SICILY TOUR
Arrival into Palermo begins our tour of Sicily. The following cities and areas listed below, and circled on the map, will be explored over the 8 day tour: Palermo, Erice, Marsala, Selinunte, Sciacca, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina, Acireale, Etna, Taormina, Syracuse, Noto, Catania, Cefalù and Monreale.
Day 1: Departure city – Palermo
After arrival at the Palermo airport and transfer to the hotel there will be a dinner to meet the guide and prepare for the rest of our journey.
Day 2: Western Area - Erice - Marsala - Selinunte - Sciacca - Agrigento
After breakfast at the hotel in Palermo we will depart to Erice for a city tour. (Note: if it is not possible to reach the town of Erice due to sea conditions or closure of a motorway, a visit to Trapani will be substituted for Erice). We will visit a winery in Marsala to enjoy a small tasting. Lunch will be included during the excursion and in the afternoon we depart for Sciacca, where we enjoy a short walk. Continuing the day we make our way to Agrigento to visit the Valley of the Temples and then to the hotel for dinner in Agrigento or surroundings.
Day 3: Eastern Zone - Agrigento - Piazza Armerina - Acireale
After breakfast at the hotel we will take another short tour of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento then depart to Piazza Armerina for lunch. After lunch we will make a visit to the Roman Villa called "Del Casale", famous for its mosaics. From there we will make our way to the coastal town of Acireale to visit the historic center of Baroque architecture. Then we depart to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay in the eastern area of Catania or surroundings.
Day 4: Eastern Zone - Etna - Taormina
We will enjoy a nice breakfast at the hotel then board a bus that will take us up the 1900 meter high volcanic mountain range. For those who are adventurous enough there is the possibility of taking an off-road vehicle and authorized guided tour into the main craters. Note: This is an optional excursion and a separate fee plus any applicable taxes will be due and payable directly to the tour guide. Also, this trip is only possible if weather conditions permit, in some cases we can only make it to 700 meters so we will stop in Zafferana Etnea, where we can see the remains of the 1992 eruptions. If neither of these trips is possible on the day it is planned a visit to Acireale will be substituted. Afterwards we will depart for Taormina to visit the ancient theater before returning to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Eastern Zone - Syracuse - Noto
After breakfast at the hotel we depart for Syracuse to visit the historical center (Ortigia) with the temple of Minerva and the Fountain of Arethusa. There we will view the Greek Theater, the Roman Amphitheater, the Latomie and the Ear of Dionysius. We will stop for lunch during the excursion and then in the afternoon proceed to Noto, an authentic jewel of Sicilian baroque. At the end of this extraordinary day we will return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Eastern Area - Catania - Cefalù - Western Zone
Breakfast is served at the hotel then we depart for Catania where we will walk through the historic center. There will be free time to wonder around and enjoy little snacks sold by vendors on its streets. Depending on the season, it may be an "arancina", a typical fried rice ball from the area, or an ice cream, a granite or some other authentic Sicilian delight. At mid-day we will continue our journey to the city of Cefalù for lunch and a tour of the city and then more free time. At the close of day we will return to a hotel around Palermo for dinner and to regroup and prepare for the final two days of our trip.
Day 7: Western Zone - Palermo - Monreale
After breakfast at the hotel we will visit the center of Palermo, the Duomo and the Cloister of Monreale. We will have lunch there followed by free time in the center or if you choose you can spend time at Mondello beach before returning to the hotel for dinner.
Day 8: Western Zone - West Coast
We will enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel before saying good bye and begin transfers to the airport based on individual schedules for returning flights.
Tours start from $855.00 per person.
Services Include
Accommodation in select 4 Star hotels or similar in the area and surroundings.
Transfers according to schedule.
Transportation to all destinations and excursions.
All regular services listed; however, shopping, optional excursions, unscheduled meals, etc. will be at your own expense.
A local guide for English and Spanish speaking guests will be with us throughout the tour.
Drinks during meals (¼ Liter of wine and ½ Liter of water) and coffee will be served at lunch.
The use of an audio-receptor device will be provided for the duration of the tour.
Travel health insurance is provided, please check prior to booking for coverages so you can decide if additional coverage is desired.
Services not included
Airfare, local and city taxes, tips and any extra activities not scheduled with this tour.
(With all the airfare offers available to consumers we have decided to leave this out of the package pricing so you can find the best deal for you. Hotels are booked when the group size and dates have been established so names and locations will be provided at that time).
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