SAPORI SICILIANI – 8 Days/7 Nights

Itinerary

Breathtaking sights, tastes and perfumes of the Heritage of this Mediterranean civilization.

Day 1 Saturday: Palermo You are greeted at Palermo airport and transferred to your hotel. Late in the afternoon, after a brief introduction from your Tour Director, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Day 2 Sunday: Monreale & Palermo After breakfast, your local guide will show you how Arab-Norman art and architecture reached the pinnacle of its glory with the Monreale Duomo, where golden mosaics represent scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Then Palermo and the Palatine Chapel, Piazza Pretoria, Santa Caterina and San Giuseppe dei Teatini, Via Maqueda with its “four corners” of baroque palaces from 1560. We will then visit il Duomo di Palermo, which reflects the architectural influences of the Greek-Roman, Norman, Arabic and Islamic domination. (BB)

Day 3 Monday: Palermo – Erice – Trapani – Marsala – Palermo Depart for western Sicily and the medieval town of Erice. Wander through its ancient streets and visit some of the homemade pastry shops, world famous for marzipan candies and other delicacies like almond and pistachio pastry. Then we will visit an olive oil factory and farmhouse located in the village of Fontanasalsa to enjoy a light lunch. In the afternoon, we travel between Trapani and Marsala to the Salt Road, to tour the historic saltpan works, where the ancient tradition of harvesting salt from the sea is still practiced. Arrive in Marsala and visit a local winery to taste Sicilian wines. Later, back to Palermo. (BB, L)

Day 4 Tuesday: Palermo – Agrigento – Leonforte (Enna) Today we drive across the vast countryside enabling us to see Sicily's great variety of scenery. We arrive in Agrigento, whose history dates back to 580 BC. We will take a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples, a magnificent cluster of Greek ruins overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Later we depart for Leonforte, near Enna, which boasts wheat, citrus fruits and olive oil production. Tonight, we stay at Villa Gussio a typical Sicilian old-country hotel in the green heart of Sicily. Dinner at the hotel. (BB, D)

Day 5 Wednesday: Leonforte – Enna – Piazza Armerina – Caltagirone Our first stop is Enna, once a centre of great military importance under the Greeks and Romans. On the upper part of the town stands the Lombardia Castle, the oldest and best-preserved castle in Sicily. Continue to Piazz 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 where the production of ceramics has been going on for over 1,000 years. Climb the Stairway of Santa Maria del Monte, the city's symbol of 142 steps decorated with glazed majolica tiles. Time at leisure. Return to our hotel for dinner. (BB, D)

Day 6 Thursday: Leonforte – Syracuse – Taormina Depart for Syracuse, founded in 735BC by the Corinths, for a walk around Ortygia Island in the heart of the city centre. In the afternoon, a guided tour of the archeological area including the Greek Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre and Paradise Quarry. Aftrwards, we drive along the coast to Taormina, the world famous resort of Sicily for its views and atmosphere. (BB)

Day 7 Friday: Taormina – Mount Etna – Santa Venerina – Taormina A short drive takes us to the slopes of Mt. Etna. Weather and volcanic conditions permitting, we will experience the lava fields and incredible views of Europe's highest and most active volcano. Then proceed on to a winery and farmhouse located in the lovely village of Santa Venerina. This estate also produces olive oil, grappa, sparkling wine and artisan food. We indulge in a typical lunch at the farmhouse. This afternoon, back to Taormina and time at leisure. Farewell dinner at local restaurant. (BB, L, D)

Day 8 Saturday: Taormina – Catania Breakfast at the hotel. Time to say goodbye to Sicily as we are transferred to Catania Airport (CTA). (BB)

Tour Details

The package includes
* Airport transfers for services between 7.00am and 8.00pm
* 7 nights accommodation
* Buffet breakfast daily
* Two visits to Sicilian cellars and tasting Sicilian wine
* Deluxe Van/mini-coach with air-conditioning
* English speaking Tour Director/Driver as per program
* Welcome Dinner with choice of 2 set-menù
* Farewell Dinner with choice of 2 set-menù
* Two dinners at Hotel-Villa with choice of 2 set-menù
* One light lunch at olive-oil factory-farmhouse tasting typical local dishes
* One light-lunch at Winery-farmhouse tasting typical Etna dishes
* Natural mineral water at included meals
* All sightseeing, tasting and excursions as specified in the itinerary
* Cablecar to Erice city centre (subject to weather forecast)
* Cablecar to Etna Volcano (subject to weather forecast)
* Admission fee included for all sites and other activities as per itinerary
* Baggage Handling of one piece of luggage at hotel
* Hotel & City Taxes

Not included
Intercontinental Flight; Gratuities to tour director and driver; Porterage at
airport; Gratuities to local guide; Beverages and meals not mentioned in the
itinerary; Travel insurance; Airport transfers between 8.00pm and 7.00am;
Everything that is not clearly specified under “rate includes”

Superior First Class Hotels on this Tour
Hotels may be substituted with similar category
Sicilian Heritage:
* Palermo (3 nights) Hotel Plaza Opera (Standard room)
* Leonforte (2 nights) Villa Gussio Nicoletti (Standard room)
* Taormina (2 nights) Hotel Montetauro OR Hotel Villa Angela
(Standard room – no sea view)
Deluxe Sicilian Heritage:
* Palermo (3 nights) Hotel Plaza Opera
(Superior room, welcome fruit box on arrival)
* Leonforte (2 nights) Villa Gussio Nicoletti (Superior room)
* Taormina (2 nights) Hotel Montetauro (Superior room – no sea view)

Prices per person
Sicilian Heritage:
Double $2962 Single $3426
Deluxe Sicilian Heritage:
Double $3516 Single $3982

Departures
Departs from Palermo on a Saturday on the following dates:
April 19th, 26th; May 10th, 17th; June 7th, 14th, 28th; July 5th; September
6th, 13th, 20th, 27th;October 18th, 25th;