Sicily is more than an island! When you discover Sicily you are discovering the world.
SPECIAL INCLUDED FEATURES:
- 13 included meals - INCLUDED!
- All transfers and baggage handling - INCLUDED!
- Sightseeing and entrance fees - INCLUDED!
ADDITIONAL INCLUDED FEATURES:
- Air transportation from NYC or NEWARK (other gateways available upon request)
- First Class hotels for 6 nights
- 13 included meals consisting of, 6 buffet breakfasts, 4 dinners at hotel PLUS Dining plan: 2 dinners and 1 lunch at popular local restaurants
- Wine, mineral water & coffee or cappuccino served with lunch & dinner meals at hotels and restaurants
- Touring by private, air conditioned motorcoach
- Professional Central Holidays Tour Director
- Sightseeing as indicated including local guide and entrance fees
- All transfers and baggage handling (Land-Only rates do not include airport transfers at arrival and departure city)
- Travel bag, one per person
- Document holder and luggage tags
- HEAR Clear Personalized audio system to hear every word your guide says even at a distance
- Hotel taxes and service charges
Dining Plan
Dining Plan Two dinners, and one lunch at popular local restaurants,
featuring regional cuisine, including wine, mineral water and coffee
- 1 dinner in Taormina
- Lunch in Trapani
- Farewell dinner in Palermo
Bonus Sightseeing
- Greek Amphitheater of Taormina
- Ancient city of Syracuse
- Valley of the Temples in Agrigento
- Wine-tasting excursion to Marsala
- Tour of Palermo
- Tour of Monreale Cathedral
TOUR DESCRIPTION
Sicily, the biggest island in the Mediterranean Sea, is full of
art, history and traditions. This program provides travelers
with everything from the enchanted beauty of Taormina and the
majestic ruins of the ancient Greek city of Agrigento, to the
millenary salt mine of Trapani and the holiness of the Benedictine
Abbey of Monreale. The tour is also a culinary experience with
fantastic flavors of the islandￜs cuisine.
ITINERARY & MAP
Day 1/Wed Depart USA
Evening departure. Meals and refreshments served on board.
Day 2/Thu Catania/Taormina
After morning arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Balance of the day is at leisure. Tonight, dinner is at your hotel.
Day 3/Fri Taormina
Today visit the Greek Amphitheater with its spectacular view of the
largest active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna. The balance of the day
is yours to relax or explore the beautiful surroundings. Dinner is at your hotel.
Day 4/Sat Taormina (Excursion to Syracuse)
Taormina is one of the most attractive resorts in the Mediterranean.
Almond and orange trees blossom adding a marvelous scent to a scene
ranging from the snow-capped Mount Etna in one direction, to the
metallic blue sea in another. 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. This evening, savor a special Sicilian dinner with wine
in a restaurant characteristic of this region.
Day 5/Sun Taormina/Caltanissetta/Agrigento
Morning departure for Agrigento, a town built on a hillside facing the sea,
famous for its magnificent Valley of the Temples. En route pass Enna, a
town located in the geographical center of Sicily, boasting great panoramic
vistas. Continue past Caltanissetta, the capital of its province until you
reach Agrigento. After checking in at your hotel, enjoy a guided tour of
the Valley including the Temples of Castor and Pollux, Zeus, Concord and
Hercules, plus the Tomb of Theron and The Porta Aurea. Dinner is at your hotel.
Day 6/Mon Agrigento/Marsala/Trapani/Palermo
Journey northwest along the Sicilian coast to Palermo, passing the sea towns
of Sciacca (famous for its anchovies) and Mazzara del Vallo, where thousands
of tuna yield an abundant catch for this thriving industry. Continue to
Marsala, situated at the western-most point of the island. Rediscovered
in the eighteenth century by an English merchant, John Woodhouse, today
Marsala is mainly known for its sweet wines. You will visit a wine cellar
where this special wine is aged, and have a chance to sample some Marsala
during a wine-tasting session. Later, drive to Trapani for a special Sicilian
lunch in a restaurant by the sea. Continue to Palermo and spend the afternoon
unpacking, relaxing or exploring on your own. Tonight, dinner is at your hotel.
Day 7/Tue Palermo
A morning tour of this marvelous city features the 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 testament, and the Cloisters. Proceed to Monte
Pellegrino, a promontory that overlooks Palermo?s bay. Here you may visit
Santa Rosalia?s sanctuary, the city?s patron saint. End your morning tour
in Mondello, Palermo?s beach resort, where you may browse, shop or bathe.
Balance of the day is free. In the evening bid ?addio? to your travel
companions during a festive Farewell dinner with delectable cuisine and
sparkling wine in a fashionable restaurant.
Day 8/Wed 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.
