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Price
Euro
1600 (standard double occupancy) Euro 1850 (standard single
occupancy)
Price
Euro 1900 (superior double
occupancy) Euro 2150 (superior single occupancy)
Tour
type first class or deluxe escorted tour. English speaking
only: Local guides where necessary
Duration
8 days/ 7 nights - Palermo (3 nights) Leonforte/Enna (2
nights) Taormina (2 nights)
Destination Sicily
Activities
Sightseeing. Cultural tour. Wine and typical food tasting
Hotels
(may be replaced with same category) Palermo:
Hotel Plaza Opera Leonforte: Villa Gussio Nicoletti
Taormina Hotel Villa Angela and/or Hotel Montetauro
Highlights
Palermo, Monreale, Marsala winery, Fontanasalsa olive oil
farm, Saltpans, Enna's Lombardia Castke, Roman Villa at
Piazza Armerina, Agrigento's Valley of the Temples, Caltagirone
ceramics, Siracusa, Taormina Renowned Mediterranean resort,
Etna Highest active Volcano of Europe, Santa Venerina Winery
Season
April, May, June, September and October departures
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Day 1 (Saturday)
Arrival in Palermo
You are greeted at Palermo airport and transferred to your
hotel. Late in the afternoon after an orientation talk by
your tour director, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel.
(Dinner included)
Day 2 (Sunday) Palermo, Monreale
After breakfast, your local guide will show you where the
Arab-Norman art and architecture reached the pinnacle of its
glory with the Monreale Duomo, built in 1174
by William II. Then, on to the Palatine Chapel
in Palermo, which was the crowning architectural achievement
of his grandfather Roger II. See Piazza Pretoria, Santa Caterina
and San Giuseppe dei Teatini, Via Maqueda with its "four
corners": a quartet of baroque palaces left over from
the heyday of Spanish rule dating from 1560. Then, we visit
the Cathedral with various style built through Islamic. Arab-
Norman domination.
(Breakfast included)
Day
3 (Monday) Palermo - Erice - Trapani - Marsala - Palermo
The
mediaeval town of Erice was settled by the Elymians
and was an important religious site associated with goddesses
of fertility. Wander through its' ancient streets and visit
some of the famous home-made pastry-shops, world-famous for
marzipan candies and other delicacies like almond
and pistachio pastries. Then, on to an olive oil press
and farmhouse for a light lunch. In the afternoon, we drive
along the Salt road with its windmills and saltpans
where the ancient traditon of harvesting salt from the sea
is still alive. Upon arrival in Marsala, we visit a local
winery’s cellar and taste Sicilian wines. Later, we will
get back to Palermo
(Breakfast and lunch included)
Day
4 (Tuesday) Palermo - Agrigento - Leonforte (Enna)
Today's'
drive across the vast countryside enables us to enjoy Sicily's
great variety of sceneries. Upon arrival in Agrigento,
whose history dates back to 6th century B.C., guided tour
of the Valley of the Temples, a magnificent cluster
of Greek ruins overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Later, we'll
drive to Leonforte near Enna. The region boasts a rich production
of wheat, citrus fruits, olive oil. Tonight, we lodge in the
green heart of Sicily at Villa Gussio, a typical Sicilian
old-country hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 5 (Wednesday)
Leonfonte – Enna - Piazza Armerina - Caltagirone - Leonfonte
Our first stop is at Enna. It was a centre of great
military importance under the Greeks and Romans. On the upper
part of the town stands the Lombardia Castle,
the most ancient and best-preserved castle in Sicily. Continue
to Piazza Armerina to see the ruins of a Roman
Villa of Casale. The mosaics discovered here are celebrated
among scholars of antiquity. In the afternoon, we visit the
baroque town of Caltagirone known as "the city
of ceramics". Ceramics have been produced here for
over 1000 years. Climb the Steps of Santa Maria del
Monte, city's symbol made out of 142 steps decorated
with splendid glazed majolica tiles. Time at leisure. Return
to our hotel for dinner.
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 6 (Thursday)
Leonforte - Syracuse - Taormina
Departure to Syracuse, once the most important rival
of Athens, founded by settlers from Corinth in 735 B.C. Upon
arrival, we walk on Ortygia, a small islet that
is Siracusa's city centre. In the afternoon, guided tour of
the archaeological area: see the Greek Theatre,
the Roman Amphitheatre and the Paradise
Quarry. Then, we will drive along the coast to Taormina,
the world famous resort of Sicily with its views and atmosphere.
(Breakfast
included)
Day 7: Mount Etna - Santa Venerina - Taormina
A short drive takes us to the slopes of Mt. Etna. Weather
and volcanic conditions permitting, we experience the lava
fields and incredible view of Europe's highest and most active
volcano. Then to a winery and farmhouse located in the lovely
village of Santa Venerina. This estate also produces
olive oil, grappa, sparkling wine and home-made food. We indulge
in a typical lunch at the farmhouse. In the afternoon, we
return to Taormina and time at leisure. Farewell
dinner at a local restaurant.
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 8: Catania departure
Transfer to Catania airport for departure.
(Breakfast included)
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