DAY 1
Arrival in Palermo
Arrival of the group to Palermo Airport where we will be
greeted by your tour escort for the transfer transfer to our
hotel in Palermo.
After we register and freshen-up we have some leisure
time til dinner. So, relax at the hotel, go for a
walk, have a drink in the bar or just while away your time
as you wish.
Welcome dinner; leisure time.
Overnight at hotel.
DAY 2
Explore Palermo and Monreale
Today is dedicated to an exploration of
Palermo and
nearby Monreale. Shortly after breakfast, we will
start with a visit to the Norman Palace steeped in 2600
years of history, and the famous Palatine Chapel. In the
afternoon guided visit of Monreale, a special trip that will
take you to the 12th century cathedral decorated in 6340
square
meters of Greek-style mosaics.
Return to the hotel. Leisure time.
Dinner. Leisure time. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 3
An excursion to Segesta and Erice
After breakfast we will depart for Segesta where we will
tour the amazing Greek ruins visit of the suggestive Doric
temple with its 36 regular white stone Ionic columns, all
intact in entablature and pediment. Then we are off to
Erice, a
delightful Medieval town where we will see a magnificent
Greek temple dedicated to the fertility Goddess and stand in
awe of the views we'll see from the temple's terraces.
We'll wander a bit in Erice, but we won't leave until we
stop for awhile at the Pasticceria Grammatico, a
world-famous pastry shop owned by Maria Grammatico whose
story is told in the delightful book, Bitter Almonds.
Eyes and tummies well satisfied, we will continue towards
Agrigento where we will spend the night.
Dinner. Leisure time. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 4
The Valley of the Temples and Piazza Armerina
Today, just after breakfast, we'll travel the short distance
to the Valley of the Temples where we will step back 1000s
of years and gaze in wonder at the temples of Juno, Concord,
Hercules, Jupiter and Olympus. In the afternoon visit to the
beautiful Roman Villa del Casale near
Piazza
Armerina, home to well-preserved and stunning mosaics of
a Roman villa . Then, it's off to Sicily's eastern
shores where we will spend the night in the picturesque town
of Taormina.
Dinner. Leisure time. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 5
The slopes of Mount Etna and exploring Taormina
We'll have breakfast at the hotel and then depart for Mount
Etna, Europe's highest active volcano. The coach will take
us to a height of 1900 meters, where we will peer into its
dormant craters and marvel at its moonlike landscapes. In
the afternoon we'll relax with a little sightseeing in
Taormina,
Sicily' best known resort torn, beautifully
situated 204 mt. above sea level, with its winding medieval
streets. Time free in Taormina for shopping.
Dinner. Leisure time. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 6
An excursion to Catania and Siracusa
After breakfast we will board our air conditioned bus to go
south along the coast of east Sicily. First, we will
visit the historical centre of
Catania,
situated in a magnificent position at the foot of Mount
Etna.
We will stop for lunch (not included) at a typical Sicilian
restaurant.
In the afternoon visit to the very ancient city of
Siracusa,
founded by the Greeks in 800 BC. Here we will see the
Orecchio di Dionisio, the Greco-Roman
Amphitheatre. We will also enjoy a guided tour of the
oldest part of the city, which is on the small island of
Ortigia.
Return to Taormina. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 7
Day of Departure
Today's our last day, so after breakfast you will have time
to pack up and prepare for your departure. For those
who flew to Sicily, we will arrange your transfer to Catania
Airport.
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Lunch
