of Malta's most famous churches, Mosta Dome. The church’s dome is the third largest unsupported in the world, exceeded in size only by St. Peter’s in Rome and St. Sophia in Istanbul. Mosta Dome is also popular with visitors as it was at this church where the World War II bomb pierced the dome during a service, fell inside the church during a service and failed to explode, this locals hailed as a miracle. Our tour ends here and we make our way back to your hotel. (BB)

Day 8 (Saturday) Malta
Time to say goodbye to Malta while we are transferred to the airport for our return flight or optional trip. (BB)

Meal Legend: BB Buffet Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner

 

HighLights

Palermo: The Sicilian capital and capo market
Monreale: Dome and the golden mosaics
Cefalù: Norman cathedral
Polizzi Generosa: Lovely town in the heart of Madonie Natural Park
Taormina: Worldrenowned Mediterranean resort town
Syracuse: Archaeological Park and Ortigia Island
Malta: Rabat, Mdina

 

Hotels

 

Details

Group Size: Maximum 20 clients
Guaranteed: This Tour is guaranteed in double occupancy
Start/Finish: The tour is Land only; start in Palermo and finish in Malta.
Airline Tickets: Not included in this tour
Language: English Only
Duration: 8days/7nights (2nights Palermo + 3nights Taormina + 2nights Malta)

ADMISSION FEE
The price of this tour does not include the Admission Fees, which are usually around Euros 8,00 per person payable directly on the spot. If you are over 65 or under 18 years old and you have EU or Commonwealth Passport,  the admission fees are free of charge for you showing your document (or copy of your document) on the spot.

IMPORTANT
In order to guarantee all departures with a minimum of 2 clients, we operate this tour either with a Driver-Escort or Tour Escort and driver.  We do not use Licensed Local Guides for this tour.  Tour-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. 

GRATUITIES (We Suggest)
- The suggested amount for the Driver Guide have to be an average between EURO 30,00 to EURO 50,00 (for a full day excursion) per day based on the efficiency and service you receive.
-Gratuities to restaurants are never included in the bill.  The restaurant cover charge is not a tip.  If paying with credit cards in Italy & Sicily, please be so kind as to pay your tip separately in cash to the waiter.  This should be 10% of the total bill.
-The use of public toilets requires a payment to the attendant of EURO 0,30 cents. Public toilet charge EURO 0,50 cents.

LEVEL OF TRIP
This trip is designed to create comforts. The accommodation is 4 star standard, which usually means a combination of well-known 4 star properties. The food is first rate, with a blend of haute cuisine and regional Sicilian delicacies, discrete and comfortable transportation, the guides are knowledgeable and charming.

SICILIAN FOOD
Sicily is an island and there is a heavy emphasis on fish. Also, in Sicily typically the meal begins with a “starter? then pasta and then your main course. Please keep in mind that the food in Italy and Sicily might not be the same type of Italian food that you have are used to in your hometown. Sicily is famous for cannolis and marzipan. Please save room for dessert!

BAGGAGE HANDLING
The charge for handling one suitcase per person sometimes is not included with your tours.

WHAT TO PACK
The most important ingredient to a successful vacation is exploration. Please pack comfortable walking shoes. Sicily has a lot of steps and archaeological sites please pack accordingly. For city walking, wear leather shoes with good support. They are more socially and aesthetically acceptable than athletic shoes. Raingear is essential and a little umbrella could be handy. Gore-Tex fabric, which is both waterproof and breathable, is an excellent choice. Always pack a light sweater or jacket, even in summer.

INFORMATION & HINTS
-Once you land in Italy don’t forget to set your watch to the local time;
-In Italy the current voltage in Hotels is 220W.
-In Italy eating snacks is not a problem. But if you want to use restaurants, they open at certain times of the day: 11:30AM till 2:30PM and from 7:00PM till 10:30PM;
-Gratuities to restaurant are never included in the bill. Cover charge is not a tip. If paying with credit cards in Italy please pay your tip separately in cash to the waiter and this should be 10% of the total bill;
-The use of public toilets requires a payment to the attendant of € 0.30 cents. Public toilet charge € 0, 50 cents;
-Shops are generally closed from 1:00PM till 4:00PM and close approximately at 7:30PM.
-Ask for a receipt of your bills from most of the shopping establishments. By Italian Law, you must obtain them before leaving the premises;
-Be careful of your purse and wallets. Pick pocketing and purse snatching can happen especially in crowed places, such as famous monuments, bus stops, and railways stations. We advise that you do not give money to beggars as this is a common distraction for someone else to snatch your valuables;
-Do not carry all your money with you when leaving for sightseeing or strolls, deposit part of your money in the hotel safe or in the special belt around your waist;
Have handy telephone numbers of your banks in the event of stolen or lost credit cards;
-Keep separate a photocopy of your Passport;
-Keep your Currency Exchange forms if you plan to change money back to another currency.

