Splendors of Sicily Program Details
8 days Premier Escorted Tour visiting Taormina, Syracuse, Agrigento, Palermo, Segesta, Marsala, Trapani
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Itinerary
Day 1/Thu
Depart USA
Evening departure. Meals and refreshments served on board.
Day 2/Fri Catania/Taormina
After morning arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Balance of the day is at leisure. Tonight's dinner is at your hotel.
Day 3/Sat Taormina (optional
tour of Mt. Etna Volcano)
Morning walking tour of Taormina's charming city center includes the Greek/Roman
amphitheater, with its spectacular view of Giardini Naxos; and Mount Etna,
the largest active volcano in Europe. Balance of the day is yours to relax,
or explore the slopes of Mt Etna with our optional tour that also includes
an interesting honey-tasting session in Zafferana. Continue climbing to
6,000 feet where you can enjoy the best views, as you drive through the
fertile slopes and villages that sit on ancient volcanic eruptions. Tonight
you may experience dinner on your own in one of the many colorful restaurants
of Taormina.
Day 4/Sun Taormina/Syracuse
(optional "Godfather" tour)
Today experience an included excursion to Syracuse. A guided tour of this
venerable city highlights the Archaeological Park, Greek Theater, Latomia
del Paradiso and Cave of Dionysius' Ear. On the way back to Taormina we
offer a once in a lifetime experience! You may take an optional "Godfather"
tour, featuring the authentic villages chosen by Francis Ford Coppola
for most of the scenes in the Godfather movies. This is a good way to
explore the real untouched Sicilian countryside, local lifestyle and culture.
This evening savor a special Sicilian dinner with wine, in a restaurant
characteristic of this region.
Day 5/Mon Taormina/Piazza Armerina/Agrigento/Palermo
This morning depart for Agrigento, a hillside town facing the sea, famous
for its magnificent Valley of the Temples. En route stop at Piazza Armerina,
a town of rich history. Located here is the Villa del Casale, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. This villa is a supreme example of a luxury Roman
villa, which graphically illustrates the predominant social and economic
structure of its age. The mosaics that decorate it are exceptional for
their artistic quality and invention. Continue past Caltanissetta to Agrigento.
Enjoy a guided tour of the valley, one of the most important archaeological
areas in the world and another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The visit includes
the temples of Concord and Hercules. Arrive in Palermo in the evening
and enjoy a relaxing dinner at the hotel.
Day 6/Tue Palermo (excursion
to Segesta, Marsala & Trapani)
Journey to Segesta, a large archaeological zone, with a magnificent Doric
temple, 420 and 430 BC. located within a beautiful and natural setting,
that ranks as one of the best-preserved Greek architectural sites. Continue
to the sea town of Marsala, rediscovered in the eighteenth century by
English merchant John Woodhouse and known for its sweet wines. Visit a
wine cellar and sample some Marsala during a special wine tasting session.
Then drive along Trapani's coastline and stop for a special Sicilian lunch
in a restaurant by the sea, then return to Palermo. Your tour director
can suggest many interesting, quality restaurants, that offer ambiance
and traditional local cuisine, for dinner on your own.
Day 7/Wed Palermo (optional
tour of Cefalu)
A morning tour of Palermo, a city full of character, features Quattro
Canti - a splendid example of Spanish Baroque architecture, the Palace
of the Normans and its superb Palatine Chapel, the cathedral, and the
famous Benedictine Abbey of Monreale. Here you will admire a 12th century
cathedral, housing very fine mosaics representing a complete cycle of
the Old and New Testaments. Balance of the day is at leisure to relax
or take an optional tour with your Tour Director to the picturesque fishing
village of Cefalu. In the evening, bid "arrivederci" to your
travel companions during a festive farewell dinner with delectable cuisine
and sparkling wine in a fashionable restaurant.
Day 8/Thu Palermo to USA (or
extend your stay)
Morning transfer to Palermo Airport for your return flight home. Meals
and refreshments served on board. Same day arrival into USA.
Call for reservation
Preferred 4 Star Hotels |
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| City | Hotels |
| Taormina (3 nights) | Villa Diodoro or Caparena |
| Palermo (3 nights) | I Cavalieri |