Day By Day

OVERNIGHTS:
Palermo 3 nights + Leonforte 1 night + Taormina 3 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. Outside of customs, you will find the driver waiting holding a sign with your full name. Transfer to the hotel. This evening, after a brief introduction made by your Tour Director, enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Day 2 (Sunday) Monreale & Palermo
After breakfast, our local guide will show us where the Arab-Norman art and architecture reached the pinnacle of its glory with the Monreale Duomo, launched in 1174 by William II. Scenes from the Old and New Testaments are depicted in golden mosaics covering the interior. Then to the Palatine Chapel in Palermo, 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.
Then we visit the Cathedral constructed in various architectural styles throughout the Roman, Norman, Arabic, and Islamic dominations. This afternoon at leisure to explore the town on your own or or OPTIONAL EXCURSION (BB)

Day 3 (Monday) Palermo/Erice Olive Oil Factory/Marsala/Palermo
Early departure to tour western Sicily where we will reach Erice city center. The Elymians settled the medieval town of Erice, which was an important religious site associated with the goddess Venus. Wander through its ancient streets and visit some of the famous homemade pastry shops—world-famous for marzipan candies and other delicacies like almond and pistachio pastries. Then, to an olive oil factory & farmhouse to
enjoy a light lunch. In the afternoon, we travel between Trapani and Marsala on the Salt Way Road. We will tour the historic saltpan works, where the ancient tradition of harvesting salt from the sea is still practiced. We then continue on to Marsala and visit a local winery’s cellar and taste Sicilian wines. Later back to Palermo. (BB L)

Day 4 (Tuesday) Palermo/Agrigento/Piazza Armerina/Leonforte
Today’s drive across the vast countryside showcases Sicily’s great variety of sceneries. We soon arrive in Agrigento whose history dates back to 580 BC. A guided tour leads us through the Valley of the Temples, a magnificent cluster of Greek ruins overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. This afternoon we continue to Piazza Armerina to view the ruins of the Roman Villa of Casale. The mosaics discovered here are celebrated among scholars of antiquity. Later, we depart to Leonforte near Enna. This region boasts a rich production of wheat, citrus fruits, and olive oil. Tonight, we lodge at Villa Gussio, an old traditional Sicilian country hotel. The hotel is a jewel set in the green heart of Sicily, a magic place where history and nature blend to celebrate a spontaneous hymn to beauty.
Dinner at the hotel. (BB D)

Day 5 (Wednesday) Leonfonte/Syracuse/Taormina
Today we depart for Syracuse, founded by colonists from Cornith in 735 B.C. and once the most important competitor to Athens. Our guided visit through the Archaeological Park highlights the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Paradise Quarry.
Later stroll through the streets of Ortygia Island, the heart of the city center. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, we drive along the coast to Taormina, the world famous resort town of Sicily, known for its views and atmosphere. (BB L)

Day 6 (Thursday) 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 and time at leisure. Tonight we gather for a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. (BB L D)

Day 7 (Friday) Taormina
The day is yours to rest or explore the town on your own or or OPTIONAL EXCURSION (BB)

Day 8 (Saturday) Taormina/Catania
Time to say goodbye to Sicily as we are transferred to Catania Airport (CTA) for our return flight. (BB)

MEAL LEGEND: BB Buffet Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner

 

HighLights

Palermo: Sicily’s Vibrant Capital

Monreale: Gold Mosaic’s Scene from the Old and New Testaments

Erice: Medieval streets, Breathtaking views and fortress

Marsala: World known Wine Producing Town, Winery

Fontanasalsa: Olive-Oil Factory

Trapani: Saltpan Works

Agrigento: Valley of Temples 

Piazza Armerina: Best Roman Mosaics of Sicily

Syracuse: Archaeological Sicilian city

Taormina: World-Famous Mediterranean Resort, Shopping

Etna: Highest Active Volcano of Europe and Winery

 

 

Hotels

 

Details

Group Size: Maximum 15 clients
Guaranteed: This Tour is guaranteed in double occupancy
Start/Finish: The tour is Land only; start in Palermo and finish in Catania.
Duration: 8days/7nights (3nights Palermo + 1night Leonforte + 3nights Taormina)
Language: English Only

TRAVEL FORMAT
This is an Escorted Tour with maximum 15 clients. Tour is operated in English Language only and will be escorted by a Sicilian Tour Leader for the entire duration, have a fixed itinerary, fixed price and leave on fixed departure dates.

LEVEL OF TRIP
This trip is designed to create comforts. The accommodation is boutique style, which usually means a combination of well-known first class hotels and lesser known gems with plenty of regional character and charm. 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.

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.

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!

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