GETTING THERE
Flights: We generally recommend that our travellers arrive one day before the trip starts in order to get their bearings and ease in to the new surroundings.
Travel Services: For the convenience of our travellers, we would be happy to assist you in case you need a special rate for your pre-post nights in Sicily.

CLOTHING
Whole essays can be written about the Italians' relationships with clothes. Some observations:
1. Sometimes clothing rules are written. To visit a church or religious site you will need to cover yourself up; no bare backs, chests, shoulders and sometimes no bare knees. Sometimes museums and other attractions can also be strict; no bathing suits, for example. If you want to visit a church or religious site it's a good idea to carry a shawl or something with you so you can cover up. Even where there are no written rules, please use good judgement and respect the customs of the area....you're not at home and a little more "prudent" behavior is always appreciated by locals.
2. Italians are very conformist about clothing; everyone wears the same fashions, from teenagers to grannies, which can be shocking at times. And it's normal to be glared at if you are not wearing the latest customised jeans or super hip boots.
3. It's important not to judge people by their choice of clothing. Styles do not necessarily carry the same connotations in Italy that they would in other countries. A woman in fishnets, stilettos and miniskirt with caked-on makeup at eight in the morning is probably just going to work in a bank. Almost all youths lounge about in skin-tight t-shirts with their rear-ends squishing out of jeans.

ADVISE FOR WOMEN
"Sexual harassment" is not regarded in the same way in Sicily-Italy as in other countries. The general atmosphere is pretty unreconstructed, and women should be prepared for attention :-). However, the tone of this "attention" is generally less aggressive than you may be used to. Men will call out compliments such as "bona" (beautiful in Sicilian language) instead of muttering crude suggestions. And culturally, these comments are not seen as insults; if you respond angrily or insultingly everyone will be very surprised. Whereas women of other nationalities may be used to telling strangers (in no uncertain terms) to shut up and go away, in Sicily the norm is to ignore the attention. In any case, responding in English or in imperfect Italian will only encourage more attention. It's best to do as the Sicilian-Italian women do, and sail past with your head held high. If you avoid eye contact and don't respond, you are extremely unlikely to be pursued or hassled further.

DISABLED TRAVELERS
Please advise us in advance if you will arrive in Sicily with a folding wheelchair or with a cane. This is because we need to verify if our excursion fit you needs.

SMOKING
Since January 2005, smoking has been banned in all enclosed public places that do not offer sealed off rooms equipped with smoke extractors. The controversial new law covers i.e. bars, restaurants, offices, public buildings, public transports and cinemas. Smokers face fines is up to EURO 275, whilst businesses could be hit for EURO 2.000.

CURRENCY
-The EURO is the currency accepted in Italy. The preferred method of payment is the EURO or a major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). 
-Traveler’s checks are not welcomed by local merchants.
-Check with your bank to determine whether or not your ATM card will work overseas and find out what is the maximum amount of cash is that can be dispensed on a daily basis. (Note:  The maximum amount available for withdrawl in Europe is usually less for “foreign” ATM cards.  If you try to withdraw an amount and have problems, try again selecting a smaller amount to withdraw).
-If you do not have a cash card, you can go to the currency desk and they will exchange your currency into EURO.  The other option is to go to your local bank BEFORE leaving your country and obtain EURO.  Please do this well in advance of your trip as some local banks might need to order EURO from their main branch.

GENERAL SAFETY
Sicily is a pretty safe island. You should take obvious precautions, as in any city around the world, such as keeping any bags and possessions under your control and being alert for bag-snatchers and pickpockets in crowded places.

 

What's Included

Departure - Prices