Italy Sicilian Fantasy

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner at the hotel. (Your arrival transfer is included only if you arrive on the actual day the tour commences. For customers arriving earlier an individual transfer can be organized at an additional cost. Night supplements will be charged for early morning/late evening transfers.) (D)

After breakfast, depart for Monreale to admire the cathedral with its splendid 12th century mosaics and the cloister of the Benedictines abbey with its Moorish architecture. Continue with a visit of the capital of Sicily, Palermo, including the cathedral, the Palace of the Normans and its superb Palatina Chapel. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the historical center. After lunch at the hotel, enjoy an afternoon at leisure or consider joining an optional excursion to Monte Pellegrino, the most famous mountain in Palermo. Tonight, enjoy New Year's Eve dinner with music and entertainment at the hotel. (B,L,D)

After a buffet breakfast, depart to Cefalù, charming coastal town, a former fishing village which is also home to a breathtaking Norman Cathedral, famous for its Mosaic of Christ Pantocractor – a stunning Byzantine mosaic that’s considered as one of the most important pieces of religious artwork in Sicily. Take a stroll to the city centre and down main street to reach the Cathedral and the medieval wash-house built in the rock. Depart to Piazza Armerina in the inland of Sicily. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the worldwide known Villa Romana del Casale: it is the richest, largest and most complex collection of late Roman mosaics in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, if the weather permits, take an excursion to Mount Etna;the highest active volcano in Europe. After crossing a fascinating landscape;ascend to 5,400 feet to visit the Sylvester Craters where you can enjoy a spectacular panorama over the Ionian Sea.Stop at the village of Zafferana Etnea to visit a honey production area and enjoy a honey tasting. Continue to Taormina, a charming city called "the pearl of the ;Ionian Sea", founded in 400 BC and beautifully located overlooking the sea and the peak of Mount Etna. After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy time at leisure to shop for handmade lace, coral jewels, ceramics, home-made sweets and preserves on “Corso Umberto”, or simply walk;through the tiny streets. You may want to visit the fascinating Roman - Greek Theater on your own. Return to Catania for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

After a buffet breakfast, depart to Syracuse to visit the most beautiful Greek colony of Sicily. Visit of the archaeological park “Neapolis”, including the famous Latomie of the Paradise, the Greek Theatre and the Dyonisios “Ear”. Visit the island of Ortigia, the small baroque old city centre of Siracusa: here you can admire the Cathedral, which is built on the site of the Temple of Minerva, the legendary “Fontana Arethusa” and the Temple of Apollo. Enjoy time at leisure to wander around Ortigia, full of shops and cafés. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, proceed to Noto, one of the most beautiful cities in Sicily renowned for the harmony and unity of its Baroque style and today declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCOand visit of the historical center. Continue to Ragusa for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

After a buffet breakfast, visit of the ancient city Ragusa "Ibla", cradle of Sicilian baroque, with its Cathedral, situated in the beautiful square of the Dome and the “giardino Ibleo”. Depart to Modica to visit the city divided into two parts: Modica “Bassa” and “Alta”. Modica is also a UNESCO site and is famous for its Baroque churches and scenographic squares; tasting of the famous chocolate (Xocoatl) made with ancient methods brought to Sicily with Spanish domination. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, proceed to Agrigento to visit the magnificent Valley Of Temples of Agrigento, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Temple of Concord, which is in almost perfectly preserved conditions, Juno and Heracles that represent the most beautiful example of the Greek Civilization in Sicily. (B,L,D)

After a buffet breakfast, depart to the Archaeological Park of Selinunte, the largest in the Mediterranean area with the impressive Temples and Acropolis. Stop in a local farmhouse famous for olive oil production where, before lunch, it will be possible to have an oil tasting of local production. Continue to Segesta to visit the Doric Temple, one of the best preserved and most beautiful of all the Greek archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. Proceed to Palermo.(B,L,D)

You will be transferred to the Palermo airport for your return flight home. (Your departure transfer is included only if you depart on the actual day the tour concludes. For customers departing later an individual transfer can be organized at an additional cost. Night supplements will be charged for early morning/late evening transfers.) (B)