Sicilian Showcase 2009 (6 nights/7 days): If you are looking for a small size, Collective Tour (FRIDAY from Catania), Driver-Escorted, English speaking only, 3, 4 star standard and 4 star superior properties, visit to the main Sicilian Highlights, Limited to maximum 6 people ... Guaranteed Departures.
Welcome to the warm, beautiful and pleasant island of Sicily! Upon arrival at Catania airport (CTA) 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 Taormina, the resort town of Sicily.
Day 2 (Saturday): Taormina All day long at leisure to explore the town on our own. We recommend a walking in Taormina uptown: the amazing Public Garden, the world famous narrow street of Corso Umberto famous for several shops, bar and restaurants. Independent visit to the Greek-Roman Theatre (admission fee: charge) a showcase from where you can view a outstanding panorama of the Etna Volcano and Giardini Naxos bay. This afternoon is at leisure or Optional GODFATHER Excursion (available on request). (BB)
Day 3 (Sunday): Taormina
All day long at leisure to explore the town on our own or Optional Excursions to Etna Volcano (available on request). (BB)
Day 4 (Monday): Taormina/Piazza Armerina/Agrigento/Palermo
Today’s drive across the vast countryside showcases Sicily’s great variety of sceneries. We soon arrive in Piazza Armerina for an independent view to the ruins of the Roman Villa of Casale (admission fee: charge). The mosaics discovered here are celebrated among scholars of antiquity. Today we will indulge in a local lunch at country restaurant. This afternoon we will continue to Agrigento whose history dates back to 580 BC. An independent tour leads us through the Valley of the Temples (admission fee: charge), a magnificent cluster of Greek ruins overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Later we will drive to Palermo, the capital of Sicily (BB L)
Day 5 (Tuesday): Monreale & Palermo After breakfast, we will visit 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 on to Palermo to explore the lively Capo Market, a large open street market that captures the flavor of Palermo's Saracen Arab past. Capo is a blend of general confusion and a jumble of vendors' stalls, winding toward the old gate (Porta Carini) of what used to be the city wall. We continue by seeing Piazza Pretoria and Via Maqueda, whose “four corners” converge Palermo at a quartet of baroque palaces left over from the heyday of Spanish rule dating from 1560. This afternoon is at leisure to explore the town on our own or shops. (BB)
Day 6 (Wednesday): Palermo/Marsala/Salt Way/Erice/Palermo
Early departure to tour western Sicily. Our first stop is in Marsala famous for sweet wine exportation. On arrival we will visit a local winery’s cellar and taste Sicilian wine and our Sicilian snack. Later, we travel between Marsala and Trapani 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. Than to Erice uptown. 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. (BB S)
Day 7 (Thursday): Palermo
Time to say goodbye to Sicily as we are transferred to Palermo Airport (PMO) for our return flight. (BB)
Meal Legend: BB Buffet Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner S Snack
HighLights
Taormina: Worldrenowned Mediterranean resort town Piazza Armerina: Ancient mosaics in the Roman Villa Agrigento: Valley of the Temples Marsala: Winery visit and wine tasting Trapani province: Saltpan works Erice: Castle built on the remnants of Venus Temp Palermo: The Sicilian capital and capo market Monreale: Dome and the golden mosaics
Hotels
Featured properties used for this tour:
moderate accommodation Taormina: Hotel Continental, 3 star Palermo: Hotel Cristal, 3 star
4 star standard
Taormina: Hotel Lido Caparena
Palermo: Hotel Mercure Palermo Centro
4 star superior
Taormina: Hotel Villa Angela
Palermo: Hotel Plaza Opera
Note: Hotels may be substituted with similar category
N O T E S
ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES: When choosing your accommodation please keep in mind that the categories shown beside the hotel descriptions are supplied by the local authorities. Grading may not necessarily reflect your own personal direct comparison with hotels of the same category elsewhere. If unsure feel free to ask us to advice you to help you to choose the accommodation that best suits you
HOTEL ROOMS: Room assigning is done by the hotel management and is as fair and impartial as the rooms at their disposal allows. Our efforts start weeks before the tour begins when we send a list to each hotel, noting any special requests made by you. Many of you may have requested non-smoking rooms, but because of the tremendous demand for these recently, many hotels are not able to satisfy all the requests. For assistance in operating the TV, heating/air-conditioning or telephone, do not hesitate to contact the front desk staff, they are there to help you.
ROOMS TYPE: Twin/Double in many countries, a double bed is one bed for two people, a twin room is two twin close together. Single rooms are normally very small. DUS rooms is a double for single use and usually if you need it you have to pay the supplement. Triple rooms normally is a twin with an extra rool-away bed.
Details
Group Size: Maximum 6 clients Guaranteed: This Tour is guaranteed in double occupancy Start/Finish: The tour is Land only; start in Catania and finish in Palermo Language: English Only Duration: 7days/6nights (3nights Taormina + 3nights Palermo)
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 are 3 star/4 star standard, which usually means a combination of well-known 3 to 4 star properties. The food are 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 travellersarrive one day before the tripstarts 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
»What's Included
»What's NOT
included
One main round trip Airport Transfers for services done between 8:00AM to 7:00PM; Taormina: Three nights accommodation; Palermo: Three nights accommodation; Daily breakfast buffet/continental; Car/Vehicle with air conditioning; English speaking Driver Escort as per program; One lunch in Piazza Armerina at local country restaurant, with set menů; One visit at local winery in Marsala with wine tasting and Sicilian snack; All sightseeing, tasting and excursions as specified in the itinerary; Hotel & City Taxes.
Intercontinental Flight;
Gratuities to Driver Escort;
Porterage at airport;
Luggage handling at hotel;
Licensed Local Guide;
Beverages and meals not mentioned in the program;
Travel Insurance;
Airport Transfers between 8:00PM to 7:00AM require payment of the night-use supplement of Euros 10,00 per person each way;
