Italy Travel Holiday Sicily 2008 Sicilian Panorama Escorted tour 7 nights-8 days

1st DAY/SATURDAY CATANIA (D)
Arrival at the hotel. Accommodation. Welcome cocktail, dinner and overnight at your hotel.

2nd DAY /SUNDAY -CATANIA-SIRACUSE-RAGUSA (B,D)
After buffet breakfast, depart for Syracuse and visit the archaeological area including the famous Latomie of the Paradise and the "Dyionisios' Ear". Continue to the island of Ortigia,  the historical center of the city. Lunch on your own. Visit of the Cathedral and the legendary Arethuse fountain with the papyrus reed. Depart for the authentic baroque city of Ragusa and accommodation at Hotel Mediterraneo (4 stars). This evening will be dedicated to a fascinating visit of the historical center of Ibla and a dinner at a famous restaurant with a typical Sicilian menu. Overnight in Ragusa.

3rd DAY /MONDAY -RAGUSA-PIAZZA-ARMERINA-AGRIGENTO (B,L,D)
After buffet breakfast, depart for Caltagirone, famous center of Sicilian ceramics production. Continue to Piazza Armenia and visit the worldwide known Villa Romana Del Casale with its well preserved mosaics. Lunch in a local restaurant with a special menu chosen to give the opportunity to taste the local specialties. Depart for Agrigento and visit the Valley of the Temples, the best preserved Greek Temples in  the world Dinner at your hotel. After dinner join us on an unforgettable tour of the illuminated Valley of  Temples.

4th DAY /TUESDAY - AGRIGENTO--MONREALE-PALERMO (B, D)
After buffet breakfast depart for Palermo. First stop in Monreale : visit the Cathedral, one of the most beautiful monuments of the world with the celebrated golden mosaics, and the Benedictine Cloister in Arab-Norman style. Lunch on your own. Continue to Palermo where we'll visit the historical center, one of the largest historic town centers of Europe with  the imposing Cathedral, the Palatine Chapel and  the Royal Palace. Accommodation ,Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Palermo.

5th DAY/WEDNESDAY- PALERMO-SEGESTA-ERICE-TRAPANI-PALERMO  (B,D)
After buffet breakfast, depart for Segesta to admire the Temple and the Theater surrounded by a suggestive landscape. Continue to the medieval village of Erice placed on the top of a hill, and walk in its tiny and characteristic streets. Lunch on your own. Down to Trapani to view the salt windmills still in operation. Return to Palermo. Enjoy a special dinner at a local restaurant in Palermo.

6th DAY/THURSDAY PALERMO-CEFALU-PARCO DEI NEBRODI***-TAORMINA -GIARDINI NAXOS  (B,L, D)
After buffet breakfast, depart for Cefalù and visit the Arab-Norman Cathedral. Enjoy a walk in the streets of the small village and continue to the Park of "Nebrodi". Stop at the Miraglia Forest for lunch with a typical menu including home made pasta. Continue to Cesarò, Randazzo and visit the Etna park from an unusual point of view, the North part of it. Indescribable landscapes will appear under your eyes. Arrival in Giardini Naxos, dinner and overnight at your hotel.

7th DAY/FRIDAY - TAORMINA- GIARDINI NAXOS  (B,D)
After breakfast, full day at leisure in one of the famous Mediterranean resorts. Enjoy this free day by walking on the streets of charming Taormina perched on top of the hillside that has inspired many artists. For those who will be interested, possibility of an optional excursion to Mount Etna ( till 18000 meters or ascent to 3000 meters). In the evening be ready for a farewell dinner at your hotel.

8th DAY/SATURDAY - TAORMINA / GIARDINI NAXOS  (B)
After buffet breakfast, end of the tour. Individual departures to the airport.

Departure dates 2008: Apr 5, 12, 19, 26, May 10, 17, 24, June 7, 14, 21, 28, Jul 5, Sep 6, 13, 20, 27, Oct 4, 11, 18, 25

Prices per person / 2008
Euro or US$* 875 per person based on double occupancy
single supplement: Euro or US$* 220 

* US$ rate varies depending on the exchange rate


Tour Includes:
* 7nights hotel accommodation in 4star hotels throughout the tour
* Coach transportation
* 7 dinners, 2 lunches and 7 breakfast, Welcome cocktail
* Services of tour escort and local guides
* Taxes

Not included:
* Entrance fees (payable locally aprox. 40 Euro)
* Transfers from airport to hotel and back
* Beverages 

Hotels used on the tour:
CATANIA'S AREA
GALATEA SEA PALACE (4 stars) or VILLA DEL BOSCO (4stars) or 
Grand Hotel Excelsior

RAGUSA
MEDITERRANEO HOTEL(4 stars) or similar

AGRIGENTO
Grand Hotel dei Templi (4star)

PALERMO
 GRANDE ALBERGO SOLE (4stars) 

TAORMINA'S AREA
HOTEL CEASAR PALACE (4stars) or similar.
 

 Extension in Catania, Palermo or in other Italian cities is possible, please inquire !